Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-02-10
HOW THE OLD-TlMEa'NEGR0
REMEMBERED YOUNG MASTER

REMEMBERED YOUNG MASTEl
While discussing the late war betwee
the States for the preservation of th
constitution, with party of worn an
grizzled .old Confederates, few day
ago. many instances of the loyalty ant
devotion of the negroes of that da.
were related, says the Mobile Register
The affection of master and man wa
mentioned and many stories told of th'
heroic devotion of the negro to th
family at home as well as upon th'
bloody battlefield.
One instance of the continued low.
and affection of the negro for bis old
time master that occurred in the last
few days was mentioned by we'll
known citizen of Mobile. who was 9
distinguished and gallant Confederate
soldier himself.
"a few mornings ago." be said. 81
was surprised by drAy driving in at
my side entrance and at once went tG
look into the matter. There, perched
upon lot of boxes on the dray, sat my
old hoy friend. Tom.
Tom and I were reared together on
my fathers plantation in Wilcox,
county, and as boys wrestled. fought,
lished and hunted together. never think.
ing nor caring for the difference in col.
or. l was glad indeed tossee him and
said: Tom, have you grown so old and
weak that you have to sbe hauled
around On dray like bale of cotton?'
No, no, ..Marse Cal, l'se all right. Jes
brung some little 'ings fur Christmas
"Why. Tom. you must certainly have
brought your whole. place with you.
How did you Gomez I jes' come right
long down on de City of Mobile, an
thought outen my 'bundance. I would
like to shar' little wild you.'
"'Marse Cal, don't you rec'lec' when
we was boys, how we loved fried chick
en-, and whenever. 'Llzer used to have
hit fer dinner; wild dem Spectacular
corncakes she only .could make, oil
nissus, God bless her. used to call US
up an say, Now, you little niggers
take desc plates an 60 out under de
trees and eat your fill an grease your
moufs wild de bones.' Marse Cal. dem
days am gone nebber to see 'em any
mo tell we crosses de CRATE viding line.
Now, deres coop of de prezack kim
of fat, young pullets " at we liked den.
And dat gobbler, fotch along fer you
kase 1 knows you likes him and he g
plenty for one good dinner to mind
you of de plenty times on de OIL plant.
alton, and dis odder box have potato.
es. Now, jes' look at 'em. Dey are
not picked out special--jes' tuck 'em
as dey cum. Now. dat jug o. surghum
may be too common fer white folks,
but jes' kill Niger if you give him
dat We'd plenty good cornbread.
Now, dere's the Illuminating fat pine
SQA SLol no WOb OOdi hi Q
you ever seed wild hit p
'''W ell, we'll, Tom, what can do to
pay you for this thoughtful kindness ?
Pay? pay? Why, Marse CAL, you
want to take all de pleasure out OF my
OF heart by talking bout. pay. l
brupg desc things fer Christmas and
de good Lord have paid me wild joy in
my heart. What can you do, Marse
Cal, is to get me jug Of dat good
wbiskey dat you sent me las Christ
mas, for ebsry time tuck drink OF
it or even smell de cork, say, "Good
Lord, help Marse Cal and me to cross
through the valley an shadow of death
an meet togedder in de CRATE haben OF
eternal rest >"
The narrator, with tear in his eye.
said: Gentlemen, there can be nc
greater love between men on earth
than between good, honest old Tom
and me, and 1 said Amen to his prayer
over the Jug"
| Tom has been continuous tenant
on the same plantation in WILCOX
county for fifteen years, is a mule
cropper, and this year made sever
bales of cotton, corn enough to fatteI
fourteen hogs. and to bread his family
and feed his other stock, has an abund
ance of potatoes, peas, beans and syrup
q yard full of poultry, and is God
loving, honest citizen.
II We could organize and utilize thes
lold negroes, and there are many o
them left-you can see them at ever,
ConfedeIate reunion following the flai
of the lost cause-and set them as al
example to the young negroes OF te
day, it would go farther towards allay
ing racial feeling than all the advanc
I sxvfr h