New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-23
ASoUTHERNR RIP VAN WINKLE
SLAVES STILL HELD ON FORGOTTEN
ALABAMA PLANTATION.

on my way from Florida TO Selma, Alabama, deter
mined make part Of the journey ON horseback ioH
the benefit of my health was unacquainted with tas
country, and the clergyman with whom spent
night soon after started However, he produced an
ancient map and by it's and chose the Bottoms ROAD
from Andalusia TO Greenve distance OF eghty-three
miles. according to the same wel.meaning guide hao
no idea that the Bottoms road" was unuseds
until had ridden perhaps twenty miles
and left the last cabin behind But the weather was
fine, and would not turn back When the first ngho
came without the sign Of habitation, tethered my
horse rolled myself in blanket, and slept on tha
ground.
All the next day rode, and saw not house nor
human being At six o'clock when had already MAIDS
up my mind to spend another night In solitude, came
upon roadside campfire, beside which negro sat- Oh
all colored that have met this the fattests
greasiest and happies He gave me bow az stopped
"Good ebenn' to you, massa " he saluted
$1,000 evening" returned "Can you tell me how
far am from the nearest house y
It's pow'ful distance to wak" the fellow grlnned
"And who lives there when you. get there y ques-
toned, after vany trying to get the distance In miles,
or at least in length of time.
Ole mars he lib darp the answer; and further
questioning elected the information that ole mars
another for Mars. George wtsie, that was
then the border Of his plantation that his residence
several miles Distant that the negro was yclepo
Sam :" that he resided with ole mars" and that hd
"was down dis way splorn' to seeif dar coudntbe tins
Secksuuu.
fire, with my horse feeding near Dy on the grass
LIKE MASTER LIKE SLAvE.
In ten minutes made up my mind that "Sam" was
the ignorant of Africans. Could he tell me how
far had travelled since the yesterday morningf Hd
had no idea. How far to the next turnf Didn't knows
never heard of next turn. How far to the nearesu
neighbori Didn't spect that there was any nearest
neghbor now Mars Pelton used to be nearest but hia
house was burned these dozen years.
After many other questions the answer to each leavs
ing and more convinced OF the creature gnors
BE ~ sS
And yGa oil continue Lying with him the same ~
1--WE amt freed declared the paragon of ignorance;
Out Of ali patience axed my punk for the night and
placed 10y pistol at my pillow In the morn,9 mn dns
convinced OF his insanity, and had him in MIND as RODE
onward
SOMETHING LIKE A MoATED GRANGE.
MY third days journeyat least the forenoons part OF
twas not unlike the frat and second days. At
o'clock suddenly upon field of corn by the road
side little further five six negroes were standing
among them SAN" Of the previous night "Dars him!-
heard "sam" Say approached, and like the cows
and mules the negroes scsmpered went on 10 tho
house, 1t was od-fashioned typical Southern house
that had evidently seen better days The main door wss
OF heavy carved oak battered and and
the knoeker that took up was much worn: rs,sa.d
knock had answer Then the door was ned sSwy
by coored woman nod OF the mead answered were M
scarcely invited went in The woman vanished 70 APP
walk up masr p sue said leading the way up tho
stairs and through halls was usnered into large
cSar bfa "a an o Window HIS face yellow
hair long and white, and heavy grzzied Dearo
enty years with remarkable blue eyes, that flashed in
defiant way as introduced myself nm.
cannot arise, air." he said In lofty tone. =" 30
seated and tell me what you have come here for"
60 Yaa buf tray liars
are the first travelcr-the first white person that mas
here-hat have seep-in more than twenty years.
Why did you comep
I gave my reason well as could
"You must have lost your way the gentleman sald:
az never have visitors. The Bottom road 10 never
Then there is better road by which you get QUIT"
remarked.
never Get out. he ANSWERED F0r twenty'
| But your servants" began
on to say that he needed no communication with the
world. and followed with some particulars OF himsel1
and family
THE STORY OF A RECLUsE
The plantation OF the wiltsie family had originally
comprised section OF five thousand acres Ii had been
in the family since the State settled Tue father on
the present owner had been politician Of some emi-
nence and also man of wealth. He had left this one
son. who married and inherited the estate After
few years OF happy life the wife had died, and two
sons gladdened the fathers heart They educated
as the sons Southern gentlemen and came homo
from their graduation tweutythree years ago. One
John-had gone 10 NeNOrieans to purchase slaves ana
had been murdered there. The other-James-had In
the following enlisted in the Confederate army and
been stricken with malignant fever when In camp az
selma there had died The deaths OF the two sons
had been heavy blows the planter aud III both cases
had been occasions OF prejudice to him.
Johns death determined me that would never buy
or sell auo slave aud never have, he said Be-
fore Jamess death was an advocate OF the freedom OF
the South But after the death OF James al not caro-
{" / do not care to the world" he said. "No one
comes If by any chance they do they shall have my
welcome. am content as am The world gets on, L
SUPPOSE but how or IN what ao nTt care 1G one Ts
make own sugar. hour and meal; raise our meses
grain and % take no who Is Tur Of
or President OF the Confederate southern states or
O no In moe Rn twenty years nave not
bought nor sold anything, from box OF piis 70
slayew
RIP VAN wISKLE REDIvIvUs.
"Ibeg your parton, Mr.. witsie," said, "but do you
not know the history OF the last twenty yearsf
"I know not and care less !" the answer az hope
you do not propose to enlghten me. II yoi do as
matter OF pity me, will excuse you do not care
to know The histories OF times past that read arc
Just the that OF times recent-names, dates and
places being changed"
"But surely you know the result of the rebellionp
He struck the table his clenched fist exclamins
excitedly al tell you once more that DO NOT Know
what has been done, and do not care!
T see that you suppose that the secession was sue
cessiup
".suppose itP have never thought be replied. "A
velmade scheme is always successful Though little
for citizenship am proud to oe ei'zen OF 'hd
Confederate states" A., .,,
resulted ID suppression OF the rebellion Tue secession
was a failure"
The man gIared at me and said nothing Won 40 no.
You spoke OF slaves" continued. - You 40 nos
pret1 I'D TO own slaves now, do you I"
He elared more iercey, aud did not answer
There are slaves in America conunueos
" Every slave In the South Is a free persons:
sill he glared aud then he Kissed
care YOU from New York;
" am from Massachuset s." answereu ,, ,..,.
"You are a fool" he said "When sam came mono
at midnight saying that crazy msn had met nun IN the
bottom lands. I knew whom TO expect. Sam ran away
from Won last night because he you were crazy.
Bnt Thought then and know that you are North