The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-07-05
IN OLD SLAVERY DAYS
Confidence That Existed Between
Master and Slave-First Coon Hunt
of tho ColOnePs Little Bow

Confidence That Existed Between
Master and Slave-First Coon Hunt
of the ColonePs Little Boy
Correspondence of The Robesonian.
Red Springs, July 2-No one but
a Southerner can understand the
confidence that existed between mas
ter and slave in the old slavery days.
While the average Yankee imagined !,
that the STAKEHOLDER did nothing but
work ard punish his slaves, the mas
ter thought too much of them asl
property to mfstreat them, besidesl
the human feelings which he had Tor
his negroes. The property question
was held in view, and it was natural
that he would care for their comfort
and well being. If the Yankees
morse. whose value was only S2oo'l
was curried and watched over, now
much more was Sambo, who was
worth from $500 to $4,000, looked
after. The fine physique of the ne
GRO race now in the South is attrl-
buted more to the care with which the
master looked after the relations Of
the sexes. :.
But l started out to tell Of an in
stance of the confidence that exist
ed between master and slave. Inc
colonel had an only son who was
anxious to go out coon hunting at
night with the boys, as the hanns
on the place were Familiarity termed,
and although the night was dark and
the woods rough and tangled, yet he
trusted that little boy to their care
with as much confidence as If he
himself was to accompany the party.
Charles had a big torch, while Mark
and Tom managed the dogs. The
custom, was, when the dogs struck a
trail, all hands had to keep u with
them until they freed the coon. All
at once the dogs struck up a lively
trial and in few minutes jumped
the coon, which after short run, put
himself up a large gum tree. AT the
first intimation of run, big Sandy
shouldered the little boy on his broad
shoulders and carried him safely to
where the dogs were baying. The
question was now whether they should
cut the tree down or climb and
throw the coon down to the dogs, but
as the tree was a large one, it was
concluded that Mark should elimb
it, which he did almost as quick as
did the coon, and in a very short
time the coon was On the ground
and he and the dogs mixed, but be-
fore they laid him out he made many
a dog yell.
Other coons and 'possums were
caught that night and about daylight
the hunters arrived safely at home
The little boy was SO enthused ov
er his adventure that he refused tt
go to sleep but sat up with the Col
onel, who Was an early riser, to tel
him of the various adventures of thu
night. After breakfast he declined
to take a nap, but insisted on goins
out with the balance of the children
But little before sun down he wen
up stairs to an outside porch and
feeling tired, he thought he'd Ii
down and rest a little. That's tn
last he remembers until he wa
walked up about 10 o'clock, after tn
whole plantation had been LOOKING
for him since dark.
He can never forget the row tina
was made over him when he wa
found. The family had given hir
up as lost, and was at a standstil
when little negro girl, happenin
to go out on the porch, made the dis
,covery. This put an end to his coo
hunting for some time.
These early Incidents of ones chile
hood seem Undecided in our memor
SO that no after events can eradicat
SNYDER