Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1855-12-29

There are," said he "many of the ole
mans relatives and friends who would wisl
to attend his funeral. To afford them an op
portunity. several plantations have been mott
fed that he will be buried tonight; some,
presume, have already arrived; and desiring
to see that all things are properly prepared
for his interment, trust You will excuse my
absence for few moments"
"Most certainly, sir; but" ! added, "i
there is no improperly, wonld be pleased
to accompany You"
There is none,' he replied; and followed
him to a long row of cabins, situated at dis
tance of some three hundred yards from the
| mansion. The house was crowded with ne
groes. who all arose on our entrance, and
many of them exchanged greetings with mine
| host, in terms that convinced me that they
felt that he was an object of sympathy from
them! The corpse was deposited in the colin,
attired in shroud of the finest cotton mate
riols. and the coffin itself painted black,
The master stopped at its head, and leying
his hand upon the cold brow Of his faithful
bondsman, gazed long and intenty upon
features with which he had been so long fa-
miar. and which lie now looked upon for the
last time on earth raising his eyes at length,
and glancing at the serious couutenance now
bent upon his, he said solemnly and with much
feeling
"Ile was faithful servant and a true
Christian, if you follow his example, and live
as he lived none Of you need fear, when the
time comes for you TO lay here"
a patriarch with the snow Of eighty win
ters on his mead, answered.
Master, it is true, and we will try TO live
like him."
There was murmuro Of general assent, and
after giving some instructions relative to the
burial, we returned to The dwelling.
About nine o'clock servant appeared
with the notice that they were ready to move
and to know if further Instructions were nee
essary. Ny host remarked 10 me, that by
| stepping into the piazza, would probably
witness, to me novel scene. The procession
had moved and its route led within few
| yards Of the mausion.-There were at least
one hundred aud ffty negroes, arranged four
deep, and following a wagon in which was
| placed the collin down the entire length OF
! the line. at intervals of few feet on each
side were carried torches Of the resinous
pine, and here called light wood. About the
centre was stationed the black preacher, a
man Of gigantic frame and stentoriun lungs
who gave out from memory, the words Of a
hymn suitable for the occasion. The South
ern negroes are proverbial for their memory
and compass Of their voices, and l thought
that hymn, mellOwed by distance, the most
solemn and yet the sweetest music that ever
had fallen upon my ear The stiffness of the
night and strength Of their voices enabled
me to distinguish the air at the distance OF
half q mile.
1t was to me a strange and solemn scene
and no incident Of my life has impressed me
with more powerful emotions than the night
| funeral Of the poor negro. For this reason
have hastily and most imperiectly sketched
its leading features. Previous to retiring to
my room, ] saw in the hands of daughter Of
the lady at whose house | stopped for the
night Il number of the Home Journal, and il
occurred to me to send this to your paper
perfectly Indifferent whether it be published
or not | am but brief soiourner here.
hail from Il colder cline, where il is our pr nd
boast that all men are free and equal
shall return to my Northern home. deeply
impressed with the belief, that dispensing
with the name Of freedom, the negroes of the
South are the harpiest and most contentod
people on the face of the earth.
Yours,
VIAToR.