The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-13

of his coat.
The planter watched the vanishing bag
as the British bondholders may be sup
posed to have watched the falling confed
crate loan-goiug down inch by inch,u ,un
TIL it sunk at last with sudden plunge
fully out of sight but he coolly said
'WelI, l will. Come to the plantation to
night, at nine o'clock, and the papers
shall be ready"
"No, sab !" said Joseph, "you dom
cotch ole birds with salt ! You come tel
meter de camp OBJ de Ninfh New York
-dat's de regimen [ b'longs ter I"
"Well, l WILL" answered his master
''At nine o'clock-you'll be there?"
"Pll be dar !" answered the colored
gentleman, walking away with the digni
fed strut of New York alderman, who
has juSt thrust bis hand into the "public
crib, and-is proud of the achievement
! Ia much the same mood, lie was, about
nine o'clock that night, pacing the grass
10 front of his captains tent, when bis
master and another gentleman approached
him The latter wore a blue uniform ant
Joseph saw, at glance, was the provost
marshal of the army What could the
officer be doiug with his master? But
Joseph was not long in doub: about his
eTrand.
That is the boy p said the planter
pointing to his property, without giving
| 1t even look of recognition.
Come with me, boy" said the marshal
laying his hand on Joseph's shoulder.
"Scuse me, ,sah," answered Joseph, with
considerable of his recent dignity-for Sc
much could not be expected to evaporate
in moment. Use engaged wild de cap
tain,"
'Never mind the captain come with
mP," said the officer.
81 tank you sab I'd ruther not" an.
swered Joseph stepping back towards the
door of the tent.
The captain, who had listened to this
conversation from the inside of the tent
uow came out, and said to the marshal
Major, what does this mean Z What dc
you want with Joseph ?"
"He is claimed by this gentleman as
his slave" SAID the officer ''and the gen
er~ls's orders are to harbor no ruuaways.
But Joseph Is net runaway. | got
hlm 10 PHILADELPHIA. What evidence
have you that he ever belonged to this
man 7"
"Heaps of evidence" cried the planter
10 an excited tone. My word, sir
tell you he is my property, and has stolen
Il bag OF my money. He has it uow about
him"
lyon lie, you ole debble." shouted Jo-
seph, drawing out the bag, and launching
It at the head Of the planter. Il hain't
get you money!
According to rule Joseph "aimed low, y
and missing his face, the bag struck the
tEaster IN the region of the pocket. The
blow brought him down, and at the same
time loosened the fastening ofthe bag,and
scattered the coin, in a silver shower all
over the ground Rising soon to his knees
the planter groped about for his runa-
way dollars, apparently forgetful of his
other runaway property, which, even then
was not of much value for general circu-
lation in Virginia.
While the planter was searching for
his stray gold, the captain and provost
marshal continued the conversation The
former declined to give up the fugitive
without express orders from the general ;
but; 1t being too late to obtain access to
that officer that evening, he at last con
sented to Joseph's being lodged over night
in Jail to await his decision in the morning
So, IN half an hour the slave lad found
hlmselfa tenant of the little cell from which
j Ohm Brown went forth to die on the scat
fold.
His reflections, when the great key
turned in the lock, aud he was left alone
10 the gloomy room, were, as you may
imagine, not of very cheerful character
He thought of Deborah, of Robert, of Rob
ertS mother, from ali of whom he soon
would be separated forever he thought
of the far South of its hot sugar fields, and
deadly rice swamps, to which he would
be sold as soon as the army went away
and he thought of the faithless govern.
meut, for which he had offered his life,
and which was now pluDging him again
into the abyss of slavery. He thought oi
this, for already be knew his fate. The
captain had whispered, as he babe him
good night at the door: "Get away, Joe
if you can't is your only chance. Old
Patterson is pro. slavery man, if not a
traitor. shall do all | can but | have
no hope. He will give you up"
"Get away?" 4 camel may 60 through
the eye of a needle; rich man may &C
to heaven; but no human creature eVel
went through these prison walls" S.
thought Joseph, as he looked round his
gloomy prison cell and lay down to rest OF