Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-06-09

the projecting roof, and there two dingy black
nosed dogs were growing and tousling each
other Pigs were roofing the ground, and
among them rolled black baby, enveIoped in
bundle of dirty rags
The traveller waited while Louisa went into
the house to inquire whether entertainment
could be furnished for himself and his horse.
1t was some time before the proprietor Of the
establishment made his appearance. At last
he came slowly round the end of the house, his
/ hat tipped on one side with O rowdyish air
He was accompanied by a large dog, which
rushed in among the pigs, biting their ears aud
making them squeal piteously. Then he seized
hold of the bundle of rags containing the black
baby, and began to drag it over the ground, to
the no small astonishment of the baby, who
added his screech to the charivari of the pigs.
With loud shonts of laughter, 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
at last his eye rested upon him. he merely ex
claimed, That's hell of a dog !" and began
to call "staboy" again. The negro woman
came and snatched up her babe, casting fur
tive glance at her master as she did so, and
making her escape as quickly as possible. Tow
zer, being engaged with the pigs at that mo-
ment, allowed her to depart unmolested and
soon came back TO his master, waggng his
tail, and looking up, as if expecting praise for
his performance
The traveller avaied himself of this season
of quiet to renew his inquiries.
! "Well," said Mr. Jackson, al reckon we
! can accommodate We. Whar are ye from stran-
ger ?"
Mr. Noble having stated "whar" he 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 interrogatOries in
satisfactory manner he was uShered into the
house
The interior was rude and slovenlv, like the
exterior. The doors opened by 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 severe aspect was busy
mending garment When asked if the stran-
ger could be provided with supper, she curtly
replied that she "reckoned so - and without
farther parlance or salute, went out to give
orders. Immediately afterward, her shrill voice
was heard calling out, ' You gal put the fix
ems on the table.
The gal" who obeyed the summons proved
to be the sylph-Iike child that had guided the
traveller to the house. To the expression of
lstcssness and desoation which he had pre-
viouSly noticed, there was now a look of bewil-
derment and fear. He thought she might, per-
! haps, be step-daughter of Mrs Jackson but
! lo.t L.. a.
father of such gentleness and grace?
While supper was being prepared, Mr. Jack
son entered into conversation with his guest
upon the usual topics in that region-the prices
of cotton and "niggers" He frankly laid
open bis own history and prospects, stating
! that he was fetched up" in Western Tenes-
see, where he owned but two "niggers" A
rich uncle had died in Alabama, and he had
come in for portion of his wild land and ing
! gers :" so he concluded he would move South
and take possession. Mr.. Noble courteously
sustained his share of conversation but his
eyes invountarily followed the interesting child
as she passed in and out to arrange the supper
table.
"You seem to fancy Leewizzy," said Mr..
Jackson, shaking the ashes from his pipe
Il have never seen haudsomer child" re-
piled Mr.. Noble. "Is she your daughter ?"
No. sir +; she's my ngger," was the brief
response
The young girl reentered the room at that
moment, and the statement seemed so incredi-
BILE, that the traveller eyed her VITA scrutinizing
glance, striving in vain to find some trace of
colored ancestry
Come here Leewizzy," said her MASTER
What dye keep yer eyes on the ground for
YOu 'aint got no occasion to be ashamed O. yer
eyes. Hold up yer head, now, and look the
gentleman in the face"
She tried to obey, but native timidity over
came the habit of submission, aud, after one
shy glance at the stranger her eyelids lower
ed, and their long fringeS rested on her blush
ing checks
81 reckon ye don't often see poctier piece
Of feSh," said Mr.. jackson.
While he was speaking his wife came in from
the kitchen, followed by black woman with
dish OF sweet potatoes and some hot corn
cakes. She made her presence manifest by
giving Leewizzy violent push, with the
exclamation, "What are We standing thar for,
ye lazy wencb? Go and help Dinah bring in
the fxens" " You'll make fool o'that ar gal.
It's high time she was sold. She's no account
| here"
Mr.. Jackson gave knowing wink at his
guest, and remarked, Women folks are gincr-
ally glad enough to have niggers to wait on
em but ever sence that gal came into the
house, my old woman's been in desperate
hurry to have me sell her. But such an article
don't lose nothing by waiting awhile I've
some thoughts of taking tramp to Texas one
O these days; and reckon prime fancy ar.i-
Gle, like that ar, would bring fust-rate price
in New Orleans"
| The subject of bis discourse was listening to
what he said !; and partly from tremor at the
! imnort Of his words and nnrtlv from fear that