Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-04-16
MOIyl CHARLOTTE.
By MRs. C. NJ. KIRKLAND.


They arc taken care of-(they must be YOU
know, because il is the innster's interest to
keep them in good condition, and n tnan will
| always do whit is for his INTEREST," They
are free from all responsibility, which is
what we nre gronning UNDER aud if they
were only let alone they would he happy
enough-hnppier Than their masters, I dare
say
Then You must think it any thing but
kindness to urge their emancipation
TO he sure | do, and would have every
one that teaches them to I've dscontentcd,
hung 'ip without Judge or jury
You seem particularly interested for the
slave
Interested! would have every one of
them sent beyond the Rocky Mountains if ]
could, or into Kingdom come for that matter
They nre the curse of the country. But Ms
long ms they are properly, would shoot any
man TINT put bad ideas into their heads, or
TINT interlcred with my management of
them, as would shoot dog that killed my
sheep
But do they never get what you call bad
idens from amy but white people,?
90, there is no knowing where they get
them, hut they are full of them. No matter
how kind you are to them, they nre never
satisfied
j can tell you where they get some Of
their ideas Of slavery, il you have no ohiec-
ton
Certainly am always glnd of informa.
ton
"Well will tnkc up your time with moth.
ing but iacls, for the truth of which I will
he answerablc. ln n western tour, not INA
ny years since, one day saw young lady
fair as lily, aud with sweet expression
of counienance, walking in the street with
little bluck girl whom she held by the hand.
The little girl was about six yeurs old, nent-
ly dressed aud very clean, aud on her neck
she had n liule gau2c shawl, that somebody
had given her, the border of which was
composed Of the figure Of the American
Eagle many times repeated ench impression
accompanied by the word Liberty woven
into the fabric.
This curious decoration, together with
the wisiiil look of the child's face, and the
benevolent air of the young lady, with whom
! was Slightly acquainted, led me to ask
some questions, which were answered with
an mir III which mOdesty aud sensibiliiy weic
blended.
u learned that the young lady had under.
tnken the trying task of accompanying the
little girl through the ploce-which was a
considerable vill1ge--iur the purpose of col
lecting the sun, of $50 with which to pur-
chase the freedom OF the child.
Aud how, | inquired, did you become in
terested in The poor little tling?'
She belongs To n member of my family
-said she with blush--to my aunt Mrs
Jones'
Aud how did she find her way to the
North
Her mother, who is the servant of my
aunt, obtained leave TO hing Violet along
with her, when her mistress came here tor
the SUMNER
But both mother and Child are free by the
mere circumstance of being here
20, but Momma Charlotte promised her
mistress that she would not leave her nor let
Violet do ST., If she might hiring the Child
with her aud beg money To bny her. She
says she does not care for freedom Tor her
self
Il could do no less than to 20 with the
good girl for u while to nssist little in her
labor of love, which, with n good deal of
difficulty, wns finally accomplished.
1t was not I'LL after this, that | became
acquainted with Monma Charlotte, and
learned n few Of the particulars of the story
which made her not care for freedom
'Momma Charlotte was the mother Of ten
children--six daughters aud four sons. Her
husband had been free black, carpenter,
able TO keep n comfortable home for his
family, hiring his wife of her innster AT
the time Of the Southampton insurreciion,
this man was among the suspected, and on
suspicion, not proof was taken up, tried at
ter the fashion of that time, and hung with
several others, all between sunset aud sun
rise of single dny.
lie was Innocent, he had no hand in the
matter, as God is my Judge!' said poor
Momnna Charlotte.
This was hut the beginning of troubles.
A sense OF insecurity nude The sale of slaves
more vigorous than ever. Cliurlolte's chill
dred were sold, one hy One--no two together
the boys for the sugar counlry-tho girls
ior-ihe New Orleans market, whence they
were dispersed, she never knew where.
'All gone she said, where shall never
see 'em nor hear Of 'em. Idon't even know
where one OF 'e'n is.'
'And VIolet?'
20 yes, mean all but Violet Shes all
I've got in the world, aud | want to keep
her. begged Missus To let me keep jlst
one. And she said il could get amy body
TO buy her for me | nigh, have her, for you
know ! coudn't own her myself, cause Pm
slnve.'
But you are no longer n slnve, Momrnn
Charlotte; your mistress by bringing you
here, has voluntarily freed you.
Yes, know, but promised you know,
and don't cnre TO he free. l. old aud my
chlldren's gone and my hearl's broke, hun'l
no more courage. II can keep Violet lis
all expect. My mistress IS good enough
to me.
Such was Momma Chnrotte's philosophy
but her ince told through what suffering,
such philosophy had been acquired. A fixed
grief sot oil her brow; since the judicia
murder Of her husband, Shc had never beer