Middletown transcript., 1897-05-01
HE KNEW Hrs own VALUE.

Before the war, in the days Of slav-
cry, New York jeweler, Of a promi-
nent family, who can be called Mr.. x,
had owing to him bill Of $1,000 from
a repeatedly wealthy family in the
South. Time after time the bill was
rendered, but there was no response,
and finally Mr.. x, as he chanced to
have ether business taking him beyond
the Mason and Dixon line. decided to
call at the house of his debtor in New
Orleans aud see If lie could get some
satitfaction for his claim.
On his arrival there be found that
his debtor was in a bad way financially
and had but little money, although
running an expensive establishment.
A proposition was made that Mr.. K.
take in payment of his bill negro
named Jim, q very bright fellow, and
considered to be worth fully $500.
Jim was an expert horseman, and
through all his life had been working
in the stables of his master.
Mr.. Y. was in quandary. His aboli-
ZIONIST ideas prevented him from being
a slave-owner, but his natural anxiety
to receive something for the bill due
him almost demanded that he should
accept the slave as payment. Finally
a bright idea suggested itself, and he
called the negro to him.
"Now, Jim," said he, 81 am going
to be your new master. l do not want
to live here in the South and look af-
ter you, nor do I wish to take you to
the North with me. Now I've been
thinking of this plan: Will You behon-
est +, sober, and attentive 10 business If
I set you up in the cab trade in this
cityP Will you turn over every cent to
me and not steal from me? If you
promise, I will set you up in business,
and when you send me the money that
you earn I will credit half of 1t to you.
When your half of the money above
all the expenses amounts to twelve
hundred dollars, you can buy your free
dom, and then we can continue part
ners In the business, or you can buy
me out. If you do not want to make
any promises, or if you will not keep
the promises that you may make, I
will sell sell you, and then you may get
a hard master.n
Jim of course promised, and what Is
more remarkable, he kept his word.
Mr.. K. bought for him three cabs and
as many teams, and allowed him full
management of the business.
So we'll did Jim take care of the en-
terprise that within year he had
charge Of nine cabs, and several teams
Of horses for each cab. He sent his
money regularly to New York, and
within two years his share of the pro-
fits amounted to over $500. But still
he made no Suggest ion that any Of his
money be turned over to Mr.. K. for,
his freedom.
Mr.. K. did not wish to speak about
the matter to Jim, but he was anxious
to get some cash value for the slave.
He accordingly sent friend to see
Jim and find out what was the matter.
The friend went to Jim, and said to
him.
Jim, you have sent to Mr.. x.
nearly fifty-seven hundred dollars,
haven't your"
"Yassir," said Jim.
"And twenty-eight hundred dollars
of that money will be yours if you buy
your freedom, won't itp"
"Yassir, {" said Jim again.
swell, it will only cost you twelve
hundred dollars to buy your freedom,
and when you do do you will have six
teen hundred dollars left, and can still
continue in partnership with Mr.. K.
Why don't you buy your freedomPn
''Look yere, boss,n said Jim, solemn-
ly-"look yere; yo' doan' ketch dis
yere a-buyin' a niggah dat has
From the editors
Drawer" in Harper's Magazine for
May.