Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-01-24

that passed between Clarence and Mary on this or
subsequent occasions. 1t is sufficient to our story,
that Mary soon became aware Of the nature OF the
sentiment she had unconsciuusly cherished, and
after struggling long with her heart, she sacrificed
principal to affection, as woman often does. and
became the wife Of q stakeholder. She did not, 1t
il true, give up her hatred to oppression; but the
oppressor who sought her hand had many noble
qualities of heart and intellect, and she learned to
hate the sin, while she loved the sinner. Clarence
was indeed n noble specimen Of n Kentucky gem
tleman. Circumstances. which ARE almost omnio-
otept in the formation Of character, made him a
slaveholter; and it must be confessed that under
his sway she rod of authority was welded with a
gentle hand. Reared urder the influence OF the
system, taught from infancy that i, was right, one
of the "patriarchial institutions" ho saw no out
rage upon the dearest rights Of humanity, in thus
holding scores of his fellow beings in bondage,
subject to all the degrading influences of slavery.
Had his birth place been among the rocks and
hills Of New England, his naturally kind heart
would have made him tue warm friend of freedom,
and eloquent in its praise. He even now saw the
force of Mary's words as she spoke of the abuses
Of slavery; yet he laLored to convince her, that the
abuses OF power was the only wrong connected
with the system. and that her kind heart would
save her from temptation. A little more than a
year from the time when Mary had SO freely ex-
pressed her opinion upon this subject to her sister,
she bid adieu to the home of her g%irlhood, to en-
ter upon an untried path of duty; not without
some pangs Of conscience it is true, in thus assum-
ing the position of mistress over q household of
slaves. Her sister was married at the same time
to q young physician Of St. Louis, who took her
10 a luxurious home, and installed her mistress
over a troop of slaves; and thus the object of her
highest ambition was attained; nor did she scru-
ple to use the unlimited power she had coveted
She gave her orders with a naughty imperitive air,
and enjoyed to the utmost extent the luxury of n
strict obedience, purchased through fear, for not
one of her numerous sable attendants loved their
mistress.
Mary's new home was q gem of beauty. Nature
had adorned the spot with the sweetest charms,
and art had not marred it's sylven loveliness. Mag
ni6cent trees screened it from tho noon tide rays,
gay flowers, rejoicing in almost tropical splendor
nodded in every passing breeze, shedding then
rich odor upon the air, luxuriant vines twinet
gracefully around the marble pillars, and hung
their bright festoons around windows and doorway
Merry songsters with gay, glossy p~lumage, fitte'
here and there among the shrubbery, resting light
ly on each fowery spray and sung their wild song
CT liberty. The splendid mansion of Clarence D.
Forest was the al ode of happiness and luxur
and presented a picture of architec tural skill ny
on which the eye Of an artist might rest wit
pleasure; but at no little dis ,ance might be seen
group of humble cabins composing the negro qua
tiers, presenting "A ~shadowy background, suggestiv
only of the wide difference between the condition
of master and slave, even under the most favora
BILE circumstances In the one, costly furniture
soft, rich carpets, etc, ministered to the ease an'
comfort of the idle master. while the other served
merely to shelter the weary frame OF the tollinG
slave after the task Of the day was over till thu
overseer's horn should call him aga in to the field
Rude benches were the only sofas upon which hi
tired limbs reposed, and the hard earth or rough
plank, were the only floor or carpet, n few coqrs,
blankets and straw the only bed to invite the wei
come visits Of tired natures sweet restorer."
Soon after assuming the duties Of her new pc
sition the young bride commenced a tour OF expit
ration among the cabins of the slaves connecte
with her husbands plantation, aud her sensitiv
heart was shocked ut tho new discoveries whic
she made Of their utter degradation and ignoranc
and OF their deprivation of what she consiIere
the necessaries and comforts Of life; and true
her better nature sho determined to improve the
condition to the utmost Of her ability. Her PIE
ence in their humble cabins was greeted with 10
by the sable children Of SORROW; she came anon
tem with words of kindness aud sympathy, an
her coming was welcome as the sunbeam in a ca
tivo's cell, and they worshipei her as somethin
more than human. or allied with angels. The ey,
of The aged slaves would lighs up with a heartfc
10Y, when they rested upon her fair form, and It
children watched for her frequent visits with 81
ger impotence and testified their gratitude for ht
Kindness. by such gifts as a slave child can b.
stow, the simple flower Of the wildwood.
s'Lone)y and sweer. nor loved the less.
For towering in the wilderness"
She formed many schemes for lettering thel
condition. and added much to their physical con
forts. Her husband, though he did not oppos
her benevolent plans, regarded them as the u
spring Of a visionary enthusiasm. and thought thi
familiarity with the scenes connected with the 'p
culiar institution woUil soon cure her of the
vain projects; accordingly, he willingly assent'
e her proposed improvements.
Accustomed to light and pleasant toll in the su
ny bL1ne Oh uuT STiuuVu. her az f oicS'ut iol
urc and fashionable idleness soon became Wenl
soms. and the hours sometimes hung heavy up'
her hands Books. drawing and music were som
times tiresome, and the constant pursuit of plea
Gre as the business of life. rendered pleasure ir
some, and her active mind crayed some mo,
heaishful employment tn give life aud vigor to
energies- Am0rg her troop of house servan
were several young children upon whom the blig
of Slavery had avt yer fallen with its croshir
po~er. While its dark shadows were hoyerir
over thems they were yet unconscious of q
gloomy future before them. and in blissfai ign
rance Of coming evil. sportsd the aeeting hours
infancy and childhood away; happy as the your
lambs. froiiesome ne a young calf or colt, al
eSsaliy ignorant VI science or the glorious des