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

She was evidently about the age of the other,
yet exactly her opposite in form and feature.
She was nearly of the same height, and yet her
form was more rounded and her features better
defined than those of her companion we have
first described. Her skin was perhaps shade
darker, but it was scarcely perceptible except
to the eye of the closest observer. The deep
blue eyes, shaded by long lashes, gave her an
air of sadness Her hair hung in long tresses
nearly to her waist, ard the deep golden brown
hue was in perfect keeping with the looks and
DIR of it's possessor She might well be called
beautiful, peerlessy beautiful, and il was no
wonder that young Montague's heart went out
lin pity iUr her unfortunate condition, and that
his better nature should prompt him to snatch
her from the polluting grasp which Maitland
would have fixed upon her. AS he had said,
her beauty had proved to her curse, for it had
excited all the base passions of Maitland,
which, when he found himself defeated in his
intentions by young Montague, knew no con-
troll Her warm and impulsive nature was
deeply touched by this exhibition of his kind
ness, and when the sale was concluded, she fell
upon his neck and thanked him in impassioned
tones.
"You are very beautiful, Gertrude" said
Clara Montague, Withdrawing her hand from
the waves of hair which shaded the others
brow.
| slight flush overspread the features Of Ger
trude as she looked up into her companions
face You but hatter me-" she said with
faint smile, "and thought your heart too
good to bestow praise where it was not de-
served"
Indeed do not, Gertrude. You wrong me
if you think would hatter you
"Slill | am slare," she exclaimed vehe-
mently, pressing her hand upon her brow, and
looking Clara more steadily in the face than
before.
"No, no, Gertrude, you are not a slave. You
are free, and no one shall dare to call you 9th
erwise"
"True, am free, but the curse, the curse,
Clara! The blood of the negro throbs in my
veins. and am descendant of that despised
race. doomed to be pointed at with scorn and
loathing. Would that the going down of the
morrow's sun might rest upon my grave,' she
added bitterly.
4" Gertrude, Gertrude. you pain me- ex-
claimed Clara throwing her arms around her
and drawing her head upon her own BOSOM
g Do we not all love you, even though you have
been with us so short time tell you again,
you are not slavc und 40 not, | viii. not be-
leve that the blood of the African flows in
your veins.
Don't you!" she exclaimnd, looking up,
while an eager, half anxious, half doubling ex-
preston crossed her fair features. "Oh if |
only dared to hope. But no, the future is all
dark to me, unrelieved by single ray of sun
shine. | am sick at heart, and of life. Why
did they educate mel Why did they not keep
' ME in Ignorance like the rest of my race, and
y thel, should have never known and never fell
= r the stain and reproach that follows me-"
"Would you exchange your lot with my
maid, or any of the servants that belong to
Oakand?"
' "No, no, would not | was hasty, very
!. hasty, in saying what did, but it is hard, oh
how hard cannot tell you, to bear the burden
f that rests upon me-
q :" There is way in which we can receive hell
Al. H.. kolsu
- man which breaks away the heaviest clouds Of
= despair from the mind, AMI permits the bright
sunshine of peace to light up its chambers -
% Have you forgotten that way, Gertrude!"
. 81 have not" was The reply, while teal
. dimmed her eye, " and it is that and that only
@ which gives me moment Of happiness -
Seek it then, Gertrude, and when troubles
hang over you, come to me, and we will seek il
9 together
i, ' Thank you, Clara, will try to do 30
- am free, it is true, but have no home Home
A No, shall only find one when ] go to tina
= brighter home where all are equals. | mus
not remain longer here. Tomorrow will go
i
bought my freedom. In time hope to repa,
:. :, the sum which Walton so generously gave t.
purchase me-
- Do you wish to wound Waton's feeling
;. by offering him reward for what he had done
l. l. Base, indeed, would he be, and | would ow
- . him for no brother of mine did he accept it,
While l have home you shall not want fl
ono. Do not think OF leaving us; indeed, yo
J.. must not"
~ :, :" You are only too kind, Clara. will sta
- il may but serve you, but on no other cond
ton will consent to remain here"
81 do not wish it
- "Then l eo,' said Gertrude interruptin
W her.
"You shall stay and do as you like, thong
III had rather it would be as friend than
ly servant"
See see Clara" exclaimed Gertrude su
is' denly, Walton is coming up the walk, and
he stranger with him. Why this premature r
lps turn? lie should have been absent week,
ss least"
- 80 he should but no doubt he will expla
ss when he reaches us. :"
ich As Walton and his friend approached 4
ln- mansion, II score of sable urchns were at
ex heels, all vieing with each other in seeing viii
The should fret grasp their young masters hand.
ing q" Here, you little nigs,'' he exclaimed, dra
Of ing handful of change from his pocket, I" ta
on that, aud show your bringing up, or my frie