The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1859-02-11
Written for the JrFFERsoNIAN DEaocR
AN INCIDENT.


IT was lulo in tho afternoon of gloomy
December day, that a traveller halted his
indcd horse at tho house of ferry,nan, upon
tho bank of ono of tho southern tributaries
of tho Mississippi River, and requested to
be conveyed oYer tho stream rs quickly as
possiblo, that ho might reach n certain place.
to obtain lodgings for tho night. An old
negro was called upon to perform tho re-
auircd service, and tho two proceeded
towards tho river, tho traveller riding in ad-
vance, and tho negro in tho roar, dragging
his aged and weary limbs in manner un-
likely to accomplish tho strangers urgent
purposes and no accostod him by saying
"Como, hurry up, old man, it's getting late,
and wovc no timo to spare"
Don't hurry mo, MASTER replied he,
"this old man flor such he had tho pro-
sumption to call himself is mighty tired
boon ferryin' every since sun up this morn
ing-and no tellin' what time he get done
tonight. 'Foro long this poor old nigger
will havo to be fcrricd over tho Jordan Of
Death, and hed bless God if bo could &c
this very night"
Tho little craft was pushed from shore
and with slow and steady sweep. the heav,
oars, graspcd by the dark and withored band
urged it against the curront, until half th
breadth of tho stream was passed, whcl
tho old negro, as if encouraged by 'h
thoughtful mood of tho stranger, and tn
apparent foclings Of regret which his unkin
remarks had produced in his OWE mind
broke tho silence, saying -
"It's mighty hard, master, when maj
gets old, and has servod his master and mis-
tross for many years, to have to be run oi
to now country, and sold to strange folk
4 that no mover seed, and don't know ho'
thoy'll uso him. Aud there" said he, poin
ing to group of persons standing upon tn
shore to which thoy wero approaching
"must bo somo of the company of US who
n Just como hero from North Caro!ina."
Tho ferry boat touched tho shore, and ii
company awaiting its arrival consisted OF
tall, unshavon and bcastly looking ma
who was readily recognized as a negr
traders drivers" two or throe negro boy
a pair of oxen and cart, and mother ar
two helpless babes--ono about throe yea
= old, clinging to her side, tho other niue
younger, sleeping upon her breast
needed but little explanation to dcvclope Il
facts tha: this detected and weeping moth
and her innocent babes wore the consider
tions involved in recent business transa
ton between n negro-trader stopping for
, time in the vicinity, and General G -,
Id extonIivo cotton planter living upon tho o
posite side Of the river, and that tho vohiC
before alluded to was the means OF convo
auco by which this "parcel of morchandi'
n, n" had been delivered where II was to be
ceived BY tho recent purchaser.
Tho travellers desired point was roach'
and, after enjoying for the night, tho CO
- forts and luxurios so profusely arrang
u about tho wealthy southoruer's homo, a
7 when about proceeding upon his journey,
II was informed that, If he would wait shc
time, no could have tho company of m
going tho same way, and his assistance
,s, finding route of travel greatly to his d
he vantage, or, if he chose, he could go vi
him and the host to tho quarter" who
= some negroes were being kept by trad
sr for sale, which he wished to examine with
view of making purchase, and from VIII
- those seen at the ferry, had been sold
nd Tho lstter proposal was agreed to, a
u! tho three proceeded to the place where
trader set himself to work, exhibiting
goods" to the best advantage, freauen
"a making use of his accustomed phras
for There, stranger, is likely pieoe of stoc
rge That's u likely boy" "stand up here a
-- show yourself, old woman" accompanied
a blow from his whip, and many other ,
feeling remarks common with that class
&c men.
49, An examination of the "stock on har
- was completed. aud another mother a
Es three small children (two others being
! ..u,o a,hnn vyora aalaot