Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-02-10

CAPTAIN c.

Captain Thomas C--s an eccentric I'D gentleman.
lived IN Bedford OF Campbell County. Va He was born
10 considerable patmony, aud VAS reared IN the Ian of
luxury. lie owned an excellent farm ON Flat Creek
aud negroes sufficient to cultivate IT, but he paid but III
lie attention 10 The plantation suffering his negr,e 10
work or not, as best suited their feelings Ills wife was
an excellent wumnn but possessed as little energy as
himself. Tho Consequence WAS. that taplaln t-.-s'
crops always fell short Of his expenses, until length
In began 10 feel the pinch OF hard lines lie became in
debt, aud was daily annoyed with dns. and mol unfre
luenly the sheriff paid him visit " hen the time To
pay his taxes came round, he had money, aud his
vile frequently had to beg the mnuey OF her her. IN
order 10 prevent the sale Of a negro
he snohs,house was destitute of meat. and tho corn
house, ol corn The negroes, Of course half star
we'd, and horses mlseraby poor Ills children Mere kept
nj homo, growing up IN guorauce and vice Not being
able 10 send his children to school seemed udslless the
Captain more than any thing else.
fortunately Tor the Captain man by the name of
w lam Bushcr, called him early IN The spring Of
1888 10 get situation overseer. The Captain prompt
ly tnld hun that he could not employ him unless he
would had himself aud family and assist IN getting some
thng Tor the negroes aud horses 10 eat. until n crop
could be made and II he could do this he might have halt
ri what he could make, dtducng supplies Tor the FAM
", Mr.. Bnsher, after examining the farm and negroes
hecedod 10 the Captains proposition. and sci in nmrd
aely Ia work. The first year Bosher raised nearly
meat enough Tor The family, aud had corn Tor sale
made tobacco sulllenl. not only 10 pay taxes but To
I
thing Was pleniy-even money enough send his suns
10 college.
During the summer of the third year of Bnsher's ad
mnlsratIon. Ct got into considerable lrolic, aud
was absent ium home nearly two weeks, (tor he would
never come hnme intoxicated account of the distress
which his appearance in that condition accustomed his
"lle) w hen he had got pretty soher he returned home
and as he atghted from his horse his wife met him at
the gate Looking over at Bosher's house which was
not Tar Oh, and seeing several horses tied it, the
nNpln tfD, Na,, ~
horses doing Billy Boshersl tSeveral persons com
ing out OF Bosher's house al this moment The Can.
tam continued what Nancy Is all this reinue and con
course Of people doing at Billy Boshef's?' "Whv Mr..
C-s,' replied his wife "dIdut You know that Billy Bo-
shef was about to diei' "Nha, Nancy, Billy Bosher
about to die2you know my dear we can't snare Billy
Bosher-Blly Bosher must not die--we can't spare
hlm'-von know, madam, the situation We're in when
Billy l5oser came herewe could give our negroes
any meatin TACT, we could not give them bread enough
we couldn't send our children school, nor ever ia Y
iaxes' But now, we feed our negroes we'll we
have ai horses plenty of meat and bread make tobacco
enough To pay our taxes aud ses 10 college and
sumo mony lett besides I'll id madam if we can
spare lilly i'nsher," Lord, Captain Cs,whai makes
You talk sol II Gud wants him. he will have him By
Cd, madam, will 90 and see Ia the matter myseE
and he went Immediately To BbsIer's house Sew
ersl ncehbors were standing around the bedside expect
ing every moment 10 Bosher breathe his last hrea
when the taplsn entered the house He accosted Boz
=
Capt C-s, lam nearly gone" .'Why. Billy. we can't
spare You've can't spare you. Billy Billy Cd
ynu cant 90 yet-yuu can't 90 yet-you cant ro-ynu
shan,t g1' 'lwlsh could sta, with You longer Cap>
tam C-s-you've been mighty good to me; bn, Pm o.
bliged to goi wish you had come sooner Captain. Won
might have done something for "''You must not die.
Billy And let us pray" said the Captain
20 most holy and righteous God, thou knowest what,
was our situation before got Billy Bosher-thou
knowes that We could neither feed negroes horses.
OF send orr children to schnonot even pay our taxes,
Aud now, q God, thou feed poor sla7es and
our horses and send children school, and pay our
taxes oesldes-we have plenty of meat and plenty Of
bread! Yes corn to sell. and meat 10 SELL o. Lord
son we besrech thee TO spare Billy Bosher. Spare
billY' good Lord, we mplore lhet And if, q God!
ih"n must have somebody. take jim Steward. or Adam
Dfsk or Daniel Drlskill, Samuel Wormack and Bill
Marmack and all present. if il please thee; bat Spare
I Billy Bosher! o. spare Billy good Lord. AID and
Nancy will be thankful all our lives Amen"
Billy, good fellow" said the Captain alter praying