The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-02-28

u may be true that some of his converts were
his only, and not Gods, as they afterwards
demonstrated by their backsliding vet it is
equally true that many shining lights in the
Christian Church at this day ascribe their first
awakening to Christian life, under Divine
Providence, to the electric power of Ms
elof1ence. At the time that 1 write of. the
people OF that neighborhood adored him as an
angel sent from God though some years after.
the same people hunted him as wild beast.
from village to village, until old, poor, i'll, and
exhausted, ne died alone-a fugitive from their
insane wrath. But to return.
M-had succeeded in reviving the RELIGIONS
spirit of that district; and when he departed,
be left behind him many new but Jealous labor.
eys in that vineyard of the Lord.
Among the most enthusiastic in the field of
the colored mission of Magnolia Grove was Val.
entlne. His sincere, ardent, earnest soul; his
natural glft OF eloquence his sympathy with
those In his own condition. if not strictly of his
own race; his better education, and even his
beauty OF person, grace of manner, and sweet
ness OF voice, all combined to make him the
most popular and effective and best beloved of
all the class-leaders in the colored mission of
Magnolia Grove brother Valentines" class
was the largest and most important in the
church. If ever Brother Valentine was an
nounced to address the meeting upon any given
day, there was sure to be crowded house.
And If ever PhRdra held prayer meeting in
her quarter, there was sure to be a crowd to
hean Brother Valentine speak.
Among the most jealous of the church mem
Ders, and among those who never failed to be
Ppsent at Ph@dra's weekly prayer meetings,
was young and pretty quadroon named Fan
ME. She was free girl and an orphan, and
was employed as shop girl in hair dresser's
and fancy store kept by respectable old French
couple i'll the city Of NJ. But though her home
and her business was in town, and there were
also two or three "colored missions" in that
place, yet Fannie preferred to walk out every
Sunday morning to the little log meeting house
In Magnolia Grove. And those who were envi-
GUS Of Fannie's beauty did not scrupe to say
that she came out so far for the sake of hearing
Brother Valentine pray or exhort, or to let him
hear her sing; for Fannie had a voice that
might have made her fortune, had she been
white and had it been cultivated. However that
might be, Phedra loved Fannie as if she had
been her own daughter, and she always took her
home from meeting, to dine and spend the after
noon at Red Hill. And after an early tea, Val
entine always walked home with Fanny to the
city.
1t is also true that Valentine became a fire.
quent customer at Leroux's, the hairdressers
and fancy store where Fannie was employed ;
and as Valentine not only made his own but
also his masters purchases, and as he had q cart
blanc for the same, his custom was of no trining
importance to the establishment. But valuable
as was this patronage, as soon as the proprietors
began to suspect the nature of the attraction to
their store, they felt it to be their duty to warn
the young girl, which they would do in some
10 Tol H. To
ME, and send that young fellow about his bust
ness; he may be very good young man, dare
say; but he is slave, and never will be able to
do anything for you," Monsieur Leroux would
say. "You are free, Fannie; and you are very
pretty, and all that; and you might look great
deal higher than that" would say Madame Lee
roux. Think, ma file, if you take him, you
will always have yourself and your family to sup.
port, for you never can have any help from a
slave husband thus Monsieur Leroux. "Con.
slider, mon enfant, if you marry him, he may be
sold away next year or next month, even How
would you like that?' thus Madame Leroux
And Fannie would blush, or smile, or pout, OF
drop a tear, or say 10 herself Poor Valley
May be something may happen to set him free
may be 1 might work hard, and save money
enough to " - she could not bring herself to
say buy =" ransom him! And, any how, it
is not has fault if he is not free. And it must
be hard enough, the dear knows, to be as he is,
without my letting him think that it makes any
difference to me-"
Obstacles and objections, which, to cooler
hearted and clearerheeded people would seem
very formidable, if not entirely conclusive,
were but slight impedments in the way OF these
humble lovers. Long courtships and protract-
ed engagements are not common among quad
nd in h.,
Valentine. He had won little Fannie's heart
and consent to speak to her employers, who,
having advised her against the match, and
holding no authority to go further in their op-
position, gave reluctant consent, with their
good wishes and blessing. Valentine had, all
through the courtship, the hearty appreciation Of
Ph9dra; and, lastly, he had none but his master
to consult. Mr.. Waring rallied Valentine I'M
mercifully upon his intended marriages. swore
that, seriously, it was pity such a fine young
fellow as himself who was such a favorite among
the girls, should leave his gay bachelors life,
to tie himself down to o wife and family; asked
him what he should do for kid gloves and per-
fumery, if he had to give all his pocket money
to Fannie and the children; and finally made
him wedding present of a hundred dollars,
and advised him to go out and hang himself.
In the following Christmas holydays, the
slaves annual Saturnala in the South, the
marriage of Valentine and Fannie took place.
A mad marriage il was, where the bride had
no dover, and the bridegroom not even the
ownership of his own limbs, to work for their
support. An impossible marriage it would
seem, had it not really taken place, and did we
not know, for certainty that such marriages
between the free and the enslaved frequently
take place.
Phadra gave serious little Methodist wed
ding, and invited all her favorite brethren and
sisters Of the church to be present. And the
young master loaned his dining-room for the
OCCASION and invited himself to do the lovers
the honor of his personal attendance at the
marriage ceremony. And he gave the little
bride two testimonials of his friendly consider
ation-one in the form of pretty wedding
dress, that was gratefully received the other in
(the guise Of a hearty embrace and kiss, that
was not quite so thankfully accepted.
But now, Momner,' whispered little Fan
ME, in the course of the evening, to Phedra,
"Valley's young master has been so very kind
and generous to US all, s'pose now he was to
make Valley present of his free papers, for
wedding-gift to-night-to surprise u.s. you know,
to see how delighted we'd all be, and to hear
what we'd. say. 1 think he might; deed, l
shouldn't wonder if he did, only for the pleasure
of the thing, you know. Should you, Nom
mer?"
Phedra sighed; but then, not to damp the
girls spirits, she replied-"He may do that
some day, honey
Something seems to whisper to me that he
is thinking of it tonight, Mommer! All the
Lord send he may! Wouldn't we be happy?
Valley would have place in the same store
with me; it would suit him, too he has so
much good taste! And then we could have
such pretty little home of our own! Deed, |
believe he is thinking about it now. Look at
L. IL. IL . u l. =.