The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-24
SLAVE OR FREE?

It was on the Mississippi in 1858. The
"coloneI' had lost his last dollar at poker.
"Bring the girl and boy here that I
bought at Natchez. Hold on the game
just one minute, gentlemen, and III make
a raise
The man went away and shortly re-
turned accompanied by the ''girl and
boy" Said girl proved to be a bright
mulatto of five and thirty or thereabout,
and the "boy" 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 as likely pair, for
a girl and her brat, as you can scare up. I
paid $500 for 'em. Who'll give SCOOP
"Why not put 'em up SEPARATED asked
one.
" 'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
girl has sworn that she will kill 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 more'n I ask for the pair. Now,
what dye say? Who'll take 'em at SCOOP"
The owner waited few seconds with
out receiving an answer and then said:
81 must have the money, so here goes
for rattle Twenty dollars throw and
80 chances for the pair
Inc CnaDcoS all DuG Two, were
taken by those at the table.
''Two more 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"
''Eh? The gal herself?'
eyes; give her q chance"
can right. One chance for Ninettel'
11o nils mtg call Loo Ind
Underwood had placed $50 upon the table,
saying as he did so:
''This is for the boy"
"Good!' cried the owner of the proper
ty. "Heres a chance for Tommy, and that
takes the lot. Where's the clerk?'
"Here"
"Have ye got blanks for this sort of bust
ness?''
eyes"
"Then won't ye fill up bill of sale of
these two-Ninette 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 AZ. Then the scores
fell again till the twenty-frst throw, when
one of the gamesters threw out 40.
The crowd were now all excitement.
Forty was a hard point to beat.
The lowest number that could be thrown
was 8, and the highest (nine sixes) was
54 making what is called an average
throw about BIZ. OF 100 throws the ma
iority will fall below 80.
Again the dice ratified in the box as the
second gamester took his turn, but his
throw was a low one. The twenty eighth
throw belonged to the clerk of the boat,
who had now returned with the bill of
SALE He threw 40, tying the gamester.
"Come, Ninette; it's your turn
The woman started and quivered and
pressed her hand over her heart. Only the
groaning and putting of the engine broke
the stiffness of the place.
"Wll the gentleman who paid for the
chance throw for me?'' she said in low,
musical voice, earnest and imploring and
of purest 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 a world of veal or woe hung
upon the fickle chance! He held in his
hand the scaled book in which was written
the fate of his mother and himself, and it
was to be opened upon the hazard of diel
He shook the box and turned the dice
upon the table. Three aces! A moment
he gazed upon the three single spots, and
then dropping the box he sank back, pale
and frightened.
| ''Shake again, Tommy" said the
planter.
Its no USE master. can't get 49,
| ''But you We got your own chance my
''Aye," cried the judge. "That was
| your mothers chance. Now throw for
yoursef-throw for the chance gave you
brace up and take heart, and may heav-
en- help you!'
That was not an assembly of religiously
! inclined persons by any means, but the
| fervent petition of the judge met with a
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 the
deep breathing of the spectators, was the
clicking of the ivory cubes. Presently the
first throw was made.
Five, five, six, are 1877 announced the
! planter, setting down the figures.
The dice were gathered up and thrown
again.
''Six, six and a five. Good That's II"
The boy was pale as death as he took the
! box for the last throw, and his mother
leaned against a stanchion for support.
At length-and the book was openedl
"Three sixes-18 and that's 51 My
! boy, you're trump! 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 I
heard from Judge Underwood he was alive
and well, though long retired from active
| life. Ninette was his housekeeper and
! Tommy his most trustful and trusted
| henchman.-NewY York News.
Blood Thicker Than Water.