The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-24
For the National Era.
MARK SUTHERLAND:
wER AND PRINCIPLE
BY EMMA d. n. N. soUTHWoRTH.
CHAP. IV-Continued

CHAP. IV-Continued.
Mr. Sutherland rang, and ordered horses,
which were at the door in fifteen minutes, and
he and his friend mounted and commenced
their ride over the plantation.
First winding around the shaded path at the
foot of the rose terrace, they turned to the left,
and entered the grove which surrounded three
sides of the back of the house. Half miles
ride through narrow, tangled pathway, up
which they were obliged to proceed in Indian
file, led them to an elevated clearing of about
a hundred acres, on which was situated the
negro village, called, in plantation parlanee,
The Quarters"
There what do you think of that" asked
Mark Sutherland, with slight dash OF trl-
umph 10 his tone, as they drew rein and paused
under the shade of the trees mt the edge OF the
grove.
Lauderdale's eyes were rowing leisurely and
attentively over the woodland village. 1t was
certainly most lovely scene. The sky above
was of the brilliant intense blue of Southern
chimes the foliage of the woods around was of
the vivid green Of early summer. A few large
trees were left standing at intervals in the
clearing and under these, aud scattered at
irregular distances through the area, were the
neat white cottages with their red painted
doors. Each cottage had its small vegetable
garden, and some few of the better-kept houses
had their fruit trees, and even flower yards.
The village was deserted now, except by the
children playing at the doors and the old
people left to take care of them. or these lat
ter, some were seated upon the doOr-stepe, and
some were standing leaning over the fence-rails;
some were occupied with knitting coarse stock
ings and some mostly men, were smoking
their pipes All the able.bodied men and
women were out in the fields.
Lauderdale looked on, first with an express
sion of surprise and pleasure, but afterwards
with q countenahce full of thought and grief
"Well. nv friend, how do you like that !n
repeated Mr.. Sutherland.
Il will give you my opinion more at large,
later in the day. my dear Mark" replied Lau-
derdale and then he added al have been told
that you have the best stud and best stables in
Mississippi will you favor me with the sight
of those also ~
Mr. Sutherland immediately assented. They
turned their horses heads and taking another
path, rode in circuit around to the site OF the
stables which lay at some distance to the right
of the mansion house, aud were concealed from
the latter by an intervening arm OF the grove.
The stables were built in the most approved
modern style, with much architectural beauty,
and possessed every requisite for the health and
comfort of the noble animals for whose accom-
modation they were designed. Here again
Lauderdale expressed no opinion, but asked TO
see-don't start, super-refned reader-the pig
pens Mark, with queer smile, conducted
his guest to the desired premises; and also,
without waiting to be solicited, introduced him
to the COW pens, the hen house. etc. All these
buildings had been constructed under the d.
rection Of celebrated English rural architect
and Of course were fitted with every modern
improvement for the well being of the stock.
Stall, Lauderdale as yet reserved his judgment,
while ne expressed his thanks to his host for
the privilege he had enjoyed. Sutherland mis-
chievously asked him whether he would not
also like to see the pigeon boxes before dinner.
Lauderdale smilingly declined, and they re-
turned to the house They alighted from their
saddles and threw the relns to the groom. en-.
tered the hall, and separated to dress for din
ner
Half an hour after, when they met in the
drawing-room, Lauderdale advanced to his
host and said
Sutherland, must thank you again for the
sight Of your plantation arrangements; and
must say that all your stock-horses, cows and
Pigs and slaves-are probably the best accom-
modated of any in the Stste!"
Run through the heart, a. it were, by this
severe gibe, Marx Sutherland, with q flushed
brow, turned away. But in an instant Lau-
derdale laid his hand upon bis arm, and said,
with a Voice and manner full of aHsctionate
earnestness-
81 mean TO say just this dear Mark-thst
your negro village is comfortable and even eI-
ceedingly beautiful, but that no amount OF
P"ysical comfort can or ought to compensate
an immortal being for the loss of liberty. The
most can say, after this examination TO which
you nave invited me, H. that you treat your
s'a'es-your men and women-quite a. well az
you treat your cows aud horses and no better,
Mark Dear Marx, no better
My God my God ~ exclaimed Mark
Sutherland, in sharp tones; al know that is
true! know and feel it! Oh indeed sla very
is an 'unspeakabe wrong as Doctor Chan
nlng says II needs no exsggeration to repre-
sent it So And, please God at eli sacrifice a
fortune or feelings, will cleanse my soul Of
it
he entrance Of other members of the family
aud the speedy announcement Of dinner ended
TINS conversation for the present.
Haggard, care-worn, anxious a. he was, the
psep eyer-spripging fountain Of gladness in
nark Sntherland's heart dispersed al! his
COON aud, during dinner, when the jest and
aush went round he was as usual the spring
wt and humor 10 the party.
Ai'er dinner, when he was about 10 seek an
a1ruew with his betrothcd, Mrs Vivian fore
s.A'iea him, by carrying OF Min Sutherland TO
Na am'ne boz Of goods, lately arrived from
p' DIV orleans for the bride elect. And Mr.
,shng leaving Sutherland, senior, To entertain
sns guest ran his arm through that Of Marx,
A'a IN marched him of in triumph.
well, Marx" he said, a. soon a. he had