The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-11-15
Another True Story.
From the n. y. independent.

From the n. Y. independent
A few weeks since We read in The InIe
pendent thrilling story from the pen of G.
l.. Brace, showing the tendency of slavery
to harden the heart and to render a slave
holding community oblivious Of justice, hon
or or humanity.
\ similar inciden: was related to US by a
Christian man whose early years were spen
in the sunny South. We give the reminis-
cence, as far as possible, in his own Ian
guage:
During my residence in Richmond, Va
said Mr. b., knew a bright little slave DO,
named Edward Maurice. As soon as he
was old enough. Ned was taught to work a.
blacksmith forge. At eighteen he coulC
shoe his masters horses, and do most of III,
blacksmith work on the plantation. One
day learned that the boy was very sick. and
the doctor had pronounced his disease incu
rable, unless he could be sen. to A northern
climate and his master kindly provided the
means Of sending his slave to the mountain
Gus region Of Virginia. and sent small sun
to mine host" of village tavern TO take
care of him for three months.
Before leaving home, Ned received the as
surance that, il he recovered hi, health, and
could WORK in colder climate, when he had
received by his master as the price OF hi,
freedom. But there seemed little probab!l
i,y that the boy could live until the rxpira
ton OF the three months for which his board
was to be paid.
Years passed by, and we heard no more o.
Ned Maurice. Everybody supposed him
dead who was there to care for slave who
was worth bat $500 less than youn, mas
,er's pony.
! Had the boy mother We inquired and
being answered in the affirmative We though,
that there was word of affection pent up
in that slayc-mother's heart for her poor
lonely boy, who had gone away to die among
strangers. In the language Of Mrs Stoves
Address to the Mothers Of America, BY the
sacred love you bear your child YOU, who
nave learned BY the cradles of Your own
children to love and feel for all mankind
by the motherly tenderness ard pity with
which you guide his growing years-by the
prayers YOU breathe for his eternal good.
beseech YOU pity the mother who has all your
affection, and not one legal right to protect
! and to guide the chI! Of her bosom"
. Three years had elapsed when Ned Maui
rice suddenly presented himself before his
master, ana pouring the h)arded treasure up
on the table, heard him exclaim, "Al right,
boy, three hundred dollars" Thus the in
estimable boon Of freedom was to be secured
to the slave boy. and soon the joyful news
was communicated to his Mother. And now
that his own liberty was secured, it seemed a
! light thing to Ned to earn the money that
would also purchase freedom for his mother
BY his masters advice, he returned to work
in the same healthy spot among the noun
tans of Virginia.
! And there, few months after Ned was
found by his former master, who told him
very coolly that he must return to the plan
tation, as he could no longer dispense with
his services. In vain the poor fellow protes
ted that he had paid the full amount demand
ed, and had purchased his freedom His
master replied that he had only paid for his
time-the three years labor he had lost b,
the absence of his slave.
Then arose in that village tavern a storm
Of Indignation. This was indeed "shary
stock -jobbing in human flesh" to which
"mine host" had a few words to utter tha
touched sensitive spot in the soul Of mar
who was not wholly Indifferent to the opin
ion of others. Edward Maurice had BY hi
honesty and diigent, self-denying industry
gained many friends in that village who hat
aided him in amassing the sum required tt
purchase his freedom \ compromise wa
Immediately made. One hundred and fft,
dollars were added to the three hundred al
ready given, the free papers were drawn ane
placed in his hands, and now indeed Ned wa
for ever emancipated from slavery.
OF his subsequent history Mr. B. has no
beer informed but we may hope that by tn
same heroic, self-denying effort that procured
for Ned the priceless boon of freedom hi
poor mother has been rescued from bondag,
and is now sharing with him the same bless
!. ing.
"WHAT's THE ?"-Reader, did yol
ever, after asking this question, notice th'