Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-09-21
From the Jamaica Herald.
ANECDOTE OF NEGRO GRAFT
Tide

~ LIZ
The widow of a considerable slave propri.
ctor was called upon very soon after her
husbands death, 10 relinquish the estate to
his creditors. BY the colonial custom, pro-
visions is nude under the circumstance OF
ioreclosed mortgage, that the lady may re-
tain two slaves for her attendance these
were selected and day fixed for the sale
OF the rest A man named Geohrey, who
had been brought up by his late master to
the trade ola cooper. fetched the sum of
Within few weeks this gentleman
called to ncquaint the widow that her valua.
Bile cooper Godfrey had abscondcd, nor
could his retreat be discovered With strict
veracity she assured him that this mans
proceedings wer entirely without her cog.
nizance, so that, after advertising him in
thorough anger as "a runaway slave" his
disappointed moster had to learn the value
of patience instead of the price,o be gained
by Geolirey's labor.
| About Two years from this lime. MS The la
| dy was pacing her own piazza she saw the
shadow Of a mans figure thrown on the
brilliant moon beam, aud heard the voice Of
caution distinctly whisper, "Missis-M Marin
-Geofirey has come home"
Where have you hid yourself from your
owner so long. aud do you not know it is
dise raceful TO be II ruDawayT
I'll run away from new massa, marin, be.
cause Geofirer no good black man il be
beat; besides dead massa's slave. no ebry
body's slave"
But cannot keep my people. you are
aware and your being valuable work
man, IN the prime of life and strength, made
the money you sold for OF consequence 10 m
children"
The African drew up his manly figure
with evident assent TO this view OF his worth.
and bowing low TO the former proprietor, he
look out OF u grass basket several small bags
and placed them on the floor
"Mssis, please TO count, she find the mon.
ey Geofry sold for. in doubloon and dol
!ar-all true There was tho previee sum
OF 2OOi. sterling pushing it toward her,
aud then clasping both hands with the en-.
treaty OF supplicalion-"Now ",ee;e lads
you will buy me again. and | work cooper 5
work for his children who kind 10 Cieotiiy.
But suppose do redeem you wit this
money. afraid you came by ii in no
right way"
The culprI hung his head, as il rather
perplexed how the truth would be received
but he sided closer 10 her ear. with his head
still down, and looking round so as TO mee
her eye with the triumphant slyncss Of his
own, in a voice ofdiolery and secrecy, h,
confessed TO have been with the Maroous
Misses know they way at night--Geof
= frey do SO too" He dismissed his air o
mystery, aud sprang back with cNper
which would not have been unworthy of {
) plaudt at Aslley's
in short, Geoflry, you have been robbin9
the properties.
r "Missis please to say so''-making a pro
I found bow OF acquiescence TO judgmen
which might be wiser, but was certainly no
: his view of the case.
/ "Misss believe Geofry," standing in al
attitude of elocution, and pleading earnest
! ly--" Misses believe Geofiry, he never tool
= the worth of a cold yam from good man
b. estate who work slave only like poor ne
: gro not work, and curse, and beat lik
!, dog"
do yon not remember you will receiv
forty lashes as returned runaway, whel
$ you present yourself 2"
!. al not forget, and ready to take then
I marm" -------.---
4 The devoted creature pulled his shou
ders forward, and fixed himself as If rigid
p set 10 receive the stripes
It "Geolfry take fogging for kind massc
). who never beat him and go to work heart
o TO earn money for dead husband, and moth
V er OF many plccannnies"
Y He was redeemed with the loan of hi
j. own equvocal earnings, the punishment wa
of course RENTED, and when the principa
IF was received with interest, Geoffry receive
J. he gift of his freedom. But his wife an
j. family were not manumiued and he worke
!, on, their ransom with persevering inlegrit,
n The moral condition of slave populi
,fI ton may promise the inquirer only an a,
curale knowledge of desoate reckless hear
e and faculties but rs in the sandy desert
D. there are springs that may be won-so
e the mrnta waste, the scene is not total
i, blasted. BY Geoffiy's humble grave W
Ie may sit down and think of estimable M
is lives and warm affections and recole,
2 that these beautiful proofs of mans high el
ID dowments, and influential life, were as muc
ir meant for AN example and blessing as I'll
e most cultured exhibition of human chara
N Ter
-e "John," said traveller TO a farmers DO