Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-04-06
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Harmans.
BY rLIzABETH MARGARET CHANDLER

OUT we snail not meet any merry groups o
the scholars, for il is the harvest holy-days-
then turn at the mill, and pass Robert Har
mans pretty farmhouse. II you look oveI
the hill, you can see the top Of one Of III
chimneys peeping cut from among the trees
now ;-thefe-where that smoke-curl is RI
sing.
Tue wood sweeps in a curve round thu
foot of the hill before we reach il; but yot
will not be faiigued, for when we descend
few steps further we shall quite loose the
warm sunshine. How beautiful it looks on
the top Of that old woodland here on thi;
hill slope, the long tree shadows are drawn
so distinctly!
When we pass this clump Of oaks, we
shall ZONE within sight Of the open fields
and meadows. Do You see yon clover.ield!
It is quite purple with blossoms, and the
first breeze that comes this way will be loa-
ded with perfume there is mingled with il
q scent Of fresh hay, too-farmer Hartman
cannot yet have finished carrying in his first
crop. All! there he is, with his "hands" all
bnsiIy employed around him the wagon has
Just been brought out, and they are about to
commence loading. | intend you shall be
acquainted with Robert Hartman: he is one
of the finest specimens Of our western coun-
try farmer--ihe most useful man in the
neighborhood, and respected by all about
him. He was elected to a seat in The state
legislature, a couple of years since, and there
is considerable talk of his being held up for
senator at the next election.
Ha! there goes Rolla scampering across
the field, to seek out his crony, little George
Hartman. Many a joyous frolic have they
had together, while ] have locked on and
wondered which Of the two was most de-
Iiqhted-the boy or the dog. There is Ned,
too, staggering under the weight of a fork
load of hay, which he fancies he can deposit
on the wagon. There il comes down in a
thick shower about his head, almost smoth-
ering him: he is fairly covered with il! ]
wish you could see his face now, as he turns
10 romp with Rolla. ! can almost see the
fash Of his black eyes from here! He IS
one Of the widest young rogues in the neigh.
borhood, and almost as big as his brother
Robert. who is two years older. Bob is
most like his mother, both in looks and char.
acter-quieter and more delicate. Yet gem
tie and timid as you would take him to be,
there are few men more infeXible or more
courageous on any point Of duty or principles:
the Indians torture would scarcely make him
finch.
Here is the house: you cannot more than
catch an occasional glimpse Of the stone
NdllSs u j > y hllChIJ covered Win vines
That multifiora rose almost covers the end of
the long piazza-and the beautiful coral, and
the scented monthly honeysuckle, Green in
twisted luxuriance up its pillars. Then there
are the sweet clematis, and the passion-vine,
and the jessamine, scattered about on frames;
but The two last are not yet in bloom. Then
there are the Washington-bower, and the
g%lacina, with its profusion Of blue flowers,
climbing up the sides of the house, and al
most covering even the chimney. Those
trees, almost bending beneath the multitude
OF their blossoms, are the scented acacia I:
that which is loaded with red flowers, on the
other side OF the house, is a horse.chestnu
land this 30 covered with white waxen-l,ke
flowers is the philadelphus. Then do but
look what a quantity Of roses white and red,
of all shades from the delicate purity of
the white bramble, 10 the deep crimson Of
the small burgundy, or still deeper colored
velvet rose. Some of them almost look in
at the windows Of the pretty little parlor;
and If you would look in there TOO, you would
sec a plain room, 10 be sure, but the most
perfect neatness, and a large bookcase filled
with well selected books. You would know
that by the very binding-and the last num-
6ers Of several periodicals, lying on the ia
BILE. There is a piano, too-and some good
III a'SS nav ~ III w dlGI@COlOI2 nAnn-
ing about The wall.
There is Mary Hartman herself!-spread.
ing the supper.table, under that great tree.
She is a pretty woman, and she is what is a
great deal better-very alniable, and an ex.
cell lent wife and mother. Let US walk on a
little further, 10 a seat which | will find for
you on the banks of the creek, and 1 will tell
you something of ner history.
DO you recoIlect the large house situated
on the left OF Col. Carligton's plantation, in
Virginia That, with the farm attached TO
1t, was formerly the property of Robert Har-
man. 1t was a much handsomer place then.
than 1t is now; for the trees have been cut
down from about it, and the shrubbery has
been sadly neglected of late years.
Well, will tell you of a conversation that
took place between Robert and his wife, on
the green lawn in front of that very house.
Little Bob, the oldest boy, was lust one wear
old at that time, and his father had given
the slaves a holy-day, because it was his
birthday.
"How happy their black faces looked ~
said Robert, as they left the lawn, after hav-
ing each receleved a %trifing present from
their mistress. Mary turned her face to.
wards her husband; but there was a shade of
sadness mingled with the tenderness of its
expression.
may, now," continued he, laughing, 81
know all you are going to say about hanoi.
ness being incompatible with slavery-butI
am sure they are better of than if they were
free, you are SO kind to them ="
"They are slaves. nevertheless:' said she,
and though they may seem gay and mirth.
iul-even contented-their lighi.heartedness
is only the absence of immediate care. NOT
the lndweliing sense of a deep happiness.-
How can they know the fuilness of Hiss
which | feel when hanging on your arm, or
pressing my lips upon the fair forehead Of
my babe In the consciousness, that no hand.
save mat OF our God, hath the power TO Sc.
para.e us! What do they know of the de.