The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-08-11
A LIBERIAN LOVE STORY.
From the Liberian Christian Advocate

FROM the tslOerlan Christian Advocate.
Among the number of recaptured Africans
in the q. S. steamship Niagara, there were two
young COngoes, Kabendah and Kandah, who
became strongly attached to each other on the
passage. During the few weeks that all who
landed from the ship remained at Monrova
and in the same receptacle, this mutual attach
ment strengthened and matured into a passion
that regarded every earthly possession and en-
joyment valueless, if it embraced not the one
darling object of its choice.
None but the parties themselves were at all
III their secret; and hence, when division had
to be made, and some of the company, for
many wise reasons, must 60 to other portions
OF the republic, the young man Kabendah was
selected to go to Bassa. When made acquaint-
ed with this determination as to himself he
manifested extreme reluctance, and begged to
be permitted to stay where he then was. But
those having authority in the matter, in the
absence of amy special reason, insisted that he
must go. He went.
The secret soon got out. On reaching Bassa,
this hitherto lively and promising young Congo
was Observation-Disclosures to wash or eat, and
neglecting the personal attention common to
his tribe, grew wan, poor, and soon fell sick,
replying to those who spoke with him on the
subject, in spirit of desperate GOODNESS, "what
use he be for me to live? Suppose no get dat
gal, want to die"
In the mean time, manifestations in the
Monrovia receptacle, on the part of one there,
showed that Kabendah's love was not mis-
placed or without compensation in the strong
affection of his loving fellow in misfortune and
misery-his wildly -adored Kandah.
The humane appreciation of those who had
these children of wrong and suffering under
cd to he e IL
and remove his savage grief, by having him re.
turned to Monrovia. Once more the lovers
met. Subsequently, Kandah, not being well.
was inquired of by one of the teachers, as fol
lows: What if it should be thought not best
for you to marry Kabendah?" Her cool re.
ply, looking her teacher full in the face. was,
Well, l can die"
The lovers were submitted to no such trial
of their affection and tendencies to desperation
in the destruction Of their own lives II was
agreed upon by the agents that their marriage
be immediately celebrated, and in as nearly
civilized and Christian style as their own rude
and barbarous state would admit of.
We were invited to attend the nuptials: but
sickness dashed this cup of meditated pleasure
from our lips. On the afternoon Of the 18th
March, the successful lovers were Joined in
matrimony by the Rev. John seyes, Every
thing, we are informed, was conducted with
much responsibility, which, while it reflected
no little credit on the managers in the matter,
without doubt made its impression on the minds
OF all the witnesses belonging to the company.
The sequel to the above is to be found in the
following announcement in the same paper:
MARRIED-On Thursday, the i7tb :ns,,.
March, at the Coloniya,;en .,eeei5iacle. At
Monrovia, by tha ,.es. John Seyes, Kabendab.
i,,iaa Games Buchanan, to Kandah, alias Ann
Liberia JeHs both liberated Africans, of the
company by the U. S. ship Niagara"