Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-26

might be blotted out and never again mar the
beauty of his otherwise calm and tranquil life.
He prayed deeply, fervently, with what effect
the sequil will show.
Having good many Africans, old and young,
in his possession, his mind became wonderfully
exercised as to his duty, in q Christian point of
view, towards them. Poor ignorant creatures
that they were, he felt the obligations of relig-
ion bearing upon him in all their force, to en-
tighten the darkness of their understandings;
and thus feeling, he called the whole family Of
blacks up stairs, in his best room, and regularly
established Sunday The first effort
in that way was failure-arising from the out
bursting of his temper-but on the next Sun
day, he determined to govern his temper better,
and "to sprinkle cool patience" upon his hot
and fiery nature. 1t is of the next Sunday that
wish to speak.
My grandfather had great many sons, and
amongst them uncle Sam stood conspicuous for
waggery and all manner Of mischief. He had
heard Of the blow-up of my grandlather's hob
by on the first Sunday, and he resolved to be
near enough, though unseen, to hear all that
took place on the next Sabbath. Accordingly,
lie took his position on the coping of the chin
ney, outside of the house, from which it was
easy hear all that took place overhead. The end
windows were raised, and then my grand-lath-
er'S usual tone Of voice might rival young clap
Of thunder, and when reused, it mounted to the
majesty Of the loulest. BY leaning forward a
little, he could easily see all over the room, and
be himself unseen. From this room the stair
way led down into what was called the hall,
and at its foot, the stairway was closed by q
door, near the grand hall door.
Imagine the sable crowd of Africans collected
in the best room, up stairs, and all standing
round the room, and arrayed in their best
Sunday -go-to-meetingsm My grandfather was
very particular in having them all neatly clothed
on that day, their hair combed, and faces shining
like backing balls. 1t was beautiful study to
look upon the countenance OF my grandfather,
as he walked into the room on that quiet and
holy day. He was just from his bended knees,
and was confident Of signal and glorious victo-
ry over his tormenter In deeply solemn tones,
be commenced the exercises thus:
"Bosen," said my grandfather, to a venerable
old negro. "I will begin with you again to-day,
as you are the Oldest They all look up to you,
and if you say what say, right, they will catch
the words, and all say right. Now, Bosen,
don't-don't make me commit sin to-day, as
you did last Sunday. Don't-don't, Bosen, for
the love of Heavenm
My grandfather, as have said, had mortal
dread of his temper, and bis language assumed
the tone of entreaty whilst talking to Bosen.
Here, now" said my grandfather, ~ will
put down this silver quarter of dollar on the
table, and the one that learns the first COM
mandment first, shall have it, no matter who it
may be. 1t is important, my good people, that
you should know what they are"
~ will proceed at once to learn you the first
commandment apd put it in suchplain language
after me, word for word" Thou shalt serve no
other God but me."n
Bosen-"T Thou shalt serve no other God but
you, Nassau
"Stop! stop! young people" said my grand
father. "Bosen has gone wrong. Dontt say
after him; you'll get the words all wrong"
Then turning to Bosen, be said with counte-
nance deeply panied with modification, "Bosen,
didn't say that. Try it again, Bosen. ldon't
mean to get mad to-day, but do try and remem-
Der that you made INC mad last Sunday, at this
very place. But won't get mad to-day. You
can't make me mad-and you needn't try"
All this time my father was refining in his
temper like high mettled steed. No man
could have seen the least rutile on the smooth
sea of his face.
"Now, Bosen, listen to me-" said my grand
father.
eyes, Massa," said Bosen, bowling very low.
"None Of your bowling to me-to me-Bosen,
you good-for-nothing old scoundrel. Bow to
the God Of Heaven, not to me-"
A close observer might have seen q little fire
flash from the old gentleman's eyes, but it soon
went out after this reproof
"Now, Bosen, try it again !. "Thou shalt
serve no other God but me-" said my grand.
father, with emphasis on the word "me."
"Thou shalt serve no other God but yon,
Massa," said Bosen, with emphasis on "you,
massa."
aTake care take care ~ cried my grand
father, his temper only half restrained stake
care what you are about, Bosen. see what
you are at. You are trying to make me mad
again to-day, but won't get mad. l will show
you that will govern my temper. You know
very we'll that didn't say that, but will now
make it so plain that you can't mistake it. |
warn you to take care how you repeat it wrong,
for if you do, you will receive as heavy fist as
ever strhck against negro's head"
Notwithstanding the great effort made to keep
down his wrath, he was almost boiling over.
The veins in his neck began to swell and to get
black with anger. They were almost as large
as whip cords. And Bosen too, was nearly
frightened out of Lis wits Poor old fellow, lie
was afraid my grandfather would think lie
wanted to be sold-and hence his persistence
that he did not want 10 serve any God but
"you, maSsa."
nfta foru u,or1J
claimed my grandfather, in il-concealed anger :
+" Thou-thou, shalt-shaH, serve-serue, no
other-no othsr, God-God, but me-" said my
grandfather, with great flourish against his
breast, "but you, massa," said Bosen, with a
great flourish of his hand against his breast.
"Pox take the internal old scoundrel," said
my grandfather; and suiting the action to the
word, he struck him in the burr of the ear, and
sent him whirling down the stairs, near the
head Of which they happened to be. In his
course, he knocked the door off its hinges be-
low, and fell sprswling at the hall-door lie
gathered himself up in the twinkling Of an eye,
and he flew out of the house.
"Clear yourselves" said my grandfather,
"pack and baggage, every one of you" and he
kicked them every one out of the room.
4" Here" said he in towering passion, has
that Internal old scoundrel made me commit
sin, when I was trying to do good l kept
down my temper as long as l could, but an an
gel could not have borne my trial." and he
strutted round the room IN o whirlwind OF rage.
Bosen's nose got to bleeding from the fall, and
as heran towards the kitchen, uncle Sam heard
him grumble to himself: eff got to serve no
other God but you, Massa, RAIDER be to hell !'
--"--<s<--