Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1895 — HE DECLINED THE OFFER. [ARTICLE]

HE DECLINED THE OFFER.

The Funny Mistake Resulting from an Old Slaves Ignorance. At the close of th» war there was many a poor, ignorant negro who. Inding himself “lord of himself, that heritage of woe,” knew not where to turn nor to whom to look for aid, says the Philadelphia Times. Many there were who continued as hands in the employ of their former owners, but there were others, a more adventurous set, who struck out for themselves in various directions, some to attain success, but some alas, to fail. Among the class who deemed it advisable to seek “fresh fields and pastures new” was old Uncle Jake,quite a character in his way. Ho took a journey of some twenty or thirty miles to hire himself and family upon Mr. Jones’ farm. The old man made a quick trip of it and was soon back upon the old place again. “Well, I dope come back, old marster.” he said. “What is the matter, Jake?” inquired the judge. thought you were going to'work for Jones?” “No, sir; yer see me an’ him couldn't come ter terms. Ho offered to lemme work er piece er his land, an’ me have no mor’n er fo’th er the crap, hut I wouldn’t work for nobody for such er little bit es thet Es he'd er gimme er tl’th I’d er took it ”