Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-10-04

John ordered the hands to take the dead
'man--for he was dead, shot through the
heart--and bury him.
\ JEFF was called in and questioned.
"Yea, Marse John. l seed de men
comm up de Wire Road togedder. Dey
didn't see me, kase drap in de bush near
ter der road what lead ter der house. De
men came widin er few yards an stop.
"Dey was or talkin' Of you. sab -Marse
Woodsley say: I'll go up ter de house an
call de gentleum out. an yer can come up
an arrest i'm an we'll hab an easy time
wild der res
"Shall kill der cuss?' ak de udder man.
Not ef yer kin help it., said Marso
Woodsley.
"'Why? az der man.
"'Bekase don done want i'm killed,
leastwise' not now. Woodsley tole i'm.
Look 'er here. Woodsley. Ikent take no
foolishness. Ell he act mean, down come
his house. sure's yer bon. don take no
chances Fore God, Marse Eddles, doze
am de words dem fellers said.
Il am glad you overheard them, jeff and
thank you for telling me- Did you see
any one else-some one with rife?"
No, Marse John, not anudder pusson.
What were you doing down at the road,
jeff"
"Huntin, sab"
"Huntingl Hunting WHAT"
"De ole brack an white COW. She done
work off las night. an SO rs lookin' fer her
dis mornin."
JEFF. some friend of mine saved my life
this morning, and want to find out who
he is. I'll give you this" holding out a
shining gold coin. if you will find the man.
Ask the hands if they saw him"
JeH was eying a ngure In the carpet.
When his master ceased speaking he did
not look up, but turned toward the door.
/ Before the slave reached the door it
dawned upon Johns mind that that indi-
vidual had never returned the rifle that he
had given him to guard the premises with.
"Jeff?"
"Sah?"
did you have gun with you while you
were hunting the cow2"
Il did, sah."
4And you came up to the stables
"Yes, sah."
did you lend your gun to any one, Jeff?'
"No, sab. nebber parts wild my weep
ons."
JEFF, did you fire that shot?
There was no answer.
John Eddles rose from his seat, his face
betraying his great agitation. He reached
down and took the dusky hand of his faith
full slave in his. His voice trembled with
emotion as he addressed the colored man
before him.
JEFF, he said, II know you are the man.
Iknow that you have saved my life this day.
Empty praise in such a case is valueless,
and while / give you the thankfulness of an
overlooking heart. l give you from this time
on what is of more value-your personal
freedom. No human being has the author
Sy to command you from this day on. And,
whiR you are free, jeff, remember that
whenever you want q friend or a favor,
ytu cannot appeal to any one with more
certainty of assistance than to John Ed
dies.
1t was not the coin that he had in
tended for jeff that he let slip into his
hand, but another. large yellow one.
Tears of Joy came unbidden to the eyes
of the colored man as his thankful master
poured forth his words of gratitude upon
him.
There was something peculiar about jeff,
Eddles thought, for he hung around and
appeared unhappy, even with the knowl-
edge Of his freedom. He went from the
house to the stables, and from the stables
to the house again. His head hung down,
and he had detected air generally.