The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1852-09-08
Whole Number 1884

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ing .s.
1.-The family is not in the country now,sir,
or I'd ak you to walk in. But Mass John,
|spec, will he yer by ~ O'Clock. If you is
about yer den, sir, da say he will ak you to
tdinner.''
do you live in this house while the fami- !
Ily is awsy?" asked Ballou:
20, no, massa, I stay in de kitchen. Mass
John buy gal and sen EN- yer yesterday and
de obsheer lock en- up in de room up stairs,
till Mass John COME, an only come in to
clean out an air de house,
What did he lock her up for!"
"Me don't know, massa, Keep to keep en-
from runway. De gal cry all de time. Look
lis like buckra too. 1 dtinno what Mass John
buy such gal fur. She do berry well for
misses to sew for EN-, but no use tall to Mass
John" E
4 The old woman was disposed to be quite
talkatiye, but Balou feared he might be OBJ
served speakingt her, and, calling to his dog,
he said "
"Wel, old mamma, I'll just Look round at
your pretty garden and walks, and then hunt
for some game"
4 The old woman returned into the house,
and Ballou walked round about the premises,
looking occasionally towards the upper win
dows. Amanda saw and recognised him.
He saw her, but did not recognise her through
the window-glass. Amanda's heart beat
painfully. She readily concluded he was ac-
duainted with the fact of her abduction from
Phiadelphia, aud had traced her to that spot.
"But O." said she, ''he does not know I
, am negress."
The noble girl determined at once to un-
information she knew not. Having no pencil
, nor paper, she was utterly at loss in what
, way to proceed. Suddenly she thought of
the miniature. Taking pin from her dress,
she scratched upon the golden case, my
mother was a slave" She pushed up the
sash without noise. and waiting the opportu-
nifty to attract James Ballou's notice, she
: dropped her handkerchief out, with the min
iature wrapped upin it. Ballou was at some
distance and could not very well recognize
q her, reduced as she was, and with her hair
9 tucked up instead of hanging down in ringlets.
r She drew her head in, but neglected to pull
g down the sash. Ballou fastened to the spot
9 and picked up the handkerchief, as it was ev-
il ident from her manner she intended him to
a do so. On opening it, there was the minia-
ture. 's That girl must know me-" no said
a to himself, ..or she would not suspect had
hahn
d scratched, it attracted his attention, and he
3, read. with some difficulty, my mother was
n a slave.' "Poor GIRL" said Ballou, with a
l. tear trickIng dowh his cheek. ''She has
Je scratched this here to excite my sympathy
Ia Amanda had thought to have opened and
ut looked once more upon the likeness of hel
l. beloved James, but she feared it would weak
IS en- her resolution to return it to him
in she therefore hastend to throw it out, with.
out remembering that Susan's note was stucl
= in corner of the frame. Balou on opening
a the case, observed the note. He read it,
all . What can this meant" he CALCULATED. "a
g. note addressed to Amanda about her maste
,r, recovering her by law, and here in my min
iature frame; and here this scratch, : III
r. mother aDas a. sLaue.'" It was all 80 mysteri
m Gus, that Dallou without taking time for fur
ther reflection, determined to call to the girl
be Looking around to see if any one. was nea
al he called in low tone. "Martha." Aman
as da came to the window, but was so over
ce powered by her feelings that she sunk
nd the floor. Ballou caught the glimpse of hel
and saw that she fell. The lightning-ro
ran M the chimney within two feet of tn
re window. He laid down his gun, clambere
Is. up, and was in the room as Amanda ros
his from the floor. He clasped her in his arm
lot and exclaimed, s.Merciful God! is tn
to Amanda 90
ne, 90, Mr.. Bal!ou," replied the weepiu
gilI, II am not Amanda now; am pot
on, slave girl"
,u- She would have said more. but her wore
died away in her bosom.
..What does all this mean? Explain
ars nv dear girl-explain this mystery. d
my not expect to see you here. l thought 1t WI
YER sone girl that had stolen my miniature frol
ay' YOU, and came after that. But how Is thl
tell me quickly, Amanda, how came yo
u hsreq Sitdown in this chairand tell me all
Amanda briefly informed him OF her al
as duction and the evidence of her being a slav'
an- the daughter of mulatto. "And now,
'ne continued she, "Ieave me Mr.. Bailou' IL
Us" your presence here places you in DANCE
ho and can do me no benefit" ..
ma Ballou was evidently troubled ut the ev
iae dence of her African origin. For sever
nA minutes he said nothing, and sat looking il
-. tently upon the floor, while Amanda press'
~ him to leave her at once. At length rs'r
.to from his scat, he fervidly exclaimed - Ne'
M Ell leave you? Never!"
There was such sincerity and honesty II
off. the impassioned utBerznee, that Aman'
the could not doubt him.
lies 90, James ,ean it be that you love n
int stih!"
nds "In the presence of the Holy God, Anna
The da. A take you now for my wife. Twill ne