The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-15
A SKETCH FROM REALIZE.


On one of those calm moonlight nights in
the month Of August, when the sun for a.
while had bid adieu 10 this side the glohe;the
evening had closed in all the calm serenity
ofa summers night, the trembling moon had
commenced her nightly task and was beau
tfully vending her way through the still
smiling armament above; all was still save
the occasional cry ofthe caty-dids or the
mournftIl crouk of the old frogs Extending
the eye over this field of natures beauties, it
rests upon solitary hut almost covered with
trees, aud ut distance Of u hundred yards IS
seen n stately mansion. Striking is the con-
trast between the former and the latter aud
equally different are the circumstances of
both. In the former sat all aged man, and by
his side the companion of his loneliness, his
wife. Upon an old chest, for they had 10 Ia
bic, stood n giimmering lamp. The only
furniture they possessed was mattress OF
straw with slight covering, one chair and
an old bench, on which sat old Susan listen
ing with profound but painful attention TO
something related by her husband not very
| pleasing to either. To he brieGold John and
Susan were slaves. For So long years they
had toiled on the very fields which surround
ed them, and by the sweat of their brows,
I they had purchased for the owner that ele-
CANT domain, and he, with his family, were,
al the price ofthe tears, the groans, and the
bloodsheG of The poor Africans, enjoying il.
But John and Susan wei e not alone in this
scene of tribulation. God had biest them with
a daughter, an only daughter. Unfortunate
ly for her she possessed a more than ordna-
rs gracefulness of person, and comeiiness OF
face; she had tail easy figure, her features
inclined much toward tn, European, but her
eye! her dark expressive eye. tcid the guzer Il
lofty spirit dwell within; bui her skin was
slightly tinged with the African, and this was
enough for the preiudiced world if she had
an intellect like Socrates, or n spirit like Joau
of Arc; still she was q slave,a therefore I'M
worthy ofnotice,
Time passed on and the girl was called
from the field to the polished dressing room
of her mistress. Her brain was OF ihat kind
which needs but little cultivation, aud in
course oFtiIne she managed to ga:hC: good
deal of what the world calls refinement, and
this improvement did not pass nnnot:ced by
her mistress, md she beg,;ii 10 dread that her
maid might excel her. The consequence
was, thar anger, jealousy, and hatred took
possession Of her mistress mind, and fell
without mercy on the head ofthe unfortunate
victim. ~ shall sell her. said she in stern
voice to her husband, "sbe is entirely too in
I teresting for ngger." Il shall sell her and
let her take her chance in that southern mar
ket." Did the proud spirit Of that girl quail
unstrung, not n muscle distorted: but tear
gathered IN her keen eye and fell upon her
work. She knew the fate before her, she
knew she must be torn forever from her aged
parents which was worse than death. This
was dreary prospect dark picture to look
upon.
All retired and she to her lonely bed, but
not TO sleep, and before another sun had r!s-
en- she had vowed she would be free.
1t was necessary 10 see the companions of
her suffering. her father and mother Could
she leave them TO the mercy of her enrnged
pursuers, could she bear the thought tn have
them suspended between earth and heaven
/ with all the i,a::mitiCs of old age to endure
the infection Of the cruel whip, for being ac-
completes in her flight? This was test she
could not stand.
Twas past niduig hit aud all was still! She
crept from her bed and slowly wendcd her
way along the dark passage which led TO the
outer door. At last she reached it and it
was not long before she stood in the open air,
and in few moments more she stood at her
fathers door. ''Alother," said she in low
voice trembling with emotion, another open
the door," and in trembling haste tue door
was opened, but the young girl was unable
To speak, feelings which no pen can write,
chOked her nlterance and she sank upon their
bed of straw and wept aloud The aged pair
seemed panic struck. 10 see her in such an
untinely hour, but when the young girl had
gained her selfpossession she told them her
determination TO fly whh them 10 some place
ofshelter before she should he separated from
them forever. Who would soothe your dying
pillow when / was gone? No my father, my
mother, YOU shall not die in this dark damp
howell, but viii by the work of my hands
procure you comfort
They tried TO show her the situation sine
would be in ifonce taken, the seeming inn
possibility oftheir escape, but all was vain,
the motto was engruven on her heart, free
! dom or death"
Finally il was arran ged; she should meet
them at midnight, and a small boat would
bear them on the bosom of the great waters
at least Il distance of 25 miles.
She left them and reached once more her
bed in safety. But no sleep closed her eye till
the signal tor rising was gven,and she heard
the angry voice OF her mistress give her Or
ders, but she needed it nor, and consoled her.
self with the idea that tomorrow she should
be free. 1t was dark cloudy day, UNUSUAL
y so for that season of the year.
Night closed in with all the appearance of
Il storm, but she was not discouraged. All
had retired to bed, and the wind blew with
dark torebodings of fearful night; but she
was firm to her purpose. Accordingly she
rose, took 10 clothing save those she wore,
listened attentively,a was still save the how
ling tempest, the hour had nearly come when
slowly and cautiously she descended tho
stairs, gruprd her way along the dark passage,
a thousand apPrehensions crossed her mind,