Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-07

A RATTLE FOR FREEDOM.

lie SuiJDiIch dICDuIt VI
alleged TO have occurred on Mississippi
steamboat a snort time before the war is
from German sketch OF American travel.
assembled the Mississippi. says the
writer, on a steamer. on board of which
were Judge J. and General K, of
Pennsylvania, with both of whom | was
slightly acquainted. "A hard set. these
Natchez men," said the captain. who met
US on the cabin stairs. There's some OF
them down in the saloon playing high
game. How meu can be such fools
could never see !" Lets 90 down and
look on awhile" suggested the judge. In
the saloon We found four men seated at
table, around which crowd of spectators
were gathered. The four were the "heavy
players" The game was poker, and the
money changed hands rapidly We had
not been looking on long. when one of
the players. middle-aged man. who
learned was cotton planter, bet his last
dollar against the hand OF one of his an
tagonists. The latter showed four kings.
while he had only four queens. He was
"eleaned out. "and rose as though he were
going to leave the table. "Are you broke.
colonel ?" asked one of the men. dead !"
was the laconic reply. Never mind I'll
lend you" mo; ! can make raise.
reckon. Here. Pompr' Here, NASSAU
responded an old negro. rs he emerged
from one corner of the saloon. Bring
that girl and her youngster here that
bought in Natchez. Wait few minutes.
gentlemen. I'll raise some money" The
old negro went on his errand. and soon
returned with the girl and her youngste..
The girl proved to he stately
mulatto woman about thirtv-five years
old. Her youngster was fine inteli-
gent-looking boy. eleven or twelve years
old, whose complexion showed him to be-
much more nearly allied to the white race
than the black. Here. gentlemen. said
the planter. rs they entered: you see
this girl and her bov-two as fine Diggers
as you can see anywhere. | paid $500
for them in Natchez. Who viii give me
5000 for themP'' ''Will you sell them sep
arate ?" asked some one. mo, can't do
it; promised not to. The girl swears
she II take her life if she's separated from
her boy. and her old master said that he
was sure she'd keep her word. But don't
you all see that the girl is worth more
money than | ask for both of them
Come. who'll give me 5000 for bothP"
The planter waited for reply, and then
said. We'll. must have some money.
Come. what saw you to a ratile-30 chances
at $50 q chance9 Out with your cash. gen.
tlemen. The first on the list has the first
throw ]" This proposition created decid-
ed stir among all present. The three
players at the table led off by taking three
chances each. Their example was fol-
lowed by the spectators, and twenty
chances were taken rs rapidly rs the plan
ter could write down the names and take
the money. Then there was slight
pause. THE planter himself now took
two chances. and he was followed by his
three fellow players, who each took one
chance more Finally. three more chances
were taken by the spectators. when the
planter cried out, Two chances
still. gentlemen Who will have them?"
General k-whispered something in
Judge is ear. and then went to the
tad e and laid two ten-dollar gold pieces
onI it. Name. sir. please" Never
mil the name. Put il down tor the wo-
msn." 'Eh-what for the girl herself?-
YES. certainly. let's give her chance. ="
"Al right, One for Ninette And now"
-4That's for the boy" said Judge i.
quietly. rs he laid twenty dollars on the
tat1e. Good bravo bravo" cried the
planter and several of the bystanders
'.Cpe for Tommy which makes the thirty
NOW, gentlemen. let's see whom luck
fsvprs." The dice were brought, and the
thriving began. Each chance entitled
the holder to three throws. Thirty-six
Wal the highest throw until the holder of
tha eleventh chance threw. He scored
for(v-two. Then less number was
thrSwn. until No. n scored fortv-nine.
Tho excitement now became intense.
Fotty nine was hard to beat; the highest
throw possible being nine sixes-ffty-
four. Again and again the dice ratified
in the box. until it came to No. 23 Come
NiAette; it's your turn nowr' As the
poof woman came forward. her hands
CROSSED and pressed convulsively against
her breast, il was truly painful to witness
her agitation. Won't the gentlemen
who. took the chance for me please throw"
she asked. in low. tremulous
tone. NO; let your boy throw
replied the gentleman; perhaps he would
have more luck than l." Come. Tom. :"
said the planter. Tom came forward and
picked up the box. The woman pressed
her lips firmly together. and clasped her
hands As if in prayer. The boy trembled
like an aspsn-leaf. but shook the dice, and
threw-three. For u moment he stared
n the dice IS though he could not believe
his eyes. then he put down the box and
stepped back, pale and detected. Come.
Tommy. throw again" urged the planter
Its no use. master. | couldn't throw
forfv-nina now ~ s.Torv trina hn. 49,,