The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1912-02-08


few abolitionists-1sf0 70 1S6O-whs
were engaged In helping runaway
slaves to reach free territory. Amy
one OF these railroaders II caught AT
their work. especially during the last
few years prior to the civil war. would
have been hanged instantly.
One evening In the winter OF 1856
a eolporteur. riding on horseback,
stopped at a country house near Nash
vile. Tenn. and. calling for the owner,
announced to him that he intended
70 start a series OF religious meet
ings In the neighborhood Mr.. Boone.
the gentleman be addressed. imbued
with true southern hospitality. asked
the stranger TO dismount and be his
guest for as long a period as he liked
~Pm not what Is usually called a
religious man." said Mr.. Boone. but
l respect the cloth. and IN do all
can 10 20, sub"
The eolporteur. who gave his name
as David Singleton. accepted the invi-
tatiOn, removed his saddlebags-then
used In lieu OF a suit case-turned bis
horse over to a negro slave and went
into the house.
Il Judge. sub" remarked Mr.. Boone.
from 20 accent that 10 a from the
moth While 10 are welcome IN my
house. trust that 10 have none Of
the abolition notions prevalent among
20 people,
Il can prove. sir" replied the eolpor-
teur. from the Bible that the institu-
ton OF slavery n a divine institution"
This was perfectly satisfactory to
Mr.. Boone. who gave himself no fur
ther concern about his guests pro
slavery proclivities. He one day caught
Mr. Singleton talking with one Of bis
negroes Bill. a young man with
wife and child-whom be Boomer wa
expecting to sell. separating the fam
n.y. But at a frightened glance from
Bill. who saw bis master coming. the
colporteur drew a bundle OF tracts from
his pocket. gave them to the slave. and
BY the time the master came MP was |
enjoining the negro TO repent and be
saved Mr.. Boone failed TO suspect |
that the northerner was tampering /
with his slave.
One evening a party Of gentlemen
from the neighborhood gathered In Mr.
Boone's house for a game Of poker.
always popular IN the south. and at
which Mr.. Boone considered himself
proficient He apOlogized 10 Singleton
for not inviting him to take a hand
giving as a reason that the latter's vo-
cation was not In accord with the
game. The colporteur sat beside the
table watching the game. OCCASION
ally asking a stupid question with re-
gard to IL. For instance. be wished TO
know II the one spot. as he called the
ace. was the lowest card In the pack
and II the knave would take the king
Finally one Of the players. winking at
the others. invited the locker on to take
a hand. OF course be declined. but the
players continued to force him TO play.
and By their united efforts succeeded
But Mr.. Singleton could not be pre-
vailed upon TO take ont his money. 50
0De Of the party who had won literally
showed ten one-doIIar bills befofe him.
The colporteur continued bis stupid
questions and remarks about the game.
but from the first held very good
hands. He did not seem to know their
Talue. often betting most on the weak
st. But somehow be won more on
poor hands than the others did on
arge ones.
By midnight Mr.. Singleton. playing
On borrowed capital-or rather capital
that had been forced upon hIm-had r
relieved all the company. except Mr. ID
Boone. Of their cash 10 hand. and
hey were obliged 10 drop out. The =
hosts pride was touched The idea :
" a tract distributor from the north
Who didn't know the value Of an ace. 4
.oming into Tennessee and cleaning Y
nut a company Of southern gentlemen h
vas preposterous. He squared him g
elf before Mr. Singleton and propos- n
d to finish the game between them. y
doubling the stakes Mr. Singleton q
ried to withdraw. begging to be per- 4
nitted to return his winnings. but Ii, e.
Proposition was secuted He was :,
orced to proceed. a
The hands be held were remarkable. q
specially when he dealt the cards. :
Within an hour be had won all Mr. =,
,oone's cash In hand and the balance 1,
D his check book
I'm put up one o my nisgers." be O.
aid .,
which oneT' asked Singleton.
'fBiIl. I've intended to sell him any
ray"
Bm was considered equivalent to
loo in chips and In half an hour ~
'as owned by Mr. Singleton. Then
lIPs wife. Chloe. and her piokaninny n
ere put up together. and In another I.
ali hour they. too. had been lost to =
leir master. NJ
Singleton's manner changed. ~
"Gentlemen." be said. you're buck th
g against the wrong man. I'm not n
raid to declare myself a converted q,
ImbIr. rye taught you your mis- ps s
Ike. Good night" sol
He went to bis room and the next IN
orning left the place for Memphis COZ
18th his winnings. Bill. Chloe and oil
cir baby. At Memphis be took pas glss
"a IN q hat To- rrf.nfns.ntf ~yk~~~ -.