The National tribune., 1888-08-23

walking along a path that led through the
field. and was evidently tickled and pleased at
something. As he came opposite to where we
were now hid, and thinking, on account of his
color, that he too might befriend US, boldly
stepped out and spoke to him.
& SURPRISED DARKY.
To say that he was surprised is putting it
very mild; and although he seemed drunk be-
fore / spoke to him he now appeared perfectly
sober and on me putting the question to him,
:" Do you know who we are p he only answer
ed it by saying; Who are you, and where did
you come from2" l told him, and he seemed
to doubt it, but as he saw we were both dressed
in blue, and noticing the cavalry Sergcants
yellow cheyrons on my arm, he asked What
is you two Yankee soldiers doing hereP We
told him that we were escaped prisoners from
Salisbury, and were trying to make our way to
the Union lines, and that we had marched all
of two nights, and wanted to know how far
we were from Salisbury. And he answered just
10 miles, which told US that we had almost
thrown away another night. He seemed to be
quite an Intelligent man, and said that he was
2 carpenter by trade, and Informed us that he
had been out to a dance and was just returning
| home. He exposed an empty bottle, which he
said had contained whisky, which, from his
condition, I've no doubt was true. We asked
him if he would get rs something to eat, which
with some hesitation he finally consented to
do, although he expressed some doubts about
being able to do 50, on account of the uuceT-
tainty of his reception at home. He, like the
other cOlored man, became inquisitiyc, and
wanted to know all about the Yankees and if
We looked like the rest Of them. We in-
formed him that We were pretty fair specimens.
He then, in the most serious and solemn man
ner, prOpounded one Of those startling and at
the same time ridiculous questions, but from
his tone and manner Of asking one could see
that he was in doubt and wanted reliable and
authentic information. He said: Now, look
here, want TO know one thing" We'll, what
is it?"
is ABE LINCOLN A NIGGER?"
At which Virgins burst ont laughing, while I,
scarcely able 10 contain myself, assured him
that he was not, but on the contrary was q
kind hearted Christian white man and a
friend TO all the oppressed, and to his
/ race ia particular, and that his
/ soldiers would soon release the slaves Of the
South and set them Free with no master to die
tate and deprive them Of their liberty. He
answered, g / didn't believe he was niger,
but our masters tell US that he is a great big
niger, and that he has got horns growing out
Of his head and that his soldiers have also, and
/ if they catch any Of US black folks they kill
and cut US all up IN pieces; but they could not
fool Us, as We knew better than that. 1t
doesn't look like you Yankees are going TO
/ whip the South, because master tells Us that
you get whipped in every fight"
BE then left us with the promise If he pos
sibly could TO bring US something to satisfy our
! hunger, and that if he did not retnru in an
/ hour We might take il for granted that he
would not come. We busted ourselves gather
/ ing some corn and apples, and patiently waited
! his coming But, true to his word, he finally
4 came, bearing the welcome offerings Of bacon
and corn bread, more appreciated and valued
J by us than was ever the most costly presents
i rendered TO knights by royal hands. He also
informed rs that he had to tell a mighty
! big lie TO get the edbles, but he was bound tc
! have them aud not disclose who they were for
! which be accomplished without exciting suspi
! cion. We told him that we had travelled all
night, and that we were tired and needed rest
and would like to find safe place where wC
! could lie down and sleep. lie showed Us where
we could find such q place, and directed us to
| thickly-wooded hill covered with cedar anG
| pine, where he assured us we could rest with
out fear Of discovery. He also directed Us how
to 60 in order that we might reach East Ten
| nessee, which he said was a little over 10t
miles to the west. We shook hands and asait
parted with what seemed a dear friend, al
| though We had met and conYerscd but few
/ short minutes, but there was in those brie
moments touch OF nature which oblitcratcd al
distinction and caused the nobler feelings ant
sentiments Of humanity to prevail and which
makes all the world akin.
ITO be continued