Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-08-04


They surely will deceive you.
STORY OF LEWIS WILLIAMSON.
Three miles below Galliopolis, I once pos.
sessed farm of rich soil, that yielded seven
ty-6ve bushels of corn to the acre. lived in
comfort with my family around me, and there
! might have been living now, had not my
prosperity raised the envy Of a neighbor,
whose land Joined mine. He was heard to say
Gas have since learned) that he would sell
my children for money, to pay for his FARM
He employed me (as had some knowledge of
the carpenters trade) to assist in rebuilding a
corn crib that had fallen, five miles below
We could easily have done the work and re-
turned home the same day, had the other work
men been attentive to their business, but they
loitered and with one or two others, was sent
to stay at his brothers.; himself and the rest OF
the company were to spend the night at a
mother house near. But far different was their
intention. While they supposed me quietly
resting, they were preparing a cruel dagger for
my bosom. At dead Of night they entered nv
little habitation-rifed it of its most valuable
contents, and dragged my wife and three small
children fiom their beds. With savage brutal
ity they were driven with naked feet over the
frozen ground, two miles TO the river and
tn own into canoe. Two hundred and forty
iluCo utiuW, INV wife was set ashore near MD
night, in the woods. With heart bursting
with anguish, she sat till morning, when she
found herself near Manchester, where she got
on board a steamboat and went to her desolate
home.
But to return to myself. arose carly
My rest had not been quiet, thought of nv
family from whom had never before been un-
expectedly absent and something seemed TO
say. all IS not well. set about finishing the
work. The other workmcn said il was too
cold to work, and urged me to stop and take
dram, but refused. When the business was
accomplished, we set out for home. On the
way neighbor came running to tell me the
state in which he had seen my house. The
horrible conviction flashed on my mind
turned round to my employer and said, 'Did
you get me away to sell my wife and children?
He swore he knew nothing oft, but he look
ed like monster to me, and il weapon had
been at hand, fear should have taken his
liie With all my strength, pushed the ca
noe to shore, and ran to the neighbours who
came to tell me. Almost exhausted, paused
awhile to hear the melancholy tale. Sad was
the sight ofmy lonely dwelling. It's disordered
state, and the death like silence told alas, too
plainly that the cruel spoiler had been there.
But had no time to lose, and the thought
that might overtake and regain my dearest
earthly treasures, spurred me on. took pass
age in steamboat for Louisville, but could
hear nothing of them. then procured hand
bills; and had them distributed largely in every
steamboat and place of note below, when il be-
came necessary for me to return home. NV
wlie was home before me. On reaching Lou
isvllle the second time, my name was called by
Capt. Buckner, who had one of nv hand
bills. | answered that was my name, though
might not be the person. soon found that he
had conveyed my children to Natchez, With
er pursued with all possible speed. On nv
arrival, learned they had been resold and taken
three days before, no one, alas knew whittier.
now wandered about in Mississippi, Alaba-
ma, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana, in the
iorlorn hope of lighting upon them. My suffer-
ings were great Though found many ready
70 pity me, yet the anguish filled my heart
returned to Natchez. | then learned the
name OF the person in New Orleans on whom
a draft was given by the second purchaser to
the hrst: BY writing to him found that he
resided IN Louisiana, about eighty miles from
Natchez. | Immediately went to his planta-
ton and saw my children, but did not make
myself known to them or their master, for il
might have prevented forever their return to
liberty.
! returned home to procure one of my
white neighbors for evidence. As comnensa-
ton | gave him my farm, besides a hand
some suit of broadcloth, travelling expenses.
&c. When we arrived, the master was from
nome, and the mistress, who had heard of our
coming, had sent the children one hundred miles
further in the country. But when the master
came home he sent for them.-On the night in
which they were expected, many people collec-
tea 10 witness the meeting. They had made
good hre; and were some sleeping, some watch
ing around IT, while was stationed at the quar-
ter; my feelings were wrought up to the high
est pitch. Hopes and fears conhicted The
messengers had already been gone longer than
Twas told at first they would probably be, and
the whole might be but plan to deceive me.
and send them farther into bondage. But about
midnight, | heard voices approacbino. and
knew they were my children; | got up Quickly
and reached the house before them. The peo-
pie began to arouse, and said, wake I'D William
son. All! they thought father could sleep-I
had not slept for three nights. Ifell back from
the light ofthe door, and saw them enter with
out speaking word, but the tears ran down nv
cheeks TO see their famished and miserable an
pearance. The man whom had brought AZ
witness, kept his face from them for a time
w men he turned round and looked at the bow. |
tne eldest OF three, in the face, he rushed 10 |
nm exclaiming, % Mr. Gibson, where's NV
ialhefImy motherll approached the door and
sa'a' why bek, are you here?' NV daughter
S ssa 'hsoogh the crowd, crying, That's nv
into my arms. After this, the o,vnar a az; SUM
'oid man, come in; these children are vours
and you must have them.' Thus iovfnilv an
ded my six years search.
s.A peg Chiiieoths, FEB. %, 1887.