The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-01-29
A Turning Point.

copyright. 1908, by American Press Asso
ciatlonl
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 thlrty-two years old. he saw moth
ing attractive In his past present or
future. Ills father, a Louisiana plant
er. had died insolyent, and bis son had
been thrown upon the world. In those
days--the FIRST half OF the last century
gambling was not considered 80 de-
baslng a profession as now. and men
OF otherwise irreproachable character
engaged In 1t. Dan Lester fell 10 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. 1t cropped out in
the man. He detested his calling. Con-
sequently, 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 raffie. Lester9' asked passen-
ger
"Whnt raffieY
"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 EN-
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 rattle.
"All right" said the clerk. EVEN
hrst throw for the gal"
Three dice 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 him to buy her little boy. He
told her the boy would be Of no use to
him. Her pleadlngs 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 raffied for $500 yalue-s50
chance. lie would be cheap at $500"
"If the winner" said Lester, Twill
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 bali 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. 1t was
agreed that Lester should open the
game. Having d number Of chances,
be threw for each chance. bis highest
throw being forty-6ye In possible
fifty-four Thesnext three men threw
less than he, bait the last man to throw
before the boys chance came to be
tested threw forty-seyen.
"Come, Joe" said the clerk, ''throw
for yourself. There you are. If you
win. your mother and you viii be free"
Gentlemen" said Lester. Il viii
pay each man here what be has put
In for his share IL can buy them all.
1 propose to give the mother and child
their freedom
An the holders Of chances agreed to
sch except one man. q slave dealer.
who insisted on holding his chance
very well" said Lester. 81 will pay
the others for their shares and play
against yours. But want him to
have the last throw.
II don't care when 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 skies and four, Els
second throw was three skies. His last
was six, Eve. six. He had undoubtedly
won with ffty-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
chancc?" he asked the slave dealer.
y won't sell at any price"
"Well, then. since am so much In
terested in the matter, | think I'll
throw for joe"
Throw away. don't care who
throws"
II do. You're an expert tbroweF.
I've been on these boats for ten years,
and never saw man who can roll
out the fives and skies as you can"
Lester spread bis arms on the table,
taking the dice box In his right hand.
On the third fnger Of his left hand he
wore an enormous seal ring. His frst |
throw was three skies. his second |
throw was three skies, his last two
skies and FIVE, making In all fifty |
three points and winning by one point.
The slave woman tainted, while the /
others gave themselves over to excite.
ment. When Lester looked up he saw
over the heads Of the men sitting |
around the table the face Of woman.
It was not only beautlful--it wore an
Of many mingled emotions
combining to express appreciation to
Mr.. Lester for what be had done. She
was the mistress Of the slaves.
what remarkable luckl" she said to |