Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-06-27
SLAVE OR FREE?


boy" Said girl proved to BIO bright
mulatto of five and thirty or thereabout,
and the "hcy" was her son.
The boy was not far from 10 years OF
age with face lighter In color than was
his mothers, his features really handsome.
"Look here, gentlemen" spoke the
planter rising, "here's MS likely pair, for
girl and her brat, as you can scare up.
paid $500 for 'em. Who'll give e600f"
"Why not put em up separateS' asked
one
"'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
girl has sworn that she will kill herself II
her boy Is sold AWAY from her, and her old
master says she'll be sure to keep her
word. But don't ye 500 tho woman Is
worth morc'n ask for tho pair. Now,
what dye sayp Who'll take 'em at e600r'
Tho owner waited n few seconds with
out receiving an answer and then said:
II must have the money, 80 here goes
for rattle. Twenty dollars throw and
80 chances for tho pair.
Tho chances, all but two, were quickly
taken by those Mt the table.
1.-TWO more chances, gentlemen.
A man whispered apart to tho Judge
and then made his way to the table and
threw down two gold eagles
"Whnt nameY
"Give II to tho woman"
"Ehp Tho gal herselfp"
Eyes; give her chance"
IAN right. Ono chance for Ninettep'
Before the planter could call again Judge
Underwood had placed SEQ upon tho table
saying az no did 30:
"This IL for the boy"
t1a n,pt I,a
ty. "Hero's chance for Tommy, and that
takes the lot. Where's tho Clerkp'
Here"
"Havo 70 got blanks for this sort Of bust
ncssp"
eyes"
"Then won't ye fill up bill Of sale Of
these two--Ninette and Tommy-and leave
Aplace to put In tho namo Of the winnerp
Now for tho dice, gentlemen.
The dice were brought on, and the shak
ing commenced. or tho first ten throws
90 was tho biggest, number cast. Tho olev-
enth throw turned up AZ. Then tho scores
fell again TIL tho twenty first throw, whom
ono Of tho gnmesters threw out 40
Tho crowd were now MI excitement
Forty-nino was hard point to boat
The lowest number that could DO thrown
was 8, and tho highest (nine sixes) was
"a, making what IL called an average
throw about 8l]I. or 100 throws tho ma
jority will fall below 82.
Again tho dice ratified In tho box NJ the
second gamoster took his turn, but his
throw was u low one. Tho twenty eighth
throw belonged to tho clcrk Of the boat,
who Ind now returned with tho bill Of
salo. Ho threw 40, tying tho gnmostor.
Come, Ninotto; It's your turn.
Tho woman started and quivered and
pressed hor hand over her heart Only the
groaning and pulling of tho engine broke
the stiffness of tho place.
"Will tho gentleman who paid for tho
chance throw for mcp" she said In low.
musical voice, earnest and imploring and
Of purcst accent.
'Let your boy throw for you, )" returned
tho man. His luck should DO better than
mine"
Tommy came forward and took tho box.
His mothers hands were clnsped, and hor
lips moved. Tho boy tramblod like nm
aspen. What n world Of veal or WOO hung
upon tho tickle chancel Ho held In his
hand tho sealed book In which was written
tho fate Of his mother and himself and II
was to be opened upon tho hazard of die
He shook tho box and turned the dice
upon tho table. Three ncosl A moment
no gazed upon tho three single spots, and
then dropping the box no sank back pale
and frightened.
"Shako again, Tommy" said tho
planter.
cts no use, master can't got 40"
But you've got your own chance, my
boy"
AYE" cried tho judge. "That was
your mothers chance. Now throw for
yourself--throw for tho chance gave you
--braoe up and take heart, and may hoav-
on help you'll"
That was not nm assembly Of rcligiously
inclined persons by any means but tho
fervent petition of tho Judge met with
warm and impulsive response of "Amcn"
from nearly all present,
Again tho boy came forward and lifted
the box. His lips were tightly shut and
tho old quivoring OF the limbs was hushcd
Tho only sound In that saloon, above tho
deep breathing Of tho spectators, WAS tho
clicking Of the Ivory cubes. Presently the
6rst throw was made.
"Fivo, five, six, are 16l" announced the
planter, setting down tho figures.
Tho dice were gathered up and thrown
again.
"Six, six and u Ave. Good That's IL"
Tho boy WAS pale M death ms he took the
box for tho Inst throw and his mother
leaned against n stnnchion for support
At longth-and tho book was opcnodl
Three sixos--lsl and that's oil My
boy, you're triumph Now, Mr.. Clerk, iii
up the bill Of sale, and I'll sign 1t before
these witnesses"
The scene that followed can be better
imagined than described. Tho Inst time I
heard from Judge Underwood he was alive
and we'll, though long retired from active
life, Ninette was his housokocpor and
Tommy his most trustful and trusted
henohman. New York News.
Blood Thicker Than Water.
Blood Is thicker than water Is nh OK