The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-08-07
@ On the
Old Mississippi
Scopyright, 1917. western Newspaper Unto,
By EDWARD T. STEWART

(Copyright, 1917. Western Newspaper UnIon.l
It seems a long way to look back to
the days when the Mississippi river
bore on her bosom her floating palaces.
can well remember the ladies' cabin
curtained off from the mems. I can
see the captain now, few minutes
before the sound Of the dinner bell,
push aside these curtains, enter the
ladies' cabin and escort them to the
table, where the men stood waiting,
each behind a 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 and began to eat
whatever was nearest to him. "
I made several trips when a boy
with my mother from st. Louis for my
health. Ny best friend and constant
companion was Job, colored man,
the property Of a Colonel Ashley Of
New Orleans. ..
One day I 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 a number
of men, but all had dropped out ex-
cept Colonel Ashley and one other. On
one Of Jobs returns he was talking to
himself.
MARS s the biggest fool. Wha' he
want to glib dat nigga trader, Skinner,
chance to fleece him TO-? He's done
token all de cunnel's money and now
rs de stakes. Don keer! amt gwine
to lebe mars if dat nigga trader win
me one hundred and fifty times"
He went back to the table. The
colonel ordered him away, but he
wouldn't go. Presently the game was
finished. Skinner had won Job. At
the same time Job said:
"Cunnel, dat nigga trader been
cheatin'." ...-J 4..
Skinner looked at Job with an ex-
preston that frightened me, for was
standing by. and said:
"You Internal niger. own you and
when get you ashore I'll fog you"
Ashley had been depressed at losing
his favorlte slave. The proposed fog
ging filled him with horror. a
II have means at home" said the
colonel. "Tll give you one thousand
dollars for Job in my note Of hand"
IT won't sell him." ..
"What have you to say to his
charger"
1--WE nothing to say to the charge
of a niger"
"Very well. I will assume Jobs
insult. have no doubt he has told the
truth" @
That was all that was required to
insure mortal combat. There could
be no duel till the boat stopped again
for wood, which would not be till the
afternoon. q
Meanwhile was tagging about after
Job, who was too much preoccupied
to pay any attention to me. He was
continually muttering to himself. EFF
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 an maxi him fight. So he
kim"
The boat did not stop till after dark,
when I 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 second. I was on
the ground watching the deck hands
carry in wood when heard two shots.
I did not know what they meant, but
q few minutes later saw sight that
is as vivid to me today as it was then.
Colonel Ashley was being carried to the
boat, his face a whitish blue, his vest
covered with blood. He had been kill
ed instantly. Job was helping to carry
him. ~ -
Later was with Job in the state
room the colonel had occupied. He
was packing the coloneps belongings.
I saw him take revolver from a
trunk and conceal it under his shirt.
JUD ldu SlluuOWCu oAiuuCA a. y
lance. Skinner, who was Stunned by
every person aboard, went up on the
hurricane deck as far aft as he could
20 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 re-
volver with two chambers exploded.
That's the last saw Of Job for years.
When I was nearly grown I.received
a call at my home in st. Louis from a
negro, who proved to be Job. He told
me such was the detestatloa Of Skin
ner aboard the boat that the persons
set to guard his slayer connived at his
escape. They put him in, a skin just
before daylight in the morning and
turned him adrlft, reporting afterward
that he had jumped overheard. Job
had worked his way north and spent
a number of years at Cincinnati. On
coming to st. Louis he had hunted me
up. He entered the service Of our
family and remained there till he died.