The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-11-09
Bartering q Spouse.
A Negro of Camden N. j. Trades His Wife for
Setter Dog

Setter Dog.
Eyes sab! did swop nv 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, black-hued rep
resentative from the eastern ''sho," is
employed by Charles j. Welsh, a coal
dealer, at Second and Pine streets. Cam
den. For over q year he had made his
home in Mr.. Welsh's stable on Spring
street, near Pine. He is extremely ig-
norant, and has but the faintest concep-
ton Of the binding nature of the mar
riage VOWS. About seven months ago,
his wife, a 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 HEAVIER 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
GULL oIuSl Will
About two months ago an incident
occurred which came near extinguishing
Green's lamp of life. Both were engag-
ed unloading boat full of coal for Mr..
Welsh. Green was in the hold or the
chunker. Blake was occupied in holding
the rope which guided the big iron
bucket in its descent and acsent from
the hold to the boat. While the bucket
was descending it suddenly jibed 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
tanned that 1t was entirely an accident.
He has always been the most offensive
of the two and of late has threatened
the life of Green. The former behavior
has served to scare Green, who has be-
gun to fear that probably his opponent
might carry out his threat. Consequent
ly when he found opportunity to appease
the wrath of Blake he was not slow to
avail himself of it. TWAS communicate
ed to him that Blake had remarked he
would like to own a setter dog, the
property of Green. The latter immedi-
ately approached him and offered him
the canine. The extraordinary inter-
view closing the bargain was best told
in Blake's own words.
You see | was workin' in de stable
when up comes dat sinner Jim Green
and saws he to ME: Moses Blake, |
has a little business wild you. Can't
you come out heah for five minutes un-
til tells you?' Well, you see l comes
out and de first thing he says: Moses,
let US be friends l said muffin to dis
and den Green went on to say how he
heerd would like his setter dog Nellie
You can hab dat ANIMAL he said, III
you gree not to bodder me any more
and surrender all claim to dat wife of
yourn, cause Use like to marry her.
When / come to think about it 1 con-
clusioned dat it would be pretty good
bargain, for yo' see my wife would be
free in little while anyhow; and SO l
said all right, and we ranged de busi-
ness in two minutes"
"But how would your wife be free in
little while?n inquired the reporter.
"Why. young feller, Use married by
de 'squires, and don't you know dat de
squirrels marriage is only good for a
yearp''
''Only good for a yearr' 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 may
ors marriage two years. while de min
ister's marriage lasts all de time.
Green and the woman are now living
together happily, while the setter dog
is being well taken care of by Blake
E6jJo1pI,1bjn PocOrH