Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 September 1884 — Uncle Pete and Uncle Sam. [ARTICLE]

Uncle Pete and Uncle Sam.

Some time after the war it was down in Georgia it happenen—a couplfe of colored boys came to a scijoolmistress to be taught to read and write. They were brothers, and their names were YVallace and Mitchell. Those were the only names they had, or, at least, if they had any 'last name they didn’t know what it was. The teacher wanted some name or other to enter in her book and sent for the father of the boys. But he didn’t have any last name. His name was simply Pete, and he was always called Uncle Pete. He had been a slave, he said, and his boys had been born ip slavery, and he didn’t suppose he was of enough importance to deserve two names. “But the boys must have a family name, somehow,” said the teacher. “Suppose vou give them one right here, uncle?” The old darky seemed pleased and began to scratch his old bald < head. Then a happy idea struck him and he smiled, and the tears started from his eyes. “Waal, missus,” said he. “I guess you may call ’em Gov’ment. Gov’ment has done ’bout’s much fo’ me as anybody has.” And from that time the two boys, went by the names Wallace and Mitchell Government. — Boston Globe.,