"Father, I shall not die happy, if you refuse me." "Then I promise faithfully to do it." A glad smile broke over the sufferer's face, like a sunbeam over a snow-cloud. "Now, at least I can die contentedly! God will bless your effort, and a great weight has been removed from my oppressed heart." Dr. Mandy now entered the room; and, taking young master's hand within his own, began to count the pulsations. A very ominous change passed over his face. "Oh, doctor," cried the patient, "I read from your countenance the thoughts that agitate your mind; but do not fear to make the disclosure to my friends even here. It will do me no harm. I know that my hours are numbered; but I am willing, nay, anxious to go. Life has been one round of pain, and now, as I am about to leave the world, I take with me a blessed assurance that I have not lived in vain. Doctor, I call upon you, and all the dear ones here present, to witness the fact that my father has most solemnly promised me to liberate each of his slaves and never again become the holder of such property? Father, do you not promise before these witnesses?" "I do, my child, I do," said the weeping father. "Sisters," continued young master, "will you promise to urge or offer no objection to the furtherance of this sacred wish of your dying brother?" "I do," "I do," they simultaneously exclaimed. "And neither of you will ever become the owner of slaves?" "Never," "never," was the stifled reply. "Come, now, Death, for I am ready for thee!" "You have exerted yourself too much already," said the doctor, "now pray take this cordial and try to rest; you have overtaxed your power. Your strength is waning fast." "No, doctor, I cannot be silent; whilst I've the strength, pray let me talk. I wish this death-bed to be an example. Call in the servants. Let me speak with them. I wish to devote my power, all that is left of me now, to them." To this Mr. Peterkin and the doctor objected, alleging that his life required quiet. "Do not think of me, kind friends, I shall soon be safe, and am now well-cared for. If I did not relieve myself by speech, the anxiety would kill me. As a kind favor, I beg that you will not interrupt me. Call the good servants." Instantly they all, headed by Nace, came into the chamber, each weeping bitterly. "Good friends," he began, and now I noticed that his voice was weak and trembling, "I am about to leave you. On earth you will never see me again; but there is a better world, where I trust to meet you all. You have been faithful and attentive to me. I thank you from the bottom of my soul for it, and, if ever I have been harsh or unkind to you in any way, I now beg that you will forgive me. Do not weep," he continued, as their loud sobs began to drown his feeble voice. "Do not weep, I am going to a happy home, where trouble and pain will never harm me more. Now let me tell you, that my father has promised me that each of you shall be free immediately after my death."