The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-21

Mrs. Armstrong reached her chamber, and by
neal of bells brought Kate Jumper to her
presence
"Have Mr. and Mrs. tuart-Gordon left the
shores of the Island YETI"
Eyes madam! y
GLOW long sinceW
AN hour, madam !"
"Do you know what direction they took 2"
"Up the river toward the falls, madam
alt is too late and too far to recall them. You
may gOl-stay =
>" Madam ~
aGo into Mrs Stuart. Gordon's room and pack
up her wardrobe. We return to Mont Crystal
to-nghtP
ayes, MADAME
"And, obterps, be silent upon this matter y
eyes madam
"When you have completed the packing OF
Mrs. Stuart Gordon's wardrobe, return hither to
pack up my own Cop
And thus dismssing her attendant, the lady
seated herself in stern calmness by the window,
and took out her knotting.
The tall mulatto stalked on to the apartments
of the bride, to execute her mistresss orders.
The suit of apartments appropriated to Louis
and Louise consisted of one bed chamber, between
two dressing rooms, and connected with them
The dressing room assigned to Louise was fitted
up in the most costly and elegant style II was
front room on the second floor, and its two tall
windows overlooked the terrace, lawn, river, the
opposite bank, and the brides own home, Mont
Crystal Between these two high front windows
hung tall cheval mirror-and the windows and
the mirror were curtained and fcstooned with
blue silk and white lace, tied up with ribbons,
and wreaths Of violets The carpet on the floor
and the paper on the walls were Of the same color
and pattern-blue vioets running over white
ground. The bureaus wardrobes dressing tables,
&c, we're all of that beautiful white satin wood
that looks 80 much like ivory.
When Kate Jumper stalked into this room, she
found it already occupied by little, old, short,
thick-set negress, who was not employing herself
by setting the room in order, but amusing herself
by trying on one Of her young mistress's exquis-
lite little French hats, and viewing with much
dissatisfaction the effect of the soft white velvet
and delicate white plumes surrounding face
black, shining, scanned, and wrinkled as n dried
prune
This was Seraphina, the wife Of Apollo, and
the nurse and waiting maid of all the Mistresses
and the Misses Stuart Gordon for the last fifty
years-now the personal attendant of Louise.
GOOD morning, Mrs Jumperp said the
seraph, laying off the white hat and feathers in
differently.
Kate Jumper disdained to answer, except by q
short nod, and, striding up past the Abigail, she
took the bunch Of keys from the dressing table,
and began to unlock the bureaus
What are you going to do, Mrs. Jumper"
The mulatto did not think it worth while to
reply.
81 say there | say there don't tech them
Brissles laces and ribbons never low anybody
TO tech um but myself! say why don't you
hear me why don't you stop? Are you crazy ?
Stop O. rummidgn' my misss's thingumies-will
your Here, give me the keys never seen
SIGH impotence in all my life! You must be
cracked Here GIN me them keysp and, run
ming and waddling towards her. the little woman
possessed herself of the disputed keys with sud
den jerk.
out her hand to get them again. Seraph Rugged
them under her fat chin with both hands. With
silent but peremptory gesture, the mulatto
started to her feet, and demanded their return.
81 won't! shan't! Set you up with it, in
deed Rummidgin' my young missis's drawers
You don't look like the mos honestest person in
the worr no how / don't know muffin bout your
correcterD
With quiet, quick dart of her hand, the mu.
latto gripped her taons around the throat Of
Seraph, and choked her until she grew full in tn,
face, and dropped the keys; then, drawing he,
towards the door, she silently thrust her out, clos
ed the door, and locked it on the inside.
All this passed 80 quietly that one in the mex,
room would not have known what was going on
Seraph, on the floor outside the door, convuls
ed, heaved, spluttered, sneezed, coughed, and re
covered herself
The Lor' a massey upon me Dis is wuss an
de landin' o. de British! say in dere you no
nation III boiler murder, only wont make Q
fusion to 'sturb de family But III have YOU
put in Jail for salt and batterin' me an for a
breakin' open OF my missis's drawersi oh, you
won't speak Never you min. you'll see YOU
good for nothin poor mite maws darter youp'
There that was the most insulting taunt q
pure-blooded Virginia negro could cast upon
mula''o' And, having spent the force Of he,
fury on this last e1pletive, seraph gathered hsr
self up and waddled down stairs leavir. X -,
Jumper to go on with her packing.
Kate pursued her task until she had co,nn,., al
it, even to the strapping of the trunks. and ,h,r
taking with her the bunch Of keys, she went ou
Of the room, locked the door TO prevent the 70
entrance Of her antagonist, Seraph, and took IN,
keys to the chamber Of Mrs Armstrong. sh,
found that lady still seated at the window, knot
ting with apparent composure
"Have you done ~
Yes, madam, everything is packed and ready
and Mrs Stuart Gordon's shawl and hat are laic
out upon the bed for her to wear Here are tn,
keysn
Very good shall keep my room until din
ner' When Mrs. stuart-Gordou returns, let he,
know that expect her here Now gop
And she went onvcry quietly with her knot
uns' BY no outward sign could the mos. suspi
cious and acute observer have detected the f.,,
determination Of this pitiless mothsri