Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-12-22

part Jerry "hired his time" and was always
strictly %punctual in his payments. lie had a
permanent pass" and went when and where he
wanted.
The other day Jerry called on the family, after
an absence OF Il few weeks, and when he had eaten
plemifully Of a good dinner, he stepped into his
masters library to settle up" and talk Of matters
generally, but Of one thing particularly.
"Wcll, Mussa George" said Jerry, after a few
preliminaries, II wants to be free"
"What, Jerry ~ answered the master, in aston.
ishment.
al wants to be free, Massa how much you IA
for me 2"
Free why, you are crazy, boy. What do you
want to be free for? Don't YOU do just ns you
please already 2"
Yes, Massa George but | just got n notion
that Id like to bt free. How much do you think
Pm worth? How much do you ax for me?'
"Oh, | don't know. If you want to be free, why
don't you run away p
ME run awnv. Massa George answered Jerry,
rather Indignantly and putting his hand upon bis
breast, continued "7Oo much hoaorof tie ftmiiy
Jerry never will run away But say how much |
got to pay-how much YOU think I'm worth, Massa
George? ~
well, Jerry, ! don't know. Never thought Of
how much YOU are worth. | suppose about fifteen
hundred dollars"
"Whv, Nlassa George, | can't give you that
much. amt got it. Can't you take nothing less
for me" said jerry.
The earnest manner of the slave, and his queer
proposition, coming so Unexpectedly to the master,
rather amused him, and lie determined to let Jerry
have hs own way in this matter, as he had gencr-
ally done in others. So he snid
VERY we'll, Jerry; you are very foolish to want
to be any more free than you are. But if it suits
you to buy yourself, and you can't pay me fifteen
! hundred what do on say to n thousandY'
Il think a thousand II little too big, too, Massa
George. Can't you say eight hundred? | blieve
| can raise about that much. I'll go see, if you
says you take it,"
"Oh, well give me your own ~price-eigbt hun.
drcd. But, Jerry where did you get this money p
"WherJ did ! get it ? you AK, Massa George.
Why, | made some of it ON the river; some of ii
by Knocking about and doing little jobs, aud one
gentleman hired me to wait on Inn 20 Canada.
Two or three done that BEFORE
Canada Have you been to Canada? you are a
fool. Why didn't you stay there if you are 81
anxious to be free? Don't you know you were as
good as free when there p
YES, Massa George, and they told me so. But
he honor Of the family, NAUSEA George | COULDN'T
stand it.. / never for got | was born and raised in
old Kentucky. Too much de family pride, Nassa
George"
After some further conversation, in which the
honest and faithful slave expressed his dislike OF
Canadian niggers and Alb )litionists. he went off t.
see about his eight hundred dollars.
Next morning, Jerry again visitsd his master.
There was a change in his countenance quite per
ceptible. lie seemed to be dissatisfied and very
uneasy, and his master, noticing it, said
well, Jerry, what's the natter? Do you begin
to feel unhappy at the idea Of being free ~
''Nu, Massa George. / wants to be free. Dat
amt the matter. But 6nds Pm a little short Of
the eight hundred dollars. What you Goin' to do
bout that ?"
How much money have you cot. jerry"
"Only five hundred dollars, Massa George,