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

his british eyes riyeted upon her and walking
around her as though she had been horse for
sale he lifted his hand to turn her about
"DEATHl Hands off my daughter, sir ~ ex-
claimed the hitherto patient George, springing to
his child's side.
But, even before he had reached her the calm
souled dignity Of Anna, breathing through every
look and attitude, had repulsed him. He returned
to the table.
"She would bring fifteen hundred or a thousand
dollars in New Orleans"
THAT is not the question what would she bring
here?n
Gentlemen, | beg of you"-cOmmenced Susan
Somerville.
abe patient, young lady. What is her value
here, Jones ,"
"Gentlemen, iasia"-began Susan again, with
her cheeks burning and her eyes flashing, IN
sist that this is arrested command you to finish
year business end leave usn
One instant, Miss Somerville. Well, Jones,
her value is"-
"Three hua1red dollars
"My dear Anna, can you forgive me, that this
outrage is offered you before my face?"
"You cannot help it, dear Miss Somerville,"
replied Anna, calmly.
"Have you done, gentlemen7" Indignantly de-
manded Miss Somerville, as the deputy and the
assessor folded up their papers and returned them
to their pockets and proceeded to button up their
coats, share you done, gentlemen?
Miss Somerville,p began the deputy, Z" have
now to perform very painful duty; simple and
short one however
"Yes, as short as an execution" muttered
George.
Miss Somerville, attach this property at the
suit of Spier & Co, Grocers, Peakvile."
Susan started to her feet, clasped her hands,
and turned deadly pale, as the truth suddenly
struck her.
Anna stood still and white.
| George and Harriet threw themselves in each
others arms with cry
ITO Tns ooRs.sBriegs and Brown look TO
the doors y shouted the deputy, whom this action
had al9rwed ,snrin0in9 10 bis feet .--. u,
The Two cohStdDles 'sprang tome doors, secur-
ing them.
"Cock your pistols !"
cit is unnecessary, sir we will make no resist
ance," said George, gently disengaging the arms
of his wife from about his neck.
ooh my Saviour, my Saviour, have mercy on
u.s." cried Susan, wringing her hands.
"Be patient, Miss Susan, dear Miss Susan,
said Anna, caressing her.
4" Have you the handouts, Jones Z"
eyes here they are.n
ooh, my God, no you will nerer do that !"
cried Susan, in anguish.
"My dear young lady, if men were turned by
the tears of women, We should never do our duty
Give me the letters, Jones; here we will Sc
cure the two women together, and then the man
by himself"
And the deputy, taking the letters, went up to
the spot where Anna and her mother now stood,
locked in each others arms.
"YoU SHALL NOT DO TT Away You SHALL
NOT DO Irln shouted George, bounding between
his wife and child and the officers, and brandish-
ing his knife-all the latent and terrible ferocity
of the MIXED BLOOD leaping like forked lightning,
| from his eyes.
al have been patient; | would have followed
YOU like whipped hound follows his master you
might have handcufed me, but not them See
am her father; and will bury this knife in your
heart or in hers, sooner than you shall place
fetter on her wrist J"
"What the devil! You ID mulatto rascal,
do you resist an officer of the law2"
@To THE DEATH! iy11bis case.p
With no more add he deputy suddenly raised
| the end OF his loaded whip, and brsaght IL down
in sharp and stunning blow upon the head of
the gray-haired slave, who dropped in heap at
his feet
| With a piercing scream, Susan Somervile
sprang forward, and fell upon her face in death
! like swoon!
Harriet, pale with terror, chung beplessly to
her daughter.
Anna alone was selfpossessed.
"Sit down, dear mother, and let me attend to
Miss Susan and father Or, mother try to attend
father, while get Miss Susan up stairs" And,
! gently easing her trembling mother down upon
chair she went to Susan's side, and lifting her
head, and addressing herself to one Of the men
who had taken no part in this violent scene, be-
yond guarding the doors, she said
"Will you be 30 good as to lift this young lady
and bring her up stairs with me !"
TIE r,on cd nj hia su periop pprr,i aa;n
eyes, take her along" said the deputy, It's
the DEVILS own business, an affair of this kind,
where there are so many women about"
And the officer raised Susan in his arms, and
bore her after Anna, who led the way up stairs.
Taking advantage ofSusan's swoon, Annals alb
sence, and Georges insensibity, 10 finish the
affair quickly and quietly, the deputy sheriff at
tached the little old family cart, the old family
horse, and Harvesting it up, bound George and
laid him in the bottom Of it; placing Harriet. who
willingly accompanied him. by his side Then,
leaving a bailif in charge the deputy set off for
the county town.
They were a mile from the Crags before Susan
Somervile recovered from her swoon. She re-
covered painfully, with spasmodc twitchings-
opened her eyes, groaned, shivered, closed them
again Soon re-opening them, she looked around,
and seeing Anna, said
"Annal Anna are you there2 Oh, Anna, |
have had the most dreadful nightmare! and
sighed heavily again, and covered her eyes with |
her hands, as shudderings convuised her frame.
Then Aaring her eyes wide open, she started up
in bed, caught both Annals hands in her own, and |
gazed long and sesrchingly in her face Then |
grooming, ooh my God II was no dream! u |
was frne ~ fell back and covered her face with |
her hands Ia few minutes, without uncovering |
her face, she inquired, " Whereare they, Anna ~
Gone, Miss Susan
81 mean your mother and fathcr2"
Gone!n
ooh, my God And you, Anns1"
al am left here in charge Of bailif until
some other assistance can be sent to you Per-
haps shall stay all night with you. And now
Miss Susan, pray and try to calm your mind, for
tomorrow you must do something"
"What is il, Anna7 Oh, suggest something |
that can do, and never fear but that shall get
better, and grow strong enough instantly to do
i'll Ii is the hlplesness Of our situation that
makes me despairng and i'll !"
-" Then Miss Susan, you had better write TO |
General Stuart Gordon he will assist us, with
out doubt. Notice will have to be given certain
number Of days before any sale Is made, and in
that time General Stuart Gordon can be heard
FROM
81 will write tonight, Anna
"No, Miss Susan, you could not hold pen
tomorrow will be quite time enough
"Aiasi Anna what has not tomorrow cost
us already II was tomorrow that was TO have
gone to Richmond TO see about doing you justice
All, Anna IL had gone to-day, you and your pa
rents might have been saved ~
Not NO. Miss Susan We were watched
they would have followed and attached us on the
road
0Abl II thought il was inevitable ] should
not suffer such pangs Of remorse but, oh, fear
Il was my delay alone Yet never dreamed Of
| an execution
at was inevitable, Miss Susan. You could not
help IT, Try 10 be composed"
| g Y,uare 40 composed, Anna! How Is it that