The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-09-06
WON HIS FREEDOM

1t was In the days Of slavery In the
south A planter had died and his
negroes were to be sold under the
hammer A young mulatto, his wife
and baby were about to be put up
separately.
'sStep up, Ben" said the auctioneer.
Stop said gentleman with ruff
fed shirt front. These three should
90 in one lot, subj"
Reckon there's not money enough
here in any one pocket to buy 'em all.
| colonel"
TRY 1t, suh.1
The auctioneer ordered the young
mother with her babe on to the stand
and called for bids, but there was no
offer except from the colonel, and that
was below the limit.
'Tn tell you what you'd better do"
said the COLONEL sem. I'll take
chances to the amount OF my bid"
IN take an equal amount to the
colonel's," said man with a large
diamond In his shirt bosom. As. the
disposition of the crowd seemed to
favor the plan, It was adopted.
They're worth $780, said the auc-
tioneer. Suppose we make 1t eighteen
shares at 500 share"
IT take TO- shares" said the colonel.
THAT lets me in for TO-" said the
/ diamond stud man.
After some delay the shares were
all taken except one.
Zone chance left. Who takes itf'
called the auctioneeP.
Gentlemen" said the husband and
father, "if the auctioneer win be so
kind as to take my agreement TO- a
800 In work I'll solemnly promise to
pay the amount" He looked at the
upturned faces wistfully.
Cant do that" said the auctioneer.
"It's all cash here"
"I'll indorse his note for hundred, )"
said the colonel
Don't take paper" said the auction
eer
"I'n lend him hundred on the
colonel's Endorsement" said the man
with the diamond stud.
A note was drawn, the colonel put
his signature on the back, and all was
ready for the rattle.
How will you have 1t, gentlemen"
asked the auctioneer, "dice or cards r.
"I would be much Obliged" said the
owner of single chance for his and
his family's freedom, Elf yo' would
make it dice, and would prefer that
my little boy throw TO- me-"
"Shall 1t be dice, gentlemen?"
"Dice it Is" said the shareholders
one after another.
II have set here in my pocket"
said the diamond stud man. He took
out box, shook 1t and rolled the dice
on the platform. Colonel, viii you
throw?
The colonel gathered up the dice and
threw thirty-seven. The next throw
was twenty-five, the next thirty-nine.
The last thrower but one was the dia-
mond stud man, who threw forty
eight.
By common consent the last throw
had been reserved for the slave. As
he took the box his hand trembled
visibly. The highest number that could
| possibly be thrown was fifty-four, and
| to make this the thrower must get
three skies three times In succession
AS even this was only six more than
the highest, he knew that he had but
a ghost Of a chance for his freedom.
He put the box In his baby's hand,
pickaninny Of eleven months, but it
was so clumsy that the child could not
grasp 1t.
Hold on" said the diamond stud
man. "I'll just go into the saloon over
thar and get smaller set"
He went to the saloon and returned
in few minutes with q very small
dicebox and three tiny dice.
"Yo', GAL" he said to the mother,
take yo' boys hand In yo's and throw
had. Dice don't roll lucky unless yo'
make 'em roll"
The box was put In the baby's hand,
and the mother threw them. They
rolled out six, five and a SKIS
"Seventeen" called the auctioneer.
The next throw was two skies and
| three.
'Thirty-twop'
The anxiety on the fathers face was
painful to see. He knew that the
throwing Of two skies twice was re-
markable: To beat the best figure (for-
ty-eight) he must throw two SKIES
again. and the third die must turn up
at least FIVE.
"Roll 'em WELL" said the diamond
stud man to the mother.
She did roll them well, and when
they came to turn they showed up
three skies.
The negro fell over in faint. His
wife, who knew nothing about dice,
looked at the auctioneer piteously.
'sLost?" she asked
Lost! No. Thirty-tWo and eight
cen are fifty. Fifty wins. Gentlemen,
this family belongs to itself. Make out
the hill 0f sale