The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-01
CHAPTER XVIII.

We hear often of the distress of the negro
servants, on the loss of kind master and with
good reason, for no creature on Gods earth is
left more utterly unprotected and desolate,
than the slave in these circumstances
The child who has lost father has still the
protection of friends, and of the law; he is some
thing, and can do something-has acknowl-
edged rights and position; the slave has none.
The law regards him us in every respect as de-
void of rights az bale of merchandise. The
only possible acknowledgement of any Of the
longings and wants of a human and immortal
creature. which are given to him, comes to him
through the sovereign and irresponsible will OF
his master; and when that master is stricken
down, nothin1remans.
The number of those men who know how tC
use wholly irresponsible power humanely and
generously, is small. Everybody knows this
and the slave knows it best of all 20 tina
| he feels that there are ten chances of his find
ing All abusive and tyranpical muster, " On
of his finding considerate and kind one
| Therefore is it that the wall over kim
master is loud and long as well it may be.
When 81. Clare breathed his last, terror ant
Consideration took hold of all his household
He had been stricken down 30 in a momen.
in the flower and strength of his youth. Every
room and gallery of the house resounded witt
sobs and shrieks of despair
Marie, whose nervous system had been encr.
waited by constant course Of selfindulgence
had nothing to support the terror of the shock,
and, mt the time her husband breathed his last,
was passing from one fanting fit to another
and he to whom she had been joined in the
mysterious tic of marriage, passed from her for
ever, without the possibility of even a parting
word
Miss Ophelia, with characteristic strength
and selfcOntrol, had remained with her kins-
man to the last-all eye all ear, all attention
doing everything of the little that could be
done, and joining with her whole soul in the
tender and impassioned' prayers which the
poor slave had poured forth for the soul of his
dying master.
When they were arranging him for his last
rest they found upon his bosom small, plain
miniature case, opening with spring. II was
the miniature of noble and beautiful female
of dark hair They laid them back on the
lifeess breast, dust to dust poor mourntul
relics of early dreams, which once made that
cold heart beat so warmly.
Toms whole soul was filled with thoughts Of
eternity; and while he ministered around the
lifeless clay, he did not once think that the
sudden stroke had left him in hopeless slavery.
lie felt at peace about his master, for in that
hour when nc had poured forth his prayer into
the bosom of his Father, he had found an an
swer Of quietness and assurance springing up
within himself In the depths Of his own
affcctionate nature he felt able to perceive
something of the fullness of Divine love; for an
old oracle hath thus written--"lIe that dwell
eth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him."
Tom hoped and trusted, and was Mt peace.
But the funeral passed, with oil its pageant
Of black Grape and prayers, and solemn fgces
md back rolled the cool, muddy waves ofevery-
lay life; and up came the everlasting hard
inquiry of "What is to be done next?"
IL rose to the mind Of Marie, AZ dressed in
Dose morning robes, and surrounded by anxious
servants, she sat up in great easy chair, and
inspected samples of Grape and bombazine Il
rose to Miss Opbelin, who began to turn her
thoughts towards her Northern home. II rose
N silent terrors TO the minds Of the servants,
who well knew the unfeeling, tyrannical char
.cter of the mistress, in whose hands they were
eft. All knew very well that the ndulgences
which had been accorded to them were not from
heir mistress, but from their master; and that
low he was gone, there would be no screen be-
ween them and every tyrannous inhiction
which temper soured by affection might
levise.
II was about q fortnight after the funeral,
hat Miss Ophelia, busted one day in her apart
nent, heard gentle tap at the door She
pened it, and there stood Rosa, the pretty
'oung quadroon, whom we have before often
'oticed her hair in disorder, and her eyes
welled with crying.
"Oh, Miss PheeIy y" she said, falling on her
noes, and catching the skirt of her dress, edo,
10 20 to Miss Marie for me; do plead for pe
she's goin to send me out to be whipped-look
here And she handed to Miss Ophelia
'aper.
II was an order, written in Mares delicate
Italian hand, 10 the master Of whipping
to give the bearer fifteen lasbes.
What have you been doing?" said Mis-
)phelia.
'"You know, Miss Pheely, I've got such
,ad temper it's very bad OF me. was trying
N Miss Marie's dress, and she slapped my
ace; and spoke out before thought, and
vas saucy and she said that she d bring me
lown, and have me know, once for all, that !
wasn't going TO be 70 topping ~ bad been
md she wrote this and says shall carry il.
d rather she'd kill me right OUT
Miss Ophelia stood considering with the
,apcr in her hand.
hYOu sse, Miss Phsely, said Rosa, IL don't
mind the whipping 10 much, IL Miss Marie or