The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-25

scent from the Crags to the river level is said u
he monotonous because almost destitute of vege
tation-but look. it is varied with every form o
rock, and every shade Of gray Gold in the sun
shine. and bronze in the shade Every little
fragment of stone is gold on the one side anc
bronze on the other. Now, look at the sky an'
the river see the gilded clouds sailing through
the blue ether, and their shadows moving on thu
waters! See the Isle of Rays, how it sparkles il
the sunm
3Yet it is forsaken and empty house,
"Just now, yes but it beams and scintillate'
all the same. And now raise your eyes to where
Mont Crystal towers on the opposite bank, with
it's white granite walls and rows Of crystal win
dows glancing in the lightP
ayes, but its cold splendOr encloses an aged
and solitary woman "
"You find gloom in everything to-day, Miss
Susann
"Ab! Anna, I cannot help it p'
Z" But look NJ this picture, that God has hung
out before you See how the sky smiles in
blessing on the earth and waters See how they
smile back in love See how the clouds combine
dissolve, and change, with a misty brightness, an
ever-varyipg radiance Did ever skies beam
with more love-dd ever earth smile with more
gladness than now Obi look and listen, and
acknowledge God in his works The halls of the
Island Palace are lined with the rarest works OF
the greatest masters. Recall that masterpiece OF
Claude Lorraine, and tell me If it approaches this
in value, though that cost thousand guineas, and
could only be purchased by a millionaire and
this is hung out in the sight of all, for nothing
The soul of the artist was in that, but the soul of
God is in this! The painter expressed himself
there-the Creator reveals himself herel How
can you be gloomy, while God is smiling on you
through the skies ~
Suddenly Anna grew pale--started as she gszed
down the flight of rOcks-turned, as by an in
stiBotive impulse, TO fly-seated herself again as
by second resolution, and gazed steadily out
upon the rocks
- = " aat;fssoSS IKE, IAast &,Vifsd Nirss
Somerville. Anna pointed to where three horse
men were just coming in sight, up the ascent
They approached the house, dismounted, and
walked towards Miss Somervile and Anna. Anna
grew paler STILL trembed-then setting her teeth,
and cenching tightly both hands, with gesture
full of strength of soul, she summoned her physi-
cal energies to their post.
Miss Susan Somerville presume said the
first man, lifting his hat to the young lady.
That is my name, sr,o replied she, rising to
receive them.
any name is Power, deputy sheriff of -
county"
Will you come in, Mr. Power ~ asked Susan,
who heard this announcement with surprise, but
not fear. She was ignorant of any cause she
might have to dread the deputy sheriff
"Thank you, Miss" he replied, and followed
Susan to the stting-room.
Take a chair, sirn
No, am much obliged TO you, Miss, )" he said,
setting his hat and whip down on the table, and
rummaging in his pockets for paper.
Susan watched him with increasing perplexity.
"Let me see; how many negroes have you on
the place, Miss Somerville 2"
al have no domestcs to hire on, SIR" replied
Susan, believing that she had now OWNED the
motive of his visit
How many slaves have you about the house,
then. Miss SomervilleD
"None, sr.o
"What my dear young lady y
Sir, | have my foster-parents George and
Harriet, who brought me up, and my foster-sister
and companion, Anna who has always shared my
room, my table, and my school. They are quad
rooms. ! do not call them slaves"
"They were the slaves of the late Major Son.
erville, however ~
dyes srn
"And they are yours now"
@No, sir! do not for moment acknowledge
any right in myself to hold them My dear
grandather's funeral took place only on yesterday
0jernoon, and to-morrow nlorniag | go TO Rich
mond to take measures for their patton ~
said Miss Somerville, in cold, severe tone-for
nom she believed herself in conversation with a
would-be purchaser.
"Wll youl All yes we'll A generous and
praiseworthy design on your part, my dear young
lady p said the deputy sheriff, perceving for the
first time that Susan was entirely unsuspicious Of
the object of his visit.
Will you, however, let me see these people,
my dear Miss Somsxllle ~
"Ob, he is the ID Rtheyer :" thought Susan.
Certainly, sir, - replied; then, turning to
Anna, she said, Gamma, will you call your pa
rents7o
stood calm, cold, and impossible, went out to
obey
els that one of them"
Yes sir -
"Thm girl ~
Yes, sirn
"Why, she is whitep
"Very nearly, sir"
Anna now returned to the room with her pa
rents Poor George entered from his workbench,
with his white felt hat on his head, and wisp OF
fne-cut flag aud his working knife in his hand.
lie pulled off his hat at the door, and stood watt
ing to be spoken to. Harriet stood by him, with
her hand resting on his arm. Anna went and
stood by Susan.
"Your name is George, my man ~ asked the
deputy sheriff, seating himself AT table, and
taking out pocket apparatus for writing.
eyes, sirD
"Your age ~ asked the sheriff, beginning to
write.
Sixty years, sir,o replied George.
"And your wife's name is Harrietp
Yes sir.n
"Her agep he inquired, continuing to make
notes.
"Forty-ive, sirD
"That young girl is your daughterp
"Yes, sir,n replied the father, the muscles oil
his face twitching
"Her name-ageW
"Anna-aged eighteen" answered the poor
f,ther in broken voice, clutching the old white
hat convulsively.
The sheriff now went to the door, and called
in the three men who had remained 10 the piazza
Two Of them entered and remained standing
near the door. The third accompanied him 10
the table.
"This is Mr. Jones, the assessor, Miss Somer-
ville," he said, as they passed Susan.
81 thought that von were the assessor, sir"
said Susan, simply. -,
"No, Miss,p said the deputy, without smiling
at her mistake "Jones" he said, addressing the
assessor (" look at that man and tell me how much
you think him worth
+" low old is hep
"Sixtyp
alum he looks nearer seventy but these
mulsttoes break down very early. lie looks very
worthless
"Say one hundred and fifty dolars7'
"Ye-e-e-s-scarcey thatD-
Zone hundred
"Well-ll; ye-e-es~
"Look mt the woman. What is her value"
How old is she ~
"Forty -fve,D she says.
"She looks more like fifty. Put her at-at--
| Has your wife good health, my man y
"Yes, sir,p sighed George.
"Weil! there is some work in her yet Pat