Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-03-12

never been jealous of Clusy, why had | mott
She was beautiful. She was in her masters
power She was in the power of every white
man that chose to possess her. She was no
longer mine. She was not my wife. And the
babe that slept under her bosom, that too.-
A thousand devils seemed to possess me!
rushed into the house. She lay there on her
couch pale and almost lifeless. l know not
what did, | know not how long a time had
passed, only remember that Clusy lay stretch
ed upon the floor, and the hot blood that gushed
from her mouth and nostrils was wetting my
feet, and stood in puddes upon the ground A
horrible thought that had murdered her took
possession of me. lifted her up and bore her
to neghboring spring l bathed her head
her hands. l drenched her with cold water-
For minutes that seemed hours, years, ages,
watched to see whether she would live or die.
At length, slowly and family, she opened her
eyes, and the horrid guilt of murder, like great
weight, was lifted from my soul | wept,
prayed. I covered her hands, her arms, her
very feet with kisses. | blessed her with bless
ngs that seemed wrought out of my hearts
blood.
She appeared very weak, too weak to utter
sound, though she often strove to do so, but she
feebly pressed my hand; and when she turned
those large, living, truthful eyes full upon me,
looking intomy very soul, i knew that she was
guitless. Whatever others might have DONE
she had done no wrong. At length became
completely exhausted. l sank down beside her,
weak and helpless as a child and side by side,
with cheek resting against cheek, we slept to-
gether Cusy was the first to wake; Laco,
she whispered, rise, | pray you! Massa will
be very angry, if we are seen here together
why, what do you meanr cried starting
up in alarm, you are my wile-my own wife!
Did not Massa Minister, himself say-What
God has joined together, let not man put assun-
derl | cannot leave you, for you are very
ill.,"
20, you must; l shall die soon, Laco, very
soon-and then you will have no more trouble
your baby will never see the light. 1t il
\ yours, she added, in a hollow whisper, and
kept it pure for your sake After ashort pause
she resumed; 4 believe | must tell you nov
Lqco: thought never should, but believe
must. I shall never get another chance LIE
us 60 to the woods. ! dare not speak here
She attempted to rise; but fell back quite ex-
; hausted. Can you carry me! she Whispered
family. | took her her in my arms and Dor
S her to the wood-She was so light and thin
seemed like carrying a shadow. Clusy,'
in bnU n
fercd! And why; why could not have know
e it?
S j will tell you, she answered. but hus
and be quick; [ piled together heap of fres
It leaves, and laid her gently down. Sit dow
II by me, Lace, and turn your eyes away; for 20
e must not look at me while am telling YOU
r 20, | wish some of the fine ladies', who thin
e that the slave woman has no virtue; no sens
- even Of decency; could have seen with WIN
y a sweet and shrinking modcsty she told the +,
i voting tale, and when it was finished how 81
l. hid her head in my bosom, and wept so piteou
l. ly. 1t was d common story, have since iount
t. Her master was enamored of her beauty II
G. had sought in vain to win her favor; at first t
1t entreaty, by presents and tlattery, then by VII
lie lence, and the most abusive treatment An
k why did you not tell me this before, Clusy?,
m asked.
re co., said she, looking up nmy face and ut the san
ST time cllngng to me with conyulsiye shudder, Il
~ said he would kill you if ever told and massa vel
strong; massa very cunning massa very rich. VIII
% could poorsa do? never should dare to tell no
Is only the Lord Jesus Christ came to me last night
Il my dreams and say [ must lie say slave wona
come to him presently. There is no selling, there
no buying, where the Lord Jesus is, there is no ho
C gmg to make poor woman wicked, any more
|, lie surely has not dared to fog you Clusyn | il
- torrupted,
u Look here she answered, with shudder. see
J. Clusy tell the truth no. She drew aside from h
10 back the one loose garment and o. my God that so
white skin was cut up and crossed in all directions
and there were deep ridges, and running sores. An
all this she had borne without complaint, for my SAX
i for the love of virtue-for the Unborn love of purt
Y, % God it was hard to look upon, and think ha
v no power to help her.
lie paused, unable for some time to speak farther
y lie shook from head to foot and groans burst from
- hoaving bosom.
S At length he grew calm, and continued. I'VE II
solved to apply for advice tothe minister who had ma
ried lis. He was a Presbyterian. Mr. and Mrs c.
i were members of his church. Clusy and !, aso wer
y baptized members Of his flock. | bore my wife to til
. cottage, and laid her on the couch, and having sun
moned an old woman to attend her and to inform he
mistress that she was i'll, went in pursuit Of the mir
y ster | had the good fortune to find him. told hi
my story, in words that seemed to burn me asl uere
f them. And what do you think he said? He said ther
was no helps that must submit! Think Of that Chris
: tans minister of the gospel in high standing, de
1t beratey nstructs member of his church to sill
that another member may be accommodated in sin !
Think of that, husbands! We who have beds you ca
i call your own! We who have honor to lose | mus
submit to see my wife polluted must submit to Sc
her scouged, because she would not yield herself wi
q ngly! And she must submit! Think of that, wives
Think of it all we modest and virtuous women, VIII
have husbands and brothers, and friends, and the law
to wall round and protect your purity that the shat
y ow of evil may not approach you! gentle and love
% ly and delicate woman, ay, and modest and vruou
as any of you-although she had been taught by he
y own pure and loving although she SHIELD
er ed only by the majesty of innocence-she who ha
1t borne repeated stripes and bitter sorrow rather tina
N polutionshe was told by her minister, her spritu
- guide and pattern, that she must commit dannnn
IL SIM that she must have no conscience of her owl