The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-05-11
CAPT. STICK AND N

CAPT. STICK AND TONY.
A JUDaMEN FOR cosTs-By J.. j. Hooper,
Esq.
Old Captain Stick was a remarks ably precise
old gentleman, and a conscientious just man
lie was too, very methodical in his habits, one
of which was to keep an account i'm writing
of the co nduct of his servants, from day to
day. 1t was a sort Of accoun: current, and
he settled by it every Saturday afternoon
No one dreaded these hebdonadal balancings
more than Tony, the boy of all work, for the
Captain was generally obliged to write re
ceipt for a considerable amount across his
shoulders.
One settling afternoon, The Captain accom-
panied by Tony, was seen 'loddling' down to
the old stable, with his little account book in
one hand, and small rope in the other. Az
ter they had reached the " bar of J%ustice,' and
Tony had been properly strung up,' the Capt.
proceeded to state his account as follows:
'Tony Dr.,
Sabbath, to not half backing my boots, . c.,
five stripes.
Tuesday, TO staying four hours ut mill 10 er
than necessary, ten stripes.
Wednesday, to not locking the hall doc 1t
night, five stripes.
: Friday, to letting the horse go without water,
five stripes.
Total, twenty-five stripes.
Tony Or.
Monday, by f~irst-rate days work in the gar.
den, ten stripes.
Balance due, fifteen stripes.
The balance being thus struck, the Captain
drew his cow-hide and remarked-'Now To-
ny, you black scamp, whOt say you, you lazy
villain, why l shouldn't give you fifteen lash :
es across your back, as hard as | can drawP
Stop old Mass said Tony dar's de work
in de garden, sir-dat ought to TEX off some.'
'You black dog said the Captain, 'havn'I
| given you the proper credit of ten stripes,
for that. Come, comeg
please old massa,' said Tony, rolling hi
eye about in agony of fright-'dar's-you for
got-dar's de %scourin' OBJ de ioor-old missui
say g nebber been scour as good before.'
Soho, you saucy rascal, quoth Capt Stick
you're bringing in more offsets, are you?--
Well now, theroe--here the Captain made an
entry upon his book-'you have credit OIL
FIVE stripes, and the balance must be paid
Cor a nifty, massa don't hit yet-dar's stump
en- else-oh lord! please dOn't-yes sir-go
UNI now -ketchin' de white boy and fetchin'
um to ole missus, what trow rock at de young
duck.'
That's a fact,' said the Captain-'the on
rageous young vagabond-that's a fact, anC
I'l give you a credit of ten stripes for i'll
wish you had brought him to me-now we'll
settle the balance.'
Bress de Lord, ole massa,' said Tony, daC's
all. Tony grinned extravagantly.
The Captain adjusted a tortoise-steel spec.
t%acles, with great exactness, held the book
close to his eyes, and ascertained that. the fact
was as stated by Toby. He was not a little ir
ritated!
sYou swear off the account, you internal
rascal-you swear off the account DO you?'
IAN dc credit is fair, old massa,' answered
Tony.
'Yes but-SOid the disappointed Captain
but-but--still the Captain was sorely puz-
zled how to give Tony a few ticks any how
'but'---On idea popped into his head--'whero,s
my cost-you incorrigible abominal scoun-
drel! You want to swlndle me do you, out Of
my costs, you black deceitful rascal? sands
added Capt. Stick, chuckling as we'll at his
own ingenuity as we'll as the perfect Justice
of the sentence Il enter Judgement against
you for costs-tOn stripes'-and forthwith ad.
ministered the stI ipes and satisfied the iudg-
ment.
Xxi niggerE said Tony Xxi niger! what dis
judgement for coss, ole massa talk ,bout-
Done git off bout not blackin' de boot-pit of
bout stayin' long time at de mill-and ebfv
ting else-but dis i%udgmen for coss GIN ma
de debbil-BIess God. niger must keen ont
OBJ de ole stable, or I'll tell you " hat, dat Judo.
ment' for cost make g back feel mighty warm.
OF true!,