The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1917-11-08
Convenient
Hearing
Copyright. 1917. western Newspaper Union.@
By OSCAR cox

.==--==
Copyright 1917, western Newspaper Union.I
After the conclusion Of the war be-
tween the states there were a number
of old negroes who had lived all their
lives on the plantation on which they
were born, under kind master, who
preferred to remain under the same
conditions as before. Many of them
were devotedly attached to the family
| that had held them in. bondage.
Colonel Archibald, the owner Of
plantation in Tennessee, came out of
the Confederate army minus an arm.
He called his former slaves before
him, most Of whom had remained on
the plantation, and told them they
were free. Those who wished to leave
him were at liberty to DO so, and those
who wished to remain would be paid
what the crops afforded. Nearly all
! elected to remain.
The property adjoining the Archi-
bald plantation was bought by An
thony Grub, Northern man, who had
| gone south shortly before the out
break of the war and joined the Con-
federate army Of contractors, making
pile Of money which in some way
he managed to convert into United
States bonds at very low figure It
was to make himself solid with the
Southern people that he espoused the
Southern cause. He befriended Colonel
Archibald, lending him money with
which to begin anew to work his plan
tation for a different purpose.
When Grub got Colonel Archibald
sufficiently indebted to him he began
to squeeze him with a view to acquir-
ing his plantation through foreclosure
Of mortgage. One morning he visited
his debtor, with a demand for a pay
ment which the Colonel was unable
to meet. High words passed between
them and Grub was elected from the
house. Grub sued the Colonel for
assault.
The only person who was nearby
the disputants at the time of the fra
cas- was an old negro named George
Washington. When the trial came off
the plaintiffs attorney called on
George for testimony.
George Washington said the law
yer, 'if you are proud of the honored
name you bear you will tell the truth
the whole truth, and nothing but the
! truth. Do you know the nature of an
Oath?'
Eyes, sab. An oath is what George
Washingtons ladder said when young
Geo'ge chopped down de cherry tree
The attorney was stalled. Those
present smiled. The lawyer concluded
not to try to beat into the negro's
skull what an oath was, but IT, pro
coed with the examination.
"Where were you," he asked, "Whe1
this trouble between Colonel Archi
bald and Mr.. Grub took placer
II war on de poch."
''Did you see this gentleman point
ing to Grub, ''enter the Colonel:
Officer"
mo, sab. I didn' see no gentleman
go into Colonel Archibald's office.
sor dat man setten dar what sold rot
ten aigs to de army go into Colone
Archibald's Office"
Checked again, the lawyer cas-
about for some other method of at
tacking the witness.
George" he said presently, "Dii
you hear hard words between Colone
Archibald and Mr.. Grub?"
"Dunno, sab. I'ze mighty hard O
hearin'."
''Ten the jury what you did heal
spoken by Colonel Archibald"
IT didn't hear notten Colonel Archi
bald said. Mars Colonel war speakin
berry soft. Ma hearen want goot
enough TO- dat"
"What did you hear Mr.. Grub say?'
, II hearn dat man dar what sold d.
army boots with paper soles say Gun
money yo' owe me you'll hab to tur1
ODER to me de plantation and cherry
thing on it.; and Mars Archibald, hi
said softly, berry softly, Mr.. Grub, II
pay you when get de money TO- d.
CROP"
''Didn't you say your hearing wa:
not good enough to enable you to heal
W1ldC COlOucl AIC1l1UdAu OClAU WAlcu 1AS
spoke softly?"
"Dat was when ma right ear wa:
turned dat way. Ma right ear mighty
poh at hearen. When I heard Mars
Archibald say dat turned ma lef' cal
dat way -.s
"H'm, I expect you have ears fol
what you want to hear. Tell the jur!
; what you saw of this trouble"
''Well, sab, I sor dis pusson wha
sold wooden hams to de army conner
out OBJ de doc mighty quick"
"He was pushed by Colonel Arch
bald, was he not?"
''No, sab. De arm wha' Colone
Archibald would hab to push him wit
was lef' on de battlefield"
'Did you see anything to indicat
that the plaintiff was forced out o
the house,"
eyes, sah.'
"What did you seer" \
; 81 sOr q boot de toe bein' bout te!