New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-12-17
HOW JERRY BOUGHT HIS FREEDOM
Or a Nut for AInIitfnuixtz.

ought to go far to cheek the mischieyous inter-
meddling Of Abolitionists with our slave popu-
ation, the details of which We here give, with
out any attempt at display or fiction. The story,
simple as We relate IT, will prove quite amusing,
we fancy. ,sesYs
ly known az one of the most humane masters,
a kind neighhor, high-minded, honorable,
and influential, owned a favorite servant man
| named Jerry. Jerry had been sraissd" !" IN
the family from infancy, and was beloved by his
Massa George for his sobriety, honesty and
industry. He was trust worthy and quite in
telligent. Jerry prided himself on his honor
much more than many 6 white foIksh do, as
our story will show. He was petted By the
family and generally permitted TO do pretty
much as he pleased His master allowed him
to work at home or not, as suited him, and for
the most part Jerry sshired his time, ,, and
was always strictly punctual in his payments
He had q permanent "pass," and went when
and where he wanted. s7ssss
The other day Jerry called on the family, after
an absence of q few weeks, and when he had
eaten plentifully Of q good dinner, he stepped
into his masters library, to g settle up, '' and
talk Of matters generally, but Of one thing parti
cularly.
"Wsll, Massa George said Jerry, after
few formalities, ssI wants to be free p
$. What, jerry" answered the master, in
astonishment,
:. wants to be free, Massa Geoege how
much you az for me 20 gus
Free why, you are crazy, boy What do
you want to be free for Don't you do just as
you please already
g Yes, Massa George, but just got notion
that I'd like to be free How much do you think
Pm worth How much you ax for me 20 ',f
:" Oh, ! don't know. If you want to be free.
why don't you run away !"
NTn ~
Jerry. rather Indignantly and putting his hand
upon his breast, continued g Too much honor
Of the family Jerry never will run away But
say how much got to pay-how much do you
think Pm worth, Massa George" +"
"W Well, Jerry, don't know, Never thought
of how much you are worth. / suppose about
fifteen hundred dollars. y
Why, Massa George, Ican't give you that
much, / amt got it. Can't you take nothing less
for me p said Jerry.
{ The earnest manner of the slave, and hfs
queer proposition. coming so unexpectedly to
the master, rather amused him, and he deter
mined to let Jerry have his own way in this
matter. as he had generally done in Others
So he did: S2z f zE5zs as p
:. Very well, Jerry; you are very foolish to
want to be 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 thous-
and .' t5
1 81 think q thousand is o little too big, tod,
Massa George. Can't you say eight hundred
b'lieve can raise about that much I'll go
see, if you says you take it. %
&c Oh, well, give me your own price-eight
hundred. But, jerry, where did you get this
money !" s5es a.
sWhere did get it /; you az, Massa George.
Why | made some of it on the river; some of
it by knocking about and doing little jobs. and
one gentleman hired me to wait on him TO
Canada. Two or three done that before,' a H
sCanada! Have you been to Canada you
| are fool. Why didn't you stay there if you
are 50 anxious to be free , Don't you know you
were as good as free there % %
| Yes, Massa George, and they told me so
But the honor Of the family, Massa George !;
Icouldn't stand it. / never forget was born
and raised in old Kentucky. Too much de fam
| lily pride, Massa George"
| After some further conversation, in which The
honest and faithful slave expressed his dislike
Of Canadian niggers and Abolitionists, he went
off to see about his eight hundred dollars. r.
| Next morning, Jerry again visited his master.
There was change in his countenance quite
perceptible. He seemed to be dissatisfied and
very uneasy, and his master, noticing it, said :
Well, Jerry, what's the matter Do you
begin to feel unhappy at the idea Of being
Ifree!' s.4. -
s'No, Massa George. / wants to be free Dat
amt de matter. But l finds I'm q little short
of the eight hundred dollars. What you goiA' to
do bout that - E
50 How much money have you got, Jerryi.'
Onl yfve hundred dollars, Massa George
Won't you take that, and trust me for the bal.
ance %
.'Ah, but will you pay if l. trust you .
asked the indulgent master.
" The honor Of the family Massa George y
" That's all very well, Jerry, but can't you
give security Can't you find some responsible
person who will give me his note for you n
Why, don't know who go my security
Massa George ,Dithout you do It yourself Yor
knows me better than any body else Won
you be security You sure to get the money
The honor o. fthe family Z"
This was new way Of doing business but
SO Massa George" thought he was good enough
security, especially when backed by the :. homo,
of the family" and SO he took the five hundred
cash, and Jerry's note for three hundred more
and gave him regular bill of sale.
Jerry is now doing thrifty business, main.
tains his family dignity, and loves IS Massa
George" for whom he would shed his last droI
of blood
Go it, Jerry