The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-03-16

istocratic eompeers; upon his slender shoulders
must rest the honor of one of the first families o.
the South.
Of late he had become strongsr. and the proud
mans ambition fed and grew upon the father's hope
but the mother was not to be deceived. She knew
that the light which made so beautiful those deep
dreamy, wistful eyes, was Eight which fingers moi
long among the earih-shadows; that the lamb
strayed from heavenly pastures, would soon wea-
ry of the bare, cold fields of Time.
A short time before the period at which our sto-
ry commences, Mr.. Herbert, rendered too conf
dent by previous success, had speculAted somewhat
carelessly and lost large amount. Other failures
combining and heavy debts becoming due atthe
same time.3 reduced him to the narrow strait we
have before noticed though he had extended the
truth when he told EInor that he was on the brink
Of ruin. The next year by prudent management
and fortunate concurrences, he weathersd the
storm, and for several years his prosperity steadily
increased.
After Mrs. Herbert recovered from the. first
shock of the attempted sale of her little favorite,
instead of failing rapidly, she seemed rather
TO gain strength for SEASON.. Whether the fear
that in the event of her death such attempt
would actually be consummaied,c caused her to raj
ly every energy to dispute the path of the Des-
troyer, We know not; but for more two years, she
continued in an amended state of health. Then
the disease returned in more dangerous form.
and it was soon evident to the circle of sorrowing
,bre l,op hot
had gone forth which was TO take from their una
vailing clasp holy and priceIess treasure.
All through the winter months she faded and
dropped, slowly. gently.
Gas lig hi winds wandering through groves of balm.
Detach the delicate bios from The tree .--.
and when spring came robing the earth in fresher
green, it brought no vigor nor bloom TO her who
was passing away. ts'ss -
Three weeks before her death she called Con-
stance TO her bedside and spoke to her long and
affectionateIy upon many subjects Which weighed
down her mother heart at The thought os leaving
daughter young, beautiful, of noble aspirations and
generous impulses, and yet at times wayward and
naughty.
In conclusion she said, Now, darling, listen a
few moments longer, while speak upon theme
which through long days of languor and nights of
wakefulness, has been much in my mind and now
weighs heavily upon my heart. Our slaves, Con-
stance-the poor negroes! @
sOh! - exclaimed Constance wipng away her
tears, 1 knew what you meant; but indeed
mamma, Angeique never shall be soid-neVer
while live, any of the others if can help IL,
and you know papa does listen to me sometimes
You have much influence with him my dear
girl. and yoa will acquire much more. Use it
benefit those who cannot plead for themselves
o, my child, in the light Of eternity, how foul, how
barbafous looks to me this whole system which l
once defended in obediene to tn lessons Of my
childhood with many surrounding arguments. Bot
here in this dHrkened room drawing every day
visiby nearer and nearer to the final resting place
of all, would fain hope that my spiritual vision
has been enlarged, that l have taken wider, and
clearer views Of humanity and human duty than
ever in my hours of health. .N'oaO the act Of ensa
venent seems to ne the foulest abuse, the bitter
est wrong that powerful AMI depraved man can in
flict on his weaker negfhor, and all the ouirages
which result from it, only the natural fruits of
pOiSOH tToo U iDbk6 tHGFCildijuiZo vi Oou iill-
age Assume the responsibility of soul ! Is it
not horrible, my child III thought if they We're
provided with necessaries, were treated justly,
and had the Bible read to them it was all they
CURED, but now regarding them as do, in the
light of deeply injured feIow-beings, children of
the same God and claiming of him redress at our
hands, at my hands how fearful seems TO me the
cnitt of fbajr and p,nrnl Iarkbess. how
wicked my neglect of opportunities to plead for
their deveraDce. 1t is for this reason my daughter
that urge their claims upon you, that you may feel
on your death-bed that you have dune all in your
power to testify against, this mighty system of
robbery and guilt
Bnt" said Constance, 'papa viii never eman-
cipate his slaves-what can do
"You can do many things, my love, TO make
their condition easier. Interest yourself in them.
Study their eapabilities-their virtues do them
coed in every possible method-alas, that possible
methods should be so few! Nuke yoursel: known
them their friend, and oh! never forget that
they are immortsls who will stand with you at the
bar of God. If you are tempted to cruelty, if you
feel repealed by their vices and provoked by their
stupidity remember your relation TO them as
one of the race which has defrauded them of all
power to be otherwise than stupid and wicked,
for whom Heavens justice must prepare retri.
button. Let this keep you humble. But am
wea,ying you, darling, you can never remember
uli this
Oh 1 shall never forget sobbed the child, but
indeed, matnina have had all these thoughts be-
~ Jox, 81.
tried to take away Auslique have hated every
body who talked of buying or selling the negroes,
and when am a woman shall free every one pa
pa gives me. You smile mamrna--y ou are Think
ing would have TO learn to wait upon myself and
SO would. can dress myself pow without Lot
ties help as well as with it, e sss-
Il smile DEAR because am pleased that you SO
readily second my wishes. | fear there is little
hope that you will ever be permitted to emanc-
nate auy considerable NUMBER yet never lose sight