The Press., 1884-02-21

ton, and the supper was spread, and the fun going on, and was here.
 stThe office was damp and dark The fire had burned out in the chimney place. I sat upon Mr. Smiths table, and swung my feet, and the words I uttered were never in the catechism, I am afraid, more shame to me. In about fifteen minutes, however, I saw light at the window-the blue flame of match. It lit Sams dusky countenance.
 "sYou dar, Jim?' he cried. You dar ? I'se berry sorry for you, Jim. But white folks has all de power. l dussent show my feelin's, nohow.'
 "'I'm not Jim,' answered.
 "'Dat ar statement am unsensible, said Sam, coldly. T know yod are Jim sure enuff, but Ise got feelin's Eff you should offer me harf dat ar fifty dollars what you stole, you'd touch 'em so I'd unlock de door, and den burst off de lock, so Marse t'ink sure huff you done gone bust 1t. My feelin s is tender, Jim, when dey ar touch ed right.
 " You old rascal, said I. But if I had had twenty-five dollars in my pocket, I think Sam might have got it then and there.
 :" 'Sam,' I said, I'm young MT. Willis Master Ned-you know-Petes Master Ned-going to the masquerade. Let me out, and Til make you present to-mor- row.
 "sOh, Jim, Jim,' said Sam, in tones of know de deceitfulness ob lying, and dat it ar contrary to Scriptur? Go way, go long know dat ar baize jacket I got no use for you no more. Ps shamed ob you. You glib me dat twenty five, and I'll put what I bliebe proper in de mis- sionary box, and dat will make my duty plain
 "'You confounded rascal ! said I.
 "'Sartinly you is smart said Sam. You talk jes' like eddicated frst-class white folks, but de debbil hab desarted you. Is jest plain up and down niggar -'hogany color, like de Lord made me, but I's above sich condusk as dat you low CT yersef to. Sure huff, you won't con- tribbit to de missionaries !
 'sI remained silent He vanished
 s'I had very cheerful disposition in those days, and as I sat swinging my feet ! began to comfort myself with the idea that this, after all, was the greatest con- pliment to my talent as an actor. de- termined to deceive MT. Smith as long as could, then enjoy the joke with him, and I found myself laughing heartily over the expected fun.
 s'There was clock in the office, and it struck at intervals -eleven-twelve- one. At what I supposed to be half-past one wagon-wheels rolled along the road and stopped at the gate.
 'Hullo, Sam !! Awake |? I heard MT. Smith say, in tones that proved he had not refused the old Bourbon always offered to the guest by his host at every merry -mak- ing. What are you grinning at ?
 "'Jim done got caught Marse Purly fetch him in bout nine o'clock, said Sam. I've preached to him considerable on de error ob his ways, but he arn't penitent. Is 'shamed ob him. He's dar in de office
 "'Confound his black skin, said MT. Smith. T'll fog him tonight. I'll fog him myself
 "sDon't dear,' sighed Mrs Smith, a kind little woman. 1t was such a tempta- tion. Scold him to-morrow-what's the | use of fogging?
 "'Spare the rod and spoil the child, said MT. Smith, with dignity born of Bourbon whiskey. My servants must be taught right from wrong. Give me the key, and fetch horsewhip, Sam.'
 ssI heard Mrs. Smith and her daughters crying, and pleading for thieving Jim !; but MT. Smith in his cups was unmanage- ble.
 ''He opened the door. saw hls pig white head and his uplifted arm.
 "'Don't make mistake you'll be sorry for, MT. Smith, I said. I'm not Jim.'
 'I drop a veil over what followed. never whipped one of my servants after tht, or allowed one to be whipped. l tasted the lash myself that night.
 ''It was Mrs. Smith who, trying to help Jim, as she believed, came to the office with sal volatile and wine and fo11nd me | out.
 ''I was the guest of the family per force for some days, and my intention was to challenge Smith as soon as was able to hold pistol, but during my convalesence I fell in love with Miss Matilda Smith, and she did not refuse to listen to me. One does not challenge ones father-in-law, and we were married in the early spring. But have preiedice against masquerade parties to this day, and nothing could per suade me to attend one as masker."