Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-01-15
!, day was gtud to shut myself up alone

The next day the master sent for me 10
the library. at is true, Phillis," ho snid to
me, "Jerry is without doubt poor Elsie's |
child" IL an arrow had pierced my heart |
ot TINT moment, could not have ftlt worse, !
for though had Thought was sure it was
80, NIL the while hope was lingering in my
henrt that was mistaken. | did not speak,
and the masicr seeing how irembled, kind
ly told me to sit down, and went on; Z" | did
not see Jerry myself I've said, Mr.. Minturn
mnde all necessary inquiries for me. Jerry
remembers his mother, aud Describes her in
way that admits of no mistake. lie re-
members, too, that gentleman used some
times TO visit his mother, who took n great
deal Of notice of him, and would LEI him sit
upon his lap and play with his watch senls.
HIS mother used TO be very hnppy when this
gentleman came, and when he went away
she would almost smother the little boy
with kisses, aud talk 10 him of his papa
] offered TO buy Jerry, but Mr.. Miniuru
would not part with him. II he would have
consented, might easily have disposed Of
the whole matter"
A horrible fear took possession Of me Mt
these words. Would he dare to sell my dur
ling Zilpla? The thought almost muddcned
the. Scnrce knowing what I did threw
myself on my knees before him, and begged
his own flesh and blood lie angrily bado
me rise and not medde with TINT in which
j had no concern. That he had right,
which he should exercise, to do what he
would with his own. lie had thought il
proper, he snid, to tell me what | had Just
heard, but charged the never again TO name
the subject TO any living heing aud not to
let any one suspect from my appearance that
anything unusual had occurred. With this
he dismissed me.
What suffered during that dreadful week.
is known ouly to God. ! could neither eat
MOI sleep. IL seemed to me ] should lose
my reason.
Jerry came once to Oak Grove. but I
would not see him. Zilpha I avoided as
much as possible. could not bear to look
upon her innocent happiness, knowing as ] |
did that il would soon be changed into un- |
Rpeakable misery
The first three days the master was away
from home. On Thursday he reiurned.-
When ] chanced TO meet him, he looked
uneasy; aud il he came to his wife's room
and found me with her, lie would make
some excuse for sending me away.
Saturday was beautiful bright October
day, and Ida proposed to Zilpha that they
should take their books and spend the fore
noon in the woods. They went off in high
spirits. thought had never seen my Zil-
pha look so lovely. Love aud happiness had
added a softer grace TO her whole being.
followed them TO the door, aud she kissed
me twice before leaving me; ilien looking
back, when she had gone little way, and
seeing me still standing there, she threw n
kiss TO me with her litlle hand, and looked
90 bright and joyous, that my aching heart
felt new paDg Of sorrow. What was il
whispered to me then that | should never
see her again
l went back to my work, and presently
the master came aud asked for Ida. lie
wished her TO ride with him. | told him
where she was, and ho went in search of
her. Zpha did not como back with them.
ave told her to stay if she wished" Ida
said. But my heart misgavc me. | should
at once have gone in search of her, but Mrs.
Lee wanted me, and could not 90.
l cannot bear, even now, TO recall the
events of that day. My worst fears were
realized. During my masters absence, he
lind sold my darling to Southern trader
who only waited favorable opportunity TO
take her AWAY without the knowledge of the
family. lie had been that morning with Mr.
Leo, aud was in the house when Mr.. Lee
returned with Ida from the woods.
E6 | do MT know how the muster ever satisfied
his wife and Ida nbout Zilpha's disappear
nnce. There was u report that she had run
awny but do nj thiuk they believed it,
Certainly never did.
Il | almost forgot my own sorrow when |
saw how poor jerry felt when ho knew
what hhd happened. OF course he did not
know what did. He ntver knew why Iii
pha was sent AWAY, but he knew she was
sold aud that there was lilll0 reason to hope
he should ever tsee her again. lie went
about his work as usual, but there was a
look in his eye which made one ircmble.
Before many days hc was missing, and
though his nlnslerisenrched the country, and
took every possible means 10 find hiuI, lio
could discover no trace of the fugitive.
fe!i satisfied he had. followed the North Star,
but Ifsnd nothing, and was glad the poor
fellow had gone from what would constantly
remind him of ZilplIa
During the following winter Mrs. Lee had
n dangerous illness. 81 watched over her
night and day, aud when she recovered, my
master was SO grateful for what had done,
That he gave me my freedom, and money
enough TO bring me TO the North.
OF Zilpba's lh,e have been able To learn
nothing. cnn only leave her with God,
who though his vengeance is long delayed,
hears and treasures up every sigh aud tear
of his poor slave children.
saw, few days since, n man who knows
Jerry. lie is living not many miles from
me, aud shnll try TO see Him before die.
But shall never tell him tic whole extent
Of the wrongs he suffered in slavery.