Evening journal., 1905-05-25
My DUsky Friend
lorlelnnl

NhA Naintu on lIolu llt men 3 Gun
see the captain, now, a few minutes
before the sound Of the dinner bell,
push aside these curtains, enter the
ladies' cabin and escort them to the
table. where the men stood waiting,
each behind the chair he intended to
occupy, till all the women were seated
at the end reserved for them. Then
at the first tap of the DELL every man
sprang into his seat and began to eat
whatever was nearest to him.
l made several trips when n boy
with my mother from St. Louis for
my health. She tried to keeKme with
her, but was usually to be found iii
the pantry, where | was a favorite, or
in the mems cabin playing about the
tables, where they were gambling. /
longing for the white, red and blue
ivory chips. My best friend and con
stant companion was Job, a colored
man, the property of a Colonel Ashley
of New Orleans.
One day | was with Job when he
was brushing his masters clothes and
noticed that he was troubled. Several
times he went into the cabin, where
his master was playing poker. The
game had been played by a number
Of men, but all had dropped out ex-
cept Colonel Ashley and one other. On
one Of Jobs returns he was talking to
himself.
MARS S the biggest fool Wha' he
want TO glib dat nigga trader, Skinner,
chance TO fleece him TO-? He's done
tooken all de cunncl's money and now
rs de stakes. Don keer! l amt gwlne
TO leabe mars il dat nigga trader win
me 100 times"
He went back TO the table. The
colonel ordered him away, but he
would not go. Presently the game was
finished Skinner had won Job At
the same time Job said:
"Cunnel, dat nigga trader been
cheatin'."
skinner looked up at Job with an
expression that frightened me, for
was standing by, and said:
You internal niger l own you and
when get You ashore I'll fog you
Ashley had been depressed at losing
his favorite slave. The proposed nog-
glng filled him with horror.
II have means at home" said the
colonel I'm give you $1,000 for Job
10 my note Of hand" ~
II WON'T sell him."
"Wha. have you to say to his
charger
i've nothing to say to the charge Of
a niger"
'Nery well. l viii assume Jobs in
suit have no doubt he has told the
TRUTH
That was all that was required TO in
sure a mortal combat some OF the
passengers wondered that Colonel Ash
ley should demean himself 10 fight With
a negro trader but the reason was
soon understood. There could be no
duel tin the boat stopped again for
wood, which would not be till the att.
ernoon.
Meanwhile was tagging about after
Job, who was too much preoccupied
TO pay any attention to me. He was
continually mutlering to himself. "Ef
dat mis'able skinner Kill de cunnel
he got T. fight me sho'. Nigga can't
stan up ana fight with white man lax
gentlemen, but he kin git white man
IN corner ard max him fight Sc
he kim
1 was zoo young TO understand this
soliloquy or, indeed, the Importance of
the whole matter, but l remember be-
ing impressed that there was trouble
brewing
The boat did not stop tin after dark
when ! saw crowd going over the
gangplank, headed by Colonel Ashley
and skinner All the sympathy was
with the colonel. and Skinner found it
difficult TO secure a second. / was on
the guard watching The deck hands
carry In wood when heard two shots.
l did not know what they meant but
few minutes later / saw sight that
IS as vivid to me today rs it was then.
Colonel Ashley was being carried to the
boat his face n whitish blue his vest
covered with blood. lie had been kill
ed instantly. job was helping to carry
him.
Later / was with Job in the state
room the colonel had occupied. He
was packing the colonel's belongings
saw him take a revolver from a
trunk and conceal it under his shirt
But had no idea what he intended to
90 with IT, Just before l was put to
bed | asked permission TO 90 and say
good night 20 Job. I saw him led be-
tween two mon, crowd following
! down into the lower part OF the boat
did not know what It meant then.
but the rest Of the story learned when
was older.
Job had shadowed Skinner at a dis
tance. Skinner, who was summed by
every person aboard. went up on TO the
hurricane deck as far art as he could
so and was smoking alone. Several
shots were heard. and officers Of tho
boat on going aft found skinner shot
dead. Job was standing over him.
Job owned 10 the deed and gave him
self up. On Skinner was found re-
volvcr with two chambers exploded.
That's the last l saw Of job for years
When J was nearly grown I received
n call at my home in St Louis from
negro, who proved TO be Job. He told
me such was the detestatlon Of Skin
ncr aboard the boat that The persons
set TO guard his slayer connived at his
escape They put him in a skiff lust
besorc daylight IN the morning and
turned him adrift, reporting afterward
that he had jumped overheard. Job
IL.