Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-05-19
For the Reporter.
Letters from the South.-No. 8.

North, where anti-Slavery feeling pre-
walls to great extent, and where,
many times perhaps, stories are circu-
lated bearing upon the workings of
Slavery, which are not strictly in con-
formity with facts, it will not be sur
prising if my observations of life, man
ners and customs in this country, are
more particularly directed to this sub
,ject with view to correct any false
impressions that may have been made
upon my oacaa mind, as well as to en-
tighten the minds Of those who may
be led to believe the yarns / spin for
the edification Of my Northern friends.
With this view, I steal an opportunity
now and then to converse with the SER
vants-when [ can do so without at
tracing the notice of those who ssguard
them with jealous care" in hopes that
| may bring out of darkness some new
| light on this subject. How well l sue
coed, your readers will be able to Judge
by the oc easional snatches of the his
tory Of this class, which | from time to
time communicate.
A scrap of the history Of s'Ienry,"
the head waiter at our hotel in this
place, as related to me by himself in
detached portions, may be in place
here. The relation Of it, caused my
heart to bleed for him, for away back
Of the seeming contentmcnt with his
| lot, could discover the longing, rest
less spirit Of manhood struggling for
that freedom which belongs to all, as a
God given right. He alluded to the
subject but once while in conversation
with me, and then simply remarked
that he would have to go alone if he
undertook to gain his freedom; which
he could not do and leave his family in
bondage. [ will relate what little I
learned Of him and his in his own
words as near as | can, emitting the ne
gro dialect
My master was an extensive plant
Ell IN Old Virginia, where [ was raised
and where | married the slave of one
of my masters tenants, who lived about
ten miles off on distant portion of the
|
plantation. Things went on very
smoothly for a while, and I was per-
mitted to visit my wife once in two
weeks. After time the tenant, as
tenants IN this country always do, cot
involved aud it became necessary for
him to sell some Of his hands. 1t was
agreed that my wife and two little bows
must be sold. She mistrusted what
was going on, and communicated her
fears to me. [ went directly home
and told my master if my wife must be
sold | must go too. The matter stood
in this way for some time. The coun-
try swarmed with traders and her mas
ter and mine both tried by stratagem
to sell her and get her off without my
knowledge. But was vigilant, I fire.
quently travelled the ten miles and back
during the night, that I might keep
posted as to the situation of affairs. I
had too much at stake to be indolent
and careless.
At length my wife and children were
sold. [ knew it, and knew too when
they went to start for Tennessee. [ told
my master | must see them before thew
went. My master took me over to see
them. | saw them, talked with them,
considered the matter, and went back
and told my master that Ihad struck
the last bloao I ever should for him.
That he might sell me to go with my
family, or he would 'aeror get anything
for me. Although had always been
a good and faithful servant, my master
knew my disposition too well to think
| did not mean what said. The same
trader who bought my family bought
me and we were driven away together
an euediciaed family, to try the realities
of Slave life in Tennessee.
We were here sold, my wife and
children to the Landlord of this house
and [ to a neighboring planter. I was
subsequently purchased by the owner
of my wife, aud here for nine years we
have enjoyed the sweets (sweats) of
Slavery together" | asked Henry if
he was we'll treated here-aud if his
master was kind to his servants. He
informs me that as a general thing he
is, but that he is man of ungovernable
temper, and when his anger bursts
forth it knows no bounds. He says he
managed by unwearied devotion to his
masters service to avoid these violent
outbTsts ofpassion for eight years.
i Knit tho Stp,.,,, .op,o OF 1ororfh