“Yes, he did, and that was every cent I ever got of it; and, I tell you, I was mighty bad off for clothes, them times.”
“Well, well, the Lord be praised, they’re over, and you are in a free country now!” said the wife, as she rose thoughtfully from the table, and brought her husband the great Bible. The little circle were ranged around the stove for evening prayers.
“Henry, my boy, you must read,—you are a better reader than your father,—thank God, that let you learn early!”
The boy, with a cheerful readiness, read, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and the mother gently stilled the noisy baby, to listen to the holy words. Then all kneeled, while the father, with simple earnestness, poured out his soul to God.
They had but just risen,—the words of Christian hope and trust scarce died on their lips,—when, lo! the door was burst open, and two men entered; and one of them advancing, laid his hand on the father’s shoulder. “This is the fellow,” said he.
“You are arrested in the name of the United States!” said the other.
“Gentlemen, what is this?” said the poor man, trembling.
“Are you not the property of Mr. B., of Georgia?” said the officer.
“Gentlemen, I’ve been a free, hard-working man, these ten years.”
“Yes, but you are arrested on suit of Mr. B., as his slave.”