Arizona weekly enterprise., 1882-11-25
Bartering a Spouse.
A Negro of Camden. N. J.. Trades His Wife for
 Setter DoO


 A Negro of Camden. N. J.. Trades His Wife for
 Setter Dog.
 "Yes sah! did swop my wife Rachel off to another nigger for yellow and white setter dog. Wasn't she my wife, and whose business is it anyhow?' The speaker. Moses Blake, a black-hucd rep resentative from the eastern "sho," is employed by Charles J. Welsh, coal dealer, at Second and Pine streets Cam den. For over q year he had made his home in Mir. Welsh's stable on Spring street, near Pine. He is extremely ig- norant, and has but the faintest concep- tion of the binding nature of the mar riage VOWS. About seven months ago, his wife, saffron wench, left him ow- ing to domestic rumpus, and has been living away from him ever since. Nei- ther 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 ebO- ny-hued coal heaver named James Green. The latter to all appearances conceived a strong attachment for the woman and corresponding 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 occurred which came near eXtinguishinr Greens lamp of life. Both were engag- ed unloading a boat full of coal for MT. Welsh. Green was in the hold or the ehunker. Blake was occupied in holding the rope, which guided the big iron bucket inits descent and .acsent from the hold to the boat. WI the bucket was descending it suddenly jbed and struck the woolly 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 main tained that it was entirely an accident. He has always bceTfShe most offensive of the two and of lah has threatened the life of Green. The fSrmer's behavior has served to scare GreeA, who has be. gun to fear that probablyNis opponent might carry out his threat. Consequent 1 ly when he found opportunity appeast the wrath of Blake he was not slow tC avail himself of it. Itwas communicat ed to him that Blake had remarked Inc would like to own a setter dog, tho property of Green. The latter immedi ately approached him and offered hin the canine. The extraordinary inter view closing the bargain was best tolt i'll Blake's own words.
 ! '.You see 1 was workin' in de stable when up comes dat sinner Jim Greer and says he to me: Moses Blake. | ba- I.ttln h,,- | you come out heah for five minutes un til tells you?' We'll. you see come, out, and de first thing he says: Moses let Us be friends 1 said muffin to di: and den Green went on to say how h, heerd 1 would like his setter dog Nellie ] You can hab dat animal he said, 'i ] you gree not to bodder me any nor 1 and surrender all claim to dat wife o { yourn, cause rsc like to marry her. | When l come to think about it I con clusioned dat it would be q pretty goot bargain, for yo' see my wife would b free in little while anyhow; and so said all right, and we ranged de busi ness in two minutes"
 ''But how would your wife be free il little whilc?' inquired the reporter.
 Why, young feller, Tse married b. de 'squires, and don't you know dat d 'squire's marriage is only good for year?"
 ''Only good for q year." murmure the astonished news gatherer.
 'Certainly,' replied the negro. with loud yah, yah; "a 'squire's marriag only holds good for Il year, and de may or's marriage two years, while de mil ister'S marriage lasts all de time
 Green and the woman are now Twin. together happily, while the setter do is being well taken care of by Blake Hiiadcij,hia Record