The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-06-24

'.Let me carry the water for you,'' said the
kind:hearted traveller. He dismounted for the
purpose, but she resisted his opportunities,
saying that she would be very angry with her.
..And who is she 90 he asked. sis she your
mother ?''
sob, no, indeed ~ was the hasty reply
81 ANIL live there" s fG basls
The disclaimer was sudden and earnest. as
if The question struck on a wounded nerve
Her eyes swan with tears, and the remainder
Of her answer was sad and reluctant in its
tones. The child was so delicately formed, so
shy and sensitive, so very beautiful, that she
fascinated him strongly. He led his horse
into lane she had entered, and as he walked
by her side he continued to observe her with
hstless and languid, but fexile as a willow
They pazzled him, as her eyes had done; for
they seemed to remind him Of something he
had seen in half-forgotton dream. a &fa
They soon came in SIGHT of the house, which
was built of logs, but larger than most houses
OF that description; and two or three huts in
the rear indicated that the owner possessed
slaves. An open porch in front was shaded
by the projecting roof and there two dinry,
black-nosed dogs were growing and tousing
each other. Pigs were roofing the ground.
and among them rolled black baby, envel-
oped in bundle Of dirty rags. The traveller
waited while Louisa went into the house to
inquire whether entertainment could be had
for h ''nseIf and his horse. II was some time
before the proprietor of the establishment made
disappearance. Atlast he came slowly saun-
tering round the end of the house, his hat tip
ped on one side, with rowdyish air. He was
accompanied by large dog. which rushed in
among the pigs, biting their ears, and making
them race about, squealing piteonsy. Then
he seized hold of the bundle Of rags contain
ing the black baby, and began TO drag it over
the ground, to the no small astonishment of
the baby, who addei his screech to the chari-
var; cf the pigs. With loud shouts of laugh
ter Mr.. Jackson cheered on the rough animal
and was so much entertained by the scene,
That he seemed to have forgotten the traveller
entirely. When a. last his eye rested upon
him. he merely exclaimed, THAT'S he'll! of a
dog" and began TO call, '.Staboy," again.
The negro woman came and snatched up her
babe, casting furtive glance at her master,
as she did so, making her escape as quickly
as possible. Tower being engaged with the
pigs at that moment, allowed her to depart
unmolested; and soon came back to his master,
waggins his tail, and looking up, as il expect
ing praise for his performances.
Tho traveller availed himself of this season
nf qniet to rancw his inquiries
SWELL" said Mr.. Jackson, II reckon we
can accommodate ye. Whar ar ye from stan
ger ?''
Mr. Noble having stated s.whar'' he was
from, was required TO tell ''whaI'' he was 20.
ing, whether he owned that '.bt Of horse iSsh ;,
and whether he wanted to sell him Having
answered all these nterresatories in a salts
factory manner, he was usherel into the
house.
The interior was rude and slovenly, like the
exterior. The doors were opened by wooden
much on their WOODEN hinges, that they Were
usually left open to avoid the difficulty oi
shutting them. Guns and fshing-talSle were
on the wall, and the seats were wooden benIh-
es. o. lcather-hottomed chairs. A tall, lank
woman, with red hair. and severe aspect
was busy menang garment. When a ket
if the traveller could be provided with supper
she curtly replied that she 'sreckoned so;' an
without further parlance. or salute, went out
to give orders. Immediately afterward, hel
shrill voice was heard calling out, ssYou gal
put the fixens on the table,"
The sgal.' who obeyed tie summons, prov.
ed to be the sylph-child that had guided the
traveller to the house. To the expression of
listlessness and desolation which he had pre-
viously noticed; there was now added look
of hewilderment and fear He thought she
might, perhaps, be stcp-daughter Of Mr..
Jackson; but haw could so coarse man as
his host be the father OF such gentleness and
grace?
While supper was being prepared Mr. Jack
son entered into conversation with bis guest
| about the usual tropics in that region,-the
price OF cotton and "nirgers." He frankly
laid open his own history and prospects. stat
I'M. he was efetched up'' in Western Ten
nessee, where he owned but two 'snigsers."-
A rich uncle of his had died in Alabama, and
he had come in for portion of his wild land
and "piggers;" so he concluded to move South
and take possession. Mr.. Noble courteonsly
sustained his share of the conversation; but
his eyes involuntarily followed The interesting
child, as she passed in and out to arrange the
supper-table.
"You seem to fancy Leewizzy,o said Mr..
Jackson, shaking the ashes from his pipe.
81 have never seen handsomer child" re-
piled Mr.. Noble. s.Is she your daughter?''
s.No, Sir: she's my niger" was the briei
response.
The young girl re-entered the room at that
moment, and the statement seemed so incredl-
BILE that the traveller eyed her with scrutiniz-
ing glance, striving in vain to find some trace
Of colored ancestry.
"Come here, Leewizzy," said her master
aWhat dye keep yer eyes on the ground for
You 'a'n't got no occasion to be ashamed OF
yer eyes. Hold up yer head, now, and look