Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-03-29

IL all looks bright, ana peaceful, ana (
happy, does il not?" said she, as. standing |
on q little knoll under group Of hickory !
trees, she pointed over the wide fields 10
the family mansion, and the cluster of
slave hus, at whose doors the children, in |
swarms, were playing with the noisy glee
OF the African. " But she continued,
after a gloomy pause, ITO US, who know
what slavery is, this peace is the green
corruption of stagnant pool-the peace
oil death. Oh worse, far worse II is
the yawning grave Of humanity. Do you
see that spreading beech yonder, just on
the edge of the hemp-6eld. where the
ditch runs2 1t was there that my broth
er Frank received the blow on the fore
head. Of which you observed, perhaps, the
scar. will tell you about it. 1t was his
duty al that time to keep the nightly watch.
For you know" said she turning 10 me,
with smile Of bitter irony. "that we
have to be guar dams to these poor friends,
who love US so as never 10 leave U.s.
Well, Frank kept the nightly watch
Armed to the teeth, with dark lantern.)
he passed once or twice, or oftener, round
the plantation. One stormy night, some
two years since, he had reached that spot,
when suddenly, he heard a cracking
sound through the hemp stalks. He
cloaked his lantern, drew pistol, and
stepped behind the tree. In moment,
man, with stealthy tread, approached the
ditch, which is the boundary of the farm
on that side. Frank flashed the light
upon him. 1t was his own f4voite slave,
Ned ;--of he same age with himself-al,
most foster brother. for his mother was
Franks nurse; his fellow-ramber in the
woods, hisplayfellow through early years.
Hunting, fishing, swimming, nutting,
tanning horses, every sport had been shared
by them. Frank loved that man, and
Ned, | believe in my heart, loved him.
He was high.spirited and manly, though
a negro; strong, bold, and somewhat
passionate; and as we found out after-
wards, had been struck that day by the
) overseer. twas dreadful meeting.-
Ned" said my brother, turn back
cannot in honor let you 60. | am my
E fathers Waterman. You pass that ditch
only over my body. Come turn back.
You know that l am your friend We
all are your friends "Mastel," answer.
RI ed the noble felow-for he was so, thoao q
he almost killed my brother" Master
Frank God knows | would die for you,
but forewarn you'll will not be taken
That wretch shall never lay his hand on
me again. Let me pass, beseecb you'll
let me pass" Frank stood firm. Again
Ned besought him in vain. He then
turned to leap aside. Frank cried, BE
ware shall fire." and quick as thought
Ned struck him a stunning blow. He
, fell utterly insensibIe. And what did that
e man dol Did he leap the ditch, and fly
= No! he took my bleeding brother on his
l shoulders; he carried him to the ueares,
d slave hut; reused the inmates; set him
5 erect by the door and, then. and not til
then, made his escape. Time enough had
# ellpsed before Frank could come to him.
i self, and he carried to the house, and nv
father walked, for Ned to get clear off
( the darkness, too, and the storm favored
y He was gone. And do believe we were
; ali glad Frank never blamed him.
y How could he2 In the same case would
IS he not have done the sameP Well i've
) months passed away, when. early on,
It morning, the overseer found Ned asleey
:, under some bushes, and brought him Il
!, the house. will tell you where be hac
If been, afterwards; but see the cunning o
the creature cunning and deceit tha
7; we sow in all slaves, and therefore ough
5, to reap. He knet to my father, and sait
G " Pardon, master pardon | have triet
v free bread, and it is not good. No friend
y for the poor slaves among the free whit
folks, over the river, and so have com
I'd back to you, master. My father did nc
ne have him punished; but ordered him /
re be bound with ropes, and left in an empt
r. room. The day passed,-two or tire
" days, indeed-and Ned was still bound
xc Meanwhile, the overseer threatened hin
S !; with being sent doaon the Tirer Yo
On know what that means, don't you?
IT. means to sweat and starve, and die b
nd inches in the sugar-felds of louisiana
s Ned caught the alarm. By connivanc
G. OF some one, he got knife; and. whe
k all was still. cut his ropes. and cauriousI
made his way out of the house. 1t was
p- stormy night-his tracks were plain: b
I he could not help it. He ran to IL
I'D neighboring plantation yonder, where b
he wife lived, and gave his peculiar whist
h under her window. She was awake, al
er, heard him. Poor soul dare say. 81
= had hardly slept, from anxiety, for t
- two months after he ran away. She raj
ne ed the window. "lump down - VIII
M pered Ned. Jump down, Just as y
as are. Wait not a second" She jumpe
as and. catching her in his arms, they esca
led ed together.
md "-Next morning, pursuit was made fro
est both plantations (; not that my father wis
, as ed Ned to be taken. but our height
me was not willing 10 lose the woman. W