The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-30

Before the war. in the days of slavery,
a New York jeweler, Of a prominent fam
lily, who can be called Mr.. x, had owing
to him a bill of 81 200 from reputedly
wealthy family in the SOUTH says Har-
per's Magazine. Time after time the bill
was rendered. but there was no response,
and finally Mr. X as he CHANGED to have
other business taking him beyond the
Mason and Dixon line decided to call al
the house of his debtor in New Orleans
and see if he could get some satisfaction
for his claim.
On his arrival there he found that his
debtor was in a bad way financially and
had but lite money, although running
an expensive establishment A PROPOSE
ton was made that Mr.. X. take in pay
ment Of his bin a negro named jim
very bright fellow and considered to be
worth fully $3.50. Jim was an expert
horseman and through all his life mad
been working in the stables of his mas
ter.
Mr.. x. was in a quandary. His aboli-
zionist ideas prevented him from being
slave-owner, but his natural anxiety to
receive something for the bill due him al
most demanded that he should accept the
slave as payment Finally bright idea
suggested itself, and he called the negro
to him.
Now, Jim." said he, 'T am going to
be your new master. 1 do not want to
live here in the south, and look after
you, nor do 1 wish to take you to the
north with me. Now I've been thinking
OF this plan: VIII you be honest, sober
and attentive to business if l set you I'D
IN the cab trade in this city? VIII 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 l will credit half of it to
you. When your half of the money above
all the expenses amounts to 81, 200 you can
buy your freedom and then we can CON
unue partners in the business or you can
buy me out If you do no want to make
any promises, or if you will not keen the
promises that you make, 1 will sell you
and then you may get hard master"
Jim of course promised and what is
more remarkable he kept his word. Mr.
Y. bought for him three cabs and as many
teams and allowed him full management
of the business.
So well did Jim take care Of the enter
prise that within a 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 profits amounted to over 81, 800. Bur
still he made no suggestion that any of his
money be turned over to Mr.. X. for his
freedom.
-AAs a. Nld AlOL WISH " SPEAK dDOQL tue
matter to Jim, but he was anxious to get
some cash value for the slave. He ac-
cordingly sent a friend to see Jim and
find out what was the matter. The friend
went to Jim and said to him:
Jim. you have sent Mr. X. nearly IS, 100,
haven't your
''Yassir," said Jim.
'And $500 of that money will be yours
if you buy your freedom, won't it?'
"Yassir," said jim, again.
well, it will only cost you s., 200 to buy
your freedom, and when you do you will
have $1,6O0 left, and can still continue in
partnership with Mr.. Y. Why don't you
buy your freedob?"
Look yere, boss" said Jim, solemnly,
look yere yo' doan ketch dis chicken
yere abuyin' a niggah dat has consump-
ton"