The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-12-14
The Story of Two Generous Highway
men.

wavs of the Southern people are aware
that at the close Of the war it was
fr.ouent occurrence for sol massa
+, leave little plot of ground to
his slaves who had served him faith
fully. or in some other way pro-
vide for their future. This was
the case with Aunt Jennie Harris,
who was left, by the will of her old
master, quite comfortable home in
Missouri between Harrisonville and
Pleasant Hill. But with the usual
negro prodigality,. which could never
realize that an end might come to
their fortune, Aunt Jennie placed
mortgage on her home for 81, 400.
Time passed and the very day when
the mortgage fell due came around
and there was no provision for paying
it off. Notice had been received that
the Sheriff would call that day at 3
clock and if the money was not
forthcoming the mortgage would be
foreclosed and the piece Of ground
taken away from her. So that morn
ing she sent her two sons into town
to see if they could raise the amount
by second mortgage. This was in
the fall of '78.
While they were absent two men
rode up and asked for drink. The
old auntie waited upon them and while
doing so told her trials and tribula-
tions, not pausing until they were in
possession Of every fact in the ease.
The two men appeared interested in
her story and alighting from their
horses asked if she could give them
some dinner. With the hospitality
born in the colored race of the old
regime she fastened to kill and fry
chicken, bake some sweet potatoes
and mix up corn pone.
"What's yo bus ness p inquired
the old colored woman, with easy ia
miliarity.
cob, we are cattle buyers. Riding
around the country buying up catelc.
"Wha' 20 bo'n?" was the next
question.
"1n Scott County, Kentucky
"Fo' de Lawd. Dat wha' | com
frum," and auntie rcdoubled her
energy in getting up delectable din
ner during which she explained again
and again, with many moan, that
the sheriff was to be there at 3 o clock
that afternoon to foreclosc the mort
gage if she did not have the money to
Gift it, and her doubts Of her boys
ability to raise the money in town.
Itwas an excellent dinner, just such
an one as none but Southern house
servant can get up, and when 1t was
eaten one of the men asked:
Chow much is the dinner worth?'
$50 de Lawd, auntie replied, 'yo'
don't suppose one Kaintuckian want
to charge another for dinner p
"Well. I'll tell you how much we
consider it worth. Just 500 apiece.
And counting out the money they
each handed her $500.
Then followed one Of those scenes
never witnessed probably except where
an old slave is the chief actor. The
old woman never doubted the sincerity
of the men. She fell on her knees
and prayed, shouted "hallelujah" and
called down all manner of blessings on
them.
''Is yo' angel?' she asked.
Mo- one of them replied. I'VE
are flesh and blood. You say the
Sheriff is to be here at 3 clock p
'Yas, massa.
"And will come down that road
there %
"Yas, massa.
well, you make him sign your
papers all right and give you a receipt
before you count out to him the mon
cy.
The old negress promised faithfully
that she would and the two men rode
away.
At 3 clock the Sheriff called and
when he learned that the money was
ready for him released the mortgage,
took the money and started home.
Half mile from the cabin as he was
passing through strip of woods, two
men-the cattle bnyers-stepped out
and relieved him Of the 81 ,40O.-'&.
Louis Republic.
Mr.. H. A. Pass, Bowman, Ga:
writes Zone of my children was very
delicate and we despaired of raising
it. For months my wife and l could
hardly get nights rest until we be-
gan the use of Pitts Carminativc. We
l. kok