The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-05-25
Hi KNEW HIS OWN VALUE.

Before the war, in the days Of slav-
cry, a New York jsweler Of a promi-
nent family, who can be called Mr.. K,
had owing to him a bill of 81, 200 by a r.
putedly wealthy family in the South.
Time after time thebill was rendered,
but there was no response, and finally
Mr.. K. as he CHANGED 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 somes~ satisfaction for
his claim.
Ga 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 Mr.. <,
take in payment of his bill a negro
named Jim, a very bright fellow, and
considered to be worth fully $1,000.
Jim was an expert horseman and
through all his life had been working
in the stables of his master.
Mr.. x, was in a quandary. His
abolitionist 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. II am going to
be your ne master. l do not want to
live here in the South and look after
you, nor do I 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 I set
you I'D in the cab trade in this city3
Will you turn ove every cent to me
and not steal from me3 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 it to you. When
your half of the money above all the
expenses amounts to 81. 300 you can
buy your freedom, and then we can
continue partners in the business, or
you can buy me out. II you do not
want to make any promises, or if you
will not keep the promises 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, kept his word. Mr..
x bought for him three cabs and as
many teams and allowed him full
management of the business,
So we'll did. Jim take car of the en-
terprise 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 pro
fits amounted to over 50, 800. But still
he made no suggestion shat any of his
money be turned over to Mr.: K for his
freedom.
Nj. 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 q 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
fifty. v hundred dollars, haven't
you9"
"Yassir," said Jim.
"And twenty eight hundred dollars
of that money will be yours if you buy
your freedom, won't it9"
"Yassir," said Jim again.
"Well, it will only cost you twelve
hundred dollars, and when you do you
will have sixteen hundred dollars left,
and can still continue in partnership
with Mr.. x Why don't you buy your
freedom9"
Look yere, boss" said Jim, sol
emnly-'look yere; yo' doan' ketch
dis chicken yere a buyin' a niggah
dat has consumption "-Harper's Maya
zine.
WEIGHTY WORDS.