Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-02
SLAVE OR FREE?

planter rising, "here's as likely pair, for
girl and her brat, as you can scare up.
paid $500 for 'em Who'll give SCOOP"
"Why not put 'em up separator" asked
one
'Twon't do to sell 'em separate The
girl has sworn that she will k1p herself if
her boy is sold away from her, and her old
master says she'll be sure to keep her
word. But don't ye see the woman is
worth morc% l ask for the pair. Now,
what dye say? Who'll take 'em at SGOO"
The owner waited few seconds with
out receiving an answer and then said:
II must have the money, so here goes
for a rattle. Twenty dollars u throw and
80 chances for the pair"
The chances, all but two, were quickly
taken by those at the table.
1.-TWO moro chances, gentlemen"
A man whispered apart to the judge
and then made his way to the table and
threw down two gold eagles.
"What name?"
"Give it to the woman"
"EhP The gal herself?"
eyes; give her chance"
can right. One chance for Nincttep'
Before the planter could call again Judge
Underwood had placed $50 upon the table,
saying as he did so: i
"This is for the boy"
"Good" cried the owner Of the proper
ty. "Hcrc's u chance for Tommy, and that
takes tho lot. Where's the clerk?"
"Herc."
"Have ye got blanks for this sort of bust
ness?"
eyes"
"Then won't yo fill up bill Of sale of
these two-Ninottean and Tommy-and leave
place to put in the name of the winner?
"Now for the dice, gentlemen"
The dice were brought on, and the shak
ing commenced. OF the first ten throws
SO was the biggest number cast The elev-
enth throw turned up ~. Then the scores
| fell again till the twenty first throw, when
one of the gamesters throw out 40.
The crowd were now all excitement.
Forty-nino was u hard point to beat.
| The lowest number that could be thrown
was g. and the highest (nine sixcs) was
| 81, making what is called an average
throw about 81 x. OF 100 throws the ma
jority will fall below 80.
Again the dice ratified in the box as tho
second gamestcr took his turn, but his
throw was low one The twenty eighth
throw belonged to the clerk of tho boat,
who had now returned with the bill of
sale He threw 40, tying the gamester
Come, Ninotto; it's your turn"
The woman started and quiyered and
pressed her hand over her heart. Only the
groaning and pulling of the engine broke
the stiffness of the place.
"Will the gentleman who paid for tho
chance throw for me?" she said in low,
musical voice, earnest and imploring and
of purost accent.
LET your boy throw for you, " returned
the man. His luck should be better than
| mine"
Tommy came forward and took the box.
His mothers hands were clasped, and her
lips moved. The boy trembled like an
aspen. What world of veal or woe hung
upon the tickle chancel He held in his
hand the sealed book IN which was written
the fate of his mother and himself, and it
was to be opened upon the hazard of a die!
He shook the box and turned the dice
upon the table. Three acesl A moment
he gazed upon the three single spots, and
then dropping the box he sank back, pale
and frightened.
"Shake again, Tommy" said tho
planter.
|
"But you've got your own chance, my
boy"
faye" cried the judge. "That was
your mothers chance. Now throw for
yourself-throw for the chance gave you
brace up and take heart, and may heav
en- help you'll"
That was not an assembly of eligiously
inclined persons by any means, but the
fervent petition of the judge met with n
warm and impulsive response of "Amen"
from nearly all present.
Again the boy came forward and lifted
the box. His lips were tightly shut, and
the old quivering of the limbs was hushed
The only sound in that saloon, above tho
deep breathing Of the spectators, was the
clicking of the ivory cubes Presently the
first throw was made.
Give, five, six, are 1872 announced the
planter, setting down the figures.
The dice were gathered up and thrown
again.
"Six, six and five. Goodl That's H."
The boy was pale as death as he took tho
box for the last throw and his mother
leaned against stanchion for support.
At length-and the book was openedl
"Three sixes-1S! and that's 81! My
boy, you're a triumph Now, Mr.. Clerk fill
up the bill of sale, and I'll sign it before
these witnesses"
The scene that followed can be better
imagined than described. The last time 1
heard from Judge Underwood he was alive
and well, though long retired from active
life. Ninctte was his housekeeper and
Tommy his most trUstful and trusted