Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-01-27
Bugging an Overseer-Over the
Left,

We shall tell the tale Gas twas told US, y
by a jolly steamboat Captain, at the Thea
tire, night or two since, substituting fic
titious for real names:
Down the Alabama river in county
which we shall name Derby, lives an enor-
mously rich and very clever young plan
ter, who sometimes takes a grand frolic,
and who, when whisky is in his head, cuts
up tricks and capers the most fantastical
that ever were generated by heated
brain. His family, when he goes off, in
variably send with him trusty 'mustee'
servant, a stout fellow, who cares religious
ly for his masters welfare, at times when
lie can't look after it himself.
A week or two since, our Eccentric
whom we shall call Hudgins-attended
by Cab his servant, started on general
frolic, being equipped with two bottles Of
the "royal blood of France" The twain
travelled South wcstwardly, about fifty
miles into the county Of Cumberland
(weIl say,) where Hudgns was unknown
jogging along, they came to an overseer
sitting on the top-rail of the fence of a
cotton field overseer fashion, watching his
hands, at some sort of work within, To
stop, have chat, and treat the overseer
was the first impulse of the Eccentric; and
speedily all hands were growing merry
over the superior Bourbon, in corner oI
the fence. But, in an evil moment, an un
happy idea struck Hudgins, He would
quiz the overscer by making him believe
that he, the Eccentric, was zone of Brown
men," and "Cub" boy that he had sto
ilen--so he would And he did in the
most confidential manner, and with many
injunctions Of secresy, relate such tale
to the overseer, urging him to "join."
The astounded overseer stood SECOND
or two, with distended eyes and mouth
pale, silent, statuesque.
At length he shouted to one of hi'
"Drivers' in the field; "Ned, come here
and bring Big Peter and Jake,
In trice, three stout negroes jumped
over the fence. Said the overseer--
"Harness that id white Abolitionistl'
And Immediately upon giving the order
himself took hold of Cub" and quickly
had his hands tied behind his back-tht
boy knowing bis place too well to resist
Hudgins at first was taken by surprs,
and his laugh began to grow wonderful.
weak, as the negroes seized him.
"Hold on, stand off, you id fools, h,
said; l was only 'bugging' that squash hea'
therel'
"TIE HIMln Numbered the overseor; anC
they did tie him, and that in double quicI
time.
The overseer drew a long breath, as h,
SURVEYED his captives. Eccentric wisheC
to explain the little joke and told who h,
was and what his object was-just to hav'
some fun The overseer didn't Jeliere on
lcord of it-not hsl
ooh, d-n you, said he to Hudgins
now very pale man-"it's reasonable t
; s'pose YOU d deny it when | wouldn't go il
with you, you cussed white.livered scoun
drel that wants to make free Niger o
YOURSELF But right of you 60 to Cum
berland county iail--Tpe been ,oatchin
just heenty -seren days for man like you
and for fear the town.folks II let you slip
I'll make the niggers htyou hundred, be
fore we start!'
And right then and there, that trust
I guardian Of another's property, strung n
Eccentric aDd made one of the negroe
"draw him" one hundred times, with
keen cracking drivers whip. The yoll'
groans and prQtestations Of Eccentri
were awful to hear-he swore he wa
"sound on the goose.
"Yes. said the overseer-"but YOU
be a heap soUnder when we've done wit
you, down yonder at town.
Mules we're brought and the horses G
: Hudgins and Cub led away--and them
e selves mounted on the hybrids; and forth
with the resolute overseer trotted then
ten miles, TO town, securely bound an
watched by himself and trusty negro, eae
:. armed with double barrel Arrived, III
Eccentric was safely jailed amid the exc