New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-08-06
The Romance of CoIered waiter,s Life

The Romance of a C0Iered Walters Life.
ISaratoga Correspondence New York Commercial
Advertiser.1
Year after year Robert Jackson has been
the second waiter at the Union and the head
waiter at Congress Hall, but the careless
crowds have not known that through his
veins courses the proudest Virginian blood.
Robert is small, well-made quadroon,
fashioned, perhaps, in about the same
mould as Stephen A.. Douglas, for his head
closely resembles that of the Little Giant.
His grandfather was General Harry Lee, of
revolutionary light horse cavalry fame, and
his mother was a slave woman named
Jenney, a maid of Mrs. Lee. Soon after the
birth of William Jackson, the head walters
father, Jenney was sold to Colonel Stewart,
of Frederick county, Maryland. The boy,
William, showed extraordinary intelligence,
and became pet of his master, and on the
death of Colonel Stewart found himself
free, by clause in the will. William went
Immediately to Washington, where he had
been many times with his master There
he met John Mclean, Postmaster General
under Martin Van Buren,, and a friend of
his cid master. Judge Mclean appointed
him messenger in the Postoffice Depart
ment, at salary of $500 per annum.
While messenger in the Postofice De-
partment, William johnson met a beautiful
!ong-haired octOroOn, the slave of old Judge
John Stewart, of Baltimore. The slave
girls name was Rachel, and she came to at
tend Miss Stewart, one of the fashionable
Baltimore bellies, at one of President Van
Buren's receptions. William lost his heart
with the dusky maid and soon went to Bal
timore to get Judge Stewart, who owned
her, to consent to their marriage.
mo, sir" said the Judge Indignantly;
Rachel is a slave, and she must marry a
slave. If she marries free niger, she
will be running away herself, and, besides,
l don't know when l may want to sell her
to the New Orleans traders"
"Then can never marry her."
"Never, until somebody buys her from
me-" replied the Judge.
Rachel was sent to the Frederick comfy
farm, and thither William went in the nigbt,
to hold consultation with her. First. II
was resolved to run away. But there was
no chance of success. The Fugitive Slave
Law was in effect; passes were required bv
the slaves on the plantation, and to rnYn,,
away was surely to be caught, returned
and then dreadful whipping followed.
What can we dog" sobbed Rachel.
know" replied William; / will buv
you myself" '
But you have no money"
II can work and earn it," replied the de-
termined lover.
How much will you take for Rachel 90
ne asked OF Judge Stewart the next dav,
well, a thousand dollars will Inv her
replied the hard-hearted Judge.
William went to work; every cent was
saved, he even going on foot into Frederick
county by night to see Rachel, where they
held solemn consultations and hoped only
Tor the time when he could buy her and own
her and make her his wife,
Think OF that, mercenarv beaur, heartless
fortune hunters of Con0rass Hall-fhink of
toiling night and day, and then think of
paying your last cent for the love of wo-
man.
Two years rolled around, and nine hun
dred dollars gladdened the sight of William
jackson. Christmas came.
What shall give you for Christmas
this year, Williami" asked the good old