Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-12-08
now Jerry nOUGnT HIS FREEDoM,
Or, Nut for AbolitioniSS.

ought TO go far to check the mischevous in. |
iermcddling Of Abolitioniss with our slave
population, the details of which we here give,
without any attempt at extra display or fc-
ton. The story, simply MS we relate it, will
prove quite amusing, we fancy.
A gentleman Of ample fortune. and exten-
sively known as one of the most humane mas
ters, kind neighhor. high minded, honorable |
and influential. owned favorte scrvantman !
named, Jerry. Jerry had been raised" in |
the family from infancy, and was beloved by |
his "Massa George" for his sobriety, honesty
and industry. lie was Trustworthy and quite |
| intelligent. Jerry prided himself greatly on
his honor much more than many white folks"
do. rs our story will show. He was petted
by tho family and generally permitted to DO
pretty much as he pleased. His master al |
| lowed him TO work at home or not, as suited
him, and for the mest part Jerry "hred his
time" and was always strictly punctual IN his
pay nents. lie had permanent 'pass," and
went when and where he wanted. "'
The other day Jerry called on the family,
after an absence Of a few weeks and when he
had eaten plentfully' Of a good dinner, he
stepped into his masters library to ''scttle
up" and talk of matters generally, but Of one
thing particularly. '"' ~
"Well, Massa George said Jerry after a
few formaities, II wants to be free"
What. Jerry {" answered the master, in
astonishment. >"
Il wants TO be free, Massa George; how
much you ax for me p
"Free why, you are crazy. boy What do
you want to be free for? Don't you do just
as you please already"
Yes, Massa George but just got q no.
| tinn that I'd like tn he free. How much do
you think I'm worth? How much you AK for
! me7'
"Oh, don't know. fyou want to be free
why don't you run away?"
ME run away, Massa George y answered
Jerry, rather Indignantly; aud putting his
hand upon his breast, continued "1UO much
hon0r Of TIE fomiy! Jerry never, will run
away Bnt say how much much | got to
pay--how much you think Pm worth. Massa
George ?"t.
"W,ll. Jerry, don't know. Never Thought
of how much you are worth. ! suppose about
fifteen hundred dollars
"Why. Massa George, ! cant give you that
much. ! amt got il. Cant you take moth
ing less for me ?" said Jerry.
The earnest mariner of the slave. and his
queer proposition, coming so unexpectedly
to the master, rather amused him. and he de-
teru,ined tn let Jerry have his own way in
this matter. as he has generally done in 9TH
ers. So he snd
VERY well. Jerry you are very foolish to
want Ia le any more free than you are. But
il it suits you to buy yourself. and you can't
pay me fifteen hundred, what do you say to Il
thousand Z"
Il think q thousand is little too big, too,
Massa George. Can't Yen say eight hundred?
/ bIirve can raise abont that much. I'll
go see, if you says you take it,"
"Oh, well. give ne your own prce--eight
hundred, But, Jerry, where did you get this
money y
Where did get it you AK, Massa George
Why, made some Of it on the river; some
of it by knocking and doing little jobs, and
one gentleman hired me TO wait Oh him to
Canada. Two or three done that before"
Canada Have Jou been to Candu you
are fool. Why didn't you stay there if you
are so anxious t" he free? Don't you know
you were as good us free when there p
Yes, Massa George and they told me so.
But the h0nor Of the family, Massa George /;
couldn't stand it. l never lorgit was born
and raised in old Kentucky. Too much de
ium;ly pride, Massa George"
After some further conversation, in which
the honest and faithful slave expressed his
dislike of Canadian niggers and Abuitionists,
he went off TO see about his eight hundred
dollars.
Next morning, Jerry again visited his mas
ter. There was II change in his conn,enance
, quite percep,ible. lie seemed to be dissatis.
J fed and very uneasy, and his MASTER noticing
it, said:
We'll, jerry. what's the matter? Do You
begin to feel unhappy at the idea Of being
: free ?"
mo, Massa George. wants to be free
Dat ain de mat But ! finds I'm short OF
the eight hundred dollars. What you goin'
to do bout that 2"
. How much money have you got, Jerry p
, Only five hundred dollars, Massa George.
, Won't you take that, and trust me for the
balance 2"
"Ah but will you pay if trust you {" ask
ed the indu'eent master.
, "1he honor qfMe Jamityi Massa George
That's all very we'll, Jerry but can't you
give me securiiyY CAN'T You find some re-
Sponsible person who will give me his note
for YOU ?"
"Why, don't know who go my security,
Massu George, rihOut goa do il yourseLt.-
YOU knows me better than anybody else
WOn't yon be security Iou sure to get the
money. Tie honor 81 the family"
) This was ne" Nay Of doing business but
"Massa George thought he was good enough
= security, especially when backed by the hon
. or of The family" and so he took the five hun
dred cash, and Jerry's note for three hundred
, u'ore, and gave him regular bill Of sale.
Jerry is now doing thrifty business main
tains his family dignity, and loves "MasSi
George" for whom he would shed his lasi
! drop Of blood
h Go it, Jerry!