The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-14
From the New Albany Gazette.
JIM BLACK OF BEARGRAsS

JIM BLACK OF BEARGRASS.
Jim Black was one of those persons USUALLY de
sslgnated hard customers and in his case the
term is APPLY applied a careless devil that could
whip his weight in wild cats, and care no more
for tustle with bear than a fistcuff with one
of his neighbors, for jim was cock of the walk
on the head waters of Beargrass Although he
had the good will of most of the neighbors. vet
none OF the folks IN them diggins felt inclined
to nearer relationship with him. OF this fact
he seemed pretty well satisfied, for he never at
tempted any filtration with any of the fair ones O,
Beargrass. 1t happened that when Jim hal
reached his 18th year, family arrived, in
which were two OF the tallest gals you ever did
see, as Jim described them. One of them. Nan
cy, took his eye tarnatlon strong,' and he con-
cluded TO sit right up to her. Jim had heard
II always took two to make bargain but the
possibility OF third person coming in contact
never for moment entered his mind
Things progressed smoothly, we may say rap
idly, for short time, when Nancy's father took
1t into his head he ought to have something TO
say In the matter This bothered jim amazinp
ly, and came near broken bone OF two for the
old gentleman but finally, jim was ordered from
the premises, with the request that he would for
ever alter keep as far as possible from the panta.
ton. This sad 90 for Jim but. in the
earnestness of stout heart he determined never
to give 1t up so, and he sat his wits together to
out general the old man. The gal was on his
side, and why shouldn't he? The track of the
real genuine lover, always was crooked as the
Poet didn't express 1t, but jim did. Jim laid his
plans and waited an opportunity to carry them
into effect. 1t was not long before he obtained
sight OF the fair one who readily entered into his
plot and as the family were to yacate on the fol-
lowing Sunday, and be gone the whole dav, il
was proposed that Jim should spend the day
with Nancy, that they might mature their plan
for putting the blind upon the old folks
Sunday came, and according to agreement the
family lett home, to visit a neighbOr, and Jim left
home to WISH Nancy. The day passed off as
days will under like circumstances, until near
shutdown. 1t occurred to Nancy that there couId
be no improperly In just stepping to the door TO
see if the old foksiwere coming Oh, crackv.
jim, here they come; hide yourself, or the old
man will hide me. Here. jump into this barrel.
qulck!' 'Tarnation!' said jim, as he soused
himself into the barrel by polly. Nance
there's soap in this barrel, and it smarts like
creation We'll it does boss, but you must do
it, they are right here, so keep still
Nancy had hardly time to cover over the bar
rel before the old folks entered the door. All
were soon seated about the room, and commenced
talking about the way they had passed the day,
and when it came TO Nancy's turn to speak, she
said
Well, I'd done very well, | s'pose, lift hadn't
been for that ugly bear that was trying to take
the pigs Off
What pigs 2 asked the old man
Why the pigs out rolber side of the corn
field
ssNo sooner were the words out other mouth.
than the old folks, and the young ones, too, ex
cePt Nancy and jim, were off to see after the
pigs.
say, Nance, it's mighty hot place here
said jim; can't teller come out now Z? he
asked
Well guess you can, Jim but You must
clear out quick, for they will be back right
away
jim cleared the barrel at one bound, and said
" II that amt the hottest place about this house.
then give in. But say Nance, that yarn OF
your'n about the pigs, is full out as slick as that
soft soap; but it don't hurt half so bad. So,
good bye; I'm for the Beargrass-darn the stuff.
now 1t burns Good. bye, Nance, Pm ofT-posh
Pm raw all over!
His doings at the creek we must give in his
own words:
Well, in went-for maybe warn't mad
The water felt mighty cool and comfortable. tell
you. scrubbed and washed until got the in.
fernal truck off ne, when began to feel little
better. But if Beargrass didn't run soap suds
for week after that, then wouldn't tell YOU
So