Page:010 Once a week Volume X Dec 1863 to Jun 64.pdf/63

 Jan.

2,

ONCE A WEEK.

1S64.]

" I went out and found him in should return what I knew would be his death-sleep crouched

—

!

completely under the fire-box of the engine. The engineer had left his now cold and useless machine, and sought shelter in the cars. I returned, and my lovely charge continued " I was often talked to by some of our old

" I fancied

my

and

in particular by She said he about this man.

dear old nurse, had come a few had obtained an

years ago, and in some way undue influence over her massa

— ordering

everything, and treating the slaves,

who had

never experienced anything but kindness from and uncle, with the greatest severity. " This villain persecuted me with his odious and one day I can't tell you attentions but I rushed to my uncle, who, when he heard, called him into the house, and in a

my father

—

furious passion said

"

—

—





'

Although you have by your devilish cunning obtained my promise of my niece as your wife, I will not tamely submit to see her Take that, you villain insulted filing a '

!

!

—

pistol full in his face.

"

Fortunately passion defeated itself, and uncle was not a murderer. " The overseer smiled an evil smile, and said " ' Never mind it was only a little misWe will settle affairs another da take " Not long after this, the fellow who is asleep there, and who is the overseer's brother, came and joined him. He is a doctor. My uncle became daily more and more miserable my old nurse saying it was remorse preying upon his mind, because he had appropriated

my



!

!



my

property.

"

to

A

fail

called,

few weeks ago,

my '

uncle's health began Doctor,' as he was

seriously; the constantly expressed his opinion that

paralysis

might be expected. I was awaked by

" Last Monday

my

old

nurse in a dreadful fright, to tell me that my uncle waa dying. I rose, and found the ' Doctor ' and the overseer with him.

" The

'

Doctor

'

said that, as he

had

pre-

uncle had had a paralytic attack, entirely lost the use of his limbs and speech, and that he probably would not be able to move for some time to come. He felt the responsibility too great for his brother and

dicted,

my

himself, and, consequently, should remove him to S, where he would be placed under the

care of the celebrated Dr.

" This was

W

.

said intentionally in the hearing of several of the servants, and passed for truth ;

although

I,


 * n

common

with all, protested uncle in such a state.

against removing my "Knowing the evil eharacter of both men, I resolved that I would not part from

my

uncle, but would

accompany him to S

•.

I

saw a

remarked

"

'

on the

sinister smile

face of the overseer as I said this



but he only



Oh, certainly

no objection can be made



to that.'

" Yesterday we "



slaves,

55

My

1

Doctor

started.

suspicions were aroused and overseer refusing to

'

by let

the

me

my

uncle, either to dress him, or to into his carriage.

approach help him

" In spite of their caution, however, I obtained a glimpse of his face, and knew in an instant he was dead " I was too excited and horrified to faint !

!

" The overseer saw by my looks that I now knew all. " He at once said, in a brutal tone " Oh I You're guess you see it all now

'

!

!

a sensible girl, so a few words will suffice. There wasn't much love lost between you and your uncle, so you need not make a fuss. " ' The truth is, the Doctor there physicked him a leetle too strong, and it would not do to bury him here, for the job would have been

blown So we thought wo would take him where no one will be the wiser the poor old gentleman has died of cold and over-exertion, !



don't you see

"I

'

?

you what the wretch said to only that he said he had got all the old that he gentleman's plunder from the estate meant to marry me whether I would or not and that if I so much as spoke or looked at anyone on the journey, lie would kill me at

me

can't tell







once.

"

knew he would not

I

hesitate to

his threat, so dare not utter a word. " Oh how thankful I was to see !

cany out you enter

our e u I

felt a presentiment that you would in some way save me from these horrid men." Here the poor girl burst into tears. I don't know what I did or said, only that I comforted her, and vowed I would never

forsake her.

The time was now approaching when the There was a deathbroken only by the mournful tones of occasional gusts of wind, which, like evil spirits sporting round us, rushed to and fro through the ill-made cars, unseen, but painfully heard and felt. Everyone had huddled themselves in whatever they could find as a protection from the two-o'clock train was due.

like

silence,

biting cold.

Although hardy and strong, I began to feel exhausted and benumbed and probably should have fallen into a dangerous stupor but for my mind being racked with thought. How should I act 1