The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-07-12
The Negro and the Judge.

hOio u"Vii Soiho )cuiS SihSc III a CeI-
tain town in the State of Vermont several
families of negroes; some Of which were
highly respectable, the heads Of them
being thrifty farmers and Industrious,
quiet citizens. who supported a style of
living quite in harmony with that of their
refined white neighbors One of them
once found it necessary to consult Ger
tain Judge of Probate living. some dis
tance from his home, on business matters,
and accordingly started for the house of
the dignifed official, which, however, he
did not reach until evening.
The Judge received his visitor with the
distinction he considered proper, gave
him coarse meal on a small table by
himself, and when bed time arrived
threw buffalo skin upon the floor, which
served as couch Cor the night The
traveller slept soundly and morning found
him refreshed in spite of the hardness of
his lodging. A coarse breakfast was
provided Of which he partook alone, and
after concluding his business departed
homeward. Some months after this mat.
ters of Importance called the Judge from
home, his journey leading him past the
neat and tasteful residence of his coored
guest. All unaware of this he halted
before 1t, on his return thinking it too
late to reach home that day and reason
ably supposing lie might find comfortable
entertainment within. 1t was winter and
a young darkey was feeding cattle in the
barn-yard near the house. ''Run and
ask your master if he can keep me
Tonight" said the judge. "Yes, you
can stay said the hoy" "But 90 and
ask your MASTER" persisted the judge I'M
patiently. The boy did as commanded
and Immediately returned, repeating his
assurance of moment before. With
true African condescension he assisted the
judge with his small luggage from the
sleigh and led him into the dwelling
both OF his master and father, who AS it
happened, was absent. The judge was
not a little surprised to find that his host
ess was a negress and to observe in con-
nection the neatness, order and taste
which pervaded the room. An inviting
supper was soon provided Of witch he
partook with relish for the combined
effects of his ride and the keen wintry
air had given him an appetite. Being
weary he early asked to be shown to his
room, which he found to he somewhat
spacious chamber neatly carpeted and
otherwise furnished quite as tastefuly
and abundantly as any sleeping-room in
his own aristocratic habtation. A feath-
er bed of swelling proportions yielded
soo,hingly TO the pressure of his weary
limbs and he was soon dreaming beneath
the snowy curtains Of his luxurious
couch Breakfast was announced at an
early hour and the surprise of the worthy
judge was complete when he recognized
in his host the negro whom he had en-
tertaned a few months before. Good
order and politeness reigned in the home
Of the despised black man, and his in
telligence and civiltY, together, with the
liberal hospitality showed upon his
guest in return for the mean fare received
at his hands, fell upon the heart of the
judge like Goals OF fire, and he tried to
atone for the treatment he had given his
forgiving host by apologies. so, there is
no need of excuses" said the generous
black, 81 Jared quite as well as | ex-
pected 1t is all right. find no fault,
and have entertained you with as much
pleasure as | should have done had
tared differently with you" swell my
good friend" said the judge. "you have
taught me a lesson | shall never forget,
and if you ever find it convenient to visit
my house again, be assured the best it
affords, shall be at your service" So
saying he rode away, musing upon his
adventure and the beauty of meek for
giving spirit, as displayed by the worthy
negro.