Lucy (Chapter_04)

with unkindness and wrath?-- Unkindness and wrath!-These were feelings that could now find no place in a broken and contrite heart.--["Surely said he, as he ponder'd on the subject, "it was wicked and unchristian to take that oath, and it will be equally so to keep it."--Are we not told to "forgive our enemies, to do good to those who despitefuly use us, and to bless those who curse us." Poor William, sets me this example, for most despitefuly did I use him, most bitterly did I use him--And yet how good, how dutiful, and loving is the poor lad; and can I then keep my wicked oath? oh no, --and yet it is wicked to break an oath!--Alack-a-day, whichsoever way I turn now, is wrong--all I do is wicked--and can I hope that God will have mercy on me, who had no mercy on my own flesh and blood--no, I am a lost, undone, miserable old man!" Every thing on the farm now went wrong. Slaves, require the hand of authority--too often that of severity. They have none of those motives to industry, which freemen have, "and toil and toil as we will," say they, "what more do we get by it but our victuals and clothes, and that master is forced to give us at any rate; for his own sake if not for ours, seeing as how he would love a slave, if he didn't take care of him, --but if I works my very bones out of the shin, I gets no more!" It is thus they reason, and in its general application, the reasoning is alas too just.--They labour then, only where forced to labour, and the moment tghe weight of authority is removed, they are idle and negligent.--When will the slave-holder, discover his true interest, and be convinced that one freeman will do the work of four slaves? That willing hearts, make quick work--and that self-interest, is a severer task-master, than any over-seer? The slaves of the poor, are generaly as degraded in character, as they are in a situation, --little better in their condition and worse in their temporal habits than more beasts of burden. Tho' even in this class their one noble instances, of generous masters and faithful slaves; But Dick--and Milly were not of the number.--Allan had been a severe master, served only through fear, and

wasted his little property, and rioted on his ruin.-William who had been their fellow labourer and companion from infancy, had no authority, and saw that poverty must soon be added to the Old Man's grief.--Fanny, a fine and sprightly girl and Billy, his uncle favorite, were as wild and{ uncontriv?} able as the colts, that frolick'd in the pasture. Dismal was his situation--he would not leave the father of his Lucy, but for her sake, worked day and night to obtain a scanty maintenance.--About this time, as his Uncle was one day returning from Market, he call'd in to see him,--The old man sat in helpless despondancy in his chimney corner, And William who wander'd like a ghost, over the place of his past happiness, was wasted to a shadow-"Why my good lad," said the kind Uncle--"Matters seem to get worser and worser--whats the use of pining your life away come pluck up your spirits lad, and I'll make a man of you yet.--You must come along with me, and when the old Anty and I are laid low, you shall have all as we leave. William shook his head, and pointing to poor Allan, "No Uncle thank ye, but I can not desert him in his old age and his trouble,--it was I, who brought it all on him and if I have lost him one child, the least I can do, is to fill her place as far as I'm able! ["Pho, pho, it was all along of his[ plaquegy?} obstinacy and proud heart, and he dares to suffer,--Else why didn't he let you marry the girl, and all would be as it should be--he's nobody to blame, but himself so come along as I say, and don't be ruinating yourself for no earthly purpose." ["Never, never Uncle--will I go with you without he and his, go along, take us all now and then I will work for you and serve you better than the best slave on your plantation." --[Finding all his persuasions useless, his kind Uncle at last consented to his proposal, and Allan who was fast sinking into premature dotage, did just as William wish'd him to do.--Arrangements were soon made--The little farm was rented, the two worthless slaves were sold--and Fanny and her little brother, follow'd William to the house of the benevolent Uncle. Soon did this good man, reap the reward of his