The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1884-05-31
A SOUTHERN RIP VAN WINKLE.

A SUUTHERN RlP VAN WlNKLE.
On my way from Florida to Selma,
Ala, writes correspondent of the New
York Tribune, | determined to make q
part OF my journey on horseback for the
benefit OF nay health. was uuacauainted
with the country, and so Was The clergy
man with whom 1 spent night soon
after l started. However, he produced
an ancient map, and by it's aid | chose
the EDITIONS road" from Andalusia to
Greenville, distance of SO miles, ac-
cording to the same well-meaning guide.
had no idea that the Bottoms road"
was unused, until | had ridden per-
haps 20 miles and left the last cabin be-
hind me. But the weather was fine, and
L would not turn back. When the first
night came without the sight of habi-
taiion, [ tethered my horse. rolled my
self in blanket, and slept on the ground.
All the next day l rode and saw not a
house nor human being. At 6 o'clock,
when | had already made up my mind
to spend another night in solitude, [
came upon roadside camp fire, beside
which a negro sat. Of all colored men
that have met, this one was the fat
test. greasiest and happiest. He gave
me bow as L stopped. 'Good ebenin'
to you massa, he saluted. "Good evne-
ing" l returned. ''Can you tell me
how far | am from the nearest hoUse?"
''It's pow'ful distance to waikiki the
fellow grinned. "Aud who lives there
when you get there?" l questioned, af-
ter valnly try ing to get the distance in
miles, or at least in length of time.
sole mars, he lib dar!" was the answer;
and further questioning elected the in
formation that cole mars" was another
name for Mars George Wiltsie, that [
was then on the border of his planta-
ton; that his residence was several
miles distant; that the negro was yclept
''Sam;' that he resided with sole mars. 4"
and that he ''was down dis way 'splorin
to see if dar couldn't be timber cut in
dis seckun." L was soon camping by
his fire, with my horse feeding near by
on the grass.
In 10 minutes / made up my mind
that 'Sam" was the most ignorant of
Africans. Could he tell me how far 1
had travelled since the yesterday morn
ing? He had no idea. How far to the
next turn Didn't know never heard of
next turn. How far to the nearest
neighbor? Didn't 'spect that there was
any nearest neighbor now. Mars Pelton
used to be nearest, but his house was
burned these dozen years. After many
other questions, the answer to each
leaving me more and more convinced of
the creatures ignorance, he began to
praise Mr.. Wiltsie, concluding with !:
"De bes' mas'r in Alabam' Nebber
selled any of us nigs for some while ~
"And you all continue living with him
the same SIS you did before you were
freed?' "We amt freed!" declared the
paragon of ignorance and [ now came
to the conclusion that he was O fool
Out of all patience, fixed my bunk for
the night and placed my pistol at my
pillow. In the morning the negro was
not to be found, and I was more and
more convinced of his insanity, and had
him in mind as / rode onward.
My third days iourney-at least the
forenoon's part OF twas not unlike the
first and second day. At 2 o'clock /
suddenly came upon field of corn by
the roadside. A little further on five or
SIX negroes were standing, among them
Sam OF the previous night. "Dat's
him!' | heard "Sam" say as / ap.
preached, and like the cows and mules
the negroes scampered. l went on to
the house. 1t was an old-fashioned
typical Southern house, that had evi.
IDENTIFY seen better days. The main door
was of heavy carved oak, battered AND
weather beaten, the knocker that l tool
up was much worn. 1t was 10 minute:
or more before my twice-repeated knocl
had an answer. Then the door wa
opened slowly by a colored woman. 4
nod OF the head answered my question a
to whether the master was at home, anC
scarcely invited [ went IN. The woman
vanished, to appear again after a minut
with scared face. "Walk up, mas'rl
she said, leading the way up the stair
and through halls. / was ushered int.
large room fitted as library. A gen
tleman occupied an arm chair beside al
sriel window. His face was yellow. hi
hair was long aud white, and a heav-
grlzzled beard hung over his breast FL
was man OF more than 20 years. witt
remarkable blue eyes that flashed in
defiant way as introduced myself. 's
cannot arise, SIR" he said, in loft,
tone. "Be seated, and tell me what vol
have come here for" 81 would like {,
remain with you all night" "Yes. bu
travellers never cine through here. Yo1
are the hrst traveler-the first whiteper
son that has been here-that / hay
seen-ln more than 90 years. Why di
you come! gave my reasons as well a
Icould, You must have lost your way
the gentleman said, 81 never have visit
ors. The Bottom road is never used
linen there is better road by whicl
you get out! Remarked. 81 never ee
out, be answered. "For 26 wears
nave besn helpless paralytici" "Bn
your servants" / began. s.Never o,
from home, he finished. Then he wen
on to say that lie needed no commnn;co
ton with the world and followed --;ti
so Ia, particulars OF himself and family
Inc plantation of the Wiltsie famil,
mad originally comprised a section o
o,oOo acres. 1t had been in the fam;l,
SINCE the state was settled. TIE fatbe
OF the present owner had been a nolit;
cian OF some emlnence, and also n ma,
OF wealth. He had left this one son
VINO had married and inherited the as
tate. After few years of happy lif
the wife had died and two sons gladdene,
the fathers heart. They were educate,
as the sons of Southern gentlemen are
and came home from their graduatio,
twenty-three years ago. One John ba,
gone 10 New Orleans to purchase slaves
and had been murdered there. Th,
other, james, bad IN the following yea
InIsted Id the Confederate army nnt
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