American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-05-16
From the Philadelphia Sun.
THE REEDOM Asst
BY s. S.

Nov, my dear mOther,' cried James Free
land, handsome and tall youth, full of life,
vlvaclty and good nature, as lie entered the
humble room of his widowed mother-''now
my time has come at last. | shall he free to-
morrow. Then, you shall be comfortable.
can earn ten dollars Il week as a iourneyman-
and half shall be yours as long as | live. How
happy | feel. 1t is a glorious thing, mother to
be free; to be Man-to have no master"
True! ali! very true, my dear boy! 1t must
tie great thing to feel all restraint removed
from your conduct, but the voice of Coda
good conscience-and pure heart Such were
the laws, my dear sir, that governed your ex-
cellent father. He was one of Gods nobest
creatures-dn honest man
''Yes-mothcr--ycs, | have often heard you
say it, and will try to resemble him. Oniy
think of it! Free tomorrow"
81 think you will, my dear James. You talk
Of the happiness of being free of masters con-
troll. How much more happy is he. who is not
a SSspe to the mastery of his own passions
You will be man in years Tomorrow James;
and thank God tervently, that he has spared
you to be the staff of my age-but, my dear
son, there is another manhood that awaits YOU
"Another! my dear mother! do not under
stand you. ! have seen many of my fellow ap-
prentices come to their treedom-but | never
before heard of what you mention. You are
surely jesting?"
mo, james, never Jest on serious subjects.
You will be free, IN years, tomorrow. After
that, you must acquire that more sublime llbcr-
ty, the reaL manhood Of rirtue"
II understand you now, my dear mother
and will try to do so. But forgot to tell you
MIR. Smith has been very generous, and has gl-
ven me ten dollars to treat my fellow apprent
ces on my freedom day. You know, was al
ways favorite of his, on account of my supe
nor skill, as he calls it, But don't mean Il
spend it all in that way. Seven dollars viii
be enough, and here, mother, are three fol
you. You want wood, and other little com
forts-and you shall have every thing in {
short time.'
The widow took the money, and tear dim.
med her eye, as she embraced her noble boy
At that moment, a gentle tap at the door an
nounced visiter, and Elizabeth Freeand
her pretty neice tripped into the room; anc
running towards her Aunt to greet her, stop
ped suddenly on perceiviDg her cousin James
while 4 delicate rOse-tint spread over he
cheeks, like the tell-tale heralds Of a loving
heart.
"Donr be frightened, Elizabeth at seeing
me here, cried James. shall have my free
dom tomorrow. Why don't you give me joy?'
"Wel | do give you joy-yet don't knew
that feel it; for you men, when you have pow
er, behave so strangely. Do you think you'll
be as happy, now your man, as when We
used to chase butterflies over the sweet fields
whenever you had a holiday?' James stood
silent, and hung his head, as if perplexed by
the question.
81 agree with you, Elizabeth-few ofus car
bear freedom without abusing it. But come
lat mt lU Of tho
All things have their season, my dear chill
dIen."
ooh! you mustn't mind Lizzy, mother-sh
says whatever she pleases; but we don't like he
any the less for it., said James.
THAT is kind, cousin James, in you to sa,
so. am sure would not hurt the feelings o
you or Aunt for the world. Yet, am nov
going to say something, that | have scarcely
courage to say-and yet, having made pro
mise must say it,"
"Speak ont, Llzzy, my dear, we know yo,
love us, and we can listen to all you have t.
say" observed her Aunt.
"Well! it is about James' freedom But
don't know whether ought to mention it, O.
not!''
at is too late now, to conceal it, said James
come, cOusn-you have awakened our curlosl
ty-what is itF'
81 was attending Temperance Lecture, by {
Mr.. Chambers last night was addressed tt
the young men and mother made me promise
to tell you, aunt-and say it was her opinion
as well as that of Mr.. Chambers, that James
now he has come to his freedom, ought 10 TAXI
the Temperance Pledge"
"Why, you don't say, cousin, that Mr.. Cham
bers mentioned my name"
"Oh, no! that was mother"
"My son, think you cannot do better thai
follow his advice. 1t may keep you from dread
full msfortunes-an it is certain to make yo,
friends. have always admired the system o
Temperance societies, as calculated to assis
young men in their struggles through life, " OBJ
served his mother.
ooh, yes-mother says they have savet
thousands from prison. II was but last week
that a neighbor of ours was accused of murder
ing his wife in drunken frolic," observed Eli
zabeth.
81 will do any thing to please you, mother
cried James, but this-and this cannot do
Pray don't ask me. All my felIow-apprentice
ridicule it, and they would laugh me out of al
humor if | took the pledge. Besides, you know
never drink, and never mean to. Why shoult
bind myself to do, what have already re
solved not to do? am Just coming to III,
freedom, and you want me to sign away m,
freedom, to eat and drink as please"
"Wel, my son, take your own way. d.
not mistrust you"
"Nor l." said El,zabeth-"but mother toll
me to mention it, and have done sou