Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1892-11-09
SHIFTED A WHIPPING.
How Bright Colored Lad Avoided Pun
ishment In the Days of Slavery.


ishment In the Days of Slavery.
1t was many years ago in this city,
says the New Orleans Picdyune, when
men of wealth were refined gentlemen
and many of them entertained and
Lived in grand style. Slavery exised;
but little of its hardships and cruelty
were known here. Bonds worn by
colored servants that attached them
dutifully to their masters and mis-
tresses were light rs ties of friend
ship. Slaves in fact they were still
free hearted and happy people. The
punishment they received for misde-
meanors were less hurtful than those
they receive now for similar oifenses.
One of the old school gentlemen of
those days was DR.. Pillum. He had
grand old house, stocked with rare
wines, and kept in his establishment
many servants. Among thuvn was one
George, a bright boy, who was trusted
with untold stores and made much of.
George was only colored boy, slave
at that and could not be expected to
possess all the virtues. There are
even white young men, greatly trusted,
who have fallen little short of honesty
when greatly tempted. George carried
the key to the wine closet, and now
and then may have opened bottle
with n friend, or wasted n couple oc-
casionally on women of his own color
to win their smiles. 1t has been
changed that white men, with superior
education and project moral training,
have done such things. George was
n N htnIl Ia. an pai ,,f ,uinn and
may have been directed by his taste
too frequently to n particular lot and
brand of the doctors fine wine.
AT all events. 1t happened one day
that the doctor was entertaining dis
tinguiShed goest, an expert in wines,
whom hc was particularly anxious to
please. A, the table he called George,
and in II low tone, said: Bring from
the top shelf in the wine closet n bottle
of that oldest and best Chateau Yquem.
Be careful how you handle it. 1t has
not been touched for long time"
George went away, rs if obeying with
alacritN; but his face wore puzzled
look, and he returned slowly after
some minutes and whispered to the
1octor: "Mass'r Doctor dat fine wine
on de tep shelf is all done gone!" "That
is impossible" said the DOCTOR Every
one about the house knows that wine
was not to be touched without an
order from me-" "Yes, massr; but
you done give good many orders las
winter" THAT will do" said the
doctor, quietly; "bring some of the
old Burgundy" And the dinner went
on happily before the guest. But
later in the evening the doctor called
George and handed him note he had
written, and said: George, l shall
want to see Colonel Lashum early in
the morning on business, and l want
you to take him this note tonight at
Lashum was a slave dealer in his day,
and at his press had some sturdy
colored men who would occasionally
whip bad servants to oblige friends.
George was quick witted and seemed
to understand by the doctors mild way
of speaking about the wine that some-
thing was going to happen and believ-
ed that the note had something to do
with it. He Immediately thought of
procuring a substitute messenger and
was lucky enough to find one in the
person of hated rival of his in the af-
fections of bewitched house-girl. To
gain Sans favor he offered to resign
all claims he had on Lucy. He said;
"Dat gal never did tink much of me,
pohow, an | done told her l never
want to speak to her agin." That
pleased Sam, who grinned halfway
round his face. "Now we's good
friends, Sam?" "Suah, George" well,
Sam Use got favor to ask OBJ ye. Ole
mass'r done told me to take dis here
letter down to de kurnel, an, | wants
to run over to de 'Fourche packet to see
the steward bout something. You
han dis to the kurnel an you'll do me
a remarkable great favor" "Ill do it,
suah, George" So unsuspectingly Sam
takes the note down to Colonel Lashum
and meets with a reception of which
he did not dream.
The Colonel read the note carefully.
1t said: "Please give the bearer
twenty-five lashes." And he answered
it by ordering two of his men to seize
Sam and administer the lashes. Sam
tried to explain, but nothing availed,
and he went away from the Lashum
correctional very mad niger. VOW
ing to kill George on sight. Tradition
does not say how he secured his re-
venge, but it is certain that the doctor,
still kept George about him, and some-
times told the guests how that clever
how chifta1 ,uh uhinninp