The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-01-08
NO. 262

she could do nothing for her. and shortly after,
one of the man servants came to say that her
mistress had ordered him to take Rosa with
him to the whipping house, whittier she was
hurried in spite of her tears and entreaties A
few days after, Tom was standing musing by
| the balconies, when he was joined by.Adolph,
who since the death Of his master had been en-
tirely crest-fallen and dscOnsolate Adolph
knew that he had always been an object of dis
like 10 Marie, but while his master lived he
had paid but little attention to it. Now that he
was gone he had moved about in daily
dread and trembling, not knowing what might
befll him next Marie had held several con-
situations with her lawyer: after communica-
ting with ST. Clsre's brother, it was determin-
ed to sell the place and all the servants, except
her own personal property, and these she in
tended to take with her, and 90 back to her
fathers plantation.
"Do ye know, Tom, that we've all got to be
sold }" said Adolph
" How did you hear that - said Tom.
" | hid myself behind the curtains when
y M ~. Z. .-.>s.-,. --st.s' q, ;.,sS.s
; Il '''' T';22 =. - - n.
his arms and signing heavily.
Well never get another such a master"
said Adolph, apprehensiyely; but I'd rather
be sold than take my chance under missis.D
Tom turned away his heart was full. The
hope of liberty, the thought of distant wife and
children, rose up before his patient soul, as to
the mariner shipwreeked almost in port rises
the vision of the church-spire and loving roofs
of his native village, seen over the top of some
black wave only for one last farewell He drew
his arms tightly over his BOSOM and choked
back the bitter tears, and tried 10 pray The
poor old soul had such a singular unaccount-
able prejudice in favor of liberty, that it was
hard wrench for him! and the more he said,
"Thy will be DONE the worse he felt!
He sought Miss Ophelia, who, ever since
Eva's death, had treated him with marked and
respectful kindness"
miss Pheely," he said, "massr St Clare
promised me my freedom. He told me that he
| had begun to take it out for me and now,
perhaps, if Miss Phoely would be good enough
to speak about it to missis she would feel like
| goin on with it. as it was mass'r St Clares
wish"
"rll speak for you, Tom, and do my best,
said Miss Ophela "but, if it depends on
Mrs ST. Clare, can't hope much for you
nevertheless, will try"
This incident occurred few days after that
of Rosa, while Miss Ophelia was busted in
preparations TO return North.
Seriously rejecting within herself she con-
sdered that perhaps she had shown too hasty "a
warmth of language in her former interview
with Marie, and she resolved that she would
, now endeavor to moderate her zeal and TO
: be as conciliatory as possible So the good
soul gathered herself up, and, taking her knit
ting resolved to 90 into Mares room, be rs
: agreeable as possible, and negotiate Toms
{ case with all the diplomatic skill of which she
{ was mistress.
Q She found Marie reclining at length upon r
lounge, supporting herself on one elbow by pill
I lows while Jane, who had been out shopping
+; was displaying before her certain samples Of
thin black stuffs
"That will do,n said Marie, selecting one
, "only Pm not sure about its being properly
mourning"
Laws, missis," said Jane, volubly, Mrs
General Derbennon wore just this very thing
after the General died, last summer it makes
up lovely !"
"What do you think 2" said Marie to Miss
Ophelia.
ats matter of custom suppose" said
Miss Ophelia. "You can judge about it better
than l. D
The fact is" said Marie, that haven't
dress in the world that | can wear, and rs
go off next week, | must decide upon some
thing"
care you going 30 soon }"
eyes st. Clare's brother has written and
no and the lawyer think that the servants and
furniture had better be put up at auction, and
the place left with our lawyer
There's one thing wanted to speak with
you about" said Miss Ophelia Augustine
promised Tom his liberty, and began the legal
forms necessary to it. hopeyou will use your
influence to have it perfected
"Indeed shall do no such thing said
Marie, sharply. "Tom is one of the most val
liable servants on the place-it couldn't be af
forded any way, Besides, what does he want
Of liberty He's great deal better of rs he
| isD
But he does desire it, very earnestly, and
his master promised it," said Miss Ophelia.
al dare say he does want it,. said Marie
"they all want it, just because they are dis
contented set-always wanting what they
haven't got Now, Pm principled against
emnncipating, in any case. Keep negro
under the care Of master, and he does we'll
enough, and is respectable; but set them Free
and they get lazy and won't work, and take
to drinking, and 60 oil down to be mean,
worthless fellows I've seen it tried hundreds
of times It's no favor to set them free"
But Tom is so steady, industrious and
piousn
"Oh, you needn't tell mo Pye seen hun
drsd like him He'll do very well as long as
he's taken care of--thats all"
| But, then, consider" said Miss Ophelia,
"when you set him up for sale, the chances of
his getting a bad master"
| ooh, that's all humbug,n said Marie ait
isn't one time in a hundred that good fellow
gets bad master most masters are good, for
all the talk that is made. I've lived and grown
up here, in the South, and never yet was 40
quainted with a master that didn't treat his
servants well-quite as well rs is worth while
don't feel any fears on that head"
"Well" said Miss Ophelia, energetically
81 know it was one of the last wishes Of your
husband that Tom should have his libcrty-it
was one Of the promises that he made to dear
little Eva on her death-bed, and should not
think you would feel at liberty to disregard it."
Marie had her face covered with her hand
kerchief at this appeal, and began sobbing and
using her smelling bottle with great yebs-
mence
Everything goes against me- she said.
Everybody il so inconsiderate. ! shoaidnt
have expected that you would bring up all
these remembrance of my troubles TO me-its
10 inoonsiderate But nobody ever docs con-
sider-my trials are so peculiar rs so hard
| that when had only one daughter she shouid
have been taken--and when had q husband
that Just exactly suited mc--snd Pm SO hard
TO be suited Tho should be taken And you
seem 10 have so little feeling for me- and keep
bringing il up to me SO carslesSly-when you
Lnow how Il oyercomes me suppose you
mean we'll but il is very nconsiderate--very )"
80 49, ,ohLod and casped for breath and