Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1891-10-13
MISCELLANEOUS.
Beating a Crowd OF Yankees.

There was only one train day out
of The Louisiana town where about a
dozen of us had somehow come to-
gether, and that left at s O. clock in
the morning. Every guest in the
house made arrangements to leave
Saturday morning, as it was UNDER
stood there would be no Sunday
train. The landlord was good fell
low, and he didn't get mad when one
after another kindly informed him
that it was the poorest excuse for a
hotel they had ever run across in all
their travels. He let us kick about
the meat, coffee, beds and all else;
and charged us up 50 day with
sorrowful look on his face. He was
sorry to have us go away, but when
we insisted he hoped to see us all
again.
Just after breakfast, and as we
were all ready to start for the depot,
a Sudden commotion was heard out
side. Then a strapping big negro
backed into view around the corner
and came to a halt in front of the
hotel. He was armed with an old
cavalry sabre, and he was desper-
ate man. Pretty soon two white men
came into view, each armed with
shotgun, = y e
!" BY George!" exclaimed the land
lord, "sbut they've finally run that
Lnigger dowp!,5 Gentlemen. don't
'sh6qt, for We want to take him alive
and burn him, at, the stake. That
nigger has killed seven people around
here, and we want to make him suf-
fef. You AL get up the road and
We formed across the street to cut
off escape, but the black man paid no
heed to US. He was Watching the
two men with guns. They seemed in
no hurry to. close in on him, and
acted as if rather scared of his
weapon.
" Look yere, Bill" called one,
''you might as well surrender and
take your medicine 70
"Keep away from me or I'll make
dog-meat of dis crowd!" answered
the desperate.
Bill, you know me2" shouted the
landlord from the veranda.
eyes, knows yo', Masser Will
liams,'' was the reply.
"Yor'd better surrender, Bill
Yo' are hemmed in. Just as sure as
yo' make a break yo' will be shot
down 70
a'What yo' all gwine to do wild me
if surrender"
"Why, suppose yo' will be taken
to Jail and have trial.
Somebody dun tole me yo' was
gwine to tie me up an sot fab to
me-"
"Don't yo' believe that, Bill: yo'
just surrender to me and Til see that
yo' have a fair trial.
''If yo' don't I'll give yo' this
handful of huckshoti' added one of
the men as he handled his weapon in
a threatening manner.
The black man backed up a few
steps. Then he looked all around
him as if to note what chance there
was to break through. He finally
asked for five minutes to consider,
and the landlord replied:
"Give him five minutes, boys, and
if he doesn't surrender in that time
open fire on him. -
The desperate took six minutes,
and then snllenly surrendered, and
was marched off.
We then headed for the depot, but
the landlord called after US.
"Where you all going to now p
The train has been gone ten min
utes -
Such was the fact, and after great
deaf Of swearing we had to settle
down to remain until Monday morn
ing. 1t was after dinner Sunday be-
fore anything dropped. Then, in
passing along the kitchen veranda, /
espied the desperate of the day be-
fore with cooks apron on.
why why, I thought you were
in jaili'i Il said, as II stood before
ST fought yo' Yankees de smart
est. cutest folkses in de world, !" he
Quietly replied, "but yo' dun doan
know beans when de bags ontied -
Hush, now FlI'IE see yo' later!'
| Hesdid, and he told me that il was
all put-up job to make us miss the
train and have to remain over Sunday
He bound me to secrecy and KEPT
my promises but it was awfuIIy hare
ito be deprived, of the privilege Of
shooting that landlord full of holes
when we settled up. again Monda,
morning and he heayed sigh anc
| said:
Mighty sorry, gentlemen
mighty sorry that you can't be her
an see as burn that niger at
stake, right out yere on the publ,
square IN. Quad in N. z. World
4 The Valley Land and Improvement
Company of Luray, Va, having sat
4 isfactorily arranged the debts covered
under its deed of trust, the trustee:
lsale of the effects of the company