The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-04-14
NARRATIVES OM SLAVELIFE.

Prom the Kew York observsr.l
About thirty-fve years ago, it
became necessary for the owner
of large estate in western North
Carolina to part with some of his
best servants. Among the num-
Der was Richard, a young, light
colored, married man. AS WAS
common in such cases, he was al
lowed to choose his future owner.
He applied to Mr. A, q prominent
lawyer, who at once purchased
Richard and his wife and settled
them on his home place, in a cot
tage near his own house.
The duties of Richard were
those of overseer, and manager
of out-of-dOOr work. This was
thrown entirely on his hands; by
the professional claims on Mr. A. 8
time. And to record the Aonora-
BILE, devoted faithfulness to trust
observed by this true man, from
that day to THE, is the object of
this paper.
When the gold fever ragged,
Richard went to California,
brought home gold for Mr.. A,
and himself, with presents for
"aur children" as he and his wife
e>H those of the family. They
have none of their own. The
dark days of war came. True to
every interest of those dearest to
him, nothing could turn him from
his post. Mr.. A. was brought
home mortally wounded. After
other last interviews, he sent for
his friend and slave, Richard. To
him and to his wife Mr.. A. pre-
scented their freedom. This, for
himself and his wife, Richard
firmly refused to accept. Then,
to his care, Mr.. A. committed his
family-his wife, three daughters
and two sons of very tender age.
This trust Richard solemnIy as
sumed. And to-day this relation
exists unbroken, without change
or mar of any kind. His first act
was to have cottage built for
himself, nearer the family resi-
dence, that he might better pro-
tect its inmates. Through the
remaining days of the war none
could do better to take care of
the family aud property. When
it ended, he had full scope for his
fine financial talent, energy, thrift
and executive ability. Success
has attended him ever since. No
one interferes with his plans or
thwarts him, though all is under
the over sight of Mrs. A.
The legal guardians of the prop
erty and its heirs offered HIM a
salary. He did not want it and
would not have it, he said. He
had all ne wanted; Mrs. A. would
give him what money he required;
and should he accumulate money,
he would leave it all to sour chill
dren" anyhow.
The eldest daughter was his
especial pride. On the occasion
of her marriage the house was
filed with guests, and a large
party of other friends were pres
ent. When arrayed for the bri
dial, Miss A. sent Tor Richard, and
told him he must come in to see
her married. He demurred; he
did not want to ego before so
many folks" But the young lady
would take no refusal, and when
the opened doors gave the fair
bridal tableau to the view of the
guests, there stood directly be-
hind the bridegroom and bride,
the tall, dark forms of Richard
and his wife. Many hearts were
touched, for almost on the very
spot where that solemn promise
had been made to the dying
father, was given this beautiful
recognition of its faithful per
Torrance.
The two elder daughters are
settled in homes of their own;
his "two boys" to whom he gave
q thorough business training, are
away at college; and only the
youngest daughter remains with
her mother. To a proposed Euro
pean trip, planned for this young
lady by her friends, last year,
Richard objected, on the ground |
that "Missie' could not bear the