The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-11-03

/ ali.
Mr.. Tpsico and his associates declaring
themselves aggrieved, said that they were not
anxious to remain in de ole one-noss crib
and took their leave with great dignity. This
was what George wanted. BE told Mr.. Lloyd
that he would soon be able to take him where
he could have quiet, and then passed into the
kitchen, to explain matters to his wife, leaving
the banker to his own reflections upon the part
he was playing. We do not envy them, nor
will the reader be apt to do so.
Soon as 1t gifts little later, sir" said
George, returning from his colloquy with the
old woman" whom he had much ado to prevent
from melting into fat grief, "we'll put you in
the big room up stars, and say you're gone for
good. It's mighty unpleasant, know, but keep
it up little longer. Act stupid drunk. Some
of desc peoples mighty curious, sometimes"
In few minutes Mr.. Lloyd heard a great
row in the rear of the shop, and a colored girl
came hastily out, followed by George, both
talking very loudly. 81
George "You black huzzyi you go an steal
my best Sunday han'kercher, will your"
Girl. Didn' do no sech thing. you know L
didn', now"
George. I smash you over de mouf, if you
lie to me dat way. You been stealth ever since
you been in dis house, an | amt goin' to put
up wild it. You got to CO."
Girl. "Never stole nothin, s. help me,
God"
George. "Well, den, send for p'leeceman,
an sarch your chist-you got dat han'kercher
l know you Is"
Girl (crying.) ashanti s'arch my chst, no
how. amt got none o yer hankerchers, you
knows very well isn't"
George Slightly molli6ed.) "Well, you're got
to go, any how, so pack up. / amt a goin' to
have nobody bout my place what l suspicious
of stealin'. Git out yer chist quick, now, III
After she was gone, Mr.. Lloyd said:
George, do not be too harsh with her; she
is ignorant, and perhaps it is only her first of
fence"
But the sad pathos and stricken shame of
these words was lost entirely upon George, who
laughed loud.
va, hah /" said he, drawing striped BAN
danna from his pocket, 81 she amt stole it, bless
you soul, though she have been a stealth some
thin, reck'n, case she didn't want her chst
sarched. That ar was dodge of mine to git
rid OF her, case she's got an oncommon long
tongue, even for gal, an it wouldn't do to
have her about de house while you is here. III
give her two shillings, some O desc days, an
that Ill make it all right wild her, same as if I'd
told her she was an angel"
Indeed, throughout the whole of this eventful
evening, George showed himself as full of re-
sources as the veritable Figaro, or one of LIE
Sage's Spanish Wallets. To cl'ar de kitchen
as be phrased it, he slipped out the back way,
through the undergrad, and raised a vehe.
ment alarm Of fire, which was effective in caus-
ing the whole alley to be deprived of its occu-
pants. Under cover of this coup lie main,
George proposed to Mr.. Lloyd to retire to the
place prepared for him, assuring him that he
could now make every one believe that the
stranger was gone away. The banker followed
his faithful friend up a narrow stairway, into
neat room on the second floor, which, though
narrow and small, and poorly furnished, was
most scrupulously clean.
sour best room, sir; we don't have no use
for it as a bed room, and only sometimes for
people when dey wants private eister parties
Ihe old T woman put her best sheets on de bed
white folkses sheets and kiver. De place is not
good enough for you, sir, but deed it's de very
best ives got Now, sir, you have somethin' to
eat up hyar? De old woman is dc elegantest
cook / ever see. She war brung up in one of
de fust fam lies of Virginny. Whatll you have !?
Sposin' / was to bring you up nice beefsteak
an coffee 2"
! "No, thank you, George. / want nothing
| just now-nothing but rest, for l am very weary,
very weary. have not slept for week, and
think l can sleep here-I know l can lie
down here without any danger, in perfect con-
| fdence, George, and, if you viii believe me,
with renewed hope-for, when in the depth Of
my despair, God has permitted me to find such
a friend as you-what may not be his purposes
towards me-thank you, George, and thank your
wife for providing me such nice bed"
And, hinging himself down in complete ex-
haustion, this glory and shame of all the Lloyds,
| Al. H., C. 1osv,
ments in the St. Bobolink, slept well and sound
ly under the humble negro's roof, feeling that
it was the roof of friend and sanctuary for
him. So slept great Pompey in the fisherman
hut, after Pharsalia. When Actium's sea-hght
was over, great Antonius pillowed his shame
bathed head upon Cleopatrs's bosom. Did he
sleep2
| Georges child became suddenly i'll, it was
reported, and the shop had to be closed, for
fear she should be disturbed. So the tempest
driven, laundering bark found q moments safe
haven, a moments anchorage, at the mouth of
a river, whose name is Lethe. If she sets sail
again, jury masts rugged, will she ever come
more into such placid waters? Neyer-until
another river receives her--a river whose tarn-
like, dismal, sluggish waters, no plummet has
ever sounded, no anchor taken hold in--the
river whose name is Styx. A far different river,
John Bunyan's river Jordan.
Never was man more kindly treated than Mr..
Lloyd during the four days of his concealment
in Georges house. And this concealment was
the most complete that it was possible for him
to effect; and he needed it, for the hue and cry
was terrible. 1t was also very easy for him,
from this honest standpoint, to make the requi-
site preparations for his fight and final safety.
George was a man of versatile talents, per-
feet Crichton in his way, and had, as we have
| said, followed many upations-among others,
that of sailor Thanks to the professional
| knowledge thus obtained, he was able to put
Mr.. LLOYD in communication with a captain,
who, for sufficient consideration, engaged to
take him to Spain, via Liverpool, in which lat
ter city the banker wished to stop to secure an
English passport and convert into available
funds the large exchanges and securities which
he had in his possession.
| George had also, in early life, served an ap-
premiership in the art tonsorial, and hence had
many acquaintance in that business. From
one of these, who was of a theatrical turn, and
furnished masquerade apparel, he obtained a
wig, a false beard, and . disguise in character,
which our colored friend took an especial de-
light in seeing the banker assume, making
here and there an alteration until II was artist
caly perfect; and the stately Beale Lloyd was
converted into valetudinarian of seventy
wears. whose skin was jaundiced by diseased
liver, and whose legs confessed, with a halt,
more than one painful visit from that fierce
enemy of the Epics,ri gregis-gout. He was
to affect an accent also, and to personate q
French planter from Martinique, on his way
to the Mediterranean, in search of health.
When not engaged in arrangements for his
departure, Mr.. Lloyd had all the newspapers,
which George got him-only, however, after