The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-10-13
4 Case for the Radical IIumanI-
tarlnms.

Major Robert Douthat, who owns one
Of those fine estates ia Charlos CITY
county, for which Eastern Virginia is 30
famous, and who is one of the most enter
prising and successful agriculturists, own
el a negro man named Harry. who for
years was what is called in Virginia his
''hcadman." Harry bore an excellent
character, and was greatly INDUCED and
trusted By his master.
When the war broke outs and difficulties
thickened around the tract oil country IN
which Major Douthat's farm was situated,
he confdcd to Harry all Of his interests
leaving his valuable property under his
guardianship p aud management. For a
while Aarry was faithful to his trust
But in rn evil hour he listened to the
advice of the newcomers, aud dctcrmin
ed to try his fortune as free man. So
one dag. about three years ago, Harry
took n horse, mule aud saddle belonging
to his master. and rode forth to freedom
aud happiness. From that time there
were no tidings of Harry on the stolen
animals, until Monday last. On that day
Major Douthat saw a strange looking ne
gro approaching the house. The negro
salutcd him as Master" Major Dout
hat, not recognizing him, inquired who
he was and what was his business Il
am Harry; master, don't you know me ??
was the reply. Harry" exclaimed the
Major, regarding him more closely, "is il
possible? What has caused this change
in your appearance ?" 1t was no wonder
that his former master did not recognize
him. When he last saw him Harry was
plump, healthy, erect aud cheerful. The
man who now appeared before him was Z
perfect wreck of humanity. Ills eyes
protruded from their sockets in a mos
unnatural manner, his tongue was partial
ly paralyzed, and his limbs drawn by acute
rheumatism. lie was emaciatcd and re
duccd to premature decrepitude (his age
is only forty(.
Harry told his tale briefly. When hC
deserted the farm he made his way to the
vicinity Of Hampton. He worked for {
time, as he expressed it, "for the Yam
KEGS" on Smiths Island. lie got nc
pay, and was cheated or robbed of every
thing he had. He became sick, but re
ceived neither attention nor sympathy
but was left to scuffle along as best hC
could. The victim of neglect and inhu
manity, without medicine, food or decen
clothing, he bethought him of the home
he had left, and the master he had de
serted, and finding, as he said, nothin:
but deceit and cold-heartcd cruelty among
his Northern ''frieuds," he determined t
return to his master. lie concluded hi
story by saying, "Master, I've come Il
beg you. in the name Of God, to take mt
back and give ME something to eat, ant
let me live with you and work for yoa.'
His master told him that it was needless
now, to talk about any permanent arrange
ment; that what he wanted was immedi
ate medical attention, food and comforta
bic quarters. lie provided him will
these, and told him it would be tim,
enough to think about a permanent ar
rangement when he got better. WheI
asked about his children, he said he haC
not seen them for more than year, ant
he knew nothing about them.
This case of Harry is but one Of hun
dreds and thousands Of like instances
Comment is unnecessary. Will not tn
Northern newspapers publish this ? |
is no fancy sketch, but the TRUTH Rich
mond Wing.