Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-05-16
MISCELLANEOUS SELECTIONS.
The Night Funeral of u Slave.

sun set, the mansion OF the proprietor
through whose estate for the last half hour
Of my Journey, | had pursued my way
NY tired compsnion pricked his ears, and
with low whinny indicated his pleasure
as turned up the broad avenue leading
to the house. Calling to black boy Ill
view, babe him inquire of his owner II
I could be accommodated with lodgings
for the night.
My request brought the proprietor him
self to the door, and from thence to the
gate. when after scrutinizing glance al
my person and equipments. he inquired
nv name, business and destination.
promptly responded to his questions. and
he invited me TO alight and enter the house
in the true spirit Of southern hospitality
He was apparently thirty years of age
and evidently a man Of education and re-
finement. | soon observed an air OF
gloomy abstraction about him; he said but
little. and even that little seemed the re-
suit Of an effort to obviate the seeming
want Of civilty to stranger. AT supper.
the mistress Of the mansion appeared.
and did the honors of the table, in her
particular department; she was exceed
;ngly lady like and beautiful. omlyas south
ern uomen are. that is beyond compari-
son with those Of any other portion of this
republic have ever seen. She retired
Immediately after supper, and a servant
handing some splendid Habannas on a
small silver tray, we had just seated our
selves comfortably before the enormous
fire of oak wood, when a servant appear
ed at at the end door near my host, hat
in hand, and uttered in subdued but dis
tnct tones, the Ito me) startling words
master, de coffin hab come
Very well, was the only reply, and the
servant disappeared.
My host remarked my gaze Of inQuisi-
tive wonder, and replied to it
Il have been sad,' said he, to-day. |
have hal greater misfortune than have
experienced since my fathers death. |
lost this morning the truest and most re-
liable friend | had in the world-one
whom have been accustomed to honor
and respect since my earliest recollection
he was the playmate of my fathers
youth, and the mentor OF NINE: a
faithful servant, an honest man, and a
sincere christian. stood by his bedside
to day, and with his hands clasped in mine.
| heard the last words he uttered; they
were, Master. meet me in heaven!'
His voice faltercd a moment. and he
continued, after a pause, with increased
His loss is melancholy one to me-
If left my home. said to him, John.
see that all things are taken care OF. and
| knew that my wife and child. property
and all. were as safe as though they were
guarded by an hundred soldiers. l new
err spoke harsh word to him in all my
life for he never mertcd it. have a hun
dred others, many OF them faithful and
true, but his loss IS irreparable.'
| come from a section Of the Union
where slavery does not exist, and brought
with me all the prejudices which SO gen
Ell ally prevail in the free states in regard to
this institution had already seen much
to soften these. but the observation of
years would have failed to give me so
clear an insight into the relation between
master and servant as this simple incident
1t was not the naughty planter. the lordly
tyrant. talking Of his dead slave, as of his
dead horse. but the kind hearted gentle
man, lamen,ng the loss. and euogizing
the virtues of his good old FREUD
After an interval Of silence, my host
There are said he. many Of the old
mans relatives and friends who would
wish to attend his funeral. To afford
them an opportunity, several plantations
have been notified that he will be buried
to night; some, presume, have already
arrived; and desiring to see that all things
are properly prepared for his interment.
trust you will excuse my absence for few
'Most certainly. sir; butt l added, If
there is no improperly, would be pleased
to accompany you
There is none,' he repl:ed; and fol-
lowed him to one Of a long row Of cabins,
situated at the distance of some three hum
dred yards from the mansion. The
house was crowded with negroes. who all
exchanged greetings with my host. in tones
tina, convinced me that they felt that he
was an object Of sympathy from them!-
The corpse was deposited in the coffin.
alfred in shroud of the finest cotton ma
terials. and the coffin itself painted black.
The master stopped at its head. and
laying his hand upon the cold brow OF his
faithful bondsman, gazed long and intent
ly upon features with which he had been
so long familiar. and which he now looked
upon for the last time on earth; raising
MS eyes at length and glancing at the Sc
rious countenances now bent upon his,
ne said. solemnlv. and with much feeling
He was faithful servant and a true
if you follow his example, and
live as he lived. none Of you need fear.
when the Time comes for you to lay here
4 patriarch. with the snow of eighty win
ters on his head. answered.
Master. it is true, and we will try to live
like him.
There was a murmur of general as
sent. and after giving some instructions
relative 10 the burial, we returned to the
dwelling,
About nine o'clock a servant appeared
with the notices that they were ready 10
move. and to know if further instructions
we're necessary. My host remarked TO