The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-01-11

casiOnally there was Quitting be-
tween two stalwart ''cOons" unduly.
excited by cheap whisky. Among
others the political situation was dis
cussed with all the earnestness and
solemnity of Old-time statesmen.
The negroes would spend their money
in very funny ways, for any article that
took their fancy. One of them fell in
love with u large bottle Of cucumber
pickles, price ~. Ii had some fancy
emblens on which pleased his artistic
eye 50 he bought il, and ont of curiosity
followed hin, 10 see what disposition he
would make of tac contents. lie went
out under Il tree in the public square,
deliberately SAT down with his precious
bottle, uncorked il. and in the sravcst
and most di"niticd manner ina.'ipable
ate every pickle it contained and the
drank the vinegar.
Hurt him. Why. certainly not! 1t
had no more effect on him than 4 glass
OF whisky would have on a professional
drinker, and | expect he is in Leon
county now ready at any time to vote
for ..de good ole publican party.
Sometimes two old lady friends would
meet Unexpectedly and the following
conversation would ensue:
With an elaborate bow. why, Mis-
Williams! Good mornin, ma am. how
is. yer health dis mornin.' ma'am?''
Right poorly, Mis- Brown. thank
you, ma am. Tse done got a sort of
MISERY OH my back, but l don COM
plain much, please God! How is you
and Elder Brown an de chillen,
ma 'am?'
.Tollable; only tollable, Mis- VIII
liams. Mr.. Brown has sorter risin'
on his hand. but the doctor he tole him
10 put arnachy on hit. an hits right
smart better now
Il s'pose you heerd my darter LIZA
Swine get married mex MONTH"
why, no Mis- Brown, you s'prise
me! VIII" she gwine marry Mis-
Brown p
why, gentleman who works On
Mai. G--'s plantation. He's class
leader, too, an kin beat 'em all hOiler-
in in prayer. j knows de Lord mus
hear him! Good-by. ma'am. You mus
come an see us.
Thank you. | feel proud to do SO,
Mis- Brown, ma'am.' And so they
separate, each to their little world.
What ! Judged to he favorite
amusement among them was to catch
a rat, saturate it with Kerosene, set fire
to it and thcnsturn il loose.
| once saw the walters at one of the
hotels have a large rat. q regular
veteran, which they tried by the ordeal
of fire in the rear of the hotel. After
soaking him thoroughly In kerosene
they set fire to him, and started him on
run down the path. Barring the
cruelty of it, the rat didn't make bad
looking comet, and probably enjoyed
it himself after he got used to it. l no.
ticed one old gray-haired negro so
thoroughly amused that he rolled over
on the ground in Il perfect paroXysm of
delight.
About 3 o'clock one night l was
sTolling along one of the back streets,
when heard the sound of music, both
vo al and instrumental.
On turning the corner T saw All an
cicnt negro in company with small
hoy sitting on the edge Of the walk.
The man was playing on banjo with
only two strings, and singing song.
which run as'near as | can remember:
De rabbit cm a cunnin' ting,
He hide heseii IL de brar,
An be never know when trubble come
Till the brOoui-grass catch on hre.
Chorus. expressive of CONSERVATION
on the part OF the lepus cuniculas:
Big eyed a rabbit, boo,
Big eyed rabbit. boo, etc.
The negro very early in freedom
developed a surprising enthusiasm over
patent medicines. especially in the
shape of pills, and his faith in them
rose to the sublime. No matter what
allied him--old-fashioned, universal
misery" cut finger, sore toe. or any
thing elsa dose of pillsewas the
first thought, a refuge in every storm.
The negro was always impatient of
results and preferred cathartic pills TO
any other Kind of medicine, and, as
most of his Ills either arose from over
feeding or were imaginary, the pills
answered all purposes.
Martial music was the glory of the
negro, and never failed to touch his
heart. On Saturdays, when the town
was full of country negroes with their
wives and sweethearts. cousins, uncles,
and aunts, let some dusky warrior
produce 4 drum, take his position in the
middle Of the road, strike up 4 tune,
and procession would soon be formed
marching stea. Cor hours, with no
objec, in view save 10 BE- behind the
music. And as the drum rolled out its
stirring music upon the air, men, women,
and children would form in ranks and
follow where it led. Happy in the SUI
preme idea of liberty, giving no thought
TO the morrow, trusting the future with
blind. unreasoning faith. no happier
race ever gave a more picturesque out
line TO history.