Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-02-02

H., von do Get to know almost every thing
that passes in the island"
"Apd if | cannot speak with spirits, why
do you come TO me, when you have your own
eyes aud ears, and can use them as well as
cant"
The planter was little accustomed to be
leased or contrsdicted I; but this was no, a
moment 10 resent the old woman's peculiar
temper. He drew a couple of gold pieces
from his pocket, and as he put them in her
withered hand he said " Catiche, | have no,
time to argue with you, tell me if you can,
who it is that poisons my slaves and ny cat
,le."
The old woman looked at the gold, cast a
searching glance around The room, and Their
approaching her lips close 10 the planters
ear, she pronounced in a slow whisper The
name Of" Antoine 7"
"Howw said Hanna, out of all patience
"him whom ! have treated as a son and load
ed with benefits" "fou rave-wha' are
your proofs !" it,
But Catiche remained obstinately silent d;
and not another word could the planter draw
from her. SO he was forced TO take his leave,
very little satisfied with his visit.
III told You how it was;" he replied to his
friends enquiry regarding his success. 1.-The
old fool knows nothing Of the matter; and,
out of envy, for aught know, or for wantot
some one else TO accuse, she lays the blame on
poor Antoine. But ] merited no better an
swer for my folly in going to consult a sor-
c~eress."
Be advised" rejoined his friend. "Cati'
che is well informed regarding all that passes
on our plantations ; and she would not hazard
such an assertion without good reason. YOU
have unlimited confidence in Antoine, blu
see that il is not misplaced /; he has opportu'
nifty enough, if he be so disposed, TO do you
this injury"
"But how should he be so disposed! |
have shown him more favor than 10 any one
else on the plantation. He has whatever he
asks or wishes for. Interest, if not gratitude,
would make him regard my welfare as his
own"
"Well," said his friend, "do not trust too
much to probabilities. Order Antoine to be
seized, tell him that his villainy is discov-
cred, and see how he will conduct him
self"
M. Hanna was exceedingly 10th to agree to
q proposal which seemed 10 cast an unjust
imputation on his ~favorite but at last his
friends repeated representations induced him
TO adopt il.
Antoine was manacled and brought before
him. He uttered no word Of complaint; yet
neither did he evince any signs OF trepida-
ton or guilt. His master had already begun
to repent the course he had adopted /; and as
he looked on Antoine's steady eye and col
lected demeanor, he found no little difficulty
in acting the part he had so unwillingly con-
sented 10 assume.
at is you, them" at last he said, " who
have been my secret enemy, who have wan
ionly destroyed my property, and all but ef-
fected my ruin"
81, Monsieur Haima1"
Eyes, you. Disguise is no longer neces-
sary. All your plots are discovered. Eve
rything is known to me, except the motive
that could have induced one on whom | had
conferred such benefits, to act the serpent
towards his protector and benefactor."
Antoine was silent; but a slight, scarcely
p%erceptible, yet contemptuous curl of the up
per lip, aroused his masters suspicious, and
determined him to follow up The examination
10 a similar tone.
81 treated you with the care OF a father.
l distinguished you above all your compan-
ions; and you have abused my favor-re-
paid my kindness with the blacklist treache-
~. Ysu have plotted, and but too success
fully effected, a revenge, such as the cru
elest mind conceives against its bitterest
enemy.
Antoine still remained silent; but the kind
ling, almost e%xulting expression of his eye,
confirmed all Haima's surmises.
Antoine" he continued with increasing
emotion, 80 have | merited this at your hands!
Have | given cause for such deadly re-
venge2 Interest, if not gratitude, might
surely have secured your fidelity. Wha'
was wanting TO your comfort and happiness
Say what could you wish for, that you die
not possessF
my liberty J" said the African in a tone
Of mingled pride and bitterness.
And did | not grant you, more than eve
ry thing which liberty could have afforded
you'll"
al was your slave 7" And Antoine drew
up his tall and handsome form 10 its full
height, and clenched the manacles that bounc
his hands, as if he would crush the iron chail
in his grasp.
Wretched man !" said his master, as
conviction of the truth at last settled on hi
mind. "These, then, were your motives
But your own father and ~mother-your near
est relations !"
"Hsd | not poisoned them, | should my
self have been suspected"
GOOD God !" exclaimed the planter
And this is the man | had Treated as ny
own child, and TO whom | had confded all
possess 7"
He was but a part of your property
said the slave with a %scornful smile.
"Do you feel no compunction-no remors
for the multiplied and ungrateful crimes yor
have committed :"
"None."
Had ! ever given you a shadow Of
cause to complain Of my conduct toward
you!"
"Never."
Antoine was forthwith conducted to pris
on, tried and executed. He died Tranquil
ly.
Haima's fellow-plauters, as the story eli