The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-23
ON THE CAST OF
AIDE.

bought ot Natchez. Hold on the game
Just one minute, gentlemen, and I'll 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 hereabout,
and the "boy" was her son.
The boy was not far from 10 years of
age, with a face lighter in color than was
his mothers, his features really hand
some.
Look here, gentlemen" spoke the
planter, rising; "hcre's as likely n pair,
for a girl and her brat, as you can scare
SCOOP"
"Why not put 'em up separator" 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 ! 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 a rattle. Twenty dollars a throw and
30 chances for the pair"
The chances, all but two, were quickly
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 hersefp
"Yes; give her u chance"
"All right. One chance for Ninettew
Before the planter could call again
Judge Underwood had placed $50 upon
the table, saying as he did so:
"This is for the boy"
'Goodp' cried the owner of the proper
ty. "Heres a chance for Tommy, and
that takes the lot. Where's the clerk"
"Here"
"IIave ye got blanks for this sort of
businessp
"Yes."
"Then won't ye fill up bill of sale of
these two-Ninette and Tommy-and
leave n place to put in the name of the
winnerP
Now for the dice gentlemen"
The dice were brought on, and the
shaking commenced. OF the first ten
throws 80 was the biggest cast. The
eleventh throw turned up 40. Then the
scores fell again till the twenty first
throw, when one of the gamesters threw
out 40.
The crowd were now all excitement.
Forty-nine was Il hard point to beat.
The lowest number that could be thrown
was o, and the highest, nine skies,
was 81, making what Is called an aver
age throw about 311a. OF 100 throws
the majority will fall below 80.
Again the dice ratified in the box as the
next 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 pulling Of the engine
broke the stiffness of the place.
"Will the gentleman who paid for the
chance throw for meY' 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 nine"
Tommy came forward and took The
box. His mothers hands were clnsped
and her lips moved. What n world OF
veal or woe hung upon the tickle chance
He held in his hand the sealed book il
which was written the fate of his mother
and himself, and it was to be opened
upon the hazard of die!
He shook the box and turned the die,
upon the table. Three acesl A momen
he gazed upon the three single spots, ant
then, dropping the box, he sank back
pale and frightened.
"Shake again, Tommy" said tn,
planter.
Its no use, master. / can't get 40"
but you've got your own chance, my
boy"
AYE" cried the judge. "That wal
your mothers chance. Now throw TO
yourself-throw for the chance / CAV,
you. Brace up and take heart, and ma,
heaven help youw
That was not an assembly of religious
ly inclined persons by any means, but tn,
fervent petition of the judge met with
warm and impulsive response of "Amen'
from nearly all present.
Again the boy came forward and lifteC
the box. His lips were tightly shut, an,
the old quivering of the limbs was hush
ed. The only sound in that saloon, aboy,
the deep breathing of the spectators, wa
the clicking of the ivory cubes. Present
ly the first throw was made.
"Eive, five, six. are 16p' announced tn
planter, setting down the figures.
The dice We're gathered up and thrown
again.
''Six, six and five. Goodl That
IT."
The boy was pale as death as he tool
the box for the last throw, and his moth
er leaned against stanchion for support
At length-and the book was opened!
''Three siXes-1S! And that's 81! NJ,
boy, you're trump! Now, Mr.. Clerk
fill up the bill of sale, and I'll sign it be
fore these witnesses"
The scene that followed can be bette
imagined than described. The last tim
] heard from Judge Underwood he wa
alive and well, though long retired from
active life. Ninette was his housekeepe
and Tommy his most trustfuI and trustee
henchman.-EXchange.
"
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