Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 December 1893 — A SUDDEN RECOVERY. [ARTICLE]

A SUDDEN RECOVERY.

The Visitor Frightened the Pretender Into Lively Health.. The doctor of a hospital ship complained to a visitor of a lazy colored man whom he could do nothing with. “We don’t like, to throw the rascal out, but it is easily seen he is only shamming. He finds, no doubt, his present quarters too pleasant, no work and plenty to eat. I wish I could get clear of the fellow without creating a disturbance,” quotes Tid* Bits. “Well, doctor," said the visitor, after a little reflection, “lend me a few yards of string, and that nigger will be miles away before night.” “You don’t mean to strangle him, i hope?” “Oh, no,” replied the visitor, “I promise to do no injury to him.” He got the twine, and, putting on a. melancholy air, he went on to the darkey’s berth. “Very bad?” he said. “Yes, massa,” replied Sambo, “dredful sick.”

The visitor made no further remark, but placed one end of the twine at his head and drew it slowly —very slowly—until it reached his toes. Then he measured him across the chest, The fellow looked the picture of astonishment and terror, and gasped: * “What dis for?” , The vftitor never answered him, and was walking away, when Sambo sat bolt upright and called after him, imploring an explanation. The visitor pretended to relent, and whispered: “My poor fellow, the doctor knows you are not going to recover, and it is only an expense keeping you here without any chance of doing you good. I have jtist been taking your measure” —here he lowered his voice still more—“for a coffin. We’ll bury you with honors to-morrow; it’s the custom here in a case like yours. 'Tis best for all hands, you know." No one knew how or when that nigger got clear of the hospital ship, but there was no trace of him in the morning.