Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-04-30

perhaps twenty-five or thirty years. met them,
whose frank, intelligent face bore plain marks
of joy as he saw Montague.
"Here, Jim," said the young man as he
drew small bundle from his pocket, q is that
shawl promised your wife, and remember you
are to let me kiss the bride to pay for it, -
Montague smiled as he saw the evident express
sion of disgust which passed over the face OF
Melville at this remark.
i" God bless yer, massa. Yer's alters think
ing O us niggers. Pears like hadn' t oughter
take this yere, it'sso nice, +" he exclaimed, hold
ing it up before his eyes, which sparkled with
delight as he gazed % the bright colors.
/ "Yon have been good servant, jim, and
you deserve it,
"T'aint many niggers' got such massars.-
Don't | remember when | worked on Massa
Maitland's plantation? Guess does, though"
he continued, rolling up the whites of his eyes.
" Didn't git nothing only kicks and cuffs. Now
when yer goes away, us niggers is alters remem.
bered 'Spects Use got money enough in the
ole bag to buy US two, massa.
"Well, Jim, when you get ready to go, come
to me, and your papers shall be made OUT, said
Montague, while slight shade of disappoint-
ment might have been detected in his words.
"Sha mt never leave the ole plantation longs
young massa lives," replied the slave.
"Thank you, jim. should be very sorry
to lose you" replied Montague pleasantly.
"My friend, Mr. Melville-my sister, sir, :"
said Montague as they entered Miss Clin-
ton, also" he continued, as he noticed Ger
trude.
81 hardly expected to see you again SO soon :"
said Clara, as Walton and Melville seated
themselves.
"lt is not probable" said Walton in reply,
4" that you would have seen me at oil, but for
the timely aid of my friend here"
"What, Walton, have you been exposed to
danger!" " she exclaimed turning pale.
"Merely particular friend of mine took
fancy to make target of my head, in which he
was defeated by my friend"
Really, Mr.. Melville, we are very grateful
to YOU. You know not how much sorrow you
have saved us, for, although Walton is, | pre-
sumo, like other brother, yet we idolize him. y
"It is nothing for which | deserve praise, as
it was but simple act Of duty which would
have performed for any one under like circum-
stances"
"Still you must permit us to thank you
which will but feebly express our gratitude
am more than repaid, for it has given mt
4 an opportaHity to"f'r'n the acquaintance q
your brother and yourself, Being stranger Al
the South, it is great privilege to form an ac
uuaintance so soon The manner was somewhat
novel, but it may be that the friendship will b.
the more lasting
"You will always be q welcome visitor q
Oakland, Mr.. Melville, and do not feel any res
trant in calling our house your home as lonl
as you choose"
"Thank you for your kindness, but were
disposed to tarry hero, fear that father an
sister would hardly consent to such an arrange
ment"
You have come here to reside then "
{" Yes we have built rude cabin in the Ter
,ritory, and if we are prospered we are iotend
ing to make the South our home. You have
beautiful country here, and charming spo
for your home 1t is so unlike our Norther
cline that am almost lost in the admiration
feel for it,"
"One can hardly help liking our cline, an
though the North is my preference in the sun
mer time, | hardly think should like the rigc
of its winters"
"Flowers thrive almost spontaneously herr
which at the North we should call rare treal
ures.'
1--WE do, indeed, have great abundance
them, and it is perhaps for this reason, MOI
than any other, that should prefer the Sout
to the North. But our scenery is wanting tha
grandeur and sublmity which characterize
yours, and this regard as a great defect ami
the many beauties we have. But the summon
to tea greet US. VIII you join US, Mr. Nc
Vile I"
With pleasure
Are you not to join US also" she asked,
leaning on Melville's arm she passed Gertru
and Montague.
! 1--WE will do SO in a few moments
Gertrude" said Montague, as they pass
on, you remember promised You your fire
r dom when Purchased you. viii you pard
4 me if withhold it for a short time! "
And be slave stil'" she asked in repl
while her deep blue eyes filed with tears.
+ For time only Your free papers are
made out, but | dare not sign them yet Y
do not wish to fall into Maitland's power!
6 "No! !" she cried cIinging closes to Montag
as if for protection from the dreaded man who
" name he had mentioned.
d "As long as you are slave of mine, he df
not harm you, but were you free, he would
J. So"
p" Oh; let me be as am, rather than thai
e. 1t is we'll. | do it to promote your hap
IL ness. Come, we will repair to the dinil
hail."
- Taking his arm, they entered the hall VIII
Melville and Clara awaited them.
10 TO BE coNTlNuED.1
4