The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-03-30

cautions taken, the planter with his new chattel
proceeded homeward. Ned's suIenness contin-
ued, but he made no demonstrations cf ferocity
aud his new master upon arriving at home rather
congratulated himself upon fortunate accession
to his gang just as the busy season was approach
ing. He conided to his overseer the reputed
Ito be on his guard.
Nixon shrugged and chuckIed, and shifted the
quid from one cheek to the other, with the unmis-
takeabIe air of man exceedingly well yersed in
his duty. Hem! been in the habit o. runnin'
away, has he ! Been acquainted with some sich
in my time. Git tllat notion out him mighty
quick, I reckon! And the savage grin which
followed, challenged full belief of the words.
This individual had peculiar and original meth
cd of curing runaway slaves, delicate little inven-
ton of his OVID, he used to say, which perhaps
merits notice in this place. When 'nigger ;
came under his sway accused of some time at
tempt TO steel himself, or when he suspected any
OF bis gang were indulsing secret dreams of
The cold barren shores where Niagara roars'
it was his amiabe practice to appear entirely off his
| guard-to wear an air of easy negligence among
them, and even to throw favorable opportunities in
their way. yet all the time secretly preserving q
most vigilant watch; until at last the poor tempted
creature, believing al this assumed carelessness
to be real, would make the desired attempt to
escape. Then came the recapture, the bitter
trunts and gibes, the cutting up with the lash
which the wolfsh creature declared alters drove
| the idea of Canada out of their heads for seven
years.
| Such was the course he commenced with Ned,
but the sharp-wtted slave was not to be hoodwink-
ed as others had been. He read the tyranical
character of the man from the first, and observed
the feigned part he acted with contemptuous in
difference while Nixon, enraged at the i'll success
OF his stratagem took every opportunity to annoy
and insult him, in the hope of encouraging him to
| a contest which should result in such .fogging
as never niger had!
| But for time Ned seemed to belle the charges
which had been made against him. He was in
dustrious and faithful and proved indeed most
efficient hand; though this did not prevent
frequent blows and abuse from the brutal overseer
Haughty and sullen enough he was; but guarded
in his conduct holding his combativeness in firm
control. and giving no reply to Nixon's provoca-
tiens save those lightning gances, which even the
bully felt required strong nerve to encounter.
1t is difficult to judge precisely by what motive
Wild Ned was actuated in thus partially and sud-
denly tanning himself. Certainly it was not fear
for he had before endured and even perversely
courted the severest punishment. Probably he
was prompted chiefly by desire to lull suspicion
preparatory to running away child in school
planning some deed of mischief is sure to be anna
zingly quiet and studious for time, in order to
ward off observation.
Yet there is reason to suppose that better infu-
enees had share in the Improvement of Ned's
| conduct. Mr.. Herbert, too clear-sighted to be
really biased by Nixon's distorted stories of the
new hand, could not help perceiving in him traits
of character which in a white man would have
called forth his admiration; and though by no
means admitting the fact to himself, he gradually
| conceived for him sort of respect that involun-
tary recognition of equality which strong active
intellect will feel for another, in whatever condi-
ton it appears and in whatever garb it is clothed
This feeling occasionally manifested itself in his
conduct towards the slave. He sometimes con-
suited him upon various matters appertai,ing to
business, when ingenuity or exact judgment was
required, and never failed to receive benefit from
his opinion. Occasionally also, when the press Of
field labor was over he employed him about the
house and yard, aud in waiting upon little Jamie ;
for which service his great strength and agility pc
culary fitted him. Moreover the child soon beg
to cherish marked attachment for the rough and
rugged man. which Ned returned with, an ardor
that showed how much of good yet remained in
that scathed and blasted being, which only
| gentle touch could win forth.
| No doubt this treatment in some degree ouieted
the fires of discomfort and revenge which for years
had burned and ragged in his bosom, and here we
| must sketch little of his past history.
His youth had been passed with an indugent
master, in whose service he had known little of
the degradation of seryitude The proud, imperi-
Gus spirit natural to the boy, and which tradition
said, had been handed down to him by long line
of illustrious African kings, was rather fostered
| than checked by the training he received; though
the sincere affection he felt for his MASTER pre-
vented any of those volcanic outbreaks which af er-
ward became so frequent and frightful. He had
many advantages, for his master, who had no
family, petted and INDUCED him like tame
monkey, and bore with his ebullitions of anger
with as little sense of responsibility and The same
soI VI Aai auluseu Pniiosophy as one usually teeis
at the malicious pranks of that agreeable animal.
He learned to read aud write, and managed to
pick up great deal of fgeneral information which
his shrewdness enabled him to turn to good ae-
count. He often overheard his master. who was
quite an aboltionist in theory, couversing with his
guests upon the injustice of slavery, and every
word OF bis description wac greedily treasured up
by his retentive memory, to be eonned over and
studied upon in future. He was brave, truthful
and generous by impulse; but quick-tempered,
impatient of restraint. and inconceivably naughty
to those who unjustly treaed or effected to des-
pise him. In Short dear reader, he was much
such boy as that hgh-spri,ed strong wied son
of yours might become, placed in the care of an
indulgent and irresponsible guardian, without any
motive in the present, any interest in tho fu-