Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-04
The Daily Story

Copyrighted 1913. by Associated Literary Bureau.

Clair sent for her husband. The Gus
tom OF gambling was so prevalent
among the planters of that day that
she did not reproach him. She could
: not but recognize that he had been
~eak to risk the happiness of fam
lily whom both he and she considered
committed TO their charge by Provi-
dence. but she knew nothing was TO be
gained by holding up to him his sin.
and she knew he suffered keenly for
what he had done. She began at once
to confer with him upon some plan by
which sum might be raised TO buy
back the boy. In vain they went over
everything they possessed that could
possibly be mortgaged. All such prop
erty had been mortgaged already. Re
sides, there was no time TO negotiate.
New Orleans was the nearest place
where such a matter could he attended
to. and TO so there. make a loan and
return would require several days.
Sam came in just as they had agreed
that nothing could he done to save
his boy TO him. He looked anxiously
from one to the other to see If there
was any hope st. Clair nodded 10 his
wife to speak for both.
There is no time in which to pre-
vent the separation" she said. your
master has received a message that
Billy will be called for tomorrow. We
can only promise that IL we can keep
a knowledge OF Billys future where
abouts we will buy him back IL it
should be possible"
There was no comfort in this for
Sam. He knew his masters proneness
70 drift financially and believed that
he would get deeper and deeper I'm
debt. With moan he turned away to
impart the sad tidinCs to his wife.
The news that little Billy had been
sold and was 10 be taken away on
Christmas morning cast a gloom over
all. white and black. on the plantation.
dis won't be no Christmas at all
said one.
"Wha' mars go sell Billy 70 to go
way on Christmas? He ought to had
mo- sense than dat" said another.
"Yo' shet up, nigga" said third.
MARS wouldn't "a done dat If he hadn't
had TO done it."
These criticisms. though plentiful
among the negroes, were not mingled
with much blame. They all knew
their master and had perfect conf
dence In his intentions.
AS soon as st. Clair had finished his
breakfast-a cup OF coffee-he left the
plantation in order to avoid being pres
ent at Billy's departure. About 10
O'Clock a house servant announced to
Mrs. st. Clair that q man had come
for Billy. Mrs. St Clair went to Il
jewel box. where she found the re
mains of her jewels that had not been
pledged. Taking>a mental inventory
of them, she could not possibly make
out their total worth at over $500.
She sighed at not being able to find
anything more.
Taking the remnant OF property
that had been in her family for many
generations, she went downstairs. She
was surprised to find well dressed
man, not at all like one who might
have been sent for negro boy. He
rose deferentially as she entered.
Il am surprised" she said, lat see
ing a gentleman. Are you the owner
of the boy you have come fOr?'
Yes, madam"
MAY ask who you are?" she added
curiously.
"A gambler, madam"
"A gambler
Eyes, madam. i am the gentleman
who won the boy from your husband"
This looked hopeful Mrs. st. Clair
produced her Jewels and was begin
ming a speech as to their value when
the man interrupted her.
''Is YOUR husband at home madam
"No. / expect he went away to get
fa
their treasure"
II did not notice. madam, when !
took bill of sale from your husband
hat the property was To he delivered
IN Christmas day. / have come my
self to see Mr.. st. Clair to impress
1pon him the folly OF playing cards
'or money with professional gambler.
found him an easy prey" Taking
,ut n wallet lie handed the lady a roll
of bills and paper. then added.
There is the amount, madam. I won
rom your husband. and there is the
,fl OF sale for the boy" The latter he
ore into bits and threw them into
Ire burning on the hearth. II thought
Christmas would be a proper day.
to give this advice 10 your
husband I found him a very attrac-
i've gentleman and am glad to have
lad an opportunity to show my appre-
iation OF him. / bid you good morn.
ng madam"
But Mrs ST Clair would not let him
20. She sent negroes to scour the
ountry for her husband. and when he
vas found and brought I'm Sam and
Iue and Billy were also sent for. The
after were not told Of what had hap
'ened and came. supposing that they
lad been called for the parting.
That Christmas which opened so
loomily turned out 10 be the merriest
hat had ever been known On the St.
lair plantation.