El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-03
ON THE CAST OF
AIDE.

y
The man went away and shortly re-
turned, accompanied by the girl and
boy" Said girl proved to be n bright
mulatto of FIVE and thirty or thereabout.
and the hoy" 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: heres as likely a pair,
for u girl and her brat. as you can scare
up. i paid $500 for 'em. Who'll give
sGOO?"
why not put 'em up separator" asked
Dne.
"'Twon't do to sell 'em separate. The
girl has sworn that she will kill herself
IL 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 a few seconds with
out receiving an answer and then said:
Il must have the money, so here goes
for n 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 ia BILE and
threw down two gold eagles.
what name?"
"Give it to the woman"
''Eh? The gal herselfT'
Eyes; give her a chance"
'All right. One chance for Ninette"
Before the planter could call again
Judge 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. Here's a chance for Tommy, and
that takes the lot. Where's the clerkT'
Have ye got blanks for this sort of
business?"
Yes"
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
winnerT'
Now for the dice. gentlemen"
The dice were brought on, and the
shaking commenced. OF the first ten
throws SO was Che biggest cast. The
eleventh throw turned up 40. 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-nine was q 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 BIZ. or 100 throws
the majority will fall below 30.
Again the dice ratified in the box the
next gamester took his turn, but his
throw was 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. TYNE the gamester.
"Come. Ninette: it's your tun-"
10. f.I md r<.I ozI
pressed her hand over her heart. Only
the groaning and putting OF the engine
broke the stiffness of the place.
will the gentleman who paid for the
chance throw for meg" she said In low,
musical voice, earnest md imploring and
of purest accent
Let your boy throw for yos.- 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. What world of |
veal or woe hung upon the tickle 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 hazarL of a die,
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. I can't get 49,"
But you've got your own chance, my
boy"
aye" cried the Judge. THAT was
FOUR mothers chance. Now throw for
for the chance 1 gave
Tou- Brace up aud take heart. and may
heaven help you
That was not an assembly of religious |
y inclined persons by any means, but the
ervent petition of the judge met with a
warm and impulsive response of amen"
rom nearly all present.
Again the boy came forward and lifted
he box His lips were tightly shut. and
he old quivering of the limbs was hush
d. The only sound in that saloon. above
he deep breathing OF the spectators. was
he clicking Of the ivory cubes. Present
y the first throw was made.
'F'ivc. five. six. are 16,' announced the
lanter, setting down the figures.
The dice Were gathered up and thrown
gain.
''Six. aK and five. Good, That's .
a"
The boy was pale as death as he took |
he box for the last throw, and his moth |
r leaned against stanchion for support. |
II length-and the book was openedl
'.Three sixes-1S, And that's 81 My &
oy. you're a trump, Now. Mr.. Clerk. | I
ii up the bill OF sale. and I'll sign it be-
ore these witnesses"
The scene that followed can be better {
nagined than described. The last time I
heard from Judge Underwood he was
live and well. though long retired from | .
ctive life. Ninette was his housekeeper I
nd Tommy his most trustful and trusted l
enchman.-Exchange.
4"