Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-21

BARTERING A SPOUSE.
Il Negro of Camden, N. IL, Trades His fife
for Setter Dog.

for Setter Dog.
Philadelphia Record.
.'Yes sab! did swop my wife Rachel off
to another niger for q yellow and white
setter dog. Wasn't she my wife, and
whose business is it any how?" The
speaker Moses Blake, black-hued repre-
sentative from the eastern "sho," is en-
ployed by Charles J. Welsh. coal dealer,
at Second and Pine streets, Camden. For
over year he has made his home in Mr.
Welsh's stable, on Spring street, near Pine.
He is extremely ignorant, and has but the
faintest conception of the binding nature
of the marriage vows. About seven months
ago, his wife, a saffron wench, left him
owing to domestic rumpus, and has been
living away from him ever since. Neither
has spoken to the other during that time,
though they have frequently met The
wife, however, has been the subject of the
loving attentions of another ebony -hued
coal HEAVIER named James Green. The lat
ter, to all appearances, conceived strong
attachment for the woman and CORE
spending hatred for her liege lord. To
such an extent did this feeling grow that
many times the men have been on the
verge of carving each other with razors.
About two months ago an incident oc-
Cured which came near extinguishing
Green's lamp of life. Both were engaged
IN unloading boat full of coal for Mr..
Welsh. Green was in the hold of the
chunker. Blake was occupied in holding
the rope which guided the big iron bucket
IN its descent and ascent from the hold of
the boat. While the bucket was descend
ing it suddenly jibed and struck the wool
ly head of Green. The blow rendered him
senseless for long time, and his skulls
thickness alone saved him. Blake was
blamed for his carelessness, but the latter
stoutly maintained that it was entirely an
accident. He has always been the most
offensive of the two and of late has threat
ened the life of Green. The formers be-
havlor has served to scare Green. who had
begun to fear that probably his opponent
might carry out his threat Consequently
when he found opportunity to appease the
wrath OF Blake he was not slow to avail
himself of it. 1t was communicated to
him that Blake had remarked he would like
to own setter dog, the property of Green.
The latter Immediately approached him
and offered him the canine. TIE extraor-
binary interview closing the bargain was
best told in Blake's own words:
You see was workin' here in de stable
when up comes dat sinner Jim Green and
says he to me: Moses Blake, Ihas a lit
tie business wild you. Can't you come out
heah for five minutes until tells your Well.
you see comes out, and de first ting he
says: Moses, let's US be friends l said
muffin to dis, and den Green he went on to
say how ne heerd l would like his setter
dog Nellie. You can hab dat ANIMAL he
said, If you gree not to bodder me any
more and surrender all claim to dat wife
ob yourn, cause Use like to marry her.
When come to think OBJ it I commissioned
dat it would be a pretty good bargain, for
you see dat my wife would be free in lit
while, anyhow; and so I said all right. and
we ranged de business in two minutes
But how would your wife be free in
little while?'' inquired the reporter.
why, young fellah, Use married by de
'squires, and don't you know dat de 'squire's
marriage is only good for a year?",
Only good for year ?" murmured the
astonished news-gatherer.
Certainly" replied the negro, with a
loud yah. yah; "a 'squire's marriage only
holds good for year, and de mayors
marriage two-years,- while de min
isters marriage lasts all de time.''
Green and the woman are now living to-
gether happily, while the setter dog is be-
ing well taken care of by Blake.