The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1905-07-21
My Dusky Friend
TOriginal.1

De l.
see the captain, now, 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 bell every man
sprang into his seat and began to eat
whatever was nearest to him.
l made several trips when a boy
with my mother from St. Louis for
my health. She tried to keep me with
her, but | was usually to be found in
the pantry, where l was favorite, OF
in the mems cabin playing about the
tables, where they were gambling, l
longing for the white, red and blue
ivory chips. My best friend and con-
slant companion was Job, a colored
man, the property of a Colonel Ashley
of New Orleans.
One day 1 was with Job when he
was brushing his masters clothes and
noticed that he was troubled. Severa;
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 IS the biggest fool Wha' he
want to glib dat nigga trader, Skinner,
chance to fleece him fo'? He's done
token all de cunnel's money and now
rs de stakes. Dom keer! I amt gwine
to leabe mars if dat nigga trader win
me $50 times"
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 I
was standing by, and said:
"You Internal niger, l own you and
when l get you ashore I'll fog you
Ashley had been depressed at losing
his favorite slave. The proposed fog
ging filled him with horror.
Il have means at home,' said the
colonel. 'I'll give you $1,000 for Job
in my note of hand"
II won't sell him.
What have you to say to his
charger
1--WE nothing to say to the charge of
a niger
very we'll. l will assume Jobs in
truth"
That was all that was required to in
sure mortal combat Some of the
passengers wondered that Colonel Ash
ley should demean himself to fight with
a negro trader, but the reason was
soon understood. There could be no
duel till the boat stopped again for
wood, which would not be till the aft
ernoosi
Meanwhile | was tagging about after
Job, who was too much preoccupied
to pay any attention to me. He was
muttering to himself. LEI
dat mis'able Skinner kill de cunnel
he got t. fight me sho. Nigga can't
stan up and fight with white man LAX
gentlemen, but he kin git white man
in corner and max him fight. So
he kim
L was TOO young to understand this
soliloquy or, indeed, the Importance of
the whole matter, but I remember be-
ing impressed that there was trouble
brewing
The boat did not stop till after dark.
when l saw a 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. l was on
the guard watching the deck hands
carry in wood when heard two shots.
did not know what they meant, but
a few minutes later | saw a sight that
is as vivid to me today as it was then.
Colonel Ashley was being carried to the
boat, his face whitish blue, his vest
covered with blood. He had been kill
ed instantly. Job was helping to carry
him.
Later l was with Job in the state
room the colonel had occupied. He
was packing the colonePs belongings.
saw him take a revolver from
trunk and conceal it under his shirt.
But l had no idea what he intended to
do with it. Just before 1 was put to
bed | asked permission to go and say
good hight to Job. / saw him led be-
tween two men, a crowd following.
down into the lower part of the boat.
l did not know what it meant then.
but the rest of the story 1 learned when
| was older.
Job had Swallowed Skinner at a dis,
lance. Skinner, who was Stunned by
every person aboard, went up on to the
hurricane deck as far aft as he could
go and was smoking alone Several
Shots were heard, and officers of the
boat on going aft found Skinner shot