The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-24

ing away any body that was in trouble never had
been his forte and what was worse Tor MIN IN
this particular pinch Of the argument was that
his wife knew Il, and Of course was making an
assault on rather an indefensible point-so he
had recourse to the usual means of gaining time
for such cases made and provided; he said
81 ahem0 and coughed several times took out his
pocket-handkerchief and began to wipe his glass
es Mrs Burr, seeing the defenceless condition
Of the enemy's territory, had no more conscience
than to push her advantage.
Z" should like TO see you doing that, john
really should. Turning a woman out Of doors in
q snow storm, for instance or may be you'd take
her up and put her in JAIL wouldn't you3 You
would make grand baud at that"
"Ofcourse it would be very painful duty"
began Mr. Burr, in a moderate tone.
Duty John don't use that word You know
it isn't a duty--it can't be a duty. II folks want
to keep their slaves from running away, let 'em
treat 'cm well-that's my doctrine. II | had
slaves las hope never shall have,) ia risk their
wanting to run away from me or you either, John.
tell you folks don't run away when they're hap
py; and when they do run, poor creatures, they
suffer enough with cold and hunger and fear,
without every body's turning against them; and
law or no law never will, 50 help me God"
Mary Mary My dear, let me reason with
you"
" hate reasoning, J ohn; especially reasoning
on such subjects. There's way you political
folks have Of coming round and round plain
right thing-snd you don't believe in it yourselves,
when it comes 10 practice ! know you well
enough, John; you don't believe it's right, any
more than do, and you wouldn't do it any sooner
than II
At this critical juncture old Cudjoe, the black
man of all works put his head into the door and
wished Missis would come into the kitchen y and
our Senator, tolerably relieved. looked after his
little wife with a whimsical mixture Of amuse
ment and vexation, and, seating himself in the
armchair, began to read the papers.
After a moment, his Wif,s voice was heard
at the door, 10 a quick, earnest tone, " John
John | do wish you'd come here a moment"
He laid down his paper and went into the
kitchen and started, quite amazed at the sight
that presented itself: A young and slender wo-
man with garments torn and frozen, with one
shoe gone aud the stocking torn away from the
cut and bleeding foot, was laid back in deadly
sEoon upon two chairs. There was the impress
Of the dsspisel race on her face, yet none could
zeffS res.-as, ~ Pr, ~ ~
while its stony sharpness its cold, fixed. deathly
aspect, struck a solemn chill over him He drew
me Ursaan enoI[ ana stood in silence Sis wife
and their only cOored domestic old Aunt Dinah,
were busy engaged in restorative measures
while old Cudjoe had got the boy on his knee,
and was busy pulling off his shoes and stockings,
and cha6ng his little cold feet
Sure, now, if she aint sight to behold, said
old Dinah, compassionately "'pears like twas
the heat that made her faint. She was tolable
peart when she cum in, and asked if she couldn't
warm herself here a spell and was just askin
her where she come FROM and she mln'ed right
down Never done much hard work, guess, by
the looks of her hands'
"Poor creaturep said Mrs. Burr, compassion.
ately as the woman slowly Enclosed her large,
dark eyes and looked vacantly at her Suddenly
an expression Of agony crossed her face, and she
sprung up, saying, oh, my Harry Have they
got him?n
The boy, at this, jumped from Cudjoe's knee,
and, running to her side, put up his arms" oh,
he's here he's here"
ooh, maam,' said she, mildly, to Mrs. Burr,
do protect US don't let them get him
Nobody shall hurt you here, poor woman"
said Mrs Burr, encouragiDgly. "Gou are safe
don't be afraid
God bless you - said the woman, covering
her face, and sobbing while the little boy, seeing
her crying, tried to get into her lap.
With many gentle and womanly Offices, which
none knew better how to render than Mrs. Burr,
the poor woman was, in time, rendered more calm
A temporary bed was provided for her on the
fell into a heavy slumber, with the child, who
seemed no less weary, soundly sleeping on her
arm-for the mother resisted with nervous anxiety
the kindest attempts to take him from her and
even in sleep her arm encircled him with an un-
relaxing clasp, as il she could not even then be
Mr. and Mrs. Burr had SSne uaoK 10 the parlor,
where, strange as 1t may appear, no reference was
made on either side to the preceding conversation;
but Mrs Burr brsied herself with her knitting
work. and Mr. Burr pretended to be reading the
paper.
wonder who and what she is ~ said Mr.
Burr, at last, rs he laid it down,
"When she wakes up, and feels a little rested,
we will see" said Mrs Burr.
81 say, wife " said Mr.. Burr, after musing in
silence over his newspaper
"Well, dear y
She couldn't wear one Of your gowns, could
she, by any letting down or such matterl She
seems to be rather larger than you are"
quite scarce perceptible smile gimmered in
Mrs Burr's face, as she answered, oven see'
Another pause, and Mr.. Burr again broke out
&c say wife y
We'll What now? ~
"Why there's that old bombazine cloak that
you keep on purpose to put over me when | take
my afternoons nap-you might as well give her
that-she needs cothesD
At this instant Dinah looked in to say that
the woman was awake, and wanted to see misss
Mr.. and Mrs Burr went into the kitchen, fol-
lowed by the two eldest boys-the smaller fry
having, by this time, been safely disposed of in
bed
The woman was now sitting up on the settle,
by the fire. She was looking steadily into the
blaze, with a calm, heart broken expression very
different from her former sgitated wildness.
"Did you want me ? y said Mrs Burr in gentle
tones. 8" hope you feel better now, poor woman"
A long-drawn shivering sigh was the only an
swer; but she lifted her dark eyes, and fixed them
on her with such forlorn and imploring express
sion, that the tears came into the little woman's
eyes.
"You needn't be afraid Of anything we are
friends here, poor woman tell me where you
came from and what you want said she
81 came from Kentucky said the woman
"When?0 said MIR. Burr, taking up the inter
rogatOry.
Tonight
How did you Gomez
" crossed on the ice
4" Crossed on the ice said every one present
"Hes,' said the woman, slowly C did God
helping me, ] crossed on the ice for they were
behind me-right behind-and there was no other
way"
Law, missis,o said Cudjoe, " the ice is all in
broken-up blocks, a-swnging and a-tetering up
and down in the water
al know it was-l know it, said she, mildly
but did IL; wouldn't have thought | could
didn't think should get over, but didn't care
could but die if didn't. The Lord helped me
nobody knows how much the Lord can help 'em,
till they tryp said the woman with a flashing eye
Were you a slavc?n said MIR. Burr.
eyes, sir; belonged to man in Kentucky
Was he unkind to you2p
ono, sir he was good mastero
And was your mistress unkind to you?p
No, sir-nO my mistress was always good to
meo
"Whst could induce you to leave good home,
then, and run away, and go through such dan