Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1917-12-27
Convenient
Hearing
Re- OSCAR cox
lcopyllght. lsl7. western NEWSPAPER union
By OSCAR COX

After the conclusion of the war be-
tween the states there We're Il number
of old negroes who had lived all their
lives on the plantation on which they
We're born, under kind master, who
preferred to remain under the same
conditions as before. Many of them
We're 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 We're 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
q pile of money which in some way
he managed to convert into United
States bonds at very low figure. 1t
was to make himself solid with the
Southern people that he espoused the
Southern cause. He befriended Colonel
Archibald. lending hiR money with
which to begin anew IS work his plan
tation for 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 q demand for 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 of
the plaintiffs attorney called on
George for testimony.
oOOA &c odAu tAC 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
Washington's fadder 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 to pro-
coed with the examination.
where were you," he asked, "when
this trouble between Colonel Archi-
bald and Mr.. Grub took placer"
II war on de po'ch."
did you see this gentleman" point
ing to Grub, 'enter the Colonel's
Officer"
"No, sab. didn' see no gentleman
60 into Colonel Archibald's Office.
sor dat man setten dar what sold rot
ten aigs to de army go into Colonel
Archibald's otffce.''
Checked again, the lawyer cast
about for some other method of at
lacking the witness.
George" he said presently, did
you hear hard words between Colonel
1 Archibald and Mr.. Grub?"
Dunno, sab. lze mighty hard O.
/ hearin'."
Tell the jury what you did hear
spoken by Colonel Archibald"
Il didn't hear notten Colonel Archi-
bald said Mars Colonel war speakin'
berry soft. Ma hearen want good
4 enough fo' dat
What did you hear Mr.. Grub say"
II healn dat man dar what sold de
army boots with paper soles say Gun
mel Archibald, f yo' dom pay me de
money yo' owe me you'll hab to turn
ober to me de plantation and cherry
thing on it; and Mars Archibald, he
said softly, berry softly, Mr.. Grub, I'll
pay you when / get de money fo' de
crop"
Didn't you say your hearing wa,;
not good enough to enable you to hear
what Colonel Archibald said when he
spoke softly?"
DAT was when ma right ear was
turned dat way. Ma right ear mighty
pof at hearen. When l heard Mars
Archibald say dat turned ma lef' ear
dat way"
HIN. / expect you have ears fol
what You want to hear. Tell the jury
what YOU saw of this trouble
We'll. sah. / SCR dis pusson what
sold wooden hams to de army conner
put oh de doc mighty quick"
n He was pushed by Colonel Arch
bald, was he not?"
"No. sab. De arm wha' Colone
Archibald would hab to push him vic
WAS lef' ON de battlefield
: did you see anything to indicate
that the plaintiff was forced out o.
the house."
Eyes, sah."
: 'What did you see?"