The weekly Anglo-African. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1859-1861, 1860-04-28
LIBERTY OR DEATH"
B Y S A R A H &.

Albert and Julia were the offspring of
slave woman, and owned by rich widow
er in Green county, Virginia, who treated
them more as spoiled children than serv-
ants. Albert's father was white, and he
was only half brother to Julia; but this
tended not to lessen their affection, for they
loved each other with true brotherly and
sisterly love. When Albert and Julia had
respectively attained the ages of twenty
and seventeen, their master was taken i'll
of fever. One afternoon he summoned
them to his bed side, and gave a small
sum of money to each, and that evening
he died. His sole heir was one Henry
Gray, to whom he bequeathed his entire
property, with the exception of Albert and
Julia To them he gave freedom after
the expiration of one year. Meanwhile he
consigned them to the guardianship of
Gray.
On the evening preceding that upon
which our story opens, a company Of gam
blers were seated in the parlor of the
Warren House. Among them was Henry
Gray, who combined with other vices
fondness for play, which, however, he had
carefully concealed from his indulgent un-
Gle. The conversation Jagged, and being
at loss for something to "kill time" as he
expressed it, one of them proposed cards.
agreed !" cried they, and forthwith
the cards were produced.
They played and bet high, but Gray
was for some time merely locker on, as
the financial condition of his pocket was
very weak, for he had not yet gained pos
session of his uncle's estate. AT length,
however, the sight of the gold, which was
constantly being transferred from one to
another, was too much for him to stand.
He drew nigh, and played on credit for a
while with but poor success. Suddenly,
however, the luck turned, and he won sew
eral small sums. Elated by his triumph
he continued to play, and finally, as morn
ing dawned, he left the table loser to the
amount of five thousand dollars.
Being puzzled in what manner to raise
the money, as the trader who held his note
was trader, and about leaving with a
gang of slaves he Immediately concluded
to transfer his two wards, Albert and Julia,
to him. with three of the farm hands, in
payment. How he could thus cruelty and
basely betray the trust reposed in him, is
question which some may be disposed
to ask. 1 answer, slavery is school adj
mirably adapted to corrupt the morals,
deaden the sensibilities, and transform the
finest specimen of humanity into a mere
brute. Brute, did say2 l wrong the
lower animal creation. 1t changes man
into demon, and stains his immortal soul
with the blood of his fellow man.
Early the next morning he sent for AL
bert and his sister, and informed them of
the transaction. Words fail to describe
the horror, the agony, and the Indignation
which by turns reigned in Albert's bosom.
For a moment he stood speechless. At
length he cried, "Sold my God p and
sank upon bis knees before Gray. He re-
manned in this position but short time,
however, ere his outraged manhood assert
ed its rights, and rising to his feet he
clenched his fist, and brought it with such
force upon the table as to set the glasses
dancing in lively confusion, and raising his