STARTLING DEPRECIATION IN VALUE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 437, 6 November 1875, Page 3

STARTLING DEPRECIATION IN VALUE.

{From the Vicksburg Herald.)

A very intelligent old darkey w’as met by an ante-bellum friend the other day for the first time since the war, and the old man’s delight in seeing one of Massa’s tickler friends in old times was unbounded. After a hearty hand-shaking and a protracted laugh peculiar to the Southern darkey, the gentleman asked : ‘Well, Uncle Joe, how are you getting along in the world ?’ ‘ Sorter slow, Marse . Been bad with rheumatiz right smart lately, and things ain’t gone ’zactly light no how,’ replied the darkey. ‘ A great many changes have taken place since 1 last saw you, Uncle Joe. Death has taken your old master away, the family are scattered about the four quarters of the globe, the farm is divided up, and strangers occupy the old house. It makes one feel light sad, Uncle Joe, to think of the changes that have been wrought by old Father Time. ’

‘ Yaas,’ replied Uncle Joe. * You ’member when I was a slave I worked hard at odd times, and made money ’nutf to buy myself. I paid massa lOOOdol for my freedom. ’ ‘Yes,’ said Mr , ‘ I remember it.’ ‘ Wish I had dat money now,’ mused the old darkey. ‘Well, yes,’ replied Mr ; ‘it would be quite a fortune for you. ’ ‘ Lots o’ fortune, Sar,’ said the old man, mounfully; ‘ and every time I think about it 1 kinder rue de bargain. Nigger was wuff a thousand dollars then, but now he ain’t wuff a cuss. Mighty changes in dis world, massa. ’