The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1858-07-22
TERMS 1925 PER ANNUM.


was from, was required to tell "whar" he
was going, whether he owned that "bit
of horse flesh" and whether he wanted
to sell him. Having answered all these
in satisfactory manner,
he was ushered into the house.
The interior was rude and slovenly,
like the exterior. The doors were opened
bv wooden latches with leather strings,
and sagged so much on their wooden
hinges, that they were usually left open
to avoid the difficulty of shutting them.
Guns and fishing tackle were on the
walls, and the seats were wooden benches
or leather-bottomed chairs. A tall, lank
woman, with red hair, and a severe as
poct, was busy mending a garment
When asked if the traveller could be pro-
vided with supper, she curtly replied that
she reckoned so" and, without further
parlance or salute, went out to give or
ders. Immediately afterward, her shrill
voice was heard calling out, "You gal!
put the Gxens on the table"
The gal who obeyed the summons,
proved to be the sylph-like child that had
guided the traveller to the house. To
the expression of listlessnes and desola-
ton which he had previously noticed,
there was now added look of bewiIder-
ment and fear. He thought she might,
perhaps, be stcp-daughter of Mrs. jack
son; but how ceuld so coarse man az
his host be the father of so much gentle
ness and grace?
While supper was being prepared, Mr..
j. entered into conversation with his
guest about the usual topics in that re-
gion-the prices of cotton and "niggers." "
He frankly laid open his own history and
prospects, stating that he was fetched
up in Western Tennessee where he own
e1 but two 'niggers' A rich uncle had
died in Alabama, and he had come in for
portion of his wild land and 'niggers';
So he concluded to move South and take
possession Mr.. Noble courteously sus-
tanned his share Of the conversation but
his eyes involuntarily followed the inter-
esting child, as she passed in and out to
arrange the pper-table.
"You seem to fancy Leewizzy," said
Mr. jackson, shaking the ashes from his
pipe.
q have never seen a handsomer child"
replied Mr.. Noble SIS she your daugh-
ter?"
"No, sir; he's my Niger" was the
brief response.
The young girl reGntered the room at
that moment, and the statement seemed
so incredible that the traveller eyed her
with scrutinizing glance, striving in
vain to find some trace Of colored an-
cestry.
"Come here, Leewizzy," said her mas
ter. "What dye keep yer eyes on the
ground for? You ant got no occasion
to b. ashamed oyer eyes. Hold up your
head, now, and look the gentleman in the
face
She tried to obey, but native timidity
oyercame the habit OF submission, and,
after one shy glance at the stranger, her
eyeIid8 lowered, and their long dark
frinces rested on blushing cheeks.
Il reckon ye don't often see pootier
piece of fesh," said Mr. Jackson.
While he was speaking, his wife had
come in from the kitchen, followed by
black woman with dish of sweet pota-
toes and some hot corn cakes. She made
her presenc manifest by giving " Leewiz.
zy" a violent push, with the exclamation,
/" w hat ar We standing thar for, yer lazy
wench! Go and help Dinah bring in the
Gxens." Then turning to her husband,
she said, You'll make fool o that ar
gal. It's high time she was sold, She's
no account here"
Mr.. Jackson gave a knowing wink at
his guest, and remarked, "Women-folks
are ginerally glad enough to have niggers
to wait Oh EN-; but ever sence that gal
come into the house, my old womau's
been in desperate hurry to have me sell
her. But such an article don't lose moth
ing by waiting awhile. I've some
thoughts Of taking tramp to Texas one
O thsse days; and | reckon prime fancy
article, like that ar would bring fust-
rate price in New Orleans"
The subject of his discourse was listen
ing to what he said and partly from tre-
NOR at the import Of his words, and part
ly from the fear that she should not place
the dish of bacon and eggs to please her
mistress, she tipped it in setting it down,
so that some OF the fat was spilled upon
the table-cloth. Mrs. Jackson seized her
and slapped her hard, several times, on
both sides of her head. The frightened
child tried to escape, as soon as she was
released fron. her grasp, but, being or
dered to remain and wait upon the table,
she stood behind her mistress, carefully
suppressing her sobs, though unable to
keep back the tears that trickled down
her cheeks The traveller was hungry ;
but this sight was damper upon his ap-
petite. He was indignant at seeing such
u timid young creature so roughly han
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