THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES '
 


 
 MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF "THE HIGHER LAW.
 
 THE 
 
 fnkgrnraifr JW-lgrat. 
 
 BY VIDI. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO. 
 
 1S53.
 
 MR. -FRANK, 
 
 THE 
 
 UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 BY VIDI. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH DESIGNS BY WHITE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 LIPPINCOTT, ORAMBO & CO 
 
 1853.
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO., 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. I. K. AND P. Q. COLLINS. MUSTERS.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 KIND READER, we must confess that we are so stupid, as not 
 to know how to write a Preface ; and, in fact, we do not even know 
 why any Preface should be written at all ! "We have looked very 
 carefully over all the books in our library, from Cobb's Primer 
 up to Bulwer's last novel, for a model, and we are sorry to say, 
 that we have not been able to find one to suit us ; and we do not 
 pretend to a tithe of the fastidiousness of our readers especially 
 in regard to our oion productions. 
 
 We have found in our researches alluded to, that many authors 
 look upon a Preface as a space devoted to a little tet^-d-tete with 
 their readers ; in which they apologize to them for punishing 
 their good nature with another book. Others consider it as a 
 kind of platform on which to define their position, and to explain 
 their motives for writing at all a matter which is not unfre- 
 quently very difficult of comprehension. This species of informa 
 tion, however, we look upon as entirely gratuitous ; because, if the 
 motives of the author are good, they should appear in the body 
 of his work, and if they are not, why the least that is said, the 
 better. 
 
 Then, again, not a few regard a Preface as a kind of synopsis 
 of the whole book, and devote several pages to the task of pointing 
 out its strong points, for fear that they would not be discovered 
 
 (Hi) 
 
 903118
 
 IV PREFACE 
 
 by the reader, if his especial attention was not directed to them. 
 They are also very careful to give explicit directions how to 
 understand various matters contained in the text, which they 
 do not understand themselves, and which mean something entirely 
 different from what a literal construction of the words themselves 
 are calculated to convey. 
 
 If we were permitted to consult our own views, we would say 
 nothing by way of prefatory remark. But custom inexorable, 
 time-honored custom demands the sacrifice, and we submit to the 
 decision with the same gracious bow, that a Philadelphia lawyer 
 does to a statute passed in the reign of the good and loving King 
 Alfred. 
 
 We have now written enough to constitute an ordinary Preface, 
 by measurement and for aught we know to the contrary, this is 
 the usual criterion of their merit and we have done. 
 
 We have written this little book because it pleased us to do so, 
 and we hope the reader will peruse it for the same reason. 
 Whether his head or his heart will be improved thereby, we leave 
 for him to say, after he has read it ; and whether the publishers' 
 pockets will undergo any favorable change through its instru 
 mentality, we leave for them to say, after they have exhausted the 
 hundredth edition, and the cry is still for more !
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 % CHAPTER I. 
 
 In which the Reader is introduced to a Patriot, whose services to 
 his Country have hitherto never been properly appreciated, 
 and whose memory the Author nobly rescues from, the all- 
 devouring Jaws of Oblivion 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 In which is recorded a small portion of the Sayings and Doings 
 of the celebrated Liberty Anti-Slavery Convention 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Showing that Charity does not always begin at Home, notwith 
 standing the high authority in its favor , 36 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Showing the blessings of Liberty to Persons not prepared to 
 enjoy them ; and, also, how a celebrated Philanthropist 
 " took the Fugitives in," in a double sense, and then turned 
 them out again 46 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Illustration of the fact that persons may have a very nice set of 
 Sentiments for Public Purposes, and make use of quite a dif 
 ferent set in Private Practice 57 
 
 1* (v) 
 
 V
 
 Vi CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Further illustrating the Operation of Theory versus Practice ... 72 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 In which Dixey avails himself of his knowledge of Romantic 
 History, to get up a small Love Adventure on his own 
 account; in which, contrary to his expectations, he comes 
 out at the small end 80 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 In -which Doctor Manly made the remarkable discovery that he 
 was in love, long after everybody else had discovered it 96 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Which is all about Love, and another kind of Slavery, and is 
 intended especially for our Lady Readers 101 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Containing some of Jimmy's sentiments in regard to a Nation's 
 Duty towards its own Subjects, and the Subjects of other 
 Countries ; together with an Incident, proving that those 
 Good-hearted People, who are constantly " overflowing with 
 the Milk of Human Kindness," can always find plenty of 
 deserving Objects of Charity near at Home, without pursuing 
 an ignis fatuus Race, unclassically termed "a Wild-goose 
 Chase," after them 112 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Slightly illustrative of some of the Beauties of Northern Sla 
 very ; a subject hitherto entirely overlooked by kind-hearted 
 Philanthropists because it don't pay 131 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Showing how a certain gentleman, who rejoiced in the title of 
 M. C. and eight dollars a day, started out with a proposition 
 to prove Slavery a Social, Moral, and Political Blessing ; but 
 stopped short of it, for reasons hereinafter made known .... 140
 
 CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 In -which Mr. Frank and Jimmy cross the Rubicon, vulgarly 
 termed Mason and Dixon's Line, and enter into the confines 
 of Old Virginia, and the Horrors of Slavery 150 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Proving that ' Action and Reaction are Mutual/ is as true of 
 Mental Philosophy as it is of ordinary Dynamics 161 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Treating of a Negro Ball, followed by an Indignation Meeting, 
 in the Old Dominion State ; and showing that such things are 
 conducted there very much as they are conducted everywhere 
 else* ; 169 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 In which Mr. Frank lays down the first plank in his Immediate 
 Emancipation Platform, and Mr. Dixey arranges the im 
 portant preliminary steps of a Gretna-Green Journey ; the 
 success of both of which will be made known in due time. . . 180 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Describing how Mr. Frank and Jimmy picked up the wrong 
 Passenger ; and how they entertained each other on the way. 
 Also, showing how they finally narrowed the active sphere of 
 their labors, and retired into private life, at the expense of 
 the Commonwealth 188 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Proving most clearly the manner in which a dark night threw 
 Mr. Dixey into dark society ; and how he only became en 
 lightened when it was too late to repair his error 195 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Showing how Mr. Frank went out of private life, and how Mr. 
 Dixey went into it, together with many other matters, only 
 to be learned by reading this chapter 199
 
 Vili CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 In which the Reader discovers that in travelling through this 
 little Work, he has been constantly treading upon mined 
 ground, which explodes very suddenly, without doing any 
 harm 211 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 In which the Doctor and Emma get married, and sink at once 
 into insignificant, dull, matter-of-fact people ; in consequence 
 of which, they are immediately abandoned to their fate by 
 the Author 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Which ends our Book to our own satisfaction, and, we hope, to 
 the satisfaction of everybody else 228
 
 THE 
 
 UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 IN WHICH THE READER IS INTRODUCED TO A PATRIOT, WHOSE 
 SERVICES TO HIS COUNTRY HAVE HITHERTO NEVER BEEN 
 PROPERLY APPRECIATED, AND WHOSE MEMORY THE AUTHOR 
 NOBLY RESCUES FROM THE ALL-DEVOURING JAWS OF OB 
 LIVION. 
 
 IT was on a cold, stormy evening in the year , the date 
 
 of which, our readers may fix to suit their varying tastes, that 
 a gentleman was sitting alone in the back parlor of the only 
 tavern in the village oi Liberty, Pennsylvania. The com 
 forts of the room, although very meagre in an absolute sense, 
 compared favorably with the inclement state of the weather 
 without. In the centre of the room stood a small, round 
 pine table, which was covered with quite a variety of pitchers, 
 tumblers and bottles ; thus affording rather strong presump 
 tive evidence that the occupant of the apartment was not an 
 advocate of the temperance reformation. Several rickety old 
 chairs were scattered irregularly about the room ; a large 
 picture, representing a naked manacled negro lying prostrate 
 on the ground, with a white man standing with his foot upon 
 his neck, and with a heavy cowhide in his raised hand, as if 
 about in the act of striking, under which was written in large 
 
 (9)
 
 10 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 capital letters, " Africa and America as they are," was hung 
 upon one side of the wall of the apartment ; whilst directly 
 opposite was another picture, representing the same negro 
 dressed in superb style, walking arm-in-arm with a plainly 
 attired white man, the appearance of whose countenance 
 seemed to express the most lively and complacent satisfaction 
 for the honor which his sable brother bestowed upon him. 
 On each side of this picture was a large ballot-box, on which 
 was inscribed " Equal Rights," and the background was 
 filled up by a promiscuous assemblage of white gentlemen 
 and black ladies, and black gentlemen and white ladies, 
 walking side by side, and apparently much delighted in the 
 enjoyment of each other's society. All this was sufficiently 
 expressive ; but, to avoid all possibility of misconstruction, 
 the painter had inscribed beneath the picture, that it was 
 intended to personify " Africa and America in the good day 
 coming ;" the precise day of which, with a prudent non-com 
 mittal policy, he left open to conjecture. 
 
 The occupant of the room, although by no means a rare 
 character, deserves a slight notice from us, before we intro 
 duce him more fully to the reader. He belonged to that large 
 class of persons, who are seized with periodical fits of 
 patriotism ; which fits, strange to say, always precede a 
 general election, and continue until the candidates are elected, 
 and all the appointments are made, when the attack gradually 
 passes off without any bad consequences, except, that it 
 leaves the patient with a broken-dow r n reputation, and an 
 exhausted pocket ; unless, as is very frequently the case, they 
 were both completely destroyed by previous attacks. The 
 symptoms of these paroxysms are somewhat anomalous, and 
 entirely unlike anything known in the medical world. The 
 persons affected are, generally, men who have no reputation 
 themselves, but who are, at the same time, very earnest in 
 their appeals to the " enlightened citizens and honest voters," 
 to oppose men of bad character who invariably belong to
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 11 
 
 the opposite party and to vote for good honest patriots, who 
 as invariably belong to their own. Like Esau, they would 
 not only sell their birthrights for a mess of pottage, but they 
 would not hesitate a moment to sell themselves, body and 
 soul, for a good office ; and yet, at the same time, they most 
 patriotically implore the people not to allow their votes to be 
 bought by foreign gold ; which they always represent as being 
 very plenty in the market. Although they are not noted for 
 saving anything which belongs to themselves personally, they 
 are extremely anxious to save their dearly-beloved country, 
 which would most inevitably be lost if the opposition party 
 should carry the day ; and as it naturally follows that one of 
 the oppositions must be successful, it is truly surprising that 
 the country has not been lost beyond all possibility of recovery. 
 Yet, strange to say, it is always found or rather, it always 
 finds its friends on the approach of a new election, who 
 spring up again by myriads, like the plagues of Egypt, to 
 engage once more in defence of its rights, and in search of 
 offices for themselves. It is truly astonishing to witness the 
 labor and personal sacrifices which these gentlemen undergo, 
 for the purpose of aiding the election of their favorites, with 
 the dim prospect of receiving subordinate offices, in the sim 
 ple and flattering proportion of about one in every nine 
 hundred and ninety-nine. 
 
 Our friend, whom we left so unceremoniously to describe 
 the class of which he had formed, for many years, an active 
 member, had hitherto labored without any considerable per 
 sonal benefit, except " the glorious consciousness of having 
 done his duty to his friends and his country." But he con 
 soled himself with the idea, that, although republics were 
 proverbially ungrateful, the time would come when his ser 
 vices would be appreciated, and he would be rewarded for 
 all his patriotic exertions and self-sacrifices. To look at him 
 as he sat on one chair, with his feet ensconced in the remnants 
 of what were once a quite fashionable-looking pair of gaiters,
 
 12 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 reposing sublimely on the back of another, and to observe 
 his personal attire, a mere casual observer would have thought, 
 that if the country did not soon do something for his relief, 
 he would be compelled to join the Model Artists by the mere 
 natural force of circumstances. But if we are allowed to 
 judge as philosophers say -*.e are cf the future, by the 
 past, there was still much service remaining in his personal 
 wardrobe, dilapidated as it ap^ared. The same old, rusty, 
 threadbare, si.'gle-breast, ^rock-coat ; the same seedy-look 
 ing, tight-legged, blac 1 : pantaloons ; the same old, greasy, 
 narrow-brimine' 1 r hat, had been in constant use, time out 
 of mind, and instead of growing the worse for wear, seemed, 
 like pure sfc.J, only to shine the brighter, from the constant 
 frict'op of his body and the brush. In regard to some points, 
 however, the innovations of time could' not be concealed. 
 The straps of his pants had given way, leaving the extremities 
 of his legs fringed in a manner more picturesque than beauti 
 ful ; the seams began to gape, and the stitches grinned 
 through their open mouths, in spite of frequent pressings ; 
 the once tasty frilled shirt-bosom showed a manifest tendency 
 to go into open-work, and the black-silk cravat which, for 
 merly, was closed with a flaunting, jaunty tie, from frequent 
 trimmings of the ends, as they became tattered by age, was 
 merely large enough to allow of its being tied by a single 
 knot ; and its foldings had been so often changed, for the 
 purpose of bringing the holes on the inside, that there was 
 barely enough material remaining to present a sound exterior. 
 Joined to his personal attire, there was a kind of jaunty, free- 
 and-easy, confident air depicted on his features, which most 
 clearly declared him to be the man for such or any other 
 difficulties ; and that, no matter how fast they come, his 
 inventive genius was fully equal to the emergency. At the 
 present moment, however, his mind seemed to be engaged 
 in the solution of some more than usually abstruse subject ; 
 but as he said nothing, and kept all his conjectures to him-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 13 
 
 self, it is impossible, yet, to say what it was. The fact was 
 only evinced by the changes which took place in his counte 
 nance and movements. At one moment his brow would 
 become clouded, his eyebrows more firmly contracted, his lips 
 were subjected to a biting process, and he seemed to be com 
 pletely wrapped up in perplexity and doubt. Then all these 
 gloomy appearances would suddenly vanish, and a bright 
 smile light up his countenance, just as the shadows flit and 
 disappear from the landscape, when the sun bursts out from 
 amongst the clouds. These changes followed each other in 
 quick succession ; and, although he swallowed an immense 
 amount of brandy, and smoked an indefinite number of 
 cigars, his mental operations did not seem to be influenced 
 thereby in any perceptible degree. 
 
 His smoking was peculiarly expressive. Whenever his 
 mind was fretted by attempts to grasp some subtle idea, 
 which escaped just as he was on the point of seizing a good 
 firm hold of it, his impatience was made manifest by short, 
 rapid, peevish, irritable puffs. When his ideas became lost 
 in w r ild, dreamy abstractions, his cigar hung loosely in the 
 corner of his mouth, the saliva dribbled, drop by drop, 
 down over his chin, and the smoke issuing slowly from its 
 point, curled lazily around his nose, and occasionally pene 
 trated through its ample portals, into his brain, rendering his 
 ideas even more be-fogged and misty than before. 
 
 At times, he seemed to have arrived at some definite deter 
 mination, which was made plainly evident by full, long, strong 
 puffs, and by -discharges of volumes of smoke, not unlike 
 those which escape from a high-pressure engine, when it is 
 getting under full way. His cigar, however, finally as all 
 cigars will, even under the most careful and economical 
 management began gradually to diminish in size. The fact 
 appeared to impress itself forcibly and painfully upon his 
 mind. He heaved a heavy, deep-drawn sigh ; cast one last, 
 long, lingering look at the empty box on the table, and gave 
 2
 
 14 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 another long, strong puff; which unfortunately was too strong, 
 as the traction on the one end drew the opposite extremity 
 against the point of his equally fiery nose. A low, hissing 
 sound followed; but the well-known law of electricity, "that 
 like repels like," prevailed, and the nearly-consumed regalia 
 was hurled away with the rapidity of lightning, accompanied 
 by a low, muttering sound, very much resembling thunder, 
 but which evidently had a direct reference to cigars in general, 
 and that one in particular. 
 
 " Well," said he, finally, raising his head as if he had just 
 emerged from a train of deep reflection, " I see no other way 
 for it. It is an infernal mean game, that's a fact. But I 
 wouldn't mind the meanness so much, but confound it, I 
 never could bear the sight of a nigger ; and now I am turned 
 Abolitionist ! Ugh ! the very thought of a woolly-headed, 
 thick-lipped, flat-nosed, ivory-eyed nig no sons of Africa, 
 I suppose I must now call them on a warm day in July, is 
 enough to make a man of fine feelings throw up." 
 
 Now if such thoughts were calculated to produce nausea 
 only in those of fine feelings, his whole body could have 
 been perfectly saturated with them, without giving rise to the 
 least inconvenience. For the purpose, however, of attempting 
 to convert himself, in his own estimation, into a gentleman 
 of fine feelings, he made several very violent and desperate 
 attempts to evacuate the contents of his stomach ; but as 
 nothing escaped, save a rather nauseating odor of whiskey 
 punch, scented with the aroma of very strong tobacco, it is 
 more than probable that, if any sickness existed at all, it was 
 more of a physical than mental character. 
 
 " But then it must be done, disagreeable as it is," he con 
 tinued, as soon as he had abandoned his ineffectual attempts 
 at emesis in his despair. " If the people won't accommodate 
 their views to mine, I must accommodate mine to theirs. 
 That is the only sound policy. If some of our great states 
 men, instead of defining their positions, and attempting to
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 15 
 
 prove consistent and unchangeable when everything around 
 them was changing, had placed themselves upon my patent 
 movable platform, they would not have been so signally 
 defeated. There is no use in rowing against a six-mile tide 
 with a ten-knot breeze blowing in your teeth. The better 
 course is just to put the helm about, and float down the stream 
 with wind and tide in your favor. In the same manner, 
 when you find the tide of public opinion is setting in one 
 direction, and a stiff breeze of popular prejudice is blowing 
 the same way, it is sound policy, if you are an outsider, just 
 to jump into the boat that is bound down stream, and take 
 passage in ' the swift-sure line.' Them's my sentiments !" 
 These enlightened views of a citizen and statesman's duty to 
 his country and to himself particularly seemed to afford 
 him as much satisfaction as if they had been original, and 
 had not been put into full practice by nearly every political 
 demagogue, who has ever strutted across the stage of politics. 
 
 " The fact is," he resumed, after a short pause, which was 
 occupied in dusting his threadbare pantaloons with an old 
 silk handkerchief, it having become dangerous to risk them 
 in their delicate state to the operations of a clothes-brush ; 
 " the fact is, Billy R. Dixey, you're a devilish clever fellow 
 keen as a briar, and up to all sorts of political games and 
 tricks! So here is a long life to you, -and a merry one! 
 May the party to which you belong always turn up a trump 
 card, and show their sense of your services by giving you a 
 fat office with plenty of pickings ! So here goes !" and suiting 
 the action to the word, he swallowed down at least half a 
 tumblerful of raw whiskey to the success of the Billy R. 
 Dixey aforesaid. 
 
 Now who this gentleman was, seemed, at first, to be a 
 matter of some doubt, but sundry significant winks and ex 
 pressive contortions of the face, accompanied with several 
 emphatic slaps of the right hand on that part of the chest 
 usually occupied by the heart but which, in the present case,
 
 16 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 may have been a vacuum, for all \ve know seemed to im 
 ply that the gentleman who drank the toast, and the one 
 whose welfare was so earnestly pledged in it, were one and 
 the same person. 
 
 " Yes," he resumed, smacking his lips with apparent 
 gusto, whether in relation to the views he was about to utter, 
 or to the whiskey which he had drank, we do not know ; 
 " the only way will be to get old Frank appointed as general 
 Mail-agent on the Underground Line, and then the track 
 will be clear for my election to Congress. Besides, his 
 absence will afford me abundant opportunities for calling 
 upon his fair little daughter with news from her father ; and 
 by careful management, such as feeling interested in her 
 lonely situation ; admiring everything which she says or does ; 
 sympathizing with her on account of the old gentleman's 
 absence ; and by bringing to bear all the other little neces 
 saries for besieging the female heart, I may succeed in carry 
 ing her off before his return ; and what is better than all, 
 make a cool hundred thousand by the operation. There is 
 nothing like head-work ; an act well planned is half accom 
 plished, and here's success to its consummation !" Mr. Dixey 
 had drained the last drops from his glass, and had refilled it 
 preparatory to a repetition of the dose, when a loud double- 
 knock was heard at the door. 
 
 " Confound the thing!" he said, letting his glass fall in the 
 excitement, and spilling its contents on the floor ; " I wouldn't 
 be surprised if that was old Frank, now. He said he would 
 call sometime, and if he should catch me here with these 
 bottles it would ruin my prospects forever. Such appear 
 ances would scarcely go down with his total abstinence, 
 woman's rights, spiritual rappings, vote-yourself-a-farm, 
 general reform, ideas. So here goes for a general clear-up," 
 and Mr. Dixey proceeded to apply himself to his task with 
 an alacrity, that would have established an enviable fame for 
 him as a hotel-waiter. By the time the third rap was heard
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 17 
 
 at the door, every appearance of drinkables had been hurried 
 away into various side-closets ; the stray drops of liquor 
 which had found their way upon his clothes, had been care 
 fully brushed off; a large piece of ginger-root was introduced 
 into his mouth for the purpose of neutralizing any nauseous 
 odor that might otherwise issue from it ; and he was sitting 
 down by the side of the table, entirely absorbed in the con 
 tents of the last week's copy of " The Herald of Freedom," 
 with a countenance as expressive of deep thought as a half- 
 dozen glasses of whiskey would allow him to assume. When 
 the third knock was heard, he raised his eyes slowly from the 
 paper, at the same time shading them from the light with his 
 hand, and said, in a tone of apparent abstraction and gravity, 
 " Come in." 
 
 In compliance with this request, a middle-aged, grave- 
 looking gentleman entered the room. As soon as Mr. Dixey 
 caught a fair view of his face, all these assumed appearances 
 suddenly vanished ; and jumping up from his chair, he grasped 
 the hand of his visitor with fully as much energy as pleasure, 
 and exclaimed at the same time, "Burton! my dear fellow, 
 how are you ? Confound you, how you frightened me ! I'll 
 be hanged if I didn't think it was old Frank ! Ha ! ha ! ha !" 
 and throwing himself into a chair, he went off into a series 
 of short, broken cachinations, which bore no small resem 
 blance to a violent paroxysm of the whooping-cough. 
 
 Whilst Mr. Dixey was enjoying this luxury, the gentleman 
 addressed as Burton, helped himself to a chair, and sat 
 quietly gazing at him with an expression of the countenance 
 in which contempt was vainly struggling to gain the ascendency 
 of impatience. Whilst he was thus employed, we may as 
 well take a look at him. 
 
 He was apparently about thirty-five years of age, and his 
 
 figure, which was slightly above the medium size, was well 
 
 formed. There was nothing peculiar about his personal 
 
 attire, when each portion of his dress was considered as a 
 
 2*
 
 18 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 separate article. The highly-polished gaiter-boots, by them 
 selves, were nothing unusual ; but when they peered out, as 
 they did in this instance, from beneath the extremities of a 
 pair of well-defined, Quaker-colored, drab pantaloons, the 
 union became rather odd. His single-breasted, straight- 
 collared, drab frock-coat, buttoned up closely to his neck, 
 was all well enough in its way, but when the upper part of it 
 was entirely concealed by a large, flowing Byron shirt-collar, 
 the proximity became somewhat inconsistent. A broad- 
 brimmed, low-crowned, long-furred hat, which he held in his 
 left hand, and a very delicate, flexible, dandified, whalebone 
 walking-cane, which he poised lightly and rather gracefully 
 between the thumb and forefinger of his right, served, very 
 materially, to heighten the incompatibilities of his appearance. 
 His face, which was pale, and possessed some traces of 
 beauty, presented, if possible, even more incongruous ap 
 pearances than his dress. There was about it a well-marked, 
 although not very easily to be described, air of self-import 
 ance, combined with a certain degree of mock humility, and 
 smirking politeness, which latter was gradually shaded away 
 into low cunning ; giving to his physiognomy an exceedingly 
 dubious expression, which had, on more than one occasion, 
 induced him to be mistaken for some distinguished personage, 
 travelling incog., a Methodist minister on the circuit, or a 
 horse-thief on a professional tour. 
 
 " Mr. Dixey," said he, in a tone of cool, steady determi 
 nation, as soon as that gentleman had recovered his ordinary 
 powers of breathing, a process which, for some time, seemed 
 to be involved in considerable doubt, " I have called upon you 
 in regard to a little business matter. You are President of 
 the Liberty Anti-slavery Society." Mr. Dixey gave a quite 
 decided nod, as much as to say " that he was the gentleman 
 alluded to, and felt proud of the station." Mr. Burton con 
 tinued : " As such, you have the sole power of appointing 
 all the committees. In doing so, you can pack them so as
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 19 
 
 to effect any purpose which you may desire to accomplish." 
 The Hon. President smiled blandly, as if the reflection was 
 one of a peculiarly agreeable nature. " In the Convention 
 of to-morrow, amongst other business, a new committee is to 
 be appointed to select the Underground Mail-agent for the 
 ensuing year. Now, I have understood, sir, that I, who have 
 not only devoted my time, my talents, and my energies, to 
 our noble and holy cause', but have perilled my life in it, am 
 to be overslaughed to make room for Mr. Frank, just because 
 he happens to be a particular friend of yours ! May I ask, 
 sir, whether my information is correct?" 
 
 " Well yes, to a certain extent, it is," replied Mr. Dixey, 
 coolly. " You are not to be exactly overslaughed, but cir 
 cumstances render it necessary that Mr. Frank should be the 
 principal agent for the next year ; and so you can just bet 
 your head on it that it is going to be done ! You can, how 
 ever, if you choose, receive the appointment of sub-agent" 
 
 "A sub-agent! I a sub-agent! I, who have labored for 
 years in the cause ! I, who know every station from Mary 
 land to Canada ! I, who know every mode and manner of 
 inducing negroes to leave their masters, and am acquainted 
 with every means of carrying them through safely. I I, to 
 act as sub-agent ! and Mr. Frank, who knows nothing about 
 the practical operations of our principles, and whose very 
 simplicity and honesty of heart would lodge us in a Southern 
 prison in less than forty-eight hours after crossing Mason and 
 Dixon's line, to be appointed my superior ! Do you think I 
 am a fool, sir?" Here Mr. Dixey muttered something in 
 reply, intimating that a man's thoughts were his own private 
 property ; which modest expression of opinion had the only 
 effect of producing a still greater excitement, in the already 
 over-stimulated Mr. Burton. 
 
 " Do you think, sir," he exclaimed, " that you are so far 
 elevated above the common mass, by virtue of your office, 
 that you are no longer responsible for what you do ? If you
 
 20 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 do, sir, let me assure you that you deceive yourself most 
 grossly ! I will go into the Convention, heart and soul ! I 
 will although it will be with reluctance detail to the friends 
 of liberty my services in our common cause, and I will 
 appeal to their gratitude, whether it is right that I should 
 give way to a man who is utterly incompetent to fill my 
 station!" 
 
 " Nothing like blowing one's own trumpet," replied Mr. 
 Dixey, in a most provokingly cool tone of voice ; " nothing 
 like it, even if the horn is only a penny- whistle. I have seen 
 many a doctor, who knew nothing about the most common 
 rudiments of medicine ; many a lawyer, who knew about as 
 much of Blackstone, as a Choctaw does of the Sanscrit , 
 many a statesman, whose knowledge of political economy 
 was equal to a Hottentot's financiering powers, succeed in 
 business by merely blowing his own trumpet. There is 
 nothing like brass, sir nothing like it, in a physical sense, 
 for making good wind-instruments ; and, in a mental and 
 moral point of view, nothing like it for carrying out fame and 
 fortune for a man. Now my own experience, which has been 
 
 pretty extensive " There is no telling how long Mr. 
 
 Dixey would have philosophized in this strain, for he had a 
 striking partiality for reasoning from particulars up to gene 
 ralities, had he not been cut short in the midst of his com 
 parisons by a determination, on the part of his companion, to 
 enjoy a full share of the liberty of speech. 
 
 " No doubt, sir, brass may have answered a very good 
 purpose with you," observed Mr. Burton, bitterly. " But 
 your time must come too. If I am driven to it and it re 
 mains with you to say whether I shall I will expose you 
 publicly in Convention. Do I not know, sir," he added, 
 " that at heart you loathe the cause you are engaged in, and 
 despise and hate the poor down-trodden children of Afric's 
 sunny clime ? Have you not told me so with your own lips ? Do 
 1 not know, sir, that you served with one of the great parties
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 21 
 
 until you found that its members were perfectly acquainted 
 with your character, and would not give you even the lowest 
 office ; and then you joined the other, and because you dis 
 covered that it was too weak to effect any thing, you con 
 nected yourself with the Friends of Freedom, hoping that, 
 by bringing with you some of the reckless renegades from 
 both, you might finally ride into office by our assistance ? 
 And, to give you all the credit that is due to you, I must 
 confess that your schemes, so far, have worked admirably. 
 You have gained the confidence of our friends, and, although 
 your real character is known to a few of the more intelligent, 
 the majority, consisting of fools and rogues, are, as you are 
 undoubtedly aware, in your favor. But then the very height 
 to which a man rises is often the prelude to his more effectual 
 ruin ; for when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, never to hope 
 again. Beware how you act the Cassar ! You may find 
 your Brutus !" This tragical allusion to Roman history must 
 not be construed in a literal sense, by our readers. Mr. 
 Burton was by no means a man of blood. He merely in 
 tended to imply that he would kill him politically ; run a 
 dagger through him in a figurative sense, leaving his corporeal 
 system unharmed by the operation. 
 
 " Much obliged to you, sir," said Mr. Dixey, when this 
 short review of his life was ended ; " much obliged to you 
 for calling up my past life in review. You have done it very 
 well briefly, yet graphically ; and, what is better than all, 
 especially coming from the source it does, the description is 
 tolerably true. There is nothing like reviewing the past 
 occasionally. It is what the log-book is to the sailor. It 
 tells you your courses and bearings ; the distances you have 
 come ; how far you've got to go, and where you are. I had 
 intended to do it myself, but you have saved me the trouble, 
 as far as / am concerned. But, then, this is only a one-sided 
 aspect of the question a kind of ex-parte evidence, as the 
 lawyers say useful as far as it goes; but, nevertheless, it is
 
 22 THE UNDEKGKOTJND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 one-sided. It shows where / stand. Now, in order to take 
 a fair and equal start, for future operations, it is necessary to 
 know where you stand. You have done me the favor to dis 
 cover my position, and, as one good turn deserves another, I 
 will return the compliment." 
 
 " Now, sir, when I am done, if you please," said he, 
 gently waving his hand, as Mr. Burton showed signs of 
 refusing his kindly proffered services ; " now, sir, you well 
 know that you owe your present position to mere accident. 
 A vivid imagination, added to a free flow of language ; a not 
 over-scrupulous regard for dull matters of fact ; an indomi 
 table enthusiasm in anything in which you engaged ; an 
 empty brief, and an insatiable thirst for oratorical renown, 
 were qualities which you possessed, and which first attracted 
 the attention of my predecessor. Now 7 , you also very well 
 know, that you cared but very little, if at all, about Southern 
 slavery. The clanking of chains never disturbed your slum 
 bers ; and, if you only had received a good fee for it, 
 you would have conducted any cause which was ever brought 
 for the recovery of a fugitive. But, unfortunately for you, 
 these briefs, and their attendant fees, went into other pockets ; 
 and when the offer of sixty dollars a month was made to you, 
 to turn your attention to lecturing, and running off negroes, 
 your finances were in a condition which utterly precluded all 
 thoughts of a refusal." 
 
 " Well, well," interrupted Mr. Burton, hastily, " that is 
 pretty correct ; but now I feel for, and sympathize deeply 
 with, the unfortunate victims of oppression. I mourn day 
 and night over their abject condition ; and my daily prayers 
 are for vengeance on their oppressors, and upon this mis 
 named land of liberty, which protects the oppressor in his 
 wrongs and outrages upon the most sacred ties of humanity !" 
 
 " 0! yes of course to be sure you do," observed Mr. 
 Dixey, drily; "things have changed slightly , since then. 
 Salary has gone up from sixty to a hundred and twenty- five
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 23 
 
 dollars a month, which is a very material aid to a man's 
 feelings! Besides that, you've talked so long, and so elo 
 quently upon the subject, convinced so many people, and 
 said the same thing over so often, that you have finally be 
 come thoroughly converted yourself. Such things are very 
 natural and very common. I remember well, when I was in 
 the habit of making stump speeches, I used to repeat the old 
 story about foreign gold being sent here, to control our elec 
 tions, so often, that I finally began to believe it myself; and 
 at times, when lost in fits of mental abstraction, my hand 
 would, unconsciously, wander into my pocket, under the 
 impression that some of it might have found its way there, 
 by mere mistake, and was only undeceived, by finding that 
 the bottom was torn out long before, for want of use. ' 
 
 " But that is not what I was trying to come at. Here are 
 two plain propositions which are to be worked. The first is, 
 that I want to get the nomination for Congress, in to 
 morrow's Convention, the chances of which, you know, are 
 very good. The second is, that you want to go to the State 
 Senate, next fall, the chances of which are, also, very good 
 at present. But, then, things may change very much, in a 
 short time. Now, sir, we understand each other. There is 
 no mistake about that ; and as there is no love lost between 
 us, there is no danger of either one ruining his precious 
 health, to advance the interest of the other, out of pure affec 
 tion ! Our co-operation must be based upon another ground. 
 I need scarcely tell you that it is the ground of policy. If we 
 work together, our success is certain ; if we divide, we may, 
 in turn, destroy each other. I cannot go on much longer, 
 without raising funds in some way; and to cut off your 
 supplies, would bring your career to an abrupt end." 
 
 " That is a true picture of the real state of affairs," said 
 Mr. Burton, in a slow tone of melancholy conviction. " But 
 turning me out of my situation, and giving me an inferior 
 one, is rather a novel mode of working together."
 
 24 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " Well, the fact is," replied Mr. Dixey, " Mr. Frank is 
 very honest in his opinions. He looks upon slavery as not 
 only a heavy sin, which will, sooner or later, call down the 
 vengeance of Heaven upon our country, but he considers it 
 his duty, as a man and a Christian, to resort to any means, 
 fair or foul, which can produce the least effect upon it. Al 
 though he pretends to be and I think he really is a very 
 pious man, I am sure he would not hesitate a moment to 
 supply a runaway negro with a revolver, to shoot his master, 
 or the officers of the law, if they were in pursuit of him." 
 
 " Of course he would not," replied Mr. Burton ; " and, 
 as a patriot and a Christian, it would be his duty to do it. I 
 would do it myself." 
 
 " Oh! of course you would no doubt of it at all; but 
 you'd take good care to tell him not to shoot, until you had 
 got out of pistol-range yourself. Well, what I was going to 
 say is, that Mr. Frank, actuated by these views, wishes to go 
 South, to see the evil in its most hideous aspects, and to per 
 form, as far as lies in his power, his duty to his suffering 
 fellow-creatures. He will consider it quite an honor, if I can 
 obtain ; the appointment for him ; and his wealth and influence 
 will have a very favorable effect upon my nomination. 
 Now, my proposition is this: you let him have the station, 
 but you accompany him as his assistant. He will listen to 
 all your directions, and work for nothing, whilst you pocket 
 the salary, as usual ; and, in return, I will do all I can for 
 you, when your turn comes around for office." 
 
 " So far that is all very good ; but then I, as an inferior, 
 am to do all the work, and he, as the superior, will receive 
 all the credit," said Mr. Burton. " These are things which 
 I cannot agree to." 
 
 " Pooh ! nonsense ! such things are of daily occurrence," 
 replied Mr. Dixey, carelessly. " More than one man has 
 been elected Governor, and even President, upon mere 
 availability, whilst the man of true talent, the Secretary, for
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 25 
 
 instance, managed all the intricate affairs of the govern 
 ment." 
 
 " That makes it all very good for the governors and presi 
 dents, but it comes rather hard upon the secretaries," observed 
 Mr. Burton, dryly. 
 
 " Not at all, not at all. True merit is always appreciated ; 
 the people soon see who does the work, and he then gets the 
 more credit for it. It would be the same way with you. 
 Very few know anything at all about the secret part of the 
 Mail arrangements ; and those who do, will know that you 
 are still the real agent." This view of true merit did not 
 exactly correspond with what he had already said on the 
 same subject ; but, like a shrewd politician, he changed his 
 logic to suit the varying circumstances as they arose. 
 
 Mr. Burton, however, seemed to be favorably impressed 
 with this view ; and it, together with the thought, which had 
 just occurred to him, that Mr. Frank would, in all proba 
 bility, bear all the expenses, leaving his entire salary clear, 
 induced him to agree to the arrangement. 
 
 " So, it is all understood," said Mr. Dixey, as his com 
 panion arose to leave; "you are willing to submit to the 
 change ?" 
 
 "Yes; provided the conditions are all fulfilled, and you 
 use your influence for me, at the proper time." 
 
 " To be sure honor bright !" replied Mr. Dixey. " Well, 
 good-bye, Burton," said he, as that gentleman was about 
 disappearing through the door. "Take good care of your 
 self!" 
 
 Now, this was, certainly, very good and seasonable advice, 
 under all circumstances ; but, when it is remembered that 
 Mr. Dixey had been caring for him during all this conversa 
 tion, it seems to indicate that that gentleman was about to 
 relinquish his guardianship, and to throw him upon his own 
 resources. His remarks, after Mr. Burton had left, seemed 
 to favor this view rather strongly. 
 3
 
 26 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " Of course I'll be about, on all necessary ajad interesting 
 occasions," he said to himself, in a musing tone of voice ; 
 " but whether these conditions will or will not be complied 
 with, depends very much upon circumstances. If they are 
 such as to render it sound policy, why then they will. But 
 if sound policy indicates the necessity of doing something 
 else, why something else will be done. There is nothing 
 like taking the advantage of circumstances ;" and he pro 
 ceeded to apply this doctrine to immediate practice, by 
 drawing forth the drinkables, and re-applying himself to them 
 with the same degree of assiduity that we witnessed in the 
 early part of this chapter. A short time sufficed to throw 
 him into a deep sleep, in which state we will leave him, to 
 seek some repose for ourselves, in order that we may be 
 refreshed, to engage in the proceedings of to-morrow's Con 
 vention.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 27 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 IN WHICH IS RECORDED A SMALL PORTION OP THE SAYINGS 
 AND DOINGS OP THE CELEBRATED LIBERTY ANTI-SLAVERY 
 CONVENTION. 
 
 NOTWITHSTANDING the previous stormy night, the morn 
 ing's sun arose brightly in the east ; and as its earliest rays 
 beamed cheerfully through the streets, and gilded the house 
 tops, they beheld the usually quiet town of Liberty in an 
 unwonted state of bustle and excitement. A large number 
 of strange faces, from the palest white down to the deepest 
 Ethiopian darkness, were seen in the place ; and every street- 
 corner was filled with groups of white men and black women, 
 and black men and white women, who were apparently 
 engaged in the discussion of some highly exciting subject. 
 Occasionally, two males of opposite colors, or two females 
 of different shades, and, still more rarely, two whites, might 
 have been seen conversing together ; but nowhere could two 
 negroes have been found in each other's company. In fact, 
 they seemed most studiously to avoid each other ; and when 
 compelled to pass in the street, they were extremely careful 
 always to look in opposite directions ; which divergence of 
 the axes of vision had the double effect of displaying a more 
 than usual quantity of white of the eye, and very materially 
 increasing the proportional cases of squinting. A negro 
 always considered it beneath his dignity to speak to a person 
 of his own color, and would walk whole squares in search of 
 some white person, with whom to interchange sentiment. 
 The generality of whites, too, to do them full justice, seemed 
 to manifest no undue partiality for those of their own color, 
 but would pass each other, with a slight nod of recognition,
 
 28 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 to shake hands with some of their more sable-colored 
 brethren. 
 
 As the morning passed on, the crowd began to increase 
 by fresh accessions to its ranks, and the living tide became 
 directed towards the town-hall ; which was soon filled to 
 overflowing, by a decidedly " mixed assemblage." In going 
 to the hall, they " did not stand upon the order of going, but 
 went at once ;" or in other words, a general scramble took 
 place as soon as the doors were opened, the consequence of 
 which was, that the audience, when seated, presented an ex 
 ceedingly variegated, not to say interesting, appearance. It 
 very strangely so happened, whether designedly or by mere 
 accident, of course we cannot say, that a white person was 
 nearly always found between two blacks, and a black one 
 between two whites ; exhibiting an appearance somewhat 
 analogous to well-cured pork a streak of lean and a streak 
 of fat, except that, in this case, it was a streak of white to 
 a streak of black, freely relieved from a dull monotony by 
 the interspersion of all imaginable shades between the two. 
 Everybody, how r ever, seemed to be well pleased with this 
 arrangement ; especially several rakish-looking old Quakers, 
 who were situated between buxom-looking negro-wenches ; 
 and some huge, amorous-looking negro-gallants, whom Fate, 
 or their own sense of the beautiful, had thrown amongst ex 
 ceedingly pretty little country-girls. In the one instance, a 
 somewhat indefinite amount of sly ogling, and secret pressure 
 of the waist, produced a corresponding rolling of the eye, 
 with an unlimited display of ivory ; whilst in the other, cer 
 tain, at first, sly and sheepish glances, which became gradu 
 ally more bold and undisguised, had the effect of causing 
 some very deep blushes to mantle over fair faces, except in 
 those cases in which all traces of female modesty had dis 
 appeared. 
 
 At precisely ten o'clock, our acquaintance, William R. 
 Dixey, Esq., entered the hall. He was supported on his
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 29 
 
 right by Mr. Burton, the Underground Mail-agent, and on the 
 left, by Job Smith, a gentleman of color, a distinguished 
 fugitive, and a prominent candidate for the Congressional 
 nomination. Upon his entrance he was greeted with con 
 tinuous rounds of applause, and when he took the chair, as 
 permanent President, the cheering was perfectly deafening. 
 As soon as the noise had somewhat subsided, he rose to thank 
 the audience for their kind greeting. 
 
 "I feel," said that distinguished gentleman, "that every 
 cheer which arose as I entered this hall, was a word of hope, 
 a true \vord of cheer to down-trodden Africa ! These spon 
 taneous bursts of feeling are not for me, as a man, but as a 
 representative of a great and noble principle ! They indicate 
 that a day of reckoning is approaching ; that the hour of our 
 deliverance is at hand ; and wo ! wo ! to America, when that 
 day and that hour shall come ! Then shall the bond go free ! 
 Then shall the now feeble and oppressed rise up in the 
 strength and majesty of Truth and Justice ; and the mighty, 
 who now ride in golden chariots and fare sumptuously, be 
 humbled in the dust! Then shall they who are in league 
 with Satan and the spirits of darkness, seal their covenant 
 with the blood of their hearts, and drink the dregs of the cup 
 of their damnation !" In addition to this, the Hon. President 
 made many other remarks of a similarly charitable and 
 Christian-like character, which, on account of their being 
 stereotyped for such occasions, we do not consider it neces 
 sary to insert here. 
 
 Upon the conclusion of this address, the meeting appointed 
 twelve vice-presidents, in which both sexes were represented, 
 and the different shades of color by no means neglected ; 
 after which, the executive committee, through their chairman, 
 made their annual report, from which it appeared that, during 
 the past year, they had succeeded in freeing two old women, 
 one man, and three children, from their masters, at an 
 aggregate expense of six thousand, nine hundred and ninety- 
 2*
 
 30 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 nine dollars, and ninety-nine cents, in which was included 
 the sum forfeited as recognizance for the gentleman who had 
 been arrested on account of his exertions in behalf of freedom, 
 and liberated on bail. In consideration of their arduous 
 labors, and their happy results, which could not fail to pro 
 duce a very material influence upon the stability and perma 
 nency of Southern institutions, the committee begged leave 
 to be discharged, which was granted, and their successors 
 were appointed by the President. 
 
 The next business in order was the nomination of a can 
 didate for Congress, which resulted, on the third ballot, in the 
 selection of Mr. Dixey over his able competitor, Mr. Job 
 Smith, the gentleman of color, by a vote of two to one. 
 
 This nomination was declared, by those who termed them 
 selves the real friends of the slave, as utterly inconsistent with 
 their avowed professions of the equality of the races ; and as 
 not only insulting to the colored population, but as a living, 
 practical libel upon their principles of faith. After giving 
 utterance to this decided expression of sentiment, they pro 
 nounced the Convention " an unclean thing" an opinion 
 which was strongly supported by its physical appearances 
 "the beast spoken of in Revelations," "a humbug," "a 
 political gambling-shop," and that they would " go out" from 
 it ; which they accordingly did, and the world took no cogni 
 zance of the act, but continued to revolve on its axis just as 
 if nothing at all had happened ! 
 
 As soon as this little episode had passed off, another scene 
 of the utmost confusion followed. Everybody seemed to be 
 seized with a desire to say something which was absolutely 
 requisite for the good of the cause. At least a dozen men, 
 and an equal number of women, all claimed the floor at the 
 same time, and it was utterly impossible to say who was, or 
 who w r as not, entitled to it. All imaginable kinds of resolu 
 tions were offered as the sense of the meeting, amidst a 
 horrible confusion of cheers, groans, shrieks, and hisses.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 31 
 
 One man offered a resolution asserting that the American 
 Declaration of Independence told a wilful and deliberate lie, in 
 saying " that all men were born free and equal," whilst slavery 
 was tolerated by law. Another offered a resolution that the 
 Constitution of the United States be forthwith amended, so as 
 to secure equal rights to all, without regard to color. Quite a 
 large number expressed opinions favorable to an immediate 
 dissolution of the Union ; whilst others again, meekly asserted 
 their belief that the country was so deeply sunken in iniquity 
 and oppression, that the hand of no moral resurrection would 
 ever be able to reach it. 
 
 Sentiments were expressed in favor of the United States 
 dethroning all the crowned heads of Europe, and giving 
 universal freedom to their subjects ; whilst some contended 
 that this government was, itself, the most tyrannical in existence, 
 and, therefore, utterly unfit to propagate principles of liberty. 
 An exceedingly sharp-featured, brazen-faced, middle-aged 
 lady, who had been making a speech for the last half hour, 
 about nobody knew what, finally succeeded in making herself 
 heard, in favor of " Wotnen's-rights ;" which she defined to 
 be, giving every woman her own private property, with a 
 discretionary power over that of her husband ; with a right 
 to vote, to hold office, to engage in all professional pursuits, 
 and, in short, to enjoy all the immunities and privileges 
 of men, without their cares and responsibilities. An ex 
 tremely scaly, seedy-looking fellow, with at least a dozen 
 holes in his hat, and an innumerable quantity of the same in 
 his coat and pants, offered a resolution in favor of a general 
 distribution of the public lands amongst the people. 
 
 Mr. Burton, who had hitherto said nothing, but seemed to 
 be lost in the contemplation of some remarkably profound 
 and abstract subject, now arose to his feet, with the air of a 
 dramatic King Richard, amidst a general buzz of attention 
 and a considerable diminution of noise. He alluded in very 
 eloquent terms which were borrowed for the occasion, from
 
 32 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL- AGENT. 
 
 Dwight's Sermons to the melancholy death of Abel and the 
 atrocious wickedness of his brother Cain. Taking this as a 
 convenient starting-point, he reviewed all the wars of ancient 
 and modern times; dwelling largely upon the torrents of 
 blood which had been shed, and which, he said, would, if 
 collected into one vast reservoir, form a lake sufficiently large 
 to drown all the slaveholders in the country. This novel 
 view of the subject produced different impressions upon dif 
 ferent persons. Those whose minds seemed too entirely en 
 grossed by the bloody part of the description, groaned very 
 mournfully, whilst several highly hysterical-looking ladies 
 manifested well-marked symptoms of going off into imme 
 diate and violent convulsions, but finding that nobody noticed 
 them, they very wisely postponed the exhibition to a more 
 seasonable period. Others, whose imaginations dwelt less 
 upon the bloody lake than the use to which the speaker 
 seemed willing to apply it, were much delighted by the pros 
 pect held forth, and showed their feelings by alternate 
 stamping, clapping of hands, and vociferous cheering. In 
 conclusion, the learned orator moved that: 
 
 " Whereas war, under all circumstances, is an outrage upon 
 all the feelings of humanity ; utterly derogatory to the cha 
 racter of rational beings ; at variance with the laws of God ; 
 and a direful source of human misery, therefore : 
 
 " Be it resolved, That the Liberty Anti-Slavery Convention 
 earnestly recommends to the consideration of the government 
 of the United States, the propriety of calling, in conjunction 
 with the other powers of the world, a Universal Peace Con 
 gress, to which shall be referred all differences arising between 
 different nations, and the decisions of which shall be final." 
 
 The reading of this resolution was greeted with over 
 whelming bursts of applause, after the subsidence of which, 
 an excessively bustling-looking little gentleman, who appeared 
 to be a lawyer, arose, and moved as an amendment, " that 
 in case any nation refused to become a party to the Congress
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 33 
 
 aforesaid, or having become a party thereto, refused to sub 
 mit to its decisions, it shall be the duty of said Congress to 
 attach the nation so offending, for contempt ; and upon its 
 failing, through its proper attorney or otherwise, to furnish 
 satisfactory reasons for its so doing, it shall be lawful for the 
 powers represented in the Congress to exterminate the inhabi 
 tants of said nation from the face of the earth, and devote 
 the proceeds arising from the sale of its territory to the pro 
 mulgation of the general doctrines of Peace." 
 
 This amendment gave rise to a violent and prolonged dis 
 cussion riot because any doubts were entertained in regard 
 to its justice, but because it was considered premature. Mr. 
 Burton himself, contended that great and general principles 
 of right needed no legislation for carrying them into effect. 
 They took care of themselves ; just as, in the same manner, 
 it was considered not necessary to provide for the negroes in 
 the event of their emancipation ; the first and most important 
 matter being to liberate them, and this once accomplished, 
 they might look out for themselves. This argument, which 
 was strictly in accordance with sound doctrines, carried the 
 day, and the amendment was accordingly voted down by a 
 large majority, and in a very loud tone of voice. 
 
 After this amendment was disposed of, a pale-faced, grave- 
 looking gentleman, who united in himself the double cha 
 racter of Methodist preacher and Homoeopathic physician, 
 offered an amendment that : 
 
 " Whereas calomel and blood-letting, in the hands of 
 regular physicians, have caused more deaths than all the wars 
 that ever have been, or ever will be waged: Therefore, 
 resolved, That Congress be requested to pass a law imme 
 diately, expunging them from the Materia Medica, and 
 rendering it a penal offence for any person or persons what 
 soever to employ them in the treatment of disease." 
 
 He was just about to call for a vote upon this question of
 
 34 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 medico-political policy, when he was requested to yield the 
 floor to a highly nervous-looking young lady, who declared 
 herself to be a Spiritual Medium, and asserted that she had, 
 on divers occasions, called up the departed spirit of General 
 Washington, to consult him in regard to the affairs of this 
 corrupt and polluted country. She also stated that he was 
 very angry with the government on account of its numerous 
 wars, and also because slavery was not immediately and 
 unconditionally abolished ; both of which he was now, in his 
 present condition, fully aware, were contrary to the Declara 
 tion of Independence, and the true spirit of Christianity. 
 
 This allusion to Christianity brought the sharp-featured 
 woman, who had already spoken so earnestly in favor of 
 Women's-rights, to her feet. She looked upon it not only 
 as the most palpable piece of superstition and imposition that 
 had ever been palmed off upon a credulous world, but she 
 felt no hesitation in declaring that it was used as a prop and 
 support to our abominable system of slavery ; that its teach 
 ings, and the constructions placed upon them, were at direct 
 variance with the immutable principles of Women's-rights 
 as they were now understood ; and this fact alone was a suffi 
 cient proof that it was not true. In addition to this, she 
 looked upon it as a kind of superstitious safeguard to tyranny 
 and oppression ; interspersed, occasionally, with some good 
 moral precepts, merely for the purpose of rendering it more 
 palatable and covering its open absurdity. In short, she felt 
 convinced, that a blind subserviency to it, whether arising 
 from innocent ignorance, or inexcusable fear, had operated 
 detrimentally to the progress of sound and enlightened prin 
 ciples ; and that the time had arrived for the Friends of 
 Freedom to break its shackles, which had hitherto crippled 
 their energies, and bound their hands with a power more 
 galling, if possible, than the iron fetters of the Southern 
 slave.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 35 
 
 This somewhat fiery ebullition of female virtue and meek 
 ness was hailed with mingled cries of, "Good! good!" 
 " Turn her out !" " Freedom of thought and freedom of 
 speech !" " Tom Paine and Fanny Wright !" agreeably 
 interspersed with hisses, groans, cheers, stamping, clapping 
 of hands, waving of handkerchiefs, and a general variety of 
 all sorts of manifestations of individual feelings. How long 
 this truly exhilarating state of affairs would have continued, 
 it is impossible to say, had not some person, just about the 
 time that a state of general exhaustion and want of breath 
 was about to supervene, raised the cry of "Question!" 
 This simple word was repeated from mouth to mouth, as if it 
 possessed talismanic virtues; and shouts of "Question!" 
 " Question !" " Question !" arose loud above all the din and 
 confusion of the meeting. 
 
 During this time, it was observed that the President ges 
 ticulated very violently ; became exceedingly red in the face ; 
 and moved his lips with great rapidity, as if he was saying 
 something in a very loud tone of voice ; but what it w r as, no 
 body could hear. Finally, as soon as the noise had some 
 what subsided, from mere physical exhaustion, it was under 
 stood that he was asking the simple and very natural informa 
 tion, as to what question the meeting wished to vote upon. 
 This reasonable inquiry was answered by a simultaneous cry 
 of " Mine !" " Mine !" " Mine !" issuing from at least fifty 
 different persons. So Mr. Dixey did exactly what anybody 
 else, in his situation, would have done ; he told all that were 
 in favor of the question to say "Aye," and those opposed to 
 it to say "No ;" whereupon every man, supposing that he 
 was voting in favor of his own resolution, shouted most ener 
 getically in the affirmative ; and the chair stated that all the 
 resolutions before the meeting had passed with the utmost 
 unanimity of sentiment. The labors of the Convention 
 having reached this happy and satisfactory termination, three 
 cheers were given for the speedy emancipation of Southern
 
 36 THE UNBEBGEOUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 slaves ; six for universal freedom ; and twelve for a general 
 reform in everything ; followed by three groans for the 
 crowned -heads of Europe ; six for Southern slave-holders; 
 and twelve for the President of the United States and Con 
 gress ; when the Convention adjourned sine die, and amidst a 
 general confusion. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 SHOWING THAT CHARITY DOES NOT ALWAYS BEGIN AT HOME, 
 NOTWITHSTANDING THE HIGH AUTHORITY IN ITS FAVOR. 
 
 ON the evening following the Convention, Mr. Frank was 
 seated in his parlor, gazing sadly on the comforts of his 
 own fireside, which he was soon to leave, perhaps forever. 
 The thought that he might never pass another night in 
 his own happy home, grated harshly on his mind ; but the 
 course which he was about to pursue seemed to him to be 
 his plain duty to follow ; and where duty led the way, he 
 never faltered. Principle was the morning star, the life, the 
 hope, the sum of his existence ; and to it he w r ould sacrifice 
 anything and everything that was near and dear to him. 
 
 A kinder, nobler heart than his, never beat in a human 
 breast. It beat in harmonious unison with misery and suf 
 fering. Its pure and noble promptings shed a mild and calm 
 halo around his countenance, and covered his features with a 
 perpetual smile of kindness and benevolence. The poor and 
 wretched looked up into his face with an abiding confidence, 
 and beheld, in its silent yet eloquent expression, the certain 
 promise that their confidence was not misplaced. There was 
 a pure spirit of love and philanthropy about it, which 
 banished the tremulous quiver from the lip, and dispelled the 
 dim mists which gathered over the eyes of the sad victims
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 37 
 
 of poverty and misfortune. His feelings of charity induced 
 him never to turn those that asked empty from his door ; 
 and although his very goodness of heart rendered him often 
 liable to imposition, his liberality never diminished. He 
 knew well that he could not always distinguish between the 
 worthy and the unworthy ; and he consoled himself with the 
 thought that, if he did give to those that were not deserving, 
 he never denied the destitute ; and that, although the former 
 might turn his charity to bad purposes, he was not responsible 
 for it. His motives were pure, and his nightly prayers were, 
 that God would judge him in accordance with them. He 
 felt a secret, indescribable conviction that those prayers would 
 be answered ; and who shall say that he hoped in vairi ? 
 
 His daughter, a fair young girl, apparently about twenty 
 years of age, was sitting by his side. For along time neither 
 spoke. 
 
 " Oh! father," she said, in a low, musical tone of voice, 
 rendered touchingly sweet by its deep pathos of grief, "I 
 cannot, cannot think of your leaving me ! You have never 
 left me for a single week ; you have always been the kindest 
 of parents to me ; and you have more than supplied the 
 absence of that mother's love which I have never felt. Oh ! 
 how could I live without you !" 
 
 "Emma, Emma, my dear," said Mr. Frank, in a thick, 
 choked voice of forced calmness, which bespoke the poignant 
 feelings of an agonized heart more truly than the most violent 
 outbursts of grief, "you know that it is hard, very hard for 
 me to leave you ; but the advancement of a great principle 
 demands it, and you, certainly, would not wish me to be 
 recreant to my duty." 
 
 " No, no," replied Emma ; " but oh ! father, if you should 
 be discovered, and cast into a Southern prison, oh! it would 
 break my heart!" 
 
 "For your sake, my dear," replied Mr. Frank, solemnly, 
 *' I hope it may not occur ; but as for myself, I would rather 
 4
 
 38 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 die in prison, aye ! perish ignominiously upon the scaffold, 
 than to fail in the performance of my duty. I would rather 
 meet my God with a rope around my neck, than neglect 
 an opportunity of assisting the oppressed." 
 
 "That is true, father; but all men do not see things 
 alike," replied Emma, seriously. " We are weak, erring, 
 fallible creatures, and may magnify evils which we do not 
 fully understand." 
 
 " Yes ; but this evil of slavery we do understand ! We 
 know all about it ! It is a Heaven-cursed system ; a disgrace 
 to the age we live in ; a foul stigma upon the otherwise fair 
 escutcheon of our country's honor. In some things we may 
 err ; but there is no possibility of mistaking noon for mid 
 night, light for darkness ; the promptings of holy feelings for 
 the secret workings of the spirit of evil !" 
 
 "It is a terrible evil,, God knows!" replied Emma, so 
 lemnly ; " but how is it to be removed ? The inducements 
 held out to slaves to escape from their masters, seem to me 
 to have produced the very natural effect of rendering the 
 masters more watchful and tyrannical towards those who 
 remain." ; 
 
 " That is true, that is true," replied her father, mechani 
 cally, as if the thought was rather a new one ; " but then we 
 cannot help that. We are working for the advancement of a 
 principle ; we are opposing slavery as a moral and political 
 question ; and although our very exertions may, as you say, 
 make masters more tyrannical, this is not our fault. We 
 cannot help that ; our motives are good. The practical 
 operations of every great moral principle are attended by 
 minor evils, which, much as we may deplore them, cannoi 
 be avoided. The propagation of the Christian religion, 
 though founded in the simplicity of truth, love, and good 
 will unto all men, was attended by persecutions and wars, at 
 which humanity shudders. The Protestant Reformation was 
 accomplished through attendant evils, familiar to all. Our
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 39 
 
 own glorious struggle for a national existence was attended 
 by a general deprivation, not only of the luxuries, but of the 
 absolute necessities of life ; by the disruption of the most 
 sacred family ties, and by the most direful scenes of blood 
 shed. Yet all these evils are lost sight of, or are only regarded 
 as necessarily following in the train of great principles. 
 Minor evils are absorbed in the greater good." 
 
 " But then we should be sure," replied his daughter, 
 " that the good really does overbalance the evil. Now it 
 seems to me but then perhaps I do not understand it that 
 the good which is accomplished, by running away a few hun 
 dreds of negroes, annually, from their masters, bears a very 
 small proportion to the misery which is inflicted by a more 
 rigid, and, if you please, more tyrannical, treatment of the 
 remaining millions, which is adopted by the slave-holders, as 
 a protection to what they consider their property." 
 
 " That is not the question, my dear," replied Mr. Frank, 
 evasively. *' You are altogether too practical in your ideas. 
 The first question which arises is, is slavery wrong ? This 
 admitted, it follows, as a natural consequence, that it cannot 
 be wrong to remove a wrong ! It cannot be wrong to do 
 right ! If it is wrong to hold our fellow-creatures in chains, 
 it must be right to break those chains whenever, wherever, 
 and in any and every manner that we can. That settles the 
 subject conclusively. These unfortunate victims of oppres 
 sion are the same flesh and blood that we are ; they have the 
 same immortal souls to save as we have ; and, although their 
 skin is darker than ours, they are still our brothers and sis 
 ters, the common children of one God. They are equal to 
 us, in every respect, as rational and accountable beings ; 
 and they should, and in time must, enjoy the same rights and 
 privileges." 
 
 " Yes, that is what makes the evil such a terrible one," 
 replied Emma, in tones of bitter anguish. " They are un 
 doubtedly the same flesh and blood have the same souls
 
 40 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 and it surely cannot be right for one soul, which must give 
 an account of its own doings to the Great Searcher of all 
 hearts, to hold another as property. But, then, what is te be 
 done ? As an abstract question, we should consider them as 
 our equals in every respect, but the difficulty is to apply the 
 doctrine. You might be willing to allow a slave to vote with 
 you at the same ballot-box ; to eat with you at the same 
 table ; to sit with you in the same pew at church ; and you 
 might, perhaps, so far overcome your prejudices, as to sle p 
 with him in the same bed " 
 
 " Well, well," replied Mr. Frank, slowly and emphatically, 
 "I think it might all be done I know it should be done, 
 and it would be done, if we were sufficiently meek and 
 lowly. But, hitherto, I have never been able to come so far 
 myself. The truth is, my spirit is too rebellious. But it can 
 be done many of our friends do all those things which you 
 have mentioned, Emma ; but I never could overcome my 
 prejudices so effectually, although I have tried very hard." 
 
 " I know they do," replied Emma. " I have seen enough 
 of that, myself. Enough to shock all my feelings. I do not 
 wish to judge anybody, so help me God ! but then I cannot 
 but believe that these things are done, in the large majority 
 of cases, for mere effect. I have seen our white friends, 
 again and again, turn the poor white beggar empty-handed 
 from the door, whilst the negro was taken in, fed, clothed, 
 and sent on his way rejoicing. There is an instance fresh in 
 my mind. Last Saturday afternoon, as I \vas going over to 
 friend Jones's, I met a poor, half-clothed, famished-looking 
 child coming towards me. When she came near me, she 
 raised her tearful eyes towards my face. She cast an im 
 ploring look at me, which went to my very soul ; whilst her 
 thin, pale lips quivered with a wild, tremulous motion ; and 
 then, burying her face in her hands, she sobbed as if her very 
 heart would break. I do not know whether there was any 
 thing forbidding in my countenance but then there might
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 41 
 
 have been, for you know it was very cold, and the driving 
 rain, snow and sleet, had almost blinded me ; and although 
 thickly clad, it seemed to nie that I was almost froze if there 
 was, may Heaven forgive me ! But there must have been 
 something repulsive about my looks, for the poor child was 
 about to pass on, if I had not stopped her. 
 
 " ' My poor child,' I said, ' you are clad too poorly to be 
 out in such weather as this. Come with me, and I will give 
 you some better clothes.' 
 
 " Whether there was something in the tones of my voice 
 which was agreeable to her, or my looks became more mild, 
 I do not know ; but as soon as I spoke, she fell down on her 
 knees at my feet, and, catching hold of my dress, she ex 
 claimed, in a voice which I shall never forget, whilst the tears 
 ran in torrents down her thin, pale cheeks, 
 
 " ' Oh ! my dear lady, but you are good. I thought every 
 body was cross and angry. I thought you looked cross, but 
 then I could not see my eyes were full of snow, and there 
 is something like a dark cloud before them all day. But you 
 are not angry ; I know you are not you talk too good. 
 You won't scold me, dear lady, will you ?' There was 
 something so pitiful, so distressing, yet so touchingly sweet, 
 in the child's voice and manner, that I cried with her merely 
 for company's sake. 
 
 " ' Oh ! I was afraid to speak to you,' continued the child, 
 in a voice broken by emotion, ' I was afraid you would scold 
 me too ! I have been scolded so much to-day, that I feel 
 quite weak here,' and she laid her little hand upon her breast, 
 which heaved convulsively. ' Mother is so very sick I am 
 afraid she will die. I have been out all day, and yesterday, 
 and the day before that, to try to get something for her to eat. 
 She has no fever any more, and I am sure if she had some 
 bread or meat to give her strength, she would get well again. 
 But then everybody scolded me when I asked for something 
 to eat, and told me that I was a good-for-nothing little run- 
 4*
 
 42 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 away; that I should go to work, and that honest people 
 needn't beg ; and said so many more things, and talked so 
 rough that I felt sometimes as if I must lay down in the snow 
 and die ; and I believe I would, if it had not been for the 
 thought of my poor mother, who I knew would starve if I 
 did not get some food for her.' 
 
 , " f I suppose,' she resumed after a short pause, during which 
 my heart was too full to offer her any consolation, ' that the 
 handsome ladies and gentleman thought that I was not honest, 
 or they would not have said so. But indeed they were wrong, 
 my good lady indeed they were. I do not look bad and 
 wicked, do I ?' she said, raising her pale, watery, blue eyes 
 to my face, with a look so innocent and truthful, that it must 
 have melted any heart that was not as hard as flint. ' I know 
 I am not near as good as I ought to be, but I never told a 
 lie ; I never wished to injure anybody, and I never took any 
 thing which didn't belong to me, because mother wouldn't 
 like it, and because God, who, she says, is the father of us 
 all, and is very good, would not like it either.' 
 
 " ' That is right, my good child,' I said, as soon as I 
 could find words to speak, ' that is right. Do the bidding 
 of the Lord, and he will not forsake you.' 
 
 " ' That is just what mother says,' she replied, ' but then I 
 have been much tempted. Yesterday I saw a very nice piece 
 of bread lying on the table in a farmer's kitchen nobody 
 was there to see me, and it appeared as if somebody said to 
 me that I should take it, that it would never be missed, and 
 that it would not be wrong to take it, to keep my dear good 
 mother, who is my only friend, from starving. But I remem 
 bered what she had often told me, and I did not. When I 
 came home and told mother, she caught me in her arms and 
 kissed me, and told me that I was a good girl, that when I 
 would die I'd go to Heaven and live on the bread of life in 
 that happy place, where there were no rich and no poor, but 
 all were the children of God.'
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 43 
 
 " ' When I came to that large stone farm-house,' she con 
 tinued, pointing towards Mr. Jones's house, ' I was sure that 
 I would get some food. Everything looked so comfortable 
 and plenty about the place, that I knew they would not miss 
 it, if they would give me victuals enough to last a good long 
 week.' 
 
 " 'Well, my dear child,' I said, 'they certainly gave you 
 something !' 
 
 " ' Oh, no ! ma'am, they did not. The gentleman who came 
 to the door, said that in this country everybody that was 
 honest and wanted to labor could get work ; and that he had no 
 doubt, but that my parents spent their time loafing about, and 
 their money for rum, and sent me around to beg foo*l which 
 they were too lazy to work for. Oh ! he said so, indeed he 
 did,' she said, observing that I looked incredulous, 'and 
 when I told him that if he would only give me a little piece 
 of bread for mother, I would come back as soon as she was 
 well, and work for him as much and as long as he wanted 
 me, he said he was now sure that I was good-for-nothing, 
 and that I w r ould never show myself again, and that if I did, 
 it would only be to get a chance to steal something.' 
 
 " After taking her along home with me, and giving her 
 some warm clothing and food, I went over to neighbor 
 Jones's to see whether Rachel, who has been suffering severely 
 from the rheumatism, was any better. When I came there, 
 I found Mr. Jones sitting at the supper-table by the side of a 
 huge negro, who, he said, was a fugitive. He spoke to me in 
 his usual strain of frenzied eloquence in regard to Southern 
 slavery, and about our duty as Christians towards our colored 
 brethren and sisters. I could give him no answer, for my 
 mind was filled with the thought of the poor, broken-hearted 
 little girl, and her sick, starving mother, and I felt at that 
 moment that the most cruel slave-master living, must have a 
 heart pure as the driven snow, compared with his. Now, 
 whether he takes in and feeds the runaway slave, whilst he
 
 44 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 drives the fatherless and starving child from his door, merely 
 for the sake of producing an effect, or does so out of greater 
 affection for the one than the other, then, in either case he is 
 a but no, I will not judge him but in either case I hope 
 God will forgive him, and give him a knowledge to know 
 better." 
 
 " If anybody else had told me this of neighbor Jones," 
 said Mr. Frank, as he rose abruptly from his chair and shook 
 his clenched fist in a direction which corresponded with a 
 straight line towards neighbor Jones's front door, and in a 
 manner utterly inconsistent with his character as a member 
 of the Peace Society, " besides you, Emma, I would not 
 have believed it. I have long since thought, that some of our 
 friends placed themselves on a level with the blacks through 
 motives of hypocrisy, but I would have thought that Mr. 
 Jones would be the last. But the human heart is deceptive 
 above all things," he added, in a musing tone of sorrow. 
 "But he cannot have the good of the cause at heart; there 
 is where his error lies ; and mine whilst I have the good of 
 the cause fully at heart lies in my wicked prejudices. We 
 have all our faults and short-comings, and who shall say unto 
 his neighbour, ' I am holier than thee.' 
 
 "But, Emma," he resumed, after a short pause, "there 
 are some persons who are superior to all my weak prejudices, 
 and who place themselves upon an equality with the negro 
 in every social relation ; and do it, too, without being influ 
 enced by any hypocritical motives." 
 
 " Yes, I know there are such persons," replied Emma, 
 with an archful and meaning smile ; " but, as far as external 
 appearances go, they do not seem, in general, to be shining 
 lights, in a moral or religious sense. For instance, there was 
 Nelly, our cook, who ran off with yellow Jim, she was cer 
 tainly not an exemplary pattern of morality, either before or 
 after that happy event ; yet they live together upon as ami 
 cable terms, and love each other as dearly, I suppose, as two
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 45 
 
 persons well can, who spend all their money for rum, and get 
 drunk every day before dinner, if they can obtain the neces 
 sary quantity of liquor. Then there was Yankee Joe, Aunt 
 Dorothy's coachman, who left two wives, and a rather uncer 
 tain number of children, down East, and married black Susan, 
 who, you may remember, possessed a wonderful talent of 
 acquiring property upon which other people held prior claims. 
 Ah ! I see you remember her," she continued, as she observed 
 a peculiar, painful, twitching sort of smile playing around her 
 father's mouth, occasioned by the recollection of the myste 
 rious disappearance of a valuable gold watch, on the evening 
 of Susan's departure. " Well, I think you will agree with 
 me that, in both of those cases, their feelings of lo*:e were 
 not the result of any superabundancy of moral excellencies."
 
 46 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 SHOWING THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY TO PERSONS NOT PRE 
 PARED TO ENJOY THEM; AND, ALSO, HOW A CELEBRATED 
 
 PHILANTHROPIST " TOOK THE FUGITIVES IN," IN A DOUBLE 
 SENSE, AND THEN TURNED THEM OUT AGAIN. 
 
 WHAT reply Mr. Frank would have made to the little 
 reminiscences which his daughter called up, at the close of 
 the preceding chapter, we have no means of knowing. The 
 appearance of his countenance indicated an anxious desire to 
 say something, with rather an indefinite comprehension as to 
 what it should be. The consequence was, that an awkward 
 pause ensued, which was fortunately relieved by the servant 
 announcing that a black man and woman wished to see 
 him. 
 
 " Show them in," said Mr. Frank ; and in a few minutes 
 they entered the room. 
 
 The man was a huge, tall negro, of a color which dry- 
 goods merchants would term, " dyed in the wool, and war 
 ranted not to fade." His companion presented a somewhat 
 different appearance. Her stature was very short ; but what 
 it lacked in length was amply made up in thickness. Her 
 complexion was a shade lighter than that of her husband, 
 giving to her face an extremely dirty, greasy, *molasses- 
 colored hue. In her arms she carried a child, apparently 
 some five or six months of age, which presented unmis 
 takable evidence of being the joint product of herself and the 
 dark-colored gentleman. Although differing somewhat in 
 their personal appearances, there was a striking uniformity in 
 their dress. All three were clothed by a combination of 
 patches, rags, fringes, tatters, straps, ropes, and various other
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 47 
 
 nondescript kind of articles, most strangely blended together. 
 In fact, it would have been utterly impossible for the closest 
 observer, to have discovered whether their apparel was made 
 up synthetically, by tying up old rags into masses, or was 
 produced by the more common, analytical method of tearing 
 up whole clothes into pieces. 
 
 They both stood gazing at Mr. Frank and Emma, and at 
 each other, alternately, with looks made up of about equal 
 proportions of drunken gravity and ignorant stupidity, occa 
 sionally diversified by a would-be knowing and comical wink 
 from the man, accompanied by a low, guttural laugh, which 
 apparently arose from the very bottom of the woman's sto 
 mach, and issued from her mouth with a peculiar mumbling, 
 muttering kind of noise. 
 
 " Sit down, my friends," said Mr. Frank, after vainly 
 attempting to define their pantomimic movements. This 
 simple request was immediately complied with, by the female 
 bundle of rags letting herself drop down upon the floor, with 
 a considerable greater degree of force than ceremony, whilst 
 the man burst into a hearty laugh. 
 
 "Yah! hi! hi! ha! yah! I see Massa Frank don't 
 'member poor Tom, whom he help away from his old massa 
 and de bon's ob slavery. But den how should he 'member 
 me liberty makes dre'ful changes in a man, it does !" 
 
 There was no denying this fact. It had made dreadful 
 changes in poor Tom and his wife, although, perhaps, not in 
 the precise sense which he meant to convey. When he left 
 his master, some two years previously, through the persua 
 sions of Mr. Frank, he was a well-dressed, obedient, steady 
 man now he was dirty, ragged, and saucy ; and presented, 
 in every respect, most unquestionable appearances of leading 
 a drunken, vagabond life. Mr. Frank seemed to be fully 
 impressed with this truth, and a painful cloud passed over 
 his countenance, as he said : 
 
 " Tom, I am really surprised and sorry to see you here.
 
 48 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 I gave you money enough to carry you to Canada, and I 
 hoped that you were there now, happy in the enjoyment of 
 liberty, the most precious boon that man can have, and willing 
 to earn an honest living by honest labor." 
 
 " Wall, I would be dar dis blessed minit, Massa Frank, 
 but den somehow we didn't git dar. I know we started to 
 go, but something berry 'portant happened to pervent us. I 
 don't know jist now what it was but it was something berry 
 'portant, I know dat," replied Tom, shutting one eye and 
 winking very abstractedly with the other, whilst at the same time 
 he tapped his forehead very energetically with his forefinger, 
 by way of dispelling the mists which obscured his memory. 
 
 " Suse," he resumed, kicking his wife in her ribs, by way 
 of directing her attention and brightening up her ideas, "I 
 say, Suse, wot was de reason we didn't git to Canada?" 
 
 "Now, Tom, you oughter be 'shamed ob yerself," replied 
 Suse, raising herself up with a consequential air. " Dat last 
 pint of whiskey wot you stole down at de store, has made you 
 as drunk as a fool, and you don't know nothin'. You oughter 
 be ashamed to speak to Massa Frank, who has been so good 
 to us, and to whom we owe all de blessin's we now enjoy, 
 ob which Heaven will take notice and reward him." 
 
 Mr. Frank's heart did not respond to this well-meant senti 
 ment in the least. In fact, he hoped that heaven would not 
 take any notice of the matter at all, but allow his goodness 
 to pass entirely unrewarded. 
 
 " Now de reason," continued Suse, in a tone which was 
 intended to be very dignified, but which, owing to the effects 
 of extra allowances of whiskey, was rather thick and guttural, 
 " de reason why we didn't git to Canada in de fust place is, 
 because we met many of our colored bredern and sisters who 
 had been dar, who was comin' back agin. Dey sed it was 
 no place for poor niggers. Dat dey wasn't treated like white 
 folks, but dat de people was berry proud and wouldn't notice 
 colored pussuns more than a dog ; and dat if de niggers stole
 
 ' THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 49 
 
 anything, (ley would cotch 'em and lock 'em up in jail much 
 quicker den in de states ; and so dey was goin' back to dar 
 massers agin, where dey hab plenty of good vittels to eat, and 
 were well cared for. And, in de secon' place, de reason 
 why we didn't git dar was because Tom spent all de money 
 you gib'd him, for whiskey ; and so we had to stop and work 
 for more, and when he got dat, he spent it for more whiskey ; 
 and so we had to go to work agin, and then dat went de 
 same way, and now dat we's got 'customed to it, we like it, 
 and we is berry much under obligeshuns to you for bringing 
 us to de free states, where we can git de money for our 
 work, and spend it for our own 'joyment, instead of its goin' 
 into massa's pocket to help make him rich." 
 
 " Tom," said Mr. Frank, in a solemn tone, " this is truly 
 a sad account of the use you make of your liberty. I had 
 hoped, when I freed you from the bonds of slavery, that you 
 would go to Canada ; that you w r ould settle down there in 
 that land of true liberty, work honestly for a living, and be 
 come a true and faithful Christian ; fearing and serving the 
 Lord, our great Master, so that when your time in this world 
 should draw to a close, you might be prepared to enter that 
 blessed place where sin, sorrow, suffering and oppression are 
 unknown." 
 
 The tears which rolled down Mr. Frank's cheeks, and the 
 deeply painful tone of voice in which he uttered these words, 
 seemed to produce a sympathetic influence on Tom. He 
 raised his head from his breast with a violent jerk that threat 
 ened its dislocation opened his partly closed eyes to their 
 fullest capacity, and made a desperate and partially suc 
 cessful attempt to stand up very straight, and look exceed 
 ingly bright and sober, as he answered : 
 
 " Indeed, Massa Frank, I was berry willin' to work in 
 deed I was, I did work hard for some time ; but den I didn't 
 know how to do it. Work here in de free states is not like 
 it is in de South. When I was on Massa's plantation he used
 
 50 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 to say 1 was de best hand he eber had. I knew all about 
 raising 'bacca, and picking cotton, and tending de rice, and 
 all dat work, but den I couldn't do de work up north because 
 I wasn't used to it ; and when I worked a few days de white 
 Massa would come and turn me off, and say dat I was a 
 dumb, ignorant nigger, and didn't earn my salt, and dat he 
 wouldn't hab me on his place if I paid him ; and dis hap 
 pened so often, dat I lost all courage, as it were, and kind o' 
 didn't hope for nothin." 
 
 " Well, I suppose there is much truth in x what you say, 
 Tom," replied Mr. Frank, thoughtfully, " but that is no 
 reason why you should spend what you did earn for liquor, 
 and come here into my room drunk." 
 
 " Lor! Massa Frank," said Tom, making another powerful 
 effort to stand up very straight, which came very near up 
 setting his equilibrium," Lor ! Massa Frank, I's as sober as 
 a judge!" 
 
 Whether Mr. Frank, in common with ourselves, had seen 
 judges in a condition w r hich would form a very bad standard 
 of comparison, and had, therefore, rather an unfavorable 
 opinion of judicial abstinence ; or his mind was prejudiced 
 by Tom's ineffectual attempts to maintain the perpendicular 
 attitude ; or his olfactories were unpleasantly impressed with 
 the odor that escaped from his mouth, we do not know, but 
 there was an exceedingly dubious expression about his coun 
 tenance, as he answered : 
 
 " Come, Tom, this will not do. The truth is bad enough ; 
 so do not add lying to your other vices." 
 
 " I am sure," he resumed, after a short pause, " that you 
 could have got work from some of our friends, who would 
 not only have taught you and given you good advice, but 
 would have paid you well for your services." 
 
 " Oh, yes! Massa Frank," replied Tom, " dey always had 
 plenty ob work, and plenty ob advice, but den de pay was 
 another thing. We stopped wid old Massa Kimbel at de
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 51 
 
 Dry Land Station. We remained with him four months. 
 I and Suse worked hard, very hard, for him ; we planted his 
 corn, and we hoed it all, and when that was done, I cut wood, 
 and Suse piled it up. We worked from early in de mornin' 
 till late at night ; and we done it willin', 'cause Massa Kim- 
 bel sed we were as free as he was, and dat he would pay us 
 well for what we did ; but somehow or oder he always put de 
 pay day off from time to time. At last, all our clothes 'gin 
 to tear up, and I told him dat I must hab some money, and 
 dat I couldn't and wouldn't w r ork any longer widout it." 
 
 " Well," said Mr. Frank, inquiringly, " I suppose friend 
 Kimbel paid you well, did he not?" 
 
 " No, not zactly, he didn't, Massa Frank ; he .wasn't as 
 good as you was. When I sed I must hab some money, he 
 sed he had none. ' But I will tell thee, friend Thomas,' he 
 sed, ' what I will do with thee. I will give thee an old coat 
 of mine, and mother will give thy wife one of her frocks, so 
 that thee can travel to Canada, because they that traffic in 
 human flesh and blood are upon thy path, and they scent thee 
 from afar; and if thou dost not flee into the land of safety, 
 the hands of the Philistines will soon be upon thee.' 
 
 " And he pulled a paper out ob his pocket, which he sed 
 was printed in Virginny, whar I cum from, and dat it con 
 tained a 'count of my runnin' off, and dat Massa offered 
 three hundred dollars to anybody dat would bring me back. 
 He den read a 'scription, which 'sponded to me zactly; and 
 another which 'sponded to Suse ; and one which 'sponded to 
 baby, which w T as berry curious and strange, 'cause, as how, 
 baby wasn't born until long after we was in Pennsylvanny, and 
 I don't know how Massa know anything at all 'bout it. But 
 de paper 'scribed it just as nat'ral as if Massa had seen it 
 wid his own eyes, and mentioned its name, which was more 
 curious den all. He sed, too, dat he had seen a man, down 
 in de town, dat berry morning, who looked like Massa, and 
 dat he was sure it was him ; and dat we had better hide in
 
 52 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 de barn through de day, and go up to de next station in de 
 night, which we did." 
 
 When Tom mentioned the advertisement, and particularly 
 the description of the baby, Mr. Frank groaned several times, 
 in a very audible and painful manner, most probably on ac 
 count of the abominable cruelty and hard-heartedness of 
 slave-holders advertising and describing innocent babies, 
 whom they had never seen, and of whose very existence it 
 was presumed they were ignorant. 
 
 " When we got up to de next station," continued Tom, 
 " I was berry much afraid dat Massa w r ould cotch us ; so dat 
 I told Massa Custer, whom Massa 'members to hab given 
 me a letter to, all about it, and den he groaned jist as Massa 
 Frank did jist now, and sed as how Massa Kimbel w'as a 
 hard man, and dat he tried to get all de work out ob de poor 
 slaves dat he could, and den he would frighten 'em off, by 
 saying deir Massas was arter deru. But he must hab been 
 wrong though he seemed to be a berry good man 'cause 
 how could Massa Kimbel have read a 'scription of me and 
 Suse, and de baby, jist as kerrect as life, if it hadn't been in 
 de paper ? It must hab been in it dere can be no mistake 
 'bout dat fac. But, den, bein' 'pelled to leave widout gitting 
 any money, after working so hard, cum pretty heavy on a 
 poor feller like me." 
 
 " Well, Tom," said Mr. Frank, after Tom had finished 
 his story, " it is getting late ; you may take Suse and the 
 baby, and go up into the little front room, where you used to 
 sleep ; and in the morning, we will see what can be done 
 for you." 
 
 " Thank you, Massa, you is berry good to poor niggers. 
 If dere was on'y many more like you but den de pity is, 
 dey are mighty scarce dey are!" said Tom, as he and his 
 wife left the room. 
 
 " Well, father," said Emma, as soon as they were gone, 
 " Tom's little history does not illustrate the advantages of
 
 MB. KIMBBL READING THE AD VE BTI S E ME .\ T TO TOM. 

 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 53 
 
 liberty, to a people unprepared for it, in a very favorable 
 light." 
 
 " No, it does not, that is true," replied her father, thought 
 fully. " But then \ve cannot help that," he resumed, with 
 an air of forced determination, as if it was intended to con 
 vince himself as much as his daughter ; " we cannot help 
 that. We assist them to regain their liberty, and if they fail 
 to enjoy the pure fruits of it, and prefer leading a drunken, 
 vagabond life, w r e are not responsible for it. What we do, 
 is done in accordance with sound principles the principles 
 of human rights ; and, as long as our motives are good, we 
 can do no harm. We will be judged upon them, in the final 
 day of judgment, and as they were pure or impure, we must 
 expect to stand or fall." 
 
 "According to that doctrine, I suppose friend Kimbel will 
 not fare very well, when his day of reckoning comes," replied 
 Emma, archly ; " for I am afraid his motives would not bear 
 a very rigid scrutiny." 
 
 " I am afraid not, I am afraid not," said Mr. Frank, 
 gravely. " We, however, do not expect to have all pure- 
 minded men engaged in our work. Bad men, influenced by 
 pecuniary motives, or the prospect of a false fame, will enter 
 into all causes ; and we, of course, cannot expect to be ex 
 empted from them." 
 
 " Well, father," said Emma, speaking very slowly, and 
 with deep- sincerity, "it seems to me, that trying to give 
 freedom to a people who are ignorant of its value ; who do 
 not know how to enjoy it ; who mistake low debauchery and 
 sensuality for freedom of action; and who depend upon 
 others to support them, instead of looking to their own 
 resources upon which everybody must rely in this w r orld 
 is doing them more harm than good. If you had a son, who 
 never knew how to earn money for himself; who was igno 
 rant of its value, and, as a consequence, equally ignorant of 
 its proper use ; and who, instead of using it for the benefit 
 5*
 
 54 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 of himself and others, should squander it with a reckless 
 hand, and employ it only as a means of ministering to his 
 debased, depraved, and vicious appetites, as thousands do, 
 would you think you were conferring a benefit upon him, by 
 placing your fortune at his disposal ?" 
 
 " Certainly not, my fair logician," replied Mr. Frank, at 
 the same time trying to force a very easy and unconcerned 
 smile to his face, which had the effect of giving to it an ex 
 pression not unlike that, which is produced by periodical 
 twitches of the jumping toothache. 
 
 " No, certainly not !" replied Emma, warmly ; " but if, on 
 the contrary, he was not only diligent, honest and indus 
 trious, but knew the value of money knew its proper use, 
 and would devote it only to good purposes, you would feel 
 that it would not only be perfectly right to assist him in his 
 business, but that it would be your absolute duty to do so. 
 
 " The case of our former neighbor," resumed Emma, after 
 a short pause, " young Jacob Last, was one in point. You 
 remember what a good-hearted, hard-working, honest young 
 man he was, before old Sharp, the lawyer, raked up, from 
 some old, musty records, evidence in favor of his claim to a 
 large tract of land, in the western part of the State. You 
 also remember how he gained the suit, on what was esteemed 
 very shallow evidence, and kept one-half of the proceeds of 
 the property for his services in the same manner as friend 
 Kimbel kept the proceeds of Tom's labor, with the slight dif 
 ference, that the one kept only half, whilst the other kept all ! 
 You certainly remember for nobody could forget it how 
 that fortune caused his ruin. A career of extravagance, in 
 which his simple-minded wife participated ; champagne at 
 his meals, followed by wine-parties at the best hotels ; then 
 drinking and carousing about common taverns ; and, finally, 
 terminating in bringing whiskey, by the barrel, to his once 
 happy home, soon dispelled every vestige of his fortune. 
 The death of his wife, in the poor-house, and his own,
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 55 
 
 brought about by mania- h-potu, as usual, closed the scene, and 
 seemed to prove to what sad purposes wealth which is cer 
 tainly a blessing, if properly employed can be applied, in 
 the hands of people who do not know its use. It is so with 
 every thing else. Blessings, to be such, must be properly 
 understood, and properly applied, or else they cease to be 
 blessings, and, instead of being the best boons of Heaven, 
 they wither to a curse." 
 
 " Stop, stop, Emma, dear!" said her father, laughing and 
 attempting to force into his words and manner an air of gay 
 irony, which, owing to the operations of different feelings 
 within, gave to his countenance an exceedingly ghastly and 
 painful expression. " You have already proven your claims 
 as a logician, and as an advocate of political expediency. 
 No statesman at Washington could adduce stronger argu 
 ments in favor of principles yielding to policy than you have 
 done. If you only were a man, you would be one of the 
 saviours of our glorious Union." 
 
 " And why-should not expediency," replied Emma, in a 
 tone which showed that she felt hurt by her father's resorting 
 to irony, instead of argument, " as you call it, but which is in 
 reality nothing more or less than practicability , be taken into 
 consideration in our political, as well as in our personal 
 affairs ? Why not attempt to do all the good that it is possible 
 for us to do, instead of wasting our time, neglecting our op 
 portunities, and consuming our energies, in vain efforts to 
 accomplish the greater good, which is entirely beyond our 
 reach ? If in our daily transactions in life we should be led 
 away by day-dreams, grasping at the thousands which we 
 cannot attain, to the neglect of the hundreds within our 
 reach, many who are now rich and possess the means of 
 doing much good with their wealth, would be in quite a 
 different situation." 
 
 This was truly an argumentum ad hominum. If there was 
 one single trait in his private character, as a business-man,
 
 56 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 upon which he prided himself, it was the practical nature of 
 his mind. He had amassed a large fortune by attending to 
 things fully within his field of action, by never being led away 
 by dreamy speculations and wild visionary plans, but by 
 always confining his transactions to that which was reasonable 
 and practicable. Hundreds of men who commenced business 
 at the same time that he did, were pecuniarily ruined by 
 aiming to arrive at great and sudden wealth, by means so 
 visionary and improbable, that they were barely within the 
 range of possibility ; whilst he, by pursuing the even tenor 
 of his way quietly and calmly, but firmly and energetically, 
 attained a position which few in the business-world reach. 
 He, therefore, did not know exactly wnat reply to make to 
 Emma's comparison, so he bade her good-night, and saying 
 something to himself in an under-tone, which, however, had 
 some relation to " principles," he retired to bed.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 57 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 ILLUSTRATION OF THE PACT THAT PERSONS MAY HAVE A VERY 
 NICE SET OF SENTIMENTS FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES, AND MAKE 
 USE OF QUITE A DIFFERENT SET IN PRIVATE PRACTICE. 
 
 SEVERAL days after the occurrence of the events recorded 
 in the last chapter, Mr. Frank left his home to proceed to 
 Philadelphia to meet Mr. Burton, his sub-agent of the Under 
 ground Mail-line, who resided there, from whence he intended 
 to pass into the Southern States, in order to commence 
 the work of a general emancipation, by running off negroes 
 from their masters. When he arrived in the city, he went 
 immediately to the house of his friend, for the purpose of 
 making the necessary arrangements for an early departure to 
 their field of operations. 
 
 He experienced no difficulty in finding the residence of 
 that gentleman, but, having found it, he was not equally 
 fortunate in gaining admission into it. He gave a gentle 
 pull at the bell-handle, and then waited about ten minutes 
 in the vain hope that the door would be opened. He then 
 gave another pull, and waited about five minutes with the 
 same result ; a third pull, followed by an interval of about 
 three minutes, was equally unsuccessful, and, finally, a suc 
 cessive series of systematic jerks, at the rate of three per 
 minute, with a geometrical ratio of increasing force, produced 
 no better effect. He now substituted a constant pulling pro 
 cess, and was just about coming to the conclusion, that the 
 bells of that place were not intended to notify the people 
 within of the presence of people without, when the door was 
 opened very slowly, and to a very small extent. 
 
 Mr. Frank was not a choleric man, but his patience had
 
 58 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 been severely tested ; and he had, in consequence, made up 
 his mind to tell the person who came to the door, that if the 
 jingling music of bells was not peculiarly agreeable to the 
 occupants of the house, he thought it would be an accommo 
 dation to those on the outside, if they could work through 
 their admission with less labor. But the sight which met 
 his eye was one that instantly dispelled his determination ; 
 and he stood as if transfixed to the spot, gazing at it in silent 
 astonishment. He had read about Casper Hauser, about 
 " wild women of the woods," about different varieties of 
 ourang-outangs, about a tribe of Africans who were a mix 
 ture of the latter with Congo negroes ; and he had seen some 
 strange animals, in his time, of both the human and brute 
 species ; but this could not, with strict propriety, be referred 
 to any of them. 
 
 Its whole body was covered with a single garment of 
 coarse tow-linen ; which, in its shape, bore a striking resem 
 blance to the old, long straight-jacket, which was formerly 
 the only recognized livery in our insane asylums ; with the 
 exception that the top contained an additional appendage, 
 which resembled a hood, and could be drawn over the head so 
 as to answer the purpose of a bonnet, without resorting to the 
 expense of obtaining that article as a separate part of the dress. 
 The arms and face were the only parts that were visible ; all 
 the rest was tow-linen. The upper extremities were entirely 
 naked, and the rough, reddish-black, hairy integument, which 
 covered them, looked very much like a bear-skin, which had 
 undergone a partial tanning process. The head was thrown 
 very far backwards ; so that the face, which was of a deep 
 shining jet-black color, looked almost directly upwards. 
 
 The features were no less singular in appearance. The 
 face was very long, and tapered gradually as it approached 
 the chin, almost to a complete point. The skin of it hung 
 loosely about, in broad folds ; the cheek-bones were quite pro 
 minent ; and its little, peering, deeply^sunken red eyes, which
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT 
 
 59 
 
 were barely visible, all combined to give to it an appearance 
 of extreme age, whilst the child-like simplicity of expression 
 which pervaded its countenance, gave rise to the impression 
 that it belonged to a being which had grown prematurely old. 
 All Mr. Frank's attempts to classify it proved entirely 
 unsuccessful. Finally, in order to test the powers of its 
 intelligence, he asked it, " Whether Mr. Burton lived here." 
 
 The only answer which he received was a sudden sinking 
 down of the nondescript article, which was, no doubt, in 
 tended for an affirmative bow; but which presented very 
 strong indications of the upper half of its body resting upon 
 springs, and possessing the power of receding within the 
 lower half. Satisfied that it possessed powers of compre 
 hension, Mr. Frank next determined to see whether it could 
 speak ; so he asked, " Whether Mr. Burton was in?" 
 
 This question was answered by a similar sinking down of 
 the upper half of the body. Various other questions, which 
 were put in rapid succession, were answered by an equal 
 number of spring-like motions, which kept it constantly bob 
 bing up and down, in a manner more painful than ludicrous 
 to behold. Fully determined to test its powers of speech, 
 Mr. Frank put a question to it which required words in 
 reply. 
 
 " My poor ," but he did not know exactly what to 
 
 call it, so he continued, " you look as if you were miser 
 able. W T hat is your name ?" 
 
 There was always something naturally sweet and kind in 
 his words and voice ; but, on this occasion, they were more 
 than usually so. The poor little creature no sooner heard 
 words of kindness to which she had been a stranger for 
 many a long year than the big tears began to well up out 
 of her deep little eyes, proving most conclusively that she 
 was a human being changed, it is true, but only changed, 
 as almost any being can be, by a prolonged system of tor 
 turing labor, oppression, and brutalized cruelty.
 
 60 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " Oh, go in de'room, Massa !" she said, in a strange, low, 
 hollow, supplicating voice, the very tones of which made 
 her start herself; for, poor child! she had scarcely heard 
 herself speak for years. " Oh, go in de room, Massa !" she 
 repeated, as she observed Mr. Frank hesitate ; " oh ! do dey 
 neber lets me speak to anybody, and if Missis hears me, 
 she'll kill me. Oh, go do, Massa, do !" 
 
 There was something so frantical, so painfully entreative, 
 about the child's voice and manner, that, much as he wished 
 to ascertain more about her, he could not disobey ; so he 
 went in the direction of the door towards which she pointed, 
 and soon found himself in a most gorgeously furnished 
 parlor. He stood gazing, for a few moments, at the rich 
 Brussels carpets, the elegant sofas, and the splendid mirrors 
 which covered the walls, when a door on the opposite side 
 was thrown open, and our former acquaintance, Mr. Burton, 
 entered. He appeared exceedingly glad to see him ; shook 
 hands with a great deal of warmth, and welcomed him with 
 a degree of cordiality which, if it was not sincere, was coun- 
 feited with a fidelity that would have made a fortune for him 
 in the bank-note branch of the business. 
 
 The ordinary compliments had scarcely been exchanged, 
 before the door was again opened, and a very showily-dressed 
 woman came sailing into the room. She wore a rich change 
 able-colored silk dress, very long in the skirt, very short in 
 the arms, and so low in the neck that it left a very large 
 portion of her bust exposed to view ; presenting quite an 
 attractive appearance to those whose ideas of the beautiful 
 were regulated by the magnitude of the object. Her hair 
 was adorned with numerous artificial flowers, and hung down 
 upon her neck in massy ringlets. Her face was quite large, 
 florid, coarse, and vulgar ; and covered with a smile of low, 
 smirking self-importance. Her gait betrayed evident attempts 
 at grace and elasticity ; and, although it did not merge into 
 an absolute leap, strut, or swagger, it seemed to be made up
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 61 
 
 of a strange mixture of all three ; and resembled the motion 
 of a full-rigged English frigate, under full sail, more than 
 anything else of which we have at present any idea. As she 
 approached, Mr. Burton looked at her with an expression of 
 pride and pleasure ; and after indulging in a variety of very 
 affable and emphatic nods, equally distributed between Mr. 
 Frank and the lady in question, he said : " My dear, Mr. 
 Frank; Mr. Frank, Mrs. Burton." 
 
 "I am so glad that you have come to-day, Mr. Frank," 
 said Mrs. Burton, sitting down on the sofa close by his side, 
 and looking very affectionately into his face. Mr. Frank was 
 a very modest man, and would most undoubtedly have 
 fainted away without further ceremony, if any married lady 
 had made similar advances towards him in the absence 
 of her husband. But his strength was supported by the 
 counter-thought of Mr. Burton's presence ; and he looked 
 anxiously at that injured gentleman, to see what action he 
 would take in the premises. A moment's reflection was 
 sufficient to convince him, that he must prepare to have a 
 chair hurled at his head ; or, probably, to be pitched bodily 
 out of the window ; or be tickled to death with a ten-inch 
 bowie-knife under his ribs; but, to his utter astonishment, 
 Mr. Burton was not only as calm and affable as ever, but 
 seemed to be perfectly delighted with their intimate juxta 
 position. So Mr. Frank came to the conclusion which 
 many unfortunate husbands have long since learned, to their 
 sorrow that the customs of the Quaker City tolerate things 
 not known in the country, or enjoined in the Ten Command 
 ments. 
 
 " You are just in time," continued Mrs. Burton, " to see 
 the practical operations of one of the great philanthropic 
 movements of the day. We hold a little meeting, this 
 evening, of ' The Ladies' Philanthropic Sewing Society,' of 
 the labors of which you have undoubtedly heard." 
 
 Mr. Frank was compelled, reluctantly, to acknowledge,
 
 62 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 that he was so far behind the news of the day, that, in 
 stead of being aware of its arduous and disinterested labors, 
 he did not even know of its existence, until the present 
 moment. 
 
 "What! can it be possible!" exclaimed Mrs. Burton. 
 "What! living within a hundred miles of the city, and not 
 aware of the existence of the Ladies' Philanthropic Sewing 
 Society! Indeed, I am almost induced to say, with the poet, 
 that ' fame is but an empty name.' Why, sir, the whole city 
 is delighted, excited, enraptured, absolutely running wild, in 
 regard to its admirable operations. Merchants, lawyers, 
 doctors, ministers, judges on the bench, and editors of news 
 papers, magazines, and even the sober quarterlies, have vied 
 with each other in their eulogistic notices. Business-men in 
 their daily transactions, lawyers in their pleas, doctors in the 
 sick-room, ministers in their sermons, judges in their charges, 
 and editors in their leaders, all speak of us in terms of the 
 highest praise!" 
 
 " Such notices are certainly highly complimentary," said 
 Mr. Frank ; and he was about to qualify it with the proviso, 
 that they were not paid for, when his remarks were cut short 
 by Mrs. Burton. 
 
 " Complimentary!" she exclaimed. "You may well say 
 so! Why, it was but a few weeks ago that Mr. Fustian, one 
 of our most celebrated criminal lawyers whose amiable wife 
 is one of the vice-presidents of our society alluded to us in 
 the most flattering terms, at the close of his great speech in 
 defence of Down-town Bill, who was indicted for two mur 
 ders, and whom he nobly cleared for which he deserves 
 the everlasting gratitude of all true friends of freedom in 
 despite of the most overwhelming and positive proof of his 
 guilt. The learned judge, too whose daughter, by a sin 
 gular coincidence, is our secretary in his charge to the jury, 
 in the same case, spoke of us in language more complimen 
 tary, even, than the eloquent attorney. Both the speech and
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 63 
 
 the charge were published in the daily papers; and, if it 
 would be any satisfaction to you, I will read them." 
 
 Mr. Frank had no desire to have his brain racked to pieces 
 by listening to half-a-dozen columns of dull, dry, learned 
 extracts from Blackstone, from Coke upon Littleton, from 
 Littleton upon somebody else, and from all the other bright 
 luminaries of the law, in their commentaries upon each other, 
 interspersed with the deductions of the able lawyer and judge, 
 whom nobody understood, and the whole dish sweetened by 
 a fulsome, nauseating notice of the Philanthropic Sewing 
 Society. So he begged of her not to trouble herself assured 
 her that her word was sufficient, and that any person who 
 would not believe it would not believe the papers themselves 
 a thing which he always did, unless they differed from him 
 in opinion. Thus adjured, Mrs. Burton continued : 
 
 "In addition to this, Professor Dozem, whose wife is our 
 treasurer, mentioned us in his introductory lecture to his 
 medical students, as co-laboresses in the great work of amelio 
 rating human suffering. The Rev. Dr. Gaser, to whose 
 church we belong, in his sermon of last Sunday, spoke of us 
 in a manner highly becoming a clergyman who watches over 
 the daily walk and conduct of his members." 
 
 " From what you have said, I can readily understand that 
 your city should be highly excited in regard to your labors," 
 said Mr. Frank, dryly, for he began to perceive pretty clearly, 
 how, and by whom, those eulogistic notices were manu 
 factured. 
 
 " The editor of the Herald of Freedom," continued Mrs. 
 Burton, "both of whose daughters are members of the Com 
 mittee on Business, laid aside in his paper the usual half- 
 square notices, and literally sent forth column after column 
 of warmer commendations than were perhaps ever bestowed 
 upon any society in this city, or elsewhere. The same spirit, 
 indeed, has been manifested by nearly all the editors the
 
 64: THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 only question with them, being, as to who should say the 
 most in our praise." 
 
 " There was, however, one man, my dear, who was an 
 exception to the rule," interposed Mr. Burton, meekly, and 
 probably actuated by a laudable pride of showing off' Mrs. 
 Burton's strong points of character, when under the influence 
 of excitement. 
 
 " Yes, there was one exception !" she exclaimed, rising 
 from the sofa, and assuming an air very much like a drunken 
 Lady Macbeth. " Yes, there was a reptile in the shape of a 
 man, who dared to raise the discordant notes of his poisonous 
 voice in opposition to the general harmony and unison of 
 sentiment ! Stubbs Stubbs ! the little, dirty, mean publisher 
 of that low, vulgar paper, ' The Sense of the People,' actually 
 published a long editorial, and called us a humbug! He 
 said that we were not actuated by pure motives ! That it was 
 a sort of mutual puffing concern that was his very expres 
 sion and that it was the duty of each member to puff the 
 whole affair, so as to make individual capital for each to trade 
 upon ! That if we had any great desire to work, why did 
 we not do our work at home, instead of getting it done ; and 
 if we sympathized so deeply with the unfortunate, why did 
 we make poor seamstresses who supported themselves, and 
 often whole families, by their needles, work for wages so low, 
 that frequently they were unable to keep body and soul 
 together!" 
 
 " I, however, scorn to repeat all the slanderous assertions 
 which he made ! But the contemptible fellow has paid dearly 
 for his impudence ! We immediately stopped our paper, as 
 did all the members of our society who had taken it. I 
 really wouldn't pity him if his subscription list should dwindle 
 down to nothing, and he would be compelled to beg his 
 bread in the streets ! I know one place where he wouldn't 
 get anything!" and Mrs. Burton gave vent to a low, sarcastic
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 65 
 
 laugh, contemplative of the pleasure which such a refusal 
 would afford her. 
 
 " But, my dear," said Mr. Burton, after the storm of 
 indignation had somewhat subsided, "you have not yet told 
 our friend the object of your society." 
 
 "Well really, so I hav'n't! I beg your pardon, Mr. 
 Frank, our society was organized to-day, three months ago, 
 by several ladies of this city." 
 
 " Mrs. Burton in the chair," added Mr. Burton, by way 
 of an explanatory parenthesis to Mr. Frank. 
 
 " Yes, my humble self in the chair," said Mrs. Burton, 
 with a very affectionate and tender look at her husband, "but 
 that is not a material point. Our object was, by the efforts 
 of our needles, to prepare a number of fancy articles, which 
 we intended to dispose of at a fair, and devote the proceeds 
 to the general amelioration of the condition of our colored 
 population, and to the establishment of a school for the 
 education of their children." 
 
 " Your object is certainly a very comprehensive and 
 laudable one," said Mr. Frank. 
 
 " And is much required," added Mr. Burton. 
 
 " I should suppose so," said Mr. Frank, mechanically, for 
 his thoughts were running upon the tow-linen servant ; and he 
 wondered whether the society would take her condition into 
 consideration, or whether she was to be one of the scholars. 
 
 " We have succeeded," continued Mrs. Burton, " through 
 exertions, of which no person besides ourselves can form 
 any adequate conception, in getting together a sufficient 
 number of articles to make a splendid display. We hold 
 our meeting for perfecting the necessary arrangements, this 
 evening, and it will afford us much pleasure to see you 
 present. You will, I am sure, be much delighted with our 
 proceedings." 
 
 " There can be no doubt of that," replied Mr. Burton, 
 answering for Mr. Frank. " It must be a source of deep 
 6*
 
 66 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 gratification to all true philanthropists, to see the growing 
 interest which is taken in the condition of our colored popu 
 lation especially by the ladies. No one knows better than 
 we do," he continued, with a self-satisfied look at Mr. Frank, 
 " the abject state of the negro race in this country ; and no 
 one rejoices more than we do, to find private individuals 
 using their exertions to lessen the evil, which our tyrannical 
 government neglects to remedy. But such personal efforts 
 are always attended by a great loss, to those who engage in 
 them not only of time and money, but of health," and 
 here he looked very expressively of something towards A'.'rs. 
 Burton, who immediately inclined her head to one side, and 
 allowed it to rest upon her hand, with an air of graceful de 
 bility, attainable only by fashionable invalids of extensive 
 experience ; and, at the same time, applied an extremely 
 large cologne vial to the extremity of her olfactory organ. 
 
 "Mrs. Burton," he continued, after taking a compre 
 hensive view, and seeing that she had made all the necessary 
 preliminary arrangements, " has injured her health very mate 
 rially by her labors during the past season. So much so, in 
 fact, that we were compelled to call in our medical adviser, 
 Dr. Infinitesimal, who perfectly coincided with us in opinion 
 in regard to the cause of her affliction. For a long time 
 we felt serious apprehensions respecting her recovery, but 
 thanks to the Doctor's skilful attentions, and the billionth 
 grain of pulverized charcoal, repeated morning and evening, 
 she finally got much better; although she is still but the 
 mere skeleton of her former self." 
 
 Mr. Frank made no reply to this affecting account of her 
 disease, and its remarkable cure, but he could not help look 
 ing at her present condition, and wondering what might have 
 been her probable weight before this process of emaciation 
 took place. 
 
 " I cannot understand," said Mrs. Burton, raising her 
 head from her hand, and apparently somewhat revived,
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 67 
 
 "how people calling themselves Christians can witness the 
 deep degradation of our slaves, and the still deeper degra 
 dation of our country, which permits them to be such, with 
 out constantly raising their hearts and their voices to Heaven 
 for vengeance ! My heart bleeds for the poor victims of op 
 pression ; and my feelings are awakened in their behalf every 
 day and every hour of my life !" 
 
 Mr. Frank was just about to ask her, whether it was her 
 public or her private feelings to which she alluded ; and if 
 the latter, whether there was not a possibility of her having 
 forgotten to include her servant-girl in the account, when 
 Mr. Burton interposed. 
 
 " The painful condition of our colored fellow-citizens 
 produces too powerful an impression upon Mrs. Burton, and 
 I often tell her that she will hurry herself to a premature 
 grave a victim to her noble and too ardent feelings of 
 human kindness!" 
 
 The imaginative probability of so great a loss to society, 
 produced a powerful impression upon Mr. Burton, and he 
 sighed as if his very existence depended upon his forcing 
 into his lungs a double quantity of atmospheric air at each 
 inspiration. The "victim to her feelings" also, seemed to 
 be deeply affected, and resorted to a most vigorous use of the 
 cologne vial, which, if continued for any length of time, muts 
 have very materially enhanced the market value of that arti 
 cle. Mr. Frank alone appeared to be unaffected. He had 
 shrewd suspicions, that there was more danger of others 
 falling victims to her feelings, than of her self-immolation ; 
 but he did not consider it prudent to say so so he very 
 wisely said nothing. 
 
 The subject of their preceding conversation formed the 
 every-day topic for the edification of visitors, and rarely, 
 failed to elicit remarks highly flattering to Mrs. Burton. Mr. 
 Frank, after what he had seen at the front-door, was well 
 aware that those feelings were feigned ; and he was too
 
 68 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 honest to express an admiration which he did not feel, and 
 which he knew was not merited. Several other very adroit 
 attempts to make a favorable impression upon him, were 
 equally unsuccessful, and they finally dropped the subject in 
 despair. 
 
 " I am extremely sorry," said Mr. Burton, after a Jong 
 pause, which was rendered more than usually embarrassing 
 by everybody attempting to look as if they were not embar 
 rassed at all, " that we cannot accompany Mrs. Burton to the 
 meeting of the Sewing Society, during the early part of the 
 evening. We hold a meeting of the State Anti-slavery So 
 ciety, to-night, which I must attend. If you will accompany 
 me, we can go there first, and meet Mrs. Burton, at their 
 rooms, afterwards." 
 
 " Certainly," replied Mr. Frank; "it will afford me great 
 pleasure to see what our friends in the city are doing for the 
 good cause." 
 
 "The celebrated Mr. Fitznocsle, the eminent English ad 
 vocate of political liberty, will address the meeting," said 
 Mr. Burton, " and I must be there to introduce him. He is 
 a powerful speaker, and I trust his mission to this country will 
 be productive of great benefit to our oppressed millions." 
 
 " I hope so, too," replied Mr. Frank ; " but, at the same 
 time, I hope he will not engage in that low, scurrilous 
 train of habitual abuse, in regard to our country, so common 
 amongst English travellers and writers." 
 
 Mr. Frank was in the habit of saying some very hard 
 things, himself, in regard to his country, in the honesty of a 
 mistaken zeal ; but he became perfectly indignant, if a 
 foreigner made use of expressions half as libellous as his 
 own. He still retained some affection for his country ; and, 
 notwithstanding that his fanatical sentiments had much 
 diminished his former feelings of pure patriotism and love, 
 he had not yet reached the point, which many of his friends 
 have, of .despising and hating everything American, with a
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. G9 
 
 rancor and bitterness of spirit equalled only by the most 
 abject minions of despotism. 
 
 "Well," replied Mr. Burton, "I don't know about that. 
 He is in the habit of saying some pretty severe things, in 
 regard to our government, in his speeches, and I would not 
 be surprised if he should do the same this evening. Our 
 country is certainly a living, practical libel upon the principles 
 of liberty and equal rights ; it is sunken to the lowest depths 
 of iniquity and oppression ; and I, for my part, am willing to 
 say so, and to encourage others in similar expressions of 
 sentiment." 
 
 " I am willing to admit that there is much truth in what 
 you say," replied Mr. Frank; "but it is bad enough if we 
 are compelled to say so ourselves, without encouraging 
 foreigners to come here and do the same. I am sure that 
 Mr. Fitznoosle, who, I understand, occupies a prominent 
 position at home, could do much more good if he would have 
 remained in his own country, and would employ his time and 
 talents to ameliorate the miserable condition of the laboring 
 classes in England ; to lessen the oppressive burdens which 
 aristocratic landlords impose upon the starving tenantry of 
 Ireland ; and to prevent the robberies and bloodshed which 
 his government is daily perpetrating upon the poor, ignorant, 
 defenceless inhabitants of India. These oppressions, and 
 grinding of the face of the poor ; these robberies and syste 
 matic legalized efforts to reduce man to the lowest con 
 dition in which it is possible for him to support life and 
 body together, will be sufficient to absorb all his philanthropic 
 feelings. And if he wishes to deal in anathemas, a purse- 
 proud, pampered, and corrupt church, added to a licentious, 
 overbearing, tyrannical aristocracy, which absorbs the mil 
 lions that are extorted out of the labors of the poor, not only 
 by the sweat of their brows, but at the expense of their life- 
 blood, will afford material enough for him to display all his 
 powers of eloquence !"
 
 70 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 It is strange how our feelings will triumph over our judg 
 ments ! Mr. Frank could not tolerate the abuse of our coun 
 try, when it came from an Englishman, but he would not 
 hesitate, a moment, to denounce it just as vehemently him 
 self! He, very truly, saw evils and oppressions in England, 
 sufficient to engross all Mr. Fitznoosle's time and attention, 
 without his coming to preach abolitionism and sedition 
 amongst us ; yet, at the same time, he failed to observe that 
 the North was filled with poverty, wretchedness, crime, 
 misery, and suffering, much worse, MI their practical results, 
 than the unquestionable evil of slavery itself. 
 
 "That is all true," replied, Mr. Burton; "but then we 
 should remember that there exists a vast difference between 
 the condition of the European masses and our slaves. The 
 former, though oppressed and kept in poverty all the days of 
 their lives, are free their bodies are not the property of men. 
 They cannot be bought and sold in the market, as beasts of 
 burden. They are not classed as property, and their masters 
 protected in so doing, by the strong arm of the law, as is the 
 case with us. There is the difference ! It is the right of 
 holding man as property, that constitutes the evil." 
 
 " Yes, that is it," replied Mr. Frank, slowly and emphati 
 cally. " It is the principle against which we are contending, 
 and which makes slavery so atrocious a crime. But if it was 
 not for that," he said, in a low tone, as if communing with 
 himself, " I believe I would prefer the negro's situation to 
 that of the poor man of England." 
 
 Yes! it is this idea of principle which has warped the 
 mind, prejudiced the feelings, and perverted the judgments 
 of so many thousands in this country ! It is this principle 
 which is so horrible to their imagination, and which is yet, in 
 itself, a mere imaginary thing a mere abstraction a dead 
 letter. It only becomes a tangible thing, a reality, in its 
 practical application, and as such it is found to be productive 
 of much less misery than European serfdom ; and, to a great
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 71 
 
 extent, less so than the condition of the free blacks of the 
 North. As an abstract principle, there is a difference between 
 the slave of the South, whose body is bought and paid for by 
 his master, and is therefore property, and the European sub 
 ject, who is free, as far as bodily ownership is concerned. 
 But, as a practical application of the principle, there is also a 
 difference between the slave, who, in return for his services, 
 is well-fed, well-clothed, and, in old age, well-provided for , 
 and the subject of crowned heads, whose life is a con 
 tinued life of wretchedness and poverty ; whojs free to use 
 his limbs to obtain food for himself and his family, provided 
 he can get anything to do ; who is compelled to give the 
 larger portion of his hard earnings towards the support of a 
 corrupt government, and a still more corrupt church ; who 
 has the full liberty of starving if he cannot work ; who is 
 liable to be called upon to fight the battles of a prince whom 
 he hates ; of being arrested without a charge, condemned 
 without a trial, and shot without a moment's notice! Asa 
 general rule, the one is in a state of comfortable slavery the 
 other in a state of miserable and starving freedom !
 
 72 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 FURTHER ILLUSTRATING THE OPERATION OP THEORY VBTSUS 
 PRACTICE. 
 
 THE interior of the main hall of the Temple of Liberty 
 presented a gay and animated appearance. Although it was 
 one of the largest buildings in the city, it was perfectly 
 crowded with an intelligent and fashionable audience, who 
 were anxious to manifest their feelings of patriotism and 
 philanthropy, by lending a gracious listening ear to the basest 
 and foulest slanders against their country slanders which, 
 if uttered by a subject of any other nation against his govern 
 ment, would have cost him his life. But here, in this country, 
 which they denounced as the most tyrannical and oppressive 
 in existence, their insane ravings were allowed to pass un 
 noticed and unpunished ; thus giving the lie direct to their 
 absurd assertions. 
 
 The streets in the vicinity of the hall were completely 
 blocked up by rows of carriages, which had conveyed their 
 owners to the meeting ; and the coachmen, as they sat shiver 
 ing upon their boxes, afforded a sad commentary upon the 
 condition of their masters within. The latter were dressed 
 in the extreme of the fashion, sat comfortably in well- 
 cushioned seats, listening to the exhilarating strains of music, 
 drinking in, with a morbid appetite, the blasphemous ravings 
 of the speaker, and feeding their pampered vanity by re 
 flecting upon the impression, which their show of philanthropy 
 would make upon a gullible community. The former were 
 clad with clothing barely sufficient to cover their bodies, their 
 bones were aching with the cold blasts of the wintry wind, 
 their minds were harassed by thinking of the low pittance
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGEXT. 73 
 
 which they received for their services ; and their hearts bled 
 at the thought of their poor wives and hungry children, whose 
 very existence depended upon their few dollars of salary. 
 But nobody thought of those poor fellows ! and why should 
 they ? They were nothing but hirelings ! but then they were 
 free, and if they didn't like their service and the miserable 
 living which they continued to force out of it, they had full 
 liberty to leave it, and starve ! 
 
 But stop ! We have forgotten ourselves. We beg the 
 reader's pardon for wasting words and time upon these 
 miserable fellows, and their still more miserable families! 
 Very few of our charitable and philanthropic friends waste 
 their time or money upon them, and why should we notice 
 them, to the exclusion of their lordly masters? who, in their 
 superabundant zeal and sympathy for the Southern slave, 
 had no charity to spare for more deserving objects nearer 
 at home ! 
 
 But hark ! a loud shout issues from the hall, and deafening 
 cheers ring out upon the midnight air. Mr. Burton has just 
 introduced the celebrated Mr. Fitznoosle to the audience. 
 He comes forward amidst the vivas of the crowd, and bows 
 very stiffly, and, if he had not been an Englishman, we would 
 have said awkwardly, towards the audience, whilst the band 
 struck up, " Rule Britannia." When the music ceased, he 
 commenced blowing his nose into a highly-scented cambric 
 handkerchief, with a vehemence of gesture, which led to the 
 belief that he had postponed this delicate operation, for 
 several days, for the purpose of concentrating all his energies 
 to give the necessary eclat to the present occasion. After 
 the conclusion of this little prelude, which was very impres 
 sive, and seemed to convey to his listeners quite an exalted 
 sense of his dignity and importance, he commenced speaking 
 very slowly, and with an air of conscious superiority. 
 
 " Friends," said Mr. Fitznoosle, " I will not call you ' fel 
 low-citizens,' a terra to which you may be more accustomed, 
 7
 
 74 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 in the first place, because ' friends' is a more endearing ex 
 pression, and, in the second place, because, much as I value 
 you, personally, I would feel ashamed and degraded to be a 
 citizen of your blood-stained country ! (Cheers.) As a people, 
 the citizens of this country have proven themselves arch 
 traitors to the cause of human liberty. In their political and 
 social relations in life, they seem to conform to but two sys 
 tems of law the one is Lynch Law, the other is the Black 
 Code. (Renewed cheers.) But a day of reckoning is ap 
 proaching the handwriting is on the wall ; and, whilst I am 
 speaking, it seems to me, I already hear the cry of wo ! wo 
 unto Babylon ! which must soon be sent forth against this 
 guilty land! (Tremendous cheers.) Oh! that my voice'could 
 reach the three millions of beings now in chains in this mis 
 named land of liberty ! I would say unto them, Be of good 
 cheer ; fear not, for you are three millions, and the day will 
 soon come when you shall know the secret of your strength, 
 and know how to use it ! (Loud and enthusiastic applause.) 
 But if there is one tiling which, more than another, can excite 
 my hatred, it is the laws which you have framed to prevent 
 the education of slaves. To teach a slave to read and write, 
 is a criminal ofTence ! (Shame ! shame !) To teach a slave 
 the true principles of freedom, is punishable with death! 
 (Intense, prolonged and mournful groaning.) It may be 
 asked, are these human laws ? or are they not laws made by 
 the wolves of the forest ? No ! they were made by a 
 republic of two-legged wolves American wolves monsters 
 in human shape, who boast of their liberty and their humanity, 
 whilst they carry within their bosoms hearts more merciless 
 than that of the unpitying tiger!" 
 
 At this point, the hon. gentleman was asked, by some 
 meddlesome person, whether we were not indebted to Eng 
 land for the introduction of slavery into this country ? The 
 unfortunate propounder of this question, however, was not 
 allowed the satisfaction of hearing it answered ; for the meet-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 75 
 
 ing immediately resented the indignity by serving a summary 
 writ of ejectment upon him to use a legal term or, to use 
 a phrase perhaps more generally understood, by kicking him 
 out of the back-door. 
 
 " I have been asked," continued the orator, in a very loud 
 voice, " whether England was not the first to introduce 
 slavery into this country. I find no difficulty in answering 
 that question. It is true she was the first to sin, but she was 
 also the first to repent. Follow her in her repentance, as 
 you have followed her in her sins ! At this very moment, 
 whilst your boasted land of liberty holds three millions of 
 fellow-men in the abject bonds of slavery, it is a proud thing 
 for us to be able to say, that slaves cannot breathe in 
 England /" 
 
 " Sure and that same's the truth !" said a voice in the back 
 part of the room, in a full rich brogue, which told, as plainly 
 as language could tell, that it belonged to a son of the 
 Emerald Isle. " Slaves cannot brathe in England, as the 
 honorable jintlemon says, for sure it's often more than fraymen 
 can do!" 
 
 "Jimmy O'Brien, you rascally Irishman!" exclaimed a 
 very fat, red-faced gentleman, rising up suddenly in his seat, 
 and speaking in a voice rendered more than usually husky 
 by passion, "leave this room, instantly! When I hired you 
 to drive my carriage, I didn't give you the liberty to follow 
 me into respectable assemblages, and insult your superiors ! 
 Leave this instant, or I'll discharge you from my service at 
 once! Begone!" 
 
 " And faith, it's little throuble you nade be afther giving 
 yourself, Mr. Walter," said Jimmy, with a low bow, " about 
 the discharging part of the bizness, for I've jist discharged 
 meself from your imploymint. Hard curses, bad aiting, and 
 worse payin', ain't timptations for ony mon to remain. But 
 as far as that jintlemon is consairned," he continued, point 
 ing at Mr. Fitznoosle, who was looking daggers at him,
 
 76 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " sure, it's not meself that would be afther insulting the likes 
 of him ; bekase as how he wouldn't feel it iv I did. Troth, 
 and it's himself that's used to the curses of the poor, and 
 it's blissid little he cares for 'em. There's not a foot of 
 ground in all Tinbrook that does not belong to him ; and 
 there's not a widder or orphan in the whole parish, that does 
 not pray, night and mornin', for Heaven's curses to rest upon 
 him!" 
 
 At the first sound of Jimmy's voice, the audience was so 
 completely taken by surprise, as to lose all power of action. 
 They now, however, seemed to have recovered from their 
 consternation, and began to devise various little modes for 
 punishing his audacity. Some were in favor of handing him 
 over to a police-officer ; others advocated the more prompt 
 process of kicking him out ; whilst not a few mildly sug 
 gested the propriety of "breaking his thick Irish skull for 
 him." What plan would have been finally adopted for 
 Jimmy's personal disposal, is entirely unknown, as all these 
 suggestions were overruled by Mr. Frank, who told the 
 audience, that although the speaker was evidently a poor 
 Irishman, he had as good a right to be heard as anybody 
 else. That if he said things w r hich were not true, there 
 would be no difficulty in detecting him ; and that if he spoke 
 the truth, it could do no honest man any harm. Thus encou 
 raged, he proceeded : 
 
 " Faix and it's not a spache that I'd be afther making, 
 bekase a poor, ignorant fellow like meself, has not the words 
 of honey to charm the ears of ladies and jintlemin ; and I 
 begs pardon for intrudin' meself on the likes of ye. But in 
 troth I couldn't set still, and hear that same spalpeen stand up 
 forninst ye, and make a palaver about the poor nagurs, and 
 curse this blissid land of liberty, while he has plinty of poor 
 tenants starvin' in the ould counthry ! Maybe he don't re- 
 mimber and faith why should he ? sure it was an ivery-day 
 thing with him the mornin' that he threw my poor father
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 77 
 
 and mother out of the ould cabin in Ireland, in which we 
 had lived for years ! 
 
 " Its's himself that knows that my father worked hard for 
 him, for more nor thirty years, and paid him his rint as reg'lar 
 as pay-day came ; and that, when, what with throuble, and 
 sickness, and bad crops, and hard work, he was at last laid 
 up with rheumatiz, it was meself, boy as I was, and my 
 wakely mother, that worked the little lot by day, and dug 
 turf by night, to make up the rint for him. But thin my 
 mother was taken down with the faver, and we had no 
 money to git the docther ; the praties, too, all began to rot 
 up ; and the ould cow, and the pig, jist laid down and died, 
 as if they did'nt want to live, to see our throubles darknin' 
 around us. Sure these was dark hours for the sick and the 
 poor! But thin there was hundreds more miserable than 
 w-e wore ! The agint, too, observed our misfortunes, and he 
 tould us that he had orders to make us pay the rint in 
 advance, and that if we didn't, he must throw us out in the 
 road, bekase the landlord the honorable jintlemon there 
 would come on the morrow, and he must have clane books 
 to show him. 
 
 " ' The blissid Virgin be praised,' said my mother, 'that 
 the master is comin' himself. Sure, he won't turn the crip 
 pled ould man, and his sick wife, out of the dhoor, when he 
 sees, with his own eyes, how miserable we air, and re- 
 mimber's how faithful we worked for him, and paid him 
 ivery cint that was owin' to him, durin' many long years. 
 Isn't it himself that makes all the illigant spaches in the 
 papers, about the poor and oppressed ? and faith, don't he 
 send money to Ameriky, to get the fraydom of the blacks ? 
 and sure, he's not the man to do all this, and thin turn his 
 faithful tenants out to fraze and starve in their ould age!' 
 
 " ' Well,' said the agint, for he was a good-hearted man, 
 and had a sick wife hisself, and only took up the dirty trade 
 to make a livin' ; ' well, I am sure, I w r ould'nt turn ye out
 
 78 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 of the cottage, av it was my own ; but I must follow my 
 orders, or I'll lose my sityashun, and thin what will become 
 of my poor family? But I'll tell the landlord,' said he, 
 lookin' pityingly at my ould father, who couldn't git out of 
 his chair, by account of his rheumatiz, " and I'll bring him 
 with me ; but it's little good, I'm afraid, it'll do ye.' 
 
 " Airly the nixt mornin' the agint came, and the hon'rable 
 jintlemin along with him. But it was as he had tould us 
 'twas little good it done us ; for while my mother was down 
 on her knees before him, and beggin' ov him, for the love of 
 the bowly Virgin, jist to let us stay until she was well, he 
 ordered the men to throw the goods out into the road ! B And 
 thin, when she saw them throw out the table, and the ould 
 chairs, and the bed she slept upon, and that mild words could 
 not melt his hard heart, she commenced cursing him in words 
 of burning fire, that I can hear ringin' in my ears yit ! But 
 it is little he cared for that ; for when the ould furniture was 
 all out, and she refused to follow, he drew his big ridin'- 
 whip, and struck her over the head with the heavy ind of it, 
 so that the blood poured in strames down her face ! 
 
 " My stiff, crippled father, sat still all the time ; but when 
 he saw her lyin' on the cowld ground, with the red blood 
 coverin' her pale face, it jist samed as if God took all the 
 rheumatiz from him ; and he seized his crutch, and with a 
 single blow struck him to the airth. And thin, all of a sud 
 den, his strength left him agin ; and he fell to the ground, by 
 the side of my mother, as if he were dead. And troth, there 
 is the mark on his face yit," said Jimmy, pointing to Mr. 
 Fitznoosle's forehead, as that gentleman raised his hand to 
 his head, in the attempt to conceal the scar. 
 
 "But thin, that same w r as a sad day to us all!" he con 
 tinued, wiping his eyes with the cuff of his rough overcoat.' 
 " For what with the cowld, and the hunger, and the faver, 
 and the blow on her head, she niver came to her sinses agin, 
 and died before night. I thin dug a little howl, with my own
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 79 
 
 hands, and buried her in the bog, God rest her so\vl ! My 
 father, too, was irrested by the officers, and was judged 
 guilty by the coort, and was sint off beyant the says, where, 
 not bein' able to work, be account of his rheumatiz, he soon 
 starved to death ! 
 
 " Sure, and it's more picters, ov the same sort, that I can 
 show up for you, av you'll only stay to hear me," said Jimmy, 
 as he observed Mr. Fitznoosle come down from the platform, 
 and disappear through a side-door. 
 
 This conduct on the part of the hon. gentleman, would, 
 to people of ordinary sense, have looked rather suspicious ; 
 but his friends, who never judge of things as they are, but 
 always make up their minds upon the principle of " abstract 
 reasoning," said that it was perfectly consistent with his 
 station and character. They, moreover, said, that it was an 
 unpardonable insult to allow an illiterate Irishman to interrupt 
 him ; and that they would not be surprised if he should leave 
 the country in perfect disgust a prediction which actually 
 came to pass ; and although we have instituted the most 
 strict enquiry into the matter, we have not been able to learn 
 whether this country lost, or gained anything by his desperate 
 act.
 
 80 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 IN WHICH DIXEY AVAILS HIMSELF OP HIS KNOWLEDGE OP 
 ROMANTIC HISTORY, TO GET UP A SMALL LOVE ADVENTURE 
 ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT; IN WHICH, CONTRARY TO HIS EXPEC 
 TATIONS, HE COMES OUT AT THE SMALL END. 
 
 MR. FRANK'S departure was a severe blow to his daughter's 
 feelings. She had, hitherto, known no other love except 
 that which a child bears towards a parent; and she had loved 
 her father with all the devotion and affection of a strong- 
 minded and warm-hearted woman. Her love was not that 
 weak, sickly sentiment which wastes itself in sighs, sobs, and 
 tears, and then dies away from mere exhaustion, or from the 
 supervention of some newer and later impulse ; but it was 
 that pure, deep, holy feeling, which developes itself only in 
 the bosom of the high-souled and great-minded ; and which, 
 forming a part of their very existence, lives whilst they live, 
 and dies only when life ceases to exist. 
 
 Soon after her father had left, and whilst she mourned for 
 him as for one that is dead, the sacred privacy of her grief 
 was intruded upon by Dixey. At his first visits, he merely 
 expressed his regret at her father's absence ; then, he pre 
 tended to sympathize with her; and, finally, began to express 
 his feelings of admiration for her. He flattered himself that 
 he was acquainted with every avenue to the female heart ; 
 and that by thus cautiously and adroitly manoeuvring, he 
 might succeed in carrying his point. But his usual cunning 
 failed him entirely in the present instance. Emma was too 
 w r ell acquainted with his character to be deceived. She had 
 always regarded him as an unscrupulous and consummate 
 hypocrite ; and when he spoke of his regard for her father, 
 and his sympathy for her, he only called forth her feelings of
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 81 
 
 contempt ; but when he dared to address her in the language 
 of love, every latent spark of pride was aroused, and she 
 ordered him to leave the house, and never again to intrude 
 himself into her presence. 
 
 This indignant rejection baffled him for the time being, 
 but it did not induce him to abandon his object. He had no 
 feelings of love involved in the suit, for the simple reason 
 that he had none of that article to invest. It was to him 
 altogether a game of policy. He looked upon it, just as he 
 would have done upon some political trickery ; and he re 
 garded his rejection merely as a failure upon a single point, 
 which could be retrieved by the proper efforts in another 
 direction. These efforts he determined to make. 
 
 Behind Mr. Frank's residence there was a thick deep 
 woods. It was, more properly speaking, a small forest. Mr. 
 Frank loved the beauties of nature, and permitted no vandal 
 hand'to deface them. The noise of the woodman's axe never 
 resounded through this secluded, quiet place, and the sturdy 
 oaks grew up just as it pleased the God of Heaven that they 
 should. Occasionally the lightning's fire would strike the 
 hardy trees, denuding them of their branches and riving 
 their trunks ; but these fearful evidences of Almighty power 
 were never removed ; they were allowed to remain to add to 
 the solemn grandeur and wild sublimity of the scene. The 
 wild grass and the woodland roses grew up as they listed, and 
 the ground was completely covered with undergrow r th, shrub 
 bery and evergreens, of nearly every variety, forming " a deep 
 tangled wildwood," more like a forest of the Far- West, than 
 a wood in the centre of an old State. 
 
 Emma was in the habit of retiring every afternoon for a 
 few hours into this quiet spot, to enjoy the sweet communing 
 of her own thoughts, and the beauty of the wild picturesque 
 scenery. Dixey was aware of this fact, and he determined 
 to turn it to his advantage. He accordingly secreted himself, 
 one day, accompanied by black Tom, with whom the reader
 
 82 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 is already slightly acquainted, near the path through which 
 she generally passed. 
 
 " Tom," said Dixey, " you know Miss Frank whenever 
 you see her, don't you ?" 
 
 " Well, I does, that's sartain !" replied Tom ; " nobody as 
 seed her sweet face, and heard de music of her voice, could 
 eber forget her !" 
 
 " Confound her sweet face !" said Dixey, not by way of 
 reply, but in a musing tone to himself; " it,'s little I care about 
 that ; and as for the music of her voice, there are some de 
 cidedly unpleasant notes in the key of C sharp, still ringing 
 in my ears. I dont know why everybody has some word of 
 praise for that girl. There is a deep fire about her eye, and 
 a proud curl about her thin lip, which to me are rather dis 
 agreeable than otherwise ; but, as old Frank says, ' minor evils' 
 are lost sight of in the greater good ;' and if I can only get 
 her, I'll be willing to submit to them for the present, irf con 
 sideration of the cool hundred thousand which follow in the 
 wake. But when I've once got her, I'll take some of the 
 extra pride out of her, or my name's not Dixey !" 
 
 It was not surprising that Dixey felt no admiration for the 
 character of Miss Frank. Although a mere girl in years, 
 she was a strong-minded woman in feeling ; but not " strong- 
 minded" according to the present popular definition of the 
 term. She was not one of those restless, discontented 
 fanatics, who are clamoring in season and out of season, in 
 the highways and byways, about what they term " Women's- 
 rights." She felt that women were not destined to engage 
 in the arduous and laborious duties and professions of the 
 sterner sex ; and instead of asking, or wishing for a voice in 
 the affairs of government, she would have considered it de 
 grading to herself, and derogatory to the modesty of her sex, 
 to have been seen mingling in the dirty arena of politics, or 
 to have associated with those who were anxious to do so. 
 
 She very justly thought that the social organization of society
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 83 
 
 was as good, and perhaps better, than any system which could 
 be devised, and that the evils, about which so much was said, 
 rested not as much with the order of things as with ourselves. 
 Actuated by such views, she felt no sympathy with those 
 zealots, who, in consequence of neglecting to discharge the 
 duties which devolved upon them, found their condition in 
 life burdensome ; and then, instead of attributing their ills to 
 the proper source, gave vent to their fanatical feelings, by 
 continually complaining about society, when, in truth, society 
 had every reason to complain of them. 
 
 Entertaining such sentiments, she was too honest to conceal 
 them, and she did not hesitate to express her pity and con 
 tempt for those misguided persons and arrant hypocrites, who 
 are continually advocating reforms in regard to evils which 
 they do not understand, and preaching virtues which they 
 never practise themselves. Dixey had, on more than one 
 occasion, listened to her sound reasoning, and been a witness 
 of her plain, practical virtues ; and he felt how immeasurably 
 superior she was, to the wild, visionary, dreamy enthusiasts 
 with whom he associated. He saw, too, that she penetrated 
 through the thin veil of hypocrisy which he endeavored to 
 throw around his actions ; and the very consciousness of this 
 fact, whilst it lowered him in his own estimation, engendered 
 that bitter and implacable hatred which the bad always feel 
 towards the good. 
 
 " Tom !" said Dixey, arousing himself from the un 
 pleasant train of reflections into which he had fallen. 
 
 "Sar?" replied that specimen of ebony, in an enquiring 
 tone. 
 
 " I've a little job on hand for you." 
 
 "Massa has always plenty ob dem for poor Tom. De 
 only wonder is, war he gits 'em all frum," replied Tom, who 
 was sorely puzzled to account for the strange fact, that the 
 more he worked, the more there was for him to do. 
 
 " Well, Tom," resumed Dixey, "the job to which I now
 
 84 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 allude, is rather a pleasant one. You see Miss Emma 
 coming out of the front-door there ?" he continued, pointing 
 towards Mr. Frank's residence. 
 
 Tom rolled his visual organs around, in a manner utterly 
 defying physiological explanation, and after displaying suffi 
 cient of the white to have furnished premonitory symptoms 
 for at least a dozen good strong convulsions, he acknow 
 ledged his cognizance of the lady in question, by an indefi 
 nite number of bows and dodges, more remarkable for their 
 variety than their gracefulness. 
 
 " Now, Tom," continued Dixey, in a confidential tone, 
 " I want you to get behind some of those bushes, and when 
 Miss Emma comes along here, I want you to jump out from 
 your hiding-place, and catch her." 
 
 "Wot, me! me cotch Miss Emma !" exclaimed Tom, 
 becoming suddenly at least three shades paler, from horror 
 and astonishment at the audacity of such an act. 
 
 "Yes, catch Miss Emma! What the devil are you 
 grinning at ?" continued Dixey, as he observed that Tom's 
 eyes and mouth assumed a very open expression, and his 
 whole body became transfixed to the spot, as if it was about 
 to transform itself into a horror-stricken statue of black 
 Italian marble. 
 
 " I'se not grinnin' at nobody," replied Tom, doggedly, 
 "but den I couldn't do it I'se sure I couldn't, I'd rather 
 try to cotch an angel indeed I would dan to lay a finger on 
 Miss Emma !" 
 
 "Pooh, nonsense, Tom!" replied Dixey; "there's no 
 harm in that. You needn't hold her hard, you know. 
 My plan is just this ; you catch her gently in your arms as 
 she passes'you. Of course she'll scream and struggle, and 
 try to escape, but you mustn't let her go. After you have 
 held her for a few minutes, I'll come out from my hiding- 
 place, as if I had merely come accidentally through the 
 woods, and knock you down. Oh ! I won't hit you hard!"
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 85 
 
 added Dixey, noticing, by the lowering expression of Tom's 
 countenance, that he did not approve of this latter part of 
 the programme. 
 
 "You'd better not 'twould'nt be safe," coolly replied 
 Tom, casting a meaning glance at Dixey, who bore about the 
 same physical relation to him, as Tom Thumb does to the 
 Irish Giant. 
 
 " Certainly not, Tom. I wouldn't hurt you for the world," 
 replied Dixey, in a very amiable manner, and with a tremu 
 lous quiver in his voice. " I'll only go through with the 
 motions! Merely touch you between the eyes, when of 
 course you must let yourself fall, just as if my blow had 
 knocked you down. You understand, eh ? and there," he 
 added, handing him several pieces of silver, "is something 
 for your trouble, if you do as I tell you." 
 
 " Oh ! I'll do 'em up to de best ob my 'umble 'bilities," 
 replied Tom, growing pompous at the sight of the money, 
 which, to his glowing imagination, had already transformed 
 itself into an unlimited amount of whiskey. " I'll perform 
 de 'portant duty in de most polite and delicate manner 
 'maginable. But den wot 's de use in it?" he added, in a 
 reflecting tone ; " I don't believe Miss Emma'll be 'bliged to 
 eider ob us for de trouble ; cause as how she's no Boboli- 
 tionist, and don't go in for de sublime art and science ob 
 'malgamashun." 
 
 " Of course she won't consider herself under any very 
 particular obligations to you, for your part of the proceed 
 ing, Tom ; certainly not; I don't expect she will in fact 
 I'd rather she wouldn't. But then you see, Tom, she'll feel 
 herself bound to me by the strongest ties of gratitude, for 
 rescuing her ; and the only way for her to manifest it will be 
 by falling in love with me, and marrying me without further 
 ceremony. At least," he added, in an undertone to himself, 
 " that is the course of all true romances, and girls always
 
 86 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 try to shape their love-affairs in accordance with those stan 
 dard authorities." 
 
 "Well! now! did you ebber! no, I nebber! If dat ain't 
 great! Who'd ebber a- thought on it? Ye! hi! hi! yah!" 
 exclaimed Tom, as the clear light of this peculiarly beautiful 
 and ingenious plot flashed on his mind. " Dere nebber was 
 de like ! Sakes alive ! if dat ain't rich, I's no nigger ! yah ! 
 he ! hi!" and, in his excessive admiration of the whole affair, 
 he gave vent to an innumerable number of adjectives, with 
 out any accompanying nouns, and discharged, at random, a 
 host of emphatic interjections, entirely unknown to Lindley 
 Murray. 
 
 " Well, yes, Tom," replied Dixey, in a complacent tone, 
 for he felt flattered by his coadjutor's admiration of his 
 inventive genius ; " I flatter myself it's pretty well got up. 
 Walter Scott used to get up such affairs rather nicely, but 
 then they were altogether imaginary, but this is real of a 
 practical character and the hundred thousand that follow are 
 real, too ; and that's the best part of it!" 
 
 " But den," continued Tom, not noticing Dixey's remarks, 
 " de idea of Miss Emma's marryin' Massa Dixey takes de 
 kink out ob my time ! It takes the shine completely off ob 
 dis nigger, it does!" 
 
 " Well, what the devil is so astonishing in that?" replied 
 Dixey, who felt piqued at Tom's surprise, which very plainly 
 implied that he thought such an event would reflect but very 
 little credit upon Miss Frank, however advantageous it might 
 be to the other party. 
 
 "But stop! there she comes!" continued Dixey, as Tom 
 was about to reply. " Now mind your directions. If you 
 manage well, the money which you've got is yours, and, 
 after it is over, I'll give you more. But if you don't, all I've 
 got to say, is, that there'll be a funeral amongst the darkies ;" 
 and, for the purpose of showing how he intended to provide 
 the necessary material for a funeral, he drew a huge revolver
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 87 
 
 out of his pocket, and proceeded to cock it in a very easy, 
 careless sort of a manner. 
 
 "Now please don't do dat! don't, please, don't!" said 
 Tom, imploringly, at the same time throwing his right leg in 
 front of his left, and then suddenly drawing the left from its 
 position, and placing it in front of the right, for the purpose 
 of alternately protecting each shin. " If you please, jist hole 
 dat weepun a little higher. White folks al'ays holes dere guns 
 down, jist as if de shins wasn't de most tenderest and* dan- 
 gerest part ob de body !" 
 
 "Anything to please you !" said Dixey, laughingly, raising 
 his pistol leisurely, and pointing it at his head, which had 
 the effect of dissipating all his alarm. " I merely intended 
 to advance an additional argument in favor of a prompt per 
 formance of your duty. So now to your post!" 
 
 Tom crept cautiously beneath a large cedar-bush, whilst 
 Dixey retired behind a tree, to await the result of his 
 attack. He was not compelled to wait long. Miss Emma 
 passed directly down her usual path. As she came in full 
 view, Tom's resolution almost forsook him. He gazed upon 
 her pale, pensive face, and thought of her many kind acts 
 towards him and his wife and child ; and, for a moment, it 
 seemed as if his better nature would triumph. But then the 
 thought of the money in his pocket, and the whiskey it would 
 purchase, together with the certainty of a huge revolver aimed 
 directly at his shins, came obliquely across his mind, and 
 decided his course of action. His courage, however, was 
 not equal to the task of attacking her, as long as her mild 
 blue eye met his gaze ; so he waited until she had passed 
 him, and then, springing from his place of concealment, and 
 approaching her from behind, he threw his powerful arms 
 around her, and pinioned her to his body, as if she had been 
 a mere child. 
 
 Her struggles and desperate attempts to escape from his 
 grasp, were as futile as her screams ; and, after exhausting her
 
 88 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 strength in the unequal contest, she raised her eyes to Heaven, 
 as her last hope, and murmured a prayer that God, who pro 
 tected Daniel in the lion's den, would not forsake her. Her 
 voice was always sweet ; but now, when its accents partook 
 of mingled fear and deep supplication to that Great Being, 
 whose hand is over all his creatures, there was something so 
 touching, so holy, so unearthly, in its tones, that it smote 
 painfully upon even Tom's not over-sensitive feelings. 
 
 " i'se not gwine to hurt you, Miss Emma 'deed I'se 
 not," he said, soothingly. " You needn't be afeard of Tom." 
 
 The sound of his voice revived her hopes and her strength, 
 as if it possessed some magical power. She felt assured, 
 that, no matter how base his designs were, she could per 
 suade him not to harm her. 
 
 " Tom !" she exclaimed, in tones of mingled anguish and 
 reproach, " can it be possible that this is you ! Let me go 
 this very instant ! You certainly have not forgotten all that I 
 have done for you, your wife and child! And now is this 
 your only gratitude? the only return that you are willing to 
 make for all my acts of kindness?" 
 
 "I 'members it all 'deed I does," replied Tom, peni 
 tently, " and I don't mean to hurt you, nor do you nothin'. 
 I wouldn't hab done dis but I couldn't 1 help it 'deed I 
 couldn't, Miss Emma !" 
 
 Dixey was near enough to hear Tom's explanation, and he 
 was afraid that, in his anxiety "to define his position," he 
 might carry it far enough to implicate him rather unpleasantly 
 in the transaction. He therefore came to the conclusion, that 
 although Emma was not frightened to the proper degree, it 
 would be advisable to rescue her now, for fear that the oppor 
 tunity to display his gallantry and courage might be lost 
 entirely. 
 
 " Hold ! villain, hold !" he exclaimed, as he rushed out 
 from his place of concealment. 
 
 Unfortunately, Tom's dramatic powers failed him entirely
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 89 
 
 at this important stage of the act. He showed no evidences 
 whatever of fighting for his precious booty, but, on the contrary, 
 at the first sound of his principal's voice, he relinquished his 
 grasp with an alacrity much greater than was desirable to Dixey, 
 who, by this time, had reached the spot. He had determined 
 to rescue Emma just at the moment when the danger appeared 
 to be the most imminent ; and in doing so he had intended 
 to display not only gallantry, but courage and prowess all 
 of which are generally supposed to possess specific virtues in 
 winning the hearts of the softer sex. In all authentic works 
 of romance, and tales of knight-errantry, the rescuing knight 
 always arrives at the moment of extreme peril. The knight 
 with ravishing propensities, too, always becomes exceedingly 
 pugnacious and shows desperate fight, but, in the struggle, is 
 invariably vanquished, and severely wounded by his more 
 honorable opponent. Dixey had arranged his plans in per 
 fect accordance with those time-honored authorities, but 
 Tom's undue willingness to release the captive, threw them 
 into a quite unexpected confusion. 
 
 Determined, however, to gain as much credit as was pos 
 sible under the circumstances, he summoned up all his physical 
 strength into one powerful effort, and struck Tom between 
 the eyes, just in the region where phrenologists locate the 
 organ of individuality. This little^ operation, however, pro 
 duced no appreciable effect upon Tom's feelings, or his 
 equilibrium. He had forgotten, in the excitement, all about 
 the knocking-down part of the programme ; so he stood 
 grinning and gazing obliquely at Dixey, with an expression 
 of very curiously mingled astonishment and stupidity. An 
 other blow upon the same spot, was followed by precisely 
 similar results, and Dixey was just about giving up that part 
 of the act in despair, when a bright thought suggested itself 
 to his mind. He suddenly drew his revolver from his pocket 
 and pointed it at his shins. This threatened attack upon his 
 sensorium commune, decided the victory ; and Tom fled from 
 8*
 
 90 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. * 
 
 the spot with the utmost precipitancy, screaming in the most 
 horrible and heart-rending manner. 
 
 Stimulated by the excitement, Emma supported her courage 
 and physical powers most nobly, during her desperate strug 
 gle, but as soon as she found herself free, her strength for 
 sook her, and she fell fainting to the ground. 
 
 " Well, now, I declare !" said Dixey, kneeling down on the 
 green moss, and gazing into her pale, bloodless face. " I'll be 
 hanged, if that ain't a regular genuine faint ! I always thought 
 that these things were all humbugs, on the part of the women, 
 and that they always had a fund of them on hand for any 
 emergency of the kind. But then this seems to be the 
 regular article, and no mistake !" he continued, as he applied 
 his finger to her wrist, and vainly attempted to feel the pulsa 
 tions of the artery. 
 
 " According to the books," he resumed, in a low, mock, 
 sentimental tone, " I now ought to go into perfect raptures, 
 in regard to her pale beauty ; then become frantic, for fear 
 the fainting might end in death ; and, finally, wind up by im 
 ploring her to live, if only for my sake, or just to open her 
 beautiful eyes, and look once more upon her beloved Dixey, 
 whose life would be a perfect blank without her, and to tell 
 me with her dying breath that I was not uncared for ! But 
 then there's not a bit of use in it. There is nobody present 
 to see me go through the motions, and there is no use in my 
 lying to myself not a darned bit of it! I wouldn't believe 
 it, no how! Dixey and myself, are too old acquaintances 
 for any such gammon, eh ? ha ! ha ! ha !" and he thrust his 
 thumbs facetiously into his ribs, and laughed very heartily, at 
 what he considered a good witticism. 
 
 " The time for all that nonsense," he added, after he had 
 enjoyed his laugh to his full satisfaction, " will be when she 
 is coming to. To do up the sentimental now, in her present 
 state, would be like singing psalms to a dead horse." 
 
 This, to him, forcible and highly appropriate simile, threw
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 91 
 
 him into another violent paroxysm of laughter, which was 
 brought to an abrupt termination the suddenness of which 
 came near choking him by Emma slowly opening her eyes. 
 Quick as thought, these natural appearances vanished, and 
 his countenance assumed a serious, earnest expression, which 
 would have appeared real, if it had not been accompanied 
 by certain smirkish twitches which played around the corners 
 of his mouth. 
 
 " Emma! Emma, dear!" he murmured in a low tone, the 
 sweetness of which was well counterfeited, " do not be 
 alarmed. You are safe, now ; whilst I have an arm to raise 
 in your defence, no earthly power -shall harm you!" 
 
 " What ! where am I ?" she replied, wildly, as she opened 
 her eyes, and gazed vacantly around her. " Where is Tom ? 
 Or was this all a horrible terrible fearful dream ? But no 
 here are the trees, and the bushes it must have been real ! 
 W T hat! is this you, Mr. Dixey?" she exclaimed, as her eyes 
 fell upon that gentleman, who was bending over her, and 
 attempting to look very sentimental. The sight of him, how 
 ever, whilst it served to arouse him to full consciousness, did 
 not appear to impress her very favorably, and she started up 
 wildly. 
 
 " Yes, Emma Miss Frank, I mean," replied Dixey, as he 
 observed her flashing eye, " it is me. I have had the plea 
 sure of rescuing you from a fate worse than that of death ; 
 and henceforth, I hope you will look more favorably upon 
 him whom you have spurned as not only unworthy of your 
 love, but of even your society!" 
 
 "Forgive me! pray, forgive me!" said Emma, dropping 
 down on her knees before him. "I have wronged you 
 deeply wronged you. I did not know your character. I 
 judged of you from mere idle reports, and I was grossly 
 deceived. I now know you as you really are ; and I sin 
 cerely beg your pardon for the wrongs I have done you. I 
 feel that I am under the deepest obligations to you which one
 
 92 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 mortal can owe to another. They will continue whilst life 
 shall last, for I shall never be able to repay them !" 
 
 " You owe me no obligations which cannot be repaid," 
 replied Dixey, raising her from the ground. " It would be 
 better if I should kneel before you, than that you should 
 before me. Oh! Emma!" he continued, earnestly, "I ask 
 no reward for what I have done. Let that pass. But I hope 
 I have proven to you, that I am not the selfish being you 
 once thought I was ; and that, knowing me, as you now do, 
 you will try to return those feelings of pure and abiding 
 affection which I feel for you. Say ! oh ! but say, dearest 
 Emma, that you will endeavor to love me, and I shall be 
 come one of the happiest arid proudest of men !" ^ 
 
 " Mr. Dixey," replied Emma, solemnly, " I would to 
 Heaven that I could love you ! I know, now, that you are a 
 high-souled, noble-minded, generous man. But alas! the 
 heart is vain and wayward ; and although I would fain teach 
 it to love you, I know that I could never never be able to 
 do it. I cannot, and I will not deceive you ; and I know 
 you are too honorable, and too generous, to blame me for not 
 being able to control my feelings. Although I cannot love 
 you as I should, I shall ever consider you as my best and 
 noblest friend ; and my nightly prayers shall be, that Heaven's 
 purest blessings may rest upon you forever!" 
 
 The mild and solemn, yet firm and decided, words and 
 manner of. Emma, convinced Dixey that his suit was hope 
 less ; and he stood biting his lip, in ill-suppressed anger. 
 Emma observed it, and ascribed it to his wounded feelings. 
 In the hope that a little address on her part would have a 
 tendency to lessen the pain which he felt at his rejection, she 
 offered him her arm, and politely requested him to lead her 
 to the house. 
 
 " No, never !" he exclaimed, as his face darkened with 
 rage, and he threw his arm roughly around her delicate waist. 
 " No ! I shall never enter that hall, unless as your accepted
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 93 
 
 lover nor shall you, unless as my affianced bride! If this 
 is your only gratitude for my services, I will teach you that 
 I can hate as strongly as I can love /" 
 
 "Then do your worst!" replied Emma, in a voice fear 
 fully cairn and collected. "If you rescued me only through 
 such motives, I would to God I was yet within the grasp of 
 my first captor ! His better nature could be appealed to, but 
 from you I expect no mercy !" 
 
 "No, and you'll receive none," replied Dixey, in a low, 
 fearful, hissing tone, that went to her heart like a poisoned 
 dagger, " unless you comply with my terms ! I'll give 
 you five minutes' time to alter your mind, and if you then 
 still refuse, you can blame yourself for what shall follow!" 
 
 The sound of the last word had scarcely died away on the 
 air, when a slight, crackling sound was heard, as if dried 
 branches were being crushed, and the next moment a tall 
 young man sprang over the bushes into the open space. To 
 fell Dixey to the earth was the work of an instant, and then 
 placing his foot upon his breast, he raised his cap gracefully 
 to Emma. 
 
 There was something so open, so frank, so candid, about 
 the good-humored expression of the young man's counte 
 nance, that a single glance was sufficient to reassure her, and 
 she at once advanced towards him to offer her thanks. 
 
 " You are under no obligations to me, whatever," he an 
 swered, in reply to her warm assurances of gratitude. 
 " Under almost any other circumstances, I should have felt 
 very reluctant to interfere with so well-arranged and romantic 
 an adventure. 
 
 " A few words of explanation," he continued, as he ob 
 served Emma's perplexed look, " will serve to enlighten you 
 in regard to the present position of affairs. I had been en 
 gaged in hunting through these woods during the greater 
 part of the day, and being somewhat fatigued, I laid myself 
 down on one of those beautiful green moss-banks to sleep.
 
 94 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 I had not slept long, when I was awakened by the sound, of 
 voices near me. Upon listening, I discovered that they pro 
 ceeded from the negro who attacked you in the first place, 
 and the gentleman who is now so uneasy under my foot. 
 I overheard them arrange a plan for the black man to attack 
 some young lady, when the other should, very fortunately, 
 come to her rescue. This highly-ingenious manosuvre was 
 supposed to produce the effect of impressing the young lady 
 with the warmest feelings of gratitude towards her deliverer, 
 which she could only appropriately evince by marrying him 
 at once ; although it appeared, by their own showing, that 
 she hitherto had not been very strongly prepossessed in his 
 favor. I remained concealed behind the cedar-bushes until 
 the plan was carried further than I expected, and the rest 
 you know." 
 
 " Yes, yes, I see it all clearly now !" replied Emma, who 
 hitherto had been at a loss to account for Dixey's changing 
 conduct. 
 
 " It is certainly a very plain case," replied her rescuer, 
 laughingly. " But the next question is, what is to be done 
 with this precious scamp here?" 
 
 " If you wish to consult my feelings," replied Emma, " let 
 him go without further injury. His own sense of his de 
 grading conduct must be punishment sufficient for him." 
 
 "Just as you say, of course," replied the young man, 
 " but if he is left to punish himself with his own reflections, 
 my opinion is that he will escape rather lightly. From some 
 remarks which I overheard him make in regard to himself, I 
 am induced to believe that he is not troubled much with 
 compunctious visitings of conscience. And now," he 
 added, turning to Dixey, and raising his foot, " begone !" 
 
 Dixey required no second invitation to leave. As soon as 
 he was free, he sprang to his feet, rushed into the woods, and 
 never stopped running until he reached the opposite side, 
 where he threw himself into a heap of leaves, in which
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 95 
 
 situation he was afterwards discovered by Tom, groaning as 
 if in great agony ; and giving vent to a large number of 
 qualifying adjectives, which, from their specific application 
 to "his eyes," "his timbers," "his liver," "his heart," and 
 other anatomical constituents of his body, could not fail to 
 insure a warm reception for them in the regions to which he 
 recommended them. 
 
 " And now," said the stranger to Emma, as soon as Dixey 
 had disappeared, " I suppose you have already been detained 
 here longer than was agreeable to you ; so, if you will take 
 my arm, I will see you safely to your home. A longer con 
 tinuance," he added, with a pleasant smile, " might subject 
 you to additional claims on the score of gratitude to which, 
 I must confess, there are rather strong temptations." 
 
 The compliment called a deep blush to Emma's cheek ; 
 and as she accepted his arm, and allowed him to lead her to 
 the house, she felt a peculiar feeling thrilling to her heart, to 
 which she had hitherto been a stranger.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 IN WHICH DOCTOR MANLY MADE THE REMARKABLE DISCOVERY 
 THAT HE WAS IN LOVE, LONG AFTER EVERYBODY ELSE HAD 
 DISCOVERED IT. 
 
 DOCTOR MANLY for such was the name of Emma's res 
 cuer now became a frequent visitor at Oakland Hall. He 
 had been travelling through the North, for the purpose of 
 becoming personally and practically acquainted with the 
 manners, customs, and sentiments, of the people of that 
 section of our country. He had completed his tour; and had 
 intended to return to the South on the day after the occur 
 rence of the events recorded in our last chapter. On that 
 day, however, he necessarily called upon Emma to pay his 
 respects ; this call led to an engagement for the next 
 day ; that engagement resulted in a number of subsequent 
 ones ; and thus, between morning rides through the country, 
 afternoon walks by the mountain-side, and rambles by moon 
 light along the forest-brook, not only days, but even weeks, 
 glided almost unconsciously away. The young physician, 
 too, began gradually to discover that Emma's presence was 
 becoming every day more and more indispensable to him. 
 He also began to observe what his friend Dr. Woolsey 
 whose guest he was had long before noticed, that he was 
 only happy when in her society ; and that, when away from 
 her, his naturally gay and buoyant disposition became 
 changed into that of a deep, thoughtful melancholy. 
 
 Whether such feelings spread by sympathy, or are conta 
 gious, like some diseases, we do not pretend to know ; but 
 one thing we do know, and that is, that by some remarkable 
 coincidence, Emma became affected in a somewhat similar
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 97 
 
 manner. She began to take long walks by herself; lost her 
 spirits ; sighed heavily, without any known reason ; was often 
 found in tears when there was no cause for sorrow, and when 
 everybody else thought she had every reason to be unusually 
 happy. She began to listen very attentively to the sounds 
 of approaching footsteps ; and she could distinguish a certain 
 gentleman's step on the gravel walk, and knew his knock at 
 the front-door, from a thousand others. His visits also 
 brought the wonted fire to her eye the crimson hue to her 
 cheek and caused her heart to beat with a wild, tumultuous 
 emotion ; and his merry laugh brought back, as if by magic, 
 the natural cheerfulness of her disposition. These signs 
 \vere all sufficiently plain, and were easily read by others ; 
 but, strange to say, neither of the parties most interested 
 discovered them in the other. Verily, Cupid ! thou art truly 
 represented as blind ; for thou hast neither " eyes to see, nor 
 ears to hear," those things which most nearly concern thee ! 
 
 " Doctor," said Manly to his friend Dr. Woolsey, one fine 
 morning, " as you are going past Oakland Hall, to-day, I 
 believe I will step into your carriage, and ride along with 
 you that far." 
 
 " I shall be extremely happy to have the pleasure of your 
 company," replied his friend ; " and after I get through with 
 seeing my patients, I will call for you on my return. Or, if, 
 that will be too soon, I'll send the boy over for you this 
 evening." 
 
 " I am much obliged to you, my dear friend, for your 
 kindness ; but do not put yourself to any trouble. I prefer 
 walking home, especially as it will be moonlight to-night, 
 and I may remain until after tea. As I leave for the < Old 
 Dominion,' to-morrow, you know, it would look rather 
 uncourteous if I did not "take a formal leave of Miss Frank." 
 
 By this time the carriage had arrived at the front-door, and 
 the two friends stepped in and drove off. For a considerable 
 distance neither spoke. Each seemed to be absorbed in his 
 9
 
 98 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 own thoughts. Dr. Woolsey was thinking over the symptoms 
 and treatment of his different patients ; whilst his professional 
 brother had his mind entirely engrossed in the consideration 
 of a single case. 
 
 " Doctor," said the latter, emphatically, rousing himself 
 up out of a deep revery, "I have just become partly con 
 vinced of a fact, which, as we are old friends, I think I might 
 as well divulge to you." 
 
 " Out with it," replied Dr. Woolsey, " if it is anything for 
 the advancement of the profession, or the benefit of suffering 
 humanity. Anything new in regard to the treatment of 
 scarlet fever would be peculiarly acceptable at present," 
 added the Doctor, whose skill was, just at that time, con 
 siderably baffled by several obstinate cases of the disease. 
 
 "Oh! confound your scarlet fever!" replied Manly, pet 
 tishly. " It's not every man who has got his whole mind, 
 body, and soul, wrapped up in the disgusting details of 
 loathsome disease, as you have. But what I intended to tell 
 you," he continued, in a confidential tone, and dropping his 
 voice to a low whisper, as if he was about to impart some 
 unusually profound secret, " is, that I believe that I am about 
 half in love with Miss Frank." 
 
 This simple piece of information, instead of producing the 
 jnost utter astonishment in his friend, threw him into a par 
 oxysm of violent and incontrollable laughter. He threw his 
 body backwards and forwards, stamped, as if he had fully 
 made up his mind to kick the bottom of the carriage out, and 
 laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks. After this fit 
 had passed off*, he wiped his face, and went into another 
 paroxysm, longer, louder, and heartier than before. 
 
 " What the mischief are you laughing at?" asked Manly, 
 as soon as his friend became somewhat composed. " I don't 
 see anything so strikingly ridiculous in such an avowal." 
 
 "Half in love! ha! ha! ha!" and the good-humored 
 Doctor went into another hearty laugh. " Why, my dear
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 99 
 
 fellow, did you just now discover that fact? If you do not 
 make out your professional cases better than that, one half of 
 them will be well, and the other half will be in the next 
 world before you know what is the matter with them ! Half 
 in love ! well, that is decidedly rich ! Why, my dear sir, you 
 are over head and ears in love ! completely immersed in a 
 concentrated fluid-extract of the article ; and there is not a 
 portion of your brain, as large as the end of my thumb-nail, 
 that does not bear a daguerreotype impression of Miss Emma 
 Frank!" 
 
 " And if you had not been as blind as a bat," he continued, 
 noticing his young friend's look of blank astonishment, " you 
 would have discovered that fact long ago. Why, sir, your 
 engagement and early marriage, is the subject of gossip at 
 every tea-table within five miles of the place. Mr. Frank's 
 servants talk of nothing else but the marriage of their young 
 mistress to the handsome Southern doctor, and my boy Jim, 
 whose perceptive faculties are none of the brightest, owing to 
 the fat through which they must penetrate before they escape, 
 looks upon you as completely lost, and very freely expresses 
 his regret, ' that such a handsome man should make such a 
 fool of himself!' " 
 
 " Confound the stupid young rascal !" exclaimed the young 
 doctor ; " I'll melt some of his surplus fat for him, the next 
 time I can lay my hands upon him." 
 
 " I certainly have not the least objection to the operation," 
 replied the Doctor, laughingly ; " a less quantity of it might 
 render him more active and serviceable. But before pro 
 ceeding to any ulterior measures, you had better consider 
 what you have done to create such opinions. To forsake 
 your old friend and collegiate chum during two-thirds of the 
 twenty- four hours, and to spend the whole of that time with 
 a handsome young lady ; to be gay and lively only in her 
 company, and melancholy and absent-minded towards every 
 body else ; and to take long solitary walks in the woods, and
 
 100 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 cull the choicest flowers of the season to make bouquets for 
 her only, are, certainly, things which will make some people 
 talk! When, in addition to this, it is remembered that you 
 talk most eloquently to yourself; write love-sonnets at mid 
 night, and read them to the moon ; spread mustard on your 
 bread under the impression that it is honey, and then curse 
 the bees for not discriminating between noxious and innoxious 
 flowers ; put salt into your tea for loaf-sugar, and then de 
 nounce the grocer for adulterating it with pewter-sand ; and 
 are guilty of a great variety of other acts which cannot be 
 rationally accounted for, when it is known that you are neither 
 insane nor in the habit of getting drunk ; the whole case looks, 
 to say the least, decidedly suspicious." 
 
 " Come, now, Doctor, I hope I hav'n't made such a perfect 
 fool of myself!" replied the young physician, with a desperate 
 attempt to force an incredulous smile. 
 
 " Well, I don't know about that," replied his friend. 
 " You have certainly done all that I have said, and more, 
 too. Whether such acts constitute a man or a fool, or a 
 lover, is a delicate question, and I prefer that you should an 
 swer it for yourself." 
 
 The carriage stopped at the door of Mr. Frank's residence, 
 and Dr. Manly, bidding his friend good morning, entered 
 the house. He found Emma alone, in the parlor, engaged 
 in reading. He had come to bid her farewell ; but, in doing 
 so, both discovered, what they had long felt, that each one's 
 existence was bound up in that of the other. W T e will not 
 commit the sacrilegious act of disclosing what confessions, 
 what promises, what hopes, what prospects for the dim, un 
 known future, entered into their vows of love. Such scenes, 
 occurring, as they do, but once in a lifetime, are sacred ; and 
 blinded be the eye that would attempt to penetrate the veil 
 which encloses them, and withered be the hand that would 
 attempt to record the holy words then spoken. The Record 
 ing Angel of Love and Truth lingers over the spot only long
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 101 
 
 enough to hear the word of promise spoken, and then wings 
 its way to the courts above, to register the vow that two pure 
 and loving hearts have plighted their youthful troth, and have 
 become one in body and in spirit, in the sight of God, and in 
 the sight of man. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 WHICH IS ALL ABOUT LOVE, AND ANOTHER KIND OF SLAVERY, 
 AND IS INTENDED ESPECIALLY FOR OUR LADY READERS. 
 
 THE moon had already risen high in the eastern sky, and 
 still Doctor Manly lingered by the side of Emma. He felt 
 that such happiness as he now enjoyed was too pure, too 
 seldom experienced, to be parted from lightly ; and, although 
 the silent hours of night fled rapidly by, he could not bring 
 his feelings to the sacrifice of leaving her, who now was 
 dearer to him than life. He spoke to her of the past, which 
 seemed to him to have been a dreary barren waste ; aad 
 dwelt fondly upon the bright prospects of the future, to which 
 he looked forward with the most confident feelings of hope. 
 
 " Oh, Emma !" he said, " how happy I shall be, when you 
 are once installed as the mistress of my Southern home ! My 
 people, too, whose happiness I have deeply at heart, need 
 only see you to love you. The natural kindness of your feel 
 ings will beget confidence and esteem in them, and thus will 
 be established those strong bonds of mutual good-will and 
 regard, which alone can ameliorate the horrors of slavery." 
 
 " Oh, Edwin ! Edwin ! I knew my heart was too full of 
 happiness for it to last!" exclaimed Emma, as she burst into 
 tears. " There was a sad, terrible foreboding an ominous 
 dread pervading my mind all day, that the future, which 
 seemed so bright, was to be mingled with some bitter cup of 
 9*
 
 102 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 sorrow. And now I see it ! Oh God ! why did I not think 
 of this before ! Truly, truly, Thou hast so ordained it, that 
 every pleasure should be accompanied with pain ! The one 
 follows the other just as surely as the darkness of night suc 
 ceeds the rays of the sun ! Oh, slavery ! thou art not only a 
 curse to thy victims, but thou art a curse to those who forge 
 thy fetters ! and must thou now, too, wring the 1 hearts of those 
 who hitherto had supposed themselves beyond the valley and 
 the shadow of thy power!" 
 
 " What, Emma !" exclaimed Manly, in a tone of deep 
 anguish, " do you look upon me as unworthy of your love, 
 because I am a slave-holder ? If so," he added, bitterly, 
 " I will release you from your vows, though to do so will 
 destroy the only bright rays of happiness that have ever 
 beamed upon me, and render my life worse than a living 
 death!" 
 
 " No ! no ! no ! Forgive me, Edwin ! Heaven knows I 
 do not mean to censure you ! Oh God ! what have I done ? 
 What dark, foul, and dreadful sin have I committed, that I 
 am thus tempted ? No, Edwin, I do not blame you. You 
 afe a slave-holder from necessity, not from choice. The evil 
 has been handed down to you by your progenitors, just as 
 sin, and the fruits thereof, have been entailed upon us all by 
 our original parents. But it is none the less an evil and a 
 sin on this account. You cannot avoid it ; but those whose 
 hands are happily yet free from it, should keep them clean 
 and pure, in the sight of God and man. Oh, Edwin!" she 
 added, with a painful burst of feeling, " I will not deny that 
 I love you deeply, fondly, truly love you ! I will offer up 
 my life, my happiness everything that is near and dear to 
 me on earth to see you happy all, all that I am, and all 
 that I hope to be, short of my eternal salvation! But I can 
 not, cannot stake that, by becoming the mistress, and, to 
 some extent, the owner of the flesh and blood of my fellow- 
 creatures!"
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 103 
 
 "You are right, you are right," replied Manly, in a tone of 
 deep, calm solemnity ; " God knows you are right ! I have 
 long since been convinced of the truth of what you say ; and 
 I have sincerely wished to wash my hands of it, if I only 
 knew how. You are yet free from the terrible evil, and it 
 would be wrong for you to enter into it, when you have a 
 choice. I, and thousands of others, have had no choice. 
 Our situation is the result of the force of circumstances. 
 Our fathers and their fathers, generation preceding genera 
 tion, held slaves ; and thus the evil has been transmitted to 
 us, much in the same manner, as you say, sin has been en 
 tailed upon us through the transgression of our first parents. 
 But then, in the latter case, Heaven has provided a way of 
 redemption ; but I can see none that promises a speedy de 
 livery for the slave. Would to God that I could!" 
 
 " Can you not emancipate ?" anxiously enquired Emma. 
 
 " Yes, I could," he replied, rapidly ; " I could set them 
 free ; but that would, in their present condition, and in the 
 present state of Northern sentiment, be a greater curse to 
 them than slavery itself. They are utterly unfit, in nine cases 
 out of ten, to provide for themselves. They are ignorant ; 
 they are not taught to exercise habits of judgment or re 
 flection ; and, consequently, if they were thrown out into the 
 world upon their own resources, the consequences would be 
 disastrous to themselves, and disastrous to the community in 
 which they-might be found. They have no knowledge of the 
 world. They only perform what they are ordered to do ; they 
 live but for the present ; they take no thought for the future ; 
 and the result is seen in the degraded condition of the run 
 away slaves, and free negroes of the North. They are, in 
 their present state, totally unprepared to enjoy liberty, al 
 though there can be no question in regard to their rights. 
 This is a short, yet true picture, of the general condition of 
 the slave. There are occasionally, I am happy to say,
 
 104 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 brilliant exceptions; but these exceptions only prove the 
 rule. 
 
 " A slave with liberty," continued Manly, his bright eye 
 flashing with the ardor of truthful conviction, " and without 
 a knowledge of its use, is very much like a young man cast 
 out on the world with a large fortune, but without a know 
 ledge of its value. We see the sad effects of the former case 
 only in the Northern States ; but those of the latter are ob 
 servable in all parts of the world. Hundreds and thousands 
 of young men, in all ages and in all countries, have been 
 ruined, body and soul, by suddenly-acquired wealth. They 
 did not know its value or its use were unacquainted with 
 the false and treacherous wiles of the world mistook 
 vicious indulgences for pleasure used their means only to 
 pamper to depraved appetites and feelings and thus their 
 wealth, which, if properly applied, would have been a bless 
 ing to themselves and to those around them, only afforded 
 them opportunities to hasten their physical, temporal, and 
 eternal downfall. Such cases are too familiar to everybody 
 to be denied. The physician's diary, the clergyman's expe 
 rience at the death-bed, the dockets of our criminal courts, 
 and the records of our almshouses, prisons, and gibbets, bear 
 sad evidences of the fact. The case with the slave is pre 
 cisely similar, and I need not dra\v the parallel. Whatever 
 theory we may choose to adopt, these practical truths cannot 
 be denied." 
 
 " There can be no doubt of the truth of what you say," 
 replied Emma. " The free negro of the North is certainly a 
 most miserable being ; but, from your own showing, it arises 
 principally from the wilful neglect of his former master. If 
 this is the case, and Southern men have the good of the negro 
 at heart, why do they not educate him, and teach him habits 
 of self-reliance ?" 
 
 " Simply, because great reforms are not the work of a 
 day," replied Manly; "and here is the grand mistake of
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 105 
 
 those who pretend to, and some of whom really do, sympa 
 thize with the slave. Some years ago, there was much more 
 of a disposition prevalent in the South, to educate the slaves, 
 than there is now. Masters employed clergymen to preach 
 to them ; they had overseers to instruct them in reading and 
 writing ; and in many cases, to my personal knowledge, they 
 educated them themselves. 
 
 " I am willing to admit that this was done with different 
 motives, some of which were bad ; but the end would have 
 been good. Whilst some instructed them out of pure 
 motives of philanthropy, others were actuated by the view 
 of rendering them more intelligent, merely that they might 
 become better workmen ; and, of course, more profitable. 
 Not a small number, too, began to educate them without 
 any motive whatever, except to conform to the custom of 
 their neighbors ; for man is an imitative creature everywhere, 
 and good examples, as well as bad ones, are contagious. 
 But this matters not the results would have been beneficial. 
 The doctrine of education began to gain friends rapidly ; and 
 those who, prompted by perverted feelings, opposed it, would 
 soon have been driven into it by the powerful force of public 
 opinion, against which nothing can stand. Before many 
 years would have elapsed, the slave would have become, to 
 a great extent, an intelligent being; the true friends of free 
 dom would have seen that he was endowed with capacities 
 for self-government and self-reliance ; the masters would have 
 been compelled to submit to the argument ; the slave would 
 have become conscious of the fact ; and thus would have 
 been established a moral force on all sides, which, when 
 acting in a combined manner, as it inevitably would, could 
 not have been resisted ; and emancipation must have fol 
 lowed, just as surely as light follows darkness, or the mists 
 of superstition and prejudice yield as truth advances. 
 
 " Slavery was gradually and quietly working out its own 
 salvation, just as it did in New York, New Jersey, and in
 
 106 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 your own Keystone State. But alas ! freedom has retro 
 graded rapidly within the last ten years. The beacon-light 
 of liberty, although, I hope to God? not quite gone out, now 
 burns dimly ; and its once bright rays now glimmer faintly in 
 the distance." 
 
 " I was not aware, before, that such advances had been 
 made to educate the slave," replied Emma, in a tone of 
 surprise. 
 
 "No. I suppose not," answered Manly. "Very few saw 
 it in the North ; and even in the South, many who witnessed 
 it did not even dream of its tendency. But, nevertheless, it 
 would have resulted, as education always does in liberty." 
 
 " But you say these things no longer exist. Why is this 
 so ?" enquired Emma, who became deeply interested in this, 
 to her, new view of the subject. 
 
 " That question is easily answered," replied Manly, bit 
 terly. " Action and reaction, it is said, are mutual. There 
 is no doubt of this ; only at times the reaction, from addi 
 tional excitement, becomes more powerful than the former, 
 and instead of merely rolling it back to its sources, over 
 whelms it with such a force as almost to bury it in oblivion. 
 It was so with the education of the slave. Just about the 
 time that the subject was making the most rapid progress, a 
 reaction took place. 
 
 "Enthusiastic zealots, wild fanatics, dreaming visionaries, 
 and unprincipled politicians, all combined in the North to 
 oppose slavery ; not in a spirit of calm argument and bro 
 therly Christian love, but in terms of the most envenomed 
 bitterness and deepest opprobrium. They denounced it as 
 the most foul and base sin against God and man. They 
 asserted that slave-holders were in league with the powers of 
 darkness, and that it was not only the right, but the duty of 
 the slave to break his chains, even if he did it at the sacrifice 
 of the life of his master. They raised the question of free- 
 power and slave-power, in the National Councils ; and by an
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 10T 
 
 appeal to the worst feelings of the people, attempted to gain 
 the political ascendency. In addition to this, they published 
 large numbers of incendiary publications, promulgating their 
 fanatical doctrines ; drawing false pictures of the horrors of the 
 enslaved state, or taking unfortunate exceptional cases of 
 cruelty, which they tried to convert into the rule, and dis 
 tributed these sentiments secretly yet freely among the slaves. 
 
 " As an opposite and alluring picture, they painted in the 
 most glowing colors, the happy condition of the free negroes 
 of the North ; the greater portion of which we know from 
 personal observation to be untrue. Stimulated by a sense of 
 wrong, which the slaves had only learnt through those works, 
 and tempted by the bright prospects held out to them, thou 
 sands escaped into the free States. The consequences may 
 be easily imagined. The loss of what was considered their 
 property, by such means, embittered even those who were 
 willing to emancipate of their own accord, because it wounded 
 their pride to have it forced upon them. The strong denun 
 ciations and bitter epithets which were heaped upon them, 
 enraged them, as we 'see is the case under all circumstances. 
 No man, however vile he may be, is convinced of his crimes 
 and induced to ' bring forth fruits meet for repentance,' by 
 being denounced as a scoundrel and villain. Mild words of 
 reason and persuasion, although their effects are not always 
 immediately observable, are never thrown away; and it is 
 certainly not ' compromising with sin* to resort to them be 
 tween man and man, when God condescends to win man, 
 his servants and creatures, to himself, by arguments of love, 
 charity and good-will unto all. 
 
 " The attempt to induce the free States," continued the 
 Doctor, "to gain the political supremacy, too, alarmed them, 
 and they began to fear that the South would not only oe com 
 pelled to submit to the North in regard to this question, but 
 in regard to all others of a local or sectional character, not 
 connected with the subject. All these, and many other things
 
 108 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 of minor grade, following in their train, induced them to 
 fortify themselves in their peculiar institution, by every means 
 in their power. They passed laws and penalties against in 
 structing slaves to read, for fear they would read those incen 
 diary works. They worked them harder, watched them more 
 closely, gave them less personal liberty, lest they might abuse 
 it ; and when they escaped, pursued them more keenly, and 
 after their capture, punished them with greater severity, as a 
 terror to themselves and others, against subsequent attempts 
 to escape. They retorted denunciation for denunciation, 
 returned epithet for epithet, and as a check upon what seemed 
 aggression on the part of the North, insisted upon more 
 efficient laws for the recovery of fugitives ; and attempted to 
 gain as much slave-territory as possible, for the purpose of 
 holding the balance of power. 
 
 " The true friends of the slave, in the South, who looked 
 forward to gradual emancipation, saw these things with heart 
 felt sorrow ; and though they attempted to convince the 
 people that such sentiments were entertained by only a small 
 portion of fanatics, it was vain. These arguments were un 
 heard and unheeded. The tide of liberty, which had been 
 setting steadily forward, now began to flow backward, and 
 not only destroyed everything that had been accomplished, 
 but actually washed away every trace for a foundation to 
 erect a groundwork, on which to base future operations ; 
 leaving the condition of the slave much more hopeless than 
 it had been previously." 
 
 " You defend the South most truthfully and eloquently," 
 replied Emma, who felt deeply convinced by his plain state 
 ment of facts. 
 
 " No, I beg your pardon, Emma," replied Manly, warmly; 
 " I do not defend the South or the North. Both have been 
 to blame I will not pretend to say which the more so. I 
 am a defender of neither section. I only try to prove, what 
 is very plain, that slave-holders are made of the same ma-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 109 
 
 terial of the same kind of clay as other men. They are 
 influenced by the same pecuniary and political interests ; 
 and, like men everywhere, will return acrimony and upbraid 
 ing in the same coin, and with compound interest. That, 
 like men in all countries, and under all circumstances, they 
 will defend themselves from attacks, even though they may 
 know that they are in the wrong, especially when those 
 attacks are accompanied with highly aggravating circum 
 stances. Human nature is human nature, wherever you may 
 chance to find it ; and I am only astonished, that those who 
 claim to be ' reformers,' do not study it more thoroughly, 
 before they attempt to govern it, under the various circum 
 stances of interest and prejudice, which are constantly modi 
 fying it." 
 
 "I understand the subject now," replied Emma. "I 
 always thought that the measures taken by some of our 
 Northern agitators were injudicious, and even injurious to 
 the cause of emancipation, although I could not give a reason 
 for the belief that was in me. I understand it all, now it 
 is as plain as that effect must follow cause. Oh God !" she 
 added, clasping her hands, and looking up to Heaven, "I 
 see, now, why I am thus tempted ! Truly, truly, the sins of 
 the parents are visited upon the children, even unto the 
 fourth and fifth generation !" 
 
 "Emma, blame not yourself," said Manly, in a calm, de 
 cided tone of voice. " You are yet guiltless of the sin of 
 oppression. Remain so ! God forbid that you should be a 
 partaker, with me, in this great evil! I will go to my home 
 in the sunny South. I have given nearly all my slaves the 
 rudiments of a common education, upon which I can easily 
 engraft the knowledge necessary to qualify them for freedom. 
 When this is accomplished, I wil] emancipate them. Then, 
 and then only, will I come and claim your hand. The pecu 
 niary sacrifice, and moral purification of such an act, will 
 10
 
 110 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 entitle rne, perhaps, more justly to the love of so pure a being 
 as yourself." 
 
 Emma answered not ; but there was an expression of 
 serene happiness and love in her countenance, that spoke 
 her feelings more eloquently than words could have done. 
 
 " I know my own feelings," he added, dropping down on 
 his knees, by her side, and clasping her small white hand 
 within his own, " and I know that absence will not diminish 
 my love for you ; but that it will grow stronger and stronger, 
 day by day, and be a powerful incentive to a proper dis 
 charge of the task I am resolved to perform. And I know, 
 Emma, that I need not ask you to remain true to your 
 vows." 
 
 " No," she replied ; " my lips need not respond to the 
 throbbings of my heart. Though year should follow year, 
 ere you felt that you had discharged your duty, my heart 
 would not weary in its devotion to you ; my mind would not 
 tire in following you in your noble cause ; and my resolution 
 would not fail me, to await your return. My humble self, 
 and my humble love are, I know, not worthy of you ; but I 
 must be much more unworthy than I feel that I am, if such 
 noble disinterestedness were not sufficient to retain my affec 
 tions whilst life's feeble flame shall continue to glow !" 
 
 " I knew it, Emma I knew it, without your words to say 
 so !" replied Manly, warmly, and with a voice tremulous with 
 emotion. 
 
 " And day by day," she replied, " every hour of my life, 
 you shall have my best wishes ; and my nightly prayers shall 
 be, that God may as I know he will smile upon your 
 noble efforts." 
 
 The small hours of the morning had already begun very 
 sensibly to lengthen themselves, when the two lovers parted, 
 with oft-repeated promises of never-dying love, and heartfelt 
 wishes for each other's health and happiness. 
 
 Dr. Manly returned to the house of his friend, to prepare
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. Ill 
 
 for his early departure to his home. Emma watched him 
 until he had disappeared behind the intervening trees, and 
 then retired to her room, not to sleep, but to pray, as she had 
 said, and amidst tears and supplications to thank God that 
 she was an humble instrument in the hands of Heaven, to 
 work out the liberation of many human souls, and to remove 
 the stain of slavery from one who, to her, was dearer than 
 life. 
 
 Ah, love ! thou art meek and lowly in thy garb, but thou 
 art great and powerful in thy acts ! Like the light of Hea 
 ven, from whence thou emanated, thou comest almost unper- 
 ceived ; quietly insinuating thyself into the most inaccessible 
 places, and penetrating into the most hidden recesses ! Like 
 it, thou art reflected upon all surrounding objects, and instead 
 of being wasted and consumed by thy diffusion, thou art in 
 creased as thou progressest, and art strengthened by any 
 exertion of thy power! Though thou art inoffensive and 
 mild, thou art mightier than the sword, and more powerful 
 than the statesman's words of burning eloquence ! 
 
 By what strange power of sympathy dost thou link mind 
 with mind, unite soul to soul, and cause hearts, whose feel 
 ings were widely dissimilar, to beat together in pure harmo 
 nious union ? By what magical influence dost thou soften 
 the rough asperities of our stern natures, rendering the rude, 
 strong man as kind and docile as a lamb ; whilst thou yet at 
 times givest' such noble, such lofty intrepidity to the fearful s 
 shrinking woman, that her character merges on the sublime ? 
 Thou art not only great in thy manifestations between those 
 whom God has ordained to be ' helpmates ' one for another ; 
 but, in all thy modifications, thy power is felt above all 
 others! Between man and his brother man, between sister 
 and sister, parent and child, and in all thy relations, thy holy 
 emanations work good, continually and forever! Oh, that 
 thy benign influence was more frequently brought to bear, 
 so that thou mightest take the place of the blood-stained
 
 112 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 sword, the bitter, impassioned controversy, and the en 
 venomed words of personal disputes ; which bring forth 
 nothing but bitterness and estrangement between man and 
 man ! When that time comes, then, and then only, will 
 " the wolf dwell with the lamb, and the leopard lie down 
 with the kid ; and the calf, and young lion, and the falling 
 together; and the little child shall lead them." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CONTAINING SOME OP JIMMY' S SENTIMENTS IN REGARD TO A 
 NATION'S DUTY TOAVARDS ITS OWN SUBJECTS, AND THE SUB 
 JECTS OF OTHER COUNTRIES ; TOGETHER WITH AN INCIDENT, 
 PROVING THAT THOSE GOOD-HEARTED PEOPLE, WHO ARE 
 CONSTANTLY "OVERFLOWING WITH THE MILK OF HUMAN 
 KINDNESS," CAN ALWAYS FIND PLENTY OF DESERVING OB 
 JECTS OF CHARITY NEAR AT HOME, WITHOUT PURSUING AN 
 Jr/niS fatUUS 'RACE, UNCLASSICALLY TERMED " A WILD-GOOSE 
 CHASE," AFTER THEM. 
 
 IT was on a bright sunny morning, several weeks after the 
 meeting in the Temple of Liberty, that Mr. Frank was 
 walking through one of the beautiful squares in the city of 
 Philadelphia. The green grass was just beginning to put on 
 its deep livery ; the trees of the square were becoming robed 
 in their summer leaves ; the gray squirrels chirped, glee- 
 somely, on the ground ; and the bright fountain threw up its 
 jets of sparkling water, and scattered the spray around in a 
 thin, silvery mist. The place, too, was thronged with chil 
 dren, who were running, romping, jumping ropes, driving 
 hoops, and indulging in all the varieties of youthful sports, 
 with childish glee and mirthfulness. But the innocent beau-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAILr-AGEXT. 113 
 
 ties of the scene were entirely lost upon him. His mind was 
 so completely absorbed in reflection, that he passed the various 
 objects around him without noticing them ; and, consequently, 
 failed to perceive the presence of a gentleman directly in 
 front of him, who was poised most adroitly on one foot, 
 whilst he was describing some exceedingly tortuous hiero 
 glyphics on the gravel walk, with the other, under the im 
 pression that he was writing. The result of this want of 
 observation was, that he only became aware of his presence 
 upon walking directly up against him, and by both tumbling 
 together into the grass with a circumgyrating motion, most 
 graphically described by the common term of " head over 
 heels." 
 
 "My dear sir, I I really beg your pardon!" stammered 
 Mr. Frank, as soon as he had disentangled his legs from a 
 pair of the same articles, that belonged to the other gentle 
 man. "I am extremely sorry that this accident has happened 
 it was my fault, altogether, and I really beg your pardon." 
 
 " Slmre, sir, an' there's not the laste bit of nade of the 
 same. It's meself that begs tin thousand pardons ov yer 
 honor, for standin' in yer way, and causin' ye to fall over the 
 likes o' me. Troth, sir, and iv I'd broke my neck, it 'ud 
 have been no more nor I desarved bad luck till me!" 
 There was no mistaking the rich brogue and decided accent 
 of the speaker. 
 
 " Jimmy O'Brien !" exclaimed Mr. Frank, grasping the 
 speaker warmly by the hand, " is this you ?" 
 
 " Troth, sir, and iv it's not meself that I am," replied 
 Jimmy, " I'm very much desaived in me own opinion. And 
 shure, it's plazed that I am," he added, " to see yer honor 
 look so well." 
 
 " Well, yes, I am tolerably well," replied Mr. Frank. 
 " How are you ?" 
 
 " Nothin' to complain ov, as the ould lady said to the 
 docther, when he wanted to blade her," replied Jimmy 
 10*
 
 114 HE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " savin' that it's sorra a bit ov work that I've had since the 
 day I helped Mr. Fitznoosle to finish his spache ; and I nade 
 scarcely tell yer. honor, that livin' without workin' is not as 
 aisy as one 'ud suppose, judgin' from the numbers that fol- 
 lers it." 
 
 " If that is the case," said Mr. Frank, " I suppose you 
 \vould have no objections to engage in an ordinary service.'' 
 
 " I only wish anybody 'ud tempt me with an offer," re 
 plied Jimmy, warmly ; " shure, if I wouldn't yaild to it, thin 
 bad luck to me !" 
 
 " Well, Jimmy, I intend to go South," said Mr. Frank, 
 " and shall want an attendant. Mr. Burton had intended to 
 go with me, and take his servant along ; but I have of late 
 discovered some traits in his character which I do not like, 
 and shall therefore not have him to accompany me. Now, 
 if you would like to take a trip in that direction, I will hire 
 you." 
 
 " Troth, sir, and I'll agree to that same with the greatest 
 ov pleashur," replied Jimmy. " I'll foller yer honor to the 
 ind of the airth !" 
 
 "And in return for your services," continued Mr. Frank, 
 " I will pay all your expenses, and give you the same wages 
 that you formerly received in this city." 
 
 Upon receiving this proposition, Jimmy suddenly, without 
 any apparent cause, threw his old cap high into the air, and 
 caught it dexterously on his foot, as it descended. He then 
 danced about the gravel walk, in an exceedingly free and 
 frisky manner, to the imminent danger of the numerous in 
 fantile specimens of the human family around ; and after 
 singing alternate lines of " Old hundred," " Och, love is 
 the sowl of a nate Irishman," and " To the divil we'll pitch 
 dull care," to a tune compounded of equal proportions of all 
 three, he finally wound up by giving in his most emphatic 
 adhesion to the bargain, under pain of a general forfeiture of 
 all his rights, claims, and titles, to the world to come.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 115 
 
 " Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, after they had walked away 
 several blocks, and the former gentleman's paroxysm of joy had 
 somewhat subsided, " perhaps we may meet with some slaves 
 in the South, who are badly treated, and if we do, would you 
 have any objections to assisting me in freeing them from the 
 galling yoke of bondage ?" 
 
 " Not the laste in the world !" replied Jimmy. " Shure, 
 didn't I run away from dare, swate ould Ireland, the land ov 
 me fathers, jist on account ov the burthinsome oppression; 
 an', faith, my heart must be as black as a nagur's face, iv I 
 wouldn't assist the poor an' the down-trodden, all the world 
 over!" 
 
 " Such sentiments are highly creditable to you, Jimmy," 
 said Mr. Frank, warmly. 
 
 " I'm glad to hear yer honor say so," replied Jimmy, with 
 a low bow. " But, with all deferinse to yer superior larnin' 
 an' judgmint, I think more good could be done by attemptin' 
 somethin' for the oppressed, beggared, an' praste-ridden 
 poor ov ould Ireland for, sure, they stand more in nade 
 ovit!" 
 
 " Yes, I have no doubt of that, at all," replied Mr. Frank, 
 seriously ; " but then, you know, Ireland forms no part of 
 our country. The people of every nation have enough to do 
 to regulate their own affairs." 
 
 " There's no manner ov question but that's sound doc 
 trine," said Jimmy ; " but thin ould England is kind enough 
 to take a great concern in the slavery of this counthry ; an' 
 I don't know why we shouldn't return the feelin', especially 
 seein' that the poor of England, Scotland, and Ireland, are 
 ov the same color and religion as ourselves, and are much 
 worse trated than the 'Merikin slaves. Don't all the lords 
 and lirned mimbers ov Parlimint," he added, "spake con 
 tinually about the abominable slave-traffic ov this country ? 
 Ain't the big newspapers filled with articles ag'inst it ; and 
 don't many ov their orators and trav'lers come here for the
 
 116 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 very purpose of spakin' and writin' against its evils, and, at the 
 same time, deny thir own poor, who are kept in a much more 
 miserable condishun, the benefit ov thir time and talents ? 
 Sure, sich kindness desarves some return from the paple ov 
 this country, and I hope they'll git it some time or other !" 
 
 " Well, yes, perhaps, Jimmy," replied Mr. Frank, eva 
 sively, for he did not exactly know whether he was in earnest, 
 or, to use one of his own expressions, was only " badgerin'." 
 " But if the people of England," he added, " see proper to 
 neglect their duty as citizens to their own country, it is no 
 reason why we should do the same. In fact, it is an addi 
 tional argument in favor of all persons minding their own 
 affairs. I, for my part, believe in the doctrine of doing as 
 much as possible towards removing ignorance, suffering, and 
 misery in our own land, before we carry our charity from 
 home." 
 
 " Well, yis, that's sound Christian doctrine, that's sartin," 
 replied Jimmy ; " and iv it was carried out, ivery body 'ud 
 have their hands full, in all parts ov the world ; and misery 
 would disappear, like the dust from the strates ov Jerusalem, 
 by ivery man sweepin' before his own door for poverty and 
 sufferin' are found wherever we turn our eyes. Even here, 
 in these blessed fray States, it's enough to make a haythen's 
 heart blade, to see the misery and wretchedniss ov the poor, 
 and yit all this is happiness, compared to what is seen in the 
 ould country!" 
 
 Jimmy, like all true Irishmen, possessed, not only the 
 gift of loquacity in an eminent degree, but he also possessed 
 another very useful trait of Irish character, and that was, 
 native shrewdness. He always had enough crude material 
 on hand, to talk for hours, on nearly any subject ; but he was 
 also, at the same time, very quick of perceiving when he had 
 said enough to suite the taste of the company. In the pre 
 sent instance, he observed that the free and copious notes 
 with which he was adorning their topic of conversation, were
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 117 
 
 not very agreeable to Mr. Frank ; and he thereiore wisely 
 postponed the details of several very interesting cases of suf 
 fering and final death, which had come under his personal 
 notice, in the city of Brotherly Love, and which would have 
 required but little of the extra philanthropy which was con 
 stantly effervescing, like so much scum, on the top of society, 
 for their relief. 
 
 " My dear sir, please give me a shilling, and God will 
 bless you!" exclaimed a woman, rushing out from a small 
 alley, and placing herself directly in the way of Mr. Frank, 
 in. a manner which proved that she was no ordinary beggar. 
 In addition to this abruptness of manner, there was some 
 thing fearfully, indescribably desperate about her whole ap 
 pearance. 
 
 Her countenance was pale, but wild and haggard. Her 
 cheek-bones were high and prominent, and her full black 
 eyes, which seemed sunken deeply into her head, glistened 
 with a fearfully brilliant lustre. Mr. Frank gazed at her for 
 a few moments, completely undecided how to act. The un 
 earthly sparkle of her eye, the uncertain quiver of the lip, 
 the trembling motion of her long, bony arm, as she thrust it 
 almost into his face, sadly reminded him of some unfortunate 
 beings whom he had seen in an insane asylum ; and he 
 thought it was probable that she might be one of these mind- 
 wrecked creatures,, who had escaped from confinement. 
 Whilst he was debating this question, she watched the vary 
 ing motions of his countenance with an anxiety truly painful 
 to witness. Her sharp glances seemed as if they would not 
 only read the first faint ray of hope, but as if they would 
 actually penetrate into his mind, and search his inmost feel 
 ings. Finally, as if unable to endure the torturing suspense 
 any longer, she threw herself on her knees before him. 
 
 " Oh, for God's sake, do not refuse me!" she exclaimed, 
 in tones of sharp, painful anguish, which went like a dagger
 
 118 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 to his heart ; "I am no beggar ! Heaven knows I never 
 asked alms of mortal man before ; but, oh, a mother's heart 
 will do anything to save a child from starvation ! Oh, give, 
 give me but a single sixpence to buy food, and may Heaven's 
 choicest blessings rest upon you, and upon those you love, 
 forever!" 
 
 " Come along, my old gal!" said a rough-looking, short, 
 thick, heavily-built man, with a police-officer's badge on his 
 coat-collar, and a rum-soaked nose on his face, as he grasped 
 her roughly by the shoulder. " Come along, my old gal ! 
 None o' that sort of nonsense we're up tO'that dodge, and 
 a thing or two, and you can't come the bluff game over this 
 child ! You can bet high on that ! So, if you don't want to 
 take up lodgings on a board, at the expense of the city, 
 you'd better make yourself scarce, and keep yourself in that 
 state !" 
 
 For a moment, it seemed as if the poor creature would 
 faint away beneath the brutal officer's rough grasp, and still 
 rougher words. A dim mist gathered over her eyes, her pale 
 face became, if possible, even more bloodless, a cold, clammy 
 sweat covered her brow, and there was a low, heavy gasping 
 for breath in her throat, which threatened suffocation. But 
 it was but for a moment, and then a bright crimson flush 
 passed over her cheek. 
 
 "Villain!" she exclaimed, as by one powerful effort she 
 tore loose from the strong man's grasp, and stood looking at 
 him with a flashing eye ; " Villain ! do you consider me a 
 street vagrant ?" 
 
 " Well, I don't consider you any thing else ! /don't," 
 replied the conservator of the peace, with an accent and em 
 phasis which was intended to be exceedingly consequential, 
 but owing to the natural disposition of the animal, and 
 several brandy-sraas/ies, was decidedly rowdyish. 
 
 " Oh, God! has it come to this?" she murmured, as the 
 unwonted excitement passed off, and she staggered towards
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 119 
 
 the street, into which she would have most inevitably fallen, 
 if Mr. Frank had not caught her in his arms. 
 
 " She has got some of the real spirit," said the officer 
 coolly, turning to Mr. Frank. " Most of these nymphs git 
 tamed down directly ; but then there's some, like this one, 
 who's so high-strung that it takes a good long while before 
 the fire burns out of 'em and some few of 'em never loses 
 their mettle. These wimmin is strange critters they are !" 
 he added, with a sigh, compounded of one part of philosophy 
 and three of brandy. 
 
 " But then I suppose you're a stranger in this city, and 
 ain't up to the Idnks" continued the officer, with increased 
 obsequiousness, as he took another view of his dress. There 
 is nothing like a good coat, to recommend you to the favor 
 able notice of a police-officer, but wo unto you if you are 
 threadbare ! you are certain of a night in the lock-up. " Now 
 you see," he added, "this city is full of begging vagrants 
 who follow it as a business, and the Mayor has given orders 
 to have 'em all arrested, whenever we can catch 'em ; so that 
 ladies and gentlemen mayn't be annoyed in their walks. As 
 this is the first time I've seen this precious 'un on the beat, I 
 think I'll just let her pass with a gentle warnin' not to be 
 seen on \hepave again." 
 
 " But, certainly, you do not consider her a common beg 
 gar," replied Mr. Frank, in a more than usually meek tone 
 of voice ; for, like some other good-minded persons, he labored 
 under the mistaken impression that police-officers were gen 
 tlemen, who were chosen to act as guardians of the lives and 
 property of citizens, on account of their well-known honesty 
 and good moral character, instead of being appointed only 
 in return for some low, mean, dirty, pot-house electioneering 
 services, which they had rendered to their superiors in office, 
 and equals in morals. 
 
 "No, sir!" said Jimmy, stepping briskly up in front of the 
 officer, and answering for him in a very firm tone of voice ;
 
 120 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " she is not I know that. I know thim as begs for a thrade 
 as well as ony man an' she's none ov 'era. I've seen 
 poverty an sufferin' too, yer boner, in all its forms, an' shure ! 
 I've heard that deep cry of agony that burst from her lips, 
 too often, in ould Ireland, to be mistaken in it ! It only 
 comes from bladein' hearts that have concaled their misery 
 in their own buzoms until it's consumin' the last drap ov their 
 life's blood, like a ragin' fire. I've heard that same terrible 
 sound," he continued, in a voice choked with sad recollec 
 tions, " in the cabins, in the bogs, in the valleys, on the 
 mountain-tops, and by the wayside, and its wild echoes are 
 still ringing in me ears ; and I can yit see wid me own eyes, 
 the poor, starvin' creathurs, wid their wasted bodies, as they 
 laid down thegither in heaps to die, widout a soul to close 
 their eyes, or say, ' God bless ye!' Och! yer honer, there's 
 somethin' about the rale cry of misery, that I can't describe 
 to ye, but it goes strait to me heart, an' I can fale it workin' 
 there, like a Spirit Power from the betther wurld !" 
 
 " You are right, Jimmy you are right ! Come, my poor 
 woman," said Mr. Frank, turning to her, " I will go with 
 you, and see what I can do to relieve your misery." 
 
 " Thank God !" gasped, rather than spoke, the poor trem 
 bling creature, as she clasped her bony hands, and raised her 
 streaming eyes towards Heaven. "Thank God! my child, 
 my hope, my support, may still live !" 
 
 " See here !" said the officer, laying his hand upon Mr. 
 Frank's shoulder ; " if you go with her and get your pocket 
 picked, don't blame me, will ye?" 
 
 " Yis, an' see here, me walkin' whiskey-barrel!" replied 
 Jimmy, shaking his fist under the officer's official-looking 
 nasal appendage; " iv ye say anither word, an' git yer head 
 broke, don't blame me, will ye ? but charge the same to yer 
 own account !" 
 
 " Come, Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, " it is against the law 
 to threaten an officer, in the discharge of his duty."
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 121 
 
 " Discharge ov his duty !" exclaimed Jimmy, contemptu 
 ously. " Do ye call it dischargin' his duty, to be runnin' 
 from one grog-shop to another, soaking his ugly carcass with 
 rum ; and instade of aidin' and protectin' the poor an' the 
 destitute, to add abuse to the sufferin' which is already 
 breakin' of their hearts ? Av that's dischargin' his duty, the 
 sooner he's frightened out of it's path, the better it'll be 
 for the people and himself, too, in the nixt world, where 
 a police-officer's badge ain't an object of venerashun, as it's 
 here !" 
 
 The alley into which the woman passed, followed by Mr. 
 Frank and Jimmy, was a narrow, dirty, filthy passage, 
 bounded on both sides by low, miserable, rotten houses. 
 Into one of these she passed. The repulsive exterior of the 
 dwelling induced Mr. Frank to think that perhaps the police- 
 officer was right, and that the begging was only a device to 
 entrap strangers into a pickpocket's den. He hesitated 
 slightly, and looked back enquiringly at Jimmy, who read 
 his thoughts in the expression of his face. 
 
 " Niver mind, only go on," he said. " Av thir's any foul 
 work to be done, we'll let 'ern know that fightin's a double- 
 sided game, at which both parties can play." 
 
 On entering the room, he witnessed a scene which at once 
 dispelled his rising suspicions. On the floor, or rather, on an 
 old chaff-bag, lying on the floor, lay iheform of a beautiful 
 girl of about eighteen. Yes ! \heform lay there it was all 
 that remained. The spirit had fled to those happy realms 
 " where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are 
 at rest." It had gone to inherit the inheritance of the poor. 
 Hard labor, sickness, poverty, and unfeeling oppression, had 
 done their work ; and the pure spirit, which had struggled 
 hard with the adverse waves of the world, for the sake of the 
 mother she loved, and the darling sister who was still holding 
 her head in her arms, and pressing her warm lips to her icy 
 brow, had winged its way to a better world. 
 11
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " Good God !" exclaimed Mr. Frank, as his eyes fell on 
 the face of that frail being, beautiful even in death. " Good 
 God ! it is too late it is all over !" 
 
 "No, it is not all over !" replied the woman, in a low, 
 hissing tone of voice ; "it is not all over with those who 
 overtasked her feeble powers, who refused to reward her for 
 wearing out her precious life in adorning their bodies, and 
 who turned me away from their door last night with a refusal 
 to pay for her work, because they made a rule to pay only 
 every six months, and could not be annoyed by their mantua- 
 maker's calling for their money as soon as it was earned ! It 
 is not all over \vith them ! They have got a bloody, bloody, 
 bloody account to settle some day, that can't be put off!" 
 she exclaimed, in a wild, piercing voice, " and may God 
 measure out his judgment upon them, as they measured unto 
 others!" 
 
 " Mother, mother, don't oh don't speak so !" exclaimed 
 the younger daughter, dropping her dead sister's head, and 
 twining her arms around her mother's waist. "Oh, don't! 
 if it is only for Mary's sake ! It will pain her spirit in Hea 
 ven, to hear you speak thus ! Her dying breath was spent in 
 asking for forgiveness for her own sins, and for those who ill- 
 treated us!" 
 
 " I know it I know it !" replied the mother, bitterly ; " but 
 she was an angel whilst on earth, while I am not. I don't 
 want to be ! I can't pray for those who murdered your father 
 who murdered both your sisters, and who'll murder you 
 and me too ! Shall I pray for those for whom you and your 
 sister in Heaven labored until she killed herself; and who 
 then refused to pay us, to save her from starvation ? No, no, 
 a just God never intended that I should !" 
 
 " But, mother," said the fair girl, with a fearful shudder at 
 her parent's blasphemous words, " you know that Christ 
 says, ' Pray for those that despitefully use you ;' and even 
 when nailed to the cross, enduring sufferings compared to
 
 
 
 DEATH OF THE SEAMSTRESS.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 123 
 
 which our misery is happiness, he prayed his Father to ' for 
 give them, for they know not what they do.' Let us try to 
 imitate his meek and lowly example. Every precept of reli 
 gion " 
 
 " Religion ! religion !" she exclaimed, scornfully ; " do not 
 talk to me about that ! I have seen enough of it ! When 
 we were rich, and went to the Rev. Dr. Fairface's church, 
 in our carriage, then we were good Christians ! As long as 
 we were able to kneel down with him, and the rest of the 
 congregation, to prayer, on crimson velvet cushions, and pay 
 hundreds yearly to support him and his family in a false and 
 pampered pride, then we were good Christians ! But then, 
 when your father failed and failed honestly, by paying every 
 dollar in his possession to his creditors then we were no 
 longer invited to church. Even when we met Dr. Fairface, 
 his family, or any of the members of the congregation, in the 
 street, they passed us without a bow of recognition, and 
 shunned us as they would a walking pestilence. Finally, 
 when your father died, and I begged him to preach the ser 
 mon, so that he might be buried in a decent, Christian-like 
 manner, don't you remember how he refused, because, owing 
 to our poverty, we had no physician attending him, and 
 could, consequently, furnish no certificate as to the cause of 
 his death. The holy saint was afraid he might sully the 
 purity of his ermine by burying a poor man, who might 
 have died of over-exertion and starvation ! Don't preach 
 religion to me !" 
 
 " But then I would suppose," said Mr. Frank, who enter 
 tained very much the same sentiments as the woman did, in 
 regard to that spurious article which circulates currently for 
 religion, " that you had many wealthy, charitable, and phi 
 lanthropic individuals in this city, who would minister to 
 the relief of the poor and destitute, out of pure feelings of 
 humanity ?" 
 
 " Yes, we have such persons," replied the woman, with a
 
 124 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 cold sneer. " We have hundreds who will subscribe freely 
 towards defraying the expenses of circulating the Gospel, 
 which they scarcely ever read, and never obey themselves, 
 amongst the heathen, for the mere purpose of getting their 
 names into public print, ' so that they may be glorified of 
 men' ! We have plenty of men, too, who will spend their 
 time and money in attempts to liberate the Southern slaves, 
 who do not feel, and can never realize a single tithe of the 
 misery and suffering of the poor of our city ! We have my 
 riads of philanthropists who will profusely lavish their means 
 on any, so-called, ' Reform,' which will parade their names 
 before the world, so that their vanity may be fed by men's 
 praises ; but we have few, very few, who take the trouble to 
 go into the byways and alleys of our great den of misery, 
 to meet and relieve the wretchedness at their doors, where 
 they will be seen by the eye of God only ! Oh, no ! they 
 won't do that they can't afford to do business on credit 
 they can't wait for their reward in Heaven they must have 
 the cash down, in the shape of man's praise, ' on demand, 
 and without defalcation!'" 
 
 " Pray compose yourself, Mrs. Woodville," said an 
 amiable-looking young man, who had just entered unob 
 served, and who, as it appeared afterwards, had been the 
 dead girl's physician. " Regrets cannot recall your daugh 
 ter's spirit nor should you resort to them, if they could. 
 Mary is happier where she is than she was, or ever would 
 have been, in this world." 
 
 " Who said I was regretting her death, Doctor.? I am 
 glad she is dead! Ha! ha! ha!" and the woman broke out 
 abruptly into a wild, ringing laugh, which echoed through 
 the chamber of death with a fearfully sepulchral and super 
 natural sound. 
 
 " Oh, mother! oh! as you love me, don't do that!" ex 
 claimed her daughter, with an agonized emphasis on the last 
 word, as if she thought it a sacrilege even to name a laugh
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 125 
 
 in the presence of her dead sister. " For Mary's for my 
 own for Heaven's sake don't !" she added, as a fearful 
 shudder ran through her delicate frame. 
 
 "Why not, Emma? why not?" said the mother, hyste 
 rically. "Why should I not laugh when I am glad? I 
 would be glad if we could both be buried with her ! because 
 we must both go the same way, and in the same manner, 
 before long!" 
 
 " Oh ! for Heaven's sake, do something for the poor wo 
 man !" said Mr. Frank, catching the young doctor by the 
 arm. " She is going crazy!" 
 
 " It is best, perhaps," replied the Doctor, slowly, "to let 
 her unburthen her feelings there is less risk to her mind, 
 than by attempting to arrest them. To let her say all that 
 she has got to say, will relieve her, and prevent subsequent 
 danger." 
 
 " But it is too terrible /" said Mr. Frank. 
 
 "Terrible 1 ?" exclaimed the woman, who had only over 
 heard this word. " Do you call this terrible ? This is nothing ! 
 nothing! nothing! Do you see that face?" she screamed, 
 as she drew the miniature of a beautiful young girl out of her 
 bosom, and held it directly before his eyes. " That is the 
 face of my oldest, my first-born, and my first-lost child ! 
 
 " Would you like to know her history ? it's a short one," 
 she added ; but before he could answer, she continued, 
 with a rapid utterance: "She supported the family her 
 sick parents and young sisters by her needle, just as Mary, 
 there, did before she died ; and like her, too, she began to 
 decline ; her lungs became affected, and her strength failed 
 rapidly. Just at this time, when we were all about to resign 
 ourselves to despair, she saw a notice, in a daily paper, that, 
 ' a young lady was wanted, to take care of an elderly gen 
 tleman, where the work would be light, and wages good.' 
 We looked upon this as a bright beacon of hope. She left 
 home, one fine morning, to make application for the station 
 11*
 
 126 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 of nurse, as she supposed. That day, the next, and another, 
 and another, weeks and months passed, but she came not. 
 We made all possible search for her, but in vain ! We gave 
 her up, with many bitter, bitter tears, as lost to us forever. 
 A year had elapsed when, one night, I heard a light knock 
 at the door. I opened it, and, oh God ! there was ray lost 
 child ! She had returned ! Yes ! she had come back to the 
 arms of her mother ! but how ? Ruined ! ruined ! body and 
 soul!" 
 
 "Ah! you begin to think this is terrible !" she exclaimed, 
 in a tone of icy mockery, as she observed the cold sweat 
 gathering over Mr. Frank's pale brow r , and a low tremor 
 thrill through his body. " Yes, it is I'm glad you realize 
 it. I need not tell you, that this advertisement was a bait, 
 to decoy. her into an infernal den, where she was kept con 
 fined by lock and key, for months, by one of our most wealthy 
 merchants the husband of a lovely woman ; the father of 
 six children ^ a prominent member of Dr. Fairface's church, 
 and a liberal patron of all modern reforms ! Violence, force., 
 brutalized barbarity, at which the soul of the blackest fiend 
 would shudder, accomplished their purpose, and then she 
 was turned out, to come home to her poor mother's arms, to 
 give birth to the fruits of shame, and to die ! She and her 
 babe are covered by the clay of Potter's-field! Is that 
 terrible?" 
 
 "Oh! no! That's nothing! nothing! nothing!" she 
 continued, in a tone of bitter irony. " If she had only been 
 a slave in some Southern State, and had been thus ruined, 
 body and soul, by her master, then the case would have been 
 entirely different ! What a pure fund of pious feeling would 
 have suddenly become awakened in the breasts of our 
 northern philanthropists! How deeply they would have 
 sympathized with the poor unfortunate victim! How elo 
 quently they would have denounced the whole system of 
 slavery ; and with what a holy indignation would they have
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT 127 
 
 decried a government that permitted a state of society to 
 exist, in which such damning crimes could be committed 
 with impunity ! But as it was, nothing was said or done. 
 Nobody raised a hand or a voice in behalf of injured inno 
 cence, because doing so would have been merely performing 
 an act of pure justice to a poor, fallen creature of their own 
 race and color ! There was no fanaticism to prompt it no 
 glory to be gained by it, in this world, and it might have re 
 quired the sacrifice of some personal interest so it wasn't 
 done !" 
 
 " Come with me," said the young doctor, taking hold of 
 Mr. Frank's arm. " This is no place for us ; our presence 
 only increases her frenzy. Emma," he added in a low tone, 
 turning to the young girl, "try to compose your mother, as 
 you best can. I will return soon, alone, and see what I can 
 do for you." 
 
 " Thank you, Doctor thank you !" said the girl ; "you 
 are indeed, like Luke, not only a physician to the body, but 
 a physician to the soul." 
 
 " Was that all true which we heard ?" said Mr. Frank to 
 his companion, after they had got out into the street ; " or 
 was it merely the wild ravings of an over-excited brain ?" 
 
 " God knows it is all too true !" replied the doctor, 
 solemnly. 
 
 "What was done with the merchant?" enquired Mr. 
 Frank, after a short pause, as he wiped the damp sweat from 
 his face. 
 
 "Nothing!" 
 
 " Nothing ! Is there no law in the land ?" 
 
 " I believe there is," replied the doctor ; " but it is like 
 nearly everything else those who want to^use it must be 
 able to pay for it, which our poor friend was not. Besides 
 this, .the death of the girl destroyed the proof; and so the 
 diabolical author of her ruin escaped punishment." 
 
 " But then, I suppose," replied Mr. Frank, " he is univer-
 
 128 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 sally despised and loathed in the community ; and thus 
 receives a small share of the punishment due to him." 
 
 " By no means," said the doctor ; u he holds as high a 
 position as he ever did. Scripture tells us that charity 
 covereth a multitude of sins. I have no doubt it is so in 
 the sight of God ; but with men, wealth possesses similar 
 virtues. It is true, it made a little excitement among the 
 congregation of which he is a member, but it soon passed 
 away. He always contributed freely towards the expenses 
 of the church, and the minister, therefore, could not afford 
 to lose him ; so he gave the whole affair several good olea 
 ginous coatings, and he thus retained his profitable member, 
 instead of cutting him off and casting him into the fire, as 
 Scripture teaches us should be done." 
 
 "Here, take this money!" said Mr. Frank, handing the 
 young physician a roll of notes, as he was about to leave 
 him ; "give it to the poor woman, but do not tell her from 
 whom it comes." 
 
 "In behalf of the widow and orphan, you have my 
 deepest, heartfelt thanks!" exclaimed the doctor, grasping 
 his hand warmly. " This will not only preserve the family 
 from starvation, but it will insure the daughter a good burial, 
 which no one deserves more than she does." 
 
 " Alas !" he added musingly, as if to himself, " if I could 
 only have had these means in my power sooner, a different 
 result might have followed." 
 
 " Excuse me, my young friend," said Mr. Frank ; " but I 
 supposed that you professional men had nearly always plenty 
 of pecuniary means at command." 
 
 " I am sorry to say that your opinion is a very erroneous 
 one," replied the doctor, with a faint smile. " Many of us 
 young physicians are, in reality, as poor as the family we 
 have just seen ; although we manage, as we must do, to 
 preserve a better exterior. But God only knows how we do 
 it, at times ! The large majority of people in this city who
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 129 
 
 can pay, employ only physicians who make a great display. 
 They feel their vanity flattered by having their doctor drive 
 up to the door with a carriage and a pair of fiery horses. It 
 looks aristocratic ; and induces their neighbors and nearly 
 everybody, here, lives for the purpose of making an impres 
 sion on his neighbors to believe that they move in the 
 upper circles of society. The consequence of this is, that 
 the poor members of the profession, who cannot make this 
 ostentatious show, are kept down, often in an almost starving 
 condition, by those who can ; and who very frequently pos 
 sess but very slender qualifications for the responsible duties 
 which they assume. So you see the rich do with us what 
 they do everywhere they govern the poor, and frequently 
 with no gentle sway." 
 
 After promising the doctor that he would call to see him 
 that evening, Mr. Frank left him, and returned to his hotel 
 with ideas considerably expanded, in regard to a certain por 
 tion of the misery which prevails in our great cities. What 
 influence it had on his future course remains to be seen. 
 
 How many cases of destitution, poverty, misery, and 
 death, caused directly or indirectly, by the neglect, cruelty, 
 and avarice of Northern capitalists, are daily occurring in 
 our large cities ! How many young, beautiful, and innocent 
 girls the pride, the comfort, and often the only hope of their 
 aged parents are decoyed from their homes, and immolated 
 in some infernal den, \vhere their cries and their prayers are 
 alike unheard and unheeded ! Everybody is aware of some 
 of these facts. We can scarcely look into a public journal 
 without meeting with one or more of such cases. Our police 
 records are filled with them, and yet the history of hundreds 
 are unwritten and unknown, save to the fiendship perpetrators 
 of them, and to the heart-broken and ruined victims of their 
 infernal schemes and orgies ! Can such acts occur with im 
 punity ? Will a civilized and Christian community tolerate 
 such diabolical crimes ? Will not every father and mother
 
 130 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL- AGENT. 
 
 tremble to think of the fate which may await their own 
 daughters ? Will not every true-hearted philanthropist, and 
 every honest man, raise his hand and his voice against such 
 things? Will not every citizen call aloud upon the officers 
 of justice to ferret out such villany, and to visit it with the 
 punishment which its heinousness so justly and imperatively 
 demands ? 
 
 Honest-hearted men ! and virtuous-minded women ! if in 
 the purity of thought you think so, we pity your ignorant 
 simplicity ! Our warm-hearted philanthropists those " friends 
 to their race !" whose praises are constantly being sung by 
 themselves and their satellites, not only here, but beyond the 
 seas, have no time to devote to the eradication of such evils ! 
 Their physical and mental vision is suffering under a disease, 
 termed by the doctors presbyopy, but more commonly known 
 by the vulgar name of long-sightedness. They cannot see 
 the suffering thousands around and amongst them. Their 
 eyes are firmly directed towards the far South ; their fertile 
 minds are busily engaged in inventing imaginary evils there, 
 and in magnifying those which do exist. Their hearts bleed 
 only for the negro, their tears flow only for persons clothed 
 in a black skin, and their money can only be expended for 
 the relief of those, whose real condition is more free from 
 misery, than that of the poor of our Northern cities ! because 
 in doing so, " they receive men's praises." 
 
 Who ever heard of them making any continued and syste 
 matic effort to ameliorate the condition of the over-worked 
 and starving seamstresses in the North, or to secure to the 
 unfortunate bond-children, apprentices, and operatives in our 
 factories, the rights and blessings to which they are entitled ? 
 Who ever heard of them pursuing the licentious profligate 
 and libertine", with the strong arm of the law, and demanding 
 of him a reparation trifling, as it always is, at best for the 
 inhuman and irreparable ruin of which he is the fiendish 
 author? No one! Such things may have been done, but
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 131 
 
 not by them ! Their minds are engrossed by but a single 
 idea. Their time, money, and energies, are all absorbed in 
 the attempt to effect a political reform, which at present is 
 utterly impossible, and the ultimate accomplishment of which 
 is defeated by their own fanatical efforts ; whilst they entirely 
 neglect to remedy those evils equally great which are 
 fully within their reach ! Yet they lay claim to a universal 
 love for all the human family ! Verily, consistency, thou art 
 a jewel! 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 SLIGHTLY ILLUSTRATIVE OF SOME OF THE BEAUTIES OF NORTH 
 ERN SLAVERY ; A SUBJECT HITHERTO ENTIRELY OVERLOOKED 
 BY KIND-HEARTED PHILANTHROPISTS BECAUSE IT DON'T 
 PAY. 
 
 THE beautiful steamer, John Randolph, was lying at the 
 wharf, at Philadelphia. She was just getting ready to pass 
 down the river, on her trip to Richmond, Virginia. The 
 passengers, freight, and baggage, were on board, the steam 
 was up, the word was given, and everything was ready to cast 
 loose. 
 
 Just at this moment a confused shout was heard, followed 
 by cries of, "Head her off!" "Stop thief!" "Go it, boots!" 
 and a negro girl was observed running down the street, 
 directly towards the boat, followed by a crowd, composed, 
 as such crowds usually are, of drunken police-officers, 
 hangers-on about engine-houses, loafers about grog-shops, 
 boys of all ages, sizes, and colors, and rowdies of all imagi 
 nable grades and characters.
 
 132 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 Mr. Frank was standing on the deck, watching the tumult. 
 As the girl approached nearer to the boat, he observed that 
 she was the poor creature who had opened the door for him 
 on his first visit to Mr. Burton. About the same moment 
 that he recognised her, she caught a glimpse of him, and run 
 ning over the connecting-plank, she sprang aboard the boat, 
 rushed up to the place where he was standing, and falling 
 down upon her knees before him, exclaimed, in the same 
 piteous tones he had heard her make use of before : 
 
 " Oh, Massa, help me ! do, oh, do ! Don't let that man 
 git me 'gin ! oh, don't ! He'll kill me if he gits me ! oh, I 
 kmnvs he will !" 
 
 Whilst she was yet imploring Mr. Frank to save her from 
 some person unknown, Mr. Burton sprang upon the deck, 
 and, without noticing him, rushed up to her, and seizing her 
 rudely by the arm, attempted to drag her away. But a long 
 train of abuse and protracted cruelty had rendered her 
 desperate ; and she clung to Mr. Frank's knees with a force 
 which Heaven grants to weak beings only when they are 
 driven to the verge of despair. 
 
 " Let go, Nell, let go !" he exclaimed, shaking her 
 furiously, and attempting to tear her away by main force. 
 "Let go, I tell you! If you don't, I'll teach you better, 
 when I get you home, than to run away again!" 
 
 " Friend," said a tall man, whose weather-beaten face was 
 nearly concealed by a broad-brimmed felt hat, stepping up to 
 Mr. Burton, " don't you think, now, a leetle less roughness 
 w r ould answer the purpis jist as well ? As a gin'ral rule, we 
 don't treat our slaves that way, out in old Kintuck ; and if 
 occasionally one master out of a hundred does make a brute 
 of himself, the Abolitionists make it ten times worse than it 
 is, and publish it all over the country, as a sample of common 
 occurrences in the slave Stales." 
 
 " My dear sir," said Mr. Burton, becoming perfectly livid 
 with baffled rage, " will you be so kind as to mind your own
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 133 
 
 business? This girl," he added, shaking her again, with all 
 his strength, for the double purpose of tearing her loose, and 
 preventing her piteous appeals for protection, " is my bound 
 servant, and she has attempted this same trick twice before, 
 and so, you see, I am determined to have her back, no 
 matter who opposes it!" 
 
 " And now, stranger," observed the Kentuckian, rubbing 
 his huge fist under Mr. Burton's nasal organ, "I don't wish 
 to hurt any livin' human critter's feelings, so I'll jist give you 
 fair warnin' to let that gal go, for my fist has got an ugly 
 habit of goin' off' half-cocked and when it does, it is nearly 
 always sure to hit somebody /" 
 
 " Yis," said Jimmy, who had been attracted to the spot by 
 the tumult, and whose countenance assumed a remarkably 
 cheerful and lively aspect, from the bright prospects of ' a 
 dacent fight.' " Yis, and iv that mild mode ov perswashun 
 should fail to produce the nisissary effect, I might possibly be 
 timpted to lift ye overboard, by way ov seein' whether a cold 
 bath 'ud do ye any good ! I've seen such thratemint do 
 wonders in cases of shape-thaves, fightin' bull-tarriers, and 
 other low blayguards!" 
 
 This additional argument of Jimmy's, however, was en 
 tirely unnecessary. The mere intimation of the unpleasant 
 propensity of the Kentuckian's fist to go off at uncertain in 
 tervals, was sufficient to induce him to relinquish his hold 
 without further delay. 
 
 " That girl," said Burton, appealing to the bystanders, as 
 he placed a safe distance between himself and the gentleman 
 with the self-acting fist, " is my servant. The law protects me 
 in my right to her services ; and I call upon you gentlemen 
 present, to witness that I have been deterred from obtaining 
 my rights by threats from this man." 
 
 "Yes, and you can call 'em to witness, that those threats 
 meant exactly what they said," replied the Kentuckian, 
 coolly discharging about a half-pint of concentrated tobacco- 
 12
 
 134 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 juice from his mouth, " and, if anything, a leetle more. But 
 as to your laws, I don't believe that they protect you any 
 more when you treat your bound-children cruelly, than the 
 laws with us do the master who abuses his slaves. Them's 
 my sentiments, and you've got 'em gratis ; and you can have 
 yer eyes blacked, and nose cracked, for the same price, if 
 you only say the word." 
 
 " No, the laws are opposed to cruelty and ill-treatment of 
 all kinds," interposed a pale-faced, sharp-featured gentleman, 
 who proved to be a lawyer. " But there is so much difficulty 
 in obtaining the necessary proof, and so much reluctance on 
 the part of those who are aware of the facts, and are gene 
 rally neighbors, to prosecute the masters, who are often 
 persons of high social standing, and thus provoke their 
 enmity, for the only purpose of protecting poor and un 
 known children, that the law, in such cases, is usually 
 nothing more than a mere dead letter. The consequences 
 can be readily imagined." 
 
 " See here, my friend, will you be so kind as to tell me 
 whether you were born and got your bringin'-up in this city?" 
 enquired the Kentuckian, who began to entertain shrewd sus 
 picions that the speaker might be some English tourist, who 
 had crossed the Atlantic for the express purpose of exagge 
 rating everything that was bad, and misrepresenting every 
 thing that was good, in our social and political organization . 
 
 " With the greatest of pleasure, sir," replied the gentle 
 man, with a mild smile. " I was born in this city, and have 
 lived here all my lifetime, which now numbers nearly sixty 
 years, and I feel as if I knew something about it. One thing 
 I do know; and that is, that those poor bound-children are, 
 in nearly all instances, not only entirely denied the benefits 
 afforded by our world-renowned system of public education, 
 and are thus, as a body, kept in the most grovelling and 
 abject ignorance, but that their whole lives are spent amidst 
 labor and drudgery, almost, oftentimes, entirely beyond their
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 135 
 
 powers of endurance. In return for their services, they are, 
 too often, but half-clothed, half-fed, and treated with a cru 
 elty that would produce indelible stains upon the character 
 of even savages ! 
 
 "In the course of my legal practice," continued the honest 
 attorney, whilst a flush of virtuous indignation mantled over 
 his face, " I have become acquainted w r ith many cases, the 
 mere details of which would be sufficient to make the most 
 callous heart bleed with agony. Yet, what I have seen is a 
 mere tithe of what I know to exist, almost unknown and un- 
 credited by the community ! Such children often run away, 
 as appears to have been the case in this instance ; others 
 remain until the period of their indentures expires ; whilst 
 not a few, owing to the death, removal, or neglect of their 
 original guardians, and their own ignorance of their rights, 
 are kept in this miserable state of free slavery several years 
 longer than they were articled for. When they are finally 
 thrown out into the world, by one or other of these 
 means, they are entirely ignorant of every mode of obtaining 
 an honest livelihood ; their minds have become brutalized by 
 the harsh treatment received from their masters ; and they 
 return upon the community, prepared only for lives of low, 
 vicious indulgences, or murderous revenge. Knowing these 
 things, we should feel no surprise that our city is at the mercy 
 of lawless companies of fighting firemen and organized bands 
 of rowdies and assassins !" 
 
 " Wai, now, that's not an overly- allurin' picture of North 
 ern society. It's rather considerably worse than slavery is 
 with us," drawled out the Kentuckian, when the gentleman 
 had finished his remarks. " Why don't the abolitionists turn 
 their 'tention to it ? What a rich field it would be for their 
 dear, kind hearts to labor in ; and what a good harvest they 
 could reap, if the lab'rers were only a leetle more plentier! 
 I should think it might absorb some of their extra philan 
 thropy, which is forever popping out of their mouths, jist
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 like strong beer out of bottles, when the necks are knocked 
 off!" 
 
 " But see here, stranger," he continued, " I go in for fair 
 play, and no gougin', so we'll hear what this black gal's got 
 to say ; and, if it appears that you've treated her anyways 
 near right, why I've no objections to your toteing her off 
 agin." 
 
 Mr. Burton, however, manifested no desire to hear Nell's 
 story perhaps on account of his being intimately acquainted 
 with it already, and not caring about a needless repetition of 
 facts, which might show up his feelings of philanthropy to 
 others in a rather unfavorable light. So, after offering several 
 excuses, which were not received, he attempted to leave the 
 boat, with very much of the air of a disconcerted pickpocket, 
 caught in the act of relieving a pocket ; but the Kentuckian 
 caught him gently by the arm, and, by a graduated increase 
 of the pressure, as he attempted to free himself, he succeeded 
 in retaining his company. 
 
 " See here, you gal," said the rough-spoken, yet good- 
 hearted merchant, to Nell, who had secreted herself behind 
 several gentlemen, and was most earnestly imploring them to 
 kill her, rather than to allow Burton to take her back again. 
 " See here, come and tell us how this man treated you." 
 
 " Oh ! no I can't ! 'deed I don't want to I don't !" 
 replied Nell, as she caught a momentary glimpse of Burton's 
 threatening countenance. 
 
 "Come, now, don't be a fool!" he answered. " No- 
 body'll hurt you. It's easy enough for you to tell how hard 
 he made you work, how well he clothed you, and how much 
 he gave you to eat! But as for the clothing part," he added, 
 looking at her tow-linen garment, " there's not much use in 
 asking that; and, as far as the feedin' is consarned, your 
 bony arms and sunken cheeks don't speak much in favor of 
 any active fattenin' process. But, anyhow, let us know how 
 he used you.'
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 137 
 
 " 'Deed, Massa," replied Nell, trembling from head to 
 foot, " I'd radder not! I did 'plain ob 'im las' week, and dis 
 is wot I got for it," she added, as she unbuttoned her dress, 
 exposing her chest, which was perfectly carved with fresh 
 wounds, crossing each other in every direction, and looking 
 as if they had been made with a heavy leather strap. 
 
 A low, deep, muttered groan of indignation, ran through 
 the crowd, at the sight. 
 
 "Oh! don't let 'im take me back!" exclaimed the poor 
 creature, appealing frantically to the persons around. " Don't, 
 and God '11 bless you all! I'se not his slave I b'longs to 
 anoder man, 'way down in ole Virginny 'deed I does! 
 Massa took me away from 'im, and sed dat if I'd go wid 'im 
 I needn't neber work nothin', no more!" 
 
 " Look here, my gal," said the Kentuckian, " what is your 
 real master's name?" 
 
 " I doesn't 'member his name," she replied. "I'se forgot 
 eberyt'ing, but I'd 'member 'im, if I'd ebber see 'im. Oh ! 
 dere he is! dere he is!" she exclaimed, suddenly darting to 
 the opposite end of the boat, and falling down at the feet of 
 Doctor Manly, who stood there, leaning against the railing, 
 and carefully observing what was going on. 
 
 "Oh, Massa! Massa! I'se so glad to see yer!" she ex 
 claimed, catching hold of him with a tenacious grasp, and 
 looking imploringly into his eyes. " Yer won't let Massa 
 Burton take me any more, 'cause I doesn't b'long to 'im, and 
 is yer slave jist the same as 'fore I runned off wid 'im. Yer 
 was allers a good Massa to me, and yer won't let 'em hurt 
 me now?" 
 
 " My slave ? you my slave ?" said the Doctor,, in a tone of 
 deep surprise. " I certainly do not remember ever having 
 owned you. I should be extremely sorry to own such a 
 miserable-looking creature as you are !" 
 
 "Oh, Massa ! Massa ! Oh ! you hasn't forgot me ? Doesn't 
 yer 'member little Nell, dat use to catch de colt, and ride 
 12*
 
 138 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 'urn out inter de fiel, down in ole Virginny, on de planta- 
 shun ?" 
 
 " Why yes I believe I do," replied the Doctor, slowly, 
 as a dim recollection of her, and her childish freaks, dawned 
 upon his mind. " Yes, I remember you now, Nelly, but I 
 must confess that freedom has wrought such a decided change 
 in you for the worse, that I would never have known you 
 from your mere appearance. I am not surprised that you do 
 not relish your liberty." 
 
 " No 'deed, Massa, I doesn't like bein' free ! Do, please 
 do, take me 'long back ! I doesn't want ter be Massa Bur 
 ton's slave no more!" 
 
 " Well, if you are so anxious to go back with me, 
 I do not see that I can refuse," he replied. " Besides, in 
 your present condition, I think it would be a mere act of 
 mercy to return you into slavery ; although I must confess, 
 that I do not wish to hold any human being in bondage 
 much less those who have once obtained their freedom. But 
 where is this man Burton?" he added, looking around to see 
 what had become of that amiable friend of the African race. 
 
 " He's made tracks," said the Kentuckian. " As soon as 
 I let his arm go, he jumped ashore ; and if he's troubled 
 with any conscience, I s'pose he's gone and hung himself 
 if he hasn't, somebody ought to do it for him, for I don't 
 know any person outside or inside of the penitentiary, who 
 deserves it more than he does." 
 
 The connection of the steamboat with the wharf was now 
 severed, and she glided down the river like a thing of life. 
 The ladies on board levied a general contribution on their 
 wardrobes, applied themselves assiduously to their needles, 
 and by virtue of various alterings and modellings, taking-ups 
 and taking-ins, fittings and refittings of dresses, soon suc 
 ceeded in clothing her in quite a different style, and making 
 her look something more like a human being. 
 
 For a few hours scarcely any other subject was spoken
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT 139 
 
 of by the passengers ; but its interest gradually died away, 
 and in a very short time it was no longer alluded to. Every 
 individual's mind was occupied with some business of a per 
 sonal nature, and this, together with the fact that no particular 
 political, or other capital, could be manufactured out of it, 
 soon caused it to be almost entirely forgotten. 
 
 Had black Nell received her scars and ill-treatment from 
 the hands, of a slave-holder, and had Mr. Burton been her 
 Southern master, pursuing her, and attempting to carry her 
 back into slavery, every Abolition paper in the country would 
 have sent forth column after column of exaggerated and 
 highly-'colored pictures of the case ; every hired lecturer of 
 the party, would have found in it material for any number of 
 hyperbolical and inflammatory speeches ; and every one of 
 their political demagogues, north of Mason and Dixon's line, 
 would have looked upon it as a perfect godsend, out of which 
 to manufacture electioneering capital. 
 
 But the case was entirely different ! Although she had 
 been half-starved, abused and maltreated, in a manner seldom 
 heard of among slave-owners ; yet she was not a slave, in 
 the popular sense of the word ; and what does it matter how 
 much wrong, how much misery, and how much suffering 
 people are compelled to endure, if it is not the result of 
 Southern slavery ! She had only been treated as many hun 
 dreds of bound boys and girls, and children, who work in 
 our large factories, are ; and of course nobody was responsi 
 ble for it ! On the contrary, it was a source of the most 
 lively gratification to know that she might have obtained re 
 dress at the hands of the laws of the free States ; only it un 
 fortunately happened, that she didn't know anything about 
 those laws ; and if she did, she had no money, means, or 
 friends to enforce them for her ; so that, in a practical point 
 of view, they were about of as much benefit to her, as the 
 dry sands of Arabia are to a drowning sailor, in the midst of 
 the ocean ! But then that don't matter we live in a period
 
 140 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 of the world in which people's ideas are governed by names, 
 and not by things ; and if this poor creature had been treated 
 only half as cruelly by her slave- master, as she was by this 
 mealy-mouthed, hypocritical scoundrel, the case would have 
 assumed a quite different aspect ; and there would have been 
 no end to the streams of crocodile tears which would have 
 been shed in her behalf. Verily, this is a strange world ! 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 SHOWING HOW A CERTAIN GENTLEMAN, WHO REJOICED IN THE 
 TITLE OF M. C. AND EIGHT DOLLARS A DAY, STARTED OUT 
 WITH A PROPOSITION TO PROVE SLAVERY A SOCIAL, MORAL, 
 AND POLITICAL BLESSING J BUT STOPPED SHORT OF IT, FOB 
 REASONS HEREINAFTER MADE KNOAVN. 
 
 SINCE he had left his home, Mr. Frank became every day 
 more convinced that, although slavery was a great evil, there 
 were other evils, connected with the ordinary social organi 
 zation of society, which were almost, if not quite, as produc 
 tive of misery. He had listened very attentively to Jimmy's 
 plain and unvarnished description of the sufferings of the 
 poor and starving inhabitants of Ireland ; he had witnessed, 
 with his own eyes, much of the degraded condition of the 
 lower classes of the city ; and he had observed, with pain, 
 the vicious indulgences and deficient sense of moral respon 
 sibility which, to a great extent, pervaded the higher classes. 
 
 He had discovered, too, that much of the sympathy and 
 fellow-feeling which was constantly professed by many, was 
 a mere subterfuge to gain political power, or to cloak base 
 and hypocritical motives; and he found that the worse than
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 141 
 
 enslaved condition of the apprentices and bound servants of 
 the North, existed not only in a few isolated cases, but that 
 there were hundreds in an even more abject and cruel situa 
 tion than that of black Nell's with Mr. Burton. The more 
 complete knowledge of these facts, which he had but lately 
 learned, affected him deeply, and he felt convinced that the 
 widest charity which man could possibly exert, could find 
 deserving objects near at home ; and nothing was truer than 
 the words of our blessed Saviour, when he said, " Ye have 
 the poor with you always." Whilst he felt convinced of this 
 truth, he consoled himself with the reflection that he had 
 never denied them that asked, or turned the needy empty 
 from his door. How easy it is to reconcile our consciences 
 to what we wish to do, and to reason ourselves into the 
 belief that it is right ! 
 
 If Mr. Frank had carried his thoughts a little farther, he 
 would have discovered that he was spending a vast amount 
 of time and money, for the mere purpose of liberating a few 
 slaves, who would, at best, make a very questionable use of 
 their liberty ; whilst the same means, expended nearer home, 
 might save many poor children of his own color from a death 
 of starvation, remove them from a life of wretchedness, idle 
 ness, and crime, and place them in situations to become, in 
 time, useful members of the community. But he never 
 allowed his thoughts to indulge in this train of reflections. 
 Yet he was, in reality, an honest, good-hearted man ; and 
 had the welfare of the whole human family deeply at heart. 
 
 The next day after the John Randolph left Philadelphia, 
 was a beautiful spring morning ; and the passengers had 
 nearly all come on deck, to enjoy the fresh breezes of 
 the sea. As is usual on such occasions, they arranged them 
 selves into different groups, and engaged in conversation. 
 In one group, amongst several others, were Mr. Frank, the 
 Kentucky merchant, a Congressman from the North, and our 
 friend, Dr. Manly. An allusion to the case of Nelly, and the
 
 142 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 cruelty of Burton, incidentally opened the subject of slavery ; 
 which, in all parts of our country, and at all times, forms a 
 fruitful subject for discussion. 
 
 " Slavery can be defended upon moral, political, and reli 
 gious grounds," said the Congressman, in a tone of self- 
 importance ; as if his assertion was of more weight than that 
 of any other man, who did not wear M. C. after his name. 
 He felt his consequence, perhaps, more on account of a 
 speech which he had made in Congress, during the past 
 session, in which he attempted to prove that slavery was a 
 moral and political blessing ; and succeeded most admirably 
 in proving himself, not only a consummate blockhead, but 
 established beyond cavil his claims to being a low, servile, 
 truckling demagogue. In return for this speech, and his 
 vote, the Southern members patted him upon the back, praised 
 his forensic talents, and promised to return the favor at the 
 proper time; but at heart they despised him, as traitors to the 
 cause of Truth always are despised. They knew well that 
 he had uttered falsehoods, and perverted facts, of which not 
 one in ten of them would have been guilty ; yet, like nearly 
 all other men, although they loathed the man and his lies, 
 they were willing to avail themselves of his services. 
 
 " Yes," he continued, " when we once find that it can be 
 defended upon moral, political, and religious grounds, it 
 necessarily follows that it is a moral, political, and religious 
 blessing." 
 
 " Wall, stranger," said the Kentuckian, " there's no man 
 ner of doubt about its bein' a blessin', if you can maintain 
 the premises that you start out with which I hope you can. 
 I'll be under considerable obligations to you if you can. 
 I'm a slave-holder myself, but I never could git my conscience 
 to believe in the cussed system, though I tried hard, and I've 
 about half a notion to 'mancipate, jist to git my mind rid of it ; 
 tho' I don't believe that would be 'zactly right, because I know 
 free niggers in the North is a heap worse off than slaves with
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 143 
 
 us. But if you can prove that it's all as straight as you say, 
 it'll be a double blessin' to me it'll satisfy ray conscience, 
 and save me pretty considerable in the way of dollars and 
 cents." 
 
 " Well, then," said the M. C., with an oratorical flourish ; 
 " in the first place, it is a well-known fact, that all nations of 
 the earth, from the earliest antiquity down to the present day, 
 have at some time or other held slaves." 
 
 " We know all that, stranger," said the Kentuckian, inter 
 rupting him ; " but with all due deference to your larnin', 
 that argument ain't worth a straw. All nations, from the 
 earliest antiquity down to the present day, have been guilty, 
 at some time or other, of cutting each other's throats, without 
 any cause, except that of a desire to plunder each other ; and 
 have committed all manner of crimes and sins ; but then, be 
 cause as how they did it, it's no excuse for us to do the 
 same." 
 
 " My dear sir," said the Congressman, in a tone of insulted 
 pride, " will you be so kind as not to interrupt me. How 
 can you expect me to carry on a train of reasoning, when I 
 am liable to have my thoughts deranged every minute or two? 
 When I am done, you can suggest any doubts you may en 
 tertain, and I will explain them then." 
 
 " Sartainly of course I beg your pardon," replied the 
 Kentuckian. " But I'm not used to all the twists and dodges 
 of what you statesmen term logic ; and when so much is 
 said, I always forgit about one-half, especially when it's 
 tangled up a good deal, as all arguments in favor of slavery 
 are. I am a plain fellow myself, and when I come across a 
 p'int that's not clear, I like to stick a pin in it at once, so as 
 to git it out of the way, and then take up the next. But 
 never mind, jist drive ahead with your argemint." 
 
 " Now, before proceeding to the moral and political aspect 
 of the question," continued the Congressman, in a tone of
 
 144 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 great precision ; " I will first attempt to^gatove that slavery is 
 permitted, and even sanctified, by Divine Revelation." 
 
 "Wall, jist prove that p'int clear!" exclaimed the Ken 
 tuckian, dashing his hat vehemently down upon the deck ; 
 "jist prove that p'int, and I don't care a straw about you 
 provin' the moral and political part ! If the Bible supports 
 the system, why I'll risk my salvation on what it says, and let 
 the other part go in for what it's worth." 
 
 "It is now universally admitted," continued the M. C., 
 "that the negro race is descended from Ham, and the Bible 
 tells us that his descendants ' shall be the servants of ser 
 vants, and hewers of wood and drawers of water ;' and if the 
 Bible is true and I would be the last man to doubt it it 
 necessarily follows that slavery is right." 
 
 " See here, stranger," said the honest merchant ; " are you 
 sure that passage relates to our American niggers ? I have 
 read it too, and I sometimes think that it relates to some of 
 our Northern 'prentices and bond -children that lawyer spoke 
 of yisterday." 
 
 "Oh, no!" said the Congressman, laughing at the Ken- 
 tuckian's ignorance ; " it certainly means the blocks. I 
 maintained this ground last winter, in a speech which I made 
 in Congress, and it was pretty generally admitted to be the 
 correct view." 
 
 " Wall, that's rather a consolin' view of the subject," 
 said the merchant, slowly, as if attempting to convince him 
 self of it. " If Scripture says that they shall be servants of 
 servants, and haul wood and water, and all that, why of 
 course it can't be wrong to keep them as slaves ; and I 
 b'lieve I'll jist keep mine to fulfil the words of the Bible." 
 The Kentuckian found, what many other people have dis 
 covered, that there is nothing easier in the world, than to 
 convince ourselves of the right to pursue our interests ; and 
 that to do so, required but very slender arguments. 
 
 " Stranger," said the Kentuckian, after a long pause, which
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 145 
 
 was occupied in <iesp reflection, " if you ever git out to old 
 Kintuck, just stojj^with John Styles, of Roaring Run, and 
 you'll always find the latch-string hangin' out, and one of my 
 best horses at your service. You've saved me several thou 
 sand dollars, for I began to think that slavery was wrong, and 
 I was determined to 'mancipate ; but now I see that it's all 
 as straight as a crooked gun, and as clear as mud. Since the 
 country's pretty well settled," he added, as if a new idea had 
 struck him, " we don't do much in the way of hewing wood 
 and hauling water, so that part of the text don't meet my 
 case quite as w r ell as it might. You couldn't find a passage 
 in the good book, in favor of puttin' 'em to raising corn and 
 picken tobacker, could you ?" 
 
 " Well, no not exactly in so many words," replied his 
 friend ; " but ' hewing wood and drawing water' means the 
 same thing in substance. It means that they shall be your 
 servants, and it matters not if you have no wood to cut, if 
 you put them to picking tobacco it is all the same thing in 
 the end one is as much work as the other." 
 
 " I'm much obliged to you," said the Kentuckian, grate 
 fully, '^for clarin' up these dark points. I never tho't much 
 about larnin', and considered that a feller was better off with 
 out it, but now I see it's of some pretty considerable use." 
 
 "Especially," said Dr. Manly, entering into the conversa 
 tion, " when we want it to defend some rotten subject which 
 we cannot reconcile to our sentiments of common honesty, 
 or common sense!" 
 
 "You do not pretend to say that this is the case with 
 slavery?" said the Congressman, scornfully. 
 
 " I most certainly do," replied the Doctor, " and as a man 
 raised among slaves, as an owner of them, and having de 
 voted much time and attention to the subject, I think I know 
 perhaps more in relation to it than persons less familiar with it. 
 I know all about it, and that is much more than I want to 
 know. It is revolting to every dictate of religion, morals,
 
 146 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 or common law. The slaves are as much human beings as 
 we are, and although their skin is darker than our own, they 
 have souls the same as we have ; and how can it be possible 
 that we have a right to treat them as cattle ? It requires no 
 metaphysical reasoning to prove this. ' The still small voice 
 that stirs within us,' is sufficient to convince any honest 
 man." 
 
 " Wall, Mister," said the Kentuckian, " the fact is, that 
 little voice you speak about, is the very thing that told me it 
 was wrong ; but I am willing to yield my own convictions to 
 the Scriptures, at all times 'twouldn't be right to go ag'in 
 'em, no-how. And from what this gentleman says, it's clear 
 that they allow slavery." 
 
 " Different people understand the same thing differently," 
 said Manly. " When Scripture says, that 'they shall be the 
 servants of servants, and hewers of wood and drawers of 
 water,' it does not mean that it is right that they should be 
 reduced to this condition. It says too, that the descendants 
 of 'Ishmael shall be wild men; that their hands shall be 
 against every man, and every man's hand against them ;' yet 
 it does not follow that this is right. The Bible also contains 
 prophecies that the Jews would crucify the Son of God, but 
 it does not appear that it was right for them to do so. Christ 
 himself says, that in the latter days, ' there shall be wars and 
 rumors of war,' and ' that many false prophets shall arise, 
 and say, " Lo, here is Christ, or there is Christ," and shall 
 deceive many ;' but our friend would scarcely say that such 
 things were enjoined by Divine Revelation." 
 
 " That's a fact," said the Kentuckian, " and knocks all 
 his fine arguments into a cocked hat. Jist a minute ago I 
 tho't slavery was all right, and now I see it's all wrong, and 
 has no kinder sort o v foundation. There are so many strong 
 arguments now-a-days, for and against everything, that I'll be 
 hanged if a feller knows what to believe ; and I wouldn't be 
 a bit surprised if some slippery-tongued chap should prove
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 147 
 
 some day, that I ought to be a slave myself, and my niggers 
 own me and after all, I don't know but what it might be 
 near right ' turn about is fair play' in old Kentuck, and 
 I 'spose everywhere else." 
 
 The honest Kentucky merchant's mind was composed of 
 that kind of material which becomes confused by reasoning. 
 Such people should never attempt to argue, because it only 
 mystifies them. The only way for them to arrive at correct 
 conclusions is, to trust to the whispering voice of their con 
 science, and they need not fear the result ; it will be sure to 
 lead them right. A wise Providence has implanted in 
 every mind a sense of right and wrong, that requires no learn 
 ing to mature it. 
 
 " Such passages of Scripture," continued Manly, warmly, 
 " are mere prophecies, and not commandments. But if we 
 look to the opposite side, we shall find positive injunctions 
 against oppression, and ' coveting anything which is thy 
 neighbor's ;' and is not a man's freedom more valuable than 
 any worldly possessions ? Moreover, ' thou shalt love thy 
 neighbor as thyself;' and this is certainly somewhat at variance 
 with our views of slavery ; unless we should occasionally 
 exchange, and let him hold us in the same state. That evil 
 has been and is in the world, and that Scripture declares that 
 it shall be so, until the end of time, is no reason that we 
 should indulge in it. ' Woe unto the world for offences ! For 
 it needs be that offences must come, but woe unto the man 
 by whom the offence cometh!' ' 
 
 " You certainly make out a strong case against slavery," 
 said Mr. Frank, mildly ; " but if you feel what you portray so 
 eloquently, why do you not practise the doctrine which you 
 teach ?" 
 
 " How can I practise it ?" 
 
 " By simply emancipating your slaves," replied Mr. Frank. 
 
 " That might remove the stigma of slavery from me," re 
 plied Manly, " but it would be of very doubtful benefit to
 
 148 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 the slave. In some of your boasted free States you have 
 passed laws forbidding the black man to enter their borders, 
 and in those in which no such laws exist, he is treated like a 
 degraded being, and he feels it and lives up to the sentiment 
 by reducing himself to a much more miserable condition than 
 the slave of the South. Such acts, and such feelings, are sad 
 commentaries on the pure motives and Christian love of those 
 who urge us to emancipate!" 
 
 " Yes," said the Kentuckian, who was exceedingly anxious 
 to smooth over his own short-comings, by assailing those of 
 others, and thus reconcile his conscience to the beam in his 
 own eye, whilst he was looking for the mote in others. 
 " Yes, that's the p'int first prepare a proper asylum for the 
 slave, before asking us to give him up." 
 
 " But, friend," said Manly, laying his hand on the mer 
 chant's shoulder, and speaking in a very impressive manner, 
 " these mutual recriminations never result in any good. 
 Northern men undoubtedly have evils enough near at home, 
 to demand all their attention, without interfering with our 
 institutions ; but this is no reason why we should not attempt 
 to remove those which surround us. I, for my part, have 
 made up my mind to educate my slaves so as to fit them for 
 freedom, and then to emancipate them. I know they will 
 not be benefited by this act in the present state of society, 
 but, nevertheless, I will thus remove a load from my con 
 science, which sits heavily upon it." 
 
 "I am glad to hear you speak thus," said Mr. Frank, 
 grasping Manly's hand, and shaking it warmly, " and would 
 that the South had many more men like you !" 
 
 " And there would be hundreds and thousands more like 
 me," said the Doctor, bitterly, " had it not been for the inju 
 dicious and uncharitable course of Northern fanatics. In the 
 days of Jefferson, Randolph, and Pinckney, there was a 
 strong feeling prevalent throughout Delaware, Maryland, 
 Virginia, and part of Kentucky, in favor of emancipation. 
 Their speeches and writings svere gradually preparing the
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 149 
 
 public mind for it ; and when the great Henry Clay reached 
 the zenith of his glory, it would only have required his prac 
 tical aid, to have engrafted his plan of gradual emancipation 
 upon the groundwork they had prepared ; and those States 
 would now be in the way of working out the freedom of the 
 slave. The moral force of their example would have ope 
 rated on State after State, until this whole great Republic 
 would be, as it should be, a land of liberty for all. That 
 this is not the case now, the slave need only thank his inju 
 dicious friends if friends they are the Abolitionists of the 
 North. Their insane attacks upon the morals, motives, honor, 
 and power of the slave-holder, have retarded the cause of 
 liberty for many long years." 
 
 " But it seems to me," replied Mr. Frank, who began to 
 have a dreamy perception of the truth of some of his remarks, 
 " that you censure the Abolitionists too severely. Have you 
 not just now said yourself, in substance, nearly everything 
 that they urge against slavery ?" 
 
 u So I have," replied Manly ; "but it should be remembered 
 that the Abolitionists add enough insult and opprobrium to 
 argument to incense better beings than mere mortal men. 
 Besides, we hear from one another what we would not do 
 from strangers. This is a natural feeling of man. Look to 
 our two great parties, and see how they slander and vilify 
 each other's candidates ; yet, if a foreigner should dare to 
 make use of a single tithe of their misrepresentations in regard 
 to either one, he would bring down on his head the concen 
 trated indignation of both. It is the same with us sectional 
 feeling once embittered, is much more enduring than even 
 national hatred. I know this is all wrong, but human nature 
 is made of such frail materials everywhere. Even in the holy 
 cause of religion, curses never lead to conversion ; neither do 
 they convince people of their social and political sins." 
 
 Nobody replied to these remarks, because nobody knew 
 what to say ; and the subject was dropped. 
 13*
 
 150 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 IN WHICH MR. FRANK AND JIMMY CROSS THE RUBICON, VUL 
 GARLY TERMED MASON AND DIXON's LINE, AND ENTER INTO 
 THE CONFINES OF OLD VIRGINIA, AND THE HORRORS OF 
 SLAVERY. 
 
 DURING the remainder of the voyage, Mr. Frank and the 
 young physician were nearly always in each other's com 
 pany. The pure, honest motives of the former, which 
 beamed forth in every expression of his countenance, and 
 manifested themselves in every tone of his voice ; and the 
 plain, practical common sense of the latter, which was equally 
 evident, produced mutually agreeable impressions, which 
 ended in Mr. Frank's acceptance of an invitation to accom 
 pany the Doctor home as his guest. 
 
 When the boat reached the wharf at Richmond, the Doc 
 tor's carriage was in waiting, to take them to his plantation, 
 which was situated several miles from the river. Mr. Frank, 
 himself, and Nelly, took their places on the inside ; whilst to 
 Jimmy was allotted a seat on the box, by the side of the black 
 driver, who was as ugly a specimen of Ethiopia's productions, 
 as mortal man ever placed his eyes upon. In stature, he was 
 short, thick, and dumpy, giving to his gait an exceedingly 
 waddling motion. His face was large, perfectly round, of 
 a deep shining black ; and looked more like a full moon 
 laboring under a total eclipse, than anything else to which we 
 can compare it. His cheeks were full and projecting ; and 
 whenever he moved a muscle of his face, they shook with a 
 tremulous quiver, like two huge masses of black currant 
 jelly. His nose, which harmonised perfectly with his cheeks, 
 was as broad as it was long, and as thick as it was broad, and
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 151 
 
 radiated gradually towards every part of his face ; whilst his 
 mouth, bounded by its two red lips, looked like a large lace 
 rated wound extending from ear to ear ; and gave rise to the 
 impression, whenever he opened it, that the top of his head 
 was about to fall off. These personal features were not lost 
 upon Jimmy ; and after getting on the box, he sat gazing at 
 him for several minutes in mute astonishment. 
 
 " See here, Snowball," he said, after looking at him until 
 the tears started into his eyes, without producing the slightest 
 effect upon the object stared at ; " now I dare say ye're 
 somethin' of a ladies' man ?" 
 
 " Why yes I'se all dat ! I'se happy to say dat I occu 
 pies a superpreminent posishun in de estimashun and 'fec- 
 shuns ob de fair sec gen'ally!" replied the driver, with a 
 broad grin of pardonable pride. 
 
 " Be jabers ! I jist knew that same the very minnit 1 
 clapped me eyes on yer purty face!" said Jimmy, with a 
 knowing wink. 
 
 " Yer mus' be a gemman of perfound 'scriminative 
 powers!" said the Ethiopia Adonis, with a low bow. 
 
 "Av coorse I am," replied Jimmy. "I've travelled 
 through nearly all forain parts of the world, and am some- 
 thin' of a ladies'-man meself ; so ye see I've every raison to 
 judge. These milk-faced chaps, called poits, may palaver 
 jist as they plaze aboot the power of the eye ; shure, the 
 ladies God bless 'em ! knows better ; for faith, don't they 
 always fall in love with a jintleman whose mouth is puckered 
 up, as if it was forever waterin' for a kiss? The blessid 
 minnit that I saw that hundrid-horse-power, patent-suction- 
 pump mouth of yourn, I knowed that one half of the girls in 
 these parts were crazy aboot yer." 
 
 By a free use of the " blarney," Jimmy succeeded, before 
 they had half accomplished their journey, in not only con 
 vincing him that he was the handsomest individual of the 
 human species, but he actually wormed every secret that he
 
 152 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 ever possessed, out of him ; and learned as much of his mas 
 ter's plantation as if he had lived on it all the days of his life. 
 
 "And now, me jewil," said Jimmy, after he had gleaned 
 all the information out of him he could think of, " I don't 
 wish to same inquisitive, but iv it wouldn't be contrary to the 
 rules of Virginny politeness, I should like to be afdier askin' 
 yer name. It's convaynient to know who ye're talkin' to ; 
 and besides that, I should like to write it in goold letters 
 in my autobiography, benayth that of the Duchess of Fus- 
 tianhead." 
 
 "My name," said the sable gentleman, with an air of the 
 most conscious dignity and importance ; " my name is Mar 
 cus Cffisar Augustus Adolphus, of Greenwood Place, in de 
 State ob ole Virginny." 
 
 " W-h-e-w! the divil ye say?" said Jimmy, with a pro 
 longed whistle. " Why how, in the name of St. Patrick, can 
 a poor nagur like yourself afford to wear so long a name ? 
 It'll cost rather nluch to put it in goold letters, so I'll jist cut 
 the head and tail off, and call ye Caysar. And now, Cay- 
 sar, me jewil, I 'spose ye'd like to know me own name ?" 
 
 " If I might condescend to so 'squsite a pleasure," said 
 the American namesake of the Roman hero, with a gracious 
 smile. 
 
 " Well, see here, Caysar, me boy," replied Jimmy ; " I 
 don't care to afford ye that same pleashure, only I'm afraid 
 the sudden delight '11 be too great for yer poor, wake, black 
 narves, and throw ye into the middle of next wake, and in 
 fantile convulshuns. Me name is James O'Brien, ov the town 
 ovKildoan, County Clare, in Ireland ; and I'm a lineal descind- 
 ant,- through several circuitous routes, of the Caysars and 
 Ptolomies, who settled in Erin about the yare one, and were, 
 ivery mother's son of 'em, rale kings and princes, of the true 
 blood royil!" 
 
 " Well now! I nebber did /" exclaimed the Virginian Cse-
 
 AUGUSTUS ADOLPHUS AND JIMMY COMPARING NOTES.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL- AGENT. 153 
 
 sar Augustus, in the most profound astonishment at the idea 
 of Jimmy's remote ancestry. 
 
 " No, and ye niver will /" replied Jimmy, significantly ; 
 " if ye do, jist tell me about it, will ye ? See here, Caysar 
 and Co.," he added, pointing to a huge negro in an adjoin 
 ing tobacco-field, who was leaning on his hoe, as a very con 
 venient support, " what's that nagur doin' over thare ?" 
 
 " He's bin hoin' ob 'baccer," replied Caesar, " but he's 
 takin' ob a rest now. " 
 
 "Faith, and I tho't he was performin' the importint duty 
 ov action as a sparecrow, an' was supportin' his lazy equili 
 brium with the hoe-handle ! Troth, iv he was in the North, 
 or in ould Ireland, it's little time he'd have for that same 
 watchin' ov birds!" 
 
 "Wot, is de laber more arderous in de land ob liberty, 
 dan wid us?" enquired Cassar, in unfeigned astonishment, as 
 he wiped his forehead with a highly-scented cambric hand 
 kerchief. 
 
 " Ye'd better take me word and b'lave it," replied Jimmy, 
 " thin to go and thry it for yersilf. Ye've got plinty ov liberty 
 thare to do nothin', and starve ; but whin it comes to work, 
 ye've got to do more in one day, than ye lazy Virginny 
 nagurs do in a whole w y ake." 
 
 " Why, I'se utterly 'sprized and 'stonished!" said Caesar, 
 with an incredulous look, and eyes expanded to the size of 
 an ordinary dinner-plate. " I tho't in de blessed free States, 
 niggers were nebber called 'pon to 'scend to laber, but were 
 'sported by de Bobolitionists, free gratis and for nuthin', and 
 were toted to all de gran' meetuns and percesshuns in de 
 country." 
 
 " Och ! may all the saints purtict yer innersense!" ex 
 claimed Jirnmy, with a look of deep compassion. " Shure, 
 me precious child, yer ideas are as grane as yer skin's black 
 an' that's sayin' a good dale. Faith, it's little the Aboli-
 
 154 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 tionists care about yer black bides it's their own skins 
 they're lookin' afther all the while." 
 
 "Dat possible?" gasped Csesar Augustus, as his eyes as 
 sumed a peculiar fixed and glaring expression, which by no 
 means improved his personal beauty. 
 
 " It's not only possible, me innersint darlin'," replied the 
 descendant of the Caesars and Ptolomies, " but it's a stub 
 born, undeniable fact, which ye'd find out to yer sorrow, if 
 ye were thrown on their tinder marcies. Shure, don't they 
 spind money enough in writin' and printin' ov books, holdin ' 
 meetuns, and payin' blayguard spakers, to go about lyin', to 
 buy thousands of ye poor divils, who are groanin' under the 
 miseries of slavery, and growin' so fat that yer eyes are be- 
 ginnin' to go shet, and yer brains are so complately covered 
 wid it, that it takes half an hour for yer ideas to rache the 
 surface!" This latter portion of his remarks was accompa 
 nied by numerous significant nods and winks at the lump of 
 fat at his side, and was evidently intended for his personal 
 benefit ; but that dignitary entirely failed to notice its ten 
 dency, perhaps on account of the impenetrable coating to 
 which Jimmy alluded." 
 
 " Now iv they were in airnest about yer welfare," con 
 tinued Jimmy, " ye say, instid ov makin' yer masters angry, 
 by rayson ov abusin' thim, they'd take the money they spind, 
 and purchase ye, and allow ye to enjoy the blessins ov 
 liberty. By these manes they could buy out one State afther 
 another, and after a w r hile, whin they got stronger, they could 
 compel the remaneder to give up the thrade. So ye say, me 
 boy, it's all gammon!" and, by way of heightening his com 
 prehensive powers, he ran the sharp point of his elbow face 
 tiously into his ribs, which act of jocularity came very near 
 pitching him headforemost from the box. 
 
 " But den, why does dey do anythin' at all ?" he enquired, 
 as soon as he had recovered his balance, and the temporary
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 155 
 
 supply of atmospheric air which had been knocked out of his 
 body. 
 
 " The rayson ov that's all very clare," replied Jimmy ; 
 " some of 'em wants to go to the legislater, some to Congress, 
 some wants to be gov'nirs or constables, and other high 
 offisers, and so they try to git up a new set of principles to 
 make capital on, and to git a party to vote for 'em. Thin a 
 good many of 'em wants to be called ' Rayformers,' and 
 ' Phaylantropests," and show off much better than they are, 
 and how good they are, compared with other people. Did 
 ye niver see at meetuns av ye've got any ov thim things in 
 this haythen land* how the biggest rascals always pray the 
 loudest for poor sinners' sowls ; and sigh as iv their kind 
 hearts was jist goin' to burst, by account ov the wickedness 
 ov the world?" 
 
 " Well, I b'leives I has hobserbed dat phernomener," re 
 plied Csesar, carrying his thoughts back to numerous camp- 
 meetings, at which even his dull powers of comprehension 
 noticed, that those who prayed the most anxiously for others, 
 nearly always forgot to practise what they preached. 
 
 " Now, me darlin'," said Jimmy, " it's jist the same way 
 with the Aberlishunists. They don't care a bit more for your 
 black skins thin these same rascals do about poor sinners it's 
 thimselves they want to glorify!" 
 
 " I'se 'stremely sorry to hear you say so," said Csesar, 
 with a deep, long sigh; "for I had hoped, some day or 
 todder, to change my present benighted state for dat ob a free 
 colored gemman ob de Norf." 
 
 "And by me sowl, me darlin'!" exclaimed Jimmy, with 
 true Irish energy, " ye'd better consider twice before ye un 
 dertake that same wunst ; unless ye 're particulery in love 
 with hard work, little payin', and less aitin' things which 
 don't same raysonable, judgin' from yer looks. Now, jist 
 permit me to give ye a friend's advice," he continued, drop 
 ping his voice to a low, emphatic whisper, and applying his
 
 15G THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 mouth close to his ear ; " iv ye know what's good for ye, 
 ye'll jist try to reconcile yer rebellious nature to the horrors 
 of slavery, perfumed handkerchers, broadcloth coats, cas- 
 simir pants, and nuthin' to do. Sich things are terrible out 
 rages on our better feelin's, but thin they're nuthin' to the 
 condishun of the fray nagurs. 
 
 "In less thin three months after ye'd cross Mason and 
 Dixon's line, that cambric nose-wiper ov yours 'ud be con- 
 varted into a tow-rag ; yer brodcloth coat 'ud turn to linsey- 
 woolsey ; yer casismir pants 'ud change to hard-times ; and 
 ye'd be compelled to work until that fat ov yours would melt, 
 and rise up in clouds, like fogs on the say-shore in the 
 mornin'. So, me dear child," he continued, with a sly leer 
 in both eyes, " jist try to bear yer hard fate with Christian for 
 titude and resignashun, iv it was only for the sake of savin' 
 yer precious bacon." 
 
 Caesar Augustus knew nothing of liberty, except what he 
 had gleaned from a few Abolitionist works, which had fallen 
 into his hands ; and his ideas were, that the free colored people 
 of the North lived in the same ease and splendor that free 
 white people did in the South. He thought that they were 
 never compelled to labor, and that the Abolitionists gave them 
 plenty to eat and drink, treated them as equals in every 
 respect, and gave them money to spend whenever they wanted 
 'it. The picture painted by Jimmy was entirely new to him, 
 and threw his thoughts into a quite different channel. Whilst 
 he was thus lost in reflection, Jimmy employed the time in 
 taking a minute survey of every part of his body, much in 
 the same manner as a naturalist would study some strange 
 lusus natura. After occupying himself thus for some time, 
 he turned around to his companion, as if a new thought had 
 just struck him. 
 
 " See here, Caysar," he said, " how's yer precious 
 health ?" 
 
 " Berry good, t'ank yer; berry good!" replied that lumi-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 157 
 
 nary, somewhat astonished at the abruptness of the question ; 
 " how's yer own?" 
 
 " Don't throuble yerself about mine," said Jimmy. " Me 
 health's good, always was good, and always will be good ; 
 so ye needn't ask any questions, in future, about it. I 
 wouldn't have asked ye, only I thought perhaps ye might be 
 laborin' under dropsy." 
 
 " Why, wat in de worl' made you tink ob dat?" enquired 
 Caesar, in some alarm. 
 
 " Nothin' only I never seen a poor person swell up like 
 you," he replied, " except onst, in ould Ireland. Ould Pat 
 Maloney, who lived hixt cabin to us, began all at onst to fat 
 ten up widout anybody knowin' how. He had no more to ate 
 than his nabors ; and as for stalin' it, nobody had any more nor 
 himself, so ye see his case was a grate mystery to the nabor- 
 hood, until, at last, a docther come along, and examined 
 him ; and sed that he was turnin' into wather, be account of 
 not havin' enough solid food to ate. And faith, so it was ; 
 for when he died we tapped him, and took away four big 
 buckets full. I was afraid ye might be goin' the same way. 
 But thin, ye say," he continued, running his fist into Csesar's 
 abdominal regions, with a force that came near producing a 
 permanent derangement of his respiratory organs, " yer's is 
 solid, and ov coorse must be healthy." 
 
 Just at this moment, the carriage turned off from the road 
 at a right angle, and passed into a long lane, which wound 
 between two dense rows of huge poplars, up to Dr. Manly's 
 residence. After making the turn, Jimmy observed that the 
 lane was completely blocked up, at its upper end, by a crowd 
 of negroes of both sexes, and all ages and sizes ; who were 
 dancing, singing, hallooing, and shouting, much in the same 
 manner as chorus-singers do in an Italian Opera, and with 
 about the same harmonious unison of sound. His first im 
 pression was that they were a marauding band of slaves, who 
 were about to attack the carriage ; and he began to roll up 
 14
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 his sleeves, in anticipation of a nice little row. These 
 agreeable delusions were, however, sadly dispelled by Cassar 
 informing him that they were the slaves on the plantation 
 who were coming out to welcome their master home. 
 
 " And shure," said Jimmy, in reply to this intelligence, 
 " where's their chains and fetters ?" 
 
 " Chains and fetters ?" enquired Caesar, in profound igno 
 rance of what Jimmy alluded to. 
 
 " Yis, their chains and fetters!" said Jimmy; "the irons 
 they wear around their ankles, to kape 'em from runnin' off. 
 Do ye understand now, ye bright child of wisdom ?" 
 
 "Why no I mus' 'fess I doesn't 'zactly comprehend 
 yer," said Csesar, shutting his eyes, so that his mental opera 
 tions would not be interfered with by external causes. 
 
 "No! ye don't, eh? Well, ye will afther awhile," said 
 Jirrnny, in a tone half pitiful, and half contemptuous; "ye 
 will afther awhile. It takes sometime for a simple idea to 
 pass through the fat of yer brain ; and thin it takes some time 
 for another one to git up through it, to the sarface, aginst 
 gravity. By chains fetters manacles irons balls," he 
 added, making use of all the words he had ever heard, to 
 hasten his perceptions, " I mane those things which the Aber- 
 lishunists tell us masters use for the purpose of punishin' and 
 kapein' ye black divils in subjecshun." 
 
 "Oh! yes yes I understands 'um now!" said Caesar, 
 slowly, as if he wasn't quite sure whether he did or not. 
 
 " Ye do, eh ? do ye ? I'm glad ov it ! What a wonderful 
 chap ye are, to be shure !" said Jimmy ; " I wonder whether 
 one or two of thim same articles around yer ankles, for a 
 wake or two, wouldn't improve yer knowledge of 'em, 
 slightly !" 
 
 " De truf ob it is," said Caesar, knowingly, " dem sort o' 
 doin's aint to be 'scovered nowhare in Ole Virginny, as I 
 knows on !" 
 
 " See here, Caysar, don't betray yer illustrious namesake
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL- AGENT. 159 
 
 by lyin'!" said Jimmy, shaking his fist at him. "Ye don't 
 pertind to say that all this talk about chains and fetters is 
 nothin' but lies?" 
 
 " Well no not 'zactly dat," said Caesar ; " dey is kind 
 ob mental 'ventions a kind of metaphorical figures ob lan 
 guage, as Parson Jones used to say." 
 
 " Och ! that's the kink, is it ? Well, now, see here, my 
 Roman hero," said Jimmy, in a deep tone of solemn convic 
 tion, catching him by the arm, and drawing him up close to 
 him, " these Aberlishunists are guilty of more fagures of 
 spache besides that same /" and as he concluded this myste 
 rious remark, he pushed him off at arm's length, and looked 
 steadily in his face, to see what impression this original idea 
 had made upon him. It seemed to have produced the 
 desired effect ; for he nodded assent at least a dozen times, 
 and rolled up the whites of his eyes, in profound admiration 
 of its truth. 
 
 By this time, the carriage was so completely surrounded by 
 the crowd, that it was utterly impossible to proceed, without 
 running the risk of driving over some of the younger mem 
 bers of it. Doctor Manly, therefore, requested Mr. Frank to 
 alight, and walk with him to the house. As soon as he 
 stepped out, another shout, longer and louder than any pre 
 ceding one, arose ; and the slaves crowded around him with 
 the utmost eagerness. It was truly a gratifying sight, to see 
 the feelings of pure attachment which they manifested towards 
 their young master. Cries, whose sincerity could not be 
 doubted; of " God bless you, Massa!" and "Long life to 
 you, Massa!" rose from every lip that was old enough to 
 speak, as he passed along, patting the younger ones on the 
 head, and shaking hands with the older ones ; and enquiring 
 anxiously about their health and happiness. 
 
 " And now, boys," he said, when he had passed through the 
 crowd, " go and enjoy yourselves. You may spend the rest 
 of the day as a holiday." These remarks were received with
 
 160 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 loud exclamations of, " T'ank you, Massa ; yer de same 
 good Massa ye al'ays was!" and other highly eulogistic 
 encomiums. 
 
 "And, in return for your Master's kindness," said Jimmy, 
 with a dignified wave of the hand, " don't take so many holi 
 day hours on work-days as yer in the habit of doin', ye 
 bloody black varmints ! and be shure, too, ye don't git 
 drunk, and kick up a row, and bate each other's noses as flat 
 as pancakes, as many of ye same to have done before." 
 
 " Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, as he took the Doctor's arm, 
 to walk up to the house, " I don't think I shall want you, 
 particularly, to-day ; so you can enjoy yourself as you see 
 proper." 
 
 " I'm much obleeged til yer honor. Long life til ye !" 
 said Jimmy, with a low bow, as he followed Marcus Csesar 
 Augustus Adolphus. " And iv I catch any iv these varnished 
 haythens," he said, turning around, " abusin' their master's 
 kindness, and kickin' up a row, I'll tache 'em the sublime 
 principles of a dacent Irish knockdown, by way of improvin' 
 their manners." 
 
 Dr. Manly and Mr. Frank now retired to the house, whilst 
 the crowd returned to their quarters, carrying black Nelly 
 with them ; who forthwith became a perfect oracle in relation 
 to Northern manners and customs. It is true, her field of 
 observation was somewhat limited never having been ex 
 tended beyond Mrs. Burton's lower kitchen ; but then her 
 ideas, by not being divided over a large surface, were more 
 forcible and graphic, as far as they extended, and were as 
 interesting to her auditors, as if she had made the tour of all 
 the free States, as a genuine fugitive lion.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 161 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 PROVING THAT 'ACTION AND REACTION ARE MUTUAL/ IS AS 
 TRUE OP MENTAL PHILOSOPHY AS IT IS OF ORDINARY 
 DYNAMICS. 
 
 DOCTOR MANLY and Mr. Frank were seated beneath the 
 cooling shade of the large trees, which were freely studded 
 over the lawn, in front of the house. They were discussing 
 the ever-fruitful subject of slavery ; and, although the one 
 was a slave-holder, and the other an Underground Mail- 
 agent, travelling incog., there was a remarkable unison of 
 sentiment between them upon many points. The Doctor 
 admitted the full extent of the evil, and acknowledged it to 
 be his moral duty to emancipate, although he felt convinced 
 that, in doing so, he would place his slaves in a situation 
 which would be productive, to them, of a much greater 
 amount of misery than slavery itself. 
 
 On the other hand, Mr. Frank began to see that, in their 
 social condition, the slaves, as a mass, were much better pro 
 vided for than the free blacks of the North ; and that there 
 was less real misery amongst them than amongst the poor 
 whites of our large cities. In fact, he began to feel that, 
 if it was not for the religious aspect, and, perhaps, po 
 litical tendency of slavery, it would be much better that it 
 should not be interfered with at all. Whilst they were con 
 versing upon the subject, they observed a horseman galloping 
 through the fields, towards the house, at an easy canter. 
 
 "There cornes neighbor Lincoln," said the Doctor, point 
 ing towards him ; " and although, twenty-five years ago, he 
 \vas just upon the point of unconditionally emancipating his 
 large number of slaves, he is now most bitterly opposed to 
 14*
 
 162 THE UNDERGKOUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 any scheme that favors it ; and is noted as one of the most 
 hot-headed fire-eaters in the State. He is most violently op 
 posed to both Abolitionism and Colonizationism, and, hearing 
 of my return, he has no doubt come over to enquire in regard 
 to the state of Northern feeling." 
 
 As the Doctor finished speaking, Lincoln rode up to the 
 gate, sprang from his horse, and threw the bridle over the 
 paling. Although he was a man of upwards of sixty years 
 of age, he possessed all the strength, activity, and energy of 
 a man of forty-five, and, in fact, did not look older. 
 
 " Well, Doctor," he exclaimed, shaking the young man's 
 hand w T ith a vehemence less agreeable than well-meant, " I'm 
 glad to see you back again, and to see you look so well ; I 
 was beginning to get alarmed on account of your absence. 
 I was afraid those crazy Abolitionists had converted you quite, 
 and made a lecturer of you ha! ha! ha!" and the fiery old 
 gentleman laughed heartily at the absurdity of his own idea. 
 
 " Well, I don't know," replied the Doctor, " but what I 
 am more convinced than ever that slavery is wrong ; but I 
 can assure you that the Abolitionists have had but very little 
 to do with strengthening my convictions." 
 
 "Pooh! pooh!" exclaimed Lincoln ;" nonsense, Doctor! 
 I tell you it's all stuff! moonshine ! milk and molasses ! When 
 I was your age, I entertained just such sentiments. I used to 
 listen to old Tom Jefferson and John Randolph, talking about 
 slavery, until they had completely convinced me, and if it 
 hadn't been for the abuse, lies, and attacks of those milk- 
 faced, broad-brimmed, shad-bellied traitors of the North, I'd 
 actually have kicked every one of my boys off of the planta 
 tion some fine morning, before breakfast. But then they 
 cured me up in a little less than no time, upon the principle 
 of of what the d 1 do you call it ?" 
 
 " Counter-irritation ?" suggested the Doctor. 
 
 " Yes, that's it ! Counter-irritation ha! ha! ha! 'Two 
 diseases can't exist with the same intensity, in the same body,
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 1G3 
 
 at the same time,' as you said when you applied a blister to 
 black Joe's head, to remove the inflammation on the inside 
 and it did it too, that's the best of it, just as effectually as 
 the Abolitionists' irritation on the surface, drove out of my 
 mind all sickening qualms in regard to slavery." 
 
 " But setting those abuses aside," interposed Mr. Frank, 
 mildly, " do you not think that slavery is contrary to Divine 
 Revelation, and at variance with the principles of human 
 rights ?" 
 
 " Principles of human rights may go to thunder, for all I 
 care!" exclaimed the old fire-eater, in a tone that completely 
 frightened Mr. Frank from the field of argument, as a similar 
 course has many another man, and left it entirely to himself 
 and the Doctor. "I tell you, sir!" he exclaimed, as he 
 paced rapidly about the lawn, and gesticulated like an insane 
 King Richard, " I tell you, sir, self-defence is the first law 
 of nature ; and principles of human rights, and all other 
 rights, are wrongs ; and anything else that you can or ever will 
 think of, must give way to it !" 
 
 " But what has self-defence got to do with the question?" 
 enquired the Doctor. 
 
 "Everything, sir! everything!" replied the testy old gen 
 tleman, coming to a sudden halt, and beating time with his 
 heel in a very energetic manner. "It has so much to do 
 with it, that we have been for years just in the position of 
 men fighting for their political existence. The Abolitionists 
 were not satisfied with abusing us, and telling all sorts of lies 
 about our cruelty ; but they published thousands of incendiary 
 books, taking exceptional cases of cruelty, and converting 
 them into the rule, and then sent them amongst the slaves, 
 stimulating them to revolt and murder their masters! In 
 addition to this, they organized a distinct political party for 
 the purpose of gaining the ascendency, or holding the 
 balance of power ; so that they might legislate for their own 
 exclusive benefit.
 
 164 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " This once accomplished, I should like to have seen a 
 measure passed for the benefit of the South, or a President 
 elected from our section of the country, or our citizens re 
 ceiving a just share in the distribution of government offices! 
 And, to tell the truth, I must confess they caught us napping! 
 but we awakened just in time ; we became organized, and 
 I guess by this time they've discovered that we are not the 
 fools they thought we were! Ha! ha! ha!" and the old 
 gentleman laughed heartily at the manner in which he thought 
 the South had ultimately gained the victory. 
 
 "Mr. Lincoln," said the Doctor, after he had finished his 
 laugh to his own satisfaction, " will you permit me to ask you 
 one or two questions ?" 
 
 " No ! I won't do any such thing, Doctor! I'm not that 
 simple!" he replied. "I know you too w r ell. You won't 
 be satisfied with one or two, but you'll go on asking me a 
 whole half-a-dozen as usual, and get me to give contra 
 dictory answers, so as to corner me up. No ! you can't 
 come the Yankee over me in that manner, mind I tell you !"d 
 
 " But, Mr. Lincoln, but certainly ' 
 
 " There's no use in butting about it, I tell you," interposed 
 Lincoln, tartly ; " I won't stand it !" 
 
 " Yes, but you remember " 
 
 " Well, but I don't remember, and I won't remember!" he 
 replied, doggedly, " so you may ask just as many questions 
 as you see proper, and I'll do just as I please about an 
 swering them." 
 
 " ^ er y good," said the Doctor, who was perfectly ac 
 quainted with his friend's character, and knew that he had 
 gained his point, as soon as he could get him to listen 
 patiently. " When you intended to emancipate your slaves, 
 you surely thought it was wrong to hold them ?" 
 
 " Of course I did what of that ?" 
 
 " If it was wrong for you to hold them then," continued 
 the Doctor, " I cannot for the life of me see why you should
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 165 
 
 be influenced to change your opinion, just because some un 
 principled and fanatical men abused you at the same time 
 that they asked you to do what your own judgment told you 
 was right !" 
 
 " I just expected that question, ""replied Lincoln, " and I'll 
 answer it in a few words. Doctor, you know I owe you a 
 professional bill of some twelve months' standing, which ought 
 to have been paid long ago." 
 
 " Yes, I know, but that don't matter," replied the Doctor, 
 in the blandest tones of even a doctor's bland voice. 
 
 "I know it don't," replied Lincoln. "But what I was 
 going to say was, that you earned it honestly ; you attended 
 faithfully, and saved several of my boys, as well as my son 
 Tom ; and I am willing to pay it, no matter how heavy it is, 
 because it's as honest a debt as I ever owed. Now, any mo 
 ment that you say, ' Mr. Lincoln, I wish you would pay that 
 bill,' the money's at your service. But if you'd present a 
 loaded revolver at my head, and say, * Lincoln, you're an 
 infernal rascal ! pay that bill you owe me, or I'll blow your 
 brains out !' do you think I'd do it ? No, I'd see you hanged 
 first!" 
 
 " But if such a case should arise, don't you think it would 
 be advisable to pay the bill, and save your brains?" said the 
 Doctor, laughing. 
 
 " No ! it wouldn't," replied Lincoln, warmly. " I would 
 rather blow them out myself, than be forced into a measure. 
 So you see I don't care a straw whether slavery is right 
 or wrong ; I'm in for it, upon the principle of self-defence. 
 I intend to keep niggers, and to encourage others in keeping 
 them, for the purpose of acting as a check upon Northern 
 aggression." 
 
 " You see the feeling in the South," said the Doctor, turn 
 ing to Mr. Frank. " This has all been produced by senseless 
 action senseless, because it was premature, and carried to 
 extremes. If no more political distinction had been made
 
 166 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 between slave States and free States, than is made between 
 the commercial States of the sea-border, the manufacturing 
 States of New-England, and the agricultural States of the in 
 terior of our country, this unfortunate issue would never have 
 been raised ; and the seeds of liberty, sown by Washington, 
 Jefferson, Randolph, Clay, and others, would have fell upon 
 good soil, taken deep root, and ' brought forth fruit, some 
 thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some an hundred-fold.' ' 
 . " I must acknowledge," said Mr. Frank, " that. I begin to 
 see this subject in a somewhat different light ;" and he was 
 going on to make some other remarks, not in strict consist- 
 tence with his character as an Agent in the Underground 
 Line, when he was interrupted by Mr. Lincoln exclaiming, in 
 his usual impetuous manner : 
 
 " Halloo! what in thunder have we got here ?" 
 
 This interrogato-exclamatory ejaculation was called forth 
 by the presence of a huge negro, who had approached un 
 noticed during the conversation, and now stood bare-headed 
 before the Doctor, attempting to attract his attention by bow 
 ing in a most grotesque and humiliating manner. Before 
 anybody could say a word, Mr. Lincoln went off again at 
 random. 
 
 " Why, Doctor!" he exclaimed, "I'll be hanged if that 
 ain't your man Tom ! Halloo, Tom !" he continued, shaking 
 him by the shoulder ; " where the mischief did you come from ? 
 I thought that by this time you were far enough beyond the 
 St. Lawrence, in the nigger's land of Canaan!" 
 
 " Why, I do really believe it is Tom !" said the Doctor, 
 good-humoredly, after taking a long look at him ; " I 
 thought you had escaped into Canada?" 
 
 "No, Massa Doctor," replied Tom, who was no other 
 than our former friend, Mr. Dixey's coadjutor. " I'se come 
 back, an' begsyer pardin," he added, falling upon his knees, 
 "for runnin' off from yer I'll nebber do de like, if yer only 
 forgib me dis time ! You may whip me, Massa do anyt'ing
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 167 
 
 to me ; but jis lef me come back, and lib and die on de ole 
 plantashun!" 
 
 " Well, Tom," replied the Doctor, " you may stay here if 
 you want to ; but as to whipping you, or anybody else, you 
 know I never do that. You can do just as you please, Tom. 
 You can remain here exactly as you were before, or you can 
 run away whenever you want to, without my pursuing you 
 so you can suit yourself." 
 
 " Oh ! yer a berry good, kind Massa, and I'll nebber leab 
 yer agin ! You allers was good to us," continued Tom, as 
 the tears ran down his cheeks, " and I wos berry wicked to 
 run away from yer but den I wos punished 'nough for it 
 'deed I wos !" 
 
 " Yes, and for fear you wasn't," growled Lincoln, " if you 
 belonged to me, I'd just give you a little more, so as to have 
 my conscience perfectly satisfied that the accounts were well- 
 balanced. So you didn't find the North what it is cracked- 
 up to be for niggers, eh, Tom ?" he added, contemptuously. 
 " Your friends didn't clothe your nakedness, feed you when 
 hungry, minister unto you when sick, put you in their best 
 beds, allow you to eat at the same table, give you plenty of 
 money to spend, support you in a life of idleness, and treat 
 you, upon the whole, a little better than if you had been their 
 own natural-born son ?" 
 
 "No, 'deed they didn't 'ceptin' Mr. Frank here," he re 
 plied, grasping that gentleman's extended hand. "He 
 treated me well; but as for de res' ob dem, dey used me 
 worse dan we does dogs down in Ole Virginny." 
 
 " And so you found," said the Doctor, " what everybody 
 else has, who knows Mr. Frank, that he is a perfect gentle 
 man?" 
 
 " 'Deed he is dat 'ceptin' yerself, he is de only rale gem- 
 man I ebber seed," replied Tom. 
 
 "What the d 1 do you consider jne, then, Tom?" ex-
 
 168 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 claimed Lincoln-, shaking his heavy riding-whip at him in a 
 threatening manner. 
 
 " I I 'deed I doesn't know ! I I " 
 
 " Well, never mind expressing your opinion upon that 
 point," said the Doctor, laughing. " I am afraid it would 
 not be very edifying. You may go down to the quarters 
 now, and I'll speak to you to-morrow morning." 
 
 "I'se much obliged to yer, Massa! God bless yer!" he 
 said ; and making another very low salaam, he departed. 
 
 " It's very strange," said the Doctor, in a musing tone to 
 Mr. Frank, after Lincoln had departed, " It's very strange 
 that, just at the very time that I am preparing to emancipate, 
 the only negroes that ever ran away from me should wish to 
 return to slavery. It is very strange !" 
 
 Mr. Frank made no reply. After having been a frequent 
 witness of the condition of the free negroes, and of that of 
 those on the Doctor's plantation, he didn't think it was strange 
 at all ; but he did not like to make an open expression of his 
 sentiments so he very wisely said nothing.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 169 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 TREATING OF A NEGRO BALL, FOLLOWED BY AN INDIGNATION 
 MEETING IN THE OLD DOMINION STATE ; AND SHOWING THAT 
 SUCH THINGS ARE CONDUCTED THERE VERY MUCH AS THEY 
 ARE CONDUCTED EVERYWHERE ELSE. 
 
 " HARK!" said Mr. Frank to Doctor Manly, as they were 
 strolling leisurely, by moonlight, near a small grove that 
 bounded on the negro-quarters ; " hark! what noise is that?" 
 
 This enquiry was called forth by the confused sounds of 
 some half-dozen cracked fiddles, an indefinite number of old 
 banjos, triangles and tamborines, mingled with wild snatches 
 of negro songs, utterly devoid of rhyme or reason ; each of 
 which seemed to vie with the other in the attempt to produce 
 the greatest possible amount of noise ; and served to impress 
 Mr. Frank with the idea that some Southern brass-band had 
 become insane, or that a lunatic asylum had suddenly dis 
 charged its contents upon the community. 
 
 " ! that's my people," replied the Doctor, carelessly. 
 " I thought there was something in the wind this afternoon. 
 I saw messengers running, in hot haste, in every direction, 
 and I supposed that they were going to give notice to their 
 friends on the neighboring plantations of some approaching 
 jollification. From the number of old violins, banjos, and 
 other instruments of ' divine music' in active operation, it 
 appears that their invitations have met with cordial responses." 
 
 " But what does it mean ?" enquired Mr. Frank, in a tone 
 of unfeigned surprise ; for his mind had hitherto been so com 
 pletely filled up with ideas of " chains, fetters, stripes, scars, 
 and negro groans," as to entirely preclude his realizing such 
 a thing as a negro-frolic, or any other kind of enjoyment. 
 15
 
 170 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " I cannot say exactly," replied the Doctor ; " but I sup 
 pose that they are so perfectly delighted with the return of 
 myself, Nelly, and especially Tom, who was a perfect oracle 
 amongst them, previous to his disgracing himself by running 
 away, that they have determined to celebrate this triple god 
 send in a more than usually enthusiastic manner." 
 
 " But you certainly do not allow such things ?" said Mr. 
 Frank, in a tone of vague and abstracted astonishment, which 
 plainly indicated that he didn't exactly know whether he was 
 dreaming, or whether he was the victim of some strange 
 mental hallucination. 
 
 " Most certainly I do," replied the Doctor. " Why not? 
 Next week, probably, there will be a frolic amongst the negroes 
 of a neighboring plantation ; the week following, at another 
 place ; and so they keep it going in regular rotation. Occa 
 sionally, however, some hot-headed old fire-eater, like neigh 
 bor Lincoln, becomes so much embittered by Northern 
 agitation, as to deny his slaves all those amusements in which 
 they so heartily delight ; and thus wreaks upon their unof 
 fending heads his feelings of wrath, because he cannot get a 
 chance at the Abolitionists, and for fear to use one of his 
 own terms that he might burst, if he did not give vent to 
 them upon somebody. 
 
 " They not only have their parties almost whenever they 
 please," continued the Doctor, noticing Mr. Frank's looks of 
 dumb-founded astonishment, " but there prevails as much 
 cliquing, exclusiveness, and coquetry amongst them, as there 
 does in similar assemblages amongst the ' upper-ten' of the 
 North. Who shall be invited, and who shah 1 not be, are 
 subjects of as prolonged and anxious consideration here, as 
 they are with scheming mammas and their aspiring daughters 
 in your large cities. Even when assembled together, you 
 will find if you take the trouble to look that the party is 
 composed of various circles, each of which has an existence 
 independent of the others. Those who are hired out to work
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 171 
 
 on adjoining places, those who cultivate corn or tobacco, 
 those who attend to their owners' horses, those who work 
 about the kitchen, and those who are brought in more imme 
 diate connection with their masters, by virtue of waiting on 
 the table, or on the front-door ; all form as many different 
 classes as the families of the butcher, grocer, the retail dry 
 goods merchant, the wholesale dry-goods man, the lawyer, 
 the doctor, and the retired millionaire, do with you ; and each 
 one would feel itself just as much insulted and degraded by 
 associating on terms of intimacy with those below it. So you 
 see, my friend, society will naturally resolve itself into castes 
 everywhere ; and it is often a not over-easy task to discover 
 where the most exclusiveness and tyranny prevails." 
 
 " T must confess that I am perfectly lost in astonishment !" 
 said Mr. Frank, although there was not the least occasion for 
 such a confession ; his open mouth, dilated eyes, and general 
 expanded countenance, testified most abundantly to the fact, 
 without any words to comfirm it. " Why, if I should go 
 home, and tell such things to my friends, they would either 
 doubt my veracity or my sanity!" 
 
 " Of course many of them would," replied the Doctor. 
 " I have often, myself, attempted to convince some of your 
 fanatics of the happy social condition of our slaves, as a 
 mass ; but I do not believe I ever succeeded, in a single 
 individual case. Though they did not say so perhaps be 
 cause they doubted the propriety of such an open expression 
 of sentiment I could very plainly see that they did not be 
 lieve a word that I told them. But, suppose \ve conceal our 
 selves amongst these trees, so as to afford you an opportunity 
 of seeing them enjoy themselves in their own way." 
 
 Following this suggestion of the Doctor, they concealed 
 themselves in a position where, owing to the overhanging of 
 the branches, they could observe all the merriment, without 
 being seen in return. To describe the scene, would be 
 utterly impossible. If some fifty pens should traverse over
 
 172 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 the same sheet, in every direction ; or a whole press-full of 
 type should be knocked into pi, and then committed to 
 paper, the impression might serve to convey some faint idea 
 of the confusion which prevailed ; although we do not, of 
 course, wish to pledge ourselves in regard to the clearness 
 of the ideas which the reader might thus obtain. 
 
 Old negroes, young negroes, middle-aged negroes ; black 
 negroes, yellow negroes, cream-colored negroes ; long ne 
 groes, short negroes, and fat negroes ; blind negroes, lame 
 negroes, and deaf negroes ; and negroes of nearly every ra- 
 riety, shape, and hue under the sun, were all engaged in the 
 most arduous enjoyment ; and what added most strikingly to 
 the exhilarating nature of the occasion, was, that each one 
 seemed to be engaged in enjoying him, or herself, on an 
 individual and independent account, without any reference 
 to others. Some shouted, yelled, and laughed, in every pos 
 sible intonation of voice ; some sang, with the full force of 
 their vocal organs, all sorts, and no sorts, of negro melodies, 
 many of which possessed the very common merit of being 
 independent of rhyme or reason ; whilst nearly all ran, scam 
 pered, jumped, and whirled themselves and others about in 
 the most wild and fantastic manner, under the agreeable de 
 lusion that they were dancing in energetic obedience to the 
 strains of music, which were sawed and thumped out of the 
 various instruments in a manner which, if it lacked the merit 
 of harmony, possessed the superior characteristics of force 
 and variety. 
 
 Mr. Frank and the Doctor watched these amusements for 
 a considerable length of time so long, in fact, that the 
 former finally suggested the propriety of their being checked, 
 for fear some might fall victims to their excessive feelings of 
 enjoyment things of which he had read in the books. In 
 truth, his fears were not altogether groundless, for already 
 large numbers of the dancers had given out, from pure ex 
 haustion.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 173 
 
 The manner in which they retired from the giddy mazes 
 of the dance was somewhat peculiar. The males would 
 throw themselves down upon the green sod, roll about in 
 perfect abandon, and toss their elevated pedal extremities 
 into the air, in a way which was decidedly unsafe for 
 those who ventured within a respectable kicking distance ; 
 whilst the females owing to the modesty of the sex, which 
 prevails everywhere contented themselves with more tem 
 perate manifestations of their feelings, and would drop 
 down, incontinently, into promiscuous heaps, resorting, at 
 the same time, to a liberal use of their fans, by way of 
 replenishing their exhausted respiratory organs. 
 
 The musicians, however, w r ere the persons who seemed to 
 be the most affected by their labors. From the earliest part 
 of the evening, up to the close of the festivities, they labored 
 with an energetic devotion to duty, perhaps unequalled in the 
 historical annals of ancient or modern orchestras. But the 
 strongest physical powers, even when added to the most en 
 thusiastic love of music, can be pushed beyond human endu 
 rance ; and as the evening wore on, this fact became more 
 and more apparent. At first, they sawed, thumped, and 
 blowed in a manner that promised no abatement ; but gradu 
 ally their heads sunk to one side, and finally fell completely 
 over on their shoulders. Their eyes, which were directed 
 diagonally upwards and outwards, became fixed and glaring, 
 and occasionally quite closed, as if their minds wished to 
 close their portals of light, and revel alone in surfeited enjoy 
 ments ; whilst their tongues hung loosely out of their mouths, 
 and the saliva flowed over their chins in a constant trickling 
 stream. The perspiration, too, rose up in vapory mists, 
 forming a dense cloud, and rendering the atmosphere highly 
 perfumed for miles around, with its odoriferous emanations. 
 Notwithstanding these alarming symptoms which the Doctor 
 assured Mr. Frank were not very dangerous they one and 
 15*
 
 174 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 all expressed themselves highly delighted, and " mos' ded, 
 wid de superfluity ob de refin'd 'joyment ob de 'cassion." 
 
 Our friend Jimmy, who had some slight experience in con 
 ducting wakes and weddings in old Ireland, entered fully 
 into the spirit of the scene. He engaged in the dance with 
 true Irish energy, performed all the various steps of jig, 
 hornpipe, straight-four, quadrille, polka, and waltz, all to the 
 same tune, and to the mingled astonishment and admiration 
 of his sable companions. Whenever any of the buxom 
 wenches came within reaching distance, his native gallantry 
 evinced itself by catching them around the waist, and 
 whirling them through the air with much of the grace and 
 lightness of dropsical fairies in petticoats. Although the 
 greater part of his attentions were absorbed by the fairer 
 part of creation, he by no means neglected the negro gal 
 lants, but, on the contrary, let no opportunity pass him of 
 running his fist into their capacious paunches, and striking 
 the toes of his heavy boots against their shins, merely, as he 
 said, "by way ov lettin' 'em know he was about and 
 kickin'." 
 
 After the greater part of the dancers had thrown them 
 selves down into heaps, perfectly satiated with enjoyment, 
 Marcus Augustus Csesar Adolphus, who, as usual, acted as 
 Master of Ceremonies, mounted on a stump, for want of a 
 better rostrum, and waving his hand through the air, in a 
 dignified manner, commanded a halt. His \vords produced, 
 as if by magic, the desired effect. The music ceased, the 
 loud conversation and boisterous laugh were hushed in an 
 instant, and all eyes were turned upon him. 
 
 "Feller citizens, an' brudder an' sister niggers!" said that 
 dignified character, wiping the torrents of perspiration from 
 his face ; " de return ob our kind Massa is allers, under all 
 circumstancis, a matter of perfound plesshur to us all. But 
 his return wid Nelly, who is here 'pon my left, an' Tom, whom 
 I'se proud to hab on my right bof ob whom we had looked
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 175 
 
 'pon as los' forebber is de amplust cause for de deepest 
 gratitude, dat black or wite mortils is capable ob feelin'. 
 Dese feelins, permit me to obsirve, hab bin testified by de 
 niggers ob Glenwood Place, 'sisted by dere neighborin' frens, 
 in de mos complete and sumptuous manner, dis berry ebenin', 
 and to de 'streme satisfacshun ob all de ladies and gemmen 
 present on de 'casion !" At this point of his speech he was 
 greeted with loud cries of "Yah! yah!" "Dat's a fac!" 
 " De niggers ob Oakland, and dere Massa, forebber!" and 
 various other equally strong evidences of friendly sentiment, 
 to all of which he bowed very low, as orators always do on 
 such occasions, and continued : 
 
 "But, feller niggers, Solomon says, dere is a time for all 
 tings. Dere is a time to be merry, and a time to be sad ; 
 dere is a time ter play, and dere is a time ter work ; an' 
 lasly, dere is a time for plesshur, and dere is a time for biz- 
 ness. An' now, feller citizens and brudder niggers, I'se 
 'proachin de subjec for which I rose to 'dress yer." 
 
 At this announcement, a general buzz of attention was 
 manifested. The musicians drew in their tongues, but, ab 
 sorbed in anxious expectation, they forgot to shut their 
 mouths ; the ladies began to assort themselves out of their 
 heaps ; those who were lying down raised themselves up on 
 their elbows ; and those who had not got lower than their 
 elbows, suddenly jerked themselves up into the perpendicular 
 position with an agility equalled only by old performers on 
 the ' saw- dust.' 
 
 " We hab enjoyed," he continued, " de plesshur we felt 
 for Massa's return ; an' now we will 'tend to de bizness 'fore 
 dis respec'able an' highly 'telligent meetin'. You all see our 
 belubed brudder an' sister, Tom and Nelly, here afore us. 
 Many ob you has learned from deir own lips de manner ob 
 treatment dey reseved ob de Aberlitionists, who is allers 
 tryin to git us to runaway from de miseries of slavery, and 
 plenty to eat, to de blessin's ob liberty, an berry faverable
 
 176 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 chances ob starvin' to death. Now,- de objec' ob dis meetin'," 
 he added, " 'posed, as I hab sed, ob de respec'able an' 'telli- 
 gent ob Ole Virginny, is to 'spress in a decided an' formal 
 manner, de feelin's ob indignashun which we feel for dere 
 conduc' ; and ter take measures to frown down de tyranny 
 of de mas'rs ob de Norf, an' to 'minister aid an' comfort to 
 de downtrodden bond- children, 'prentices, factory-boys, 
 sewin'-girls, and oder poor persuns ob dat secshun, widout 
 regard to coler or condishun ; 'cause as how dey is de same 
 flesh an' blood as we is, an' has de same rights ter enjoyment. 
 For de perpus ob strikin' awe an' terror into de buzems of 
 dese tyran's, it am necessary dat dis meetin' be organized in 
 a proper an powerful manner. To do dis, it will be 'quired 
 in de fust place, to 'lect a President to preside ober its de- 
 liberashuns." 
 
 "An' I recomen's de honerable gemman hisself, as de 
 properest pusson for de pre-ement stashun!" exclaimed Cleo 
 patra Virginia, who was not only the belle of the plantation, 
 but the 'heart's idol' of Csesar's affections. This nomi 
 nation was followed by all sorts of shouting and laughing, all 
 which, however, seemed to be confirmatory of the recom 
 mendation at least Caesar so construed it ; for as soon as a 
 partial degree of silence was restored, he responded in a tone 
 of mock-humility and diffidence, which Mr. Frank had often 
 heard imitated in popular assemblages of the North, under 
 similar circumstances. 
 
 " My frien's," he said, bowing very low, " I'se under de 
 deepest obligashuns to you, for dis 'ditional mark ob yer 
 'steem. You hab already el'vated me to de stashun ob 
 mass'r ob ceremonies at yer balls a ritiwatiori sufficient for 
 de proudest ambishun, an' 'tirely beyon' my talents or aspira- 
 shuns ; an' now dat you's conferred dis new honer 'pon me, 
 I'se so oberw'elmed wid gratitude, dat I can't 'spress my 
 'motions ; but in 'turn permit me to say, dat I'll 'charge de
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 177 
 
 'sponsible duties pertainin' to dat high offis, to de best ob my 
 humble 'bilities. 
 
 " An' now, 'fore I closes ray remarks, my frien's, permit 
 me to pledge rny word, for fear some 'spiren nigger may turn 
 up his nose, dat de active part dat I hab taken in openin' dis 
 meetin' wasn't wid de view ob reapin' any honer from it, as 
 its fust offiser." This small explanation by way of denning 
 "his position," was elicited by the expression of the counte 
 nance of a negro from a neighboring plantation, who had 
 hitherto been a candidate for Cleopatra Virginia's affections. 
 As soon as Cassar Augustus announced himself elected, this 
 gentleman's face assumed an appearance of the most pro 
 found disgust ; and his nose, which was, in its natural condi 
 tion, more than usually flat even for a negro, became very 
 much twisted to one side, and finally turned itself directly up 
 in contempt, looking not unlike a large meat-hook which 
 had undergone a long process of smoking, or an inverted 
 corkscrew. 
 
 " Yis, an' av there's any jintleman here," said Jimmy, 
 suddenly rising up, and throwing himself into a good spar 
 ring attitude, " who doubts my friend Caysar's pledged word, 
 I'll be extramely happy to give him a small prove ov his 
 mistake!" 
 
 As nobody either doubted Caesar's word, or called upon 
 Jimmy for proof, he exchanged his looks of defiance for those 
 of the utmost diffidence in regard to his opinion, and con 
 tinued in a very mild tone of voice, with the view of coaxing 
 somebody into a dissenting opinion. " But troth, if this 
 very same sarcumstance had happened in Ireland, or in the 
 fray States, it 'ud look mighty suspicious. There, sure, it's 
 a very common thing for a jintleman who wishes to im 
 mortalize himself, to git up a meetin' on his own account, 
 open it with a spache, and thin gits not a swate-heart but 
 some cousin, or nephew, or politikal friend, or some other 
 low blaguard, to nominate him for President; an' thin
 
 178 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 declare himself elected, as our friend here has. An' thin, 
 too, they git up and return their thanks to the meetin' for 
 honers they had cut and dried for days and forced on thim- 
 selves ; and express their unaltherable convicshuns that thir 
 talents are not sufficient for the stashun ; and end by acceptin' 
 it, and promisin' to do what they kin. But thin, that's in the 
 North, and this's in the South, and I don't b'lave our dis 
 tinguished friend 'ud be guilty of so mane an acth ; but, 
 nivirtheless, I'll be happy to be corricted if I'm in the 
 wrong." 
 
 Nobody, however, expressed a desire to correct him, and 
 even the gentleman who had so strangely screwed up his 
 nose, immediately took the turn out of it, and attempted to 
 look as if he was not only satisfied, but perfectly delighted 
 with the whole proceedings. 
 
 The meeting then appointed a large number of vice-presi 
 dents, and several secretaries ; after which the President 
 formally introduced Nelly to the meeting, who gave a very 
 affecting, though not over-clear account of the treatment 
 which she had received from Mrs. Burton ; from which it 
 appeared that she was compelled to work during nearly the 
 whole of the day and night, and when she did get a few 
 hours of sleep, she was obliged to lie down on a miserable 
 bed, so short, that her limbs were perfectly cramped up. It 
 also appeared in evidence, that she was but half clothed, 
 half fed, and half beaten to death. When she showed her 
 scars, a deep groan ran through the assemblage, somewhat 
 resembling sounds which we have heard in an Abolition 
 meeting, on the exhibition of a pair of heavy handcuffs, 
 which were made by some learned and ingenious Yankee 
 blacksmith, and palmed off as having been taken from a 
 runaway slave ; with the only exception that in the former 
 case they were more natural, and seemed to come from the 
 heart, instead of proceeding only from the back part of the 
 mouth, as was the case in the latter instances.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 179 
 
 Tom next stepped forward, and told how he was alter 
 nately the dupe, victim, and tool, of Northern fanatics; and 
 how, finally, he had resolved to return to the South, as the 
 best place for the black race, in their present condition. The 
 illustrious namesake of the Roman and Swedish heroes now 
 arose, and offered a series of resolutions, denouncing the 
 course pursued by the Abolitionists towards the slave, urging 
 upon them the importance of treating their servants better ; 
 and advocated the propriety of sending a letter to the white 
 ladies of the North, by the ladies of the South, urging upon 
 them the duty of attempting, by every means in their power, 
 to lessen the misery which they find in their own social 
 system. These measures seemed to meet with general favor, 
 especially that which related to writing a letter of exhortation 
 all of the fair sex present, headed by the fat old cook, ex 
 pressing a unanimous desire to lend the influence of their 
 names to the work. These resolutions were all duly passed; 
 after which the President dissolved the meeting, and the 
 audience retired to their quarters, deeply impressed with the 
 miserable condition of the free negroes north of Mason and 
 Dixon's line. 
 
 " Doctor," said Mr. Frank, as they turned towards the 
 house, " is your treatment of your slaves a fair example of 
 their general treatment in the South ?" 
 
 "Yes, I should suppose it was," he replied. "I have 
 travelled through all the slave States, and have seen them 
 treated at times better, and occasionally, worse ; but I 
 keep my people as they are pretty generally kept not in 
 indolence, nor in undue severity." 
 
 " Well, then," said Mr. Frank, emphatically, " there is 
 not the difference between the poor of both colors in the 
 North, and the slaves of the South, that I thought there 
 was." 
 
 " Exceptin'," said Jimmy, who had accidentally overheard 
 these remarks, " that here the nagurs grow fat on little work
 
 180 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 an' plenty to ate, wid thir minds torminted by reflictin' on 
 miseries they don't fale ; whilst the poor in the North are 
 half starved, and half worked to death, but at the same time 
 enjoy the blessin' ov knowin' that they possess great rights 
 and privileges, which don't do 'em ony good!" 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 IN WHICH MR. FRANK LAYS DOWN THE FIRST PLANK IN HIS 
 IMMEDIATE EMANCIPATION PLATFORM, AND MR. DIXEY AR 
 RANGES THE IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY STEPS OF A GRETNA 
 GREEN JOURNEY; THE SUCCESS OF BOTH OF WHICH WILL 
 BE MADE KNOWN IN DUE TIME. 
 
 SEVERAL days after the occurrence of the events recorded 
 in the last chapter, Dr. Manly was unexpectedly required to 
 leave home for New Orleans, to attend to some important 
 business. Before leaving, he told Mr. Frank to consider his 
 place and its conveniences at his disposal ; and begged that 
 he would act, in all respects, as if he was its owner. 
 
 The next day after he left, Mr. Frank was walking alone 
 over the plantation of our fire-eating friend, Mr. Lincoln. His 
 own observations had satisfied 'him that the general condition 
 of the slaves was more free from misery than that of the same 
 class of persons in the North, but, nevertheless, he very cor 
 rectly looked upon the principle of holding human beings in 
 bondage, as a wrong, which, though it might be ameliorated, 
 could not be converted into right, notwithstanding any social 
 advantages which might be thrown around it. 
 
 In addition to this, he remembered that he was an Agent 
 on the Underground Line, and that the Society would be 
 looking to him to labor in the cause of freedom. He there-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGEXT. 181 
 
 fore determined to lose no more time, but at once try to re 
 trieve his reputation, which must have already suffered, by 
 attempting to forward some slaves by the first opportunity, as 
 a small consignment, to be followed up by subsequent ship 
 ments. Luckily, at this moment, he saw a huge, buxom 
 negro wench approaching him, whom he recognized as one 
 of Mr. Lincoln's slaves ; and at once determined to ascertain 
 her views in regard to taking a trip to the North. When 
 she came near him, she bowed very low, and was about to 
 pass on her way, had he not stopped her. 
 
 " You look as if you had been hard at work," he said, by 
 way of opening the conversation. 
 
 " Yes, Massa, me worked berry hard," was the reply. 
 
 "I suppose your master is none of the best?" said Mr. 
 Frank, enquiringly. 
 
 " Oh, yes, him am one ob de bes' Massas in de worl'," she 
 replied; " only he gits fits on 'im sometimes, and den he 
 makes us work wus dan de Massas make free niggers work 
 in de Norf. He's got one ob 'em on him now." 
 
 " It is an abominable state of society," said Mr. Frank, 
 warmly, to himself, " that places man in a position to tyran 
 nize over his fellow at his pleasure, or whenever his fits of 
 caprice may prompt him. But what is the cause of his 
 present fit?" he added, by way of enquiry. 
 
 " De same ole cause!" replied the woman. "Dere's a 
 Bobolitionist over at Massa Dr. Manly's, an' he's ben talkin' 
 to Massa, an' he's got angry 'gin, an' makes us work all de 
 harder for it. I wish de Bobolitionists was all ded, or hung, 
 or drowned in de ribber I does !" 
 
 "Ah! yes hem! you do, eh?" said Mr. Frank, not 
 knowing exactly what to say, in reply to this kind wish for 
 the personal disposition of himself and his friends. " But 
 then," he added, " if you were in the North, you would 
 not be liable to be abused according to every fit of your 
 16
 
 182 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 owner. There you could be your own mistress, and could do 
 as you pleased. How would you like to go there ?" 
 
 "Me go dere!" she replied, drawing herself up with an 
 air of offended dignity. " Me go dere ? no indeed ! To 
 hear Tom and Suse tell 'bout dere treatment, an' to see de 
 scars on poor little Nell's back, am rekommendashun 'nuf for 
 dis chile ! If yer cotch dis nigger cuttin' up any ob dem 
 shines ob nonsense, you jist put in de papers, dat Cecelia 
 Belvida am clean gone out ob her senses yer kin do dat, 
 sartin /" 
 
 When Mr. Frank made up his mind to accomplish a cer 
 tain purpose, difficulties, instead of deterring, only stimulated 
 him in his exertions. In the present instance, he had deter 
 mined to induce Cecelia Belinda to escape, and instead of 
 relinquishing his idea when she discountenanced it, he set 
 himself industriously to w r ork to prove to her what rights she 
 had in a moral sense ; and how much happier she would be if 
 she was free and her own mistress. In doing so, we do not 
 pretend to say that he invented any entirely new facts ; but 
 we do know 7 , that he drew copiously on his imagination to 
 adorn those which he had, and finally succeeded in con 
 vincing her that the North w r as an earthly paradise a bright 
 land of Canaan for the fugitive ; not only overflowing with 
 milk and honey, but perfectly inundated with happy run 
 aways. 
 
 Influenced by such arguments, as many hundreds of her 
 race have been to their sorrow, she finally promised to meet 
 him at midnight, at her master's gate, to fly with him to this 
 land of refuge. 
 
 Having accomplished this much in the cause of freedom, 
 he proceeded homeward with a light heart, honestly believing 
 that, if he had done little or nothing towards the social hap 
 piness of the slave, he had done more towards the advance 
 ment of a great principle, in which all minor evils became 
 absorbed.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 183 
 
 The path which led to Dr. Manly 's residence, passed by a 
 small summer-house, situated on the outskirts of Mr. Lin 
 coln's plantation. As he approached it, he heard the sound 
 of voices issuing from it, the tones of which seemed familiar 
 to his ear ; and on getting near enough, he observed through 
 the lattice-work, to his utter astonishment, the person of his 
 quondam friend Mr. Dixey, engaged in earnest conversation 
 with Mr. Lincoln's only daughter, a beautiful girl of some 
 sixteen summers. 
 
 He knew enough of Dixey's character to know that he was 
 not an over- desirable companion for any young lady of her 
 age ; and his first impulse was to expose him at once, but, 
 upon a second consideration, he came to the very wise con 
 clusion to defer it for the present, for fear of its leading to a 
 double exposition, which might show up his own position in 
 the Underground Mail Department, in an unpleasant light. 
 He therefore passed on his way, unnoticed by Mr. Dixey and 
 his fair companion. 
 
 If we were a learned novel writer, we would now pass 
 on, leaving the reader in profound ignorance of what Mr. 
 Dixey said or did on the present occasion, and thus produce 
 a very dark, mysterious, and complicated plot, to be exploded 
 at some future period. Such ingenious literary ambuscades 
 in works of fiction produce the double effect of overwhelm 
 ing the reader in a maze of intricacy and doubt, and of giving 
 the author an immense amount of work to clear away the 
 rubbish, so as to expose the whole affair suddenly to view. 
 We, however, deal only in facts, and shall therefore make no 
 attempts at concealment. We look upon our readers as 
 bosom friends which they most certainly are, if they have 
 perseveringly followed us thus far and we would scorn to 
 keep any fact from them which is known to ourselves ! 
 
 " Oh, Mary, my dear!" said Dixey, as he raised his com 
 panion's fair hand to his lips, " why will you delay the hour 
 that shall make me blest above all men ? Why will you not
 
 184 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 fly with me, at once, to my home in the North ?" Why Dixey 
 located his home in the North, we have no means of know 
 ing. His whole stock of real estate was invested in sundry 
 castles built in the air ; and, for the sake of convenience, he 
 might just as well have placed his residence in the region 
 where he was, as in any other quarter of the globe. 
 
 "But, oh! you know, William," she said, smiling affec 
 tionately through her tears, " that it is a hard, hard thing, to 
 leave my father, who always was the kindest of parents to 
 me, and who has hitherto never opposed a single wish of my 
 heart!" 
 
 "If he has your happiness so much at heart," replied 
 Dixey, in a slightly sarcastic tone, " why does he now oppose 
 the only measure which can possibly advance it?" 
 
 " Oh ! do not speak disrespectfully of him," said the young 
 girl, looking fondly into Dixey's grey eyes, which were vainly 
 attempting to beam with love ; " we must allow for his strong 
 feelings. He has become prejudiced against your section of 
 the country, and will not place confidence in any person 
 coming from it. He says your letters of introduction are en 
 tirely satisfactory, and that he believes you to be a perfect 
 gentleman ; but that he will never consent to my marriage 
 with you, or any other gentleman from the North." 
 
 The reader may be somewhat surprised at the statement 
 that Mr. Lincoln considered Dixey a perfect gentleman ; but 
 if he takes the trouble to look around him, he will find 
 that society is perfectly inundated with spurious imitations, 
 which frequently pass more currently than the genuine coin 
 itself. His ready defence of slavery in all its aspects, and 
 the numerous respectable letters of introduction which he had 
 brought with him, and which, to save trouble to the persons 
 whose names were signed to them, he had written himself, 
 'without any previous consultation with them, placed him as 
 high in that gentleman's estimation as any man, coming from 
 beyond the vexated line, possibly could be placed.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 185 
 
 " If he has said that he will never agree to your marrying 
 a Northern man," said Dixey, persuasively, " what is the use 
 of waiting for a consent, which we never can obtain ? He 
 only opposes our union out of feelings of false pride. He 
 has pledged his word that he will not give his consent, and 
 he is determined not to break it. When the event is once 
 over, he will not hesitate a moment to forgive you ; whilst at 
 the same time, he can declare that he never consented to it, 
 and thus save appearances." 
 
 " Do you really think so ?" said Mary, who knew that her 
 father's character was composed of more pride and prejudice, 
 than either of principle, or wilful obstinacy. 
 
 " I know it," replied Dixey, firmly. " I know his char 
 acter too well, to doubt it for a moment." 
 
 " If I only felt sure of that," she answered, in a tone which 
 implied that she was already more than half-sure of it, " I 
 would not hesitate a single moment." 
 
 There w r as not much persuasion required on the part of 
 Dixey, to make her perfectly sure of it, and to get her to 
 promise to elope with him that very night. When the heart 
 is willing, the mind is easily convinced. 
 
 " Here we go again," said Dixey, as he wended his way 
 towards a neighboring tavern. " There is nothing like per 
 severance. Philosophers say it surmounts all difficulties ; and 
 I hope the old coves are right. If they ain't, I'm spending 
 my precious time and talents to very little purpose. Now, 
 here, I'm just on the verge of getting a fortune, if some con 
 founded unlucky affair don't turn up again to snatch it away, 
 just as I reach out to grasp it. 
 
 "But then, after all," he added, "I don't know whether 
 that Emma Frank affair wasn't the best thing that could have 
 happened. I never could bear her confounded dignity; and 
 I know she had strong feelings, which might have caused me 
 some trouble before I'd got her properly tamed down. It 
 will be quite different with Mary she's young, and of course 
 16*
 
 186 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 easily managed. Besides that, she loves me as devotedly 
 as girls of sixteen always do the first man that talks sofc 
 nonsense to them ; and, although I don't believe much in 
 the Platonic quality of the article, it may be of some use in 
 its place especially if it induces her to get up better dinners 
 for her ' liege lord.' ' 
 
 " Jimmy," said Mr. Frank to that gentleman, whom he 
 met on his return home, walking arm-in-arm with the 
 American Caesar Augustus, " I shall want you to go with me 
 on a short journey, this evening." 
 
 " I'm convayniant, sir," replied Jimmy, with a low bow. 
 
 " Jimmy," continued Mr. Frank, in a low, mysterious 
 voice, as soon as Caesar Augustus had got out of hearing 
 distance, " I intend to put a poor, wretched negro-girl in the 
 way of obtaining her freedom to-night, and shall want your 
 assistance." 
 
 " I'm intirely at your sarvice ; an' iv there's ony jintleman 
 that might show opposishun to extendin' ' the arrear ov fray- 
 dom,' jist give me the wurd, an' I'll suit the action to it !" said 
 Jimmy, jumping about as buoyantly as if he was dancing on 
 a spring-board, and, at the same time, performing some very 
 energetic rectilinear motions with his fists, through the air. 
 
 " I hope we shall be able to get along without any thing 
 of that kind," said Mr. Frank, with a faint smile at Jimmy's 
 gymnastic evolutions. 
 
 " Maybe we may, and maybe we mayn't," said Jimmy, 
 dubiously. " I think, meself, that the chances are greatly in 
 favor that we mayn't ; and, in case that the laste necessity 
 might arise, it's best, ye know, to be provided for it." 
 
 " And as for that black letther," he added, after a short 
 pawse, which was occupied in turning up the cuffs of his 
 coat, " that is to go by the Mail-line, I hope she'll enjoy it 
 more thin some others who've thravelled that same route be 
 fore her." 
 
 " Why, what do you mean?" said Mr. Frank, with as
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 187 
 
 much sternness in his voice and manner as he was capable 
 of assuming. 
 
 "I mane, sir that is, I hope," replied Jimmy, rather 
 incoherently, " that thase divils of slave-howlders won't catch 
 her; that's what I mane." 
 
 " Oh! that's all, is it?" said Mr. Frank, as if he thought 
 there was something more meant. 
 
 " Yis, divil the wurd more or less," said Jimmy, with a 
 slightly-perceptible leer in his countenance. 
 
 " And now, Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, after giving some 
 directions, "you can occupy your time, during the interval, 
 as you please : only be sure to meet me at the proper time 
 and place." 
 
 " Yis, yer honor, I'll be there. Ye can take yer oath on 
 that!" replied Jimmy, as he turned on his heel and walked 
 away, to the tune of, " My dark-hair'd girl, I've promis'd 
 thee."
 
 188 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 DESCRIBING HOW MR. FRANK AND JIMMY PICKED UP THE 
 WRONG PASSENGER; AND HOW THEY ENTERTAINED EACH 
 OTHER ON THE WAY. ALSO, SHOWING HOW THEY FINALLY 
 NARROWED THE ACTIVE SPHERE OF THEIR LABORS, AND 
 RETIRED INTO PRIVATE LIFE, AT THE EXPENSE OF THE 
 
 COMMONWEALTH. 
 
 THE night was dark and gloomy, as the carriage, contain 
 ing Mr. Frank and Jimmy, stopped near the residence of Mr. 
 Lincoln. Large, dark, heavy masses of clouds covered the 
 sky ; great drops of rain pattered heavily on the earth, and 
 low, deep, muttering peals of thunder rumbled fearfully over 
 head. 
 
 " Ugh ! by my sowl, but it's a dirthy night !" said Jimmy, 
 as he stepped out of the carriage, and tumbled, headfore 
 most, against a tree." 
 
 " Yes, it's a dark night, Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, attempt 
 ing to follow suit. " It's as dark as the horrors of slavery." 
 
 " Or a nagur's face," added Jimmy, by way of additional 
 illustration of the subject. 
 
 " But still the beacon-light of liberty burns brightly," con 
 tinued Mr. Frank, " and throws its cheerful beams around 
 the darkest spot!" What more he was going to say, we 
 know not, for, unfortunately for him, just at this moment, he 
 struck his foot against something in the dark, and fell, face 
 foremost, into a large mud-hole. 
 
 " Faith," said Jimmy, raising him up by the hand, whilst 
 he discharged huge mouthfuls of black Virginia mud ; " faith, 
 an' iv it 'ud have thrown a few more of thim same bright, 
 rays on that mud-howl, it 'd have bin a convayniance to all 
 hands."
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 189 
 
 " Never mind, Jimmy never mind!" said Mr Frank, in 
 a tone of voice rendered some\vhat guttural, owing to the 
 \vords coming in contact, as they passed up, with some soft 
 mud on its way down ; " we must not mind trifles." 
 
 " Shure, an' I don't mind 'em at all, meself," said Jimmy, 
 " av your honor don't." 
 
 " And now, remain here until I return," said Mr. Frank, 
 as he groped his way towards the appointed place of 
 meeting. 
 
 Owing to the darkness, he searched in vain for the gate. 
 After groping around inTarious directions, at one time tum 
 bling into a mud-hole, then running up against a fence, and 
 occasionally dashing his head against a tree, in a highly 
 suicidal manner, he finally thought he heard a sound, as if it 
 proceeded from the rustling of a dress near him. 
 
 "Hist!" he said, placing his hand above his eyes; and 
 attempting to peer into the surrounding darkness. 
 
 " Here !" answered a person, in a low tone, touching him 
 on the shoulder. 
 
 "Ah! yes all right quietly !" said Mr. Frank, taking 
 hold of her arm, and leading her towards the carriage. 
 
 "0,1 was so much alarmed for fear we would miss each 
 other in the dark!" said his companion, in a tone of voice 
 which possessed a sweetness he had not noticed during the 
 conversation of the day. He, however, ascribed the change 
 altogether to the prospect of liberty. 
 
 " Yes," he said to himself, "just give these poor creatures 
 liberty, and we will soon hear no more about their degraded 
 condition. Freedom will elevate their souls, expand their 
 minds, refine their feelings, and exalt their sensibilities, to an 
 equality with the white race !" 
 
 As they proceeded, he thought she leaned more heavily 
 upon his arm, and at times he heard a low sob ; but he had 
 no time to waste in soothing her, all his senses being re 
 quired to enable him to find his way back to the carriage.
 
 190 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 " Och ! murther ! here we are !" said Jimmy, as Mr. Frank 
 stumbled up against him, and ran the edge of his broad- 
 brimmed hat dexterously into the corner of his eye ; " but I 
 am afiher thinkin I'd a-become aware of your prisence, 
 widout that strikin' proof ov it!" 
 
 " And now," said Mr. Frank, as he raised his charge in 
 his arms, and deposited her in the carriage, " Jimmy, just 
 get in, and take care of the poor creature, whilst I take my 
 place by the side of the driver, to guard against danger." 
 
 " Yis, yer honor!" replied Jimmy, as he stepped in and 
 took his seat as far from the fugitive as the limits of the 
 vehicle would permit. 
 
 The driver cracked his whip, the horses sprang forward, 
 and the carriage rolled rapidly away. Notwithstanding the 
 rattling of the wheels, and the muttering noise of the thunder, 
 which was rumbling continually overhead, Jimmy could hear, 
 very distinctly, that his companion was sobbing violently. 
 He, however, made no attempt to console her, for the simple 
 reason that he thought if she was not satisfied with her pre 
 vious state, she deserved to be miserable. 
 
 " Ye'd betther save some ov thim tares!" he said at last, 
 discovering that her grief seemed to grow stronger by its own 
 exertions ; " for troth, you'll have more use for 'em before 
 long!" 
 
 "0 God!" she exclaimed frantically, and sobbing more 
 violently than before ; " where where is he ?" 
 
 " He ? he ? what he ? Is it the boss ye mane ?" said 
 Jimmy, in a tone of impudent enquiry, which evinced but 
 very little sympathy. 
 
 "Yes! yes! your master! if you are his servant," she 
 said, warmly. 
 
 Well, I am his servant or I may rather say, his travellin' 
 companion," added Jimmy, with a consequential air ; " and 
 he's on the outside, lookin' out for the blayguards that may
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 191 
 
 be afther pursuin' ov us ; an' he's doin' this all for yer sake 
 raore's the pity!" 
 
 " Yes, all for my sake ! O, how kind ! how noble ! how 
 disinterested! How can I ever repay him?" burst passion 
 ately from the lips of the runaway. 
 
 "Och! don't throuble yourself about repayin' him, my 
 darlin' !" said Jimmy. " Ye'd betther be thinkin' ov how ye 
 shall iver repay thim who raised ye, and cared for ye all yer 
 life ; who fed ye, clothed ye, and let ye do jist what ye 
 plazed ; and from whom yer runnin' off, to a place where 
 ye'll niver have it half so good! Ye'd betther let yer 
 thoughts run a little in that line, me jewil !" 
 
 Here the sobbing became so violent as to border strongly 
 on the hysterical ; whilst a rapid pattering of heels on the 
 carriage floor, afforded very agreeable prospects of an ap 
 proaching convulsion. 
 
 " See here, me darlin' !" continued Jimmy, who was 
 excessively annoyed by the noise, " av it would answer the 
 same pirpose, I'd be obliged to ye if ye'd kape time to yer 
 music wid yer hands. It 'ud correspond more wid the 
 books, to say nothm' about the delicacy of the thing!" His 
 suggestion, however, -was unheeded ; and, as if in perfect 
 contempt of all authority, the pattering became more frequent 
 than before ; whilst the sobbing, which grew more violent, 
 was occasionally relieved by a loud, clear, ringing laugh. 
 
 " Anything for the sake of a variety," said Jimmy ; " but 
 thin, for my part, I'd prefer the cryin' and laughin' not bein' 
 mixed up together in the same mess but thin that, I sup 
 pose, depinds more upon the taste ov the performer, than 
 ov the audience." 
 
 After giving vent to this highly philosophical opinion. 
 Jimmy was about composing himself for a nap, when the 
 clattering sound of pursuing horsemen was heard, mingled 
 with shouts, which grew louder and louder every moment. 
 The driver cracked his whip freely, the horses plunged madly
 
 192 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 forward, and, for a few minutes, it seemed as if they gained 
 upon their pursuers. Suddenly a violent shock occurred, the 
 carriage rocked fearfully from side to side, then sank deeply 
 into the mire. It was in vain that the driver plied the lash. 
 The horses reared, jumped, plunged, and exerted their 
 strength to the utmost, but the vehicle was too deeply 
 imbedded to move. 
 
 Finding this mode of escape was impossible, Mr. Frank 
 sprang from the box and opened the door, with the determi 
 nation to make another attempt to rescue his charge. 
 
 " Quick ! quick !" he exclaimed, springing into the car 
 riage, " or it will be too late !" 
 
 But it was too late. Already they were surrounded by 
 some half-dozen horsemen, two of whom dismounted and 
 entered the carriage at the same time ; whilst the remainder 
 sat upon their horses with cocked pistols, prepared for any 
 emergency. Just at this moment one threw open a dark 
 lantern which he carried in his hand. Its light flashed out 
 brightly, lighting up all surrounding objects, and disclosing, 
 to Jimmy's utter astonishment, that the fugitive, who had 
 fainted away in his arms, was perfectly white. 
 
 " May the holy saints protict us!" he exclaimed, crossing 
 himself most devoutly over his forehead, face, chin, chest, 
 and every other accessible part of his body. "Och! holy 
 virgin, but she's a white nagur /" 
 
 " Good God ! what does all this mean ?" exclaimed Mr. 
 Frank, who was not quite sure but that the female in his 
 arms was the spirit of the departed Cecelia Belinda, and that 
 it had been conjured up out of its resting-place by the mys 
 terious raps to which we have already alluded. 
 
 " Halloo, Lincoln !" exclaimed the man with the lantern, 
 to the old fire-eater, who was yet on horseback, " come here! 
 Dam-me if this ain't your daughter!" 
 
 Lincoln needed no second invitation. In a space of time 
 scarcely appreciable, he had dismounted from his horse,
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 193 
 
 rushed up to the carriage, and beheld his daughter lying in a 
 fainting-fit, in the arms of Mr. Frank. 
 
 "See here!" he exclaimed, presenting the muzzle of his 
 cocked pistol directly over the site occupied by the organ of 
 destructiveness in that gentleman's head, " what the d 1 
 does all this mean ?" 
 
 " I might as well ask you that question myself," replied 
 Mr. Frank, who was just as much surprised at the state of 
 affairs as Lincoln, only his astonishment took on a less violent 
 character. 
 
 " What ! do you mean to insult me to my face ?" exclaim 
 ed the fiery old slave-holder, foaming with rage ; " do you 
 mean to say that you don't know anything about what you've 
 done yourself?" 
 
 " I certainly cannot understand things," replied Mr. Frank, 
 
 in a bewildered tone of voice. " I know nothing, except 
 )j 
 
 " Except what ?" gasped Lincoln, " except what ? Speak 
 quickly!" 
 
 " Except that I thought I was running off with one of your 
 slaves, and now I find it is your daughter," he answered, 
 boldly, and evidently much relieved by unburthening his 
 mind of all he knew. 
 
 " Where, where am I ?" muttered the young lady, opening 
 her eyes slowly, and gazing wildly around. " Where is Mr. 
 Dixey? Oh! say, where is Ae?" she exclaimed, frantically. 
 
 " Gone to the d 1, for all I know !" exclaimed her father, 
 passionately. "If he hasn't got him, he's most awfully 
 cheated out of his dues ; and I'll bring a suit at once, to put 
 him in possession of his just rights d n me if I don't!" 
 
 "Oh, father! father! Oh! you have certainly not killed 
 him ? Oh ! say you have not ! Oh, God ! if he's only safe, 
 then let me die!" and she began to gasp hysterically, as if 
 she really meant to do what she said. 
 
 "No, d n him, no !" exclaimed her father. "I havn't 
 17
 
 194 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 killed him ! But I ought to kill somebody, and would, too, 
 d n me if I wouldn't, if I only knew who! I'd feel a 
 great deal better on it ! It would be a great relief to my 
 feelings!" 
 
 " There are tracks ahead," said one of the men, returning 
 from a reconnoitre of the road, " showing that another car 
 riage passed along here before this one ; and my opinion is, 
 that this old cove here had made arrangements to run off 
 with the black gal ; whilst that smooth-faced chap, Dixey, 
 was goin' to carry off your daughter at the same time ; but, 
 owing to the darkness, by a mistake, each one got the wrong 
 passenger." 
 
 "You're right, Barber you're right!" said Lincoln, 
 grasping his hand, and shaking it warrnly ; " why the d 1 
 didn't I think of this long ago ? Your cool judgment is 
 worth more than all my fire." 
 
 "And I'd propose," continued Barber, "that some of us 
 give chase after the other party, whilst the rest take this 
 amiable old gentleman, and his servant here, and lodge them 
 in prison." 
 
 " Or iv the jintlemon would prefir it," said Jimmy, step 
 ping briskly forward, " I'd have no personal objecshuns to 
 fightin' it out on the spot, widout further throuble ; provided 
 they're willin' to show fair play, an' come up to the chalk- 
 mark one at a time!" 
 
 Jimmy's compromise proposition was, however, not ac 
 cepted, and the suggestion to provide accommodations for 
 himself and his master at the expense of the county, was 
 adopted in its place.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 195 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 PROVING MOST CLEARLY THE MANNER IN WHICH A DARK 
 NIGHT THREW MR. DIXEY INTO DARK SOCIETY; AND HOW 
 HE ONLY BECAME ENLIGHTENED WHEN IT WAS TOO LATE 
 TO REPAIR HIS ERROR. 
 
 WE need scarcely inform the reader that the view which 
 Barber took of the case was the correct one. Dixey, in his 
 over-anxiety not to be too late, arrived at the place designated 
 at least an hour before the appointed time. Cecelia Belinda, 
 for want of a timepiece, was compelled to regulate her move 
 ments by her own judgment, which, unfortunately, was con 
 siderably ahead of the regular time. The consequence was, 
 that when Dixey reached the place, he found what he sup 
 posed to be his heart's idol in waiting. Owing to the dark 
 ness, he could not see distinctly, but he entertained no doubt 
 that the white dress, which was perceptible through the sur 
 rounding gloom, contained her fair form, and he at once 
 threw himself into a theatrical attitude, opened his superior 
 extremities to their full capacity, and exclaimed, in a voice 
 of tenderness, that would have shamed any modern performer 
 of Romeo : 
 
 " Come to my arms, dearest !" 
 
 Thus earnestly implored, Cecelia Belinda responded with 
 the utmost readiness, and not only threw herself into his 
 arms, but hung around his neck, and kissed him with a lavish 
 fondness altogether unexpected. Nothing could have ex 
 ceeded the gallantry and tenderness with which he escorted 
 her to the carriage, and nothing could have surpassed the 
 loving and devoted manner in which he seated himself by her 
 side, and twined his arm around her waist, whilst she
 
 196 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL- AGENT. 
 
 nestled her head upon his bosom, less like a "frightened 
 fawn," than with " a freedom that brooked no restraint." 
 
 " Oh, dearest !" exclaimed Dixey, as he embraced her with 
 a passionate fondness which was warmly reciprocated, " this 
 is the happiest moment of my life ! I never knew what hap 
 piness was before ! Life, hitherto, has been a dreary, bar 
 ren waste, without a bright spot for the mind to linger upon ! 
 But the pure, hallowed enjoyment of the present will wash 
 away all traces of the past, and its memory will remain 
 fresh within my soul whilst life shall last." Whether the 
 being at his side, who seemed to afford him so much happi 
 ness, had a surplus amount of affection on hand, which she 
 wished to dispose of, or whether she felt that his memory of the 
 present would be strengthened in the future by additional 
 endearments, we know not ; but we do know that she followed 
 up the close of his remarks with an embrace which, if his 
 mind was half as susceptible of impressions as his body was, 
 no earthly power could ever efface. 
 
 We will not carry our readers through all the vows and 
 promises which our friend Dixey made ; neither will we enter 
 into a detail of the fond embraces which he lavished most 
 profusely during the remaining stages of the journey. If 
 they have never been the actors in a love-scene, got up espe 
 cially for their private entertainment, to make them acquainted 
 with the minutiae of one, in advance, might destroy the zest 
 of the affair when the occasion does transpire, as we hope it 
 will to all in due time. And if, on the contrary, they have 
 passed through that delightful stage of transition, when our 
 material part seems to convert itself into a spiritual being, 
 which mingles with a kindred spirit, so that we scarcely 
 know whether we are ourselves or somebody else ; when we 
 seem to be swerving between heaven and earth, and par 
 taking of the mingled pleasures of both ; and when we feel 
 as though we would be perfectly willing to die for the de 
 voted being at our side, yet are, at the same time, most
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 197 
 
 anxious to live, only for the sake of the same person ; if 
 they have passed through this halcyon period, which comes 
 but once, they can imagine better than we can describe to 
 borrow a phrase from novel-writers the delicate nature of 
 the scene, over which we draw the curtain, and shut the car 
 riage-door. 
 
 For the benefit of our lady-readers, whom we are now, as 
 we always have been, exceedingly anxious to please, we 
 may, however, be allowed to say, that the charming Cecelia 
 Belinda received all his endearments and vows of love with 
 out replying by words a non-committal policy which ladies 
 never adopt before or after this important event in their lives. 
 But though she spoke not, yet still her feelings betrayed them 
 selves in her gestures. We are told that, " There is an elo 
 quence in action, beyond the power of words;" and, if this 
 is the case, we are happy to say that she was, perhaps, the 
 most eloquent of her sex. 
 
 But hark ! what sounds are those ? They are the same 
 pattering of horses' hoofs, the same wild shouts of the horse 
 men, the same clicking of pistols, and the same surrounding 
 of the carriage, as we have witnessed in the pursuit of Mr. 
 Frank. 
 
 " Fear not, my dear," said Dixey, with a tremor in his 
 voice, which was not calculated to infuse much courage into 
 others ; " fear not ; as long as I have an arm to raise, it shall 
 be raised in your defence!" and suiting the action to the 
 word, he raised his arm, which, from the effects of rage, or, 
 perhaps, some other cause, trembled in a manner which pro 
 mised but little protection to herself, or anybody else. 
 
 " Oh, dere is Massa Lincoln!" exclaimed his companion, 
 as she heard the not over-mild tones of that gentleman's 
 voice, expressing an earnest desire to drink somebody's blood 
 forthwith, by way of allaying a kind of burning sensation of 
 thirst which he felt. 
 
 "Who? What? Can I believe my senses?" exclaimed 
 17*
 
 198 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 Dixey, bewildered by the peculiar accent and pronunciation 
 of his companion. 
 
 " Why, me sed 'im am Massa Lincoln ; an' all dat me's 
 got to say is, dat he'll play de debil wid us, dat's sartain!" 
 was the reply. 
 
 " See here ! and who the devil are you, pray ?" exclaimed 
 Dixey, still unwilling to believe the evidence of his ears. 
 
 "Me? why me is yer belubed Cecelia Belinda don't 
 yer know ?" 
 
 Dixey did not wait for further explanation, but muttering, 
 in a low, desperate tone of voice, the mercantile phrase, 
 " Sold ! sold ! sold ! and damned cheap, too !" he sprang 
 from the carriage, and rushed into the nearest corn-field, fol 
 lowed by a couple of pistol-bullets, which whistled sharply 
 by his head. But the darkness of the night favored his 
 escape, and he soon placed a safe distance between himself 
 and his pursuers, who, after a vain pursuit, returned with 
 Cecelia Belinda to the residence of Lincoln.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 199 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 SHOWING HOW MR. FRANK WENT OUT OF PRIVATE LIFE, AND 
 HOW MR. DIXEY WENT INTO IT, TOGETHER WITH MANY OTHER 
 MATTERS, ONLY TO BE LEARNED BY READING THIS CHAPTER. 
 
 EMMA FRANK was sitting alone in the open veranda of her 
 father's house, enjoying the beauties of the day. The rays 
 of the sun beamed bright and warm ; but there was a cool, 
 gentle breeze stirring mildly amidst the tree-tops, tempering 
 the otherwise excessive noonday heat. A dim, smoky, hazy 
 vapor hung in the air, not only shading the sun, but en 
 veloping all surrounding objects in an obscure aerial perspec- 
 " >- .tive, and rendering the scene beautifully mild and bewitching. 
 T'he rumbling noise of the neighboring mill seemed changed 
 ini ) a heavy, lazy sound ; whilst the murmuring of the distant 
 waterfall fell upon the ear, like a sweet strain of music 
 wafted from afar ; and even the warbling songs of the forest- 
 birds seemed to be softened in their notes. 
 
 Everything, animate and inanimate, seemed to combine 
 to render the scene calm, mild, and fairy-like. Emma's 
 mind was in harmonious unison with the objects around 
 her. She was neither awake nor asleep ; she was neither 
 in a revery, nor in a dream ; but her thoughts, abandoned 
 to themselves, seemed to roam at pleasure through the 
 realms of the past ; at one moment carrying her back to her 
 childhood hours, and all their innocent gaieties; the next, 
 suddenly skipping over the long interval of years, they 
 hurried her to the scenes of yesterday. Then, again, they 
 rambled fleetingly over her whole life, touching with light, 
 yet vivid colors, the brightest and happiest periods of her 
 existence ; and then, whilst her mind was feasting on these 
 delightful moments snatched from the past, they again flew to
 
 200 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 some other oasis on life's desert, only to flee from it in the 
 same manner thus forming in themselves a not unapt parody 
 on the realities of life itself. 
 
 But amidst all these dreamy musings which seem to 
 separate the spirit from its earthly tabernacle there was a 
 mysterious foreboding, an undefinable dread of some im 
 pending evil, constantly before her mind. She had not heard 
 from her father since he had left the city of Brotherly Love, 
 and she feared that, perhaps, some accident might have be 
 fallen him. 
 
 " Here is a letter and a paper for you, Miss Emma," said 
 a servant, approaching and handing her a couple of pack 
 ages. She glanced hastily over the envelopes, and though 
 they bore the postmark of Richmond, the direction was not 
 in the handwriting of her father. With a trembling hand 
 she opened the letter, and read as follows : 
 
 " I hope you will excuse the liberty which I take in again 
 addressing you, when you find that the motives which prompt 
 me are pure. Your father was arrested a few days ago, for 
 attempting to entice a negro-woman from her master, and is 
 
 now lodged in prison, in the town of N , twenty-five 
 
 miles from this place. My object in informing you of this 
 fact is, to give you an opportunity of taking the necessary 
 steps for his early liberation, which is a matter of considerable 
 importance, knowing, as we all do, that Southern prisons are 
 not noted for their salubrity ; and that they have, in fact, not 
 unfrequently produced the liberation of their inmates from all 
 earthly troubles, in the course of a few days. 
 " With sentiments of high regard, 
 
 " I remain your most obedient servant, 
 
 "WILLIAM R. DIXEY." 
 
 " It is false !" exclaimed Emma, as she crushed the letter 
 in her hand. " The base miscreant has determined to seek 
 revenge by attempting to wound my feelings in this manner !
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 201 
 
 But, fortunately, I know him too well, to be thus imposed 
 upon !" Casting the letter aside, she opened the paper. The 
 first article which attracted her attention was a paragraph 
 surrounded by ink-lines. It read : 
 
 "ABOLITIONISTS ABOUT! A few nights ago, one of the 
 female slaves of our friend, Robert Lincoln, Esq., disappeared 
 very suddenly. Immediate pursuit was made, and she was 
 soon overtaken in the select company of a broad-brimmed 
 1 philanthropist,' who was attempting to forward her through 
 upon the Underground Railroad. The fellow, who gave his 
 name as Mr. Frank, was fortunately secured, and was lodged 
 in the county-jail, where we hope his feelings of ' universal 
 love' will be restricted in future to a more limited sphere of 
 operations." 
 
 Dixey had reached that happy state in which he became 
 conscious that his own unsupported word was entirely below 
 par, and that, to ensure any credit for it, it must have a good 
 endorsement. He, therefore, very wisely fortified his letter by 
 the accompanying paper. Thus supported, no room was left 
 for Emma to doubt it. She, however, lost no time in vain 
 regrets ; but made immediate preparations to visit her father, 
 to do what she could to liberate him ; and if she failed in 
 this, to at least ameliorate the horrors of his imprisonment. 
 
 Only a few weeks had elapsed since Mr. Frank and Jimmy 
 had entered., prison, but the effects of confinement were 
 already plainly visible on the person of the former. Nor was 
 this surprising. The cell in which they were lodged was a 
 most miserable one, even for a Southern prison. It was a 
 narrow, low, dirty, damp place. At the lower end of it was a 
 small hole in the wall, about the size of a man's head, 
 through which the light of Heaven struggled dimly ; and its 
 sides were completely covered with a heavy, damp mould, 
 from which the water dropped in constant streams. The 
 only furniture was a bed ; which was made by placing a few
 
 202 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 narrow boards side by side, spreading a little straw over 
 them, and covering the whole with some rough tow-linen. 
 This contrivance answered the double purpose of a couch at 
 night, and a place to sit xipon by day. Mr. Frank was sitting 
 on one side of it, with his face buried deeply in his hands, as 
 if he was absorbed in some painful reflections ; whilst Jimmy 
 was engaged in a war of extermination with the bed-bugs, 
 waged through the instrumentality of an old steel-pen, which 
 he thrust dexterously through their chests, to the dulcet notes 
 of " Erin go bragh !" 
 
 "Jimmy," said Mr. Frank, raising his head, and looking 
 at his companion with a sad, melancholy smile, " you seem 
 to take it very easy." 
 
 " Aisy, shure, is it ye mane ?" replied Jimmy, making a 
 desperate plunge at a full-blooded bug, which dodged the 
 weapon most skilfully ; " troth, ye'd betther try it yerself, av 
 ye think that! It's harder work nor ye think for!" he con 
 tinued, wiping the torrents of perspiration from his face. 
 
 " I did not mean that, exactly," replied Mr. Frank, with a 
 look in which kindness and compassion were beautifully 
 blended. " When I spoke of your taking it easy, I meant 
 that you were reconciled to your present disagreeable 
 situation." 
 
 " Faith, an' why shouldn't I, seein' that there's no pros 
 pect of gittin' into a more agrayable one ?" replied Jimmy, 
 with the utmost philosophical indifference. 
 
 " I am glad that you are so much of a philosopher, 
 Jimmy," said Mr. Frank ; " but I, for my part, can never 
 forgive myself for being the cause of your incarceration in 
 this miserable place." 
 
 " Now, shure, don't let thim same thoughts throuble yer 
 honor," he replied; "it's worse accommodations nor these 
 here that I was used to in the ould counthry !" 
 
 ".You do not pretend to say that you were in prison 
 there ?" said Mr. Frank, in a tone of surprise.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 203 
 
 " No, not exactly in prison ; but I was in a sitiwation that 
 a prison 'ud have been a palace to !" replied Jimmy, with the 
 utmost complacency. 
 
 "Is it possible!" said Mr. Frank, his mind suddenly 
 reverting to inquisitions, thumb-screws, racks, and other 
 delicate arguments, formerly adduced by zealous and pious 
 priests, in favor of religion. 
 
 " It's not only possible, but it's a lamentable truth, which 
 many a poor divil would be willing to deny, iv he only could 
 make himself b'lave it. 
 
 " It's thrue, this little parlor," he added, taking a bird's- 
 eye view of the cell, " is rather poorly vintilated, and the 
 roof's rather low, but thin it's wather-proof, and is betther 
 nor the cabins in Ireland, through the houls of which ye 
 could throw yer hat, brim and all ; and the greater part of 
 which are not encumbered wid any roof at all ; which same 
 is a grate savin' of straw. Thin, as to cold praties, dry 
 bread, and wather, shure it's not the kind of food to grow 
 fat on ; but faith, it's much preferable to cold wather alone, 
 which exparience has proved wid us, does not support life 
 any too well. Thin, there's a comfortable difference betwane 
 havin' yer vittles brought to yer room, widout any throuble 
 on yer part, of huntin' or beggin' for thim over the whole 
 parish, widout findin' any. In troth, I'd rather take up my 
 perminint risidence here, or what is betther still, be one of 
 that old fire-ater's nagurs, and live comfortably, than starve 
 as a fray man in Ireland av it wasn't for the principle ov 
 the thing, don't ye see?" Jimmy emphasized the word 
 principle very strongly, and cast a sly leer at Mr. Frank ; but 
 the latter gentleman made no reply. Perhaps he began to 
 think, himself, that a principle should hold some relation to 
 its practical application. 
 
 " Come in !" said Jimmy, in reply to a slight tap upon the 
 door ; " under the present domistic arrangements we're always
 
 204 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT: 
 
 at home to company provided it's of a respictable charac 
 ter." 
 
 The sharp clicking of the lock was heard, the heavy door 
 grated harshly on its rusty hinges, and a beautiful young girl 
 entered the room. Jimmy's first impression on her entry was, 
 that she was a fairy who had come to liberate them ; but when 
 he saw her throw her arms around Mr. Frank's neck, and 
 embrace him with the warmest evidences of affection, he 
 came to the conclusion that her constitution was decidedly 
 more earthly than aerial ; and he began to wonder whether 
 she would extend her endearments to the whole company, 
 and, if so, why she didn't commence with him, and end with 
 Mr. Frank. 
 
 " Oh, father!" exclaimed the young girl, in a voice tremu 
 lous with emotion, " this is a dreadful dreadful situation for 
 you to be in !" 
 
 " Yes, my child, it is," he replied, as the tears rose to his 
 eyes, " but it is a just punishment for my folly. Had I been 
 guided by reason, instead of allowing myself to be carried 
 away by fanatical impulses, I would not be here. I might 
 have known that the cause of freedom could not be ac 
 celerated by carrying off slaves from their masters ; and I 
 might also have known, what I have since discovered, that 
 the real condition of the slave is oae of happiness, compared 
 with that of the poor of many European countries, and even 
 of our own great cities ; and that, however wrong it might 
 be as a principle, to hold them in this state, it was inflicting 
 a greater wrong upon them, to suddenly turn them out upon the 
 world, to rely upon their own resources. But it is past now, 
 and, as is the case in nearly everything else, we see our errors 
 when it is too late to repair them." 
 
 "But is there no prospect of getting free from this misera 
 ble place?" she replied, as she looked around the filthy cell, 
 and shuddered at the sight. 
 
 " Yes, I have some reasonable hope," he replied ; " a young
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 205 
 
 friend of mine, a large slave-holder, has promised to attempt 
 to get the prosecution stopped. He was absent when this 
 unfortunate affair occurred ; but he returned this morning, 
 and called upon me immediately. He has gone over to see 
 Mr. Lincoln, and I expect him back every moment." 
 
 "He must be a noble-souled man!" replied Emma, 
 warmly. " What is his name ?" 
 
 " His name is Manly Doctor Manly," replied her father, 
 "and he is indeed one of the noblest of God's creation!" 
 
 At the mention of this name, Emma became very pale, a 
 dim mist gathered over her eyes, and she would have fallen 
 fainting to the floor, if Jimmy had not observed her appear 
 ance, and caught her in his arms. 
 
 " Emma, Emma, my child ! what in the name of Heaven 
 is the matter with you ?" exclaimed Mr. Frank. But Emma 
 answered not, for the simple reason that her mind was un 
 conscious of sound. 
 
 " Troth," said Jimmy, " it's plain enough what's the mat- 
 ther wid her. The very name of Docther was too much for 
 her dilicate narves. She at once associated it with bladin', 
 cuppin', blisterin', calomel, and other murtherous implimints 
 of the thrade !" 
 
 "Pshaw! nonsense, Jimmy!" replied Mr. Frank, petu 
 lantly, " it was not that. It is this close, damp, filthy air, 
 that has thrown her into this swoon. Yes, it must have been 
 that," he added, firmly, as she slowly opened her eyes. 
 
 " Well, maybe it was," replied Jimmy, in a dogged tone, 
 which evidently conveyed the impression that he intended to 
 believe just what he pleased. " Well, maybe it was, but 
 thin why didn't she faint as soon as she came in ? Didn't I 
 see, that jist whin you mintioned the word ' Docther,' she 
 turned deadly pale, as well she might, for sure that same 
 word has had the same effect on many a poor soul, that might 
 have lived for many a long year!" and with this satisfactory 
 18
 
 206 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 explanation, he renewed his hostilities, which had been tem 
 porarily suspended, against the bedbugs. 
 
 Loud voices were now heard on the outside of the door, 
 and the next moment it was opened, and Dr. Manly, accom 
 panied by Lincoln, entered. On observing Emma, they 
 both paused for a moment, as if not knowing how to pro 
 ceed ; but Mr. Frank stepped forward and relieved, their em 
 barrassment, by introducing her to them as his daughter. Be 
 fore this ceremony was over, the Doctor had seized her hand, 
 whilst his black eye flashed with a deep lustre, and his whole 
 countenance became radiant with delight. 
 
 "Emma, my dear, God bless you!" he exclaimed, in a 
 voice in which emotion was strongly blended with delight. 
 " I little expected this pleasure !" 
 
 "Nor I, I can assure you," replied Emma, in a low 
 whisper, as he led her to the opposite side of the cell. 
 
 During these strange proceedings, Mr. Frank stood trans 
 fixed to the spot like a person bewildered in a dream ; whilst 
 Jimmy and Lincoln, who were standing face to face, ex 
 changed a complete volley of expressive and emphatic tele 
 graphic signs from side to side. The former's body was 
 thrown into a violent state of commotion, giving rise to all 
 kinds of contortions. He bent his left arm into a right-angle, 
 so as to convert it into an imaginary fiddle, whilst with the 
 steel-pen in his right, he kept sawing backwards and forwards, 
 as if he was most laboriously engaged in discoursing some 
 sweet melodious sounds. Of course this music was wholly 
 pantomimic, but it must have been exceedingly varied, for its 
 performer jumped around on one leg, in a highly agile and 
 fantastic manner ; whilst he performed with the remaining leg 
 and foot a vast number of steps in the air, embracing horn 
 pipes, jigs, hoe-downs, waltzes, polkas, besides any amount 
 of other saltatory evolutions; many of which were previously 
 entirely unknown to the dancing community. In addition to 
 this, his countenance beamed with smiles, and his head
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 207 
 
 nodded from side to side, and then perpendicularly upwards 
 and downwards, in as perfect admiration of the whole affair, 
 as if it had been got up for his own especial benefit, and he 
 was the principal party concerned. 
 
 Mr. Lincoln's gestures were equally expressive and varied. 
 He slapped every accessible part of his body in the most 
 emphatic manner, as if he was about performing a regular 
 Juba-dance with an omission of the steps. Having gone 
 through this with a proper degree of energy, he threw his 
 palm-leaf hat into a corner, and commenced scratching his 
 head with both hands, with a vehemence that led to the 
 belief that that part of his corporeal territory had been sud 
 denly invaded by a marauding band of blood-thirsty animals, 
 and then wound up the whole by damning in the most de 
 cided manner, and without any appreciable reason, that por 
 tion of the planetary system which he supposed presided over 
 his individual destinies. 
 
 "Well! well! if that don't beat all the novels that were 
 ever written all hollow, I'm one fool!" he exclaimed, with a 
 strong emphasis on the unit, as if he was not quite sure but 
 that, in such an event, he might be half-a-dozen fools. " I've 
 heard the girls read and talk about love at first sight, but I 
 never believed it before !" 
 
 " Now av that little illustrashun don't clare up your doubts 
 on that point," replied Jimmy, "yer convershun's past 
 prayin' for ; and ye may jist as well resign yerself to infidelity 
 and pickled cabbage, for the remainder ov yer nat'ral life!" 
 
 " It's the most violent case I ever heard tell of," he con 
 tinued, not noticing Jimmy's remarks; "acute in all its 
 symptoms. Hang me," he added, as the Doctor pressed the 
 lady's hand in both of his, and looked as if he was almost 
 dying with a desire to kiss it, " hang me, if I don't believe 
 that young disciple of Galen, Hippocrates and Calomel, is 
 going stark mad ! His case must be looked into !" What 
 measures the fiery old gentleman would have taken in regard
 
 208 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 to the case are entirely unknown ; for just at the very moment 
 that he came to the sage conclusion to look into it, the Doctor 
 himself became aware of the impropriety of his conduct, and 
 turned around in a highly confused manner to address Mr. 
 Frank. * 
 
 " My dear friend," he said, "I really beg your pardon for 
 my inconsiderate conduct. But I know you will excuse me 
 when I tell you that I and your daughter are 'old friends. I 
 became acquainted with her during my little trip to the North, 
 and I can really say, that the happiest hours spent during my 
 absence were spent in her company. 
 
 "But, "he continued, "I am happy to say, that I have 
 been successful in my attempts to obtain your liberty, and 
 now hold in my hand your discharge from custody, which I 
 obtained owing to the abandonment of the prosecution an 
 act of kindness on the part of Mr. Lincoln." 
 
 "It's all a lie!" exclaimed Mr. Lincoln, slapping Mr. 
 Frank firmly on the shoulder ; " there's not a word of truth 
 in it. You're not indebted to me for any kindness whatever. 
 I hadn't intended to liberate you at all ; and I don't now, 
 never did, and what's more, never will, ask any credit when 
 I don't deserve it! You can chalk dow r n the whole affair in 
 your ledger of gratitude to the Doctor there he deserves it 
 all. He came over to my house this morning, and talked to 
 rne by the hour. He said so much about mercy, honor, for 
 giveness, and all that sort of thing, that he finally got me 
 completely befogged, and wheedled my consent out of me 
 before I knew what I was about ; although I knew all the 
 time that I was right and he was wrong. But he's got the 
 gift of making ' the worse appear the better reason,' whilst 
 I can't argue and defend positions which I know to be true. 
 So don't let him make you believe that you're indebted to 
 me at all!" and having thus honestly disclaimed a credit 
 which ninety-nine men in a hundred would have been willing 
 to assume, he clapped his palm-leaf on his head, pulled it
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 209 
 
 down firmly over his eyes, and having bid them " good-bye," 
 and told the Doctor, in a low whisper, " not to let that Abo 
 litionist's daughter play the d 1 with his heart-strings," he 
 left the prison. 
 
 " Mr. Lincoln is a strange man," said the Doctor, as soon 
 as that gentleman had shut the door of the cell ; " but his 
 roughness is all on the exterior, and, laying his prejudices 
 aside, he is as kind and warm-hearted a man as ever breathed 
 the breath of life." 
 
 " And even his errors," replied Mr. Frank, with a contem 
 plative sigh, which was a credit to his feelings, " are merged 
 into virtues by the honesty of his motives. Over such men's 
 failings, Heaven smiles its forgiveness." 
 
 "And now," said the Doctor, turning to all present, "it 
 is time to leave this loathsome place. My carriage is at the 
 door, and waiting to take you over to rny residence." 
 
 This proposition was at once accepted ; and the Doctor 
 left the cell, with Mr. Frank on one side and Emma at the 
 other, w r hilst Jimmy brought up the rear. 
 
 " And now T , by my sowl!" said the latter gentleman, as he 
 reached the door, and turned around to take a last view of 
 the domestic retreat which he was about vacating, "yer a 
 nice little retrate from the cares an' anxieties ov a public life ; 
 but iv ye iver catch me here agin, on the same charge, may yer 
 blood-thirsty tenants blade the last dhrap ov blood out ov me !" 
 
 " I am very glad to see that you are relieved from confine 
 ment," said the jailor, grasping Mr. Frank's hand warmly, as 
 he passed out. 
 
 " An' av it affords ye so much pleasure, faith, w-hy didn't 
 ye jist forgit to lock the door, some fine evenin', and trust to 
 our own ingenuity to relase ourselves ?" enquired Jimmy, 
 who thought that functionary exercised unlimited control 
 over all the tenants of the prison. 
 
 " I am, however, very sorry to say," continued the jailor, 
 who was really a good-hearted man, and, unlike other land- 
 18*
 
 210 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 lords, rejoiced in vacant rooms, " that your cell will not remain 
 long unoccupied ;" and, whilst he was speaking, a couple of 
 officers came along, between whom Mr. Dixey was walking, 
 with an air of the utmost nonchalance. 
 
 "Ah! how do you do, Mr. Frank?" he said, in his usual 
 free-and-easy way, as soon as he observed him. " This is a 
 little like politics rotation in office, ha ! ha ! ha ! The outs 
 take the places of the ins, and the ins take the places of the 
 outs ; although I must confess I wasn't an aspirant in the 
 present case. But then, 'Vox populi, vox Dei,' " he added, 
 as a slight grin blended itself with a sarcastic smile, which 
 played around his lips ; " and, called upon by ' the powers 
 that be,' I was compelled to accept, though I did so at a 
 great sacrifice to my private feelings." 
 
 " But thin it's consolation to yer patriotic feelin's, to re- 
 mimber," said Jimmy, " that yer doin' it for the good ov the 
 counthry. Me compliments to the bedbugs, if ye plaze," he 
 added, as Dixey passed on ; " for, faith, it's fine livin' they'll 
 have, iv thir anyways fond of whiskey ; for, shure, it's more 
 ov that thin blood they'll git out ov yir purty carcus. Be 
 jabers! wouldn't it be fun to see 'em rollin' about, dead 
 dhrunk, from tappin' o' that chap, and thinkin' it was pure 
 blood all the time! Och! murther!"and Jimmy laughed, 
 in a perfect rapture of delight, at the mere imagination of the 
 Bacchanalian feast in store for the tenants of the cell. 
 
 " Did you ascertain upon what charge Dixey was brought 
 here?" enquired Mr. Frank of Jimmy, as they were about 
 leaving the prison-yard. 
 
 " Yis, yer honor, I did," replied that gentleman, who had 
 a wonderful talent of discovering anything and everything 
 that it was possible to discover. " It was by account of a 
 little financierin' movement. An attempt to inflate the paper 
 courrency of the counthry, by putting a new issue into circu- 
 lashun, conthrary to law a mode of spekulashun which 
 strikes me as very profitable, av thir wasn't some little preju 
 dices existin' in the minds ov the payple against it."
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 211 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 IN WHICH THE READER DISCOVERS THAT IN TRAVELLING 
 THROUGH THIS LITTLE WORK, HE HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY 
 TREADING UPON mined GROUND, WHICH EXPLODES VERY 
 SUDDENLY, WITHOUT DOING ANY HARM. 
 
 " WELL, my friend," said Dr. Manly to Mr. Frank, a few 
 days after the events recorded in our last chapter, as he was 
 seated with him and Emma, in the parlor ; " your imprison 
 ment has not been the worst thing that could have happened. 
 It is an old saying, ' that it is an ill wind that blows nobody 
 any good ;' and your bad luck in the present case has most 
 certainly been my good luck, for it has very materially has 
 tened the hour which shall crown my happiness. 
 
 " By the way," he added, "I have made out free papers 
 for all my people, so that there can be no objection to our 
 marriage on that ground ; but I prefer it should be kept a 
 secret until after that event. I have not yet signed them, 
 because there were no persons here to witness it; but 
 there comes Lincoln, and he may join you in attesting the 
 fact." 
 
 "Good morning! How are you?" exclaimed the fiery 
 old gentleman, as he entered the room, shook hands most 
 energetically with Mr. Frank and the Doctor, at the same 
 moment, and then walked up to Emma, and kissed her with 
 a heartiness which proved that he did it more because he liked 
 the operation, than for mere form's sake. " But then there's 
 no use in asking that question, you all look so remarkably 
 well." 
 
 "It would be a pity if we did not look well," said the 
 Doctor, with a meaning look at Emma, who, as in duty
 
 212 
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 bound, blushed very red. " But," he continued, "you have 
 arrived very opportunely, Mr. Lincoln. I have a little favor 
 to ask of you, which I hope you will not refuse to grant." 
 
 " Certainly not I'll do anything for you, Doctor, but turn 
 Abolitionist," replied Lincoln, warmly; "but hang me if I'll 
 do that, for you or anybody else !" 
 
 " Well no, I don't ask that !" replied the Doctor, laughing. 
 " I could scarcely expect you to comply with such a request. 
 What I wish is, that you would sign a few papers, as I intend 
 to get married " 
 
 "The d 1 you do! Well, I saw the other day, that 
 
 the symptoms were pretty violent ; but I didn't think the 
 fatal termination was so near at hand. But then, these acute 
 cases go off very suddenly sometimes, eh, Doctor?" and the 
 old gentleman winked knowingly, with both eyes, as if he 
 had said something extremely witty. 
 
 When Mr. Lincoln w-as made acquainted with the nature 
 of the papers which he was to sign, he went off into a series 
 of explosive expressions, which we will not attempt to com 
 mit to print, for fear that spontaneous combustion might 
 ensue, and consume the little which we have already written. 
 He, however, finally appended his name to the instruments ; 
 accompanied not only with a most emphatic protest, but with 
 a learned medical opinion, in which nothing was very clear, 
 except that he considered that women and insanity stood to 
 each other in the direct relation of cause and effect. 
 
 After finishing this little act, he suddenly seized the Doctor 
 by the arm, and hurried him from the room with an abrupt 
 ness astonishing even in him. Just as he reached the door, 
 however, a kind of glimmering perception of the impropriety 
 of his conduct flashed upon his mind. 
 
 " Don't be alarmed !" he said to Emma, poking his head 
 back through the half-closed door. " I don't intend to run 
 away with this precious young disciple of Galen at least, 
 if I do, I'll come back and marry you myself!" and to prove
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 213 
 
 that he was in earnest in what he said, he swore in words 
 which we do not care about repeating, that if he didn't, he'd 
 make a meal of his head for his next dinner. 
 
 "Doctor," he said in a solemn voice, as soon as he had 
 closed the door, " have you told that young girl or fairy 
 or angel or whatever you choose to call her, who you are ?" 
 
 "Why, no not exactly no, I cannot say that I did," 
 replied Manly, in a faltering tone. 
 
 " And why didn't you ?" replied Lincoln, earnestly. 
 
 "For two of the best reasons in the world," replied the 
 Doctor. " In the first place, I know she is not so bigoted 
 as to care about my parentage ; she loves me for myself, and 
 for myself only : and in the second place, I did not tell her 
 who I am, because I do not know." 
 
 " The last reason is a good one," replied Lincoln, " but 
 the first is not worth a copper. Of course you look upon this 
 young lady and she is about as fine a girl as I ever saw r that 
 was raised in the North as a pure disinterested being " 
 
 " I hope you do not consider her in any other light?" said 
 the Doctor, hastily, as a deep flush rose to his cheek. 
 
 " Oh no certainly not ! of course not ! It wouldn't be 
 safe to venture upon such an ungallant opinion," replied 
 Lincoln. " But notwithstanding all her purity of heart, I 
 think it is best to start out with her upon a clear understand 
 ing. Fair explanations never cause any ill-feelings, whilst 
 concealments are always bad. If she should discover here 
 after, as she probably will, that you are only the adopted son 
 of my old friend, although she may not love you the less, she 
 will lose confidence in you, to a certain extent. Knowing 
 that you concealed one important matter from her, she'll 
 think you'll conceal others ; and thus will be destroyed that 
 mutual confidence which alone can render the married state 
 happy." 
 
 "You are right, Mr. Lincoln," said the Doctor, slowly, as 
 the truth of these remarks seemed to impress themselves on
 
 214 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 his mind ; " I am glad you reminded me of this. I will tell 
 her all I know of my past history, without further delay." 
 
 " You'd better, if you know what's good for you," replied 
 Lincoln. " I know women just as well as any man. They 
 are queer creatures. They'll overlook any little indiscretions 
 you may chance to be guilty of, if you tell it to them your 
 self; but they'll play the devil with you for the very same 
 thing, if they find it out from others. You'd better profit by 
 my experience, my dear fellow, mind I tell you ! They are 
 queer creatures infernal queer creatures the whole tribe of 
 'em, from black Dinah up to the angels in silks and satins! 
 Good morning, my boy!" 
 
 " Now," he continued, muttering to himself, as he walked 
 rapidly away ; " if he just tells her all about his early arrival 
 in these diggins, why the chances are as ten to one, that the 
 very romance of the thing will make her think that he is the 
 lost child of some great European duke or count, who was 
 travelling through our country ; whilst, if she finds it out 
 from others, three months after being married, she'll bet her 
 head on it, that he was the foundling of some unlucky girl ; 
 or at least the child of an old fish-huckster, who put him out 
 to board on the public, for want of anything to eat at home. 
 I know women hang me if I don't !" he added, in a tone of 
 bitterness, which evidently implied that his knowledge was 
 tinged with some not over-agreeable reminiscences of the 
 past. 
 
 " Our friend, Mr. Lincoln, has called my attention to a 
 matter which it would perhaps be better to explain, before any 
 irrevocable steps are taken in regard to our union," said the 
 Doctor, in a serious tone, as he re-entered the room. 
 
 "Anything that you please," replied Emma, becoming 
 suddenly very pale, as the thought of some mysterious reve 
 lation flashed across her mind. 
 
 " Well then, in the first place," he observed, " let me in-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT; 215 
 
 form you that my name is an assumed one, nor do I know 
 what ray real one is. All that I know, in regard to myself, 
 I learned several years ago from the lips of my foster-father, 
 whose name I bear, and who has bequeathed to me all his 
 property. I always supposed that I was his son, until a short 
 time previous to his death, when he called me into his room, 
 and told me all that he knew about ray early history which 
 was but very little. The substance was, that one evening he 
 was called down to the cabin of one of the negro women, 
 who was taken sick very suddenly. When he reached her 
 room, she had barely sufficient strength remaining to tell him, 
 before she died, that she had a white child concealed in the 
 adjoining room, whom she had found wandering alone in the 
 streets of Richmond, and had taken home with her. She 
 was going on to give some further information in regard 
 to my earlier history, but the hand of death was already 
 closing fast upon her. She made a desperate attempt to 
 speak, but the rattle in her throat choked her utterance, and 
 she fell back dead. 
 
 " How long she had kept me with her, it is impossible to 
 say ; for so careful was she to conceal me, that none of the 
 negroes in the quarter had ever seen me ; arid as she was 
 generally considered somewhat of a sorceress, their super 
 stitious fears prevented their entering her cabin, even when 
 they did hear cries issuing from it. When my foster-father 
 found me, I was apparently between four and five years of 
 age, and knew nothing of my parents or myself, except that 
 my name was Edwin. 
 
 " From that moment up to the period of his death, he 
 treated me with the utmost kindness, and when, some years 
 ago, he lost his wife and only child, a daughter about 
 eighteen months of age, by the burning of ' The Belle of 
 the West,' he adopted me as his sole heir and child. 
 
 " I thought it would be better," continued the Doctor, after 
 a short pause, " that this fact should be explained to you now,
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 so that if any objection should arise from my unknown 
 parentage, it might not be discovered when it would only be 
 too late to remove it." 
 
 " If that is all you have got to say," replied Emma, look 
 ing fondly into his face, " it constitutes no objection in my 
 eyes. I love you not on account of any real or supposed 
 parents ; I love you not for your wealth, but I love you for 
 yourself only ; and I would love you just as truly, if it were 
 proven that you were the child of a beggar." 
 
 "But what is the matter with my father?" she exclaimed, 
 as she turned to look at him, and saw that his countenance 
 was deadly pale, whilst his eyes became wild and glaring, 
 and his ashy lip quivered violently. 
 
 " Nothing nothing, my dear there is nothing the matter 
 with me," he faltered, as he wiped the cold perspiration from 
 his brow with a trembling hand. " Only, Doctor have you 
 no other evidence of your parentage? no other clue? no 
 suspicion'?" 
 
 "Nothing, except this miniature," he replied, taking a 
 small gold case out of a side-drawer in the room, " which 
 was found in old Dorcas's cabin, a few days after her death, 
 and was supposed, perhaps, to be that of my mother." 
 
 "Let me see it!" gasped Mr. Frank, snatching it with 
 convulsive eagerness out of his hand. He glanced rapidly 
 at it, and then throwing his arms around the Doctor's neck, 
 and falling with his face on his shoulder, he exclaimed, in a 
 voice choked with emotion 
 
 " My son ! my son ! my long-lost son ! Oh God ! thou 
 hast answered my prayers !" he added; as the tears streamed 
 down his cheeks, and he fell back into a chair, entirely over 
 come by the intensity of his feelings. 
 
 We will not attempt to describe the scene that followed. 
 Mr. Frank wept, not the tears of weakness, but tears of joy 
 and gratitude to God. The Doctor wept, in thankfulness, 
 because the cloud which had obscured his early life, had now
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 217 
 
 passed away, and he knew who and from whence he was ; 
 whilst Emma wept, because those whom she loved wept. 
 
 Mr. Frank explained in a few words how, many years pre 
 viously, whilst his wife was on a visit to the South, in hopes 
 of regaining her health, her little son wandered away from her, 
 for a moment, in the streets of Richmond ; and although she 
 immediately instituted the most rigid search, she was never 
 able to obtain the least trace of him. The account which he 
 had just heard, taken in connection with her miniature, proved, 
 most conclusively, that the Doctor was his son, whom he had 
 long lamented as lost to him forever in this world. 
 
 When Mr. Frank had connected these few links together, 
 which made the chain of evidence complete, a deep shade 
 of sadness passed over the young man's countenance. 
 
 " Father," he said, in a tone of deep emotion, " father, this 
 moment of holy re-union is full of pleasure and of pain, and, 
 to confess the true state of my feelings, I must acknowledge 
 that I scarcely know which is the greater. Whilst I have 
 found a father and gained a sister, I have lost a wife!" 
 
 " Let us thank God, my dear brother," said Emma, 
 throwing her arms around his neck, and kissing him affection 
 ately, "that we have made the discovery now ! O God!" 
 she added, with a fearful shudder, " how terrible it would have 
 been, if we had not learned our relationship until it had 
 been too late!" 
 
 " Yes yes," he said in a low tone, as if communing with 
 himself, as he clasped his hands, and looked heavenward, 
 " God be praised for revealing these things unto us in time !" 
 
 " And all my feelings," said Emma, as she twined her 
 arms around his neck, and looked up, with a sweet smile, 
 into his manly countenance, " shall be changed into a sister's 
 love ; and whilst I shall feel proud that I have so noble a 
 brother, I will ever hope, that the next lady who may win his 
 heart, may be more worthy of his love than his humble sister." 
 
 " Come, my children," said Mr. Frank, as he motioned 
 19
 
 218 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 them to seats, " farther concealment is worse than useless. 
 We have made one important discovery this morning, thank 
 God ! But it is only the half of the whole truth. Emma is 
 not my real daughter she is as you were only an adopted 
 child." 
 
 " What? How? Can it be possible?" exclaimed Emma; 
 and I I have " 
 
 " Kissed my son for your brother, you mean," added Mr. 
 Frank, with a faint smile, sweetly tinged with melancholy. 
 " Well, never mind that, my dear. The Doctor understands 
 your motives and will give you the proper credit for them." 
 
 "Most certainly," replied the Doctor; "but pray go on, 
 father, I am completely bewildered ; I scarcely know whether 
 I am laboring under a wild, confused dream, or whether we 
 are the real actors in some strange drama." 
 
 " It is a strange drama, my son," replied Mr. Frank, " but 
 it is a drama of real life. You say, that the wife and daughter 
 of the gentleman who adopted you, were lost by the explosion 
 and burning of the Belle of the West ; I was a passenger on 
 that ill-fated boat, and I well remember the incidents of that 
 terrible accident. 
 
 " There was only one lady on board, so she must have 
 been your foster-mother. During the whole of the trip, she 
 was confined to her berth-room by sickness. In consequence 
 of this, her child became the idol of the remaining passen 
 gers, who almost disputed with each other for the pleasure of 
 caring for it. Through some strange freak of fancy, fre 
 quently witnessed in children, the little girl attached herself 
 more especially to me, and was sitting on my lap, on deck, 
 just at the moment that the fearful explosion occurred. 
 
 " My first thoughts were directed towards the child's sick 
 mother ; and I attempted to enter the cabin, in search of her ; 
 but the huge volumes of smoke and steam, which poured out 
 through the doors, not only completely baffled all my efforts, 
 but proved, at the same time, that her doom was already
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 219 
 
 sealed, and that her life had passed beyond the reach of 
 mortal aid. But this was no time for inaction. The boat 
 was already on fire, and the flames were spreading rapidly. 
 I seized a heavy plank which I found lying on deck, threw it 
 overboard, and then, taking the child under my arm, I leaped 
 over after it. 
 
 " I was fortunate enough to reach it, and had already swum 
 several hundred yards, when I found myself suddenly sur 
 rounded by a large number of drift-logs, which had broken 
 loose from a raft. For some time, I continued to ward them 
 off with my arms ; but, owing to their large size, and the 
 force with which the rapid current dashed them against me, I 
 finally became completely exhausted. Another huge, square 
 piece of timber came dashing fearfully towards me. My arm 
 was already so dreadfully bruised, lacerated, and lamed, that 
 I knew I could not guard off the threatened blow. I raised 
 the child up with one hand, whilst I attempted to save my 
 self by diving under the water, so as to allow the log to pass 
 over me. But it was too late. I felt a sudden powerful 
 shock through my whole body ; a stunning, ringing noise flew 
 through my head, and I knew no more. 
 
 " When I recovered my consciousness, I found myself 
 lying in a comfortable room of a small house near the river. 
 Upon making enquiry, I learned that a couple of hardy boat 
 men, who had seen me struggling in the water, hastened to 
 my assistance, and reached me a few moments after the log 
 struck me, and thus succeeded in saving my life and that 
 of the child. I, however, only escaped one danger to fall 
 into another. The injuries \vhich I received produced vio 
 lent inflammation of the brain, in the delirium of which I 
 remained unconscious for several weeks, before the disease 
 yielded ; and, finally, when convalescence did set in, it was 
 a long time before I was able to leave my room. 
 
 " After I had fully recovered, I endeavored, in vain, to 
 learn anything about the mother of the child. The most
 
 220 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 careful and extended enquiries failed to elicit any clue in 
 regard to her name or residence, and I finally abandoned all 
 my efforts to trace her in despair. Having lost my only child, 
 I looked upon this as a godsend, and adopted the girl as 
 my own. This, together with what you previously knew, 
 will enable you to judge, as well as I can, of your relative 
 positions." 
 
 " The last few minutes," said the Doctor, advancing and 
 taking Emma's hand, "have made such sudden and unex 
 pected changes in our positions in life, that it would be 
 almost hazardous to say who, or what we are. But, amidst 
 all the confusion," he added, with a faint smile, " one thing 
 seems pretty clear, and that is, that I am entirely relieved 
 from the odium of being a slave-holder, without any exertion 
 on my part ; and that you are now the sole possessor of all 
 this real and personal estate, which, a short time ago, I be 
 lieved belonged exclusively to me." 
 
 " And all of which, I beg of you," replied Emma, " to 
 keep as your own, and to dispose of it in the same noble 
 manner as you had intended to do. There is no use in 
 refusing," she added, as she observed the Doctor shake his 
 head ; " when a man marries a lady, he takes her with all 
 her incumbrances ; and if you do not see proper to do so, 
 you can refuse both!" 
 
 Whether he did or did not refuse both, we leave the reader 
 to conjecture ; or, if he prefers it, to ascertain from the next 
 chapter.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 IN WHICH THE DOCTOE AND EMMA GET MARRIED, AND SINK AT 
 ONCE INTO INSIGNIFICANT, DULL, MATTER-OF-FACT PEOPLE; 
 IN CONSEQUENCE OF WHICH, THEY ARE IMMEDIATELY ABAN 
 DONED TO THEIR FATE BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 THE wedding-day at length arrived, but there was no 
 unwonted bustle or excitement at Glenwood Place ; and a 
 stranger would scarcely have known that anything unusual 
 was about to occur. There was none of that lavish and 
 ostentatious display so usual upon such occasions. Every 
 thing was conducted in a plain, simple, republican manner, 
 witnessed amongst the higher classes, only in the earlier 
 period of our country's history. 
 
 The families of the neighboring planters, who had been 
 invited, took their places on one side of the hall, whilst the 
 slaves arranged themselves on the opposite side. The bride 
 groom and bride took their station in the centre, unsupported 
 by a needless array of bridemen and bridesmaids. A vene 
 rable minister, who had for many years acted as spiritual 
 adviser of master and slave, now entered. He joined the 
 hands of the bride and bridegroom ; then, in a pure and 
 simple manner, pronounced the holy words of the marriage 
 ceremony, and they were man and wife. The benediction 
 followed, in which the man of God did not ask for impos 
 sible blessings, and for happiness to attend them, which is 
 never allotted to mortals here below ; but he prayed as one 
 who w#s aware ' that God knoweth what we stand in need, 
 of, before we ask him.' He prayed that they might always 
 walk in the commandments of the Most High ; that their 
 lives might be so spent as to prove a lamp and a light to 
 those around them ; that they might prove to be good stew- 
 19*
 
 222 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 ards in all things confided to their trust; so that finally, when 
 the Great Bridegroom should come, they might be greete'd 
 with the joyful sound of " Well done, good and faithful 
 servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 After the close of this holy ceremony, the friends gathered 
 around the happy couple ; and although there were no pre 
 sents of glittering baubles, or gaudy dresses, there were 
 precious offerings of kind wishes, more valuable in their 
 sight, and in the sight of God, than all the wealth of this 
 world. One after another the slaves advanced, and grasping 
 their proffered hands, murmured, not in tones of " abject 
 servitude," but in language of deep, heart-felt sincerity, 
 " God bless yer, Massa!" " God bless yer, Missis!" 
 
 " My friends," said the Doctor, turning to his slaves after 
 these congratulations were over, whilst the tears rose to his 
 eyes, and his voice became husky with honorable emotion, 
 " my friends, you have often heard me say that the principle 
 of slavery was wrong ; that no man had a moral or religious 
 right to hold his fellow-man in bondage ; and that I would 
 liberate you as soon as I could see the least prospect of 
 placing you in as happy a social position as you enjoy in your 
 present condition. That time, I must confess, has not yet 
 arrived ; but as the weight of slavery rests heavily upon me, 
 I will defer the hour of your liberation no longer. To-day, 
 whilst it will be held sacred by us as the day of our union, 
 may it be equally sanctified by you as the day which severed 
 your bonds to mortal man! You are henceforth and forever 
 free free as I am! and may God, whose Divine hand is 
 over all his creatures, so watch over you, that your liberty 
 may prove a blessing to you, instead of a curse as, alas ! it 
 too often does!" 
 
 This annunciation of their freedom was not received with 
 those demonstrations of lively joy which Mr. Frank had ex 
 pected. There was no cheering no shouting no enthusi 
 asm manifested ; but, on the contrary, looks of blank asto-
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 223 
 
 nishment and sadness were depicted upon every countenance. 
 They first gazed in vacant surprise at their master ; then at 
 each other ; and finally, all their woolly heads seemed to be 
 seized with violent symptoms of St. Vitus's dance, and com 
 menced shaking in energetic and harmonious concert. 
 
 " What in the world does all this mean ?" said Mr. Frank, 
 turning enquiringly to every man in the room, in regular 
 rotation. 
 
 " I'll tell you what it means, sir !" replied Mr. Lincoln, slap 
 ping him on the back with a degree of force only applicable to 
 cases in which fish-bones have gone down the wrong w r ay. 
 " I'll tell you what it means. It means, that these poor crea 
 tures have got more sense than their master, and all his friends 
 and advisers! That's what it means, sir ! They know nothing 
 about principles of human rights, or human wrongs, and care 
 much less. Their natural instinct teaches them that content 
 ment is happiness ; and they prefer living in their present 
 happy manner, deprived of their inalienable rights, to living 
 miserably, and in the enjoyment of liberty, which don't pro 
 vide bread and butter to fill their hungry mouths, however 
 pleasant it may be to talk about. That's what they mean, 
 and there is some sense in their meaning, too; which is more 
 than can be said of some wiser people's acts!" 
 
 "Massa," said Tom, in a very humble tone of voice, as 
 he advanced in front of his companions, and made a low 
 bow, " Massa, I know I dun berry wrong ter run away from 
 yer; but I'se 'pented on it 'deed I has, Massa; and if yer 
 only won't turn me off, I'll serve yer faithful all me life. It 
 may hab bin wrong, and I t'ink it was, to make slaves of us 
 in de fust place ; but it would be worse, Massa ; to turn us 
 away now, so dat we must beg, or steal, or starve to death. 
 'Deed, Massa, I'se seed 'nuff ob de libin' ob de free niggers 
 ob de North, and I doesn't w r ant ter go 'mongst 'em no 
 more." 
 
 " I can't do much in de way ob makin' a speech, Massa,"
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 said the humble namesake of the Roman and Swedish heroes, 
 as he waddled forward, somewhat in the manner of a black 
 
 * * 
 
 Daniel Lambert, " but Tom's 'spresshun ob sentiment 'sponds 
 to mine 'zactly. We's all happy and contented here, and we 
 hopes Massa will let us lib and die on de ole plantashun, 
 where we was born, and where we's bin all raised, and spent 
 so many happy days!" 
 
 These simple feelings seemed to be shared by all ; and 
 with one accord they begged not to be turned away. The 
 more industrious and faithful reminded their young master of 
 their former services those who had often neglected his 
 orders and refused to follow his advice, now promised, with 
 tears in their eyes, to do better ; and all seemed to look for 
 ward to emancipation, as one of the greatest evils that could 
 possibly befall them. 
 
 " What can I do ? What shall I do ?" said the Doctor, 
 turning to his young wife, with deep perplexity visible in 
 every tone and gesture. " I am sure their happiness, next to 
 your own, is nearest to my heart, and I wish to do what is 
 right towards them, if God grants me knowledge to see my 
 way clear!" 
 
 " Well, d n it!" burst from the lips of Lincoln, who was 
 pacing rapidly about the room, and giving vent to numerous 
 explosive sounds, in direct opposition to the eighth command 
 ment, and without any special reference to any person, place, 
 or thing. " D n it ! if you've got their happiness so much 
 at heart, grant them what they want ! I've got a nigger who 
 is only happy when he is up to his eyes in mud, digging 
 ditches ; so I give him all the ditches on the place to dig, 
 merely to promote his peace of mind. Another is only con 
 tented when he is rubbing down my horses ; so I keep him 
 continually at that ; and one of my wenches is as savage as 
 a female hyaena, if she hasn't constantly got some old ladles, 
 pans, or dishes, to scour ; so I keep her engaged in that line, 
 although she creates a consumption of tin-ware that has
 
 THE UNDERGKOUND MAIL-AGENT. 225 
 
 made the fortune of more than one Yankee tin-pedlar. 
 Some men are only happy when they are tied to the apron- 
 strings of a woman ; whilst others, more sensible, like my 
 self, feel themselves decidedly more comfortable, when they 
 are out of sight of the fairer portion of creation ! 
 
 " Now, my dear fellow," he continued, accompanying the 
 laying down of each affirmative position with a blow upon 
 the table, which savored strongly of the Spiritual Rapping 
 order, "I contend that no man, or set of men, can be un 
 happy when they've got all that they want. Now, these boys 
 have always been perfectly happy in their present condition, 
 and all that they ask is, to be let alone to live and die where 
 they have been born ; and, in the meantime, to enjoy them 
 selves in hoeing corn, picking tobacco, eating as much as 
 they can carry, going wherever they please, singing* Lucy 
 Neal to their heart's content, dancing Juba, and holding 
 darkey fandangos whenever they choose !" 
 
 " Dat's 'urn ! dat's 'um !" cried out a large number of 
 voices, in harmonious unison, and tones of C-sharp. " Dat's 
 jist what we wanted ter say,"only we didn't know how ! 
 Only speak ter 'im, Massa Lincoln, he'll hear you we know 
 he will!" 
 
 "You've been ministering to their happiness for years, 
 without knowing it," he continued, with the same fiery energy 
 of voice and manner, " and all the time you were embittering 
 your life by reflecting over evils which they didn't feel. 
 Taking these facts into consideration, together with the 
 misery which you see your mere proposal to free them has 
 created, the path of duty must be very plain to you. If it is 
 not, I don't see what's the use in having eyes to see, ears to 
 hear, or brains to understand with ; or in my making the 
 longest speech I ever made in my life, merely to prove facts 
 which must be self-evident to any man of sense!" 
 
 "Your remarks contain much truth," said the Doctor, 
 slowly and deliberately. " But, boys," he added, turning to
 
 226 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 the slaves, " I have fully made up my mind, to hold no more 
 slaves ; but if you prefer it, you may all remain on the planta 
 tion nearly in the same state as you have been before. I will 
 make no change in your condition, except that each man, 
 woman, and child, shall have free-papers ; so that, if at any 
 time any should wish to leave, they can do so without any 
 further trouble. Now, I wish you all to understand that you 
 are as free as I am ; that you can leave me now, or any time 
 hereafter ; and that, if you remain with me, you do so on 
 your own free-will and accord, as freemen, in every sense of 
 the word, and not as property." 
 
 The effect of this speech was electrical. They forgot all 
 rules of decorum or propriety, in their wild delirium of trans 
 port ; and broke out into a loud, simultaneous shout of en 
 thusiasm, which attested their feelings more strongly than the 
 most burning words of eloquence could have done. When 
 this ebullition of feeling had partially subsided, they caught 
 each other in their arms, poured forth mutual congratu 
 lations, and invoked blessing after blessing upon the heads 
 of their young master and mistress, in rude language and 
 broken words ; but with a heartfelt sincerity, which, we 
 have no doubt, secured a welcome reception for them in the 
 holy place to which they were addressed. 
 
 " My friends," said Mr. Frank, at the close of the festivities 
 of the evening, " I have learned many useful lessons during 
 the past few months ; and, although I am now perfectly con 
 vinced that great reforms are not the work of a few days or 
 years, and that violence and vilification work nothing but 
 evil, I still shall never regret the time when I became an 
 1 Agent on the Underground Mail-line.' My experience as 
 such, has taught me that we should never denounce things 
 of which we are comparatively ignorant ; that we should not 
 impugn the motives of others, without being acquainted with 
 them ; that misery and suffering are met with all over the
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 227 
 
 wide world ; and that the true man of God, and friend of his 
 fellow-creatures, can always find deserving objects of charity 
 near him, sufficient to engross all the nobler feelings of the 
 heart. 
 
 "I have learned, too, that wild, visionary, and abstract 
 views, in regard to men and things, no matter how logically 
 founded or ably supported, are of but very little utility, un 
 less they can be rendered subservient to practical purposes ; 
 and that words of embittered animosity, and senseless, pre 
 mature agitation, will never work out great reforms. There 
 are but two means by which moral revolutions can be 
 effected. One is the all-convincing power of Truth and 
 Love ; the other is the irresistible argument of Physical 
 Force. In the present enlightened era of the world, the 
 latter is very justly excluded from the field of moral reforms; 
 and the former can only be serviceable when so used as to 
 convince the head, whilst it wins the heart, by the same 
 gentle arguments of 'love, peace on earth, and good-will 
 unto all men,' which even the Supreme Godhead, in its infi 
 nite wisdom, saw proper to address to man, his creature and 
 vassal, by the mouth of his only-begotten and dearly-beloved 
 Son." 
 
 As Mr. Frank closed these remarks, he filled his glass 
 an example followed by all present and again arose to ad 
 dress them. 
 
 " My friends," he resumed, in a low, husky voice, as he 
 held his glass up with a trembling hand, and the tears started 
 to his eyes ; " my friends, in the enthusiasm of a mistaken 
 and honest zeal, I have done things which I deeply regret ; 
 but I will leave it to the Great Searcher of all hearts, to say 
 how far I am to be punished for errors which have been 
 prompted by good motives. And now, before w r e part, 
 permit me to propose : That the discordant feelings, and 
 sectional strife, in our otherwise happy country, may soon 
 give way to renewed feelings of fraternal and national affec-
 
 228 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 tion ; so that the croaking notes of the raven may disappear 
 forever, and ' the voice of the turtle may again be heard in 
 the land.' " 
 
 This sentiment was drunk with the genial warmth and open 
 frankness of true Virginian feeling, and soon after the bridal- 
 party broke up. During the ceremony of leave-taking, no 
 hand was grasped more warmly than that of Mr. Frank ; and 
 amongst the many pleasant incidents of the day, nothing was 
 more prominent in the minds of the guests, or lingered longer 
 in their memories, than the mild, benevolent expression of his 
 countenance, and his unaffected words of open candor and 
 fellow-feeling. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 WHICH ENDS OUR BOOK TO OUR OWN SATISFACTION, AND, WE 
 HOPE, TO THE SATISFACTION OF EVERYBODY ELSE. 
 
 IT is always a sad, melancholy thing to part from the kind 
 friends whom we meet with in the daily transactions of real 
 life, and who have remained faithful to us during all its 
 eventful vicissitudes. But the dull routine of business, inte 
 rest, pleasure, newer connections, and last, but most inexor 
 able of all, the unstaying hand of death, is constantly tearing 
 asunder the warmest ties ; inflicting fresh wounds before the 
 older ones have had time to heal ; opening pores of grief 
 anew, just as they were about to close forever, and so 
 mingling the cup of pleasure with the bitter dregs of pain, 
 that our smiles are continually blended with our tears, and 
 the one shines through the other, chastened and brightened, 
 like the hues of the bow of promise through the silvery and 
 brilliant mist of a summer shower.
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 229 
 
 In like manner, we are now called upon, by the closing 
 scene of this little volume, to take leave of our friends, who, 
 though creatures of the mind, have their counterparts in the 
 physical world ; and to bid them and our kind readers an 
 affectionate and perhaps final adieu. Before doing so, how 
 ever, in accordance with a time-honored custom, and out of 
 respect to the small band of readers who may have labored 
 with us through this work, we will close with a brief notice of 
 the final disposition of our dramatis persona. 
 
 The Doctor and his amiable wife are still residing on their 
 plantation at Glenwood Place, where their free hospitality ren 
 ders their house the favorite resort of both neighbors and stran 
 gers. Both are recipients of that genial love, which warm 
 hearts always intuitively and sympathetically offer to kindred 
 souls ; and both bless, and are blessed, by the pure spirit of 
 love and truth, w r hich emanates from their bosoms, and 
 spreads its rays through every portion of the little sphere in 
 which they move. Misery save such as God, in his wis 
 dom, sends upon all is unknown in their little realm ; be 
 cause their ever-ready hands are the first to check its inva 
 sion. Would to God that we, one and all, would go and 
 do likewise ! If we did, what a paradise would be made of 
 this world ! Poverty would be divested of its stings ; suf 
 fering would lose its pangs ; grief would be assuaged by 
 hope ; joy moderated by love ; sin diminished by the holy 
 associations thrown around it ; and man would become, what 
 God intended him to be, the brother of his fellow-man, and 
 the obedient child of Heaven. 
 
 In addition to his careful watch over his household, the 
 Doctor continues to practise the holy duties of his profession ; 
 and his skill and talents have, through the blessing of Provi 
 dence, done as much towards the relief of physical suffering, 
 as 'his good heart has towards the cure of moral ills. He 
 continues to blend sweet words and pleasant smiles with 
 bitter pills and nauseous draughts in such scientific propor- 
 20
 
 230 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 tions, that the most fastidious patient swallows his drugs 
 without a grimace, and scarcely knows whether it is the 
 Doctor's medicine or his manners that effects the cure. 
 
 Mr. Frank sold his property in the North, and is living 
 with his children, endeared to all around him by the same 
 noble virtues, and pure motives, which have characterized 
 him through life. He says his cup of happiness is full to the 
 brim ; and although quite a large number of warm-hearted 
 widows, prompted by feelings solely relevant to his own good, 
 and by that noble sympathy, not wholly peculiar to true Vir 
 ginians, have in divers ways, covertly and openly, by strata 
 gem and open warfare, by siege and assault, attempted to 
 make the contents overflow, he has, so far, been able to resist 
 their strong seductive temptations, and to entrench himself, 
 in common with his now bosom friend, Mr. Lincoln, in the 
 perilous position of single-blessedness. 
 
 He is also quite a favorite amongst the young married 
 ladies ; and is, in consequence, frequently called upon to 
 act in the responsible station of godfather, at infantile christ 
 enings. We have never had the pleasure of being present 
 at any of these august ceremonies; but can form some 
 idea of the satisfaction which he renders, by the geometrical 
 ratio of the increasing calls which are made upon him. So 
 difficult, at times on account of press of business is it to 
 secure his attendance, that he is frequently engaged several 
 months in advance of the juvenile's earthly appearance ; and 
 we have heard of cases in which his services were held in 
 reserve, even as early as the marriage eve. In a large majority 
 of the cases, when the pledge of affection is of the male spe 
 cies, his name is appropriated to its use ; which fully accounts 
 for the hitherto unknown fact, that, in searching the list of 
 arrivals at hotels, or the catalogues of medical or literary stu 
 dents at colleges, we always find more names commencing 
 with ' Frank,' purporting to be from Virginia, than from 
 all the other States of the Union. In these cases, too, he
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 231 
 
 always feels himself under obligations to provide a red flannel 
 petticoat, and an oil-chintz frock, for his juvenile namesake ; 
 and to kiss it over its whole face, whenever he happens to 
 meet it, without any prejudice for or against clean or dirty 
 cheeks ; which compound acts have had the double effect of 
 very materially raising the price of prints, and lowering that 
 of soap. 
 
 Jimmy has taken up his abode with Mr. Frank, and is a 
 privileged character, not only there, but on all the neighbor 
 ing plantations. His blunt, ready, off-hand Irish character 
 meets with a ready response from Virginian frankness; and 
 he is, in consequence, a welcome visitor wherever he goes. 
 He associates equally with master and slave ; and is, appa 
 rently, as free, and enjoys himself as much with the one as 
 with the other. He looks upon slavery as a happy state of 
 existence ; for the twofold reason, that it leaves the mind free 
 from care, and affords a full scope to the exercise of salta 
 tory powers, in which, next to a negro, no man delights more 
 than he does. Entertaining these views, he is most decidedly 
 opposed to emancipation, and when a slave occasionally ex 
 presses dissatisfaction with his situation, he freely offers to 
 pay all his expenses to Ireland, " by way," he says, " ov 
 givin' him a practical illustrashun of fray slavery, under the 
 power of a fray constitushun, and the glorious Magny 
 Karty." 
 
 Mr. Burton has been reinstated, as Agent, on the Under 
 ground Line, but has carefully excluded the vicinity of Glen- 
 wood from his routes. His lady is still president of various 
 philanthropic sewing societies ; and both " let their good 
 works so shine before the world, that they may be seen of 
 men," and keep their evil deeds so carefully concealed, that 
 nobody can see them ; each of which, when taken separately, 
 is very good in the way of example, whatever may be said
 
 232 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 in regard to its morality. But then, as the world goes, this 
 don't matter : things are nothing, appearances everything. 
 
 Not long ago, the Doctor was called upon to go a considerable 
 distance to see a man who was represented to be very sick. 
 On his arrival, he found him laboring under a severe attack of 
 that dreadful disease, mania-a-potu. He exerted all his skill 
 to save the wretched victim, but in vain. The ' pitcher was 
 broken at the fountain,' the current of life was ebbing 
 rapidly away, and in a few hours after he first saw him, he 
 died with the most horrible imprecations on his lips, and 
 amidst imaginary scenes too fearfully terrible to be described. 
 Nothing was found upon his person but a small bottle, with 
 a few drops of liquor in it, and several unpaid bills, showing 
 that his name was Dixey. 
 
 During the past twenty-five years, the question of slavery 
 has been productive of more fruitless and angry controversy, 
 than any other subject which has ever engaged the attention 
 of the people of this country. Hireling lecturers, kept in 
 constant pay by our Abolition societies, have been sent out 
 through the length and breadth of the land ; fanatical news 
 papers have been published ; inflammatory speeches have 
 been made upon the floor of Congress ; incendiary tracts 
 have been disseminated ; novels, founded upon isolated 
 cases, have been written ; and every other means that mis 
 guided enthusiasm could prompt, or fanatical ingenuity could 
 invent, have been called into requisition to magnify its evils 
 and with what good effect? Only to create and embitter 
 a corresponding opposition and fanaticism on the part of the 
 slave-holding community, and to render the condition of our 
 negro population more oppressive and hopeless than it was 
 before. 
 
 The question of slavery is certainly a momentous one, and 
 requires a careful consideration from every Christian and
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 233 
 
 patriot. In doing so, the first thought that naturally suggests 
 itself to the mind is, is it an evil ? 
 
 Considered as a question of moral right or wrong, there 
 can be but one answer. It is an evil. The negro is certainly 
 entitled to the same rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of 
 happiness, that we are, and anything which deprives him of 
 these rights must be wrong, and is therefore an evil. The 
 arguments to establish this point are innumerable, but the 
 proposition is so self-evident that it would be a mere waste 
 of words to attempt to prove it. It was viewed in this light 
 by the wise and patriotic framers of our Constitution, and by 
 nearly the entire population of this country. It has been 
 only of comparatively late years that it has been defended as 
 a social, moral, and political blessing. 
 
 " But slavery is not only an evil to the slave, but it is an 
 evil to the master, and to the whole country. One good 
 hired laborer, under proper management, is capable of doing 
 as much work, in the same time, as three or four Southern 
 slaves are able to perform ; yet this additional number of 
 persons must live at the expense of their owner, and from the 
 products of the soil. The consequence is seen in the general 
 impoverishment of the land, which is gradually taking place 
 in the slave-States. Thousands, aye ! and millions of acres 
 of ground, exhausted of its substance, and lying waste, speak 
 a language of truth which cannot be mistaken. Independent 
 of this pecuniary loss to the proprietor of the soil and the 
 common wealth of the nation, the community suffers from the 
 demoralizing tendencies which slavery always carries with it, 
 to an extent, compared with which the mere loss of dollars 
 and cents dwindles into utter insignificance. The danger to 
 the country, too, in the event of a civil commotion or foreign, 
 invasion, of having three millions of our people within its 
 borders naturally incensed against us, is so obvious as to be 
 plainly apparent to all." 
 
 Looking at it in any and every point of view, we find it to 
 20*
 
 284 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 be an evil of enormous magnitude. " Disguise thyself as thou 
 wilt, still, slavery! still thou art a bitter draught! and though 
 thousands, in all ages, have been made to drink of thee, thou 
 art no less the bitter on that account!" 
 
 If, then, such an evil exists amongst us, why not remove 
 it ? This question has confounded the wisdom, and baffled 
 the efforts, of our most learned and patriotic statesmen. In 
 vain have they devised methods which would be adequate to 
 its removal, or even to its material diminution, without pro 
 ducing a train of greater evils in its place. It is with the 
 political body as it is with the physical there are some cor 
 roding sores, some foul excrescences existing upon it, which 
 are consuming its better energies, wasting its life's-blood, and 
 threatening its final dissolution ; but which, evils as they are, 
 have become so completely incorporated into its very struc 
 ture, so deeply imbedded into its vital parts, that the sudden 
 removal of them, instead of effecting a cure, would be pro 
 ductive of inevitable death. Slavery is one of them ! 
 
 Among the many plans advocated for its removal, but two 
 have been carried into practical operation Colonization and 
 Emancipation. The former possesses the advantage of 
 commending itself to the slave-holder ; it removes the slave 
 from a people superior to him in wealth, power, and intelli 
 gence, and amongst whom he could never attain an equal 
 social and political position, without a revolution and disrup 
 tion of the noblest sensibilities of the human mind and heart. 
 It removes him from a community prejudiced against him, 
 and places him in a position where all are his natural equals ; 
 where no influences of color or caste can operate against him; 
 and where mental, moral, and political elevation depend 
 solely upon his own industry and talents. So far, this plan 
 works admirably ; but so far only. As far as it goes, no 
 thing could be better for the negro ; but it is inadequate to 
 the end in view. The expenses and difficulties attending it 
 are so great, as to restrict its benefits to a comparatively small
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 235 
 
 number at present, and to prevent its general adoption in the 
 future. 
 
 Immediate and unconditional emancipation has been 
 brought forward, not only to supply the deficiencies of Colo 
 nization, but to entirely usurp its place. It" has been advo 
 cated with a bitterness of spirit, and perversion of facts, 
 utterly inconsistent with the pretended character of its friends, 
 and to the ultimate injury of the slave population. Coloni 
 zation may not have accomplished all the good that its friends 
 claim for it ; but Abolitionism has certainly done more harm 
 than even its enemies generally charge it with. 
 
 Judging from their conduct, the friends of Emancipation 
 seem to be in possession of but one idea, and that is, the 
 immediate abolition of slavery. They never investigate the 
 possibility of accomplishing what they advocate ; they forget 
 the civil rights which the masters possess, and which they 
 refuse to relinquish ; they do not look at the effects of setting 
 free, and spreading over the whole country, millions of peo 
 ple of a different color, who are ignorant of every means of 
 self-reliance, and who have never depended upon their own 
 resources for their sustenance ! At one moment, they assert 
 that slavery has reduced the negro race to a state of the most 
 grovelling ignorance and abject debasement; and in the very 
 same breath, they tell us that they are fully prepared for 
 liberty, and should be immediately emancipated, so as to 
 be able to enjoy the same rights, privileges, and blessings, 
 that we possess ! And for refusing to believe such a mass of 
 incongruous inconsistencies, sensible men of the North are 
 ridiculed as " dough-faces," and slave-holders are stigmatized 
 as tyrants, robbers, and murderers ! What pure and beauti 
 ful language for men to hold, who profess to be engaged in 
 the holy work of effecting " great moral reforms !" How 
 passing strange that such mild arguments do not convince the 
 more intelligent portion of men, and convert only those who, 
 from their previous willingness to swallow all the isms and 
 pathies of the past, present, and, we may venture to say, of
 
 236 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 the future, have rendered themselves open to the suspicion 
 of being deficient in mental equipoise ! 
 
 Not content with denouncing, in the most unmeasured 
 terms, those who manifested the least reluctance to swallow 
 such abstract nonsense, they have engaged in a systematic 
 effort to run away negroes from their masters and with what 
 result ? Let the existing state of feeling in the South ; the 
 present, compared with the former, condition of the slave ; 
 and the late enactments of laws in regard to slavery, answer. 
 
 It was not many years ago, that a large number of slave 
 holders admitted that slavery was a great evil, and were 
 honest and strong advocates of some plan of emancipation. 
 A person need only read the newspapers and Congressional 
 debates of thirty years ago, to be convinced of this fact. 
 Look at them now ! So complete is the change, that they 
 now argue that slavery is " a social, moral, and political 
 blessing ;" and they defend themselves behind the ramparts 
 of their " peculiar institution," with a fanaticism surpassed 
 only by their opponents of the opposite extreme. They 
 formerly attempted to devise methods for the gradual eman 
 cipation of the slave. Now they look upon the least tendency 
 towards legislating in that direction, as an invasion of their 
 liberties, and at once threaten to dissolve the Union! They 
 not only retort denunciation for denunciation, but they too 
 often look upon all Northern men as so many fanatics, who 
 are only awaiting a favorable opportunity to deprive them of 
 their sovereign rights. 
 
 " Ah ! but we cannot help that," says the Abolitionist ; " if, 
 in declaring the honest sentiments of our minds, we unfor 
 tunately prejudice persons against the entire North, it is their 
 fault not ours." 
 
 " Certainly, our sable-hearted friend, it is their fault if, be 
 cause you become fanatical upon one extreme, they rush to 
 the opposite one. But if you were honest as you say you 
 are in your efforts in favor of emancipation, you would, after 
 finding that you cannot convince the masters of the evils of
 
 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 237 
 
 slavery by one method, try another, instead of continuing in 
 the very course which you find is only separating your views 
 more widely, and embittering your personal feelings. If you 
 were honest or wise, you would resort to reason in the place 
 of denunciation, arid attempt to convince, instead of con 
 demning." 
 
 Not only have the Abolitionists embittered the slave-owners 
 against themselves, but their injudicious conduct has exas 
 perated many of them against the negro race. There are in 
 the South, as there are everywhere else, men of evil disposi 
 tions. These, goaded to madness by the reckless attacks upon 
 themselves, and the assistance afforded to their runaway 
 slaves by the Abolitionists, have but too often poured upon 
 the inoffensive heads of the former, the feelings of wrath 
 which were created in their minds by the latter. They work 
 them harder, allow them less personal liberty, for fear of their 
 escaping, pursue them more eagerly when they do run off, 
 and punish them more severely after their recovery. 
 
 " Ah ! but you do not pretend to charge us with the base 
 and unreasonable cruelty of such men?" 
 
 " O no! certainly not! You cannot help that! But when 
 you see as you undoubtedly must that all your misguided 
 attempts to liberate a few slaves, result only in producing ten 
 fold oppression and cruelty towards the remaining thousands, 
 \vc do contend that if your hearts bled as freely for the slave 
 as you say they do, you would abandon your present course, 
 which brings forth only evil, and endeavor to discover some 
 more effectual plan to carry out your views." 
 
 " Yes, but we are not working for the present. We look 
 forward to the glorious future, which is bright with promise ! 
 We wish to create public sentiment. We wish to get the 
 people opposed to the abominable institution, and through the 
 people we intend to affect our legislative bodies, so as to get 
 laws passed curtailing and abolishing the whole system !" 
 
 " Very good ; but as we know nothing of the future, it is
 
 238 THE UNDERGROUND MAIL-AGENT. 
 
 not an unsafe rule to judge of it by the past. And pray 
 what have you accomplished ? 
 
 " You have changed the open advocates of emancipation 
 in the South into opponents. You have converted the baser 
 portion of the apologists of slavery into tyrants. You have 
 very materially postponed, if not forever destroyed, the chances 
 of liberating the negro of this country. You have rendered 
 his slavery more irksome, his escape more difficult, and his 
 recovery more certain. In the North, you have disgusted 
 those who were favorable to a portion of your views, by your 
 ultra-fanatical, and violent conduct ; and your wild ravings 
 and " underground" exploits have had such an effect upon 
 the public mind, and through it upon Congress, as to force 
 upon the country the passage of the well-known Fugitive 
 Slave Law, which you so heartily denounce as being opposed 
 to every feeling of humanity and justice ! 
 
 " These things form a small part of what you have effected 
 on the one side. Let us see what you have accomplished on 
 the other. You have converted to your wild, visionary 
 opinions some hundreds of persons, who were previously 
 embued with all the humbuggeries of the day, and were, con 
 sequently, an easy prey. You have secured sufficient patron 
 age to support a few more fanatical newspapers, to print some 
 thousands more incendiary tracts, to publish a few more 
 overdrawn novels, to run away a few hundred more slaves 
 annually, to elect a few more of your friends to Congress 
 and eight dollars a day, and to prove most conclusively to 
 the world that you can rave without reason, and spend more 
 talents, time, and money, upon mere abstractions, without 
 descending to the dull, practical realities of life, than any 
 other party of men who have ever lived ! We will leave to 
 you to strike the balance, and to see how much you have 
 accomplished in favor of the great cause of Human Freedom !" 
 
 THE END.
 
 CATALOGUE 
 
 01P 
 
 VALUABLE BOOKS, 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO., 
 
 (SUCCESSORS TO GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO.) 
 
 NO. 14 NORTH FOURTH STREKT, PHILADELPHIA; 
 
 CONSISTING OF A LARGE ASSORTMENT OF 
 
 Bibles, Prayer-Books, Commentaries, Standard Poets, 
 MEDICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS WORKS, ETC., 
 
 PARTICULARLY SUITABLE FOE r . 
 
 PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIBRARIES. 
 
 FOR SALE BY BOOKSELLERS AND COUNTRY MERCHANTS GENERALLY THROUGH 
 OUT THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 THE BEST & MOST COMPLETE FAMILY COMMENTARY. 
 The Comprehensive Commentary on the Holy Bible; 
 
 OONTAININO 
 
 THE TEXT ACCORDINa TO THE AUTHORIZED VERSION, 
 
 8COTTS MARGINAL REFERENCES; MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY 
 
 CONDENSED, BUT RETAINING EVERY USEFUL THOUGHT; THE 
 
 PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS OK REV. THOMAS SCOTT, D. D.; 
 
 WITH EXTENSIVE 
 
 EXPLANATORY, CRITICAL AND PHILOLOGJCAL NOTES, 
 
 Selected from Scott, Doddridge, Gill, Adam Clarke, Patrick, Poole, Lowth, 
 Burder, Harmer, Calmet, Rosenmualler, Bloomiield, Stuart, Bush, Dwight, 
 and many other writers on the Scriptures. 
 
 The whole designed to be a digest and combination of the advantages of 
 the best Bible Commentaries, and embracing nearly all that is valuable in 
 
 HENRY, SCOTT, AND DODDRIDGE. 
 
 Conveniently arranged for family and private reading, and, at tne same time, 
 particularly adapted to the wants of Sabbath-School Teachers and Bible 
 
 Classes ; with numerous useful tables, and a neatly engraved Family Record. 
 
 <0 
 
 Edited by Rev. WILLIAM JENKS, D. D., 
 
 PASTOR OF GREEN STREET CHURCH, BOSTON. 
 
 Embellished with five portraits, and other elegant engravings, from stee^ 
 plates; with several maps and many wood-cuts, illustrative of Scripture 
 Manners, Customs, Antiquities, &c. In 6 \ols. super-royal 8vo. 
 Including Supplement, bound in cloth, sheep, calf, &c., varying in 
 
 Price from $10 to $15. 
 The whole forming the most valuable as well as the cheapest Commentary 
 
 published in the world. 
 A 1
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 NOTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COMPREHENSIVE COMMENTARY. 
 
 The Publishers select the following from the testimonials they have received 
 as to the value of the work : 
 
 We, the subscribers, having examined the Comprehensive Commentary, issued from the press of 
 Messrs. L., G. & Co., and highly approving its character, would cheerfully and confidently recom 
 mend it^ containing more matter and more advantages than any other with which we are 
 acquainted; and considering the expense incurred, and the excellent manner of its mechanical 
 execution, we believe it to be one of the cheapest works ever issued from the press. We hope the 
 publishers will be sustained by a liberal patronage, in their expensive and useful undertaking. We 
 ihould be pleased to learn that every family in the United States had procured a copy. 
 
 B. B. WISN ER, D. D., Secretary of Am. Board of Com. for For. Missions. 
 
 WM. COGSWELL. D. D., " " Education Society. 
 
 JOHN CODMAN, D. D., Pastor of Congregational Church, Dorchester. 
 
 Rev. HUBBARD WINSLOW, " " Bowdoin street, Dorcheitei. 
 
 Rev. SEWALL HARDING. Pastor of T. C. Church, Waltham. 
 
 Rev. J. H. FAIRCHILD, Pastor of Congregational Church, South Boston. 
 
 GARDINER SPRING, D. D., Pastor of Presbyterian Church, New York citv. 
 
 CYRUS MASON, D. D., * " " " 
 
 . TWOS. M'AULEY, D. D., " " " 
 
 JOHN WOODBRIDGE, D. D., " " " 
 
 THOS. DEWITT, D. D., " Dutch Ref. " " " 
 
 E. W. BALDWIN, D. D., " " " 
 
 Rev. J. M. M'KREBS, " Presbyterian " 
 
 Rev. ERSKINE MASON. " " * 
 
 Rev. J. S. SPENCER, " " Brooklyn. 
 
 EZRA STILES ELY, D. D., Stated Clerk of Gen. Assem. of Presbyterian Church. 
 
 JOHN M'DOWELL, D. D.. Permanent " 
 
 JOHN BRECK EN RIDGE, Coiresponding Secretary of Assembly's Board of Education 
 
 SAMUEL B. WYLIE, D. D., Pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 
 
 N. LORD, D. D., President of Dartmouth College. 
 
 JOSHUA BATES, D. D., President of Mid.llebury College. % 
 
 H, HUMPHREY, D. D., " Amherst College. 
 
 E. D. GRIFFIN, D. D., " Wilhamstown College. 
 
 J. WHEELER, D. D., " University of Vermont, at Burlington. 
 
 J. M. MATTHEWS, D. D., New York City University. 
 
 GEORGE E. PIERCE, D. D., " Western Reserve College, Ohio. 
 
 Rev. Dr. BROWN, " Jefferson College, Penn. 
 
 LEONARD WOODS, D. D., Profnssor of Theology, Andover Seminary. 
 
 THOS. H. SKINNER, D. D., Sac. Rhet. " " 
 
 Rev. RALPH EMERSON, " Eccl. Hist. " 
 
 Rev. JOEL PARKER, Pastor of Presbyterian Churcn, New Orleans. 
 
 JOEL HAWES, D. D., " Congregational Churrh, Hartford, Conn, 
 
 N. S. S. BEAMAN, D. D., " Presbyterian Church, Troy, N. Y. 
 
 MARK TUCKER, D. D., " " " " 
 
 Rev. E. N. KIRK, " . Albany, N. Y. 
 
 Rev. E. B. EDWARDS, Editor of Quarterly Observer. 
 
 Rev. STEPHEN MASON, Pastor First Congregational Church, Nantucket. 
 
 Rev. ORIJT FOWLER, " " " "Fall River. 
 
 GEORGE W. BETHUNE, D. D., PasUjr of the First Reformed Dutch Church, Fhilatia. 
 
 Rev. LYMAN BEECHER, D. D., Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Rev. C. D. MALLORY, Pastor Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga. 
 
 Rev. S. M. NOEL, " Frankfort, Ky. 
 
 From the Professors at Princeton Theological Seminary. 
 
 The Comprehensive Commentary contains the whole of Henry's Exposition in a condensed form, 
 Scott's Practical Observations and Marginal References, and a large number of very valuable philo 
 logical and critical notes, selected from various authors. The work appears to be executed wit* 
 judgment, fidelity, and we ; and will furnish a rich treasure of scriptural knowleflge to the 
 Kblicol student, and to the teachers of Sabbath-Schools and Bible Classes. 
 
 A. ALEXANDER. D. D. 
 SAMUEL MILLER, D. D. 
 CHARLES HODGE, D. D
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 i Companion to 
 
 In one super-royal volume. 
 
 DESIGNED TO ACCOMPANY 
 
 THE FAMILY BIBLE, 
 
 OR HENRY'S, SCOTT'S, CLARKE'S, GILL'S, OR OTHER COMMENTARIES I 
 CONTAINING 
 
 1. A new, full, and complete Concordance; 
 
 Illustrated with monumental, traditional, and oriental engravings, founded on Butterworth's, with 
 Cruden's definitions ; forming, it is believed, on riiany accounts, a more valuable work than either 
 Butterworth, Cruden, or any other similar book in the language. 
 
 The value of a Concordance is now generally understood; and those who have used one, con 
 sider it indispensable in connection with the Bible. 
 
 2. A Guide to the Reading and Study of the Bible ; 
 
 being Carpenter's valuable Biblical Companion, lately published in London, containing a complete 
 history of the Bible, and forming a most excellent introduction to its study. It embraces the evi 
 dences of Christianity, Jewish antiquities, manners, customs, arts, natural history, ic., of the Bible, 
 with notes and engravings added. 
 
 B. Complete Biographies of Henry, by Williams; Scott, by his 
 son; Doddridge, by Orton; 
 
 with sketches of the^ lives and characters, and notices of the works, of the writers on the Scripture* 
 who are quoted in the Commentary, living and dead, American and foreign. 
 
 This part of the volume not only affords a large quantity of interesting and useful reading for 
 pious families, but will also be a source of gratification to all those who are in the habit of consult 
 ing the Commentary; every one naturally feeling a desire to know some particulars of the lives and 
 characters of those whose opinions he seeks. Appended to this part, will be a 
 
 BIBLIOTHECA BIBLICA,, 
 
 or list of the best works on the Bible, of all kinds, arranged under their appropriate heads. 
 
 4. A complete Index of the Matter contained in the Bible Text. 
 5. A Symbolical Dictionary. 
 
 A very comprehensive and valuable Dictionary of Scripture Symbols, (occupying about fifty-sis 
 closely printed pages,) by Thomas Wemyss, (author of "Biblical Gleanings," <tc.) Comprising 
 Daubaz, Lancaster, Hutcheson, &c. 
 
 6. The Work contains several other Articles, 
 
 Indexes, Tables, <kc. ice., and is, 
 
 7. Illustrated by a large Plan of Jerusalem, 
 
 identifying, as far as tradition, &c., go, the original sites, drawn on the spot by F. Catherwood, of 
 London, architect. Also, two steel engravings of portraits of seven foreign and eight American 
 theological writers, and numerous wood engravings. 
 
 The whole forms a desirable and necessary fund of instruction for the use not only of clergymen 
 and Sabbath-school teachers, but also for families. When the great amount of matter it roust 
 contain is considered, it will be deemed exceedingly cheap. 
 
 " I have examined ' The Companion to the Bible.' and have been surprised to find so much inform 
 ation introduced into a volume of so moderate u size. It contains a library of sacred knowledge 
 and criticism. It will be useful to ministers who own large libraries, anil cannot fail to be an 
 invaluable help to every reuder of the Bible." HENRY MORRIS, 
 
 Pastor of Congregational Church, Vermont. 
 
 The above work can be had in several styles of binding. Price varying 
 from $1 75 to $5 00.
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS GF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, 
 
 In one super-royal, volume. 
 
 DERIVED PRINCIPALLY FROM THE MANNERS, CUSTOMS, ANTIQUITIES, TRADITIONS, 
 AND FORMS OF SPEECH, RITES, CLIMATE. WORKS OR ART, AND 
 
 LITERATURE OF THE EASTERN NATIONS : 
 
 EMBODYINS ALL THAT IS VALUABLE IN THE WORKS OF 
 
 ROBERTS, HARIVTER, BURDEB, PAXTON, CHANDLER, 
 
 And the most celebrated oriental travellers. Embracing- also the subject of the Fulfilment of 
 
 Prophecy, as exhibited by Keith and others ; with descriptions of the present state 
 
 of countries and places mentioned in the Sacred Writings. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS LANDSCAPE ENGRAVINGS, 
 
 FROM SKETCHES TAKEN ON TDK SPOT. 
 
 Edited by Rev. GEORGE BUSH, 
 
 Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature in the New York City University. 
 
 The importance of this work must be obvious, and, being altogether illustrative, without reference 
 to doctrines, or other points in which Christians differ, it is hoped it will meet with favour from all 
 who love the sacred volume, and that it will be sufficiently interesting and attractive to recommend 
 itself, not only to professed Christians of all denominations, but also to the general reader. The 
 arrangement of the texts illustrated with the notes, in the order of the chapters and verses of the 
 authorized version of the Bible, will render it convenient for reference to particular passages ; 
 while the cofnuus Indtx at the end will at once enable the reader to turu to every subject discussed 
 in the volume. 
 
 Thts volume it not designed to take the plact of Commentaries, but is a distinct department of biblical 
 instruction, and mm he uied as a companion to the Comprehensive or any other Commentary, or tkt 
 
 -THE ENGRAVINGS 
 
 ta this volume, it is believed, will form no small part of its attractions. No pains have been spared 
 to procure such as should embellish the work, and, at the same time, illustrate the text. Objec 
 tions that have been made to the pictures commonly introduced into the Bible, as being mere crea 
 tions of fancy and the imagination, often unlike nature, and frequently conveying false impressions, 
 cannot be urged against the pictorial illustrations of this volume. Here the fine arts are made 
 subservient to utility, the landscape views being, without an exception, matter-of-fact views of placet 
 mentioned in Scripture, as they appear at the present day ; thus in many instances exhibiting, in the 
 most forcible manner, to the eye, the strict and literal fulfilment of the remarkable prophecies ; " the 
 present ruined and desolate condition of the cities of Babylon, Nineveh, Selah, <tc., and the coun 
 tries of Edom and Egypt, are astonishing examples, and so completely exemplify, in the most 
 mmut particulars, every thing which was foretold of them in the height of their prosperity, that 
 no better description can now be given of them than a simple quotation from a chapter and verse 
 of the Bible written nearly two or three thousand years ago." The publishers are enabled to select 
 from several collections lately published in London, th proprietor of one of which says that "seve 
 ral distinguished traveller* have afforded him the use of nearly Three Hundred Onamal Sketches" 
 of Scripture places, made upon the spot. "The land of Palestine, it is well known, abounds in 
 scenes of the most picturesque beauty. Syria comprehends the inowy heights of Lebanon, and the 
 majestic ruins of Tadmor and Baalbec " 
 The above work can be had in various styles of binding. 
 
 Price from 91 50 to $5 00. 
 
 THE ILLUSTRATED CONCORDANCE, 
 
 In one volume, royal 8vo. 
 
 A new, fall, and complete Concordance ; illustrated with monumental, traditional, and oriental 
 engravings, founded on Butterworth's, with Cruden's definitions ; forming, it is believed, on many 
 accounts, a more valuable work than either Butterworth, Cruden, or any other similar book in th 
 language. 
 
 The value of a Concordance to now generally understood ; and those who have used one, con- 
 rider it indispensable in connection with the Bible. Some of the many advantages the Illustrated 
 Conce/dance has over all the others, are, that it contains near two hundred approphate engraving* : 
 it a printed on fine white paper, with beautiful large type. 
 
 Price One Dollar. 
 
 4
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 LIP^PINCOTT'S EDITION OF 
 
 BAGSTER'S COMPREHENSIVE BIBLE, 
 
 In order to develope the peculiar nature of the Comprehensive Bible, it will only be necessary 
 to embrace its more prominent features. 
 
 1st. The SACKED TEXT is that of the Authorized Version, and is printed from the edition cor 
 rected and improved by Dr. Blnney, which, from its accuracy, is' considered the standard edition. 
 
 2d. The VARIOUS READINGS are faithfully printed from the edition of Dr. Blaney, inclusive 
 of the translation of the proper names, without the addition or diminution of one. 
 
 3d. In the CHRONOLOGY, great care has been taken to fix the date of the particular transac 
 tions, which has |eldom been done with any degree of exactness in any former edition of the Bible. 
 
 4th. The NOTES are exclusively philological and explanatory, and are not tinctured with senti 
 ments of any sect or party. They are selected from the most eminent Biblical critics and com 
 mentators. 
 
 It is hoped that this edition of the Holy Bible will be found to contain the essence of Biblical 
 research and criticism, that lies dispersed through an immense number of volumes. 
 
 Such is the nature and design of this edition of the Sacred Volume, which, from the varioui 
 objects it embraces, the freedom of its pages from all sectarian peculiarities, and the beauty .'plain 
 ness, and correctuecs of the typography, that it cannot fail of proving acceptable and useful to 
 Christians of every denomination. 
 
 In addition to the usual references to parallel passages, which are quite full and numerous, the 
 student has all the marginal readings, together with a rich selection of Philological, Critical, Histo 
 rical, Geographical, and other valuable notes and remarks, which explain and illustrate the sacred 
 text. Besides the general introduction, containing valuable essays on the genuineness, authenticity, 
 and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and other topics of interest, there are introductory and con 
 cluding remarks to each Book a table of the contents of the Bible, by which the different portions 
 are so arranged as to read m an historical order. 
 
 Arranged at the top of each page is the period in which the prominent events of sacred history 
 took place. The calculations are made for the year of the world before and after Christ, Julian 
 Period, the year of the Olympiad, the year of the building.of Rome, and other notations of time. 
 At the close is inserted a Chronological Index of the Bible, according to the computation of Arch 
 bishop Ussher. Also, a full and valuable index of the subjects contained in the Old and New Testa 
 ments, with a careful analysis and arrangement of texts under their 1 appropriate subjects. 
 
 Mr. Greenfield, the editor of this work, and for some time previous to his death the superintend 
 ent of the editorial department of the British and Foreign Bible Society, was a most extraordinary 
 man. In editing the Comprehensive Bible, his varied and extensive learning was called into suc 
 cessful exercise, and appears in happy combination with sincer" piety and a sound judgment. The 
 Editor of the Christian Observer, alluding to this work, in an obituary notice of its author, speaks 
 of it as a work of " prodigious labour and research, at once exhibiting his varied talents and pro 
 found erudition." 
 
 LIPPINCOTT'S EDITION OF 
 
 THE OXFORD QUARTO BIBLE, 
 
 The Publishers have spared neither care nor expense in their edition of the Bible ; it is printed 
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 and splendid manner, in the following styles : Velvet, with richly gilt ornaments ; Turkey super 
 extra, with gilt clasps ; and in numerous others, to suit the taste of the most fastidious. 
 
 OPINIONS OP THE PP. ESS. 
 
 * In our opinion, the Christian public generally will feel under great obligations to the publishers 
 of this work for the beautiful taste, arrangement, and delicate neatness with which they have got 
 it out. The intrinsic merit of the Bible recommends itself; it needs no tinsel ornament to adorn 
 its sacred pages. In this edition every superfluous ornament has been avoided, and we have pre 
 sented us a perfectly chaste specimen of the Bible, without note 01 comment. It appears to be just 
 what is needed in every family 'the unsophisticated word of God.' 
 
 "The size is quarto, printed with beautiful type, on white, sized veilum paper, of the finest texture 
 and most beautiful surface. The publishers seem to have been solicitous to make a perfectly 
 unique book, and they have accomplished the object very successfully. We trust that a liberal 
 community will afford them ample remuneration for all the expense and outlay they have necessa 
 rily incurred in its publication. It is a standard Bible. 
 
 " The publishers are Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo i Co., No. 14 North Fourth street, Philadel 
 phia.'' Baptist Record. 
 
 "A beautiful quarto edition of the Bible.iy L., G. & Co. Nothing can exceed the type in clear 
 ness and beauty : the paper is of the finest texture, and the whole execution is exceedingly neat 
 No illustrations or ornamental type are used. Those who prefer a Bible executed in perfect sim 
 plicity, yet elegance of style, without adornment, will probably uever find one more to their Must* * 
 M. Magazine. 
 
 A* K
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 LIPPINCOTT'S -EDITIONS OF 
 
 THE HOLY BIBLE. 
 
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 Printed in the best manner, with beautiful type, on the finest sized paper, and bound in the mo*t 
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 ver fifty steel engravings, by the first artists. 
 
 Baxter's Comprehensive Bible, 
 
 Royal quarto, containing the various readings and marginal notes ; disquisitions on the genuineness, 
 authenticity, and inspiration of the Holy Scriptures; introductory and concluding remarks to each 
 book; philological and explanatory notes; table, ol contents, arranged in historical order; a chro 
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 In neat plain binding, from $4 00 to $5 00. In Turkey morocco, extra, gilt edges, from 18 00 to 
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 The Oxford Quarto Bible, 
 
 Without note or comment, universally admitted to be the must beautiful Bible extant. 
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 In do., with steel engravings, $10 00 to $1500. In do., elnsps, &c., with plates and illumina 
 tions, $15 00 to $25 0(1 In rich velvet, with gilt ornaments, $25 00 to $50 00. 
 
 Crown Octavo Bible, . 
 
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 In neat plain binding, from 75 cents to $1 50. In English Turkey morocco, gilt edges, $1 00 to 
 12 CO. In do., imitation, <fec., $1 50 to $3 00. In do., clasps, SLC., $2 50 to $5 00. In rich velvet,, 
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 The Sunday- School Teacher's Polyglot Bible, with Maps, &c., 
 
 In neat plain binding, from 60 cents to $1 00. In imitation gilt edge, $1 00 to $1 50. In Turkey, 
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 The Oxford 18mo., or Pew Bible, 
 
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 32mo. Diamond Pocket Bible; 
 
 The neatest, smallest, and cheapest edition of the Bible published 
 
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 A liberal discount made to Booksellers and Agents by the Publishers. 
 
 ENCYCLOP/EDIA OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE; 
 
 OR, DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE, THEOLOGY, RELIGIOUS BIOGRAPHY, ALL RELIGIONS, 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, AND MISSIONS. 
 
 Designed as a complete Book of Reference on all Religious Subjects, and Companion to the Bible j 
 forming a cheap and compact Library of Religious Knowledge. Edited by Rev. J. Newto* Brown. 
 Illustrated by wood-cuts, maps, ar.l engravings on copper and steel. In one volume, royal 8vo. 
 Price. $4 00. 
 
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 The Errors of Modern Infidelity Illustrated and Refuted. 
 
 BY S. JVT. SCHMTTCKER, A. M. 
 In one volume, 12mo. ; cloth. Just published.
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 t CUrgq of. Slttmun: 
 
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 GION IN THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 v BY JOSEPH BELCHER, D.D., 
 Editor of "The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller," "Robert Hall," &c. 
 
 " This very interesting and instructive collection of pleasing and solemn remembrances of many 
 pious men, illustrates the character nf the day in winch they lived, and defines the men mura 
 Clearly than very elaborate essays." Baltimore American. 
 
 "We regard the collection as highly interesting, and judiciously made." Presbyterian. 
 
 'JOSEPHUS'S (FLAVIUS) WORKS, 
 
 FAMILY EDITION. 
 BY THE LATE WILLIAM WHISTON, A. JVI. 
 
 FROM THE LAST LONDON EDITION, COMPLETE. 
 
 One olume, beautifully illustrated with Steel I'lates, and the only readable edition 
 published in this country. 
 
 As a matter of course, every family in oy.r country has a copy of the Holy Bible ; and as the pre- 
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 lhat do, that the perusal of the writings of Josephus will be found very interesting and instructive. 
 
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 to purchase this edition. It is for sale at all the principal bookstores in the United States, and by 
 uiuntry merchants generally in the Southern and Western States. 
 
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 BURDENS VILLAGE SEHMONS; 
 
 Or, 101 Plain and Short Discourses on the Principal Doctrines of the Gospel. 
 
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 BLED FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION IN COUNTRY VILLAGES. 
 
 BY GEORGE BURDER. 
 To which is added to each Sermon, a Short Prayer, with some General Prayers for Families, 
 
 Schools, <tc., at the end of the work. 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 
 These sermons, which are characterized by a beautiful simplicity, the entire absence of contro 
 versy, and a true evangelical spirit, have gone through many and large editions, and been translated 
 tato several of the continental languages. " They have also been the honoured means not only of 
 converting many individuals, but also of introducing the Gospel into distncts, and even into parish 
 churches, where before it was comparatively unknown." 
 "This work fully deserves the immortality it has attained." 
 
 This is a fine library edition of this invaluable work ; and when we say that it should be found in 
 the possession of every family, we only reiterate the sentiments and sincere wishes of all who take 
 a deep interest in the eternal welfare of mankind. 
 
 FAMILY PRAYE11S AND HYMNS, 
 
 ADAPTED TO FAMILY WORSHIP, 
 AND 
 
 TABLES FOR THE REGULAR READING OF THE SCRIPTURES. 
 
 By Rev. S.iC. WINCHESTER, A. M., 
 
 Late Pastor of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia; and the Presbyterian Church M 
 Natchez, Miss. 
 
 One volume, 1 2m o .
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 SPLENDID LIBRARY EDITIONS, 
 
 ILLUSTRATED STANDARD POETS. 
 
 ELEGANTLY PRINTED, ON FINE PAPER, AND UNIFORM IN SIZE AND 
 
 STYLE. + 
 
 The following Editions of Standard British Poets are illustrated with numerous Sted 
 Engravings, and may be had in all varieties of binding. 
 
 BYRON'S WORKS. 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE V O LU.ME, .O CT A VO . 
 
 INCLUDING ALL HIS SUPPRESSED AND ATTRIBUTED POEMS; WITH SIX BEAUTIFUL 
 
 ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 This edition has been carefully-compared with the recent london edition of Mr. Murray, and 
 made complete by the addition of more than fifty pages of poems heretofore unpublished in Eng 
 land. Among these there are a number that have never appeared in any American edition; and 
 the publishers believe they are warranted in saying that this is the most complete edition of Lord 
 Byron's Poetical Works ever published in the United States. 
 
 33-forb of 
 
 Complete in one volume, octavo ; with seven beautiful Engravings. 
 
 This is a new and complete edition, with a splendid engraved likeness of Mrs. Hemans, on steel, 
 and contains all the Poems in the last London and American editions. With a Critical Preface by 
 Mr. Thatcher, of Boston. 
 
 "As no work in the English language can be commended with more confidence, it will argne bad 
 taste in a female in this country to be without a complete edition of the writings of one who wag 
 an honour to her sex and to humanity, and whose productions, from first to last, contain no syllable 
 calculated to call a blush to the chee't of modesty and virtue. There is, moreover, in Mrs. Hemans'j 
 poetry, a moral purity and a religious feeling which commend it, in an especial manner, to the dis 
 criminating reader. No parent or guardian will be umler the ner.essity.tof imposing restrictions 
 with regard to the free perusal of every production emanating from this gifted woman. There 
 breathes throughout the whole a most eminent exemption from impropriety of thought or diction ; 
 and there is at times a pensiveness of tone, a winning sadness in' her more serious compositions, 
 which tells of a soul which has been lifted from the contemplation of terrestrial things, to divine 
 eommuniugs with beings of a purer world." 
 
 MILTON, YOUNG, GRAY, BEATTIE, AND COLLINS'S 
 POETICAL WORKS, 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 WITH SIX BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 ml C'jjnmsnn's |5rnst unit ^nrtirnl 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 
 Deluding two hundred and fifty Letters, and sundry Poems of Covrper, never before published ill 
 
 this country ; and of Thomson a new and interesting Memoir, and upwards of twenty 
 
 new Poems, for the first time printed from his own Manuscripts, taken from 
 
 a late Edition of the AMine Poets, now.publishing in London. 
 
 WITH SEVEN BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 The distinguished Professor Silliman, speaking of this editions-observes : " I am as much gratified 
 by the elegance and fine taste of your edition, as by the noble tribute of genius and moral xcel- 
 lence which these delightful authors have left for all future generations . an( i Cowper, espowally, 
 is not less conspicuous as a true Christian, moralist and teacher, than as a poet of great power and 
 exquisite taste." 
 
 9
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAkBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE POETICAL WORKS OF ROGERS, CAMPBELL, MONTGOMERY, 
 LAMB, AND KIRKE WHITE. 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 WITH SIX BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 The beauty, correctness, and convenience of this favourite edition of these standard authors are 
 so well known, that it is scarcely necessary to add a word in its favour. It is only necessary to say, 
 that the publishers have now issued an illustrated edition, which greatly enhances its former value. 
 The engravings are excellent and well selected. It is the best library edition extant. 
 
 CRABBE, HEBER, AND POLLOK'S POETICAL WORKS. 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 WITH SIX BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 A writer in the Boston Traveller holds the following language with reference to these valuable 
 ditions : 
 
 " Mr. Editor : I wish, without any idea of puffins, to say a word or two upon the ' Library of 
 English Poets' that is now published at Philadelphia, by Lippineott, Grambo & Co. It is certainly, 
 taking into consideration the elegant manner in which it is printed, and the reasonable price at 
 which it is afforded to purchasers, the best edition of the modem British Poets that has ever been 
 published in this country. Each volume is an octavo of about 500 pages, double columns, steio- 
 typed. and accompanied with fine ^engravings and biographical sketches ; and most of them are 
 reprinted from Galignam's French edition. As to its value, we need only mention that it contains 
 the entire works of Montgomery, Gray, Beattie, Collins, Byron, Cowper, Thomson, Milton, Young, 
 Rogers, Campbell, Lamb, Heinans, J-Ieber, Kirke White, Crabbe, the Miscellaneous Works of Gold 
 smith, and other masters of the lyre. The publishers are doing a great service by their publication, 
 and their volumes are almost in as great demand as the fashionable novels of the day ; and they 
 deserve to be so : for they are certainly printed in a style superior to that in which we have before 
 had the works of the English Poets." 
 
 No library can be considered complete without a copy of the above beautiful and cheap editions 
 of the English Poets ; and persons ordering all or any of them, will please say Lippincott, Grambo 
 & Co.'s illustrated editions. 
 
 A COMPLETE 
 
 Sifftonart] of |5ortiml 
 
 COMPRISING THE MOST EXCELLENT AND APPROPRIATE PASSAGES IN 
 
 THE OLD BRITISH POETS; WITH CHOICE AND COPIOUS SELEC 
 
 TIONS FROM THE BEST MODERN BRITISH AND 
 
 AMERICAN POETS. 
 
 EDITED BY SARAH JOSEPHA HALE. 
 As nightingales do upon glow-worms feed, 
 So poets live upon the living light 
 Of Nature and of Beauty. 
 
 Bailey's Festus. 
 
 Beautifully illustrated witli Engravings. In one super-royal octavo volume, in various 
 
 bindings. 
 
 The publishers extract, from the many highly complimentary notices of the above valuable and 
 beautiful work, the following : 
 
 "We have at last a volume of Poetical Quotations worthy of the name. It contains nearly sii 
 hundred octavo naetts, carefully and tastefully selected from all the home nnd foreign authors of 
 celebrity. It is invaluable to a writer, while to the ordinary reader it presents every subject at a 
 glance." Godey's Lady's Book. 
 
 "The plan or idea of Mrs. Male's work is felicitous. It is one for which her fine taste, her orderly 
 bahitHof mind, and her long occupation with literature, has given her peculiar facilities; and tho 
 roughly has she accomplished her task in the work before us." Sartain'i Magazine. 
 
 " It is a choice collection of poetical extracts from evarv English and American author wortJi 
 perusing, from the days of Chaucer to the present time." - Washington Union. 
 
 " There is nothing negative about this work ; it is positively good." Evening Bulletin. 
 
 10
 
 LIPPINCOTT, QRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE DIAMOND EDITION OF BYRON. 
 THE POETICAL W011KS OF LORD BYRON, 
 
 / WITH A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONB NEAT DUODECIMO VOLUME, WITH STEEL PLATES. 
 
 The type of this edition is 10 perfect, and it is printed with ao much care, on fine white paper, 
 that it can be read with as much ease as most of the lareer editions. This work is to be had i 
 plain and superb binding, making a beautiful volume fbr gift. 
 
 " The Poetical Works of Lord Byron, complete in one volume ; published by L., G. <fc Co., Phila 
 delphia. We hazard nothing in saying that, take it altogether, this is the most elegant work ever 
 issuedfrom the American press . 
 
 " ' In a simrle volume, nut larger than an ordinary dundecimo, the publishers have embraced the 
 whole of Lord Byron's Poems, usually print*) in ten or twelve volumes; and. what is more remark 
 able, have done it with a type so clear and distinct, that, notwithstanding its necessarily small size, 
 it may be read with the iv'most fccility, even by failing eyes. The book is stereotyped ; and never 
 have we seen a finer specimen of that art. Everything about it is perfect the paper, the print 
 ing, the binding, all correspond with each other; and it is embellished with two fine engravings, 
 well worthy the companionship m which they are placed. 
 
 " 'Thin will make a beautiful Christmas present.' 
 
 " We extract the above from Godey's Lady's Book. The notice itself, w'e are given to Understand 
 is written by Mrs. Hale, t 
 
 " We have to add our commendation in favour of this* beautiful volume, a copy of which has 
 been sent us by the publishers. The admirers of the noble bard will feel nbliged to the enterprise 
 which has prompted the publishers to dure a ciunpetition with the numerous editions- of his works 
 already in circulation ; ami we shall be surprised if this convenient travelling edition does not In a 
 great degree supersede the use of the large, octnvo works, which have little advantage in size ana 
 openness of type, and are much inferior in the qualities of portability aud lightness." Intelligencer, 
 
 THE DIAMOND EDITION OF MOORE, 
 
 (COKIIESPONDING WITH BYRON.) 
 
 THE POETICAL WORKS OF THOMAS MOORE, 
 
 COLLECTED BY HIMSELF. , 
 
 COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. 
 
 Tms work is published uniform witli Byron, from the last Ix^don edition, and is the most com 
 plete printed in the country. 
 
 THE DIAMOND EDITION OF SHAKSPEARE, 
 
 (COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME,) 
 INCLUDING A SKETCH Or HIS LIFE. 
 
 UNIFORM WITH BYRON AND MOORE. 
 THR ABOVE WORKS CAN BE HAD IN SEVERAL VARIETIES OF BINDING. 
 
 GOLDSMITH'S ANIMATED NATURE. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES, OCTAVO. 
 BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH 385 PLATES. 
 
 CONTAINING A HISTORY OF THE EARTH, ANIMALS, BIRDS, AND FISHES; FORMING 
 THE MOST COMPLETE NATURAL HISTORY EVER PUBLISHED.. 
 
 This is a work that should be i(f the library of every family, having been written by on* of to* 
 most talented authors in the English lan?na?e. 
 
 Goldsmith can never be made obsolete while delicate genius, exquisite feeling, fine invention, 
 lie most harmonious metre, and the happiest diction, are at all valued." 
 
 BIGLAND'S NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Of Aimai, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles, and Insects! Illustrated with numerous and beautiful Eignr 
 
 ings. By JOHN BIGLAND, author of a " View of the World," " letters on 
 
 Universal History," &c. Complete in 1 vol., 12mo. 
 
 __ ~ 11
 
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 THE POWER AND PROGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 THE UNITED STATES; Its Power and Progress. 
 
 BY GUILLAUME TELL POUSSIN, 
 
 LATE MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 FIRST AMERICAN, FROM THE THIRD PARIS EDITION. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY EDMOND L. DTJ BARRY, M. D., 
 SURGEON U. S. NAVY. 
 
 "In one large octavo volume. 
 
 SCHOOLCRAFT'S GREAT NATIONAL WORK ON THE INDIAN TRIBES Of 
 THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 WITH BEAUTIFUL AND ACCURATE COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 HISTORICAL m STATISTICAL INFORMATION 
 
 RESPECTING THE 
 
 HISTORY, CONDITION AND PROSPECTS 
 
 OP THE 
 
 initan Stilus of tlje Jtnlteb $tate 
 
 COLLECTED A_ND PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BUREAU OF INDIAN 
 AFFAIRS, PER ACT OF MARCH 3, 1847, 
 
 BY HENK'S' B. SCHOOLCHAFT, LL.D. 
 
 ILfcOSTRATED BY S. EASTMA^T, CAPT. U. S. A. 
 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS. 
 
 THE AMERICAN GARDENER'S CALENDAR, 
 
 ADAPTED TO THE CLIMATE AND SEASONS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Containing a complete account of all the work necessary to be done in the Kitchen Garden, Fruit 
 Garden, Orchard, Vineyard, Nursery, Pleasure-Grouml, Flower Garden, Green-house, Hot-house, 
 and Forcing Frames, for every month in the year; with ample Practical Directions for perfotrning 
 the same. 
 
 Also, general as well as minute instructions for laying out or erecting each and every of the above 
 departments, according to modern taste and the must approved plans; the Ornamental Planting of 
 Pleasure Grounds, in the ancient and modern style ; the cultivation of Thorn Quicks, and other 
 plants suitable for Live Hedges, with the best methods of making them, <kc. To which are annexe 
 catalogues of Kitchen Garden Plants and Herbs ; Aromatic, Pot, and Sweet Herbs ; Mediciiut 
 Plants, and the most important Grapes, <tc., used in rural economy; with the soil best adapted it) 
 their cultivation^ Together with a copious Index to the body of the work. 
 
 BY BERNARD M'MAHON. 
 Tenth Edition, greatly improved. In one volume, octavo. 
 
 THE USEFUL* AND THE BEAUTIFUL ; 
 
 OK, DOMESTIC AND MORAL DUTIES NECESSARY TO SOCIAL HAPPINESS, 
 
 BEAtTTirULLY ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 16mo. square cloth. Price 50 and 75 cents. 
 
 12 .1
 
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 THE FARMER'S AND PLANTER'S ENCYCLOP/EDIA, 
 
 i fimtt'x ml IfiMn's dnqrlflpreMa nf Jtal SLJfim 
 
 BY CUTHBERT W. JOHNSON. 
 ADAPTED TO THE UNITED STATES BY GOUVERNEUR EMERSON, 
 
 Illustrated by seventeen beautiful Engravings of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, the varieties of Wheat'. 
 Barley, Oats, Grasses, the Weeds of Agriculture, &c. ; besides numerous Engrav 
 ings on wood of the most important implements of Agriculture, <tc. 
 
 This standard work contains the latest and best information upon all subjects connected with 
 fanning, and appertaining to the country ; treating of the great crops of grain, hay, cotton, hemp, 
 tobacco, rice, sugar, &c. &c. ; of horses and mules ; of cattle, with minute particulars relating to 
 cheese and butter-making; of fowls, including a description of capon-making, with drawings of tha 
 instruments employed ; of bees, and the Russian and other systems of managing bees and con 
 structing hives. Long articles on the uses and preparation of bones, lime, guano, and all sorts of 
 animal, mineral, and vegetable substances employed as manures. Descriptions of the most approved 
 ploughs, harrows, threshers, and every other agricultural machine and implement; of fruit and 
 shade trees, forest trees, and shrubs ; of weeds, and all kinds of flies, and destructive worms and 
 tasects, and the best means of getting rid of them ; together with a thousand other matters relating 
 rural life, about which information is so consta;;tly desired by all residents of the country. 
 IN ONE LARGE OCTAVO VOLUME. 
 
 MASON'S FARRIER-FARMERS' EDITION, 
 
 Price, 62 cents. 
 
 THE PRACTICAL FARRIER, FOR FARMERS: 
 
 COMPRISING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NOBLE AND CSEFUL ANIMAL, 
 
 THE HORSE; 
 
 WITH MODES OF MANAGEMENT IN ALL CASES, AND TREATMENT IN DISEASE. 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 A PRIZE ESSAY ON MULES AND AN APPENDIX, 
 
 Containing Recipes for Diseases of Horses, Oxen, Cows, Calves, Sheep, Dogs, Swine, <tc. to. 
 
 BIT RICHARD EIASON, M. T>., 
 
 Formerly of Surry County, Virginia. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo.; bound in clothj gilt. 
 
 MASON'S FARRIER AND STUD-BOOK-NEW EDITION. 
 THE GENTLEMAN'S NEW POCKET FARRIER: 
 
 COMPRISING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NOBLE AND CSEFOL ANIMAL, 
 
 THE HORSE; 
 
 WITH MODES OF MANAGEMENT IN ALL CASES, AND TREATMENT IN DISEASE. 
 
 BY RICHARD MASON, M. D., 
 
 Formerly of Surry County, Virginia. 
 
 *o which is added, A PRIZE ESSAY ON MULES; and AN APPENDIX, containing Recipes tot 
 
 , Diseases of Horses, Oxen, Cows, Calves, Sheep, Dogs, Swine, &c. &o. ; with Annals 
 
 of the Turf, American Stud-Book, Rules for Training, Racing, &c 
 
 WITH A SUPPLEMENT, 
 
 Comprising an Essay on Domestic Animals, especially the Horse ; with 'Remarks on Treatment an* 
 
 Breeding; together with trotting and Racing Tables, show ing the best time on record at on 
 
 two, three and four mile heats ; Pedigrees of Wmning Horses, since 18)9, and of the moat 
 
 celebrated Stallions and Mares; with useful Calving and Lambing Tables. By 
 
 J S SKINNER, Editor now of the Farmer's library, New York, &.o. <kc. 
 
 B 13
 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S POBLICATIONS. 
 
 HINDS'S FARRIERY AND STUD-BOOK-NEW EDITION. 
 FARRIERY, 
 
 TAUGHT ON A NEW AND EASY PLAN : 
 
 BEING 
 
 % mim n tjp Stesra mift Slrriknfs nf tjp 
 
 fith Instructions to the Shoeing Smith, Farrier, and Groom ; preceded by a Popular Description ot 
 the Animal Functions in Health, and how these are to be restored when disordered. 
 
 BY JOHN HINDS, VETERINARY SURGEON. 
 
 With considerable Additions and Improvements, particularly adapted to this country, 
 
 BY THOMAS M. SMITH, 
 Veterinary Surgeon, and Member of the London Veterinary Medical Society. 
 
 WITH A SUPPLEMENT, BY J. 8. SKINNER. 
 
 The publishers have received numerous flattering notices of the great practical value of these 
 works. The distinguished editor of the American Farmer, speaking of them, observes: "We 
 cannot too highly recommend these books, and therefore advise every owner of a horse to obtain 
 them." 
 
 "There are receipts in those books that show how Founder may be cured, and the traveller pur- 
 lue his journey the next day, by giving a tabtespoonful of alum. This was got from Dr. P. Thornton, 
 ofMontpelier, Rappahannock county, Virginia, as founded on his own observation in several cases. 
 
 " The constant demand for Mason's and Hinds's Farrier has induced the publishers, Messrs. Lip- 
 pincott. Grambo & Co., to put forth new editions, with a ' Supplement' of 100 pages, by J. S. Skinner, 
 Esq. We should have sought to render an acceptable service to our agricultural readers, by giving 
 a chapter from the Supplement, 'On the .Relations between Man and the Domestic Animals, espe 
 cially the Horse, and the Obligations they impose ;' or the one on 'The Form of Animals;' but that 
 either one of them would overrun the space here allotted to such subjects." 
 
 " Lists of Medicines, and other articles which ought to be at hand about every training and livery 
 (table, and every Farmer's and Breeder's establishment, will be found in these valuable works." 
 
 TO CARPENTERS AND MECHANICS. 
 
 Just Published. 
 
 A NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION OP 
 
 THE CARPENTER'S NEW GUIDE, 
 
 ARPENTRTT AND 
 
 Treating fully on Practical Geometry, Saffil's Brick and Plaster Groins, Niches of every description. 
 
 Sky-lights, Lines for Roofs and Domes : with a great variety of Designs for Roofs, 
 
 Trussed Girders, Floors, Domes, Bridges, <kc., Angle Bars for Shop 
 
 Fronts, <tc., and Raking Mouldings. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 Additional Plans for various Stair-Cases, with the Lines for producing the Face and Falling- Mould* 
 never before published, and greatly superior to those given in a former edition of this work. 
 
 BY WILLIAM JOHNSON, ARCHITECT, 
 
 OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Hi* whole founded on true Geometrical Principles; the Theory and Practice well explained and 
 fully exemplified, on eighty-three copper plates, including some Observations and Calculations on 
 ine Strength of Timber. 
 
 BY PETER NICHOLSON, 
 
 Aotnar of "The Carpenter and Joiner's Assistant," "The Student's Instructor to the *1r 
 Orders," <tc. 
 
 Thirteenth Edition. One volume, 4to., well bound. 
 U
 
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 WHICH ARE IN DAILY USE. 
 
 TAKEN FROM THE LATIN, FRENCH, GREEK, SPANISH AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES. 
 
 Together with a copious Collection of Law Maxims and Law Terms, translated into 
 
 English, with Illustrations, Historical and Idiomatic. 
 
 NEW AMERICAN EDITION, CORRECTED, WITH ADDITIONS. 
 
 One volume, 1 2 1 1 1 o . 
 
 This volume comprises a copious collection of legal and other terms which are in common use, 
 With English translations and historical illustrations ; and we should judge its author had surely 
 een to a great " Feast of Languages," and stole all the scraps. A work of this character should 
 have an extensive sale, as it entirely obviates a serious difficulty in which most readers are involved 
 by the frequent occurrence of Latin, Greek, and French passages, which we suppose are introduced 
 by authors for a mere show of learning a difficulty very perplexing to readers in general. This 
 " Dictionary of Quotations," concerning which too much cannot be said in its favour, effectually 
 removes the difficulty, and gives the reader an advantage over the author ; for we believe a majority 
 are themselves ignorant of the meaning of the terms they employ. Very few truly learned authon 
 will insult their readers by introducing Latin or French quotations in their writings, when "plain 
 English" will do as well ; but we will not enlarge on this point. 
 
 If the book is useful to those unacquainted with other languages, it is no less valuable to the 
 classically educated as a book of reference, and answers all the purposes of a Lexicon indeed, on 
 many accounts, it is better. It saves the trouble of tumbling over the larger volumes, to which 
 every one, and especially those engaged in the legal profession, are verv often subjected. It should 
 have a place in every library in the country. 
 
 RUSCHENBERGER'S NATURAL HISTORY?, 
 
 COMPLETE, WITH NEW GLOSSARY. 
 
 (Bhnunb of Skturul 
 
 EMBRACING ZOOLOGY, BOTANY AND GEOLOGY! 
 
 FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND FAMILIES. 
 BY W. S. W. HUSCHSNSSHGEH, M. ; 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 WITH NEARLY ONE THOUSAND ILLUSTRATIONS, ANT) A COPIOUS GLOSSARY. 
 VoL I. contains Vertebrate Animals. Vol. II. contains Interocrtebratc Animals, Botany, and Geology. 
 
 A Beautiful and Valuable Presentation Book. 
 
 THE POET'S OFFERING. 
 
 EDITED BY MRS. HALE. 
 
 With a Portrait of the Editress, a Splendid Illuminated Title-Page, and Twelve Beautiful Engrav- 
 ingu by Sartam. Bound in rich Turkey Morocco, and Extra Cloth, Gilt Edge. 
 
 To those who wish to make a present that will never lose its value, this will be found the most 
 desirable Gift-Book ever published. 
 
 " We commend it to all who desire to present a friend with a volume not only very beautiful, but 
 of solid intrinsic value." Washmt/tun Vnum. 
 
 "A perfect treasury of the thoughts and fancies of the best English and American Poets. The 
 paper am! printing are beautiful, and the bindins; rich, elegant, and substantial; the most sensible 
 and attractive at all the elegant gift-books we have seen." Evening Bulletin. 
 
 ' Tlie publishers deserve the thanks of the public for so happy a thought, so well executed. The 
 engravings are by the best artists, and the other portions of the work correspond in elegance." 
 Public Lfdtjer. 
 
 " There is no book of selections so diversified and appropriate within our knowledge." PennsylVn. 
 
 ' It is one of the most valuable as well as elegant books ever published in this country." Godev't 
 bady't Book. _ 
 
 " K is the most beautifu. and the must useful offering ever bestowed on th r ublie. No individual 
 of literary taste will venture to be without it." The City Item 
 
 15
 
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 THE YOUNG DOMINICAN; 
 OR, THE MYSTERIES OF THE INQUISITION, 
 
 AND OTHER SECRET SOCIETIES OF SPAIN. 
 BY M. V. DE FEREAL. 
 
 WITH HISTORICAL NOTES, BY M, MANUEL DE CUENDIAS 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH. 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TWENTY SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS BY FRENCH ARTISTS 
 
 One volume, octavo. 
 
 SAY'S POLITICAL ECONOMY, 
 
 A TREATISE ON POLITICAL ECONOMY; 
 Or, The Production, Distribution and Consumption of Wealth. 
 
 BY JEAN BAFTIST2 SAY. 
 
 FIFTH AMERICAN EDITION, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES, 
 BY C. C. BIDDLE, ESQ. 
 
 In one volume, octavo. 
 
 It would be beneficial to our country if all those who are aspiring to office, were required by their 
 constituents to be familiar with the pages of Say. 
 
 The distinguished biographer of the author, in noticing this work, observes : " Happily for science 
 he commenced that study which forms the basis of his admirable Treatise on Political Economy ; 
 work which not only improved under his hand with every successive edition, but has been translated 
 into most of the European languages." 
 
 The Editor of the North Amenoau Review, speaking of Say, observes, that " he is the moet 
 popular, and perhaps the most able writer on Political Economy, since the time of Smith." 
 
 LAURENCE STERNE'S WORKS, 
 
 WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR: 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 
 
 WITH SEVEN BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS, ENGRAVED BY GILBERT AND GIHON, 
 FROM DESIGNS BY DAK LEY. 
 
 One volume, octavo; cloth, gilt. 
 
 To commend or to criticise Sterne's Works, in this age of the world, would be all " wasteful and 
 extravagant excess." Uncle Toby Corporal Trim the Widow Le Fevre Poor Maria the 
 Captive even the Dead Ass, this is all we have to say of Sterne; and in the memory of these 
 characters, histories, and sketches, a thousand follies and worse than follies are forgotten. The 
 volume is t very handsome one. 
 
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 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
 
 EMBRACING ALL THE OPERATIONS UNDER GENERALS TAYLOR AND SCOTT. 
 
 WITH A BIOGRAPHY OF THE OFFICERS. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO, 
 
 Under tfen. Kearnv Cols. Domphan and Fremont. Together with Numerous Anecdotes of to* 
 
 War, and Personal Adventures of the Officers. Illustrated with Accurate 
 
 Portraits, and other Beautiful Engravings. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 JL _- 16
 
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 and numerous Preparations for Invalids. 
 
 BY MRS. BLISS. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
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 AUTHOR OF " WILD WESTERN SCENES," " THE WESTERN MERCHANT," 4o. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TEN ENGRAVINGS. 
 
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 OR, SIGHTS IN THE GOLD REGION, AND SCENES BY THE WAY, 
 
 BY THEODORE T. JOHNSON. 
 WITH NOTES, BY HON. SAMUEL R. THURSTON, 
 
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 WHAT IS CHURCH HISTORY? 
 
 AVINDICATION OF THE IDEA OF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
 
 BY PHILIP SOHAP. 
 
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