The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1918-01-05
Convenient
Hearing
By OSCAR cox
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union }

After the conclusion of the war be-
tween the states there were 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 a
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 ut 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. a 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 a very low figure. 1t
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 different purpose.
When Grub got Colonel Archibald
sufficiently indebted to him he began
to squeeze him with view to acquir-
ing his plantation through foreclosure
of mortgage. One morning he visited
his debtor. with 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
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 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 Coloners
Officer"
mo. sab. I didn' see no gentleman
90 into Colonel Archibald's Office. I
sor dat man setten dar what sold rot
ten aigs to de army 60 into Colonel
srchibald's Office"
Checked again, the lawyer cast
about for some other method of at
lacking the witness.
George" he said presently, ibid
vou hear hard words between Colonel
Archibald and Mr.. GrubY'
Dunno, sab. Ize mighty hard O.
Tell the jury what you did hear
spoken by Colonel Archibald"
II didn't hear notten Colonel Archi-
,ald said. Mars Colonel war speakin'
perry soft. Ma hearen want good
enough TO- dat"
"What did you hear Mr.. Grub say7"
II hearn dat man dar what sold de
lrmy boots with paper soles say Gun
lel Archibald, + yo' dom pay me de
money 70 owe me you'll hab to turn
Der to me de plantation and cherry
hing on it; and Mars Archibald, he
aid softly, berry softly, Mr.. Grub, I'll
'ay you when I get de money TO de
rop.'"
didn't you say your hearing was
ot good enough to enable you to hear
that Colonel Archibald said when he
poke softlyT'
dat was When ma right ear wasi
urned dat way. Ma right ear mighty
oh at hearen. When I heard Mars
.rchibald say dat turned ma lef' ear
at way"
HIN, I expect you have ears for
hat you want to hear. Tell the jury
hat you saw Of this trouble"
well, sab. I sor dis pusson what |
I'D wooden hams to de army connea
It oh de doc mighty quick" !
HE was pushed by Colonel Archl-
aid, was he notf''
mo, sab. De arm wha' Colonel !
would hab to push him wild
as lef on de battlefield"
did you see anything to indicate |
lat the plaintiff was forced out Of
le house."
Eyes, sah." !
"What did you sect"
II sor q boot de toe bein' bout ten
ches below de back coat buttons OF
8 man what sold pounded stone TO