The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-01-30


beter-lhe scamp--HaIIoa, there" h
called 10 one OF the walters, where doe
this Observation-Disclosures or VIVA
dye call him, ive2"
His shop is No. s, on g street."
DWELL, III go al him. and see what bu
sness he has with my affairs"
The Quaker was sitting at the door O
his shop, with a round, rosy, good humor-
ed face, so expressive of placldily and sal.
isfaclion, that it was difficult 10 approach
in irefuI feeling.
is your name Simmons ?" demanded
Alfred IN voice whose natural urbanity
was somewhat sharpened by vexalion.
Yes, friend what dost thou wish?"
wished 10 inquire whether you have
seen anything of my colored fellow. Sam;
Ii man of twenty-five or therea bouts, Iodg-
ing al the Pearl street House2
II rather suspect that | have" said the
Quaker, in quiet, medltative tone, as if
thinking the matter over with himself
"And is it true, sir, that you have en-
couraged and assisted him in his efforts to
get out of my service"
" Such, truly, is The fact, my friend"
Losing patience at this provoking equa
nimlty, our young friend poured forth his
sentiments with no inconsiderab!e energy,
and in terms not the most select or pacific,
all of which our Quaker received with
that placid, IuII orbeG tranquility of coun.
tenance, which seemed to say, "Pray,
sir, relieve your mind don't be particu>
lar scoId as hand as you like" The SIN
gularIty OF this expression struck the
young man as his wrath became gradual,
Iy spent, he coul1 hardly neIp laughing
at the tranquility of his opponent, and
he gradually changed his tone for one Of
exposiulalion. "What motive could in
duce you, sir, thus 10 incommode sran-
ger, aud one who never injured you al
aIP'
6 am sorry thou art incommoded,"
rejolned the Quaker. Thy servant, as
thee calls him, came 10 NE and helped
him as would any other poor fellow in
distress"
Poor fellow" said Alfred angriy e;
chats the story of the whole of you. l
tell you there is not free negro in your
city so well of as my Sam is, and always
has been, and he'll find it out before
long"
"But tell me, friend, thou mayest die,
as we'll as another man; thy establish.
ment may fall into debt, as well as anolhe,
mans; and thy Sam may be sold BY the
sheriff for DEBT, or change hands in divid.
ing the estate, and SO, though he was
bred easily, and well cared for, he may
come to be field hand, under hard mas.
ers, starved, beaten, overworked--suci
things do happen sometimes, do they not!"
" Sometimes, perhaps, they do" repli>
ed the young man.
"WelI, look you, by our LAYS in Ohio,
Thy Sam is now free man; as free as |
or thou; he hath strong back. good
hands, good courage, can earu his ten or
we've dollars monlh--or do better; now
.eklng all things into account, if thee were
in his place, what would thee do would
hee go back slave, or try thy luck as a
rec man p
Alfred said nothing in reply to this, on
y AFTER while he murmured haIl 10 him
self, )" thought the fellow had more graf.
nude, aller all my kindness"
"Thee talks of gratitude" said the
Quaker, "now how does that account
stand ? Thou hast fed, and clothed, and
Dr oected this man thou hast not starved,
beaten, or abused him; it would have
leen unworthy Of thee thou hast shown
lim special kindness, aud in return, he
laa given thee faithful service for fifteen
" twenty years; all his time, all his
all he could do or be, he has civ.
IN thee, aud ye are about even" The !
Ioung man looked thoughtful, but made
10 reply.
"Slr," said he, at last, 81 will take no
mai: advantage of you /; wish 10 get my
servant once more; can | do 500"
Certainly. will bring him TO thy
odglngs this evening, il thee wish it. |
know thee will do what is fair" replied
he Quaker.
Ii were difficult to define he Thoughts
VI the young man, as he returned 10 his
odgings. Naturally generous and au>
name, he had never dreamed that be had
endered injustice TO the human beings he
lalmed as his own Injustice and oppres.
ION he had sometimes seen with detesta-
ion in other establishments; but 1t had
een his pride that they were excluded
rom his own. 1t had been his pride to
hink that his indulgence and lberaIily
made situation of dependence on him
preferable even 10 liberty.
The dark picture of possible reverses
which the slave system hangs over the lot
t The most favored slaves, never occurred
0 him. Accordingly, at six O'Clock that
vening, a light tap at the door of Mr.. BIS
arlor, announced the Quaker, and hang
ng back behind him, the reluctant Sam,
Tho with all his newly ac0uirpd love of