Mexico Missouri message., 1903-09-10
Druid MOSES
THE POEM OF LIFE
IN THE FOOTPRINTS
OF PROVIDENCE.
BY TOM BENTON.
COPYRIGHT 1903 ny NOAH =. JOHNSTON
POsTOFFICE: ROUTE ., LADDoNIA, so.
CHAP. XXIII.-THE SUNNY
SOUTH.

ana, is a rich black loan, with SC
much sand in it that it soon dries
after a rain. The plantations were
in a fine state of cultivation in
1861. The negro quarters were
generally neat frame buildings fac
ing each other and separated by a
wide street. Some of these negro
villages would have several hun
bred population. The overseer's
house was near. A bell would
ring for rising, dinner, and at
night; the curfew was often used.
Near BastrOp, in Morehouse par
ish, Elder Elias George had a fine
plantation. David's father had a
letter of introduction tC this man,
so nearly a week was spent in his
hospitable home. The house was
frame with large rooms and wide
halls. He had about sixty hands
besides the women and children.
On Saturday evening they drew ra-
tons for the week. David never saw
a more cheerful, jolly set than
these negroes. "Whar's my ra-
tions7" one would say; another
would say, You don't serve ra-
rations, you lazy niger" The
meat, meal and vegetables required
for week astonished David.
Parson George was a literary
man, and quite temperance lee.
turer. He was then writing Sc
rial for the Louisiana Baptist, in
which a tavern keeper was relating
the effects of the use of intOxicants-
He wrote in a natural style, and
David enjoyed the reading. He was
very humorous. Once two of his
acquaintance were drinking and
angry with each other. One was
very anxious to fight. The par
son used every effort to bring
about a reconciliation. One said
he had no desire to fight but was
forced to do so. Turning to the
other man, who was highly excited
he said, You are too mad to fight,
/ advise you to go to the water
there, and wash your face, if you
don't that fellow will whip you, "
The man said, "ParsOn, that is
good advice; .I'll take it," Both
went to the bayou, and the fellow
began to wash and talk and before
they left the water, explanations
were made, the trouble settled and
they were friends.
The parson was very fond OF
deer hunting. He got his double
barrel shotgun, started to get on
his mule to go to the canebreaks
but the mule began to buck, so he
threw down the gun and held on
But the mule kept running anC
bucking until he threw his rider
kicked at him with both feet, anC
proudly trotted off, turning hi
head to one side and snorting
Give me that gum" he called t
one of the negroes, then, hastily
raising, fred the buckshot en-
tered at a vital place and the mul,
fell dead. There was much tall
about the parson for shooting hi
mule. The church appointed
committee to see into the matter
He went to the churchi after hear
ing the charge, he made this con
fessiOn: Brethren, if any of yol
try TO kill me as hard as that null
did, I'll kin you' They let hin
alone.
In many fields the dead tree
were covered with long gray moss
1t hung in festcons from the limb
and gave a weird look TO the fields
The fields were white with til
open bowls Of cotton. Negroe
with large baskets were busy pick
ing Il. The little boys and girl
would sometimes pick faster thai
the men AT night, a stroll aloDl