Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1902-09-11
LEGAL
TENDER
By ADDISON CLARK
Copyright, 1901, by addison Clark
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.


In those days the white house, set back
rom the road i'll d clump of live oaks,
was astir with life and youth. The
master had been justice of the peace
and had run for the legislature Men
mad called him Judge Henderson, and
ne mad walked with his head erect.
be mad had neighbour then whose
neart was very near to his own, but
the war had come and changed every
thing. Robert Stephens, the neishbor.
mad gone away to join the Yankees.
and friendship was changed to bitter
hatred.
The masters sons, nephews and
TRENDS mad also gone to the war. some
from the north and others from the
south. His slaves had left him at the
hrst rumor Of freedom, and the old
place soon fell into decay.
A thick carpet of crab grass and wild
morning glory vines had spread over
the fields where had once been rows of
cotton and corn. All was silent now in
the house among the live oaks.
Upon a bed in the large sunny front
room upstairs lay the master. sick and
deserted-no. not quite deserted. for
there was left old Jerry. the last of a
hundred slaves. The old man turned
over restlessly in his bed and, putting
up a-thin. bony hand. pushed the gray
hair out Of his eyes.
"Jerry.'' he called in feeble voice.
A wrinkled black face appeared at
the door. Yes, Ma'se Tol, heah l is"
answered the old servant
What do you mean leaving me here
alone? Where have you been all this
time?"
II amt ben nowhar. Ma'se Tol. 'cept-
In in de kitchen. l amt lef' yo but a
lille minute
You have! I say you have. Jerry.
you've been gone an hour. Why don't
you bring me something to eat? Do
you think that because mans little
sick he doesn't get hungry?' 49,
Eyes. sab. Ma'se Tol; yes. sab. De
rdinnah be ready freely; would "a
ben done. sab, only de hins somehow
don't lay no mo- today-no, sab. not a
single aig! An de cO'nmeal am done
all gone an de bac'n an de coffee"
"Nething to cook. eh! Not thing to
eat in the house, and I'm to lie here on
my back and starve, am l. just be-
cause you're too lazy to go to the store
and get something's
"Yes. sab. Ma'se Toll; yes. sah," said
Jerry uneasily. "I'ze jes' a-gwine to de
sto' movies a-gwine when yo' call
me. Yes. sab. Ma'se Toll. but-but de
money done all gone too"
Money! That's what Is the matter,
'1s it? Well. why didn't you say so?
What do you stand gibbering there for
and not tell what you want? Do you
think I'm beggar?' He turned over
In feverish haste. his old hands trem-
bling nervously. and. reaching under
the pillow, took out large wallet,
which he opened, displaying number
of crisp new bills. Money! There,
take what you WANT
A look Of awe came over the old ne
gro's face; then be smiled as with
trembling hands he took one Of the
bills and folded it tenderiy. Yes.
Ma'se Tod;: yes, sab. De dinnah be
ready freely" said he, and, bowling
and smiling, he shambled out Of the
Yoom. -...-.
Two stores, in one Of which was the
postoftice; a ginhouse and blacksmith
shop constituted the town. One Of the
stores was owned by Judge Hender-
sons former neighbor, who had gone
out joyfully to fight for the Union and
had come back broken, one legged, al
most pauper.
But it was not there Jerry went. he
well knew that his master would eat
no food from that store. So he passed
1t by and went on to the other, where
a busy. practical newcomer did a gen
erai merchandise business for cash.
"Evenin', Mistah Ross" said Jerry
to the man who came forward to take
his order.
Good evening, Jerry. How is MIR.
Henderson todayY' asked the proprie-
tor
"Jedge Hindi'son. sab. am bettah.
tank yo'. He am healthy. sah." re-
turned the old negro. Strengthening up
his bent form and looking with con-
tempt on the questioner.
Can l do anything for your? asked
Mr.. Ross.
"Yo' kin, sah." responded Jerry. and
he gave his order as If he were speak.
ing to servant.
Eyes, to be sure" said the proprietor
when Jerry had finished. but excuse
me. All, but Jerry, did Judge Hender.
son send the money? You know we
do only q cash business"
Jerry looked at him for moment in
silence. ain co'se brung de money"
he said. "Does yo' t'ink done come
Heggin' TO- Ma'se Toll sump'n to eat?"
The proprietor unfolded the bill
which the old negro handed him. and
rs he saw what It was smiled in su
Derior manner why. Jerry. this Ia
no good. This IN not legal tender"
said he. This Is Confederate money
The Confederacy fell six months ago