Ellsworth American., 1909-06-02
A Turning Point.

/ lOopyrlBnl, lH5, Dy american PreSS ASSO-
ciation.I
Daniel Lester. professional gambler,
sat on the guard Of the Prairie Belle,
plying between st. Louis and New Or
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 so de
basing a profession as now. and men
Of otherwisc irreproacAable character
engaged In 1t. Dan Lester fell in with
one of these gamblers. who took fan
/ cy to him and taught him the art
But blood will TELL" and. though
smothered In the boy, It cropped out in
the man. Trn detested his calling. Con-
sequently. l!fe not seeming to him to
be paying condition. he was consitf
ering the question of ending it.
Aren't ,ou going to take a chance
In the rattle. Lesterf' asked a passen-
ger.
What rafile?"
"Colored airl and her boy. They be
long to young lady from Memphis on
her way IT, New Orleans. She's short
Of money and wants to sell 'em The
clerk Of the boat offered to get up
rattle for EN-"
Lester slowly rose from his chair
and went into the cabin. There he
found young slave woman with her
boy. ten years old. A blank bill Of sale
lay on table ready to be filed 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.
"All rig It," said the clerk. "Wen
first throw for the gal"
Three dee were thrown three times.
Whoever threw the highest number In
three throws was to win the woman.
A stockman won her, and she began
to beg hiin to buy her little boy lie
told her the boy would be of no use to
him. Her pleadings 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 rarded for $500 vaue-S5O
chance He would be cheap at $500"
"If, the winner" said Lester. will
put up the mother with the boy. max
Ing a pool for the two Of $1,000. I'll
take half the chances"
Done" sald the winner. who would
make a profitable cash turn by the
transaction.
Lester tock half the chances. as he
had agreed. and had one chance en-
When all was ready the owners OF
chances began to throw. 1t was
agreed that Lester should open the
game. Having number of chances,
he threw for each chance. his highest.
throw beinS forty-five in a possible
! fifty-four. The next three men threw
less than he. but the last man to throw
before the Toys chance came to I've
tested threw forty y-seven.
"Come. joe" said the clerk. throw
for yourself. There you are. If you
win. your mother and you will be free"
Gentlemen" said Lester. ~ will
pay each man here what he has put
in for his share If can buy them all.
l propose to give the mother and child
their freedom"
All the holders Of chances agreed to
sell except one man. a slave dealer.
who insisted on holding his chance.
Every WE'LL" said Lester. 81 will pay
the others for their shares and play
against yoHrs. But l want him to
have the last throw"
81 don't care when l throw" said
the slave dealer.
every well. 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 four. His
second throw was three skies His last
was six. five. six. He had undoubtedly
won with fifty-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
shance?' he asked the slave dealer.
~ won't sell at any price,"
'Well, then, since l am so much in
terested in the matter, l think I'll
throw for joe"
Throw away. don't care who
throws"
( 81 do. You're an expert thrower.
I've been on these boats for ten years,
and I never saw man who can roll
out the fives and skies as you can"
Lester spread his arms on the table,
taking the dice box in his right hand.
On the 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 a five. making In all fifty
three points and winning by one point.
! The slave woman tainted. while the
! ofhara Oovo thQmSalyeS over tO ayctfa.