The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-11-16
s j N NJ A + Y .
From the Mercantile Journal.
AN INGUISlrIVE coy.

Travelling some years ago in AIabam-
a. | stopped al nigh>luIl las usual with
waytarers in that aud the adjoining sla'es)
at the first house | came TO- Stranger as
was, and ephemeraI as our acquaintance
was likely 10 be, the rode, YET open-heart.
ed people sooa made me as much at home
as Possible, and before our unsophsticat.
ed supper of bacon, "corn dodgers" wild
honey and ciabbrr WAS half over was
as much in their confidence as if | had
known them for years. Most familiar
with NE, and Eost in my good graces,
was the youngest son OF my host, in
,eligen! Lutte fellow, clad only in the
lsslnpirst "of all pos, :be" tunes, and
snumhering, II may be, some six or seven
summers. His face was one of the most
intellectual, as well as the most in want
of soap and water, that have ever met
with among children Of his age. When,
in the course Of my conversation with his
parents, he learn, that was from what
his flther called the" Big NOrrad" the
Norlh-the child asked me where that
was; then glanced timidjy at me, as if 10
de2rt cate dis pleasure al his lorwardness.
His mother rebuEed him with The remark,
that he was continually asking questions
which people either had not Inc time or
the power 10 answer. |, however, prom
ised to reply 10 all his questions, provided
thew were no harder than that which he
had just put Pleased at this, he asked
me ii the people at the North were like
those in the neig hborhood, and if they
raised as much cotton and corn. | TOLD
him, in as plain way as | could, of the
character of our population, productions,
&C.; and many things which | might not
else have thought OF, my liue friend elicit
ed by his pertinent inquiries. From the
flood gates Of his long -pent curiosity qnes-
ton followed question with perfect rush
bat they AJwed not from any mere idle in
quisiliveness, and il was evident that he
treasured what he heard, and was CRATE.
full for my attention to him After supper
he followed me about like a spaniel, aud
when | repaired 10 The stable 10 see that
nv good seed was we'll cared Tor, he in
sisted upon being my link boy for the
nonce, aud escorted me with a pine-kno'
torch light, His rude Almbeau contrast
& ed but meanly with the moon and stars,
which were shining so brightly, that, to
use his own expresslon,- IL couldn't be
gin"
"How do they shine !" he exclaimed.
pointing at one of the constitutions. ~
would like monsus we'll to see 'em all in
mess together, with the sun in the mid
dlel What heap Of gold and sive
light thar'd be then, stranger, woudu'
& they? Why don't they2 Why an the!
always moving on the same track, con
SAINT! Who made them? Ma says Coz
& did, and told me to hush my mouth; AM
when | asked if they were eyes to him
that he might see all things. she whip
me What are they made Of, and VIII
don't we see them in the day lime2. D
qou know?
These were some of the many remark
and questions with which my litIIe torch
bearer amused me before we re-entere
the house, and which | answered chez
fulEv as we'll as | could. He was a
wonder and delight, and the excess OF h
gratitude told me he thought me niue
kinder than his parents; they would ne
er tell him what he wanted TO know, ar
would often punish him for asking que
tions. Neither his father or mother cou
read or write. they were entirely witho
intellectual food and raiment, and seer
ed likely to be all their lives.
[ was much impressed at the time, WI
Ne nsolect hv which the unusual lntelle
ofiheir COY was oppressed and snftern