Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-04-04
nj | S G Il l. l. A N Y.
THE NIGHT FUNERAL OF A SLAVE
BY A CORRESPONDENT OF THE HOME JOURNAL.

Travelling recently, on business, in the interior
OF Georgia, reached just at sunset, the mansion of
the proprietor, through whose estate for the last
half hour of my journey had pursued my way
My tired companion pricked his ears, and with
low whinny Indicated his pleasure, as turned up
the broad avenue leading to the house. Calling 10
black boy in view, babe him inquire of his own
er if could be accommodated with lodgings for the
night.
My request brought the proprietor himself to the
door, and from thence to the gate, when after
scrutnzlng glance at my person and equipments,
he inquired my name, business, and destination
promptly responded to his questions, and he in
viled me to alight and the house, in the true
spirit of Southern hospitality.
lie was apparently thirty years Of age, and evil
IDENTIFY man of education and refinement. | soon
observed an air of gloomy abstraction about him The
said but lltte and even that little seemed the
suit of an effort TO obviate the seeming want of CT
Witty to stranger. AT supper the mistress of the
mansion appeared, and did the honOrs of the table,
In her particular department; she was exceedingly
iadyke and beautiful, only as southern ,conen are
that is beyond comparison with those of any other
portion of this republic have ever seen. She re-
tired Immediately after supper, and servant hand
ing some splendid Ilabannas a small silver tray &,
we had just seated ourselves comfortably before the
enormous fire of oak wood, when a servant appear
ed at the end door near my host, hat in hand, and
uttered in subdued but distinct tones, the to me,
startling words
'Master, de coffin hab Gomez
Every WE'LL was the only reply, and The ser
want disappeared.
My host remarked my gaze of inquisitive won
der, and replied to it
81 have been sad, sad - said he, ssto-day have
had greater misfortune than ! have experienced
since my fathers death. | lost this morning the
truest and most reliable friend had in the world
| hoo ,O1 to ho, orI-
sPect since my earliest recollection he vas the
playmate Of my fathers youth, aud the mentor of
mine; faithful servant, an honest man, and sin
cere christian. | stood by his bedside to-day and
with his hands claspcd in mine. heard the last
words ne uttered they were, Master, meet me in
heaven"
His voice faItered moment, and he continued
| after pause, with increased excitement
ellis loss is melancholy one TO me. III left
my home, said TO him, John, sec that all things
are taken Of and knew that my wife and
child, property and all were as safe as though they
were guarded by hundred soldiers | never
spoke harsh word to him in all nv life. for he
never merlted IT. have hundred others, many
of them faithful and true, but his loss is irepara-
be"
come from a section Of the Union where slave.
ry does not exist, and brought with me all the
pTejudces which so generally prevail 10 the free
States In regard to this Constitution" ! had al
ready seen much TO soften these, but the obServa-
ton Of years would have failed to give me so clear
insight into the relation between master and ser
want as this simple incident. Ii was not the haurh-
ty planter, the lordy tyrant, talking OF his dead
slave, as Of his dead horse but the kind hearty gen
tleman, lamentog the loss, and eulogiziDg the viz
tues Of his good old friend.
After an interval Of silence, my host resumed
'"There are" said he, "many of the old mans
relatives and friends who would wish 10 attend his
funeral To afford them an opportunity, several
Plantations nave been notified that he will DO buried
tonight; some presume have already arrived and
desiring 10 that all things are properly prepared
for his interment trust you will excuse my absence
for few Moments
"Most certainly, sir but" added, elf there is
no improperly, would be pleased to accompany
you"
There is none" he replied and followed him
TO ono Of long row ofcabins, situated at tho dis