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solve it, or substitute for the deceased a member of his family ; in which event, the latter, by filing a written acceptance, shall thenceforth have the rights, and be bound for all duties of the original master.  Dissolutions by consent, or the death of the master, shall be subject to the sound discretion of the Court, as also shall be the selection of a successor to the master, from among the members of his family; but if no successor be designated, and his acceptance filed within one month, the relation shall no longer exist.

The county Court may also dissolve the relation at the instance of the master, for gross misconduct in the apprentice ; or at the instance of the apprentice, or any friend of his, for cruelty in the master, or for failure to furnish food, clothing, medicine or medical attendance, or for jeopardy to the good morals of the apprentice, by reason of the master's depraved conduct. 

§7. Proceeds of Labor--Allowance to Apprentice.--To the master shall belong the proceeds of the apprentice's labor ; but at the expiration of his term of service, a faithful apprentice shall be entitled to a small allowance from the master, with which to being life ; the amount to be left, in the first instance, to the master's generosity.  If the master offer less than one hundred dollars, the apprentice may decline it, and cite the master before a county Court; and the Court, after hearing both parties, and their witnesses, if any, shall fix the sum to be paid, increasing or diminishing the amount offered, according to the merits of the apprentice, the means of the master, and the length and fidelity of the service.

§8. Master's Rights against Third Persons--The master shall have a right of action against any person employing his colored apprentice, with notice of the fact, and the damages recovered shall not be less than twenty-five dollars.

ARTICLE VIII.
CONTRACTS.

§1. Contracts by Colored Person.--The general law applicable to contracts, except where otherwise expressly provided by this system of laws, is hereby extended to contracts made by persons of color among themselves, or with white persons, or bodies corporate.  This section shall retroact upon all contracts made by colored persons since the first day of June, 1865.

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§2. Writings Executed by Illiterate Persons.--No writing hereafter executed in this State, shall bind any party who signs the same by making his mark, unless said writing, in the attestation clause or elsewhere, specify in the handwriting of an attesting witness, that it was read over in the hearing of such party.  And no probate of a writing so signed, shall be sufficient to admit it to record, or for any other purpose, unless the same fact be also declared in such probate.  Provided, however, that this section shall not apply where it is made plainly to appear by direct and positive evidence, that the party could easily read ordinary writing for himself, or that the instrument in question, was in fact fully and correctly read to him at the time of its execution.

§3. Court Contracts.--Any written agreement for a term of service not exceeding one year, or for the lease, rent, or occupation of lands, or tenements, not exceeding a like term, may at the option of the parties, be filed in the office of the County Court, the parties, or either of them, retaining a duplicate if they so desire.

An agreement thus filed shall be known as a Court Contract, and shall have the force and effect of a judgement or decree for the specific performance of its terms, both as to the express stipulations and the plain duties and obligations resulting therefrom by implication of law.

Performance of these stipulations, duties and obligations, may from day to day and from time to time, be enforce by the County court, by orders entered on the minutes for that purpose; which orders may be carried into effect by attachment for contempt, or any other writ, execution, or process known to the law, and used in any Court for affording redress to parties, or for maintaining its own authority and dignity.

Damages for a breach of such contract, may be awarded by similar orders, and payment thereof enforced by like means; and at the election of the party aggrieved, the contract may be declared rescinded, and such party restored to his original situation as nearly as possible.  Any other order requisite to the attainment of substantial justice in the particular case, may also be passed and enforced; the Court always keeping in view, as cardinal points, that each part is to be compelled to perform his contract, or to forfeit for any material default, the whole or part of its benefits, and in addition thereto, to make full and fair compensation to the opposite party, for any damage occasioned by a breach thereof.  In construing the contract, time is to be regarded as of the essence of the same.  Unless rendered impossible by the act of God, or the act of law, whatever is stipulated to be done by either party, must be done at the very time or times specified.

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[[right margin]]Damages[[/right margin]]