The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-04-17

ed to deliver upon the scaffold. This address
embodied great portion of Valentines life
experiences, as they are already known to the
reader. And it was intended to illustrate the
mutual trials in the relation of master and slave.
When it was finished in manuscript, it was
submitted to the perusal of the attendant clergy
men. Some among them warmly approved
the address, and declared it to be the most elo-
quent appeal they had ever met. Others re-
served their opinion for the time, and afterwards
asserted that it was the most powerful Anti
Slavery sermon that they had ever seen or
heard.
The day before the execution came. And
now / must inform you that it is to "Sister
DEFY" / am indebted for the report of the
scenes that occurred in her presence in the
condemned cell that day. DEFY had obtained
leave from her mistress to go to the prison. to
take leave of her Brother Valentine. 1t was
about ten o'clock, on Thursday, the 23d of De-
eember, when she reached the city. All the
town was preparing for Christmas. When she
entered the condemned cell, she found no one
| there except the two prisoners. There were
two cot bedsteads at opposite sides of the cell,
and one small iron stove, upon which stood q
pair of smoothing-irons, against the wall, be-
tween the beds, and directly opposite the door
by which she entered. On her right hand, as
she came in, sat Governor upon bis cot, watch
ing, with lazy interest, the employment of his
fellow-prisoner which In sooth was strange
enough for one of his position. Valentine was
standing at the little table, and engaged in IRON
ing out a cravat, while on the cot near him lay
spread out a shirt Just ironed, satin vest, new
ly pressed, and full suit of black broadcloth,
well brushed. And DEFY knew at a glance that
the poor fellow, true to his habits of neatness
to the last, was preparing to present a proper
| appearance upon the scaffold.
| "Was there no one to do that for you, Val
entine?" said DEFY, after her first greeting.
"No, child there was not. Mother and poor
Fannie are in too much trouble to think of such
thing"
81 would have done it for you, Valentine"
No matter, child it is done now," said the
young man, laying the folded cravat upon the
cot, and then turning around and sitting down
by the side of DEFY.
81 wish, Della, that you would try to open the
eyes of Governor to the realities of his position.
Poor fellow! he is fully persuaded that to-mor-
row, instead of being executed, we shall be set
at liberty"
Della turned her eyes in wonder towards
! Governor, who sat upon the side of his cot,
smiling and shaking his head in the most in
creduous manner. Della shrank from the task
that Valentine would have imposed upon her,
and only said
ave will pray for him, Brother Valentine.
Governor, won't you kneel down with us, and
pray for yoursef?"
| Governor said that, as praying could not do
anybody any harm, he reckoned he would, to
please DEFY though he did not see the use of
it. They all knelt, and this humble handmade
of the Lord, who was peculiarly gifted in pray
er, offered up fervent petition in behalf of the
prisoners, and especially of Governor. They
had just arisen from their knees, when the door
of the cell was opened, and the jailor entered,
accompanied by another official who nodded
to the inmates, and then, reckoning to Valen-
tine, requested him to step forward. Valentine
obeyed, and the man, drawing a measuring
line from his pocket, told him to stand up
straight. Valentine drew himself up with as
much composure as ever he had shown, when,
In his earlier days, he was getting himself fit
! ted for a Sunday suit of clothes. The operator
proceeded to measure his subject across the
shoulders. And when this was done, he stop
ped, drew paper and pencil from his pocket,
and, leaning on Valentines late ironing table,
put down some figures Then he took the line
again, and carefully measured him, from the
crown of his head to the heels of his shoes, and
made a second note. Then, telling Valentine
that he was done with him, he beckoned Gov
ernor, who had been looking on with open
ward, and braced himself up with the utmost
alacrity and cheerfulness. Indeed, he was smi-
ling from ear to ear as he exclaimed, triumph
antly-
Tell you all so We amt had no winter
clothes guv us yet, and deys done sent de
tailor to fit US F"
The operator with the line, on hearing this,
dropped his measure, and, with emotions d.
Vided between establishment and compassion,
gazed at the poor wretch, who remained smiling
in delight. No one else spoke, and, after mo-
ment, the official picked up his line, and re-
sumed his work.
"When'n de clothes be ready for WEI" in
quired Governor, with great interest.
" am not taking your size for clothes" an
swered the operator, gravely.
"No! What den ?" inquired Governor, in
establishment, but without the least suspicion
of the truth.
"Don't you know?"
"No | doesn't What is it?"
Well, you know, at least, that you are to
die tomorrow. And | am measuring you for
your coffin
Governor made no reply, neither did the
smile pass at once from his face. He no longer
refused to believe in his approaching fate, but
the idea was very slow in penetrating his brain.
The carpenter, having now completed his err
rand, left the cell, in company with the turn
key. Governor went and resumed his seat upon
the side of his cot, and remained perfectly
silent, only not as cheerful as he had been !;
and, occasionally, putting up his hand, and rub.
bling his head, and seeming to ponder. At last
he said, obviously, however
Brother Valley, honey, Use beginnin' to be
'fraid, arter all. dat dey tends for to hang US,
sure 'nough! Dey wouldn't carry de nonsense
dis far, out dey did would dey? Sides which,
dey wouldn't 60 to de Expense O. collins, would
dey?"
mo, Governor" said Valentine, going over
and sitting down beside him, and taking his
hand, and continuing-"G Governor, by this hour
tomorrow, you and / will be over all our earth
| ly troubles"
Slowly, slowly, the truth was making its way
to Governors consciousness. His face cloud.
ed over, but he seemed to grow more stupid
every Instant. To all Valentines speeches he
answered never one word, not seeming to hear
or to understand them. Dely could not bear
TINS. Bursting into tears she went and drop
ped upon her knees before Governor, and took
MS TWO hands In hers, and wept over them, and
begged and prayed him, for his souls sake, to
listen to her words. Governor was only re-
cent acquaintance; he was not as Valentine
was, an old friend; yet it almost broke her gen.
tie heart to see him thus-so stolid, 30 uncon,
scious, so insensible.
They were interrupted again-this time nv a
clergyman and one other gentleman. a mem.
Der Of the church. DEFY was now Obliged
to return home. She took an affectionate leave
of Valentine and of Governor, telling them
that she should pray for them constantly, and
that she should be on her knees, PRAYING for
them in their last hour of trial.
The minister found Valentine well prepared