The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1878-11-14
MOSES.
A Story Of treaty Year. Ago.


mo. no; massa, none o. dat. It's be-
kase don't mind the audes."
what kind of orders?'
well. massa stranger, will tell you.
Massa WIllum VERY strict man. and a
VERY nice man. too. and ebrybody on de
place got to mind him. and brake frew
de rule. but didn't tend TO brake de rule
doe; forgot myself, and got too high.
1T is for getting drunk. then. Is it!
''Oh, no, sab. not dat mother"
Then tell me what you are TO be sold
for"
For praying. sab"
For praying? That's strange tale.
Will not your master permit YOU to pray
''Oh, yes, sab, he left me pray easy;
but hollers too loud"
And why do you halloo in your pray
ers?"
'kase de spirit comes on me. and gets
happy fore knows it; den gone. kan I
troll myself: den | knows nutting bout
massa rule"
And do you suppose your master will
really sell you for that?''
''Oh, YES; no help for me now. All de
men in de world couldn't help me nov
kase when Massa Willum says one ting
he no do anoder."
What Is your name?'
Moses
What is your masters name?"
''Massas name Is Col. William C"
where does he liveg"
Down on the Easin Shoah.
is he good master and treats you
well?"
''Oh, yes; no better man in de wuld."
.'Stand up and let me look at you.'
And Moses stood up and presented ro-
bust frame; and as Mr.. b. stripped up his
sleeve, his arm gave evidence of unusual
muscular strength.
Where is your master?'
Wander he is. jes' comm 10 de warf -
As Mr.. b. started for the shore he heard
Moses give heavy sigh, followed by u
deep groan. Moses WAS not at all pleased
with the present phase of affairs. He
was strongly impressed with the idea that
Mr.. Il. was a trader, and intended To buy
him, and it was this that made him so I'M
willing to communicate to Mr.. Il. the de-
sired information. Mr.. Il. reached the
wharf Just as Col. c. did. He introduced
himself, and said:
81 understand that you want 10 sell
that negro man yonder, on board the
schooner"
Col. G. replied that he did.
What do you ask for him.
81 expect to get seven hundred dollars. y"
How old do YOU reckon him TO beg
Somewhere about thirty"
us he healthy?"
Very: he never had any sickness in his
life, except one or two spells Of the ague. ;"
us he hearty9"
"Yes. sir; he will eat as much as any
man ought, and II will do him as much
good"
rs he good handg''
"Yes, sir; he is the best hand on my
place. He is steady, honest and INDUSTRY
Gus. He has been my foreman for the
last ten years, and more trusty negro
never knew"
why do you wish TO sell HIM"
Because he disobeys my orders As I
said. he is my foreman; and that he might
be available at any moment ] might want
him. | built his hut within hundred
yards of my own house-and have never
rung the bell at any time in the night or
morning. that his horn did not answer in
five minutes after But two years ago he
got religion, and commenced what he
terms family prayer-that Is, praying In
his hut every night and morning. and
when he began his prayer. IT was impos-i-
bic TO tell when he would stop. especially
If las he termed III he got happy. Then
he would sing and pray and halloo for an
hour or two together, that You might hear
him nearly mile of. And he would
pray for me and nv wife and my
children. and our whole family connections
10 the third generation; and sometimes,
when we would have visitors. Moses
prayers would interrupt the conversation
and destroy the enjoyment Of the whole
company. The women would cry and the
children would cry. and it would get me
almost frantic: and even after ] had re-
tired, il would sometimes I've almost day
light before could 20 10 sleep. for il APP
peared TO me that could hear Moves pray
for three hours after he had finished I
bore il as long a. ! could and then forbid
his praying any more-and Moses prom
ised obedience; but he soon .transgressed:
and my rule is never 10 whip, but when
ever negro proves inoorrigible sell him.
This keeps them in better subjection. and
Is less trouble than whipping And II par
doned Moses twice for disobedienee in
praying 40 loud. but the third time knew
! must sell him, or every negro on the
place would soon be perfectly regardless
Of all my ORDER.
You spoke Of Moses hut. ! suppose
from that he has a familyr'
"Yes: he has woman and three child
ren, or wife. suppose he calls her now
for soon after he got religion he asked me
if they might Se married and J presume
they were."
.'wha. viii you take for her and the
children"
IF you want them far your osn use. ]
Will take seven hundred dollar: hut ]
shall not seil Moe. nor them 20 go out Of
the State.
Il wish them all for my o~n use. and
w1Il give you the fourteen hundred dol
lar"
Mr.. p. and Col. c. then vent 20 B. =
store, drew up the writing. and elosed the
sale. after which fhey returned 10 the
vessel; and Mr.. y. approached the negro.
who "a; with has eyes axed upon the deek,
wrapped IN meditation Of the rso-. awful
foreioding-. and said:
We'll. Moss. have bought yoa-''
Moe made lo~ boa. and every uass-
Gle In ms face worked with esnotizn a. he
replied:
Il. you. Nasal WHERE 10 gwIn~.
massaS ]. gxine 20 GsosglaYN
NO" aid Mr.. v. Il am a p~rckxn,
here IN this city. Yonder 10 By ss1~.. ssa
VAN. ycu 20 attend On toe sfn~r. zad
have panchz~ei your wife xnd ehilarrn.
TOO. that ycs may mt u separated.
''Bress God for dat: assd. rzxs<z- KIN
20 30 ssoefSn' so<n>ssresY
"Ye. Noes. yea can 80 b church three
times On Sabbath and every night IN the
se~k. and you can pray a. often - pos
ehop~~, and ~ Iosd a yoa cboo~e; end
ever tune yos pray. Whether IL be Al
home OF IN the eharsA- vzss yos 10