Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-09-09

rived in its progress are acting upon
me somewhat as the real scenes Of
thirty years ago affected me, and
mast go rapidly forward to the close.
It may therefore be said that the skill
and management of lie Fevre, with the
friendly aid of the house servants, put
in successful operation the initiative
of the plan OF escape that he had de-
vised. A little after midnight Coralie
and / were in a carriage that had been
brought by a roundabout plantation
road some distance above the house.
lie Fevre took the reins, and drove
rapidly toward Donaldsonville.
He had judged rightly as to what the
occupation of Conrad BostoclS and his
boon companions was likely to be On
this night. A good account of their
roysterings, and of the manner in
which Coralie's fight was discovered,
was afterward furnished to me by one
of the negro women who listened in
trepidation at the parlor door, anxious
for some hint as TO what was to be-
come of herself and 1.-The people" Of
the plantation. The negroes had heard
the rumor that the "new maussa" in
tended to sell them all, and let the
plantation to some one who could
stock it; and Bess was endeavoring to
secure early information OF his real
designs
The new proprietor had discovered
the repository of the wine, and dozen
dusty bottles had been brought mp.
When sufficient of their contents had
been drunk to make the party merry,
cards were produced, and gambling
commenced. There seemed to be plenty
of money among them, and the game
was continued with varying success
till midnight. when Conrad was largely
the winner.
The bottle had circulated freely, and
the depraved men were ready for any
thing that would yield new excite
ment.
1.-TWO thousand dollars against that
girl!'' Gardette shouted
"DonerHsaid Bostock-
The cards were dealt. and the others
stood close by the table to watch the
game. Gardette lost.
Another chancew he demanded
"Yes," said the winner.
This time Gardette won.
THE girl is miner he shouted, ex-
ultirgly.
Wen play again." Conrad clamored.
80, no. I'm content. You've won
enough, tonight, to stop"
You'll play again, the girl against
two Thousand dollars. or you'll fightr'
the other insisted
Both were intiamed with wine, and
the excitement of gaming, which is
greater than that of wine. Pistols
were drawn, and one or both would
have fallen; but at this moment their
companions interviewed and persuaded
Gardette, for the sake of peace, to con-
sent to one more game.
1t was played with the same stakes.
Gardette lost. With an oath, he swal-
lowed another glass, and said:
This is a good deal like farce,
Con. Here we've been playing for the
girl for the last hour, and as the game
turns, you'll keep her. But suppose
I'd won at the eAd?"
"Then you'd take her"
Maybe you couldn't deliver her"
"Why not?"
81 don't know; I'm only talking.
But l happened to think, while the
game was going on, and it was doubt
full who'd be her master, what a silly
lot we were to be playing for some
thing that none of us might ever set
eyes on again"
Now, Gardette. what the devil dye
mean?"
"Only a suspicion; that's all. Here
you shut Yourself up with your friends
and en- Joy yourself half the night, leav-
ing that long-headed overseer and that
hot-blooded young chap with him to
kick up all kinds of deviltry with your