The daily Alaskan., 1904-03-24
SOFT WORD TURNETH AWAY WRATH

"that I was an overseer on a southern plantation. The overseer of slaves has SO often been pictured as a monster, especially in the character of Legree in Uncle Toms Cabln,' that have sel- dom admitted that l ever held such a position. The truth is, l was born and brought up in the south under the sys- tem of slavery, and to me it was a matter of course. The planter for whom l worked was as kindly a man as ever lived. Our method of punish ment think now and thought then was faulty, but we must remember that in those days logging was com mon in the schools and in many fam nics where parents whipped their chil- dren.
 "One day a strong, lusty negro became insubordlnate and refused to work. ordered him logged After his punish ment he said to me, Tll get even with you for this and the look he gave me at the same time convinced me that he would be as good as his word. Many overseers would have had him logged again and again and then been ready to shoot him at the slightest provoca- tion. On the contrary, treated him more kindly than ever, though not let- ting him see that | attached any lm- portance to words uttered under great humiliation
 "Pete-that was the negro's name tried at various times to kill me, though indirectly. One night ! found on turning down my bedclothes a poi sonous snake between the sheets It had doubtless been placed at the foot of the bed. but had not remained there | suspected Pete of the work, and the next morning, coming upon him sud denly, he was unable to conceal his feelings at seeing me, knowing that his plan had failed. At another time he placed a huge stone over my door SO that the doors opening would dis lodge the stone. ! was struck on the shoulder, which was dlslocated, and was laid up for weeks. Several other attempts were made to kin me in some such fashion. but none of them could I trace to Pete, though ] felt fairly sure he had laid the traps. At last grew so wary that ! was always on the watch. and it would have been very difficult for him to catch me- However, after ] had discovered a train of gunp0wder laid under my bed ! told Pete that ! understood h., pur pose and upon another attempt would reveal his doings to his master, have him arrested. and l did not think it would take any court long Co send him to prison for a good many years to come. | admit this long suffering was not usual to the overseers of the south The truth is that when ] had seen Pete noggcd it occurred to me that if were in his place ] should probably seek re- venge. Yet no revenge was open to the slave that would not react on him.
 Meanwhile Pete, who was married, had a son born to him, a bright, woolly headed little pickanluny, who wound himself about pete's reyengeful heart The child made a great change in his father in his relations to an save me Though ! didn't catch Pete in any overt acts toward me after this sons coming. felt that be hated me more than ever Besides. his master re marked Co me that Pete had shown signs of suibincss and insubordination toward him.
 "Iheu the master was taken ill and Ii,d. When his estate was settled it was found to be nsoNeut Most Of the negroes were sold at auction. Pete and his wife and child among the mum ber. When it was announced that he aud bis family were liable to scpara iou Pete became the most desperate looking nan ] ever saw. He brJ led liI it seemed as ii he would iCs' his reason When the sale came on, the luc,!onucr, failing to get bid for the three In cue lot. began the salc of Pete individually. intending to follow with his wife and child together if possible .f not, separately.
 "pete, having a bad reputation, did not attract bids and was about to be Knocked down to a negro trader when 1 stepped in and began to bid for him It was curious to note his expression when he saw what l was about He apparently supposed that l was trying ,o buy him for the purpose Of reveng ing myself upon him, and when he was knocked down to me gave me a look which meant plainly We'll We shall see who lives longest But when ] began to bid for his wife and child he was puzzled He had evidently thought [ had intended to separate them. l was obliged to bid high. but ] secured the two, and then Pete gave me ar- other look, this time of relief mingled with bewilderment
 Pete l said when the sale was over, T have leased a small plantation and you and your wife and family are my first hands to stock it.
 Not long after that the war came on and l was obliged to leave my planta- ton to fight for-wel, a system l didn't like. l placed everything in Petc's hands The Yankees came down, and most of the hands left but Pete and his wife and pickaninny stayed on. The fences were burned for campdrcs, but Pete rebuilt them. The outhouses were torn down, but Pete gathered the frag