The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-12-28
My Dusky Friend
lOriginal.l

CuftalHeu OIL from the men 5. l can
see the captain, now, u few minutes
before the sound of the dinner bell.
push aside these curtains, enter the
ladies' cabin and escort them to tile
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 aud began to eat
whatever was nearest to him.
l made several trips When boy
with my mother from st. Louis for
my health. She tried to keep me with
her, but was usually to be found III
the pantry, where L was Il favorite, or
III 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-
slant companion was Job, colored
man, the property of Il 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 number
OF men, but all had dropped out el-
cept Colonel Ashley and one other. On
one Of Jobs returns lie was talking to
himself.
Mars 8 the biggest fool. Wha' he
want to glib dat nigga trader, Skinner,
chance to fleece him 70: He's done
Token all de cunnel's money and now
is de stakes. Don keer! | amt gwine
to leabe mars il dat nigga trader win
me $50 tines
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:
''Cnnnel, dat nigga trader been
cheatin'."
Skinner looked up at Job with an
expression that frightened me, for l
was standing by. and said:
You internal nigger own you and
when get you ashore III fog you
Ashley had been depressed ut losing
his favorite slave. The proposed fog
ging filed him with horror
Il have means at home" said the
colonel. IN give you $1,000 for Job
in my note Of hand
Il won't sell him."
What have you to say to his
CHARGE"
i've nothing to say to the charge of
niger"
Very we'll. l will assume Jobs in
suit. l have no doubt he has told the
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
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
| ernoon
Meanwhile was tagging about after
Job. who was too much preoccupied
to pay any attention to me. He was
continually muttering to himself. "Ef
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"
was TOO 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 till 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 l 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 l saw 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 coloners belongings.
l saw him take revolver from q
trunk and conceal it under his shirt.
But l had DO idea what lie intended To
| 90 with it. Just before l was put to
bed asked permission to go and say
good night to Job. saw him led be.
tween two men, q crowd following.
down into the lower part Of the boat
l did not know what it meant then.
but the rest Of the story learned when
l was older.
Job had Swallowed Skinner at a dis
lance. Skinner, who was stunned by
every person aboard, went up on to the
i 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
dead Job was standing over him.
Job owned to the deed and gave him
self up. On Skinner was found a re-
volver with two chambers exploded.