Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-07-08
lie Knew His Own Value.

Before tho war, in the days of
slavery, New York jeweller, Of a
prominent family, who can be called
Mr.. ~, had owing to him bill of
twelve hundred dollars from reput-
edly wealthy family in the South.
Time after time the bill was rendered,
but there was no response, and finally
Mr.. ", as he chanced to have other
business taking him beyond the
Mason and Dixon line, decided to
call at the house of his debtor i'm New
Orleans and see if he could get some
satisfaction for his claim.
On his arrival there he found that
his debtor was in bad way finan-
cially and had but little money, al.
though running an expensive estab-
lishment. a proposition was mado
that Mr.. y. take in payment for his
bill negro named Jim, n very bright
fellow, and considered to be worth
fully fifteen hundred dollars. jim
was an expert horseman and through
all his life had been working i'm the
stables of his master.
Mr.. y. was in u uuandary. His
abolitiOnist ideas prevented him from
being 4 slaveOwnor, but his natural
anxiety to receive something for the
bill due him almost demanded that
he should accept the slave IA pay
ment. Finally a bright idea sug.
geSted itself, and no called the negro
to him.
Now, Jim," said he, "I am
going to be your new mastcr. do
not want to live here i'm tho South
| Of Il I
take you to the North with me.
Now I'vo been thinking Of this
plan: VIII you he honest, sober, and
attentive to business if set you UP
in the cab trade in this city? Will
you turn over every cent to me and
not steal from me? If you promise
/ will set you up i'm business, and
when you send me the money that
you earn | will credit half Of il to
you. When your half Of the money
above all expenses amounts to twelve
hundred dollars, yon can buy your
freedom, and then we can continue
partners in the business, or you can
buy me out. If you do not want tc
make any promises, or if you will
not keep the promises that you may
make, will sell you, and then you
may get hard master"
Jim of course promised, and what
is more remarkable, he kept hi.
word. Mr.. Y. bought for him thrc,
cabs and as many teams and allowed
him full management Of the busi
ness.
So well did Jim take care Of tn,
enterprise that within year he haI
charge of nino cabs, and sovcra
teams Of horses for each cab. II,
sent his money regularly to New
York, and within two years his shar,
of the profits amounted to owe
twenty-eight hundred dollars, Bu
still he made no suggestion that an,
of his money ho turned over to Mr.
y. for his freedom.
Mr.. y. did not wish to speaI
about the matter TO Jim, but wa
anxious to get some cash value fo
the slave. lie accordingly sent
friend to see jim and find out wha
was the matter. The friend went t.
|, Jim, and said to him:
"Jim, you have sent to Mr.. Y
nearly fifty seven hundred dollars
haven't you?"
"Yassir," said jim.
l "And twenty eight hundred dol
lars Of that money will be yours
D you buy your Freedom won't il ?n
3 3 " Iassir," said Jim. again.
l "Well, it will only cost yo
twelve hundred dollars to buy you
= freedom, and when you do you wi
l have sixteen hundred dollars lef
= and can continue in partnership wit
MIR. y. Why don't you buy you
freedom 2"
T Look here, boss" said jim
solemnly, "look yere; yo' doar
! ketch dis chicken yere a-buyin'
. niggah dat has consumption"