The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-08-22
NC A WIFE
A TRUE STORY.

y
been the second waiter at the
Union and the head waiter at Congress
Hail. but the careless crowds have not
known that through his veins course the
proudest Virginian blood. Robert is a
smart, well made quadroon, fashioned,
perhaps, in about the same mould as Ste
phen A. Douglass, for his head closely re-
sembles that of the Little Giant. His
grandfather was General Harry Lee, of
Revolutionary light-horse cavalry fame
and his mother was slave woman named
Jenney maid of Mrs. Lee.
Soon after the birth of William Jack
son, the head walters father, Jenny 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
friend of his old master. Judge Mclean
appointed him a messenger in the Post
Office Department at salary of 5000 per
annum
While messenger in the Post Office
Department, William jackson met beau
tiful long haired octoroon, the slave of
Judge John Stewart, of Baltimore. The
slave girls name was Rachel, and she
came to attend 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 b altimore to get
Judge Stewart, who owned her, to con-
sent to their marriage
"No, sir" said the Judge Indignantly,
Rachel is a slave, and she must marry
a slave. If she marries free nigger she
will be running away herself, and besides,
| don't know when | may want to sell her
to the New Orleans traders"
"Then | can never marry her 2"
"Never, " until some body buys her
from me- replied the Judge.
Rachel was sent to the Frederick
county farm, and thither William went in
the night to hold consultation with her.
First it was resolved to run away. But
there was no chance of success The
fugitive slave law was in effect; passes
were required by the slaves on the planta-
tion. and to run away was surely to be
caught, returned, and then a dreadful
whipping followed. sl
"What can we do 2" sobbed Rachel.
81 know" replied William, 81 will
buy you myself"
;" But you have no money"
4" l can work and earn it," replied the
determined lover.
How much will you take for
Rachel p he asked of Judge Stewart the
next day.
"Well, $1,000 will buy 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 for the time when he could
buy her and own her and make her his
wife. u4s hap4p.
Think of that, mercenary beaux the
artless fortune-hun ters of Congress Hall
think Of toiling night and day, and then
think of paying your last cent for the
love of a woman. belr
Two years rolled around, and 5000
gladdened the sight of William jackson.
Christmas came.
What shall | give you for Christmas
this year, William p asked the good old
Postmaster General of his trusty messen-
ger.
Anything, Mr.. Secretary"
" But what would you like most 2"
Then William told the story of his and
Racheps troubles-how he was afraid
she would be sold, how he loved her dear
ly, and how still he lacked hundred dol
lars to buy her.
The Postmaster General took off his
specs, wiped his eyes, then put them on
again Then he tumbled in his pockets.
Five-ten--twenty- he counted
and then he handed William hundred
dollars
Too happy to live, William started for
Judge Stewards.
"Here, Master john" said he, with
his eyes aglow with Joy" here is the
thousand dollars, Now | want Rachel"
My God William, you don't tell me
sol" exclaimed the Judge "Why,
sold Rachel yesterday for $1,000 to 60 to
Mobile"
When IL she ooino ?" aeked VV;ll;on,