The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-07-13
From the Union Magazine for July.
UTHERN SKETCHES.


How much better you do look, my dear
Henry" said Mrs. Hayward, :" / am SO glad
you are getting better. l am sure, very sure,
that feel grateful to God now, if never felt
so before" Mrs. Hayward was leaning over
her husband as he sat up, for the first time,
after long and dangerous illness; and she
fervently kissed his noble forehead as she
brushed aside the locks Of raven hair which
shaded his palld brow.
"And l am glad, my love, not only to look
but to feel BETTER" answered Henry Hayward,
with one Of his sweetest smiles 81 am glad
| to be better on many accounts. But must
confess that sickness has its pleasures. O,
Emily, even when I was rackcd with pain, it
was very sweet to feel your hand upon my
forehead. IT was sweet to know that you
were near me, hour after hour, and day after
day, anticipating every want, and brighten
ing, by your cheering smile, the gloom of my
darkened chamber"
Emily's eyes glistened. "But Henry"
said she, " there was time when you were
too i'll to know what was passing aaound you,
what comforted you then ?"
Given then, my dear Emily, I felt your
presence" replied Dr. Hayward. "There
was an underlined feeling of comfort and Sc
curity which never left me. declare" con-
tinued he, Il am hardly willing to get well,
for then I shall no longer have my lovely
nurse forever at my side"
Emily laughed, and threatened to enter in
to conspiracy with the doctor the very next
time he came.
"But," continued DIR. Hayward, in a Sc
rious tone, al am truly grateful for my re-
covery. If I were the only Judge of what is
best for me, I should say that this illness had
happened at a most fortunate time; but
have lived long enough to know that there is
a mind of infinite wisdom directing all my
changes. | have been q happy man since
have learned to cast my care on the Almighty,
who careth for me-
Emily leaned her head upon her hand, and
there was a deep silence for moment.
When again she looked up, her fine dark
eyes were suffuscd with tears, and her lips
quivered with emotion. The words she strovc
to speak died upon her tongue, and she could
only utter faint sound, which soon broke into
a faint sob.
"What is the matter, dearest ?" anxiously
inquired the invalid, shave said anything
to give you pain ?" Emily threw her arms
around her husbands neck, but she could not
articulate word. She only shook her head,
and turned away her beautiful face, down
which the tears were streaming
DIR. Hayward was seated in large arm
chair, of which lis emaciatcd form engrosscd
so little that there was ample room for anoth-
err occupant lie gently drew his wife down
beside him, and laid her head upon his bos-
ON, and wiped away the tears which acould
force themselves through her closed cyelids.
"Why do you weep, my darling Emily ?"
said he, " do tell me if have said anything
to distress you?"
I" Oh, no" she answered, struggling to re-
gain her composure but sobbing out " Jet
me 60, let me CO." she forcbly broke from
his kind embrace, and rushed out of the
room.
DIR. Hayward was overcome by the scene,
for he dearly loved his wife and, owing to
his recent illness, he was extremely weak.
He felt that a faintncss was coming over him,
ard seeing bottle of cologne on table at a
little distance, he arose, and advanced a step
or two to reach it, But he had overrated his
strength, and just as he had gained possession
of the bottle, he fell at his full length upon
the floor. The long, round bottle escaped
from his grasp, and rolled across the room to
the feet of an old negro, who was comfortably
doing in the corner. This was no other
than old Caesar, a veteran in the service OF
the family, who had established himself as a
! fixture in Mass Henry's room, since the COM
mencement of his illness.
Great Master wha' do dat ?" exclaimed
Caesar, as he felt the cold bottle against the
ample soles Of his feet. Then winking his
eyes, and looking around the room in a state
between waking and sleeping, he muttered to
himself, spec | bin dreamin." lie was
about to settle himself down for another
snooze, when his eye caught the PROSTATE
figure Of his master, and he sprang to his as
sstance.
1t was several moments before the faithful
old creature succeeded in restoring his mas
ter to consciousness; and he sat upon the
floor, supporting the sufferers head upon his
lap, he INDUCED in sundry muttered coniec-
lures as to the cause of this sudden alteration
in the state of things. 81 sure" said he,
giving his head sagacious nod, al sure
bin lef Miss Emily yer when dc sleep bin
teal ober me; e bin 'tandn by dat berry
chair, wild de brush in e han, brushin' Mass
lIcnrys hair, and smilin' pom un so sweet!
al dc berry JOY obcrcomo me so, e put me
to sleep; an now yer'S Mass Henry ''trctch
PO1i Wv 4io l"ilC Cleull way, an MISS Emily
gone somewhere nuddcr. Xxi nebber sec
muffin like dis worl', you nebbor know one
mint wha' you guine see de mex"
Just then, Dr. Hayward opened his eyes,
and gave langud gaze at the spot where he
had last seen his wife, but not perceiving her
there, he attempted to pronounce her name,
and then again sank into unconsciousness
"Now wha' l for do? ?" again soliloouized
Cesar i fraid for lief UNI yer, an dc Lord
knows whay Miss Emily gone to. Stop, |
guine jis lay e head down yer softly, an den
| kin call ole Juno | kin mex dat niger
very me, know, eff de niger house is fur
OFF, '
So saying Caesar gently slid from under
his masters head, and springing to the bed
he caught up a pillow, on which he laid the
precious burden. The next moment he was
at the door, and stepping out into the piazza.