The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-06
For the National Era.
THANK GOD FOB TODAY -

Trompette home.
For the National Era
THANK GOD FOB TODAY"
BY MARY IRVING.
"Well, thank God for today"
It was spoken so cheerfully and emphatical-
~, that leaned from my window to look at
the speaker. He stood between me and the
golden gates of sunset, grasping the spade over
which he had been bending all day an old
negro man, with rough tattered, begrimed
clothes, and a hat that looked as though il
might have been worn from his boyhood.
"Why for today particularly, Uncle Ben
N.Y." asked
A start jerk of the hand to the hat brim,
and scrape of the old boot backward in the
soft clay then smile and look of embarrass-
ment broke over his honest black face.
"'Deed, missus didn't know'd you was nigh,
or | wouldn't a. spoke so ~
"No apology, Benny; it was very proper
to thank God but for what?n
"'Deed, missus," ne solemnly repeated, with
glance into the sky, and reverential bow,
"it's that Pse ivin' and we'll this whole day,
please Cod"
"You are right, Benny" | replied and a
thrill of elfreproaeh smote my own migrate
ful heart; for knew that old Negroes history,
and thought how few, so little favored in the
things of this world, were 30 rich in gratitude
had noticed old Benny on my first arrival
in the village, as kind of unique parsonage,
remarkable for his readiness to oblige, his good
judgment, his gratitude for smallest favors, and,
above all, for his freedom from the vice which
few in his condition fail to contract-that of
taking in vain the name he so reverently and
appropriately used on the occasion to which l
have alluded. He seemed to have but little in
common with others of his race; and there was
an independence as far removed from imperti-
hence as it was from servility, in bis demeanor
towards those who employed him, that inter-
ested me, and aroused my curiosity | soon
learned his history, from one who had known
him for years
Benny was not born slave. He lived, until
boyhood, in free State, with free parents.
He was artfully kidnapped, and sold into sla-
very, after he was old enough to realize the
sweets of the freedom he had lost and the in
justice that had been wrought him. For q
time, it was hard to bear. But the severe dis
cipline permitted by Gods providence worked
for good on his spirit and tempered without
destroying its strong impulses He became in
the course of years, the trusted servant of his
employer; and at last was cheered by the per
mission to bug himself into freedom again, if he
could gain the large amount specified, in the
course of several years, by small per oentage
on what he might earn daily. He had the
liberty of hiring out" as it is termed, wher-
ever he could make greatest gains
Thus stimulated, Benny went to work with
enthusiasm. Every nerve and sinew were
strained; he scarcely allowed himself time to
eat or sleep, or suitable clothes to wear He
had already carried more than half the sum to
his master, and moved about with heart won
drously lightened, when change came over
his bright dream His master became involved
in debt; valuable "handsn must be sold, to
prevent the pressure from crushing his entire
property. In disregard of all his promises to
Benny-sacred only in the eye of God, for the
eye of the law takes cognizance of no agree
ment between master and slave-he sold the
faithful fellow, keeping his hard-won earnings
for his own disposal
1t is but fair to say, that this act of injustice
met with almost universal Reproduction in the
neighborhood But that did not save cid Ben
ny he was sold from a home to which he was
attached by the associations of years-from
his comrades-his family-and from his hope
of Freedom.
If he despaired, however, it was not long.
Few would have tried the struggle again, once
80 defeated. But he gradually worked his way
into the favor of his new mistress, an ignorant
and rather imbecile widow lady, and was at
last intrusted with the entire management of
her affairs; she consulting has Judgment on all
matters of Importance and he, toiling in her
service with the utmost zeal and Difference.
| This won its reward 30 far, that she gave
him again the hope that had been the goal of
his life She promised to make him free, on
condition that he should not leave her while
she lived-if he would bring her the amount Of
his purchase money, in addition to his average
daily earnings
Those who believe that the slave cares little
| for the name of freeman" should see the in
| defatigable ardor with which this old man Ia
bors for that promised crumb of liberty!
| He has won the respect as well as favor Of
old and young, in all the country round about
| There is no labor too mean or too hard for him
never word of grumbling escapes his lips,
though sometimes his trembling limbs tell Of
weakness and pain.
| During the progress of last summers cpl
dsmic, lost sight Of Benny. We were num-
bering over the acquaintance whose faces we
should meet no more, and wondering whether
the cheerful old negro was among them, when
he, one day, made his temperance at our
door, in transport of delight.
@How-dye, missus! how-d'ye!" he exclaimed
gleefuliy, grasping the hands that one and an
other held out 0The Lord be thanked that
sees you all spared J"
aBut where have you been all the season,
Uncle Benny?"
aWhy, you see, young missus," said he,
Strengthening his crooked shoulders with an
air Of importance, PHI tell you how it was;
was hir'm out on the Mulberry plantation, for
six weeks work, dtchin' and maxim levees
Pd been down there nigh fortnight, when
hearn tell of the fever up yur; and says to
the overseer, My missus is full of scare, up
yonder, and nobody to leok after her ! must
leave here, and 60 up, deed mustv' You
see, missus l knoo'd how very 'feard she was
of any sickness that came about. So took
and came; and sure enough, my ole missuf
was nigh dead with scare know'd she sooutd
die, if she KEEP to home 60 l went about to
get her off. But there was merry boat ner.
horse, merry carriage to get, the sickness was
30 bad! At the last gets little ish-boat
and puts my ole misus in, and takes two
boys to help me row. Well, they two tool
sick, and laid down in the end of the boat
| and the ole lady scary to death in th' other
end and had to pole by myself all the way
down the bayou. Those was hard times
vonno miesus deed they was