The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-11
For God hath marked each sorrowing day.
And numbered every bitter tear,
And Heavens long years Of bliss shall pay
For all his children suffor here

And numbered every bitter tear,
And Heavens long years Of bliss shall pay
For all his children suffer here.
The longest way must have its end-the
gloomiest night will wear on TO morning
an eternal, memorable lapse of moments is ever
hurrying the day Of the evil to an eternal
night and the night of the just to an eternal
day.
We have walked with our poor humble friend
thus far in the valley Of slavery--frst through
howery fields of ease and indulgence-then
through heart-breaking separations from all
that man holds dear; again, we have walled
with him in q sunny island, whore generous
hands concealed his chains with flowers and
lastly, we have followed him when the last ray
of earthly hope went out In night, and seen
how, in the blackness Of earthly darkness, the
armament of the Unseen blazes with stars of
new and significant power. The morning star
now stands over the mountains, and gales and
breezes not born Of earth show that the gates
Of day are unclosing.
The escape of Classy and Emmelne irritated
the before surly temper Of Legree to the last
degree, and his fury. rs was natural, fell on the
deienceless head Of Tom. When he hurriedly
announced the tidings among his hands, there
was sudden light in Toms eye, sudden up
raising of his hands, that did not escape him
He saw that he did not join the muster of the
pursuers He thought Of forcing him 10 join,
but having had of old experience of his in
fexiblity when commanded to take part in
any deed Of inhumsnity. he would not in his
hurry stop to enter into any conflict with him.
Tom therefore remained behind with a few
who had learned of him to pray, and offered
up prayers for the escape of the captives
When Legree returned, bafiied and dsap-
pointed all the long-working hatred of his soul
towards his slave began to gather in a deadly
and desperate form. Had aot this man braved
him steadily, resistlessly, powerfully, ever since
he bought him! Was there not spirit in
him, which, silent as it was burned on him
like the fires of perdition'
81 hate him" said Legree that night as he
sat up in his bed. al hate him-and isn't he
MINE-c can't do what like with him
Who's to hinder, wonder and Legree clench-
ed his fist and shook it as IL he already had
something in his hands that he could rend In
pieces.
But then Tom was a faithful and valuable
servant and though Legree hated HIM the more
for that vet the consideration restrained him
some
The next morning he determined to say
nothing a. veto assemble a party from some
neighboring plantations with dogs and guns to
surround the swamp and go about the hunt
systematically. If it succeeded, we'll if not,
he would summon Tom before him and his
teeth clcnchcd and his blood boiled as he
thought of it, Then he would break that fell
low down, and make him give up. Or
There was dark pause there filed up by a
dim inward whisper, to which his sonl assented
Ye say that the interest of the master is a
sufficient protection to the slave, In the fury
of mans mad will, he will Willingly and with
open eyes sell his own soul to the Devil to get
his ends and will he be more careful of his
neighbours body
@Wen" said Classy, the next day, from the
garnet, ms she reconnoitered through the knot
hole, :" the hunts going to begin again to-day
| Three or four mounted horsemen were cur
vetting about on the space front of the house,
and one or two leashes Of strange dogs were
struggling with the negroes who held them,
baying and barking at each other.
The men were two Of them overseers Of
plantations in the vicinity, and others were
some Of Iegree's associates at the tavern bar OF
neighboring city, who had come for the in
terest of the sport. A more hard-favored set
4
serving brandy profusely round among them
as also among tho negroes who had been de-
tailed from the various plantations for the day,
service
Classy placed her ear to the knot hole, where
she could overhear the conversation. A grave
sheer overcast the dark, severe gravity of her
face MS she listened and heard them divide out
the ground. discuss the rival merits of the dogs,
and give the orders about the firing, and the
treatment in case of capture.
Classy drew back, and, clasping her hands,
looked upward and said Oh, great, Almighty
God we are oil sinncrs--but what have ,De
done, more than all the rest Of the world, that
we should be treated 30 ?"
There was terrible earnestness in her face
and voice as she spoke.
"If it wasn't for you, child she said, look
ing at Emmenc, "rd 40 out TO them, and I'd
thank any one of them that ,rould shoot me
down, for what use will freedom be TO me
Can il give me back my children, or make me
what used to be ~
Emmeline, in her childliks simplicity was
half afraid of the dark, determined mood Of
Classy. She looked perplexed, but made no
answer She only took her hand with a gentle,
caressing movement
aDon't,n said Classy, trying to draw il away;
If you do 30, you'll get me TO loving you and
never mean to love anything again"
"Poor Classy" said Emmelipe, don't feel 40 !;
if the Lord gives us liberty, perhaps he'll give
you back your daughter. At any rate, III be
like a daughter to you | know I'll never see
my poor old mother again; shall love YOU
Classy, whether you love me or notn
The gentle, childlike spirit conquered. Cas-
~ sat down by her, put her arm around her
neck stroked her soft brown hair, and Emme-
line then wondered at the beauty of her mag
niRcent eyes, now soft with tears
"Oh, EN- said Classy, "Pve hungered for
my children, and thrsted for them, and my
eyes fail with longing for them-here here ~
she said. striking her breast, "its all desolate,
oil empty If God would give me back my
children, then could pray
"You must trust Him, CASEY" said Emme-
line she is our Father"
@Hs wrath is upon us" said Classy, she has
turned away In anger"
aNo, CASEY, he will be good to US let us hope
in Him, said Emmeline always have had
hope"
The hunt was long, animated, and thorough
but unsuccessful and with grave ironie exult-
alton Classy looked down on Lcgree, as wea-
ry and dispirited be alghted from bis horse.
"Now, Quimbo,n said Lcgree, as he stretched
himself down in the sitting room you jest 30
and walk that Tom up here right away-the
old cuss is at the bottom OF this yer whole mat
ter, and IN have il out Of his old black hide,
or III know the reason why
Ssmbo and Quimbo both, though hating
each other, were joined in oHs mind BY q no less
cordial hatred Of Tom. Legree had told them
at first that no had bought him for general
overseer in his absence, and this had begun an
ill.will on their part which had increased IN
their debased and servie natures rs they saw
him becoming obnoxious TO Their masters d's-
pleasure. Sambo therefore departed with
will To execute bis orders
Tom heard the message with forewarning