Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-04-22

catlOn but had himself bestowed much care anC
attention upon IT. Beside reading, writing, an,
other branches, he had undertaken to teach me
little music; and he never seemed happier than
when | sang to Linn some plaintive song oc;om
panied by an old fashioned guitar
al Not unfrcqucntly, too read to him in tht
T pleasant summer afternoons, some story or poem
as we sat together in the vine-shaded verandah
After our visitors arrival, my father often called
. upon me to ontertaia him with what he called my
( wonderful accomplishment. At first young Lee
gave little heed to my simple songs, or my unskl
iul performances ON my worthless instrument
But by degrees, he grew moro attentive, sometimes
even praising my poor music. At length he seemed
to grow quite fond of it, and if my father failed to
call me at evening, he would enquire for me. Ac.
customcd as | had always been to the respect Of
. the servants and the affection of my father the
ri dciercntal attentions Of the young stranger did
not surprise me, yet when las | sometimes did ]
raised my eyes suddenly to him and met his fixed
on me with look Of admiration, my own would
, droop beneath his ardent gaze, while my cheek
burned with bushes, and my heart thrilled with a
strange happiness.
at was as if had found something which had
searched for in vain beforeand the world seemed to
grow brighter, and my heart was like a summer
bird. forever singing some sweet and joyous tune.
Butin proportion as grew happy my father seemed
to grow restless and miserable.
For the first time since my remembrance he
appeared harsh and morosc. lie had ever been
the kindcst Of masters but now his unhappy slaves
for the first time tremblcd before him. TO me he
was sometimes extremely afIectionate. and some.
tpaa afpls II, II
unaccountable and which had made me miserable
but for the newly awakened happiness in my soul.
Unable to assign any reason for his singular
conduct consulted some of tho old servants on
the subject but they only shook their heads and
said, 'Derc somchn' berry strange bout it.anv-
how" This only added to my perpexity, and |
pondered over it night and day. One evening after
day ON which my father appeared unusually
gloomy and reserved, retired to my chamber, bur
not to rest Thoughts of his strange moodiness
mingled with iancies and dreamings of another
character filled my brain and banishcd sleep For
hours lay uneasily tossing about, until at last
wearied aud doSpairing of gaining repose that
night, arose. and softly descending the staircase.
went.ou upon the verandah. All was silent. The
moon shonc brightly in the clear sky, the breeze
me and sat down on one of the benches whore I
had so often sat with my father, and amused his
leisure hours by reading and singing. sat some
time, thinking, while the tears ran down nv
cheeks how happy we used to be when he was
kind ai!cctonQte and cheerful, and wondered
what could have changed him so. Then thought
of Henry Lee so beautiful SO manly, so noble. (soI
he seemet) and then forgot my grief, and my soul
was filed with a strange, delicious sweetness. II
sat with my head leaning upon my hand, until the
sound Of the old clock in the hall striking one
reused me from my musings, and started up to
90 back to my chamber. just then thought
heard some one speak. listened moment, then
ran round the Of the house and was startled
to see light streaming from my fathers window.
feared at first that he had been taken suddenly
i'll, but looking through the open window only par
tally shaded by vines, saw that he was not alone
He was seated with our guest at small table,
deeply engaged in a game of cards, his countc-
nance expressive Of the deepest anxiety, and his
pale lips firmly compressed. | knew little of the
world had never heard it even limited that
gambling was crme--but whether it was the
unseasonableness Of the hour or my fathers hag-
gard looks, yet certain it is that darkness seemed
to settle around my heart, like the shadow of some
mighty fear, vast dim and undcfned, which could
neither account for nor drive away
Il stole back to my chamber, and lay down
upon my bed, but twas in vain l tried to Sleep a
fear Of knew not what, kept me wakeful and
wretched.
1t was less tho golden light of the summer
morning, than tho dear words of Henry Lee, so
welcome and kind that chased the clouds of an
prchcnsion and grief from the heaven of my soul
and left it sunlit and clear. As we walked to-
gethcr in the garden gathering flowers aud weaving
them into garands lie talked to me so beautifully
that poor fool in the simplicity Of my heart
thought him something more than mortal. But
for the slave, who has rights, who is not even
human being, there is no happiness; however Sc
rene his sky may appear, he knows not ut what
hour the tempest may burst upon his dcfenceless
head My case alas! proved no exception to the
universal rule.
One morning, not long after the night Of which
have spoken, as l was passing through the hall
heard my father and young Lee talking in such
loud, angry tones, that paused in amazement and
alarm. VILLAIN heard my father say was
not the world wide enough for you to practice your
devish arts in, without invading the peace of our
quiet home p
i "Listcn to me moment and do not he so un.
reasonable" began Lee in tolcrably steady voice
but my father interrupted him with burst of VIC
lent indignation.
Reasonable reasonable! yes that's the word
1t does well for you to talk to me about reason
you who have stolen into my Eden TO rob me O
my dearest and only treasure, serpent that yor
are"
BE thankful" was the cold, unfeeling answer
g " that do not strip you of all your possessions
horses lands and all, which justly mine, tina
}, only ask her"
, only ask her Oh, my God !" interrupted m,
d father with groan of despair, which can never
f never forget. cold shudder crept over me, for