The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-02
PREICHING JOE.

Everybody in Richmond knows Col.
Bassford's coiored man, Joseph Bonaparte. who
has long been held up In that community as a
model Of all the virtues to which faithful do
nestle can attain. He was formerly slave, &C
companied his master to the field, and. as he
| never weafies OF telling YOU, FIT into the war
| hisself." Moreover, lie is a plous man "'Zorts
| de bruddern" from time to time In the Ebene-
zcr Ga, 0fwnich he has for many years been
member In good standing and speaks occa-
| sionally at political meetings. 1t was Preaching
Joe who, shortly after the close Of the war, In
an eloquent speech to an assembage In front of
Ford's Hotel, composed almost entirely Of his
own race and color, triumphantly de onstrated
that black man Is a cuIud pu SON" and that
there IL really no such thing as a Niger. He
went further, and advocated the claims OF a
"cullud pusson" to the honors OF the Presl-
dental chair, on the grounds Of equity. Justice,
policy and expedency, stoutly maintaining that
a good candidate, like a good horse, cannot be
OF a bad color, for, said oe, winding up with
a magnificent burst OF eloauence, "let Il never
be FORGOTTEN In these United States, the colored
troops fought nobly."
Mahomet was great. and Joe Ia very near per
lection. still, like all mortas. he has his weak
nesses. At times he Offers up the most enor-
nous libations at the shrine Of Bacchus, which
generally result In the total and hopeless inebl-
ton OF this otherwise worthy ana excellent
"cullud pusson." Last SUNDAY morning Joe sat
under toe droppiDgs of Yaller Moses. who
regularly oficiates at the Ebenezrr Church
There was good deal of shouting toward the
end " the services, and Joe became deeply
moved. IL was communion Sunday As the
attendant poured little wine in his Riass, Joe
don, care who So knows foss d dny cor h ana
ford had some friends to dinner. Joe made all
necessary preparations for the feast ON his re-
turn from church the table was set, the cook
was CAREFUL iustructed-everything was In ad-
mrable order; all that remained to be done was
Preaching Joe gave bis whole mind. turned all
his Thoughts. When the guests arrived, J oe was
nowhere to be found. Col. Bassford sent TO the
neignoors NOBODY had seen or heard Of joe
An auxiliary was called In at the last moment to
take his place. The Colonel found himself very
much inconvenienced; bis dinner WIS not a sue
cess. During three days the family were at a
loss to know what had become of their faithful
servitOr. when on the afternoon OF "Wednesday
Mrs. Dlssford found Joe In the parlor, playing
on the riano In quiet, mysterious manner. He
well Joe. where have you been, and and what
are YOU doing here In the parlorr' Looking up
In wild, nervous manner " Don't make a noise.
missust don't make noise. i done gone
freeze de ice cream, and am tryin to charm
desc snakes dits crawlin roun de room after
rats eat up all de ice cream while wos a watch
IN ooer de whiskey barl Dey'v catch poor Joe,
sure. lse gwine to git up = tree wild de canary
birds as soon as lie elifant y .ss dis way"
Preaching Joe had been soaking steadily at
the whiskey barrel In the cellar for the better
part OF three DAYS, living entirely on whiskey
and ice cream. The attack was very severe
one. Shortly before Joe had taken IN pledge,
which was found IN his pocket aud which he
seemed to have thought would act as sort OF
talisman against the unhappy effects resulting
from All INN oderate use OF whiskey.
He 10 at present enjoying country air, rest and
quii. ~ Col. BaSs1 ir,Ls p JntatiOn on the James,
near Dutch Gan. The Colonel maintains IN al
Joe, even with hts unfortunate eccentricities, ~
. better servant, take MIN all In ALL than can be
found anywhere north Of Mason and Dixon's
line. He Is honest, piuus, faithful. and entirely
devoted To the interests Of his master when So
Der. lie will take the pledge again as soon as he
gets aOout. and Is not likely during the next
lin jams.