Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-03-23

taken into the Kitchen, she felt that her virtue was
safe, at least until some new change should throw
her into other aud more exposed circumstances
This was her condition when Ben returned and
hung upon the premises with q view to learn her
fate and TO obtain an interview with her if she
were still there 1t is true the storm of passion
had subsidized, which like tempest swept her soul
at the hour of parting with her husband, but the
wounds made in heart were not healed, and the
desolutions which that storm left upon the soul
were not vet outlived. She at times would appear
and appeared to forget her sorrows amid
her busy occupation; but then again she would
have turns of appearing and feeling sad, and mel
ancholy would prey upon her broken spirit Her
sleep was frequently disturbed, and she would
dream of gone-by days, Of the return of Ben, and
rot unrequentIy the parting scene would be re-en-
acted in convulsye dream Thus had nearly a
year rolled away with poor Betty, when one morn
ing as she stepped out Of the door for pail DIVA
ter, before the other domestics were in notion she
saw something like handkerchief lying upon the
door sill and picking it up she began to think
whose it could be, for it Wus so faded for The want
of washing that she did not recognize it at first
sight. But as she unfolded it for closer examine
tior, she saw upon it an undoubted proof that it
had once been her own, that it was none other
than the one she rave to Ben with such parting
agony, and the thought of that hoIr stung her
heart anew, and caused it to bleed afresh, and she
came very near falling overwhelmed upon the
ground. The first thought on recovering from
the shock was, how came the handkerchief there j.?
The truth flashed upon her mind, Ben had return
ed and kept himself concealed, and had taken this
course to apprse her Of his presence. The diff
ferent thoughts and feelings that passed through
her mind in connection with this discovery, cannot
be described. To her that was a long day, the
disturbed operations Of her mind were visible; for
gettulness, and frequent movements without any
apparent design, wore the principal external signs
of the state Of her mind, and though some of the
most glarng Of these brought upon her few Sc
we're rebulles and threats from her mistress, and
not unfrequently laugh from her domestic com
pani0ns-no one conceived the cause.
At last the tordy day retired ,and night spread its
mantle of obscurty over the hills of the surround
ing country, and drawing his curtain closer and
closer, at length the plantations the barn. the house
and all we're developed in his dark shadows, and
silence obtained. Betty had her plan fixed, she
had resolved that as soon she could with safety
she would walk out and go round the house at Il
reasonable distance, believing that Ben would a.
gaia be about the premises as soon as it should be
dark. Her evening matters were disposed of at
an early hour, and she was on guard some time
before the large caution of Ben allowed him to
approach. She was fearful of detection; hence
she would pretend to be engaged about the kitch-
Ell, every few moments making an excuse to go
out of doors, when she would walk round the
house at some distance, and then return. She
had performed number of these tours, and the
hour Of ten had come, when as she was perform
ing her circuit, a slight noise startled her. 1t was
safe for her speak, but not for him. as it was toe
dark to see each other.
She attempted to speak, but her ungovernable
heart rose so high in her throat as to suspend fol
la hn Of nrt bp mo-
which she heard was repeated little louder, by
which time she had so far subdued her feelings as
to be able to speak, when she pronounced the
name 'Ben.' 1t was understood by him, and in a
moment they were in each others arms. The
scene needs no description, but prudence told them
that the interview must last no longer than was
necessary to devise plan for another meeting
| They found means to communicate with each 9th
er, until a plan Of escape was fully matured
which was not little aided by the man with the
round coat and big hat. who had first told Ben thai
the land under the north Star had no slaves, with
whom he obtained an interview through the inter.
vention of his wife.
The plan being fully matured, they set out fol
the land over which the north star hangs, and af
ter the usual hardships and dangers Of such flight
which have become comparatively safe tt
what they once were, they arrived on the north
ern border OF the State Of New York. BY some
underground fallfOal OF OtIlcr means, tney were
got safe through. We might add some of the in
cideut5 of their flight from Virginia, but as these
were all of the more common character, they woe
be less interesting at the end of so long nara
tive The writer saw them on the northern Dor
der of New York, and after receiving the forego
ing narrative from the lips Of Ben and Betty, hi
gave them hearty shake by the hand, and wishe,
the blessing Of God upon them as they started il
safety for Canada where slaves cannot BREATHE
We fOrbear to indulge IN reflections on our coun
try that tOerates such system, or on the church
es that allow Of it in their communion, or on thu
denominations of the system itself; the public mine
is fast waking up to it, and it is destined soon tt
be numbered among the things that were, but arr
mot; and when it dies we trust all the people vii
say, AMEN
ChiEdrcm's Department.