The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-02
VOL. VIII.


welfare is as dear to me as to you-that if abe
is proved guilty, she shall euffer whatever pun
ishment you choose to inhictr
Cpd Ike to know what further proof you
need! Zeb saw her do it,
"Zeb nsver saw"-began the child vehe-
mently.
" Hush, my sister! Before we 90 any far
ther, you have one duty to perform. You have
spoken Improperly to your aunf.n
81 am not liar !'n exclaimed the suspect
ed culprit with heaving chest
" / do not say that you are! But you forgot
the reverence due to gray hairs Eulale ask
pardon for it,"
She compressed her lips, but opened them
in moment
Aunt am sorry n-the tears choked her
long rough stick, cutting flourishes in the tall
grass.
The instant dropping Of his eye rs il met
mine, and the hypocritical aspect of his whole
face, led me to question very seriously the truth
Of his evidence.
"Come here, sir +" exclaimed
He looked to his mistress for countenance /;
but she stood proudly aloof with. her arms
folded over her gray spencer.
"Out with it," she commanded "and if
you d. tell lie, don't believe your black skin
viii save you"
ell seen Miss Yuly go in the gardin, and
hook them apples" he began but his efront-
cry failed him under my gaze, and he became
confused.
"No more, sir !" said, seizing him by the
shoulder Empty your pockets J"
He stood mute for an instant and then pull
cd fiom tho recesses of his right side jack
knife a ball of string, slate pencil, two black
| buttons, and q piece of blue and white crock
cry ~
"The other pocket !"
Haint got none sir J"
"Thats one lte-you know you have two
pockets ~ exclaimed his mistress, bouncing
upon him, and in q twinkling disgorging the
contents A soiled and stained handkerchief
fell out, from which, as | raised it, dropped a
half eaten apple, whose blush skin betrayed
the " forbidden fruit"
A rare study for painter, was Aunt Try
| phena's countenance at the moment of this dis
coveryl A thousand contendipg passions, of
which anger at having been deceived in her
| trust was uppermost, flew into her face, as she
stooped to seize the thief He had fallen on
bis knees at her feet, with the cry
III haint eat but one, nam! I'll get them
all for you"
"You little wretchID and, snatching the
stick from his hand, she began to belsbor his
back and shoulders.
! Lulie chung to me with low scream
"Oh, don't aunt !"
"Be merciful!' attempted to add, since
it is his first offence; ;" but a voice of thunder
| could not have made itself audible above the
piercing screams.
Let alone, Ralph Lincoln-I know what
Pm about To think that should have to
come TO this to lay hands On a niger in my
old age!"
In mercy to the child, whose trembling face
was hidden in my lap, | matched her up and
carried her into the garden, out of sight and
hearing Of the harsh infection Of justioe
"Poor Zeb" she sobbed.
''Zeb deserves bis punishment, fear; this
cannot be the first wrong action"
ooh, no! he has been very often naughty !"
she said, with glance of fear over my shout
der; but never dared tell Aunt Tryphena,
for he scares me SOL"
Chow is that?"
"Oh, by making such horrible faces , she
answered, trembling; IL think Of them all
night"
ave will hope he may improve, now that
his faults are found out. But tell me one thing,
Lule what arere you doing in the garden!"
81 was reading" said she, with downcast
eyes
"What were you reading, and why did you
blush 80 when you were questionedF"
She pulled little well-thumbed book from
her bosom 1t was a collection of child stories,
such as Little Red Riding Hood, "The Babes
in the Wood" sc.
"Aunt Tryphena doesn't like to have me
read that book" she said, as though cOnfessing
q guilty deed "She gave me sheet to hem,
and go. tired, and came out here under the
butternut tree to read and pretty soon looked
up, and there was Zsb grinning at me, and
growing; so ran up into the barn chamber !"
What does aunt teach you'" inquired.
81 In the morning wash dishes; then sew
a while; then knit ten rounds on my stocking
then | weed in the beet. bed then set the table
for dinner and afterwards sweep the hearth
up. Then | sew my stint and knit; and Aunt
lets me play; and after supper she hears me
read my chapter"
"Should you like to 60 to school! Let me
see-you are nearly eight years old"
"Not with Zeb!n she answered, quickly
"Well away from Zeb how would that do ! ~
Goa! should love it dearly"
Her whole countenanoe lighted up.
am going to Embury next week" said |,
I" where there is an academy and if you will
promise to be good scholar, you shall 60 with
NE, and enter the school,