Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-02-18
"A Turning Point.

Ryhk DetWcSh Gts A<UuA@ auA view vi
leans. Lester was tired Of life. Though
but thirty-two years old, he saw moth
ing attractive IN his past, present or
future. His father, Louisiana plant
er, had died insolvent, and his son had
been thrown upon the world. In those
days--the FIRST half Of the last century
gambling was not considered 50 de-
basing a profession as now. and men
Of otherwise irreproachabie character
engaged in IT, Dan Lester fell in with
one Of these gamblers. who took fan
ey to him and taught him the art.
But blood will tell" and, though
Smothered in the boy, It cropped out in
the man. He detested his calling Con
sequently, life not seeming to him TO
be a paying condition. he was consid-
ering the question Of ending it.
aren't you going to take chance
in the raffie, LesterT asked a passen-
ger.
What rafiieY
"Colored girl and her boy. They be-
long to a young lady from Memphis on
her way TO New Orleans. She's short
OF money and wants to sell 'em. The
clerk Of the boat offered to get up a
rattle for 'em."
Lester slowly rose from his chair
found a young slave woman with her
boy, ten years old. A blank bill Of sale
lay on a table ready to be filled out in
the name Of the winner. A number of
men had gathered round, some Of
whom were putting down their names
for chances in the rattle.
"AlI right" said the clerk. "We'll
hrst throw for the gal"
Three dice were thrown three times.
Whoever threw the highest number I'm
three throws was to win the woman.
A Btockman won her, and she began
TO beg him to buy her little boy. He
told her the boy would be of no use TO
him Her pieadings were pathetic.
"Come, let's have the matter over
with" said the clerk. Put down your
names, gentlemen. for the boy. He's
to be rafiled for $500 vaIue-$50
chance. He would be cheap at $500"
IF the winner" said Lester, "will
put up the mother with the boy, max
ing pool for the two Of $1,000, I'll
take half the chances"
Done" said the winner, who would
make a profitable cash turn by the
transaction.
Lester took half the chances, as he
had agreed. and had one chance en-
tered In the name OF little Joe. the boy
When all was ready the owners of
chances began to throw. Il was
agreed that Lester should open the
game. Having number OF chances,
be threw for each chance. his highest
throw being forty-nve In a possible
lfty-four. The next three men threw
less than he, but the last man to throw
before the boys chance came TO be
tested threw forty-aeven.
Come, joe" said the clerk, throw
for yourself. There you are. II you
win. your mother and you win be free"
"Genuemen," said Lester, II win
pay each man here what he has put
IN for his share II can buy them all.
propose to give the mother and child
their freedom"
All the holders OF chances agreed to
N@AA N1NgRS OA1 AAAus Ul9VG uCAlCEs
who insisted on holding his chance.
"Very WE'LL" said Lester, II win pay
the others for their shares and play
against yours. But I want him to
have the last throw"
Il don't care when l throw" said
the slave dealer.
VERY we'll. throw now"
Lester tossed the dice on the table.
the slave dealer picked them up, put
them In the box and rolled them out.
There were two skies and a four. His
second throw was three skies. His last
was Elk. ave, six. He had undoubtedly
won with flfty-one because to beat
that the boy would have to throw
within two OF the highest possible
number.
Again Lester took up the dice.
What will you take for your
CHANGER he asked the slave dealer.
Il won't sell at any price,"
"Well, then. since l am 90 much In
terested In the matter, think TN
throw for joe"
Throw away, don't care who
throws"
Il do. You're an expert thrower.
I've been on these boats for ten years,
and never saw a man who can roll
cut the tives and skies as you can"
Lester spread his arms on the table,
taking the dice box IN his right hand.
On tho third finger OF his left hand he
wore an enormous seal ring. His first
throw was three skies. his second
throw was three skies. his last two
SKIES and q Ave. making IN all nfty-
three points and winning by one point.
The slave woman tainted, while the
others gave themselves over to excite
menE When Lester looked up be saw
over the heads OF the men sitting
around the table the face OF a woman.
II was not only beautifnl--it wore an
expression OF many mingled emotions
combining to express appreciation to
NJ Nr,usw