The Portland daily press., 1865-04-15
SATURDAY Morning, April Is, 1865.
Fatalism amonr the Oolorad Raoa.

A singular instance OF negro romance, from
iatalistlc point or view, occurred some years
ago in the Island OF Baroadoes; and the con-
duct of the principal performer in the nara
tive, though founded upon superstition, is not
without dignity. When my father purchased
the Hope estate in Barbados, he bought, with
the stock, fixtures and appertainings OF the
lands, cerlain slaves attached TO lhe soil, the
residue OF the late proprietor's establishment,
amongst whom was black of the true Alrl-
can race, VINO went by the name OF sammy
This man soon became an object OF notice
from his incidence and carelessness Oh what
beiell him--he seemed to be SO onehdeu Ia his
soul at being first as a slave ana then by
transfer which levelled him Win tne beasts OF
the field which were included with him In the
purchase of the estate. Be that as it might,
work he would not. My father, ever consider
ate and nercful to his servants, having failed
to induce him to join the cropwork with the
other gangs as they are called, proposed by
way OF easy labor, that Sammy should Craze
COW ior him; no great task certainly, but
Sammy objected to the responsibility, aud de-
clared that he was tired OF life, and wanted to
'go home" No notice was taken OF these
expressions at the time, but their solution was
to come.
Zone d y at dawn, a messenger came to my
Illner apptlLe nlln that Sammy was sitting
g by the side OF the Hope well, and that he had
declared his intention OF jumping down the
same as soon as the day was ended. My'fa-
ther Immediately rose and went to the well,
which at this time was dry, but of immense
depth-nearly hundred and fifty 1eet, and
paved at the bottom in order to hold the rains
Arrived at the spot, he found the negro sitting
as had been described, on the coping OF the
well, which had been built high in considera-
tion OF tne children on the estate My father
spoke 10 Sammy, and attempted first to laugh
and then to reason him out of his projected
suclde-but TO no purpose, and worn out, my
father was compelled at last to leave him.
Alter breakfast my mother also went to the
well. There was now a circle of his friends
and acquaintances all adding their requests to
his poor Wiie's lamentations. None, however.
durst approach him, for he had arranged
circle OF stones at radius of about six feet
from the edge of the well, and with one hand
on the coping, and the other extended In
warning, he assured them that if they ventur-
ed beyond certain distance, or within this
belt, he would at once leap down. When nv
mother approached, Sammy seemed moved,
and said:
'Missy-don't come farther-don't let them
say you made me jump down."
After long and vain effort at persuasion,
my mother retired in tears. Others OF US,
members Of the family, now visited him-but
aIlfailed to turn him from his. purpose. "No."
said he, decisively, 81 am tired of my lie
my sun is nearly set-(I give his very words)
! am going homew
Our butter Robert, mulatto, tried to ar
que with him, but vainly; finally the rector
or the parish came to use his influence. Sam
my listened respectfully, but shook his head at
the conclusion of the clergymrn's monitions.
The sun was now past the meridian, and Sam
my's time was drawing nigh. Once more nv
mother came to him, this time being accom-
panied by the wretched mans only child
She prayed and besought him to come away. |
"No Missy" he said, sorrowfully, II have /
lived enough-I am going home"
Large numbers had now encircled the well, |
awaiting anxlously the setting of the SUM-
Slowly, and in tears did the members of our |
family depart and leave the fated man. With
a smile oil patient endurance, but with deter
mination unialtering, he sat watching the de-
scending fire into the sea. just as the sun
in all its tropical splendor sank beneath the
horizon, the suicide raised himself and point
ing towards the west, said:
'And now I'll go and sup with the French
King !" and having said this he leaped down
Here was fatalism combined with romance,
and dignihed by sternness and composure-a
scene never to be forgotten by those who wit
messed it. What ailusion was intended in the
last words OF this man, there is no chance OF
discovering; and perhaps the expression ap-
pears at THIS distance OF time rather an anti
climax to the gravity OF the scene, which
should have been in its catastrophe almost
sublime. Truth, however, demands that l
should give The very words used.
Another instance which also occurred in
the Island OF Barbados Ia spot replete with
legends and anecdotes OF the rarest descrip-
tion) exhibits a different phase OF the negro
MIND working in superstition.
Some years ago gentleman of the name of
Elcock resided III Barbados. His genLleneSs
and kindness to his slaves were proVerbial,
and they were in all appearance deeply at
tached 10 him. One negro In particular, who
had been selected for his intelligence and
readiness as Mr.. Elcock's body servant or
valet, was admitted into much of his masters
confidence and intimacy, and the pleasant re-
lations between them were well known to all
the neighborhood.
On one occasion Mr. Elcock, rejecting that
the diligence and affection of his servant
might be enhanced by granting his freedom,
made out an instrument OF manumission by
which the man was to be liberated from sla-
very as saon as he Mr.. Elcock) deceased
He acquainted his valet with his intention,
who expressed his gratitude and joy profdse-
ly, but seemed little disappointed at not re-
ceiving an immediate freedom. Mr.. Elcock
explained that the only reason for this post
ponement OF his release was to avoid making
an invidious distinction between one O! his
servants and the rest of the establishment,
who were, not unnaturally, little jealous of
the favorite. Matters were thus arranged,
and all seemed to go on as before.
One morning, however, one of the servants,
coming TO Mr.. Elcock's room with his early
cup OF coffee, discovered his master lying
across the bed with his throat barbarously cut
from ear to ear.
Alarm was given, and soon the news spread
far and wide that Mr.. Elcock had been robbed
and murdered by some enemy. The valet,
who slept ia the next room, and had to be
awakened in the morning by the discoverer of
the murder, was distracted with grief; he
tore his hair, and gave way to extravagant
grief, calling on "his dear MASTER" "his poor,
loved MASTER" &C., ana vowing vengeance on
the assassins. No suspicion, of course, at
tached to him, as every one was aware OF the
intimacy and affection which existed between
bar. Elcock and himself. Unfortunately for
him, however, he exaggerated his complaints
so transparently, that a gentleman of the in
quest, who was well acquainted with the su-
perstitions OF the Africans, determined on a
public trial OF the servants OF the establish
ment.
One by one the slaves were summoned into
the room where the murdered man lay blanct-
ed, and with all traces OF his wounds conceal
ed by the grave-clothes. One of his hands,
however, which had suffered in the struggle
for life, was left bare, and composed decentlv
on his chest The slaves passed through the
dead mans chamber, some with dread, some
. in tears, none with indifference. At length
came the confidential servant, wringing his
hands, and exhibiting excessive grief. The
inquisitor bade him go to the corpse and touch
its hand. The man smiled and made ghast-
" effort to speak, but his lips were white and
his lace twitching with fear. The juror, with
a laughing expression of confidence In his in
nocence. now seized his hand and approached
the body. With a face bedabbled with sweat
and with knees knocking together, the valet
neared the corpse; his hand almost touched
his masters inanimate fingers, when, with a
shrek, he fell on the floor with the horrible
hadh