xt79s46h1m9n https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt79s46h1m9n/data/mets.xml Browne, Martha Griffith, d. 1906. 1857  books b92e444b887018572009 English Redfield : New York Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Browne, Martha Griffith, d. 1906. Slavery --United States --Kentucky --Fiction. Autobiography of a female slave text Autobiography of a female slave 1857 2009 true xt79s46h1m9n section xt79s46h1m9n 
  
  
  
  
  
  
AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

A

FEMALE

SLAVE

KEDFIELD 34 BEEKMAN STREET, 1357 NEW YORK

  
  
  
  
CONTENTS.

CHAPTER
T h o S a l e - d a y     N e w Master and N e w H o m e , .

I.
PA.QB

T h o Old K e n t u c k y F a r m     M y Parentage and E a r l y T r a i n i n g     D e a t h of the M a s t e r     . . . . . 0

CHAPTER
A V i e w of tho N e w H o m e , . . . .

II.
. .' .' ,19

CHAPTER

I II.
. . 29

T h e Yankee School-Mistress   Her P h i l o s o p h y     T h e A m e r i c a n Abolitionists,

CHAPTER

I V.
. . .89

C onversation w i t h Miss B r a d l y     A L i g h t Breaks through the Darkness,

A

F ashionable

C l k     P T E P ly T e a - T a b l e     T a b l e - T aH A A u n t R o l V '.s E x p e r i e n c e     T h e

Overseer's . . 87

A u t h o r i t y     T h o "Whipping-Post   Transfiguring P o w e r of D i v i n e F a i t h ,

C H A P T E R VI.
R estored Consciousness   Aunt Polly's A c c o u n t of m y Miraculous R e t u r n to L i f e     . . . . . .61 T h e Master's Affray w i t h the Overseer,

CHAPTER

VII.
. . . . .68

A m y ' s Narrative, and her Philosophy of a F u t u r o State,

CHAPTER

V III.
. . . .65

T a l k at tho F a r m - H o u s e     T h r e a t s     T h o N e w B e a u     L t n d y ,

CHAPTER

I X.
Reformer . . T6

L i n d y ' s B o l d n e s s     A S u s p i c i o n     T h o Mastor'B A c c o u n t a b i l i t y     T h e Y o u n g     W o r d s o f H o p o     T h o Cultivated M u l a t t o     T h o D a w n of A m b i t i o n ,

  
vi

C ONTENTS. CHAPTER X.
PAGE

T h o C onversation, in which F e a r and Suspicion are A r o u s e d     T h e Y o u n g Master,

.

84

CHAPTER
a mong Ladies, . . . . .

XL
. . . . . 98

T h o F l i g h t     Y o u n g Master's A p p r e h e n s i o n s     H i s C o n v e r s a t i o n     A m y     E d i f y i n g T a l k

CHAPTER XH.
M r . P eterkin's E age   Its E s c a p e     C h a t at tho Breakfast-Table   Change of Y i o w s     P ower of tho Flesh-pots, . . . . .     .101

C H A P T E R X III.
E ocollections   Consoling Influcnco of S y m p a t h y     A m y ' s Doctrine of the S o u l     T a l k a t ths Spring, 10T

CHAPTER
ence o f Nature, . . . . .

XIV.
. . . . . 116

T h e Prattllngs of Insanity   Old W o u n d s R e o p e n     T h e " Walk t o the D o c t o r ' s     I n f l u -

CHAPTER
I r o n y     S a d Reflections, . . .. .

XV.
. .; . . .121

Q uietude of t h s ' Woods   A G limpse of the S t r a n g e r     M r s . Mandy's W o r d s o f C r u e l

CHAPTER
    H i s R emonstrance, . . .

XVI.
. . . . . : 127

A R eflection   American Abolitionists   Disaffection in K e n t u c k y     T h e Y o u n g Master

CHAPTER

X VII.
. . 186

T h o R e t u r n of the Hunters, flushed w i t h Success   Mr. Peterkin's Vagary,

CHAPTER
"Look-TJp," . .

X VIII.
147

T h e Essay of W i t     Y o u n g A b o l i t i o n i s t     H i s I n f l u c n c o     A N i g h t at the D o o r of the

CHAPTER
tions,

XIX.
Reflec.161

S ympathy casteth out Fear   Consequenco of the N i g h t ' s W a t c h     T r o u b l e d

CHAPTER

XX.
1 To

T h e T r a d e r     A Terrible F r i g h t     r o w o r of T r a y c r     G r i e f o f the Helpless,

  
C ONTENTS. CHAPTEE XXI.
. . .

Vll

T o u c h i n g F arewell full of P a t h o s     T h o P a r t i n g     M y Grief,

PAGE

.188

CHAPTEE

XXII.
. 191

A C onversation   Hope B lossoms O ut, hut Charlestown is full of E x c i t a b i l i t y , .

CHAPTEE

X XIII.
, . 201

T h e Supper   Its Consequencos   Loss of S i l v e r     A L o n e l y N i g h t     A m y ,

CHAPTEE

XXIV.
. . . 211

T h e P u n i s h m e n t     C r u e l t y     I t s F a t a l Consequence   Death,

CHAPTEE
Y o u n g and Beautiful, . . . .

XXV.
. . . . .221

C onversation of tho F a t h e r and S o n     T h e D i s c o v e r y ; its Consequences     Death of tho

CHAPTEE

XXVI.
. . 232

T h e F u n e r a l     M i s s Bradly's D o p a r t u r o     T h o D i s p u t e     S p i r i t Questions,

CHAPTEE

XXVII.
. . . 243

T h e A w f u l Confossion of the M a s t e r     D e a t h     i t s C o l d Solemnity,

CHAPTEE
S tranger, . . . . . .

X XVIII.
Magnolia   A . 261 . . .

T h e B r i d a l     I t s C e r e m o n i e s     A T r i p , a nd a Change of g l o m e s     T h o

CHAPTEE
T h e Argument, . . . . . .

XXIX.
. . . . . 259

CHAPTER
T h o Misdemeanor   The Punishment   Its

XXX.
. 279

Consequence   Fright,

CHAPTER

XXXI.
. 298

T h e D a y of T r i a l     A n x i e t y     T h e Volunteer C o u n s e l     V e r d i c t of the J u r y ,

CHAPTER
E xecution of tho Sentence   A Change   Hope,

XXXII.
. . . . . . 80S

CHAPTER
F o r t h f rom tho Cloud, . . .

X XXIII.
. . . . . . 814

B old   Life as a Slavo   Pen   Charles' S t o r y     U n c l e Petor'a T r o u b l e s     A Star Peeping

  
m

Vlll

C ONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXIV.
.

F

S oene In the P e n     S t a r t i n g " D o w n the E l v e r "     U n c l e Peter's T r i a l     M y E e s c u c ,

CHAPTER

XXXV.

T h o N o w H o m e     A Pleasant F a m i l y G r o u p     Q u i e t L o v e - M e e t i n g s ,

CHAPTER
The New Associates   Depraved L adies   Loneliness,

XXXVI.
Young 84S

V i e w s     E l s y ' s M i s t a k e     D e p a r t u r e o f tho

CHAPTER
views i n the S u m m e r D a y s , .

XXXVII.
. . . . . . .

T h o N e w M i s t r e s s     H e r Kindness of D i s p o s i t i o n     A P r e t t y H o m e     A n d L o v e - I n t e r -

355

CHAPTER
I nsensibility, * . . .

XXXVHI.
. . . . . . 866

A n A w f u l E e v o l a t i o n     M o r o Clouds to D a r k e n tho S u n of L ife   Slckn  ss a nd b lessed

CHAPTER

XXXIX.
. 874

G radual E o t u r n o f H a p p y S p i r i t s     B r i g h t e r P r o s p e c t s     A n O l d Acquaintance,

CHAPTER XL.
T h e Crisis of E x i s t o n c c     A Dreadful P age i n L i f e , . . . . .881

CHAPTER XLI.
A E e v o l a t i o n     D e a t h the Poacoful Angel   Calmness, . . . . . 891

C H A P T E R XEII.
C onclusion, . . . . . . . . 898

  
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF A

SLAVE.

CHAPTEE

I.
TRAINMASTER

T H E OLD K E N T U C K Y F A R M     M Y P A R E N T A G E A N D E A R L Y I N G     D E A T H OF T H E M A S T E R     T H E S A L E - D A Y     N E W A N D N E W HOME.

I W A S born i n one of the southern counties of K e n t u c k y . M y e arliest recollections are of a large, old-fashioned farm-house, b uilt o f hewn rock, i n which m y old master, M r . N e l s o n , and h is f amily, consisting of a widowed sister, two daughters and t wo sons, resided. I have but an indistinct remembrance of m y old master. A t times, a shadow of an idea, l i k e t he reflection o f a k i n d d ream, c omes o ver m y m ind, a nd, then, I conjure h im u p as a large, venerable-looking man, w ith s canty, gray locks floating carelessly o ver a n amplitude of forehead; a wide, h ardfeatured f ace, w i t h y et a k i n d l y g low of honest sentiment; Droad, s trong teeth, much discolored b y the continued use of t obacco. I w e l l r emember that, as a token of his good-will, ho always p resented us (the slave-children) w ith a s lice of buttered bread, w hen we had finished our daily task. I have also a faint reminiscence o f his old h i c k o r y c ane b eing shaken o ver m y head t wo or three times, and the promise (which remained, u ntil h is d eath, unfulfilled) of a g ood " t/iras7iing" at some f uture period. M y m other was a very bright mulatto woman, and m y father, m

  
10

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

A

FEMALE

SLAVE.

I s uppose, was a white man, though I know nothing of h i m ; f or, w ith t he most unpaternal feeling, he deserted me. A c onsequence o f this amalgamation was m y v e r y f air a nd beautiful c omplexion. M y s kin w as no perceptible shade darker than t hat of my young mistresses. M y e yes w ere large and dark, while a p rofusion of nut-brown h air, s traight and soft as the whitest l ady's in the land, f ell i n showery redundance over m y neck and s houlders. I was often mistaken for a white child ; and i n m y r ambles through the w oods, m any caresses have I received from w ayside travellers; and the exclamation, " W h a t a beautiful c h i l d ! " w as quite common. O w i n g to this personal beauty I w as a great pet w ith m y master's sister, M r s . Woodbridge, who, I b elieve I have stated, was a widow, and childless ; so upon m e she lavished a l l the fondness of a warm and l o v i n g heart. M y m other, K e z i a h t he c ook, c ommonly called A u n t K a i s y , w as p ossessed o f an indomitable ambition, and had, b y the h ardest means, endeavored to acquire the rudiments of an education ; but a l l that she had s ucceeded i n obtaining was a k nowledge of the alphabet, and orthography i n two syllables. B e i n g v ery i mitative, s he eschewed the ordinary negroes' pronunciation, a nd adoptod the m ode o f speech used by the higher classes o f whites. She was very much delighted when M r s . W oodbridge o r M iss B e t s y (as we called her) began to instruct me i n the e lements of the E n g l i s h l anguage. I inherited m y mother's t hirst f or knowledge; and, b y intense study, did a l l I could to s pare M iss B e t s y the usual drudgery of a teacher. T h e aptitude t hat I d isplayed, may be inferred from the fact that, i n three m onths from the day she began teaching me the alphabet, I was r eading, w ith some d egree of fluency, i n the " F i r s t R e a d e r . " I h ave often heard her relate this as quite a literary and educational m arvel. T here were so many slaves upon the farm, particularly y o u n g ones, t hat I was regarded as a supernumerary; consequently, s pared from nearly a l l the work. I sat i n M iss B etsy's room, w ith b ook i n hand, l ittle h eeding a n y t h i n g else ; and, i f ever I m anifested the least indolence, m y mother, w i t h h er w ild a mbi-

  
DEATH

OF

THE

MASTER.

1!

t ion, w as sure to r a l l y m e, and even ofi'er the tempting bribe of c akes and apples. I h ave frequently heard m y old master say, " B e t s y , y o u w i l l s poil that g i r l , t eaching her so m u c h . " " She is too pretty f or a slave," was her invariable reply. T h u s s moothly passed the early part of m y l ife, u ntil a n event o ccurred which was the cause of a change i n m y whole fate. M y o ld master b ecame s uddenly and dangerously i l l . M y lessons w ere suspended, for M iss B etsy's services were required i n t he sick chamber. I used to s l y l y steal to the open d oor o f his r oom, and p eep i n , w ith w onder, at the sombre group collected t here. I recollect seeing m y y o u n g masters and mistresses w eeping round a curtained bed. T h e n there c ame a t ime w h e n l oud s creams and frightful lamentations issued thence. There w ere shrieks that struck upon m y ear w i t h a s trange t h r i l l ; s hrieks t hat seemed to rend souls and break heart-strings. M y y oung mistresses, f air, s lender g irls, f ell p rostrate upon the floor; a nd m y masters, noble, m a n l y men, bent over the b owed f orms o f their sisters, whispering words w h i c h I did not hear, but w h i c h , m y mature experience tells me, must have been of love a nd c omfort. T h e r e came, then, a long, narrow, black box, t h i c k l y e mbossed w i t h s hining brass tacks, i n w h i c h m y old master was carefully l aid, w i t h b is pale, b r a w n y hands crossed upon his wide chest. I r emember that, one b y one, the slaves were called i n to take a l ast look of him who had been, to them, a k i n d m aster. T h e y a l l c ame o ut w ith t heir cotton handkerchiefs pressed to their e yes. I w ent i n , w i t h f ive other colored c h i l d r e n , to take m y l ook. T h a t wan, ghastly face, those sunken e yes a nd pinched f eatures, w ith t he white w i n d i n g sheet, and the dismal coffin, i mpressed me w ith a n ew and w i l d t e r r o r ; and, for weeks after, t his " v i s i o n of death" haunted my mind fearfully. B u t I soon a fter resumed m y studies under M iss B e t s y ' s t uition. H a v i n g l ittle w ork to do, and seldom seeing m y y o u n g m istresses, I grew up i n the same house, scarcely k n o w i n g them. I w as technically termed i n thp family, " the c h i l d , " as J was

  
12

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

A

FEMALE

SLAVE,

n ot b l a c k ; and, being a slave, m y masters and mistresses would n ot admit that I was white. So I reached the age of ten, s till c alled " a c h i l d , " a nd actually one i n a l l life's experiences, though p r e t t y w e l l advanced i n education. I had a v e r y g ood k n o w l edge o f the rudiments, had bestowed some a ttention upon G r a m mar, a nd eagerly read every b ook t hat f ell i n m y way. L o v e o f study taught me seclusive habits ; I read long and l a t e ; and t ho desire of a finished education b ecame t he passion of m y l ife. A l a s ! t hese days were but a p oor p reparation for the life that w as to come a fter ! M iss B e t s y , though a warm-hearted woman, was a violent a dvocate of slavery. I have since been puzzled how to reconcile t his w ith h er otherwise C hristian c haracter; and, though she professed to love me dearly, and had bestowed so much attention u pon the cultivation of m y mind, and expressed it as h er opinion that I was too pretty and white to be a slave, yet, i f a ny one had spoken of g i v i n g me freedom, she would have c ondemned it as domestic heresy. I f I had belonged to her, I d oubt not but my life would have been a happy one. B u t , alas! a d ifferent lot was assigned m e ! A b o u t two years and six months after m y old master's death, a d ivision was made of the property. T h i s involved a sale of e verything, e ven the household furniture. T h e r e were, I believe, h eavy debts hanging over the estate. These must be met, a nd t he residue divided among the heirs. W h e n i t was made k n o w n i n the k i t c h e n that a sale was to b e made, the slaves were panic-stricken. L o u d cries and lamentations arose, and m y young mistresses c ame o ften to the k i t c h e n t o comfort us. O ne of these young ladies, M i s s M argaret, a t all, n obly-formed g i r l , w i t h b i g blue e yes a nd brown h air, f requently c ame a nd s at w ith u s, t r y i n g , i n the most persuasive tones, to reconcile t he old ones to their destiny. Often did I see the large tears r oll d own her f air c heeks, and her red l i p quiver. These i ndications of sympathy, coming from such a l o v e l y being, cheered m any an hour of after-captivity.

  
SALE-DAY.

13

B u t t he " s a l e - d a y " c ame at l a s t ; I have a confused idea of i t. T he ladies left the day b efore. M iss B e t s y t ook a n affectionate leave of m e ; ah, I did not then know that i t was a f inal one. T h e servants were a l l sold, as I heard one man say, at v e r y h igh r ates, though not under the auctioneer's hammer. T o that m y young masters were o pposed. A t a l l , h ard-looking man c ame u p to me, very roughly seized m y arm, b ade m e open m y m o u t h ; examined m y t e e t h ; felt of m y l i m b s ; made me r u n a few y a r d s ; ordered me to j u m p ; a nd, b eing w e l l satisfied w i t h m y a c t i v i t y , said to M a s t e r E d , ward, " I w i l l t ake her." L i t t l e c omprehending the f u l l m eaning of that brief sentence, I rejoined the group of children from w hich I h ad been summoned. A f t e r awhile, m y mother c ame u p to me, holding a wallet i n her hand. T h o tear-drops stood o n her cheeks, and her whole frame was distorted w ith p ain. S he walked toward me a few steps, then stopped, and suddenlyshaking h er head, exclaimed, " N o , no, I can't do it, I can't do i t . " I w as amazed at her grief, but an indefinable fear kept me f rom rushing to her. " H e r e , K i t t y , " she said to an old negro woman, who stood n ear, " you break it to her. I can't do i t . N o , it w i l l d rive me m ad. O h , heaven ! that I was ever born to see this d a y . " T hen r ocking her b ody b ack and forward i n a transport of agony, s he g ave f ull v ent to her feelings i n a long, loud, piteous w ail. O h , G od ! that cry of grief, that k n e l l o f a breaking heart, rang i n m y ears for many long and p a i n f u l days. A t length A u n t K i t t y a pproached me, and, l a y i n g her hand on m y shoulder, k i n d l y s aid : " A l a s , p oor c hile, you mus' place your trus' in the g ood G o d a bove, y o u mus' look to H i m for help ; you are gwine to leave y our mother now. Y o u are to have a new home, a new master, a nd I h ope n ew friends. M a y the L o r d be w ith y o u . " So saying, she broke suddenly away from me ; but I saw that her w rinkled face w as wet w ith t ears. W i t h p erhaps an idle, listless air, I received this astounding

  
14

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF

A

FEMALE

SLAVE.

n e w s ; but a w h i r l w i n d was gathering i n m y breast. W h a t c ould she mean b y new friends and a n ew h ome ? S urely 1 w as to take m y mother w ith m e ! N o mortal p ower w ould dare to sever us. W h y , I remember that when master sold the g r a y m are, the colt went also. W h o could, who would, who dared, s eparate the parent from her offspring? A l a s ! I h ad yet to l earn t hat the white man dared do a l l that his avarice might s uggest; a nd there was no human t ribunal w here the outcast A f r i c a n c ould pray for " right !" A h , when I now t h i n k of m y p oor m other's form, as it swayed l i k e a w illow i n the tempest o f grief; when I remember her bitter cries, and see her arms t hrown f ranticly toward me, and hear her earnest   oh, how * e arnest   prayer for death or madness, then I wonder where were H eaven's thunderbolts; but retributive Justice will c ome s ooner or later, and H e who remembers mercy vow w i l l n ot f orget j ustice then. " C ome along, gal, c ome a long, gather up your duds, and c ome w ith m e," said a harsh v oice ; a nd, looking up from m y b ewildered reverie, I beheld the man who had so carefully e x amined m e. I was too much startled to f u l l y u nderstand the w ords, and s tood v acantly gazing at h i m . T h i s strange manner h e construed into disrespect; and, raising his riding-whip, h e brought it down w i t h c onsiderable f orce u pon m y back. It w as the first lash I had ever given to me i n anger. I smarted b eneath the stripe, and a c r y of pain broke from m y l ips. M other s prang to me, and clasping my quivering form i n her a rms, c ried out to m y young master, " O h , Master E d d y , have m ercy on me, on my c hild. I h ave served y o u faithfully, I n ursed y o u , I grew up w ith y our p oor m other, who now s leeps i n t he cold ground, I beg you now to save my child," a nd she s ank down at his f eet, w hilst her tears f ell f ast. T h e n m y p oor o ld grandfather, who was called the patriarch s lave, being the eldest one of the race i n the whole neighborhood, j oined us. H i s gray head, w r i n k l e d f ace, a nd bent form, t old of many a year of hard servitude. " W h a t is it, Massa E d . what is it K a i s y be t a k i n ' o n so

  
THE

NEW

MASTER.

IS

' bout ? y o u haint d riv t he chile off? N o     n o ! y o u n g massa o nly p l a y i n ' t rick n ow ; c ome K a i s ' d on't be m a k i n ' f ool of y o u r 6ef, y oung massa not gwine to separate y o u and the c h i l e . " T hese words seemed to reanimate m y mother, and she looked u p at Master E d w a r d w i t h a g rateful expression of face, whilst she clasped her arms t i g h t l y around his knees, exclaiming, " O h , b less you, y o u n g master, bless y o u forever, and forgive p oor K a i s y f or distrusting y o u , but P o m p e y told me the c hild w as s old a way from me, and that gemman struck h e r ; " and here a gain she s obbed, a nd caught hold of me convulsively, as i f she f eared I might be taken. I l ooked at m y y o u n g master's face, and the ghastly whiteness w h i c h overspread it, the tearful glister of his eye, and the s trange tremor of his figure, struck me w i t h f right. 1 knew my doom. Y o u n g as 1 was, m y first d read was for m y m o t h e r ; I f orgot m y own perilous situation, and mourned alone for her. I w ould have given worlds could insensibility have been granted her. " I 've got no time to be foolin' longer w ith t hese niggers, come ' long, gal. A n n , I believe, you tole me was her name," h e s aid, as he turned to M a s t e r E d w a r d . A nother w i l d s hriek f rom my mother, a d eep s igh from grandpap, and I looked at m aster E d , who was s triking h is forehead vehemently, and the t ears were trickling-down his cheeks. '* H e r e , M r . P e t e r k i n , h ere !" exclaimed Master E d w a r d , " h ere i s y our b i l l o f sale ; I w i l l r efund your money ; release me from m y contract." P e t e r k i n cast on h i m one contemptuous look, and w ith a l ow, chuckling laugh, replied, " N o ; y o u must stand to your b argain. I w ant that g a l ; she is l i k e l y , a nd it w i l l do me g ood to thrash the devil out of her ;" t urning to me he added, " quit y our snuffling and snubbing, or I ' l l give y o u something to c r y ' b o u t ; " and, roughly catching me b y the arm, he h urried m e off, despite the entreaty of Master E d , the cries of mother, and t he f eeble s upplication of m y grandfather. I dared to cast one l ook behind, and beheld my mother w a l l o w i n g in the dust,

  
16

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF A FF.MALE

SLAVE.

w hilst h er frantic cries of " save m y child, save m y child !" rang w i t h f earful a gony i n m y ears. Master E d c overed h is f ace w i t h h is hands, and old grandfather reverently raised his to H e a v e n , as i f beseeching mercy. T h e sight of this anguishstricken g roup filled m e w i t h a new sense o f horror, and forgetful of the p resence o f P e t e r k i n , I burst into tears: but I was q u i c k l y r ecalled b y a fierce and stinging blow from his stout r iding-whip. " S ee here, nigger (this man, raised among n egroes, u sed t heir d ialect), i f y o u dar' to give another whimper, I ' l l b eat t he v ery life out 'en y e r . " T h i s terrific threat s eemed to scare a way every thought of precaution ; and, b y a sudden and agile b ound, I broke l oose f rom him and darted off to the sad group, f rom which I had b een so ruthlessly torn, and, sinking down b efore M aster E d , I cried out i n a w i l d , d espairing tone, " Save m e, g ood m aster, save m e     k i l l m e, or hide me from that awful m an, h e'll k i l l m e ;" and, seizing hold of the s kirt o f his c oat, I c overed m y f ace w i t h it to shut out the sight of P e t e r k i n , w hose r ed eye-balls were glaring with fury upon me. Oath a fter oath e scaped h is l ips. M other saw him rapidly approaching to recapture me, and, with the noble, maternal instinct of s elf-sacrifice, sprang forward only to receive the heavy blow of h is u plifted whip. She reeled, tottered and sank stunned upon t he ground. ' " T h a r , take that, you y a l l e r h u  sy, a nd cuss y er nigger hide f or daring to raise this rumjms here," he said, as he r a p i d l y s trode past her. " G e n t l y , M r . P e t e r k i n , " exclaimed Master E d w a r d , " let me speak to h e r ; a l i t t l e e ncouragement is better than f orce." " T h i s i s m y encouragement for them," and he s hook h is w hip. U nheeding h i m , Master E d w a r d turned to me, saying, " A n n , c ome n ow, be a g ood g irl, go w i t h this gentleman, and be an o bedient g i r l ; h e w i l l g ive you a k ind, n ice h ome ; s ometimes h e w i l l l et you come t o see your mother. H e r e is some m oney f or y o u to buy a pretty head-handkerchief; now go w i t h h i m . "

  
THE

POWER OF

KINDNESS.

1 1

T hese k ind w ords and encouraging tones, brought a fresh gush o f tears to m y eyes. T a k i n g t he half-dollar which he offered m e, and reverently k issing t he s kirt o f his coat, I rejoined P e t e r k i n ; one look at his cold, harsh face, chilled m y resolution ; y et I had resolved to go without another word of complaint. I c ould not suppress a groan when T passed the spot w here m y mother l a y s till i nsensible from the effects o f the blow O ne b y one the servants, old and young, gave me a hearty s hake of the hand as I passed the place where they were standing i n a row for the inspection of buyers. I h ad nerved mj self, and now that the parting from mother w as over, I felt that the bitterness of death was past, and I c ould meet anything. N o t h i n g now could be a t rial, y et I was t ouched when the servants offered me l ittle m ementoes and k eepsakes. One gave a y a r d of ribbon, another a half-paper o f pins, a t hird p resented a painted cotton head-tie; others g ave me ginger-cakes, candies, or s mall c oins. Out of their l ittle t hey gave abundantly, and, s mall as were the bestowments I w e l l k new that they had made sacrifices to give even so much. 1 w as too deeply affected to make any other acknowledgment t han a n od of the head ; for a choking thickness was gathering i n m y throat, and a b l i n d i n g mist obscured m y sight. I did n ot see m y y o u n g mistresses, for they had left the house, declaring t hey could not bear to witness a spectacle so r e v o l t i n g to their feelings.
T

U p o n r eaching the gate I observed a red-painted wagon, w ith a n awning of domestic cotton. Standing near it, and h o l d ing t he horses, was an old, w o r n , scarred, weather-beaten negro m an, w ho instantly took off his hat as M r . P e t e r k i n a pproached. " W e l l , N ace, y o u see I ' v e bought this wench to-day," and he shook his whip over m y head. " T a ! y a ! Massa, but she h a ' got one g oot h ome w i d y e r . " " Y e s , has she, N a c e ; but don't y e r t hink t he slut has been c ryin' ' bout it !" " L o r ' bless us, Massa, but a l ittle o f the beech-tree w i l l f etch

  
18

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF A F E M A L E

SLAVE.

t hat s ort of truck out of her," and old N a c e showed his broken t eeth, as he g ave a f orced laugh. " I g uess I c an take the fool out en her, b y the time I gives h er two or three swings at the whippin'-post." N ace s hook h is head k n o w i n g l y , and g ave a l ow guttural l augh, b y w a y of approval of his master's capabilities. " J u m p i n the wagon, g a l , " said m y new master, " j u m p i n q uick ; I likes to see niggers active, n one o f your p okes ' bout m e ; but this w i l l p ut sperit i n 'em," and there was another defiant n ourish of the whip. I g ot i n w i t h as much haste and activity as I could possibly c ommand. T h i s appeared to please M r . P e t e r k i n , and he g ave e vidence o f it by s a y i n g ,     " W e l l , t hat does p retty w e l l ; a few stripes a day, and y o u ' l l be a valerble slave ;" and, getting i n the vehicle himself, he o rdered N a c e to drive on " pretty peart," as night would s oon o vertake us. J u s t as we were starting I perceived J o s h , one of m y p l a y mates, r u n n i n g after us with a small bundle, shouting,    " H e r e , A n n , y ou've l e f ' yer bundle of c lose." " S top, N a c e , " said M r . P e t e r k i n , " l e t ' s git the gal's duds, or I 'll b e put to the ' spence o f g i t t i n ' n ew ones f or her." L i t t l e J o s h c ame b ounding up, and, w i t h an affectionate manner, handed me the l ittle w allet that contained m y entire w a r d robe. I l eaned forward, and, i n a muffled tone, but w i t h m y w hole heart hanging on m y l i p , asked J o s h " how is mother ?" b ut a cut of Nace's whip, and a quick " g e e - u p , " p ut me beyond t he hearing of the reply. I strained m y e yes a fter J o s h , to i nterpret t he motion of his l ips. I n a s tate of h opeless a gony I sat through the remainder of t he journey. T h e c oarse j okes a nd malignant threats of M r . P e t e r k i n w ere answered with laughing and dutiful assent b y the v eteran Nace. I tried to d eceive m y persecutors b y feigning s leep, but, ah, a strong finger held m y lids open, and slumber fled away to gladden lighter hearts and bless brighter e yes.

  
CHAPTER A VIEW OF THE

II. NEW HOME.

T H E y o u n g m oon h ad risen i n m i l d a nd m eek s erenity to bless t he earth. W i t h a s trange and fluctuating light the pale rays p layed o ver t he leaves and branches of the forest trees, and f lickered f antastically upon the ground ! O n l y a few stars were d iscernible i n the highest d ome o f heaven ! T h e l o w i n g of w andering c ows, o r the chirp of a night-bird, had p ower t o beguile memory back to a thousand vanished joys. I mused and w e p t ; s till t he wagon j ogged a long. M r . P e t e r k i n sat halfsleeping b eside o ld Nace, w hose o ccasional " g e e - u p " t o the l agging horses, was the only human sound that broke the soft s erenity ! E v e r y moment s eemed to me an age, for I dreaded t he awakening of my cruel master. A h , l ittle d id I dream that t hat h orrid day's experience was but a brief foretaste of what I h ad yet to suffer; and w e l l it was for me that a k i n d a nd m erciful P rovidence veiled that dismal future from m y gaze. A b o u t midnight I had fallen into a quiet sleep, gilded b y the s weetest d ream, a dream of the old farm-house, of mother, g randfather, and m y companions. F r o m t his vision I was aroused b y the gruff v oice o f P e t e r k i n , b idding me get out of the wagon. T h a t v oice w as to me m ore f rightful and fearful than the blast of the last trump. S pringing s uddenly up, I threw off the shackles of s leep ; a nd c onsciousness, w i t h a l l its direful burden, returned f u l l y to me. L o o k i n g r ound, b y the f ull l ight of the moon, I beheld a large c ountry house, half hidden among trees. A white p a l i n g enclosed the ground, and the scent of dewy roses a nd other garden flowers filled t he atmosphere. " N o w , Nace, put up the team, and git yourself to bed," said

  
20

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

OF

A

FEMALE

SLAVE.

P e t e r k i n . T u r n i n g t o me he added, " give this g a l a blanket, a nd l et her sleep on the floor i n P o l l y ' s c a b i n ; keep a g ood w atch o n her, that she don't t r y to run off." " N eedn't fear dat, Massa, for de bull-dog tear her to pieces i f s he 'tempt dat. B y gar, I ' d l i k e to see her be for t r y i n ' i t ; " a nd t he old negro gave a fiendish laugh, as though he thought it w ould be rare sport. M r . P e t e r k i n e ntered the handsome house, of w h i c h he was t he r ich a nd respected owner, whilst I , conducted b y N a c e , repaired to a dismal cabin. A f t e r repeated knocks at the d oor o f t his m ost wretched hovel, an old crone of a negress muttered b etween her clenched teeth, " W h o ' s dar ?" " I t's me, P o l l y ; w hat y o u be 'bout dar, dat you don't let me i n 1" " W h a t for you be bangin' at m y cabin ? I's got no bisness w id y o u . " " Y es, but I's got bisness wid y o u ; s tir y e r ole stumps now." ' ' I shan't be for t roublin' m ysef and l ettin' y o u i n m y cabin a t d is hour ob de night-time ; and i f y o u doesn't bo off, I ' l l m ake Massa gib y o u a sound drubbin' i n de mornin'." " H a , h a ! now I ' m g ots y o u sure ; for massa sends me here h imsef." T h i s w as enough for P o l l y ; she broke off a ll f urther colloquy, a nd o pened the door i nstantly. T he pale moonlight rested as l o v i n g l y upon that dreary, u n chinked, r ude, and wretched hovel, as ever it played over the g ilded r oof and frescoed d ome o f ancient palaces; but ah, what s qualor did it not reveal ! T h e r e , resting upon pallets of straw, l i k e p igs i n a l itter, w ere groups of c hildren, a nd upon a rickety cot the old woman reposed her aged limbs. H o w strange, l onely, a nd forbidding appeared that tenement, as the old woman s tood i n the doorway, her short and scanty k irtles b ut poorly c oncealing her meagre limbs. A dark, scowling countenance l ooked out from under a s mall c ap of faded m uslin : l ittle b leared e yes g lared upon me, l i k e t he red light of a heated furnace. I n stinctively I s hrank back from her, but Nace was t ired, a nd not

  
THE

QUESTIONS

OF

CONSCIENCE.

21