The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-08-10


citizen of Natohez for more than half
century. and veteran OF the Mexi-
can and Civil wars, we flnd the follow
ing In a graphic sketch OF Natchez and
vicinity IN the olden times:
"These planters owned thousands OF
acres OF land: they provided alike in
times OF plenty and OF failure. in
health and In sickness. for hundreds OF
dependents who felt their family idan-
tity. and we're happy In so doing, serv-
ing with love and willing alacrity the
master and hIs household. Amid such
circumstances grew women trained in
all that constitutes nobility of soul
and sentiment. intelligence and purity.
and their influences dominated the
whole. How entirely did the true life
of thu Southern woman refute the
harsh criticisms. dIsorove the false
statements that have been made. heard
and believed concerning 1t,
Through her. and her alone. was
that shbtile potent charm, exercised
which transformed the very nature OF
the colored race from the wilds OF
Africa. TO the faithful. devoted. we'll
trained servant. glad to do that mis-
tress' will The nntutored savage
was brought here ana did become In
thousands. yes In ten thousands of In
stances. the trusted servant; often. the
valued friend. Was this miracle
wrought by magic? Verify. by tire
divine magic of sympathy and love.
celying 1t from her mother as a sacred
trust. which she herself had received
and held in turn. did the conscientious
Southern matron accept the task of
civilizing, training and protecting
those who were dependent upon her,
guiding them in duty. nursing them In
sickness. comforting them In dying.
How early this benign influence was
recognized may be illustrated by a
touching incident which occurred one
hundred and twenty-three years ago.
A negro brought from Africa, with
many others on slave ship. was pur-
chased and owned by planter of Sec
ond Creek. He claimed to have been
a person OF high degree In his own
country. and In kind OF mock tour-
tesy, he was called Prince The
bonds OF servitude lay heavily upon
him. He was restiye against all au.
thority and impatient under restraint
and soon became a most undesirable
| n1n...ort L., 4ba .fantattno ltfa Esfnot
ly. after repeated resistance, he dis
appeared. All efforts TO ascertain hil
whereabouts proved unavaiiing. ant
after a while search or inquiry wa
abandoned. 1t was thought that sh'
might have gone to the great rive
and trusted himself to some i'm
promptu craft and been drowned, o.
that. lost in the vast uncut forests. h'
could have miserably perished from
fatigue and hunger. Many weeks pass
ed. wheh one morning as the mistress
sat quietly sewing In her chamber. thu
closed door softly opened, and the re
creant Prince stood before her. He
was man OF powerful frame, well
proportioned. and black as ebony. His
tattered garments hung from him and
his fierce eye was riveted upon her
! 1t was appalling. Instant death seem
ed imminent. With marvellous presence
of mind she arose. smiled and extended
her hand to him. He sprang forward
siezed 1t, and the next moment the
stalwart form was PROSTATE on the
floor, and taking one Of her delicate
feet in his great hands he placed II up
on his neck. It was an absolute sur
render to the power OF that smile and
that touch From that day until his
death, at an advanced age. Prince was
a faithful, loyal servant, and may
add, trusted and beloved"