The Yale expositor., 1909-07-16
A Turning Point.

Deen thrown upon the WOriG. III lnOSC
days-the tirst half Of the last century
gambling was not considered so de
basing Il profession rs now and men
of otherwise irrepr0achable character
engaged in IL. Dan Lester fell in with
one Of these gamblers who took II 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. He detested his calling. Con.
sequently. life not seeming To him 10
be a paying condition. he was consid
ering the question Of ending II.
aren't you going to take chance
in the rattle. Lester?" asked passen
ger.
"What raffleT
"Colored girl and her boy. They be-
long TO n 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 n
rattle for EN-"
Lester slowly rose from his chair
and went into the cabin. There he
found n young slave woman with her
boy ten years old. A blank bill OF sale
lay on n 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 right" said the clerk. We'll
first throw for the gal"
Three dice were thrown three times
Whoever threw the highest number In
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 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-Sa0 IL
chance. He would be cheap nj $500"
eff the winner" said Lester. will
put up the mother with the boy. max
Ing a pool for the two OF S1CGA IN
take half the chances"
"Done" said the winner. who wun'd
make a profitable cash turn by lh,.
transaction.
Lester took half the chances. ~ he
had agreed, and had one chance 80
tered in the name Of little Joe. the boy
When all was ready the owners OF
chances began to throw. II WAS
agreed that Lester should open the
game. Having number Of chances
he threw for each chance. his highest
throw being forty-fve In a possible
ffty-four. The next three men threw
less than he. but the last man to throw
before the boys chance came 10 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. II will
pay each man here what he has put
I'm for his share If can buy them all.
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 WELL" said Lester. IL will pay
the others for their shares and play
against yours. But want him to
have the last throw"
II don't care when I 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 a 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
chanceT he asked the slave dealer.
II won't sell at any price"
well. then. since I am so much In.
terested in the matter. think ri
throw for joe"
Throw away. l don't care who
throws"
81 do. You're an expert throwcr
We DeeH OH these DOatS Tor ten years,
and ! never saw a 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 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
II was not only beautiful-it wore an
expression Of many mingled emotions
combining to express appreciation to
Mr.. Lester for what he had done. She
was the mistress of the slaves.
what remarkable luck!' she said to
him as she invited him TO the ladies'
cabin
at wasn't luck" he said. taking of
his seal ring. There is n magnet
a.