Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-10-24
He COrrupted.His Master.
The Southern Bivouec.

The Southern Bivouac.
A weli-to-do farmer, in one of the
best counties of middle Tennessee, owned
a large number of slaves, and among
them one old darkey about his own age,
and whom he had known all his life
| In fact, he was one of the "old family
negroes" brought out from Virginia.
Old "Sam" was faithful, docile creature
a great favorite with his master, and a
sort of privileged character on the plan
tation. The old fellow was industrious
and exemplary in his behavior all the
year round, except during the period
dating from the time when roasting-ears
began to ripen and tire earliest appear
ance of frost. Sam was n rariably seized
at that period with n N rincible desire
to run away. 1t .>Ix,2s -!as regularly
as TT of shay fever, was as incurable,
and like that unpleasant disorder could
only be treated by change of air and To-
cality. Sam, understanding this, pre-
ferred to take his case in his own hands
and administer the treatment in bis own
discretion. Of course, in such case, the
usual punishment inflicted on runaway
niggers" was not to be thought of. Re-
monstrance was unavailing, Sam de.
clared: "He jes' couldn't help hissef," and
it became q settled and understood ar
rangement, that he should go, and that
the neighborhood should condone his
raids on corn fields and potato patches.
After many such escapades, his old mas
ter asked him on one occasion, when
the matter was under discussions:
Sam, do you really enjoy running
away"
"Oeed, Marse John," said Sam, 81 does
Hits de moas' fun in de wurP- Coon
huntin' amt no whars to hit"
"Well, then," said Marse John, "just
let me know the next time you take q
notion to start, and I'll 60 with you, and
try it a while myself"
Sure enough, In due season Sam came
up, saying:
"Old Marse, de times mighty nigh
when I 'bleeged to lite out. Eff you
guine Wild me, you better be gittin ready,
for when de time comes / got to go
quick"
"Old Marse" kept bright look out,
and when Sam started be was on hand
They had delightful time. They
tished occasionally, caught possums,
robbed orchards and watermelon and
potato patches, picked blackberries for
recreation, and haunted the greenest
and shadiest hooks of the forest, all of
which Sam knew well. "Old Marse" had
never enjoyed summer so much. In
fact; he was so much pleased that regu-
larly afterward he accompanied Sam
when the latter went into annual re-
treat. At length Sam died. The old
master grieved for him sorely. He was
sad also over the reflection that his sum-
mer pastime would in future be denied
him. But to the amusement of all his
friends, and not less his own, when roast
ing ear time came again, the fit seized
him as strong as ever, and he ran away
by himself.
Louisville Republican: Considerable
of the corn crop in this neighbor-
hood has been cut up for fodder. This
example should be practiced by farmers
everywhere, as corn, when cut and well
shocked in the proper season-before
all the sap has left the blades and upper
portion of the blade makes an excel
lent feed for cattle, and is much better
for horses than some qualities of wild
grasses.