The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-11-21
PUBLISHED EVERY
Volume IS.


trees-they moved about more eagerly. anC
watched and listened more intently. Pres
emily two men met at the corner near m,
room. heard the word .abolitionist" ut
tered in smothered hiss. they moved for
ward, still talking earnestly, and as the,
passed under my window | thought hearC
one say:
Being lady, you know"
My excited attention could catch no more
until, when they separated, one Of then
threw back to his companion the final re
mark:
well, Bakers responsible, any way
My thoughts that night were haunted b.
vague uneasiness. went down early mex
morning to the breakfast room, and. as | en-
tered the room Mrs. Bakers sharp voic'
reached me through the open door.
Thomas said she, 'it is not safe. Dom
you know you are responsible for what's don,
here! Next thing you'll be arrested your
self IL you don't have
An audible 'hush' stopped her, and looks
icier than ever greeted me as | appeared n
the door.
The family were all huddled around hei
arm chair, nervous and gloomy. l learned
that rumors of 'another plot had beer
brought down by express the night before
from town seventeen miles away in the in
terror, the negroes Of which had lately had
some communication with those Of our
neighborhood.
All day the loneliness and the uncertain
peril Of my situation haunted mo, and now
at the first moment Of leisure was the time
to think it all over. Twas very inexrerienc.
ed. 1t had been my first adventure, when
year before, had left my mother alone il
the little parsonage. which was still allowed
her after my fathers death, to help as
might toward eking out our small income il
this foreign-like region hundreds of miles
away. | had stood at my post until every
other Northern resident had gone home
Then at last had told my employer that
must 90. II was some six weeks before
and that gentleman had surprised me at the
time by simply replying that as my engage
ment had been made for year, could no,
of course expect to receive any part Of my
salary until the close Of that time. had
been reared among the Berkshire hills, and
had astonished him in turn by answering thai
| would stay until then.
Now. when | sat down, to review that de
cision, began by resolutely setting at bay
the infinite longing for my home, my owl
dear, safe, happy New England, and resolv
ing to consider only what was best. Ny
mother was poor-I was her only helper
How could 20 back to hera burden instead
Of helper? But then, what il anything
should happen to her only child? What /
the impending storm should burst suddenly
and my retreat cut of, and the last Of he
desolated household be left imprisoned among
strangers and enemies? No, l could no
take the responsibili,y-G must go home.
Poverty-that poverty which stimulate
and degrades not-teaches us very early on
grand lesson. 1t teaches us, by the necessi
ty Of constant practice, to keep tho soul
world fresh and blooming and sunny, lie
the world WITHOUT lower and darken as j
will. 1t had taught me this lesson and
put il in practice now, This evening wa
nv own; tomorrow would be time enough
. for business, and had one more thing Il
do-onc more picture to lay by in mcmor.
before left the South forever. l must se
the yellow jasmine in bloom.
Ian down on the instant to fndsomc on,
who would 90 with me to the only one
knew OF within walking distance. Mrs
Baker sat before her sewing machine will
her oldest daughter.
julia said she, when | explained my er
rand, go up to my room dear, and bring M
+; another spool. I'm sorry, Miss Carr. we al
9 happen to bc engaged just now. Possibl
; old Sarah might serve you for a guide il yO'
: are very anxious to co.
: And she vanished abruptly through tn
0 hall door.
had reached the door OF old Sarah's cab
E in before the strangeness Of this PROPOSE
: had fully dawned upon me. For months
, had felt that the local proprieties require,
, me to have no intercourse with the servant
whatever-never to talk with them, and new
I er to DO seen with them alone. But thi
; one-this grim, cunning, taciturn old Saral
: was the one Of all most suspected AM
. most watched. However, the proposal wa
{ her,-the straightforward course is Away
> best. Ihesitated only for a moment.
i. To my surprise Sarah was unwilling L
20. "Bai road. misus-bad heavy road
, Gittin' late.--mos sundown. missus. Curu
, place out dab. missus; yes, missus. Ladie
, never goes out dat away, dey doesn't; no
missus.'
: Is,lenced her with n word or two, an
$ we started of.
8 Itwas certainly a lonesome road-the oil
$ road leading through light pine wood, am
: then across wide stretch Of sand. and ther
+ on through low, jungle-like forest, to I
. ruined and deserted plantation beyond.
n When we reached the forest, old Saral