Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-02-09
"BAD" DENT,
ONE OF THE MOST DRAMATIC TRACE.
DIES ON RECORD.

| the War-An Old Coiored Mans
Promise to His Dying
Master.
Several years before the war there O.
cured q tragedy in the eastern part ,
Tennessee, near the present site Of Rugb
that aroused the indignation of the entir
community. Several days ago the col
Guiding chapter was enacted. In IL,
neiShbOrhood mentioned there lived
young man named Abraham Dent, q ma
OF fine education. usually kind in dispos
tlon, but of so violent a nature whcl
aroused that he was known as bad
Dent. He was tall and handsome
possessing remarkable physical strength
and an activity that had made him a favor
ite on the schOol-house PLAYGROUND. He
was wealthy, to which influence he owed
his escape from imprisonment, for he had
killed man, and was only cleared afte
the best legal talent had been employed il
his defense. He was not addicted to the
use of liquors, but would, as his compan
ions termed it, get on spree of ill-humor
On such occasions he was mOrOse, quarrel
some and dangerous. His freaks were
strange and unaccountable. He would
help friend out Of an alteration and in,-
mediately turn and knock him down.
Among his companions was 4 young man
named Louis Guiil-a noble fellow. He
was as brave as lioa-intelligent, kind
hearted and faithful to every obligation.
His father and mother were dead, having
willed him 4 farm and several "black
folks" The friendship between GULL and
Dent was subject of remark, for where
Dent was violent GULL was genial where
Dent was Gin for fight " GULL favored
an adjustment and hearty laugh. Yet the
two young men were friends. 1t seemed
that they had been born friends-thcir
fathers were friends. Their mothers in
sisted upon having the same kind of cof-
fee the same kind of cooking; had the
same ideas regarding children. and, of
course, were friends.
One day at 4 picnic the two friends en-
gagged in 4 quarrel.
You told me that you were not going
to dance with that girl exclaimed Dent.
81 know did, Abe, but couldn't we'll
get out Of it. The boys arranged the set
and assigned the partners"
sit wouldn't make any difference to me
what the boys did, wouIdn't acknowledge
that had told id lic.''
II q man tells 4 lie it is better to ac-
Ihope have not offended
you.''
''But you have. When man tells mo
Z ID lie | hold him accountable for
"Abe you are Oh one of your sprees to-
lay. Let the matter drop"
II am not in an i'll humor and you utter
4 d-d lie when you say So"
"Abe, this has gone far enough
cit shall so just as far as | want it,
meant what said.''
"Are you in earnest: :'
81 am.''
eco away then. Don't cali me- 2 Ii. r
ssain. If you do, I'll knock you down."
Several friends rushed up, among them
/ colorcd man owned by GULL. lie was
lis masters friend rs well us servant, and
would have riskcd his life for the man
Who could make his existence miserable
II pleasant, and who nobly chose the
after.
MARS Louis,' said the darkey. "doan
lab no truck wild dat man. Ho doan kerc
10 noah fur blood den he do fur watcr,'
md he put his hand gently on his masters
lrm,
"Get away, Buck said GULL, che has
nsultcd me and must pay the penalty.
''Lct him alone" coOlly remarked Den.
md the next instant he lay full length OF
he ground. Blood flowed from his mouth
md for time he seemed to he insensible.
Recovering suddenly, he drew barlow
iniic, and Us GULL stopped over to raise
lin he uttered an oath and plunged his
lnife-blade into Guius breast. Such y
stampede followed that Dent escaped.
iuill lay Oh the bosom of his faithful
lave.
"Buck I'm dying,'' he said. cit was
aurder. Buck arc you here
''Ics, Mars Louis, Is leah.'
''1f Dent is not hung by law want you
o kill him.
''Yes, Mars Louis
"But don't take advantage of him.
light him with knife. Do yOu prom
seq
Yes, Mars Louis. I'll follow him ter
le end Of dc earth! Tll--oh, my master is
lcad.'
The tragedy sent u thrill of horror
Trough everyone. Old men shed tears
When they saw poor Gull lying on the
,round, with his hands full Of grass, pulled
Up with the grasp of death.
GULL WAS buried in a little orchard near
lie old farm house. Buck delivered the
uneral oration. Several ministers offered
heir services, but the cOlored man claimed
he right and as no one could doubt the
which existed between master
nd servant, no one disputed the right of
he faithful man to conduct the ceremonies
IN q Sunday afternoon, when the sun
hone bright OH the apple blossoms when
he blue jay fitted and the sap-suckcr'
bounded the old black trees, Buck stood at
he head of his masters grave. Friends
md neighbOrs gathered around, and chill
lrcn peeped over the rcd mound into the
leep cavity, shuddercd, and drew back.
Cor full five minutes Buck stood without
lttering 4 word.
"l dOan know how ter peach funeral,
4ord," he SAID, "but knows what hit liz
er feel dc fullin' Oh do hcartstriEgs. Ez
smile can change ter 4 trembln' oh de
ip SO does sorrow set heaviest on dc heart
What wuz once filled wild joy. My narster
lad heart cz big cz lie imagination oh a
lille, and ez dc heart is dc birthplace OBJ
le soul my marster is On dc right hand Oh
'Od, close up to de throne. May we all
meet death wild as little fear, and may dc
ncels be ez glad to see us all cz l knows
Ia hez been ter make dc heabenly quaint
nee oh Mars Louis GULL. Amen
Dent fled to Texas, but was brought
'ack, and by some technicality acquitted
Ic left Tennessee Immediately after the
rial and went, no one knew or cared
where.
:: :: x II =
Several weeks ago a tall man stood on
superior street in Cleveland. His hair was
lmOst as white as the snow at his feet.
lis face wore a sad expression and his
yes wandered as though tired of every
'bjcct. An old colored man came walking
long. Seeing the white-h haired man he