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

Copyrighted 1919 by Associated Literary

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 n fam
lily whom both he and she considered
committed TO their charge by Provi-
dence. but she knew nothing was to he
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 n sum might be raised to buy
back the boy. In vain they went over
everything they possessed that could
possibly be mortsaged. All such prop
erty had been mortSaGed already. Be-
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 n loan and
return would require several days.
Sam came in just as they had agreed
that nothing could he done to save
his boy 10 him. He looked anxiously
from one TO the other to see if there
was any hope. st. Clair nodded TO his
wife to speak for both.
There is no time in which to pre-
vent the separate she said. your
master has received a message that
Billy will be called for tomorrow. We
can only promise that If we can keep
a knowledge of Billy's future where
abouts we will buy him back II it
should be possible"
There was no comfort in this for
Sam. He knew his masters proneness
to drift financially and believed that
lie would get deeper and deeper in
debt With a moan he turned away to
impart the sad tidinGs to his wife.
The news that little Billy had been
sold and was 10 be taken away on
Christmas morning cast gloom over
all. white and black, on the plantation.
''Dis won't be no Christmas at all"
said one.
"Wha' mars go sell Billy To- to go
way on Christmas? He ought to had
mo- sense than dat" said another.
''Yo' shet up. nigga" said n 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 Mt Billy's departure. About 10
O'Clock a house servant announced to
Mrs. st. Clair that 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
more.
Taking the remnant OF a property
that had been in her family for many
she went downstairs. She
was surprised to find a well dressed
man, not at all like one who might
have been sent for a negro boy. He
rose deferentially as she entered.
Il am surprised" she said, Eat see
ing a gentleman. Are you the owner
of the boy you have come forE"
Eyes, madam"
MAY ask who you are?" she added
curiously.
"A gambler, madam"
"a gambler"
Eyes, madam. / am the gentleman
who won the boy from your husband"
This looked hopeful. Mrs. st. Clair
produced her Jewels and was begin
hing a speech as TO their value when
the man interrupted her.
Us your husband at home, madam"
mo. / expect he went away to get
id of seeing this poor family lose
heir treasure"
II did not notice. madam when !
ook 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
Ipon him the folly OF playing cards
or money with professional gambler.
found him an easy prey" Taking
ut wallet. he handed the lady roll
If bills and paper. then added.
There ts the amount. madam. ! won
rom your husband, and there is the
ill OF sale for the boy" The latter he
ore into bits and threw them into
Ire burning on the hearth. II thought
would be a proper day.
madam. TO give this advice to your
husband found him a very attrac-
i've gentleman and am glad TO have
lad an opportunity 10 show my appre-
iation OF him. / bid you good morn.
ng. madam"
But Mrs ST Clair would not let him
o. She sent negroes to scour the
ountry for her husband. and when he
vas found and brought In Sam and
ue and Billy were also sent for. The
after were not told OF what had hap
ened and came. supposing that they
Iad been called for the parting.
That Christmas which opened 90
loomily turned out to be the merriest
hat had ever been known on the St
Hair plantation.