Morning journal and courier., 1890-09-26
BEEO, DE wAH.
How a Bright Young slave Escaped
Being Sold 80 Dealer.
TErnn the Richmond Clip,a~l

How a Bright Young Slave Escaped
Being Sold so n Dealer.
IFrom the Richmond Climax.l
A little while ago a colored man from an
adjoining county came over into this coun-
ty, his former home, and met many old
friends. To one he related a remarkable
episode of the days "befo' the wah." He
said he was as tough mulatto as the coun-
try ever produced, and his young master
resolved to ''send him down the river" as
the slave owners used to express it. One
day the young man told him to have the
horse ready, as they would depart early
the next morning for Knoxville. The
young man had received information that
certain slave buyer from the cotton fields
would visit the city mentioned in quest of
'flikely negro men"
The early dawn found the young farmer
and his valuable human property speeding
away over the smooth road south. After
they had gone little way 'Rich, for that
was the cognomen by which the ''ikely
boy" was known, inquired of his master If
he was going to Knoxville to put into exc
cution a threat he had often heard him
make-to sell him to n cotton planter.
The master told him it was his mission.
Rich became much affected by the an
nouncement and shed tears. He recalled
the hours of their boyhood and dwelt upon
the pathetic in general. The young mas
ter's heart was touched but his resolve was
not.
Night came on, as it always did when
travellers by the "0ld Wilderness road got
well into the mountains. A jug of fine old
bourbon steadied their nerves and brought
balmy sleep to the restoration of their
strained energies.
Next morning they were up with the
lark and all day they talked about the end
less separation soon to follow, pausing oc-
casionally to admire the rugged scenery
and take a drink The rabbit hunts by
day and coon hunts by night, the romps,
the fights they had, the fiogging they had
caupht from ssthe old man" were all lived
over again.
Another night and another day and their
Journey was ended. But the rain on the
big Jug had not. They 'shit it purity live
ly" that last night together forever anu AM,
eyermore.n They were comfortably full
long before midnight. AT least the young
master was full of old liquor, and the slave
was full of pretence. He had dropped up
on a scheme.
With dawn Rich was up moving about
the city. A shave, clean clothes, cigar,
a cane and many extras were added. Final
Iy he sought the slave buyer, and introdu-
cling himself as Mr.. - of Madison coun-
ty. XIV, stated that he was in the city with
the "splendid young niggar" of which he
had written him, and was now ready for
trade. The boy was described in glowing
terms, and the price fixed at 81 800, which
the trader said he would give. provided the
description was accurate. So they pro
ceeded to the tavern and into q little bacl
room, where the young master was found
snoring away on pallet beside the Dec
where Rich had taken the precaution t.
tumble him before going ont. His bear
of several days growth, dusty and soile'
attire, ,unkempt hair and general appearance
were anything but attractive.
s'Fifteen hundred" gruffiy remarked tn