Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-05-09
From the Western Vermont Transcript.
JUDY, 0a THE SLAVE.
"Life lay cold, and drcar before her,
Like dark cloud through which no sunshine stres

"Life lay cold and drcar before her,
Like dark cloud through which sunshine streamed"
Shall, tell you story of the Sunny South p
Not one Of love and romance. but Of scene of
lie as it was among the slaves Of "Grayel Hill"
plantation.
Twas near the close of a sultry September day
the lengthening shadows told the weary hands"
that they would have few hours of rest
from their labor, yet they dared not leave the
field without permission from their overseer.--
This permission, or command was at length Civ
en- and each placing his heavy baske; of cotton
on his head took the homeward path. Slow, and
weary were their steps, for the day had been long
the heat oppressive, yet their tasks had not
been diminished lit was the midst Of the busy
season. and no time for idling. t..
But one was found in advance OF her compan
IONS not but she had toiled as long and rs dill
gently any Of then but in the morning she
had left behind her sick child-a child on whom
she doatod, for it was her only one, and little else
she had to love.
Her fears for its welfare caused her for time
to forget her WEAKNESS, and swiftly she sped
along. but on her way she was obliged to stop
and wait for her cotton to be weighed and put
away SO that twilight had deepeped into darkuess
ere she reached her lowly cabin. There she
found her child moaning with pain eagerly
she caught it up, pressed it for n moment to her
breast then placing it in its little bed hastily pre-
pared some simple remedies which she admins
tered to the little sufferer, fondy hoping they
would give relief. Hour after hour she watched
and nursed it with tender care, doing all for it
that in her circumstances could lie done, and at
length she had the pleasure of seeing it in gem
tie slumber-she felt that it was really better and
kneeling by it's side she poured forth short but
heartfelt prayer to her heavenly Father, thanking
him that her darling spared to her n little
longer. She arose, and seeing that her child was
sleeping she threw herself down to Sc ak that re.
/ ,sIa cd tn bar
| for the toll of the comirg day, for she knew 10y
the fading light of the stars that morning was
ncar-that soon she must commence her day s
task. ....
Bright and beautiful was the morning and as
one wandered about the grounds surrounding
Gravel Hill Mansion" he could almost imagine
| himself in fairy land so lovely and cnchantlr x
VAS the view that met the eye on every side. -,
! The mansion itself was an elegant structure,
built in the most approved modern style, with all
she embellishments and convenences which the
| wealth ana taste of its owner and the architect
could suggest. In front of the house, and extend
| inp around on one side, what had once been
+, natural grove but which had been so improved
nv art, that il was in truth, garden of trees and
| shrubs with delightful walks running in every di-
rection, leading to vine covered arbors, and bub-
| bling fountains On the other side was the Hover
garden and hot house. which contained such n
variety of species from the rarest, richest extotc.
70 the humble violet, that many professed bot
anist would have been almost nj n loss for names
! BY which to distinguish them. little beyond
was the kitchen garden, which showed marks of Il
skillful hand while still further on, almost in
the rear of the house, were few white cabins oc-
,npied hy the house servants-the quarters" OF
the tield hands formed quite little settlement in
another direction, they were built OF logs, and
presented IL striking contrast compared with these
nretty cabins but those could not be seen from
the house, and we're thought good enough for the
hands
Within the mansion everything was in keeping
with its external appearance; all that wealth could
procure or n refined taste could DESIRE was there
found, nothing seemed wanting that could contrib
ute to the comfort or happiness OF Its occupants
Mr.. p. or brother p, as he was usually called
the owner of the delightful place, had been an
,;inerant minister but by tho death OF an uncle,
n tew Years rreyious to the time of story, had
come into the possession of this large estate. His
education was superior to that OF most OF his
bro her ministers, for he had passed through a
colleyiate and theological course OF study before
entering the ministry. lie was noted far and
nenr for his bcney oCnce his name always stood
6rst on eyery subscription list, and he preached
or.tuitously in q small church few miles distant
where the PEOPLE were unable to sustain regular
nre,cbipp. and who would seldom have enjoyed
nubic worship had it not been Tor his kindness
True. some said his charity did not commence a
home-that he was a severe master--'nat ms sea
than any in that section of the country-but ther
every man has some enemies and even 1t thes
reports were true has not every one rlght 10 u'
t as he pleases with his own property! 1t Is no
| polite to meddle with o persons private AFFAIRS
brother p, was most agreeable companion, KEEP
open DOORS and smile Of welcome greeted ever.
!, guest; what more could be askedE
; But we have wandered from our story. Ih
morning was charming, and brother p. improved
f it by riding out to the field to learn how ousnes
was going on there. He found Mr.. Harden th
overseer at his post and the "hands" diligently
work for none dared be tardy when no wa
near.
E The usual salutations of tho morning were ex
changed, and Mr.. p, began to make inquire
a with regard to the good behaviour of the hands
"All are doing WE'LL" Mr. Harden said, ''all bu
a JUDY, she has been teasing me Tor DAY or wv
about her child, she says IL is SICK, anu niaA gu
lought TO stay at home and nurse 1T; she aunt &c
> 10 work Yesterday till eight o'clock. and hasn
come here vet, this morning. | don't think tn
! vonng one is m uch sick she is always thinkin
Something is the matter with 1t, and making
a great fuss over IT,. .l,, oh sio, A
mo. il is only an excuse Of Judy's to get rid
work. but told her she better not come with suc
= "Tbat Is right don't indulge her whims, we don
want any laziness; cotton is hign now, uno ".,n
as much sent to marke. next week as possible"
y "Yes sir, reckon we'll have quite heap ready
: for there hasn't been much play here lately"
= AT this moment Judy came up and seeing he
master, began TO apologize for being so late say
inc She had been up nearly all night with her chill
!. ana falling asleep towards morning, had oversleF
i. herself. But Mr. p. would hear no apologies
). said II was aunt Kato's business to attend th
p children Judy knew it--had no business to
: up iii night, and must suffer the consequences:
II A few lashes would make her sleep better IN II
's ture so sho could bo up in the morning and con
.mending her 10 the mercy of Mr., Harden by tel