Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-09-19

his eyes, which rested on a tall and handsome
negro
Why do you come here, father ?" said he, in
melancholy tone.
ITO keep you company, Sebastian"
"There is no need, father; can watch a.
lone,
But what if the Zombi should come ?"
81 do not fear him." replied the boy, with
pensive smile.
He may carry you away, my son, and then
the poor negro Gomez will have no one to con-
sole him in his slavery"
"Oh how sad how dreadful it is TO be
slave !" exclaimed the boy, weeping bitterly.
1t is the will of God" replied the negro,
with an air of resignation.
God" calculated Sebastian, as he raised his
eyes to the dome of the studio, through which
the stars glittered "God pray constantly to
him, my father, land He will one day listen to
me, J that we may no longer be slaves. But go
to bed. father, 90, 90, and | shall go to mine
there in that corner, and shall soon fall asleep
Good night, father good night"
Are you really not afraid of the Zombi, Sc
bastian ?"
My father, that is superstition of our coun-
try. Father Eugcnlo has assured me that God
does not allow supernatural beings to appear on
earth"
"Why then, when the pupils asked you who
sketched the figures they find here every morn
ing. did you say it was the Zombl ?"
ITO amuse myself, father, and to make them
laugh, that was all"
Then, good night my son :" and, having kiss
ed the boy, the negro retired.
The moment Sebastian found himself alone,
he uttered an exclamation of joy. Then sud
denly checking himself, he said
"Twenty- five lashes tomorrow if | do not
tell who sketched these figures and perhaps more
if do Oh, my God, come to my aid" and
the little mulatto threw himself upon the mat
which served him for bed, where he soon fell
asleep.
Sebastian awoke at daybreak; it was only
three o'clock; any other boy would probably
have gone tie sleep again not so Sebastian, who
had only three hours he could call his own.
Courage, courage, Sebastian" he exclaimed,
as he shook himself awake; three hours are
thno-onIy three hours then profit by them;
the rest belong to my maSter-sIavo. Let me
at least be my own master for three short hours
To begin, these figures must be efiaced," and,
seizing brush, he approached the Virgin
which, viewed by the soft light of the morning
dawn, appeared more beautiful than ever.
Effacc this I" he exclaimed, &" "efflce this
No; will die first. Eifaco this-they dare not
neither dare |. No--that head-she breathes
7zshe speaks==it seems as If her, hland mould
should be her murderer. No, no, no, rather lei
me finish it,
Scarcely had he uttered these words, when
sezing palette, he seated himself at the easel
and was soon totally ABSORBED in his occupation
Hour after hour passed unheeded by Sebastian
who was too much englossed by the beautifu
creation of his pencil, which seemed bursting
touch" he exclaimed SEA soft shade herc,-noW
the mouth. Yes, there it opens! those eyes
they pierce me through what a forehead !
what drlieacy. Oh. my beautiful --" -
and Sebastian forgot the hDu forgot he was
slave, forgot his dreaded punishment all, al
was obliterated from the soul of the youthful
| tbo of M
his beautiful picture.
But who can describe the horror and conste
nation of the unhappy slave, when. on suddenl.,
turning round, he beheld the whole of the pupils
with his master at their head, standing besid
him
Sebastian never once dreamt of justliyin,
himself, and, with his palette in one hand an
his brushes in the other, he hung down hi
head, awaiting in silence the punishment he be
lieved he justly merited. For some moments
dead silence prcvailed for if Sebastian wa
confounded at being caught in the commssio
Of such fragrant crime, Murillo and his pupil
were not less astonshed at the discovery the
had made.
Muro having, by gesture of the han(
8 imposed silence on his pupils, who could hardl
restrain themselves from giving way to thei
admiration, app cached Sebastian, and, concea
. ing his emotion, said in cold and severe tont
while, be looked alternately from the beautfr
head of the Virgin to the terrified slave, VIII
stood like statue before him:
"Who is your master, Sebastian?'
"You," replied the boy, in voice scarcel
audible.
"l mean your Drawing master" said Murillc
"You, senor," again replied the tremblin
slave.
SIT cannot be, never gave you lessons, sal
the astonshed painter
But you gave them to others. and istene
+ to hem," rejoined the boy, emboldened by tn
f kindness of his master
E "And you have done better than listen yo
+ have profled by them," exclaimed Murillt
unable longer TO conceal his admiration. "Ger
. tlemen, does this boy merit punishment or re
r ward ?"
4 At the word punishment, Sebastan's hea
$ beat quick the word reward gave him litt
: courage, but fearing that his ears deceived hi
! ne looked with timld and imploring eyes t.
a wards his master.
IF "a reward, senor," cried the pupils
breath.
e That is well; but what shall it be ?"
0, Sebastian began to breathe.
l. Zen ducats, at least said Mendez.
Ie Fifteen" cried Ferdinand.
g NO." SAID Gonzalo, 8" a beautiful new DIRE
F. for the next holiday"
re "speok, Sebastian, said Murio lookinp
- his slave, whom none of these rewards seem,
I'd to move, "are these things not to your taste ?.
10 Tell me What you wish for am 30 mn,