The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-22

have seen her. when she stood by the deaf
body of one poor little thing, that had shrunk
away of cold and hunger-while the others
had scarcely rags enough TO cover them, and
she only said Bless the Lord, he did not live
to be massa's slareH They may be bad
race-the fugitiyes-they may steal and lie
but, who taught them--who drove them to it ?
Answer me that"
She did not wait for an answer, but hurried
why did we-why did father choose our
home in cold cherries Canada instead of the
States Because of Slavery And when dear
mamma dropped among the snOw-drifts, we
came here, to this broad free prairie, where
father says he would not live a day longer, if a
slave could live here and be q slave. That is
the reason why our home was not made at the
South, long ago, where poor, sweet mamma
wouldn't perhaps be pining away like frost
bitten flower -
Ada knew that she had gone too far; she
was overcome here at last, and sinking back,
burst into passionate tears.
"Ada !" called again that silvery voice from
the inner room; Ada few, sobbing, to obey its
call.
She came back in half an hour, quite COM
posed and cheerful with all traces of tears
wiped from her flushed cheeks She seemed
to have received suitable check, for she did
not again attack her opponent, Henley, but
took her former seat by Lewis, who exerted
himself warmly to atone for his companions
offences of speech. Ada could not long sit
silent or sullen, and in less than ten minutes
she was laughing as unsteady as ever. Then
such mirthful stories as she told of her wild
rambles and rides in wood and over prairie,
with CLEANS of enthusiasm bursting from eye
and lip. Her listener felt the mighty magic
of Joyous kindred heart thrill the bOyish
pulses of his own.
Ten O'Clock! rang the vibrating wire Of the
little clock i'm the kitchen
"Upon my word" yawned Henley, pulling
out his gold repeater, II find myself quite
tagged out with the days expeditions and ex-
periences!"
"We have very homely lodgings to offer you,
gentlemen" replied their hostess, but if you
wish, will show you to them directly. First,
let me relieve you of your burden" she added,
almost timidly reaching out her hands for the
child. Little Nora is not used t.. these late
hours and fear she has tired your patience
and your arm, sadly"
"Oh! not at all, returned the youth, gaily,
with o sssiile that summed her heart. 81 ha,e
always had most unboyish fondness for pap
pooses, picaninnies and babies, and have long
ed, my life through, for little sister, to plague
and pet"
Henley smiled to himself n half sneer of in
credulity or contempt, which Lewis caught as
he turned to return Ada's cordially smiled
i" Good night As Henley passed her, she
drew herself up with q cold, quecnly nod, re-
turned by an ironically civil bow.
The staircase was too narrow TO admit more
than one at time and Lewis was following
in his comrades steps, when he felt a slight
touch upon his arm. Turning, in some sur.
prise, he saw the face of his hostess at his
shoulder, tremulous with anxiety. She whis-
pered, in agitated haste" Steal away from
YOUR friend secretly, as soon as you can beg
it. must see you! Don't betray me-"
|, The young man was struck motionless with
astonishment.
Come, fellow where have you been prac-
ticing the snail's pace 2" called Henley, from
the upper stair.
ell dropped my handkerchief" answered
Lewis, and suiting the action to his words, and
picking it up again, he sprang over three steps
at bound towards the top.
This is your chamber, gentlemen, the best
we have to offer you. | hope you will find
your rest refreshing" Setting down the can.
die, their attendant retired, with gentle good
night courtesy.
'Not half 30 bad as though it were worse! y
calculated Henley, looking about the chamber.
IL was n tidy little whitewashed room, half
under the caves and scarcely high enough for
a six footer TO stand straight in. But it's couch
was covered with snow.white counterpane
its one window was yelled with n cambria cur
tain as white; one shelf Of books, in rich Eng.
lsh binding, swung against the wall near by
and in the opposite corner stood neat cherry
dressing. stand, furnished with elegant toilet
paraphernalia.
"You and | have camped out under the
moons face too often to grumble at trihes. But
what's brewing, chum?"
Lewis had taken the largest volume from
the bookshelf, and was delighted to find it
Gray's Botany with O we'll knOwn and we'll
written namc on its blank leaf half hidden by
the pctals Of pressed violet, which he silently
distracted.
"This is Ada's room, then ~ he said, invol-
unfairly, with glance about him.
"Ahemv
The speakers young cheeks flushed at this
sarcastic interruption
IOuuk man, you sHOuiu icuiD w muho cVu-
quests without putting your own fingers into
the freW Henley went on in his emphatic
tone-"but get your susceptibities scared az
fast as you can, if you cannot keep them un-
der lock and key"
al never will! ~ exclaimed warmly the true
hearted youth.
" Humph! SO far gone already? All the
better All ! this love, this love, it is a ~
Henley, what are you talking about " de-
manded Lewis impatiently. 81 am not in
love ~
"who insinuaied that yon were youngstcr ?
It's the wounded bird that futters!' You
~hy, !, who have been sitting under the Gree
Ike eyes of your nondescript fortieth cousin,
might be excused for a short soliloquy on my
own behalf, in my Transformation Prithee,
lad, lie down, and compose thy scnsiblities !"
"Wbat fooleryl" retorted the other, with
a forced laugh. $50 to bed yourself Henley,
have n letter yet to write"
"A love-letter by the frebrand eyes Of p
@Yes to my head overseer," interrupted the
other, demureIy.
What the eiephantnosed fellow? Whew!p
whistled Henley but de gusf'bus non est
nc, as quoted Tutor Y. prefer paying my
devoirs ~ Somnus"
Shaking up his pillow, he fell back upon il
to sleep.
Lewis sat with hts head leaning on his left
hand, and his right hand resting upon the I'M
finished page before him, listening to catch the
first deep breathing Of his companion, and re-
volving in his mind the singular request. At
last the sonorous signal Of stupefaction was
given, and he lightly stepped 70 the easement
and looked out into the moonlight.
"To go-or not to go-that is the question"
repeated he as the Pickering shade and sheen
OF silently waving ash seemed reckoning
hin, NJ, y.ta.iously forth What in the m anna