The state herald., 1890-02-28
A SHREWD SLAVE.
HOW HE AVOIDED BEING SOLD
AWAY.
He Plays Smart Trick On His Young
Master.

A little while ago cOlOrcd man
from All adjoining country came over
into this country, says the Richmond
Climax, his former home, and met
many old friends. To one he related
remarkable episode of the days "bcfo'
the wah."
He said that hc was as tough mu-
latt0 rs the country ever produced,
and his young master resolved to "send
him down the river" as the slave
owners used to express 1t. One day
the young master told him TO have the
horses ready, and they would depart
early tho next morning for Knoxville.
Tho young master had received infor-
nation that certain slave buyer from
the cotton fields would visit the city
mentioned in quest of "likely negro
men,"
The early dawn found tho young
farmer and his valuable human pro-
perty speeding away over the smooth
road South. After they had gone
little way, erich" for that was the
cognomen by which the s.likely boy"
was known, inquired of his master If
he was going to Knoxville to put into
execution threat he had often heard
him make-to sell him TO cotton
planter. The master tod him 1t was
his mission. Rich became much affect
ed by the announcement and shed tears.
lie recalled the hours of their boyhood,
and dwelt upon the pathetic In general.
The young master's heart was touched,
but his resolve was not.
Night came on, rs 1t always did when
travellers by the "Old Wilderness
Road" got well into the mountains. A
jug of fine old Bourbon stcadied their
nerves and brought balmy sleep to tho
restoration of their 81. aimed energies.
Next morning they were up with the
lark, and all day they talked about the
endless separation soon to follow,
pausing occasionally to admire the
rugged scenery aud take drink. The
rabbit hunts by day, the coon hunts by
night, the romps, the fights they hid,
the foggings they had caught from
"the old man" were all lived over
again.
Another night and another day and
their journey had ended. But the raid
on the big jug had not. They hit it
purity lively" that "last night on earth
together forever and evcrnore." They
were comfortably full long before
midnight. AT least the young master
was full of old liquor and the slave was
full of prctcnce. lie had dropped up
on Il scheme.
With dawn, Rich was up moving
about the city. a shave, clean clothes,
a cigar, cane, and many extras were
added. Finally lie sought the slave
buyer, and introducing himself as
Mr.. - of Madison county. Ken
lucky, stated that he was in the city
with the .'splendid young niggcr" of
which he had written him, and was
now ready for trade. The boy was
described in glowing terms, and the
price fixed at 81 300. which the trader
said he would give, provided the de-
scription was accurate. So they pro-
ccedcd 10 the tavern aud into II little
back room where the Young master was
found snoring away OH pallet be idc
the bed where Rich had taken the pre-
caution 10 tumble him before going out.
Ills beard Of several days growth.
dusty and soilcd attire, unkcmpt hair,
and general appearance was anything
but attractive.
"Fificcn hundred" gruiily re-
marked the old dealer Ms lie glanced ri
the pitiful-looking object. "Fiftccl
hundred dollars for that d-d ihi Z. |
wouldn't give you cent more than
half that mucl," and he walked on, on
Inc street. II is useless TO say they
didn't get their price, near enough for
u trade.
About noon the Young master awoke,
rot feeling the best In the world. lie
was compelled to borrow shoe horn
TO put on his hat, aud there was n
mighty bad taste IN his mouth, To say
nothing OF considerable red in his eye
and feeling of n sort of goncncss In
general about his stomach. Rich told
Linn that he had been ont TO see the
buyer, and the old fellow wanted 10
know the price, rs all depended on that
tile least he'd take was the question,
and T. DO IN II hurry, ms he, the buyer,
had mad about all tie purchases he
wanted, and was ready TO leave town.
The young master called for paper and
envelope. and wrote as follows:
"Dcar Sir: Iou have seen the boy.
My loves; price is $1,000. lie is wor,t
every cent of IT," The note was duly
conveyed. aud was soon returned with
an answer on the back. saying, "We
can't trade
The lowing day the wcll-rcstcd
horses, the happy mulatio, and dis
appointed white man .'might hay,
been seen vending their solitary way
through the woods" toward Kentucky.