The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-06-12

certlhcate had purlhed me OF all African talhl-
am the true Seymour Cunningham. ENam-
inc me and if YOU do not find that conform
in every particular to the certificate, then de-
liver me over to this monster who scents a
drop of black blood at the distance Of five
hundred miles.
Cunningham then raised his right hand
and 10. his little finger was gone He rolled
up his pantaloon> and there were the true
marks of al broken leg. as testified by sur
geon who was in the courtroom lie then /
took off hts coat. rolled up his shirt sleeves.
and presented his arm TO the surgeon, who /
pronounced the scars those of a compound 7,
fracture. He next barred his right leg 10 the !
view of the magistrate. and the calf thereof |
was wanting. Lastly he took off his boot and
stocking, and behold the middle toe was
gone.
The scene was now quite pleasant The
colored spectators manfcstedrhrir satisfaction
by showing their teeth and rolling up the
whites of their eyes. Their full hearts open
cd all their mouths, so that clusters of pearls
enlightened the duskv court-room and the
contrast of so manv white teeth and irradiat-
ed eyes, sparkling like diamonds among so
many sable faces, was really picturesque
Columns of pearl and Jet and jet and pearl.
atcrnatcd like the shows in a magic glass
But the triumph of humanity was Lrief->hort
as solitary gleam of the sun during a week
of foul weather. The magistrate ii is true.
seemed 10 be convinced, and. turning TO the
agent said
You have clearly mistaken vour man, and
it gives me pleasure to discharge him. Scy
mour Cunningham. YOU are free-
BY no means, interrupted the ageut. i
have Just arrived from Alexandria. where !
left Seymour Cunninghamthr true owner Of
this certitiratr, a true, real, living man. ]
will send and produce the real Seymour. If
YOUR honor will only commit this impo>tor Ia
Jail to await further examination. In the
mean time the real facts of this mv>t-riol,
d, affair BEGAN To le whispered about and -r.ld-
: uallv the whole scheme was exposed The
people of color in Boston, considering that
the white people would not arknnwle'l sc Gun
: ningham as one of their species. although Ia,
: was really of a lighter complexion than >om,
IT OF them-called a convention. and passed sun
II dry resolutions Ia project him. in con>ilcra
ton of the small portion of African blood
' which ran in h> VEINS One of these reSolu-
ii ton. was rather characteristic and peculiar
" 1t Is not black fare that constitutes negru
II but black heart - To show himself wor-
a thy of the friendship Of these people. Cum
t ningham pro!nccd his brothers certificate
His friends Immediately told him that he must
II not show that as an evidence of his freedom
: for his person did not conform TO it in many
r important particulars.
l. L know that said Cunningham tut 'i!er
d ~ is sweet can easily conform to the q,
a tifcate'
/ Why, how
Cut of nv toe break one leg; cut off
g. the calf of the other; break this arm, anc
III chop off this finger. You can do it all in hv,
a minutes
nt Smart fellow said one of In. friends
n Are Won willing 10 undergo all this: =
as Most joyfnllv.' said Cunningham.
n What a pity said another. that we can
tap him and let out the little portion OF nrgr
p blood"
Il They then sent for butcher. and ha,in
id sworn him TO secrecy, disclosed their purln>
G. and promised him fifty dollars. if he woul
~ operate like workman. and make Cunning
cd ham conform TO the certificate.
AT The butcher paused; said it was ne'
ut ca>e-and addressing Cunningham. asked /
w he really desired to have his body So cut an
We man.lc,l.
he Yes said Cunningham; liberty is swce:
he can endure it all, even ii YOU use YOUR clea,
as err
A Why, YES. said the butcher. that and III
lat carving knife are the handie>t tools. Bu
tie Cunningham, suppose YOU should die und'
"a the operation. Your blood would be requi
m cd at my hands and | should be hung for mu
der
Mt. Pear nothing said Cunningham: in cas-
1t YOU kill me, YOU will not be hung. You m
re- take Inc for man but am only piece U
In merchandise
", i doubt. said the butcher, If any man ca
undergo all this manging at once. | woul
n not use calf, or a sheep, or even wild bca
to in so cruel manner
ur. You coward" said Cunningham: .yo
Ike don't know the sweets of liberty. Their
te, now, be satisfied, | can endure it all Sa,
his ing this, as if in merriment. he bit off his lit
as finger, and tossed it to the butcher, and a.
nv, ded. so much less of me as Slave at al
Irs. rate
OF; The butcher then departed to get his toal
'fi; On his return, Cunningham, in order TO el
'er courage him, and to display hi. own forttud
the had prepared little melted pitch, and lawn
nor his foot on chair, with mallet and chs
'nd struck off his toe, and applied the hot pitch
ey- the wound to stop the bleeding. The butte
his er said no carpenter could have done Il
NJ work neater The toe flew half way aero
my the room.
Being thus encouraged, the butcher la