Year: 1864

bled about the yards and grounds-why he was left
so unmatched was another mystery of which /
ventured to ask no explanation and methim as
went out to gather fresh flowers in the early
morning the day after onr first interview He
took off his hat and bowed gracefully, holding It in
his hand as he stood to let me pass tried to
think of something it would be safe to say--what
host of unsafe and improper questions rushed
to my ips-but as | hesitated, he said,


a fine place Colonel Mercer has here, very
fine place


Yes, said, was your cid masters as ine a
one p


TWAS an old place, not kept up 50 well as
this.


Were you sorry tocome awayg It was aques-
| ton Of doubtful propriety but it burst from my
lips unconscousy, 50 intense was my longing to
get at the inner life of that young man, or rather
to find whether he had any


He gave quick glance up to my face-a glance
full of intense feeling; a questioning glance as
if he would read my very soul and see whether it
would be safe 70 trust ME. believe that he un-
derstood me, and saw that felt a deep sympathy
with him, but IL an instant his face assumed the
old careless expression what was the use Of speak
ing out ?-and Ae answered,


This is mighty fine country, missus we find
good massa here, I reckon


The change from as pure and well executed Eng
lsh as any gentleman uses to that comical African
dialect was very striking and ludicrous however
he did not smile, nor did but passed on, and
picked my flowers, while he went back to the
house.


He harnessed the horses after breakfast and
drove Col Merce- out, both sitting on the driver
box and I smiled as | heard Celia say,


'Ha, Toms wliter massa, anyhow.


1t was fact lewas lighter mpleeted, y and
doubtless three-furths or seveneghts Of the blood
in his veins was Anglo-Saxon, so that only one
fourth or one-eilhth of him could according to
Vice President stephens theory ofraces be right
fully held in bondage For as he complaeently
remarks, ''our system commits no such violation
of nature law as to enslaye those of the same
race But itloes ensave those who have only
an infnitesima portion of the blood of any other
race belongingto them, as the blue eyes and fax
en- hair Of may slaves testify to all observers.
In the Afternoon. Tom drove Mrs Mercer and my
self to town and again l was struck with his
graceful, gatlemanly bearing -chivalrous, we
should have allied tin a white man that quite
consideration and gentle Difference, that intuitive
knowledge ad forestallment Of lady's wishes
Evidently Ii had been accustomed to goodeocie-
ty very Hl4ly he had been connected with one
of theF s, and corld rightfrily boast of
kindred hood as wcll as mauuvIa.


The n&tmorning Tom was nowhere to beseen;
and hard Col Mercer say he had sent him back
to Mr. 6eil; that he would not answer his pur-
pose and besides, he added, Mr. Neil asks a
monstous price for him would give him a
thouand dollars, and reckon he won t tgetmuch
mo1s he may down on the sugar plantations for
negroes sell well there this year, they say.


He be mighty smart Niger, any way, was Ce-
IL comment to which I heartily agreed.


So Tom went his way what became of him |
know not but shall always believe he had as
much intelligence and shrewdness as the majority
of white men !; a better person and manners he
certainly possessed and my blood boils Indignant
ly in my veins whenever / think of man SO no.
bly, made as he in the image of his Maker being
bought and sold like so much brute matter. |
wonder if heis living now and if he is, whether
he bears allegiance to Jefferson Davis and IS vii
ling to take up arms in defense ofsouthern rights.
He and may yet meet, who knows where |
can ask him as many questions as l please, and
get candid answers. IF so, you shall have Sc
quel to my little sketch of the man who tried to
sell himself -SpTnqfeld republican