Lost Lenore Part 53

"Yes. I think they are going to have a raffle."

"A raffle! There's nothing very interesting about that!"

"That depends," significantly rejoined my partner. "Supposing it is a woman that's to be raffled for?"

"A woman to be raffled for!"

"So I believe. There is a Hobart Town man here, who has a young wife, with whom he has been quarrelling for the last month. He has found out that it is impossible to live with her any longer; and is going to put her up to be raffled for."

I had seen a negro slave disposed of in this fashion in the city of New Orleans; but had never heard of a man raffling away his wife; and the oddness of the thing determined me to go. Having signified my intention to my mate, he promised to take me to the place, and also take care of me while there.

The reader may think his promised protection unnecessary--after my having managed for so many years to take care of myself. But I knew that amongst "old hands," the protection or friendship, of one of their own "kidney" was worth having; and I certainly would not have gone, without some one to introduce, and look after me--one such as my mining partner, who knew their ways, and would give them to understand, that I was not to be molested.

At that time on the gold-field of Avoca, there were probably about ten men to one woman; and a man, who was so fortunate as to possess a wife, was thought to be a very lucky individual indeed. Any woman, however ugly she might have appeared in other lands, would there have pa.s.sed for a Venus. Knowing this to be the state of things, I was not surprised, when, on reaching the grog-shop with my companion, we found a large crowd of between thirty and forty men a.s.sembled around it. In one way only was I astonished; and that was, that the majority of those present were not "old hands," but rather the contrary.

This observation was also made by my companion, who shook his head significantly, but said nothing.

I did not understand what meaning he intended to convey by this gesture--at least not at the time.

From the appearance of the crowd collected round the grog-shop, I had no doubt but that I should be well rewarded for my trouble in walking to the place. I could see that some pains had been taken in selecting the company: for it appeared to be composed of that cla.s.s of young miners-- known as "fast," and "flush"--that is with money to spend, and the disposition to spend it.

The woman who was to be disposed of was in the room, seated on the edge of a table, and swinging her legs about with perfect nonchalance. One of her eyes bore, in distinct characters of a purplish hue, some evidence of a very late disagreement with her husband, or some one else.

She seemed much pleased at the commotion she was causing; and quite indifferent as to its results. She was about twenty-three years of age; and rather good-looking.

The husband was about forty years old; and was a vulgar looking wretch-- even for a "Vandemonian." His features were twisted into a disgusting leer, from which I could well fancy they were but seldom relieved.

I was not surprised at the woman seeming pleased at the idea of parting with him. My wonder was, how he had ever been allowed to obtain the power of disposing of her.

There was not a man in the room, or perhaps on the diggings, that any creature ent.i.tled to the name of woman, should not have preferred, to the ugly animal who claimed to be her husband.

I could perceive from the woman's behaviour, that she possessed a violent temper, which to an ignorant brute of a man, would no doubt render her difficult of being managed. But there appeared to be nothing more against her--at least, nothing to prevent a man of common sense from living with her, and having no more serious misunderstandings, than such as are usually required to vary the monotony of connubial life.

The business of getting up the raffle, and carrying it through, was managed by a young man, who played the part of mutual friend--the proprietor of the article at stake, being to all appearance too drunk, or too ignorant, to act as master of the ceremonies.

After a sufficient number of persons was thought to have arrived upon the ground, it was decided to go on with the business of discovering: to whom fate should decree the future ownership of the woman.

"Gentlemen!" said the mutual friend, rising up, and placing himself upon a chair, "I suppose you all know the game that's up here to-night? I believe that most of you be aware, that my friend `Brumming' here, can't agree with his old woman, nor she with him; and he have come to the resolution of getting rid of her. He thinks he'd be better off without a woman, than with one, 'specially with one as he can't agree with. And she thinks any other man be better than Ned `Brumming.' Such being the case, they think they had better part. Now, `Brumming' wants a little money to take him over to the other side; and to rise it for him, his friends have been called together, and his woman is going to be put up at a raffle for fifty pounds--twenty-five chances at two pounds a chance. Mrs Brumming is willing to live with any man, as will support her, and use her kindly. Who is going to help poor Ned Brumming? What name shall I first put down on this 'ere paper?"

"Dirty d.i.c.k," "Jack Rag," "h.e.l.l Fryer," "Shiny Bright," and several other names were called out--to the number of twenty.

It was then announced that five names were still wanted to complete the list.

"I'll take a chance," said a man stepping forward to the table, where the names were being written out.

The individual thus presenting himself, bore every evidence of having obtained a pa.s.sage to the colonies at the expense of his native country--about twenty-five years before.

"What name shall I put down?" asked the youthful master of the ceremonies.

"Jimmy from Town."

"Jimmy from h.e.l.l!" screamed the woman. "You had better save your money Jimmy from Town. I wouldn't live with an old beast like you, if you were to win me ten times over."

The prospect of losing his two pounds, and gaining nothing, caused the old convict to retire, which he did, apparently with no very good grace.

"We must pay something for this entertainment," whispered my mate; "I will go halves with you in a chance."

As he said this, he slipped a sovereign into my hand.

I did not fully understand what my partner meant. He surely could not be thinking of our winning the woman, and owning her in partnership, as we did our mining claim?

But as he had said something about our paying for the entertainment--and having trusted myself to him before I came away from my tent--I gave the name of "Rolly," to the manager of the raffle, and put down the two pounds.

Two others then came forward, took a chance each, and paid their stakes.

There were now only two more "tickets" to dispose of.

Amongst the first who had entered their name upon the list, was a young miner, who to all appearance, took a greater interest in the proceedings than any person present.

I saw the woman give him a glance, that might be interpreted into the words, "I wish _you_ would win me." He appeared to notice it, and take the hint: for he immediately entered himself for another chance.

The remaining share was then taken by somebody else; and the ceremony of throwing the dice was commenced.

Each was to have three throws, taking three dice at each throw; and the man who should score the highest number, was to win the woman.

A name would be called out, as it stood on the list; the owner of it would then come forward, and throw the dice--when the number he should score would be recorded against his name.

All the numbers made, chanced to be very low, none of them reaching over thirty-eight--until I had finished "tossing the bones," when I was told that the aggregate recorded in my favour was _forty-seven_.

I felt as good as certain that the woman was mine: for the chances were more than a hundred to one against any of the five others who were to throw after me.

The young fellow who had paid for two shares, looked very blank: his remaining chance was now scarce worth a shilling.

"I will give you fifteen pounds for your throw," said he, addressing himself to me.

I glanced at my mate, and saw him give his head a slight inclination: as a sign for me to accept the offer--which I did.

The money was paid down; and after all had finished tossing, number forty-seven was declared the winner. This had been my score. The woman, therefore, belonged to the young man, who had bought it from me.

She was at once handed over to him; and inaugurated the "nuptials" by flinging her arms around his neck, and giving him a sonorous "buss" upon the cheek!

After we came away from the place, I learnt from my mate, that the affair was what he called "a sell."

"Then why did you propose that we should take a chance?" I asked.

"Why," he replied, with a significant shrug, "well, I'll tell you. I was told to come to the raffle, because I was working with you--who they thought would be likely to take a share. Had you not taken one, they would have supposed that I had cautioned you not to do so; and I should have made enemies amongst some of the old hands--who look upon me as, being in all things, one of themselves."

"And you think that the woman will not live with the young man who won her?"

"I'm sure of it. She'll go along with him for awhile; but she won't stay with him. She'll run away from him--join, Brumming, again--and the two will repeat the same dodge at some other diggings."

I divided the fifteen pounds with my partner; and retired to my tent-- well pleased that I had so disposed of my chance, and no little amused at the grotesque chapter of "life on the Avoca," it had been my fortune to be witness to.