The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-07-11
MIS- C E L L A N Y.
THE TRAVELLING TINMAN.
By MISS LESLIE.

Mr. Warner owned small farm in the
State of Pennsylvania, not far from Mary.
land. He and his wife were Quakers.-
They had one son and two daughters,
whose names were Israel, Amy, and Or
ply.
One beautiful evening at the close of
the month Of August, they heard the noise
of a tin trumpet. Soon they saw the cart
of tin pedar rafting down the hill at a
brisk trot. The tinman came, blowing
his horn, to the steps of the porch. After
buying some articles, the farmer invited
him 10 sit down and take supper with the
family. He accepted the invitation very
readily.
While the pedlar led his horse into the
barn.yard to carry him bucket of water
from the pump, and to feed him by the
light OF the moon, the girls went to the
back of the cart, when they were startled
at seeing something alive, moving behind
the round opening of the cover.
In q moment the head of little black
child peeped out of the hole. The girls
were so surprised that they could not utter
a word. The young negro, afraid of be-
ing seen, popped down its head among the
tins.
Amy, did thee see thatl'-asked Or
ply, in low voice.
Yes, did so,' replied Amy; 'what
can the man be doing with that little ne.
gro, and why does he hide it? Let's go
and ask the child
mo, nop exclaimed Orphy, the tin
man will be angry
And who cares if he is said Amy ;
he has done something he is ashamed o.,
and we need not be afraid of him.
They then went quite close to the back
of the cart, and Amy said, Here little one,
show myself and speak; and Go not be
afraid, for nobody's going to hurt thee
How did thee come into this cart o.
asked Orphy, and why does the ,inman
hide thee2 Tell US all about ii, and be
sure not TO speak loud
The black child again peeped out OF
the hole, and looking round, said, 'Are
you quite sure the naughty man won't
hear US y
sQuite sure answered Amy, but is
thee boy or girl2'
I'm little GAL replied the child. 'and
my names Dinah. and I'm five year old,
and my daddy and nanny are free color
ed people, and they lives big piece off,
and daddy works out, and nanny sells
gingerbread and molasses-beer, and we
have a sign over the door with bottle
and cake on it..
Anu. But how did this man get hold
of thee, if thy father and mother are free
people2 Thee can't be bound to him, or
he need not hide thee.
Dinah. o, know amt bound to him
expect he stole me.
Amy. Stole thee What, here in the
free State of Pennsylvania ?
Din0h. l was out picking huckleber-
ries in the woods up the road, and stray.
ed off big piece from home. Then the
tinman coined along, driving his cart. and
run close to the roadside 10 look, as
always do when anybody goes by. So
he told me 10 come into his cart, and he
would give me tin mug to put my buck.
leberries in, and might choose it my.
self, and it would hold them heap better
than nv old Indian basket. So l was
very glad, and he lifted me up into the
cart. and I choosed the very best and big
gest tin mug he had, and empsied my
huckleberries into it.
And then he told me he'd giventne 6
ride ia his cart, and then he set me fal
back on box, and he whipped his beast
and druv and druv, and jolted me so thai
tumbled all down among the tins. And
then he picked me up, and tied me fas'
with his handkerchief to one OF the back
posts OF the cart to keep me steady, he
said. And then, for all l was steady, l
couldn't help crying, and | wanted him
10 take me home to daddy and nanny.
But he only staggered at me, and said he
wouldn't, and bid me hush and then he
got mad, and because / wouldn't hush up
Just in a minute. he whipped me quite
smart,
Orphy Poor little thing!