New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-05-22
Written for the New Orleans Republican,
4 NIGHTS LODGING AND WHAT
CANE FIT.
= story with a Moral

Mr. Fletcher, 8 man pest known as the
author Of Fletcher on Slavery" was one
night stretching his limbs before the IRE OF
a village inn. when one of the solourners
inquired Of Mr.. Fletcher why certain
planter and himself were not on good terms.
Well" said the old gentleman. If you
will bear with an old man's story, VIII
tell YOU
Many years ago, when l was young law
yer had promised my family to be at home
for my Christmas dinner, and to accomplish
this design set forth on horseback.
The weather was bitterly Indictment, and
snow was falling. After riding distance l
became so benumbed that it seemed impos-
sible to proceed any further. Accordingly,
finding myself on the plantation OF the gen
tleman whose name you just mentioned, L
proceeded to the house OF the overseer to
request the favor Of nights lodging. /
could distinctly see him through the win
dow, basking before glowing ire, and the
cheering contrast to the weather with
out WAS most inviting. But on max
ing my request, TO my astonlshmeht, L
was refused. | had gotten down from my
horse, and gone in, but my request though
modestly preferred, was most peremptorliy
refused. | vainly urged that found it i'm
possible 10 proceed, and that feared that
| should perish in the storm. was told
that could not stay. l persisted as des-
perate man might, sgsinst such cruel inhos-
pitality. TO only receive reiterated denial,
and finally was told most vehemently that
if l did lot go out of the house ] should be
put out
There was nc: alternative so, inQuiring
for the best route. left in a state OF mind
better imagined than described. After pro-
ceedipg a short distance ny horse refused
to face the storm. l found myself a. this
juncture at the end of g lane on the planta-
ton where had inst been refused a loig-
ing. Taking off the blankets from my horse,
with them and my saddle l extemporiZed q
bed, gathered the fallen leaves about me,
| fastened my horse to 8 tree, and lay down
| to sleep.
Here 1 slep. until morning; then rising,
/ proceeded TO unfasten my horse from the
tree. In doing SO, saw some marks on the
tree. / thought that / knew what these
marks meant, so / took out my pencil and
memorandum book and made note OF
them. From these marks l judged that
| there had be- a mistake made IL entering
| land, and on applying at the land ONCE my
| impression was confirmed. The land had
been entered on one side OF the rosd, but
| located on the opposite. The land ofhce
| had fallen into the same error, and this
planter had been building on and cuitlyat-
| ing government land. while the land which
| truly belonged to him was q desolate. IN.
| cultivable swamp. l quietly entered the
| land and bided my time.
In two years i received a patent from
| Washington, and al that time, sir, that man
was living Oh my land. ginning my cotton,
and without giving me one particle OF com
pensation; taking all the proceeds OF my
Iplantation for the support of his negroes Id
| family.
In due time I sent word to the planter that
| desired possession Of my plantation, which
request was resented as an impertinence
| then brought suit, which, in q few days,
| brought from the gentleman an offer OF
twenty thousand dollars to not prosecute
| see why the planter is not ovN fond OF me;
| but the best OF it is, I have never since
| heard that he hes refused benighted trav'
eler the favor of nights lodging
MoRAL.-It may cost more to refuse KIND
| deed to one in need, than to be generous o.
| your fayors.