Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-09-05

blushed burning crimson.
Hush | rejOined " she has overheard
you already and knows you do not believe her
to be a oontraband'
Yes" continued the girl understand
that he doubts me- but no master nor mistress
could ever teach me to tell falsehood. II you
think me an imposter, look at this " and she
drew forth an envelope, adding took 1t
from secretary drawer when was sent to put
things in order, for | thought it would be OF
service to me, if ! should try to carry out my
pang'
unfolded the paper and read as follows
NATcHEz, July 18th, 1854.
Bought Of Jason Dunlap, Agent of An
tome Laloucho six houseservants, viz Dnah
aud Chloe, cook and laundress, John and Will
liam, iootman and butler, Paulette, lady's
maid, and Jeanne, her sister, nursery girl"
The above was duly signed, and at sight of
the signature, ! started, muttering;
9 Aorgan-MoTgan--that name has sent
thrill Of dread to many loyal heart but can
the iar-lamed guerrilla leader be your master 2"
" Yes, replied the girl, slowly " am the
Paulette mentioned in the bill OF sale have
q right to the protection your army offers our
race"
- 1t Is yours, | said with grave earnestness
" Barrett, allow the iugitiye8 to pass
lac young man drew back, aud the next
instant the fugitiyes we're within our lines.
The little girl expressed her thanks with child
lsl eloquence, and while tears OF Joy gushed
INTO Paulette's 3 eyes, she fallered
cir, have sometimes gone down to secret
meetings OF my masters slaves, and read the
forbidden Bible, and in my dreams at night,
ana on my journey to you, the Union camp has
seemed like the land Of promise to the fugitive
lsraeltes."
smiled as reoined
- Pauletto, hope your most sanguine antici-
patlons may be realized freedom must be sweet
TO the oppressed, and therefore | do not wonder
at the hardships many Of your people have
undergone to gain it."
The girl did not reply at once, but it was
evident that she was passing through some great
internal conflict for her whole frame shook
" Slavery has been the curse of my he, ;" she
exclaimed, q vein of pathos trembling through
her sweet voice" ever since have been able
to understand anything, have hated it, and you
may be sure have not been easy to manage.
Harsh words and blows have been my daily lot
have spent weeks in the calaboose, and have
been sold four times within twelve years Twice
| have run away, but was discovered and brought
back, and sent to work iu the rice-felds-the
horror OF my race, sir. Oh, my wrongs have
been terrlble and when Morgan, the guerrilla
bought me- he declared he would humble my
pride"
"And did he succeed F"
:" No sir - and the speaker laughed bitterly
" none Of the persecution | have received from
his family, has ever made me shed tear "
And there was Spartan spirit n every we'll
cut feature. AT last, =" she resumed, al have
escaped and reached your lines"
Yes, you aie safe"
"Satety and freedom are sweet to the hunted, |
the oppressed, but this ia not oil Il have secret
wbich may be Of great service to your troops"
We bad now gained the tents which had been
pitched an hour previous, aud pointing to one,
| SAID
'' That is the colonel's tent, and know he
will be glad 70 listen 20 whatever you may have
to communicate, relative to the plans and move.
ments oil the redoubtable guerrilla chief"
AS spoke | ushered the iugtiges into our
presence, and observed
" Here Is a oontraband who will, fancy, /
receive a warm welcome when you know that
she has recently escaped from Morgan, we so
much wish to exterminate." F"
The colonel started, and gazed wonderingly
md hall-doubtingly at the GIRL but when had
made brief explanation, his look of ncredulity
vanished, and he exclaimed
Sit down. and talk to me as freely as you
would to anybody on your late masters planta.
ion. " 1
Paulette sank upon a camp stool, and said
" For the last five years have been lady's
maid to Mrs. Morgan, except when | was shut '
p IN Jail or working in the rice-feds as pun O
shment.'
And what was your odense?"
." loved freedom, sir, and they charged me
With keeping the rest OF the slaves in contin- b
al ierment-yes, those were the very words, v
nut must not talk Of myself have secret q
hat they do not dream of my knowing" {
"Wbet is it pray?" interpOsed the colonel. Ii
Master Morgan has led lawless life since 81
he war broke out, and il was thought best to a
emOve to Texas but nothing pleased him bet f
or than TO be called the terror of the border. v
liter his reckless raids he would come home il
nth his officers and the tayorites of his band,
nd set the whole family aslir meats must be I
ooked, the table laid with as much care as if Il
he Governor was to be present, and then they p
'ould spend hours over their wine. OF course p
hey could not rest while they were there, but 9,
lddeny spy or scout would bring in some SC
ews ana they would set off again. rt
Oae night my mistress looked pale and really p
|, and ventured to ask II
" That S the matter, misss? - eI
"l do not suppose girl so unmangeble as il
ou usually are, Lettie, cares what may happen tG
, me but tonight it is relief to tell even 81
ave how am suffering" re
90 Are you sick missis W
" No, It your master were at home should to
G we'll enough, but ior week have been ex- is
Ccting him, and he has not yet come. Every -
ayeer | see in the distance, | watch and re
atch ill he is lost to sight and when night IL
oses am doubly anxious. What can it hl
can, Lette Is he dead, or has he fallen into e
e hands Of the enemy, and been carried to FL
eir prisons at the North God only knows th
)w heavy my heart is, though there il little OF
lance to be placed on you. must trust YOU dC
wv. Go out, and see If you cannot find some W
ace Of him." m
81 obeyed her orders, struck into cross 90
ad, winding through dense grove of cotton.
God trees, aud then leading into broad acres of
alrie land. AT length | reached the Red
yer and rowed over it in an Indian canoe that in
took the liberty OF appropriating to my own th
%. On the opposite shore, | hid the canoe er
MD the oanobrake and walked on. | had Gu
ard Of the Indian way OF listening, and now Ct
liten bent my head 10 the ground TO see il | ex
uld hear the tramp OF horses feet had not Sc
nc more than halt mile beyond the river.
hen | heard the sound had beon listening for, sill
d then the bark of dog, and all was still 20
ain. When ran away, the wlndings of this Cl
ugh country had grown familiar to me had w
lrned caution, too, and could step warilS. br
not know how long it was that stole on in Ju
rsuit OF my master, but finally heard tho ha
9 give deep bay, and we'll known voice th
ia