The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-07-11

raj other bones in it: freedman Sam was
squatting near the box and Jim was in the
grave fishing out of the water and pieces
Of deeayed blanket, matrass, pants &c.
about foot deep, the smaller bones, teeth
and nails; Sam looked solemn. jim look
ed anything but pleasant, was constantly
throwing out intimations that he was doing
a bad job, knew aud felt it, and expected
to be well paid for it.
| Il wouldn't undertake SIGH anuther job
as this for S500--no not less than & thou
sand dollars" Such were the feelers now
| and then escaping from Jim--B. heard but
never moved muscle of his face. jim,
| having finished in the grave, Mr.. B. gave
orders that the boz of bones and the body be
taken to the Bayou-that all the flesh be cut
from the bones, then scraped, crashed, and
packed IN hay in the Boa. ] suggested that
as there was some so pounds or more of
flesh on the body,apd much of this in a
state of almost perfect preservation, it
would be much better to cut the bones out
at the grave return all the flesh, remains
of matrass and clothing to the grave and
fill it again with earth. 10 this he readily
assented. 81
Sam went off, got bis butcher knife, re-
turned and the work Of cutting up COM
menced i'll good earnest. Jim held and
Sam cut Ere long Sam changed his chew
of tobacco from one side of his mouth to the
other-spat, drew in a full supply of air
and thus delivered his thoughts and ex-
pressed his ideas of what he was doing:
I"I am an old man: am a butcher: have
butchered all kinds of animals in my life:
but this is the toughest meat ever did
cut"
The bones were taken to the Bayou,
scraped, washed, and packed in the box.
While this was being done went with B.
to see Mrs. S. He offered pay for the mat
ras, she refused to accept 1.-THE thanked
her--we babe good morning and left.
Coming to the ,cress street leading to the
Hotel he took leave of me thus: taking
my hand he said: Mr.. LansdeN, of course
you do not charge, nor would you accept
anything for your services-please accept
our thanks for your kindness" Here he
and parted, not to meet again thus far.
He went to the Hotel, and soon Sam and
Jim came and delivered the box. He Offer
ed them dollar each--they refused it and
he raised the amount to $3.50 EACH Sam
took his, Jim did not and it fell on the
floor. In offering the money he seemed to
be in great hurry saying heretake the
money--it is more than we pay in Michi-
GAM must be off" Jim then told him
that they charged $25 each and the box
could not be moved until the money was
paid. II M
Jim then appealed to Mr.. j. the oonsta-
ble-Mr. L. the Deputy Sheriff was here,
and came nobly to the rescue, Capt. G. the
Justice of Peace was sent for After much
arguing, twisting and screwing after squeez-
ing the greenbacks, rubbing them between
his fingers, sundry wry faces; much to say
of prices in Michigan; much eagerness to
| find hole to creep out at, and none APP
pearing, he concluded, much to the salts
faction of Sam and Jim, that rather than
leave the box of bones he would leave the
$50in greenbacks. lie then desired guard
to Alexandria, but eorld get none; as there
was none necessary or to be had then
guard for two miles, or until he passed the
residence Of the Justice Finally Mr.. s..
Landlord went with him until he passed
Capt. C's house, and thus he left.
I nave, Mr.. Ed, complied with your re-
quest. You have the facts-nothing but
achat did occur and Just as II did occur.
/ am respectfully Yours &c, !.
iA THOMAS LANSDELL. &