The weekly Anglo-African., 1859-08-20

"Well, / hope nothing is the matter
were exposing him too much to the night
air in our late drives"
1" 1t is true that Noir has exposed himself
very much on our account, in all kinds of
weather, and at all seasons but then / do
not know that his health is any the worse
for it today"
Then why can we not take our usual
drive in our own carriage, if the coachman
and footman are well, and the horses and
carriage are in their usual order2" again
queried Mrs Blanche aa.
We'll, my dear, the reason is this Noir
and the footman asked me about two weeks
ago for permission to be absent on the First
of August, and as he has served us long and
faithfully, and, moreover, as it is very sell
dom that he asks an indulgence of the kind,
[ could not do otherwise than grant his re-
quest"
"Well," said Mrs Blanche, =" am glad
that you did give the poor man little re-
spite from his labor. | very cheerfully give
up my ride to day to accommodate Noir,
for he is such true, kind, faithful, and ac-
commodating servant. But why does he
always choose the first of August for his
holiday2 / remember that, for several
years past, he has solicited the first day of
August as day of recreation. Perhaps it
is his birthday"
No, Aime," said Mr.. Blanche, "don't
you know that the first day of August is
great day among colored folks2'
mo" replied she, II was not aware
that the colored people in this country had
any holidays, except such as are CON-
mon"
The first of August, my dear, is holi-
daypeculiar to colored people. They COM
memorate ON this day the British West In
dia emancipation, and have generally made
it a practice to give Noir his liberty on this
day, as a sort of imitation of the occasion
which freed, think, eight hundred thou
sand human beings from slavery"
True" said Mrs. Blanche, " remember
the great event of the West India emanci-
patton. Indeed, it is an event worthy of
being remembered, especially by those who
realize its benefts-that is, the colored sub
jects of the British dominions; but / donot
see ewhy our American colored people should
felicitate over the occurrence of an event
which has been of no benefit to them They
should wait to commemorate that event till
the people of the United States shall have
followed the example of England, by the
abolition of slavery in their own country"
You reason very correctly, my DEAR"
said Mr.. Blanche, but I am afraid that if
they should undertake to wait until the
United States shall have abolished slavery,
they will have to wait forever, for it is
doubtful whether these United States will
ever abolish slavery while the stars and
stripes are recognized"
COIL l suppose you gave Noir some
thing to keep holiday with, as well as CIV
ing him holiday ?" suddenly interrupted
Mrs. Blanche
81 thank you, my dear, for reminding
me of my duty in that respect, returned her
husband. "Will you have the kindness
to touch the bell, and ring Donohue up2"
Mrs. B. rank the bell, but as the waiter
did not make his appearance with his ac-
customed promptness, she rang again. But
no Donohue appeared. The effects of the
bottle of whisky detained him.
"Never mind, my dear, never mind"
said Mr.. Blanche; 81 will send Charles out
to the stable to ask Noir to step to the
house before he goes"
Charles went to the stable, and found
Noir busily engaged in making arrange
ments for his departure, taking care to have
everything in its place and in order before
he left.
Noir," spoke Charles, "will you please
to step up to the house7 Pa wishes to
speak with you"
Yes, Master Charles" replied Noir.
With his usual promptness, Noir has
tened to the mansion He was called into
the breakfast room by Mr.. Blanche, and
made low bow as he entered the apartment
"Good morning, Noir," spoke Mr.. and
Mrs. Blanche; and the latter, wishing to
carry on bit of joke, said:
"Well, Noir, how do you feel about a
drive on the avenue this morning?"
"Well ma'am," replied Noir, q don't
know, ma'am; can hitch up if Mr.. Blanche
wants me to do So"
But then," said she, / suppose, Noir,