Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-05-10
From the National Era.
The Wanderer.
sY NJ. HRMPsrskD.

Twas q stern December sunset
Stern, though fair and gorgeous still
Blushing crimson was the river,
And the cloud upon the hill;
But the north side of the forrest
OH twas bitter cold and chill.
Father" said little daughter
OF the minister, "to-day,
When you told us about Daniel,
How he would not cease to pray.
Though law was made against it,
1t was righteous did you sayi
"And the Hebrew men who boldly
Dared TO disobey the king
Was it right for them to venture
On so dangerous thing,
When they knew not, of a surety,
What dcliyerancc God would bringr
"Ycs, my child" replied the father,
And his look was almost stern;
"Whereiore does my daughter questions
Surely thou art slow to learn
OF the prophets and apostles,
And the martyrs in their turn,
"That a higher law than human.
Is the fearless Christians guide;
Sinful men make sinful statutes,
And the truth is turned aside.
But the laws Of God arc perfect,
And must overmorc abide"
Not again the child made answer.
But in silence bowed her head,
While upon the wall the freight
Mingled with the sunset red;
Then in haste servant entering,
To his reverend master said:
"Sir, there is a stranger woman
Waits to see you at the door;
So forlorn human being
Never did see before
One that such a scanty garment
Or so wild an aspect wore.'
Wonderingly the little maiden
Close against the window pane
Pressed her check TO see the stranger:
None have ever sought in vain,
At my hand" replied the master,
As the servant turned again.
To his door the good man hastencd,
But the half had not been told;
Twas no strolling aims house vagrant.
Twas no bcggar taught and bold
But WOMAN, faint with travel.
Shuddering with alright and cold
"1 have need Of food and clothing,
But ask them not" she cried
"'Tis fugitive entreats you,
Only let me here abide;
Give me but one nights protection,
And q corner where to hide
"Savc me for the love Of Heaven.
Save mel" and she turned her eye
To the hill i-stop, where it rounded
OFF against the cloudlcss sky
Moving figures in the distance
Did her searching glance descry.
Shrieked she then with frcnzicd gesture,
" See them /! they are on my track
Will you give me to the bloodhoundsf
viii you let them drag me back,
To be scoffed at, to be trampled,
To be tortured on the rack =
"God protect you!' said the pastor,
For l cannot grant you aid;
Evil times are fallen upon us,
When such brutal laws are made,
But it is the will of Heaven
That our rulers be obeycd."
o, that gaze of spcechless anguish
o, that heart wrung womans wall
As the hunted slave flew onward,
Made his very heart to quail
Made his very hair to stihen,
And his face turn ashy pale!
But the door was shut and bolted,
And the fugitive was gone,
Ere the strangers from the hilltop
Had descended to the lawn:
Vain, good constable and planter,
Vain tho errand ye are on.
When the moon arose that evening,
On the evil and the good,
Two poor tenants Of hovcl,
That beside the forest stood,
Found the hunted woman lying
Where they went to gather woods
Bore her to their wretchcd dwelling,
Placed her on its only bod
Wet her parching lips with water,
Strove TO make her taste of bread,
Chaied her limbs, and watched beside her
In the morning, she was dead
And tho parish gave coffin,
And decent grave was made,
And a meager group assembled.
And the parish pastor prayed
Standing with his head uncovered
Where the silent dust was laid.
Hitherto in speech so gifted.
Wherefore did his language faili
Wherefore did his accents trembloi
What could make his check so pale
No ono living had accused him,
And the dead can tell no talol
o! bespeak the pastor gently,
For his punishment is sore
Little lower than the angels
Had he deemed himself before;
Now, even consciousness Of manhood
Lives within his soul no morel
In his car a wall is ringing,
And he hears it everywhero--
Hears it in his quiet parlor,
Hears it on the pulpit stair !