Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-10-16
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by ADDISON CLARK
Copyright, 1901, by ADDISON clsrE

first 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 Germ. All was silent now in
the house among the live oaks.
Upon bed in the large sunny front
room upstairs lay the master. sick Snd
dcserted-no, not quite deserted, for
there was left old Jerry, the last of a
hJsldred slaves. The old man turned
over restlessly in his bed and, putting
up Il thin. bony hand, pushed the gray
hair out ef his eyes.
jerry he called in feeble voice.
A wrinkled black face appeared at
the door. Yes. Ma'se Tol, heah is"
answered the old servant.
what do you mean leaving me here
alone? Where have you been all this
time;"
Il amt ben nowhar Ma'se Tol, 'cept-
in in de kitchen. | amt lef' yo' but
lille minute"
You have! ! 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"
"Yes, sab, Ma'se ToI; yes, sab. De
dinnah be ready t'rectly; would "a
ben done, sab, only de hins somehow
don't lay no mo- today-no, sab. not
single aig! An de co'nneal am done
all gone an de bac'n an de Coffee
Nothing to cook, eh! <ot a 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"
"Yes, sab. Ma'se Tol; yes, sab" said
Jerry Hneasily. 'I'ze jes' a-gwine to de
sto' movies a-gwine when yo' call
me- Yes, sab, Ma'se Tol, but-but de
money done all gone too"
Money! That's what is the matter,
is it? Well. why didn't you say SO?
What do you stand gibbering there for
and not tell what you want? Do yo1
think I'm a beggar?7r He turned over
In feverlsh haste. his old hands trem-
bling nervously, and, reaching under
the pillow. took out a large wallet,
which he opened, displaying q number
OF crisp new bills. Money! There.
take what you wantw
4 look af-aIpa ca lna-arpr the old na-
gyUs face; then he smiled as with
trembling hands he took one Of the
bills and folded it tenderly. Eyes,
Mase Tol; yes, sab. De dInnah be
ready t'rectly," said lie, and, bowling
and smiling, he shambled out of the
room.
Two stores, In one of which was the
postolfice; 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 Unien and
had come back broken, one legged, al
most pauper.
But IL 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 gen.
eral merchandise business for cash.
'Evenin', Mlstah Ross" said Jerry
10 the man who came forward to take
his order.
Good evening, Jerry. How is Mr..
Henderson todayY asked the proprie-
tor.
"Jedge Hindison, sab. am bettah,
tank yo. He am heahty, sah," re-
turned the old negro. Strengthening up
his bent form and looking with con-
tempt on the questloner.
Can | do anything for your asked
Mr.. Ross.
"Yo kin, sah," responded Jerry, and
he gave his order as If he were speak
ing to a servant.
"Yes, 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 cash business"
Jerry looked Mt him for momentum
silence. "In co'se ! brung de money"
he said. Does yo' t'inls ] done come
beggin' 70 Ma'se Tol sump'n TO eat?"
The proprietor unfolded the bin
which the old negro handed him, and
as he saw what It was smiled In assu.
perlor manner. "Why, Jerry, this Is
said he. This Is Confederate money.
The Confederacy fell six months ago,
and Confederate notes are no longer
legal tender. They aro not worth tho
paper they are printed on"
"Ain't no good? Yo' say de money
aln't no good?" responded the old ne
gro trembling with anger and dlsap-
afpA Ittf
good as any money? Amt my Ma'se
Tol Hlndi'son n ge'm'n? Amt he pay
his debtsT His voice broke TO sob
and tears filed his eyes. "Ain't de
money TO buy my po' marster sump'n
TO eat when he hongry?"
Jerry, you don't understand" ex-
planned Mr.. Eoss Confederate money
Is no loagcr legal tender. Judge Hen
derson must have sent the wrong bill.
Tell him II he Will send coin or United
Statcs notes we viii be glad 10 serve
him"
The sick man awoke from htful
slumber as he heard step upon the
stairs. For moment he lay staring
up at the ceiling ana trying TO straight
en- out the thhRlc III MS thouEnih
Jerry" he called at length impatient
ly. you lazy Niger, why don't you
come on with my dinner? Didn't /
tell you was hungry"
Eyes, sab. Ma'sc Tol, heah is, sab"
answered Jerry, coming half fearfully
into the room. "But-but. Ma'sc IOI'-
Ills lips were trembling, and the tears
were streaming down his face.
"Wcll, what Is it? What do you
stand there whimpering like baby
for? Whats the matter"
"Oh, Mn'sc Tol," cried Jerry. falling
upon his knees beside the bed, "he say
dc Cornfcde'cy done busted. an dc
money amt no good"
"'fhe money no good! Sam Ross said
thatT" cried the old man In n shrill,
cracked voice. "IIe's n liar, Jerry! I'll
go right down there and tell him So"
He lifted himself upon his elbow and
struggled 70 SIT upright IN bed, hut the
cxcftlon was too much for his feeble
strength, and he fell back weakly upon