Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-05-08
Aumuruus department.
HE KNEW HIS OWN VALUE.

Before the war, in the days of slav-
cry, a New York jeweler, of prom
inent family, who can be called Mr.
K, had owing to him bill of twelve
hundred dollars from reputedly
wealthy family in the south. Time
after time the bill was rendered ; but
there was no response, and finally Mr..
x as he CHANGED to have other bust
ness taking him beyond the Mason and
Dixon line, decided to call at the house
of his debtor in New Orleans and see
if he could get some satisfaction Tor
his claim.
On his arrival there he found that
his debtor was in 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, 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 in the stables of his mas
ter. ,
MR. was IN quandary. Aooll-
zionist ideas prevented him from being
a slaveowner; 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 ne
called the negro to him.
"Now, Jim," said he, 81 am going to
be YOUR master. I do not want to live
here in the south and look after you,
nor do wish to take you to the
north with me. Now I've been think
ing of this plan: Will you be 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 prom
ise, will set you up in business, and
when you send me the money that you
earn [ will credit half of it to you.
When YOUR half of the money above
all the expenses amounts to Sl,2oO
YOU can buy your freedom, and then
we can continue partners in the busl-
ness, or you can buy me out. If you
do not want to make any promises, or
ifyou will not keep the promises that
YOU may make, I will sell you, and
then YOU may get hard master"
Jim of course promised, and what is
more remarkable, he kept his word:
MIR. x. bought for him three cabs ana
as many teams, and allowed him full
management of the business.
So we'll did Jim take care OF the en-.
terprise that within s year ne had
charge of nine cabs, an +. several teams
of horses for each cal He sent bis
money regularly to lew York, and
within two years his share OF the
profits amounted to over $4,000. But
still he made no suggestion that any OF
his money be turned over to Mr.. x.
for his freedom.
Mr.. x. 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.. K. near
ly $5, 700, haven't up"
"Yassir," said Jim.
Sand $4,000 of that money will be
yours if you buy your freedom, won't
it ?"
"Yassir," said Jim, again.
"Well, it will only cost you Sl,2Oo
to buy you freedom, and when you do
you will have 81, 600 left, and can still
continue in partnership with MIR. x.
Why don't you buy your freedom %
"Look here, boss," said Jim, solemn
ly-"look yere; yo' doan' ketch dis
chicken yere a-buyin'a niggah dat has
consumption"