Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-10
From the Advocate Of Moral Reform.
The Grave in the Wilderness.
A THRILLING TALE OF SLAVERY.

| ~ '''NEN"'N IhLL VI SLNLh''
---,~~--~-~-~-~------
The following narrative, strange as is it may
seem to the reader, is strictly true The cir
cumstances were related to a gentleman of high
standing in the community, by the benevolent
friend at whose house William first stopped in
Pennsylvania, and they were afterwards corobo-
rated by one who had Just returned from Cana
da, where he had met with William, who was in
a respectable business there, and had received
the account from his own lips. They prove that
truth is stranger than fiction AS aproof like
wise Of love stronger than death, which many
waters cannot quench nor floods drown, they
may interest your readers
William was slave, belonging to the planta-
ton of the Hon. VIM. G. of South Carolina. He
was a mulatto Of fine appearance and uncommon
intelligence and as the coachman of his master
enjoyed many privileges denied to others of his
class; he had formed an attachment for young
Quadroon, who was the personal attendant of her
mistress, and who had prohted to the utmost by
the few opportunities afforded her, so that in
mind and manners, she was far superior to many
who looked down upon her as a slave, with con-
tempt Her personal appearance was likewise
uncommonly attractive, and poor William soon
found that though his attachment was warmly
returned, and she had become his wife accord
ing to the simple form recognized among slaves,
his claims to the chosen of his heart was not
likely to be undisputed. A gentleman on WIS.,
it to his master, saw the beautiful Quadroon,
took fancy to her, and by the payment of a
large sum of money became her legal owner
True, she was known to be the wife of Will
liam, who was devotedly attached to her. and ii
was known too, that she was purchased as the
intended paramour of her master, who was
married man, but William might soon console
, himself with another, and the feelings of the
wretched girl were not once taken into account
5 Indeed, as a slave, what right had she to feel
ings on the subject? SO she was torn away
from home and husband, and friends, and car
e ried by her new owner to Alabama. William
q locked up his sense of the wrong done him il
d his own bosom, and though his merry laugh wa
4 hushed, and his brow was always clouded, he at
q tended to his duties with the same faithfunes
and precision as before. But his sleeping ant
: waking thoughts were full of one image--that 0
y his beloved Lucy, separated from him forever
y and compelled to forget in the arms of stran
q ger, the husband who would have died to saw
e her from the dreadful fate. Could he not evel
i now, rescue her? The very thought was rap
Nc ture, but how was it to be accomplished Ala
e bama seemed to him almost in another world
u and the fearful risks he ran in attempting to es
&c cape, were wildly presented to his mind. St
&c the idea haunted him continually, and while hi
' soul was thus agitated, an unexpected opportu
> nifty was presented to carry his plan into execu
- ton, His master was away from home, for tn
. winter, and friend of his mistress who ha
= been long promising her visit, wrote reques
=" that the carriage might be sent for her, as sh
was now in readiness to fulfil her engagement
= This lady resided two hundred miles from tn
plantation of Mr.. G. in the interior of the State
and thither William was despatched to bring tn
- expected visitor. He was obliged to wait fe
" days for the lady; and while there among strar
gers, and with nothing but thought to occup
him, he first formed the definite determination t
escape, and make one effort to become fire.
man. He was able in some degree to count tn
cost, and knew that if he failed, a fate wors
- than death awaited him, but the love of libert
- was strong within him. and his resolution W;
Oh taken. But his wile--should he escape an
h.. leave her behind, or should he seek the f
or south, and endeavor to find her, and make h,
tal the companion of his flight? moment he he
,le tated, for the star Of freedom pointed to IL
,o north, and he knew not in what part of the sta
N to seek his Lucy, but love triumphed and Il
oh day before he was to have started for home,
an fled, leaving no trace behind, by which his trac
FIR might be discovered, 1t was supposed he hi
NV gone to the north, and thus pursuit was avoidC
,p by him, in his perilous hight---Alter some week
md wandering, he reached Alabama and guided
all that Providence which watches over the frien
tn less, he came at last, to the neighborhood
all which the plantation of Lucys master was sit
ated.--Having made acquaintance with a sla
y on the plantation, he contriyed to send word
- Lucy that he was near, and to encourage me
md ing And what meeting was that His hu
md ger and wretchedness, his torn and beedi
nth feet his danger, his suferings were all forgottt
nv as he clasped that beloved and long lost wife
ose his heart, and heard her whispered words of t.
use derness and pity. But alas-she was not FRI
po- and her long absence might be noticed and ii
one bring ruin on them both She must leave hi
'ro but before they separated, plan was agreed
the by which they might daily meet, and he had t.
e'" her his wild hopes and projects, to which she
hat tened with smile Of utter incredulity. 1t v
our impossible she said, for them to travel such
heir immense distance without discovery, and to {
rget who had been delicately brought up, the pc
hey and sufierngs of such fight, at such seas
for we're appalling He plead his cause with all