Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-23
hlisfellanp.


The gray clouds Of November sky had hung
all day low aud threatening. Toward night
they rolled together IN two great black masses,
curiously divided. part beng II the north, part
10 the southern heavens, With such . gloomy,
lesden bar between them. There was some
thing-very portentous in this appearance to
those who gszed upon it from the southern sea-
cOast, tor that day the news had come of
sret expedition having left the North, bound
southwark. Embattlsd hosts rushing togeiher
IN that dense sky typI6ed the meeting of mighty
armies but when, and where /?
=" Nov, Heaven send such storm never
ragged over this lost world siLce the deluge. Hat
teras-gr,ve of sailors-opeu vide your death
portals Room for the Yankee feet
This was tbs universal prayer that went up
under that stormy southern SKY. Went where?
Surely, not to the mercy seat for Dupont and
hIs ships saiisd straight on to toward that
known destination, with tear and laurel for
the few Of their number who slept their last
sleep on those death-doomsd shoals
Nowhere was this prayer more ferveutly Of
tersd than the Plantation OF Myrtle Bush,
twelve m:les from Port Royal. Il had the
richest of lands for the priceless cotton,
two hundred slaves TO ;ill it, and a palatlal
house filled with all the luxuries and treasures
that long line of wealthy ancestry could
cumuiate.
The Yankees " They we're a kissing
and by-Word beneath this lordly roof, or they
had been, until, under this dark November
sky, rumors had reached it that some not
distant day their fleet might-Just m ght-
ride at anchor in the sristocratic waters OF
Beaufort Bay. Then what of the boarded treas
ures, ths priceless cotton and ths two hun
dred sav5s.
W Dat dismal twilight It was. How early
and heavily it settled down over the house.
How 1t crept into the large, handsome rooms,
and laid itself like palpaole thing OF dread
over the rich furniture. Shadow of coming
evil, it not ?
BRING Nichols in the moment he arrives,
and pile the light wood, Cesar. No no
candies for the present. | ike this flicker bet
ter"
Having giving this order, Mr. Hayward, the
owner of the plantation flung himself into an
arm chair, just where the = flicker" could shine
upon his face.
Ii handsome, manly face, past its
prime, but full of the ndescribabe refinement
and genteness which good breeding gives. Up-
it tonight there was a troubled look an
expression as if be was trying to peer into the
future, which wa even darker and blacker than
ths night.
Soon Nichols horse was heard gaIloping
up the lnden-bordered avenue, then came
heavy bo1ts IN the hall, and coarse voice
cursing the dog, over whom blinded by the
light the servant held) he mad stumbled.
Mr. Hayward vi-ioiy WINGED as he heard it,
but that did not prevent bis giving a cordial re-
eeptIon to short, burly man, who, with spurs
on, and carrying heavy whip, came immedi-
ately In, only uttering few gruH words in re-
ply, and seated himself close to the blazing
fire, which darted up and out upon the new
conner, showing every seam and wrinkle in his
brutal face as distinctly If ii painting
them upon canvas 10 live forever.
This man was MIR. Hayward's overseer-"
Northern man with Southern principles 1t
seems hardly necessary, after our description
to introduce him further, nor will our limits al
low US TO llnger over the conversation that fol-
lowed. A few sentences at its close will un-
fold our story.
:" There is no use, Mr.. Hayward. If l try
it shall lose the whole lot. They suspicion
that the I ankees are coming here, and have
had more saTse from them to-day than for the
whole twenty year I've been IN CarIiny. I'll
buy the baby Of you, and stan my chance, see
irg ss how ne comes of sich good stock and
Iii take Rachel by force if l can't do no better.
Cato is good twenty miles north now, and I've
i've of the best bloodhounds there 6e out 50,
if you have any scruples, why you must take
your choice. the scrupIss or the niggers. Cato
Will wait at Balls Bluff for US, and when he
gts Rachel he won't Care more for the child
than nothing Ii the whole or none, for not
boy OF 'em all will sir if Cato says the word.
Consideration and kindness, and all them be
very good things, but according TO my way OF
thinking nIggers be better"
Say what We Northerners will of the hard
ened shareholders indiffe renee toward his slaves
there Uds a bitter struggle in the heart of this
master before be gave his consent. For many
long years these Two hundred human beings
naa been TO MIN nie weak children, TO be cared
Tor and made to work but he always remem-
oereo their humanity. No, cnat,eis TO him,
ous immortal Deiss, Tor whose wstfsro here and
hsrraitsl, ne, John Hayward, was accountable
10 ns own great Master. No separation was