Connecticut western news., 1909-01-28
A Turning Point.

[CopyrIght. 1909, by American Press Asso-
 ciation.l
 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 noth- Ing attractive in his past, present or future. His father, Louisiana plant CT. 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 passing profession as now, and men of otherwise irreproachable character engaged in 1t. Dan Lesser fell in with one of these gamblers. who toC<a fan cy to him and taught him the art.
 But blood will tell," and. though smothered in the boy, 1t cropped out in the man. He detested his calling. Con- scquently, life not seeming to him to be paying condition. he was consid- ering the question of ending it.
 Aren't you going to take a chance in the raff1e. Legter? asked a passen- ger.
 What raffie?
 'Colored girl and her boy. They be- long to 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 raffle for 'em."
 Lester slowly rose from his chair and went into the cabin. There he 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 raff1e.
 "All right" said the clerk. wen first throw for the gal"
 Three dice were thrown three times. Whoever threw the highest number in three throws was to win the woman. \ stockman 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 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 rallied for $500 value-$50 a chance. He would be cheap at $500"
 "If the winner" said Lester. twill put up the mother with the boy. mak- Ing a pool for the two of $1000, 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. It was agreed that Lester should open the game. Having a number of chances, he threw for each chance, his highest throw being forty-five in a possible fifty-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-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. "I will pay each man here what he has put in for his share If can buy them all. I 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.
 "Yery we'll" said Lester, ''I will pay the others for their shares and play against yours. But I want him to have the last throw"
 II don't care when I throw" said the slave dealer.
 "Very 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 sixes and four. His second throw was three sixes. 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 chance" he asked the slave dealer.
 "I won't sell at any price"
 "Well. then. since I am so much in- terested in the matter, think I'll throw for Joe"
 Throw away. don't care who throws"
 'I do. You're an expert thrower I've been on these boats for ten years and I never saw a man who can roll out the fives and sixes 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 siXes. his second throw was three sixes. his last two sizes and five. making in all fifty three points and winning by one point.
 The slave woman fainted. while the others gave themselves over to excite mcnt When Lester looked up he saw over the heads of the men sitting around the table the face of a woman.