Ihavealreadyalludedtohercarenottoteachherchildrentosteal,byherexample;andshesays,withgroaningsthatcannotbewritten,’TheLordonlyknowshowmanytimesIletmychildrengohungry,ratherthantakesecretlythebreadIlikednottoaskfor。’Allparentswhoannultheirpreceptiveteachingsbytheirdailypracticeswoulddowelltoprofitbyherexample。
Anotherproofofhermaster’skindnessofheartisfoundinthefollowingfact。Ifhermastercameintothehouseandfoundherinfantcrying,(asshecouldnotalwaysattendtoitswantsandthecommandsofhermistressatthesametime,)hewouldturntohiswifewithalookofreproof,andaskherwhyshedidnotseethechildtakencareof;saying,mostearnestly,’Iwillnothearthiscrying;Ican’tbearit,andIwillnothearanychildcryso。Here,Bell,takecareofthischild,ifnomoreworkisdoneforaweek。’Andhewouldlingertoseeifhisorderswereobeyed,andnotcountermanded。
WhenIsabellawenttothefieldtowork,sheusedtoputherinfantinabasket,tyingaropetoeachhandle,andsuspendingthebaskettoabranchofatree,setanothersmallchildtoswingit。Itwasthussecurefromreptilesandwaseasilyadministeredto,andevenlulledtosleep,byachildtooyoungforotherlabors。
Iwasquitestruckwiththeingenuityofsuchababy-tender,asIhavesometimesbeenwiththeswinginghammockthenativemotherpreparesforhersickinfant-apparentlysomucheasierthanaughtwehaveinourmorecivilizedhomes;easierforthechild,becauseitgetsthemotionwithouttheleastjar;andeasierforthenurse,becausethehammockisstrungsohighastosupersedethenecessityofstooping。
SLAVEHOLDER’SPROMISES。
AfteremancipationhadbeendecreedbytheState,someyearsbeforethetimefixedforitsconsummation,Isabella’smastertoldherifshewoulddowell,andbefaithful,hewouldgiveher’freepapers,’oneyearbeforeshewaslegallyfreebystatute。Intheyear1826,shehadabadlydiseasedhand,whichgreatlydiminishedherusefulness;butonthearrivalofJuly4,1827,thetimespecifiedforherreceivingher’freepapers,’sheclaimedthefulfilmentofhermaster’spromise;butherefusedgrantingit,onaccount(ashealleged)ofthelosshehadsustainedbyherhand。
Shepleadthatshehadworkedallthetime,anddonemanythingsshewasnotwhollyabletodo,althoughsheknewshehadbeenlessusefulthanformerly;buthermasterremainedinflexible。
Herveryfaithfulnessprobablyoperatedagainsthernow,andhefounditlesseasythanhethoughttogiveuptheprofitsofhisfaithfulBell,whohadsolongdonehimefficientservice。
ButIsabellainwardlydeterminedthatshewouldremainquietlywithhimonlyuntilshehadspunhiswool-aboutonehundredpounds-andthenshewouldleavehim,takingtherestofthetimetoherself。’Ah!’shesays,withemphasisthatcannotbewritten,’theslaveholdersareTERRIBLEforpromisingtogiveyouthisorthat,orsuchandsuchaprivilege,ifyouwilldothusandso;andwhenthetimeoffulfilmentcomes,andoneclaimsthepromise,they,forsooth,recollectnothingofthekind:andyouare,likeasnot,tauntedwithbeingaLIAR;or,atbest,theslaveisaccusedofnothavingperformedhispartorconditionofthecontract。’’Oh!’saidshe,’IhavefeltasifIcouldnotlivethroughtheoperationsometimes。Justthinkofus!soeagerforourpleasures,andjustfoolishenoughtokeepfeedingandfeedingourselvesupwiththeideathatweshouldgetwhathadbeenthusfairlypromised;andwhenwethinkitisalmostinourhands,findourselvesflatlydenied!Justthink!howcouldwebearit?Why,therewasCharlesBrodheadpromisedhisslaveNed,thatwhenharvestingwasover,hemightgoandseehiswife,wholivedsometwentyorthirtymilesoff。SoNedworkedearlyandlate,andassoonastheharvestwasallin,heclaimedthepromisedboon。Hismastersaid,hehadmerelytoldhimhe’wouldseeifhecouldgo,whentheharvestwasover;butnowhesawthathecouldnotgo。’ButNed,whostillclaimedapositivepromise,onwhichhehadfullydepended,wentoncleaninghisshoes。Hismasteraskedhimifheintendedgoing,andonhisreplying’yes,’
tookupasled-stickthatlaynearhim,andgavehimsuchablowontheheadasbrokehisskull,killinghimdeadonthespot。Thepoorcoloredpeopleallfeltstruckdownbytheblow。’Ah!andwelltheymight。Yetitwasbutoneofalongseriesofbloody,andothermosteffectualblows,struckagainsttheirlibertyandtheirlives。*Buttoreturnfromourdigression。
ThesubjectofthisnarrativewastohavebeenfreeJuly4,1827,butshecontinuedwithhermastertillthewoolwasspun,andtheheaviestofthe’fall’swork’closedup,whensheconcludedtotakeherfreedomintoherownhands,andseekherfortuneinsomeotherplace。
Note:
*Yetnoofficialnoticewastakenofhismorethanbrutalmurder。
HERESCAPE。
Thequestioninhermind,andonenoteasilysolved,nowwas,’HowcanIgetaway?’So,aswasherusualcustom,she’toldGodshewasafraidtogointhenight,andinthedayeverybodywouldseeher。’Atlength,thethoughtcametoherthatshecouldleavejustbeforethedaydawned,andgetoutoftheneighborhoodwhereshewasknownbeforethepeopleweremuchastir。’Yes,’saidshe,fervently,’that’sagoodthought!
Thankyou,God,forthatthought!’So,receivingitascomingdirectfromGod,sheacteduponit,andonefinemorning,alittlebeforeday-break,shemighthavebeenseensteppingstealthilyawayfromtherearofMasterDumont’shouse,herinfantononearmandherwardrobeontheother;thebulkandweightofwhich,probably,sheneverfoundsoconvenientasonthepresentoccasion,acottonhandkerchiefcontainingbothherclothesandherprovisions。
Asshegainedthesummitofahighhill,aconsiderabledistancefromhermaster’s,thesunoffendedherbycomingforthinallhispristinesplendor。Shethoughtitneverwassolightbefore;indeed,shethoughtitmuchtoolight。Shestoppedtolookabouther,andascertainifherpursuerswereyetinsight。
Nooneappeared,and,forthefirsttime,thequestioncameupforsettlement,’Where,andtowhom,shallIgo?’Inallherthoughtsofgettingaway,shehadnotonceaskedherselfwhithersheshoulddirecthersteps。Shesatdown,fedherinfant,andagainturningherthoughtstoGod,heronlyhelp,sheprayedhimtodirecthertosomesafeasylum。Andsoonitoccurredtoher,thattherewasamanlivingsomewhereinthedirectionshehadbeenpursuing,bythenameofLeviRowe,whomshehadknown,andwho,shethought,wouldbelikelytobefriendher。Sheaccordinglypursuedherwaytohishouse,whereshefoundhimreadytoentertainandassisther,thoughhewasthenonhisdeath-bed。Hebadeherpartakeofthehospitalitiesofhishouse,saidheknewoftwogoodplaceswhereshemightgetin,andrequestedhiswifetoshowherwheretheyweretobefound。
Assoonasshecameinsightofthefirsthouse,sherecollectedhavingseenitanditsinhabitantsbefore,andinstantlyexclaimed,’That’stheplaceforme;Ishallstopthere。’Shewentthere,andfoundthegoodpeopleofthehouse,Mr。andMrs。VanWagener,absent,butwaskindlyreceivedandhospitablyentertainedbytheirexcellentmother,tillthereturnofherchildren。
Whentheyarrived,shemadehercaseknowntothem。Theylistenedtoherstory,assuringhertheyneverturnedtheneedyaway,andwillinglygaveheremployment。
Shehadnotbeentherelongbeforeheroldmaster,Dumont,appeared,asshehadanticipated;forwhenshetookFrenchleaveofhim,sheresolvednottogotoofarfromhim,andnotputhimtoasmuchtroubleinlookingherup-forthelatterhewassuretodo-asTomandJackhaddonewhentheyranawayfromhim,ashorttimebefore。Thiswasveryconsiderateinher,tosaytheleast,andaproofthat’likebegetslike。’Hehadoftenconsideredherfeelings,thoughnotalways,andshewasequallyconsiderate。
Whenhermastersawher,hesaid,’Well,Bell,soyou’verunawayfromme。’’No,Ididnotrunaway;Iwalkedawaybyday-light,andallbecauseyouhadpromisedmeayearofmytime。’Hisreplywas,’Youmustgobackwithme。’Herdecisiveanswerwas,’No,Iwon’tgobackwithyou。’Hesaid,’Well,Ishalltakethechild。’Thisalsowasasstoutlynegatived。
Mr。IsaacS。VanWagenertheninterposed,saying,hehadneverbeeninthepracticeofbuyingandsellingslaves;hedidnotbelieveinslavery;but,ratherthanhaveIsabellatakenbackbyforce,hewouldbuyherservicesforthebalanceoftheyear-forwhichhermasterchargedtwentydollars,andfiveinadditionforthechild。Thesumwaspaid,andhermasterDumontdeparted;
butnottillhehadheardMr。VanWagenertellhernottocallhimmaster-adding,’thereisbutonemaster;andhewhoisyourmasterismymaster。’Isabellainquiredwhatsheshouldcallhim?
Heanswered,’callmeIsaacVanWagener,andmywifeisMariaVanWagener。’Isabellacouldnotunderstandthis,andthoughtitamightychange,asitmosttrulywasfromamasterwhosewordwaslaw,tosimpleIsaacS。VanWagener,whowasmastertonoone。Withthesenoblepeople,who,thoughtheycouldnotbethemastersofslaves,wereundoubtedlyaportionofGod’snobility,sheresidedoneyear,andfromthemshederivedthenameofVanWagener;hebeingherlastmasterintheeyeofthelaw,andaslave’ssurnameiseverthesameashismaster;thatis,ifheisallowedtohaveanyothernamethanTom,Jack,orGuffin。Slaveshavesometimesbeenseverelypunishedforaddingtheirmaster’snametotheirown。Butwhentheyhavenoparticulartitletoit,itisnoparticularoffence。
ILLEGALSALEOFHERSON。
AlittleprevioustoIsabel’sleavingheroldmaster,hehadsoldherchild,aboyoffiveyears,toaDr。Gedney,whotookhimwithhimasfarasNewYorkcity,onhiswaytoEngland;butfindingtheboytoosmallforhisservice,hesenthimbacktohisbrother,SolomonGedney。Thismandisposedofhimtohissister’shusband,awealthyplanter,bythenameofFowler,whotookhimtohisownhomeinAlabama。
ThisillegalandfraudulenttransactionhadbeenperpetratedsomemonthsbeforeIsabellaknewofit,asshewasnowlivingatMr。VanWagener’s。ThelawexpresslyprohibitedthesaleofanyslaveoutoftheState,-andallminorsweretobefreeattwenty-oneyearsofage;andMr。DumonthadsoldPeterwiththeexpressunderstanding,thathewassoontoreturntotheStateofNewYork,andbeemancipatedatthespecifiedtime。
WhenIsabelheardthathersonhadbeensoldSouth,sheimmediatelystartedonfootandalone,tofindthemanwhohadthusdared,inthefaceofalllaw,humananddivine,tosellherchildoutoftheState;andifpossible,tobringhimtoaccountforthedeed。
ArrivingatNewPaltz,shewentdirectlytoherformermistress,Dumont,complainingbitterlyoftheremovalofherson。
Hermistressheardherthrough,andthenreplied-’Ugh!afinefusstomakeaboutalittlenigger!Why,haven’tyouasmanyof’emleftasyoucanseeto,andtakecareof?Apity’tis,theniggersarenotallinGuinea!!Makingsuchahalloo-ballooabouttheneighborhood;andallforapaltrynigger!!!’Isabellaheardherthrough,andafteramoment’shesitation,answered,intonesofdeepdetermination-’I’llhavemychildagain。’’Haveyourchildagain!’repeatedhermistress-hertonesbigwithcontempt,andscorningtheabsurdideaofhergettinghim。’Howcanyougethim?Andwhathaveyoutosupporthimwith,ifyoucould?
Haveyouanymoney?’’No,’answeredBell,’Ihavenomoney,butGodhasenough,orwhat’sbetter!AndI’llhavemychildagain。’Thesewordswerepronouncedinthemostslow,solemn,anddeterminedmeasureandmanner。Andinspeakingofit,shesays,’OhmyGod!Iknow’dI’dhavehimagin。IwassureGodwouldhelpmetogethim。Why,Ifeltsotallwithin-I
feltasifthepowerofanationwaswithme!’
TheimpressionsmadebyIsabellaonherauditors,whenmovedbyloftyordeepfeeling,canneverbetransmittedtopaper,(tousethewordsofanother,)tillbysomeDaguerrianact,weareenabledtotransferthelook,thegesture,thetonesofvoice,inconnectionwiththequaint,yetfitexpressionsused,andthespirit-stirringanimationthat,atsuchatime,pervadesallshesays。
Afterleavinghermistress,shecalledonMrs。Gedney,motherofhimwhohadsoldherboy;who,afterlisteningtoherlamentations,hergriefbeingmingledwithindignationatthesaleofherson,andherdeclarationthatshewouldhavehimagain-said,’Dearme!Whatadisturbancetomakeaboutyourchild!
What,isyourchild,betterthanmychild?Mychildisgoneoutthere,andyoursisgonetolivewithher,tohaveenoughofeverything,andbetreatedlikeagentleman!’AndhereshelaughedatIsabel’sabsurdfears,asshewouldrepresentthemtobe。’Yes,’saidIsabel,’yourchildhasgonethere,butsheismarried,andmyboyhasgoneasaslave,andheistoolittletogosofarfromhismother。Oh,Imusthavemychild。’AndherethecontinuedlaughofMrs。G。seemedtoIsabel,inthistimeofanguishanddistress,almostdemoniacal。AndwellitwasforMrs。
Gedney,that,atthattime,shecouldnotevendreamoftheawfulfateawaitingherownbeloveddaughter,atthehandsofhimwhomshehadchosenasworthythewealthofherloveandconfidence,andinwhosesocietyheryounghearthadcalculatedonahappiness,purerandmoreelevatedthanwaseverconferredbyakinglycrown。But,alas!shewasdoomedtodisappointment,asweshallrelatebyandby。Atthispoint,IsabellaearnestlybeggedofGodthathewouldshowtothoseaboutherthatHewasherhelper;andsheadds,innarrating,’AndHedid;or,ifHedidnotshowthem,hedidme。’
ITISOFTENDARKESTJUSTBEFOREDAWN。
Thishomelyproverbwasillustratedinthecaseofoursufferer;
for,attheperiodatwhichwehavearrivedinournarrative,toherthedarknessseemedpalpable,andthewatersofafflictioncoveredhersoul;yetlightwasabouttobreakinuponher。
Soonafterthescenesrelatedinourlastchapter,whichhadharrowedupherverysoultoagony,shemetaman,(wewouldliketotellyouwho,dearreader,butitwouldbedoinghimnokindness,evenatthepresentday,todoso,)whoevidentlysympathizedwithher,andcounselledhertogototheQuakers,tellinghertheywerealreadyfeelingveryindignantatthefraudulentsaleofherson,andassuringherthattheywouldreadilyassisther,anddirectherwhattodo。Hepointedouttohertwohouses,wherelivedsomeofthosepeople,whoformerly,morethananyothersect,perhaps,livedouttheprinciplesofthegospelofChrist。Shewendedherwaytotheirdwellings,waslistenedto,unknownasshepersonallywastothem,withpatience,andsoongainedtheirsympathiesandactiveco-operation。
Theygaveherlodgingsforthenight;anditisveryamusingtohearhertellofthe’nice,high,clean,white,beautifulbed’
assignedhertosleepin,whichcontrastedsostrangelywithherformerpallets,thatshesatdownandcontemplatedit,perfectlyabsorbedinwonderthatsuchabedshouldhavebeenappropriatedtoonelikeherself。Forsometimeshethoughtthatshewouldliedownbeneathit,onherusualbedstead,thefloor。’I
did,indeed,’saysshe,laughingheartilyatherformerself。However,shefinallyconcludedtomakeuseofthebed,forfearthatnottodosomightinjurethefeelingsofhergoodhostess。Inthemorning,theQuakersawthatshewastakenandsetdownnearKingston,withdirectionstogototheCourtHouse,andentercomplainttotheGrandJury。
Byalittleinquiry,shefoundwhichwasthebuildingshesought,wentintothedoor,andtakingthefirstmanshesawofimposingappearanceforthegrandjury,shecommencedhercomplaint。ButheverycivillyinformedhertherewasnoGrandJurythere;shemustgoupstairs。Whenshehadwithsomedifficultyascendedtheflightthroughthecrowdthatfilledthem,sheagainturnedtothe’grandest’lookingmanshecouldselect,tellinghimshehadcometoenteracomplainttotheGrandJury。
Forhisownamusement,heinquiredwhathercomplaintwas;
but,whenhesawitwasaseriousmatter,hesaidtoher,’Thisisnoplacetoenteracomplaint-gointhere,’pointinginaparticulardirection。
Shethenwentin,whereshefoundtheGrandJurorsindeedsitting,andagaincommencedtorelateherinjuries。Afterholdingsomeconversationamongthemselves,oneofthemrose,andbiddingherfollowhim,ledthewaytoasideoffice,whereheheardherstory,andaskedher’ifshecouldswearthatthechildshespokeofwasherson?’’Yes,’sheanswered,’Iswearit’smyson。’’Stop,stop!’saidthelawyer,’youmustswearbythisbook’-givingherabook,whichshethinksmusthavebeentheBible。Shetookit,andputtingittoherlips,beganagaintoswearitwasherchild。Theclerks,unabletopreservetheirgravityanylonger,burstintoanuproariouslaugh;andoneoftheminquiredoflawyerChipofwhatuseitcouldbetomakeherswear。’Itwillanswerthelaw,’repliedtheofficer。Hethenmadehercomprehendjustwhathewishedhertodo,andshetookalawfuloath,asfarastheoutwardceremonycouldmakeitone。
Allcanjudgehowfarsheunderstooditsspiritandmeaning。
Henowgaveherawrit,directinghertotakeittotheconstableatNewPaltz,andhavehimserveitonSolomonGedney。Sheobeyed,walking,orrathertrotting,inherhaste,someeightorninemiles。
Butwhiletheconstable,throughmistake,servedthewritonabrotheroftherealculprit,SolomonGedneyslippedintoaboat,andwasnearlyacrosstheNorthRiver,onwhosebankstheywerestanding,beforethedullDutchconstablewasawareofhismistake。SolomonGedney,meanwhile,consultedalawyer,whoadvisedhimtogotoAlabamaandbringbacktheboy,otherwiseitmightcosthimfourteenyears’imprisonment,andathousanddollarsincash。Bythistime,itishopedhebegantofeelthatsellingslavesunlawfullywasnotsogoodabusinessashehadwishedtofindit。Hesecretedhimselftillduepreparationscouldbemade,andsoonsetsailforAlabama。Steamboatsandrailroadshadnotthenannihilateddistancetotheextenttheynowhave,andalthoughheleftinthefalloftheyear,springcameerehereturned,bringingtheboywithhim-butholdingontohimashisproperty。IthadeverbeenIsabella’sprayer,notonlythathersonmightbereturned,butthatheshouldbedeliveredfrombondage,andintoherownhands,lestheshouldbepunishedoutofmerespitetoher,whowassogreatlyannoyingandirritatingtoheroppressors;andifhersuitwasgained,herverytriumphwouldaddvastlytotheirirritation。
SheagainsoughtadviceofEsquireChip,whosecounselwas,thattheaforesaidconstableservethebefore-mentionedwritupontherightperson。Thisbeingdone,soonbroughtSolomonGedneyuptoKingston,wherehegavebondsforhisappearanceatcourt,inthesumof$600。
EsquireChipnextinformedhisclient,thathercasemustnowlieovertillthenextsessionofthecourt,somemonthsinthefuture。’Thelawmusttakeitscourse,’saidhe。
’What!waitanothercourt!waitmonths?’saidtheperseveringmother。’Why,longbeforethattime,hecangoclearoff,andtakemychildwithhim-nooneknowswhere。Icannotwait;Imusthavehimnow,whilstheistobehad。’’Well,’saidthelawyer,verycoolly,’ifheputstheboyoutoftheway,hemustpaythe$600-onehalfofwhichwillbeyours’;supposing,perhaps,that$300wouldpayfora’heapofchildren,’intheeyeofaslavewhonever,inallherlife,calledadollarherown。Butinthisinstance,hewasmistakeninhisreckoning。Sheassuredhim,thatshehadnotbeenseekingmoney,neitherwouldmoneysatisfyher;itwasherson,andhersonaloneshewanted,andhersonshemusthave。Neithercouldshewaitcourt,notshe。Thelawyerusedhiseveryargumenttoconvinceher,thatsheoughttobeverythankfulforwhattheyhaddoneforher;thatitwasagreatdeal,anditwasbutreasonablethatsheshouldnowwaitpatientlythetimeofthecourt。
Yetsheneverfelt,foramoment,likebeinginfluencedbythesesuggestions。Shefeltconfidentshewastoreceiveafullandliteralanswertoherprayer,theburdenofwhichhadbeen-’O
Lord,givemysonintomyhands,andthatspeedily!Letnotthespoilershavehimanylonger。’Notwithstanding,sheverydistinctlysawthatthosewhohadthusfarhelpedheronsokindlywereweariedofher,andshefearedGodwasweariedalso。ShehadashorttimepreviouslearnedthatJesuswasaSaviour,andanintercessor;andshethoughtthatifJesuscouldbutbeinducedtopleadforherinthepresenttrial,Godwouldlistentohim,thoughhewereweariedofherimportunities。Tohim,ofcourse,sheapplied。
Asshewaswalkingabout,scarcelyknowingwhithershewent,askingwithinherself,’Whowillshowmeanygood,andlendahelpinghandinthismatter,’shewasaccostedbyaperfectstranger,andonewhosenameshehasneverlearned,inthefollowingterms:’Halloo,there;howdoyougetalongwithyourboy?dotheygivehimuptoyou?’Shetoldhimall,addingthatnoweverybodywastired,andshehadnonetohelpher。Hesaid,’Lookhere!I’lltellyouwhatyou’dbetterdo。Doyouseethatstonehouseyonder?’pointinginaparticulardirection。’Well,lawyerDemainlivesthere,anddoyougotohim,andlayyourcasebeforehim;Ithinkhe’llhelpyou。Sticktohim。Don’tgivehimpeacetillhedoes。Ifeelsureifyoupresshim,he’lldoitforyou。’
Sheneedednofurtherurging,buttrottedoffatherpeculiargaitinthedirectionofhishouse,asfastaspossible,-andshewasnotencumberedwithstockings,shoes,oranyotherheavyarticleofdress。Whenshehadtoldhimherstory,inherimpassionedmanner,helookedatherafewmoments,asiftoascertainifhewerecontemplatinganewvarietyofthegenushomo,andthentoldher,ifshewouldgivehimfivedollars,hewouldgethersonforher,intwenty-fourhours。’Why,’shereplied,’Ihavenomoney,andneverhadadollarinmylife!’Saidhe,’IfyouwillgotothoseQuakersinPoppletown,whocarriedyoutocourt,theywillhelpyoutofivedollarsincash,Ihavenodoubt;andyoushallhaveyoursonintwenty-fourhours,fromthetimeyoubringmethatsum。’SheperformedthejourneytoPoppletown,adistanceofsometenmiles,veryexpeditiously;collectedconsiderablemorethanthesumspecifiedbythebarrister;then,shuttingthemoneytightlyinherhand,shetrottedback,andpaidthelawyeralargerfeethanhehaddemanded。Wheninquiredofbypeoplewhatshehaddonewiththeoverplus,sheanswered,’Oh,IgotitforlawyerDemain,andIgaveittohim。’Theyassuredhershewasafooltodoso;thatsheshouldhavekeptalloverfivedollars,andpurchasedherselfshoeswithit。’Oh,Idonotwantmoneyorclothesnow,Ionlywantmyson;andiffivedollarswillgethim,morewillsurelygethim。’Andifthelawyerhadreturnedittoher,sheaversshewouldnothaveacceptedit。Shewasperfectlywillingheshouldhaveeverycoinshecouldraise,ifhewouldbutrestoreherlostsontoher。Moreover,thefivedollarsherequiredwerefortheremunerationofhimwhoshouldgoafterhersonandhismaster,andnotforhisownservices。
Thelawyernowrenewedhispromise,thatsheshouldhavehersonintwenty-fourhours。ButIsabella,havingnoideaofthisspaceoftime,wentseveraltimesinaday,toascertainifhersonhadcome。Once,whentheservantopenedthedoorandsawher,shesaid,inatoneexpressiveofmuchsurprise,’Why,thiswoman’scomeagain!’Shethenwonderedifshewenttoooften。Whenthelawyerappeared,hetoldherthetwenty-fourhourswouldnotexpiretillthenextmorning;ifshewouldcallthen,shewouldseeherson。ThenextmorningsawIsabelatthelawyer’sdoor,whilehewasyetinhisbed。Henowassuredheritwasmorningtillnoon;andthatbeforenoonhersonwouldbethere,forhehadsentthefamous’MattyStyles’afterhim,whowouldnotfailtohavetheboyandhismasteronhandindueseason,eitherdeadoralive;ofthathewassure。Tellinghersheneednotcomeagain;hewouldhimselfinformheroftheirarrival。
Afterdinner,heappearedatMr。Rutzer’s,(aplacethelawyerhadprocuredforher,whilesheawaitedthearrivalofherboy,)
assuringher,hersonhadcome;butthathestoutlydeniedhavinganymother,oranyrelativesinthatplace;andsaid,’shemustgooverandidentifyhim。’Shewenttotheoffice,butatsightofhertheboycriedaloud,andregardedherassometerriblebeing,whowasabouttotakehimawayfromakindandlovingfriend。
Heknelt,even,andbeggedthem,withtears,nottotakehimawayfromhisdearmaster,whohadbroughthimfromthedreadfulSouth,andbeensokindtohim。
Whenhewasquestionedrelativetothebadscaronhisforehead,hesaid,’Fowler’shorsehovehim。’Andoftheoneonhischeek,’Thatwasdonebyrunningagainstthecarriage。’
Inansweringthesequestions,helookedimploringlyathismaster,asmuchastosay,’Iftheyarefalsehoods,youbademesaythem;maytheybesatisfactorytoyou,atleast。’
Thejustice,notinghisappearance,badehimforgethismasterandattendonlytohim。Buttheboypersistedindenyinghismother,andclingingtohismaster,sayinghismotherdidnotliveinsuchaplaceasthat。However,theyallowedthemothertoidentifyherson;andEsquireDemainpleadedthatheclaimedtheboyforher,onthegroundthathehadbeensoldoutoftheState,contrarytothelawsinsuchcasesmadeandprovided-spokeofthepenaltiesannexedtosaidcrime,andofthesumofmoneythedelinquentwastopay,incaseanyonechosetoprosecutehimfortheoffencehehadcommitted。Isabella,whowassittinginacorner,scarcelydaringtobreathe,thoughtwithinherself,’IfIcanbutgettheboy,the$200mayremainforwhoeverelsechoosestoprosecute-Ihavedoneenoughtomakemyselfenemiesalready’-andshetrembledatthethoughtoftheformidableenemiesshehadprobablyarrayedagainstherself-helplessanddespisedasshewas。Whenthepleadingwasatanend,IsabellaunderstoodtheJudgetodeclare,asthesentenceoftheCourt,thatthe’boybedeliveredintothehandsofthemother-havingnoothermaster,noothercontroller,nootherconductor,buthismother。’Thissentencewasobeyed;hewasdeliveredintoherhands,theboymeanwhilebegging,mostpiteously,nottobetakenfromhisdearmaster,sayingshewasnothismother,andthathismotherdidnotliveinsuchaplaceasthat。AnditwassometimebeforelawyerDemain,theclerks,andIsabella,couldcollectivelysucceedincalmingthechild’sfears,andinconvincinghimthatIsabellawasnotsometerriblemonster,ashehadforthelastmonths,probably,beentrainedtobelieve;andwho,intakinghimawayfromhismaster,wastakinghimfromallgood,andconsigninghimtoallevil。
Whenatlastkindwordsandbon-bonshadquietedhisfears,andhecouldlistentotheirexplanations,hesaidtoIsabella-
’Well,youdolooklikemymotherusedto’;andshewassoonabletomakehimcomprehendsomeoftheobligationshewasunder,andtherelationhestoodin,bothtoherselfandhismaster。Shecommencedassoonaspracticabletoexaminetheboy,andfound,toherutterastonishment,thatfromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot,thecallositiesandindurationsonhisentirebodyweremostfrightfultobehold。Hisbackshedescribedasbeinglikeherfingers,asshelaidthemsidebyside。
’Heavens!whatisallthis?’saidIsabel。Heanswered,’ItiswhereFowlerwhipped,kicked,andbeatme。’Sheexclaimed,’Oh,LordJesus,look!seemypoorchild!OhLord,"renderuntothemdouble"forallthis!OhmyGod!Pete,howdidyoubearit?’
’Oh,thisisnothing,mammy-ifyoushouldseePhillis,I
guessyou’dscare!Shehadalittlebaby,andFowlercuthertillthemilkaswellasbloodrandownherbody。YouwouldscaretoseePhillis,mammy。’
WhenIsabellainquired,’WhatdidMissEliza*say,Pete,whenyouweretreatedsobadly?’hereplied,’Oh,mammy,shesaidshewishedIwaswithBell。SometimesIcrawledunderthestoop,mammy,thebloodrunningallaboutme,andmybackwouldsticktotheboards;andsometimesMissElizawouldcomeandgreasemysores,whenallwereabedandasleep。’
Note:
*MeaningMrs。ElizaFowler。
DEATHOFMRS。ELIZAFOWLER。
AssoonaspossiblesheprocuredaplaceforPeter,astenderoflocks,ataplacecalledWahkendall,nearGreenkills。Afterhewasthusdisposedof,shevisitedhersisterSophia,whoresidedatNewberg,andspentthewinterinseveraldifferentfamilieswhereshewasacquainted。SheremainedsometimeinthefamilyofaMr。Latin,whowasarelativeofSolomonGedney;andthelatter,whenhefoundIsabelwithhiscousin,usedallhisinfluencetopersuadehimshewasagreatmischief-makerandaverytroublesomeperson,-thatshehadputhimtosomehundredsofdollarsexpense,byfabricatingliesabouthim,andespeciallyhissisterandherfamily,concerningherboy,whenthelatterwaslivingsolikeagentlemanwiththem;and,forhispart,hewouldnotadvisehisfriendstoharbororencourageher。
However,hiscousins,theLatins,couldnotseewiththeeyesofhisfeelings,andconsequentlyhiswordsfellpowerlessonthem,andtheyretainedherintheirserviceaslongastheyhadaughtforhertodo。
Shethenwenttovisitherformermaster,Dumont。Shehadscarcelyarrivedthere,whenMr。Fred。Waringentered,andseeingIsabel,pleasantlyaccostedher,andaskedher’whatshewasdrivingatnow-a-days。’Onheranswering’nothingparticular,’
herequestedhertogoovertohisplace,andassisthisfolks,assomeofthemweresick,andtheyneededanextrahand。Sheverygladlyassented。WhenMr。W。retired,hermasterwantedtoknowwhyshewishedtohelppeople,thatcalledherthe’worstofdevils,’asMr。Waringhaddoneinthecourthouse-forhewastheuncleofSolomonGedney,andattendedthetrialwehavedescribed-anddeclared’thatshewasafoolto;hewouldn’tdoit。’’Oh,’shetoldhim,’shewouldnotmindthat,butwasverygladtohavepeopleforgettheirangertowardsher。’
Shewentover,buttoohappytofeelthattheirresentmentwaspassed,andcommencedherworkwithalightheartandastrongwill。Shehadnotworkedlonginthisframeofmind,beforeayoungdaughterofMr。Waringrushedintotheroomsexclaiming,withupliftedhands-’Heavensandearth,Isabella!Fowler’smurderedCousinEliza!’’Ho,’saidIsabel,’that’snothing-helikedtohavekilledmychild;nothingsavedhimbutGod。’
Meaning,thatshewasnotatallsurprisedatit,foramanwhoseheartwassufficientlyhardenedtotreatamerechildashershadbeentreated,was,inheropinion,morefiendthanhuman,andpreparedforthecommissionofanycrimethathispassionsmightprompthimto。Thechildfurtherinformedherthataletterhadarrivedbymailbringingthenews。
Immediatelyafterthisannouncement,SolomonGedneyandhismothercamein,goingdirecttoMrs。Waring’sroom,whereshesoonheardtonesasofsomeonereading。Shethoughtsomethingsaidtoherinwardly,’Goupstairsandhear。’Atfirstshehesitated,butitseemedtopressherthemore-’Goupandhear!’Shewentup,unusualasitisforslavestoleavetheirworkandenterunbiddentheirmistress’sroom,forthesolepurposeofseeingorhearingwhatmaybeseenorheardthere。Butonthisoccasion,Isabellasays,shewalkedinatthedoor,shutit,placedherbackagainstit,andlistened。Shesawthemandheardthemread-’Heknockedherdownwithhisfist,jumpedonherwithhisknees,brokehercollar-bone,andtoreoutherwind-pipe!
Hethenattemptedhisescape,butwaspursuedandarrested,andputinanironbankforsafe-keeping!’Andthefriendswererequestedtogodownandtakeawaythepoorinnocentchildrenwhohadthusbeenmadeinoneshortdaymorethanorphans。
Ifthisnarrativeshouldevermeettheeyeofthoseinnocentsufferersforanother’sguilt,letthemnotbetoodeeplyaffectedbytherelation;but,placingtheirconfidenceinHimwhoseestheendfromthebeginning,andcontrolstheresults,restsecureinthefaith,that,althoughtheymayphysicallysufferforthesinsofothers,iftheyremainbuttruetothemselves,theirhighestandmoreenduringinterestscanneversufferfromsuchacause。Thisrelationshouldbesuppressedfortheirsakes,wereitnotevennowsooftendenied,thatslaveryisfastunderminingalltrueregardforhumanlife。Weknowthisoneinstanceisnotademonstrationtothecontrary;but,addingthistothelistsoftragediesthatweeklycomeuptousthroughtheSouthernmails,maywenotadmitthemasproofsirrefragable?Thenewspapersconfirmedthisaccountoftheterribleaffair。
WhenIsabellahadheardtheletter,allbeingtoomuchabsorbedintheirownfeelingstotakenoteofher,shereturnedtoherwork,herheartswellingwithconflictingemotions。Shewasawedatthedreadfuldeed;shemournedthefateofthelovedEliza,whohadinsuchanundeservedandbarbarousmannerbeenputawayfromherlaborsandwatchingsasatendermother;
and,’lastthoughnotleast,’inthedevelopmentofhercharacterandspirit,herheartbledfortheafflictedrelatives;eventhoseofthemwho’laughedathercalamity,andmockedwhenherfearcame。’Herthoughtsdweltlongandintentlyonthesubject,andthewonderfulchainofeventsthathadconspiredtobringherthatdaytothathouse,tolistentothatpieceofintelligence-tothathouse,wheresheneverwasbeforeorafterwardsinherlife,andinvitedtherebypeoplewhohadsolatelybeenhotlyincensedagainsther。Itallseemedveryremarkabletoher,andshevieweditasflowingfromaspecialprovidenceofGod。Shethoughtshesawclearly,thattheirunnaturalbereavementwasablowdealtinretributivejustice;butshefounditnotinherhearttoexultorrejoiceoverthem。ShefeltasifGodhadmorethanansweredherpetition,whensheejaculated,inheranguishofmind,’Oh,Lord,renderuntothemdouble!’Shesaid,’IdarednotfindfaultwithGod,exactly;butthelanguageofmyheartwas,’Oh,myGod!that’stoomuch-Ididnotmeanquitesomuch,God!’Itwasaterribleblowtothefriendsofthedeceased;
andherselfishmother(who,saidIsabella,madesucha’to-doaboutherboy,notfromaffection,buttohaveherownwillandway’)wentderanged,andwalkingtoandfroinherdelirium,calledaloudforherpoormurdereddaughter-’Eliza!
Eliza!’
ThederangementofMrs。G。wasamatterofhearsay,asIsabellasawhernotafterthetrial;butshehasnoreasontodoubtthetruthofwhatsheheard。IsabelcouldneverlearnthesubsequentfateofFowler,butheard,inthespringof’49,thathischildrenhadbeenseeninKingston-oneofwhomwasspokenofasafine,interestinggirl,albeitahaloofsadnessfelllikeaveilabouther。
ISABELLA’SRELIGIOUSEXPERIENCE。
Wewillnowturnfromtheoutwardandtemporaltotheinwardandspirituallifeofoursubject。Itiseverbothinterestingandinstructivetotracetheexercisesofahumanmind,throughthetrialsandmysteriesoflife;andespeciallyanaturallypowerfulmind,leftasherswasalmostentirelytoitsownworkings,andthechanceinfluencesitmetonitsway;andespeciallytonoteitsreceptionofthatdivine’light,thatlightetheverymanthatcomethintotheworld。’
Wesee,asknowledgedawnsuponit,truthanderrorstrangelycommingled;here,abrightspotilluminatedbytruth-andthere,onedarkenedanddistortedbyerror;andthestateofsuchasoulmaybecomparedtoalandscapeatearlydawn,wherethesunisseensuperblygildingsomeobjects,andcausingotherstosendforththeirlengthened,distorted,andsometimeshideousshadows。
Hermother,aswehavealreadysaid,talkedtoherofGod。
Fromtheseconversations,herincipientminddrewtheconclusion,thatGodwas’agreatman’;greatlysuperiortoothermeninpower;andbeinglocated’highinthesky,’couldseeallthattranspiredontheearth。Shebelievedhenotonlysaw,butnoteddownallheractionsinagreatbook,evenashermasterkeptarecordofwhateverhewishednottoforget。ButshehadnoideathatGodknewathoughtofherstillshehaduttereditaloud。
Aswehavebeforementioned,shehadeverbeenmindfulofhermother’sinjunctions,spreadingoutindetailallhertroublesbeforeGod,imploringandfirmlytrustinghimtosendherdeliverancefromthem。Whilstyetachild,shelistenedtoastoryofawoundedsoldier,leftaloneinthetrailofaflyingarmy,helplessandstarving,whohardenedtheverygroundabouthimwithkneelinginhissupplicationstoGodforrelief,untilitarrived。Fromthisnarrative,shewasdeeplyimpressedwiththeidea,thatifshealsoweretopresentherpetitionsundertheopencanopyofheaven,speakingveryloud,sheshouldthemorereadilybeheard;consequently,shesoughtafittingspotforthis,herruralsanctuary。Theplacesheselected,inwhichtoofferupherdailyorisons,wasasmallislandinasmallstream,coveredwithlargewillowshrubbery,beneathwhichthesheephadmadetheirpleasantwindingpaths;andshelteringthemselvesfromthescorchingraysofanoon-tidesun,luxuriatedinthecoolshadowsofthegracefulwillows,astheylistenedtothetinyfallsofthesilverwaters。Itwasalonelyspot,andchosenbyherforitsbeauty,itsretirement,andbecauseshethoughtthatthere,inthenoiseofthosewaters,shecouldspeakloudertoGod,withoutbeingoverheardbyanywhomightpassthatway。Whenshehadmadechoiceofhersanctum,atapointoftheislandwherethestreammet,afterhavingbeenseparated,sheimproveditbypullingawaythebranchesoftheshrubsfromthecentre,andweavingthemtogetherforawallontheoutside,formingacirculararchedalcove,madeentirelyofthegracefulwillow。Tothisplacesheresorteddaily,andinpressingtimesmuchmorefrequently。
Atthistime,herprayers,or,moreappropriately,’talkswithGod,’wereperfectlyoriginalandunique,andwouldbewellworthpreserving,wereitpossibletogivethetonesandmannerwiththewords;butnoadequateideaofthemcanbewrittenwhilethetonesandmannerremaininexpressible。
Shewouldsometimesrepeat,’OurFatherinheaven,’inherLowDutch,astaughtherbyhermother;afterthat,allwasfromthesuggestionsofherownrudemind。SherelatedtoGod,inminutedetail,allhertroublesandsufferings,inquiring,assheproceeded,’Doyouthinkthat’sright,God?’andclosedbybeggingtobedeliveredfromtheevil,whateveritmightbe。
ShetalkedtoGodasfamiliarlyasifhehadbeenacreaturelikeherself;andathousandtimesmoreso,thanifshehadbeeninthepresenceofsomeearthlypotentate。Shedemanded,withlittleexpenditureofreverenceorfear,asupplyofallhermorepressingwants,andattimesherdemandsapproachedveryneartocommands。ShefeltasifGodwasunderobligationtoher,muchmorethanshewastohim。Heseemedtoherbenightedvisioninsomemannerboundtodoherbidding。
Herheartrecoilsnow,withverydread,whensherecallsthoseshocking,almostblasphemousconversationswithgreatJehovah。Andwellforherselfdidshedeemit,that,unlikeearthlypotentates,hisinfinitecharactercombinedthetenderfatherwiththeomniscientandomnipotentCreatoroftheuniverse。
SheatfirstcommencedpromisingGod,thatifhewouldhelpheroutofallherdifficulties,shewouldpayhimbybeingverygood;andthisgoodnesssheintendedasaremunerationtoGod。
Shecouldthinkofnobenefitthatwastoaccruetoherselforherfellow-creatures,fromherleadingalifeofpurityandgenerousself-sacrificeforthegoodofothers;asfarasanybutGodwasconcerned,shesawnothinginitbutheart-tryingpenance,sustainedbythesternestexertion;andthisshesoonfoundmuchmoreeasilypromisedthanperformed。
Daysworeaway-newtrialscame-God’saidwasinvoked,andthesamepromisesrepeated;andeverysuccessivenightfoundherpartofthecontractunfulfilled。Shenowbegantoexcuseherself,bytellingGodshecouldnotbegoodinherpresentcircumstances;butifhewouldgiveheranewplace,andagoodmasterandmistress,shecouldandwouldbegood;andsheexpresslystipulated,thatshewouldbegoodonedaytoshowGodhowgoodshewouldbeallofthetime,whenheshouldsurroundherwiththerightinfluences,andsheshouldbedeliveredfromthetemptationsthatthensosorelybesether。But,alas!
whennightcame,andshebecameconsciousthatshehadyieldedtoallhertemptations,andentirelyfailedofkeepingherwordwithGod,havingprayedandpromisedonehour,andfallenintothesinsofangerandprofanitythenext,themortifyingreflectionweighedonhermind,andbluntedherenjoyment。Still,shedidnotlayitdeeplytoheart,butcontinuedtorepeatherdemandsforaid,andherpromisesofpay,withfullpurposeofheart,ateachparticulartime,thatthatdayshewouldnotfailtokeepherplightedword。
Thusperishedtheinwardspark,likeaflamejustigniting,whenonewaitstoseewhetheritwillburnonordieout,tillthelongdesiredchangecame,andshefoundherselfinanewplace,withagoodmistress,andonewhoneverinstigatedanotherwisekindmastertobeunkindtoher;inshort,aplacewhereshehadliterallynothingtocomplainof,andwhere,foratime,shewasmorehappythanshecouldwellexpress。’Oh,everythingtherewassopleasant,andkind,andgood,andallsocomfortable;
enoughofeverything;indeed,itwasbeautiful!’sheexclaimed。
Here,atMr。VanWagener’s,-asthereaderwillreadilyperceiveshemusthavebeen,-shewassohappyandsatisfied,thatGodwasentirelyforgotten。Whyshouldherthoughtsturntohim,whowasonlyknowntoherasahelpintrouble?Shehadnotroublenow;hereveryprayerhadbeenansweredineveryminuteparticular。Shehadbeendeliveredfromherpersecutorsandtemptations,heryoungestchildhadbeengivenher,andtheotherssheknewshehadnomeansofsustainingifshehadthemwithher,andwascontenttoleavethembehind。Theirfather,whowasmucholderthanIsabel,andwhopreferredservinghistimeoutinslavery,tothetroubleanddangersofthecourseshepursued,remainedwithandcouldkeepaneyeonthem-thoughitiscomparativelylittlethattheycandoforeachotherwhiletheyremaininslavery;andthislittletheslave,likepersonsineveryothersituationoflife,isnotalwaysdisposedtoperform。
Thereareslaves,who,copyingtheselfishnessoftheirsuperiorsinpower,intheirconducttowardstheirfellowswhomaybethrownupontheirmercy,byinfirmityorillness,allowthemtosufferforwantofthatkindnessandcarewhichitisfullyintheirpowertorenderthem。
Theslavesinthiscountryhaveeverbeenallowedtocelebratetheprincipal,ifnotsomeofthelesserfestivalsobservedbytheCatholicsandChurchofEngland;-manyofthemnotbeingrequiredtodotheleastserviceforseveraldays,andatChristmastheyhavealmostuniversallyanentireweektothemselves,except,perhaps,theattendingtoafewduties,whichareabsolutelyrequiredforthecomfortofthefamiliestheybelongto。Ifmuchserviceisdesired,theyarehiredtodoit,andpaidforitasiftheywerefree。Themoresoberportionofthemspendtheseholidaysinearningalittlemoney。Mostofthemvisitandattendpartiesandballs,andnotafewofthemspenditinthelowestdissipation。
Thisrespitefromtoilisgrantedthembyallreligionists,ofwhateverpersuasion,andprobablyoriginatedfromthefactthatmanyofthefirstslaveholdersweremembersoftheChurchofEngland。
FrederickDouglass,whohasdevotedhisgreatheartandnobletalentsentirelytothefurtheranceofthecauseofhisdown-troddenrace,hassaid-’FromwhatIknowoftheeffectoftheirholidaysupontheslave,Ibelievethemtobeamongthemosteffectivemeans,inthehandsoftheslaveholder,inkeepingdownthespiritofinsurrection。Weretheslaveholdersatoncetoabandonthispractice,Ihavenottheslightestdoubtitwouldleadtoanimmediateinsurrectionamongtheslaves。Theseholidaysserveasconductors,orsafety-valves,tocarryofftherebelliousspiritofenslavedhumanity。Butforthese,theslavewouldbeforceduptothewildestdesperation;andwoebetidetheslaveholder,thedayheventurestoremoveorhindertheoperationofthoseconductors!Iwarnhimthat,insuchanevent,aspiritwillgoforthintheirmidst,moretobedreadedthanthemostappallingearthquake。’
WhenIsabellahadbeenatMr。VanWagener’safewmonths,shesawinprospectoneofthefestivalsapproaching。SheknowsitbynonebuttheDutchname,Pingster,asshecallsit-butIthinkitmusthavebeenWhitsuntide,inEnglish。Shesaysshe’lookedbackintoEgypt,’andeverythinglooked’sopleasantthere,’asshesawretrospectivelyallherformercompanionsenjoyingtheirfreedomforatleastalittlespace,aswellastheirwontedconvivialities,andinherheartshelongedtobewiththem。Withthispicturebeforehermind’seye,shecontrastedthequiet,peacefullifeshewaslivingwiththeexcellentpeopleofWahkendall,anditseemedsodullandvoidofincident,thattheverycontrastservedbuttoheightenherdesiretoreturn,that,atleast,shemightenjoywiththem,oncemore,thecomingfestivities。
Thesefeelingshadoccupiedasecretcornerofherbreastforsometime,when,onemorning,shetoldMrs。VanWagenerthatheroldmasterDumontwouldcomethatday,andthatsheshouldgohomewithhimonhisreturn。Theyexpressedsomesurprise,andaskedherwheresheobtainedherinformation。Shereplied,thatnoonehadtoldher,butshefeltthathewouldcome。
Itseemedtohavebeenoneofthose’eventsthatcasttheirshadowsbefore’;for,beforenight,Mr。Dumontmadehisappearance。
Sheinformedhimofherintentiontoaccompanyhimhome。Heanswered,withasmile,’Ishallnottakeyoubackagain;youranawayfromme。’Thinkinghismannercontradictedhiswords,shedidnotfeelrepulsed,butmadeherselfandchildready;andwhenherformermasterhadseatedhimselfintheopendearborn,shewalkedtowardsit,intendingtoplaceherselfandchildintherear,andgowithhim。But,ereshereachedthevehicle,shesaysthatGodrevealedhimselftoher,withallthesuddennessofaflashoflightning,showingher,’inthetwinklingofaneye,thathewasallover’-thathepervadedtheuniverse-’andthattherewasnoplacewhereGodwasnot。’ShebecameinstantlyconsciousofhergreatsininforgettingheralmightyFriendand’ever-presenthelpintimeoftrouble。’Allherunfulfilledpromisesarosebeforeher,likeavexedseawhosewavesrunmountainshigh;andhersoul,whichseemedbutonemassoflies,shrunkbackaghastfromthe’awfullook’ofhimwhomshehadformerlytalkedto,asifhehadbeenabeinglikeherself;andshewouldnowfainhavehidherselfinthebowelsoftheearth,tohaveescapedhisdreadpresence。Butsheplainlysawtherewasnoplace,noteveninhell,wherehewasnot;andwherecouldsheflee?Anothersuch’alook,’assheexpressedit,andshefeltthatshemustbeextinguishedforever,evenasone,withthebreathofhismouth,’blowsoutalamp,’
sothatnosparkremains。
Adiredreadofannihilationnowseizedher,andshewaitedtoseeif,by’anotherlook,’shewastobestrickenfromexistence,-swallowedup,evenasthefirelickethuptheoilwithwhichitcomesincontact。
Whenatlastthesecondlookcamenot,andherattentionwasoncemorecalledtooutwardthings,sheobservedhermasterhadleft,andexclaimingaloud,’Oh,God,Ididnotknowyouweresobig,’walkedintothehouse,andmadeanefforttoresumeherwork。Buttheworkingsoftheinwardmanweretooabsorbingtoadmitofmuchattentiontoheravocations。ShedesiredtotalktoGod,buthervilenessutterlyforbadeit,andshewasnotabletopreferapetition。’What!’saidshe,’shallIlieagaintoGod?Ihavetoldhimnothingbutlies;andshallIspeakagain,andtellanotherlietoGod?’Shecouldnot;andnowshebegantowishforsomeonetospeaktoGodforher。ThenaspaceseemedopeningbetweenherandGod,andshefeltthatifsomeone,whowasworthyinthesightofheaven,wouldbutpleadforherintheirownname,andnotletGodknowitcamefromher,whowassounworthy,Godmightgrantit。AtlengthafriendappearedtostandbetweenherselfandaninsultedDeity;
andshefeltassensiblyrefreshedaswhen,onahotday,anumbrellahadbeeninterposedbetweenherscorchingheadandaburningsun。Butwhowasthisfriend?becamethenextinquiry。
WasitDeencia,whohadsooftenbefriendedher?Shelookedather,withhernewpowerofsight-and,lo!she,too,seemedall’bruisesandputrifyingsores,’likeherself。No,itwassomeoneverydifferentfromDeencia。