The Florence tribune., 1897-07-10
A TALE OF SLAVERY DAYS.
Why Thrifty Jim Refused to Buy His
 Freedom.
From the Harper's Drawer.l

Before the war, in the days of slavery, New York jeweler of a prominent family, who can be called Mr. K, had owing to him bill of $l 200 from a reputedly wealthy family in the South. Time after time the bill was rendered, but there was no response, and finally Mir. K, as he chanced to have other business 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 satisfac- tion for his claim.
 On his arrival there he 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 AIr. X take in payment of his bill negro Jim, very bright fellow, and con- sidered to be worth fully $1 ,5O0. Jim was an expert horseman, and through all his life had been working in the stables of his master.
 Mir. X. was in aquandary. His abo- litionist ideas prevented kim from being 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, "I am going to be your new 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? Ifyou promise 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 $1,200, you can buy your freedom ard then we can continue partners 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 premises that you may make, I will sell you. and then you may get a hard master"
 Jim, of course, promised, and what is more remarkable he kept his word. Mir. X. 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 enterprise that within year he had charge of nine cabs and several teams of horses for each cab. He sent his money regular ly to New York, and within two years his share of the profits amounted to over $2,S00. But still he made no sug- gestion that any of his money be turned over to Mr. X. for his freedom.
 Mir. 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 a friend to see Jim and find out what was the matter. The friend went to Jim andsaid to him:
 "Jimj you have sent to Mir. X. nearly $5,700, haven't you?"
 'Yassir," said Jim.
 "And $2,8O0 of that money will be yours if you buy your freedom, won't it?"
 "Yassir," said Jim again.
 "Well, it will only cost you q 200 to buy your freedom, and when you do you will have $l 500 left, and can still con- tinue in partnership with Mir. X. Why don't you buy your freedom?"
 Look yere, boss, 'said Jim, ,soIemnly Took yere; yo' doan ketcll dis chicken yere a-buyin' niggah dat has con sumption"