The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-11-11
NO. 5o5.

tho community, and tina beautiful creature,
who seemed to have dropped, as It were, sud:
denly from the clouds, before the end of six
months, had refused half hundred excellent
offers. However, the little boyc lied Cupid,
who searches out every fair form ms mark
for his flaming arrow, fnund this beautiful one
Mt last. Ie fit QuQ,44 l4
In company with number of young per.
cons she paid visit Of mere curiosity to tho
nous flower garden, and fell in love, at fnt
sight, with the handsome proprietor, who
responded 10 her affection with equal ardor.--
The fruits Of their union, within three yeamk
were son and a dnughtcr, who, ma matter
ofcoursc, became the idols of their ford moth
er md fathcr-for it seems to be n general, n
not universal physiological law that human
parents love their children in proportion 10
| their passionate tenderness for each other.-
A charming white cottage IN The meantime
| had been erected in the midst Of the flower
garden and the business Of the happy horti-
culturist prospered more than ever, so that
with the additional of the ample fortune
brougt into matrimonial partnership by his
beautiful companion, he might we'll be con.
sidercd, for that country, man Of wealth.
One bright morning in midsummer, upon
his return from neighboring city, the gard.
ncr was yastonished to find his lovely wife in a
paroxysm Of tears, and cvincing other tokens
Of utmost terror and anguish. But all his en-.
treaties failed tc elicit any explanation from
her ii,s, except the assurance that she felt
oppressed with the dark foreshadowing of some
unknown and mysterious, but dreadful danger.
However, after she became in degree moro
tranquil, having an affair Of Importance to at.
range, he went again to town.
On his arrival he was accosted in the street
BY person he did not recollcct to have seen
before. The stranger was n man of middle
nge, with coarse, sinister features, cleaning
black eyes, raven hair streakcd with silver,
and large massive form revealing the appear.
ance Of herculean strength and agility. Ho
was dressed in rich black cloth, cut in the la
test f'shion and profusedy disfgured, rather
than adorned, with gems and precious orna.
ments. A huge golden seal, enclosing cost
" stone, dangled from his heavy watch chain.
which he twirled ncessantly with his fingers
He spoke in loud brusque tone. "Mr.
Parks-they say that is your name-alow
me to introduce myself. am Colonel Pow.
crs Of New Orleans, and have visited Texas
in search Of RUNAWAY slaves. / am told that
You harbor them.
"You have been misinformed," replied tho
gardener stcrnly. There is not slave or even
n colorcd person on my plantation"
"No, sir. am not. mistaken. The woman
that you call your wife is n slave, and was ac-
tually born in my kitchen. Hero is bill Of
sale, containing tho homes Of the father and
mother, for whose bodies paid down three
thousand dollars. There you behold the seal
Of the recorders court.
The other rcelcd ms If he had been struck
terrible blow with an iron hammer, and gasp.
ed out
"Mcrciful God it cannot be so. This man
must be insane, or am dreaming"
"1f you doubt my word," twirling his
watch chain angrily, "yonder comes Judge
Rice, who is familiar with The circumstances,
and can prove every item Of my assertions"
Tho individual alluded to, who had been
member Of the New Orleans bar for many
years, confirmed the strangers story in all its
particulars.
1t would be impossible 70 give the faintest
idea Of the indcscrbablc agony depicted on
the countcnance of Mr. Parks, rs the astound-
ing TRUTH with its horrid consequences burst
upon his soul, like n flash Of lurid lightning.
He turned pale as death, and staggered, rs if
to fall to the Garth; but by great efforts, ho
wrcstled for minute or more with grief, and
conquering, became evidently calm, but still
palld MS piece Of white paper.
"Why has this matter been ncpt secret
so longp the gardener demanded in toner OF
terrible meaning. "Was it cunning device
to win gold out of human tears and tho blood
of innocent heartsp
The colonel laughing with delight at the
of his craft, boldly ayowed his
infamy
ayes" he said, 81 was smart. noted
how beautiful tho slaves were, and deter
mined to make it pay to tho highest figure.
I had them well educated, and made them
like fools think that thcp were free. Under
this impression they removed to tho Rio
Grande. ! gave them money, which they
have increased, with more than compound in
terest, and now have come to get my pay
for all my trouble"
Ano she unblushing villain twirlcd his
watch chain jousip. g y.-s
"Hou much do you expect mo to pay for
my wife and childrcn" inquired Parks with
an awful smile.
~ must have ten thousand dolIars, besides
The retnn of her fortune, amounting to rs
nuch more" answered tho colonel, with tho
most business like GOODNESS.
"Scoundrel, coward, thief, assassin! You
shall never own one cent from the earnings Of
my years Of toll - exclaimed Parks in voco
ot uncomfortable fury.
mind what you say, for l will haue bloody
satisfaction for every insulting word you en-
ploy," said the Colonel, growing white with
age.
"Thcn takc it nowl" shouted Parks, strik-
ng tho other with such forcc in tho face that
nc ryled on the grouud.
But Powers suddenly rcgained his feet, and
wiping tho crimson stream from his mouth
nj nose, aociferatcd-
III claim mortal satisfaction on the spot"
"Ye' you shall have it--now--herew re-