There were some redeeming features in our hard destiny. Very pleasant
are my recollections of the good old lady who paid fifty dollars for the
purpose of making my grandmother free, when she stood on the
auction-block. She loved this old lady, whom we all called Miss Fanny.
She often took tea at grandmother's house. On such occasions, the table
was spread with a snow-white cloth, and the china cups and silver spoons
were taken from the old-fashioned buffet. There were hot muffins,
tea-rusks, and delicious sweetmeats. My grandmother always had a supply
of such articles, because she furnished the ladies of the town with such
things for their parties. She kept two cows for that purpose, and the
fresh cream was Miss Fanny's delight. She invariably repeated that it
was the very best in town. The old ladies had cosey times together. They
would work and chat, and sometimes, while talking over old times, their
spectacles would get dim with tears, and would have to be taken off and
wiped. When Miss Fanny bade us "Good by," her bag was always filled with
grandmother's best cakes, and she was urged to come again soon.
[Here follows a long account of persecutions endured by the
granddaughter, who tells this story. She finally made her escape, after
encountering great dangers and hardships. The faithful old grandmother
concealed her for a long time at great risk to them both, during which
time she tried in vain to buy free papers for her. At last there came a
chance to escape in a vessel Northward bound. She goes on to say:--]
"All arrangements were made for me to go on board at dusk. Grandmother
came to me with a small bag of money, which she wanted me to take. I
begged her to keep at least part of it; but she insisted, while her
tears fell fast, that I should take the whole. 'You may be sick among
strangers,' said she; 'and they would send you to the poor-house to
die.' Ah, that good grandmother! Though I had the blessed prospect of
freedom before me, I felt dreadfully sad at leaving forever that old
homestead, that had received and sheltered me in so many sorrows.
Grandmother took me by the hand and said, 'My child, let us pray.' We
knelt down together, with my arm clasped round the faithful, loving old
friend I was about to leave forever. On no other occasion has it been my
lot to listen to so fervent a supplication for mercy and protection. It
thrilled through my heart and inspired me with trust in God. I staggered
into the street, faint in body, though strong of purpose. I did not look
back upon the dear old place, though I felt that I should never see it
again."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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