Our Nig

by Harriet E. Wilson

  It was characteristic of Mrs. B. never to rise in her majesty, unless she was sure she should be victorious.

  This affair never met with an “ after clap, ” like many others.

  Thus passed a year. The usual amount of scolding, but fewer whippings. Mrs. B. longed once more for Mary’s return, who had been absent over a year ; and she wrote imperatively for her to come quickly to her. A letter came in reply, announcing that she would comply as soon as she was sufficiently recovered from an illness which detained her.

  No serious apprehensions were cherished by either parent, who constantly looked for notice of her arrival, by mail. Another letter brought tidings that Mary was seriously ill ; her mother’s presence was solicited.

  She started without delay. Before she reached her destination, a letter came to the parents announcing her death.

  No sooner was the astounding news received, than Frado rushed into Aunt Abby’s, exclaiming:—

  “ She’s dead, Aunt Abby ! ”

  “ Who ? ” she asked, terrified by the unprefaced announcement.

  “ Mary ; they ’ve just had a letter. ”

  As Mrs. B. was away, the brother and sister could freely sympathize, and she sought him in this fresh sorrow, to communicate such solace as she could, and to learn particulars of Mary’s untimely death, and assist him in his journey thither.

  It seemed a thanksgiving to Frado. Every hour or two she would pop in into Aunt Abby’s room with some strange query:

  “ She got into the river again, Aunt Abby, did n’t she ; the Jordan is a big one to tumble into, any how. S’posen she goes to hell, she ’ll be as black as I am. Would n’t mistress be mad to see her a nigger ! ” and others of a similar stamp, not at all acceptable to the pious, sympathetic dame ; but she could not evade them.

  The family returned from their sorrowful journey, leaving the dead behind. Nig looked for a change in her tyrant ; what could subdue her, if the loss of her idol could not ?

  Never was Mrs. B. known to shed tears so profusely, as when she reiterated to one and another the sad particulars of her darling’s sickness and death. There was, indeed, a season of quiet grief ; it was the lull of the fiery elements. A few weeks revived the former tempests, and so at variance did they seem with chastisement sanctified, that Frado felt them to be unbearable. She determined to flee. But where ? Who would take her ? Mrs. B. had always represented her ugly. Perhaps every one thought her so. Then no one would take her. She was black, no one would love her. She might have to return, and then she would be more in her mistress’ power than ever.

  She remembered her victory at the wood-pile. She decided to remain to do as well as she could ; to assert her rights when they were trampled on ; to return once more to her meeting in the evening, which had been prohibited. She had learned how to conquer ; she would not abuse the power while Mr. Bellmont was at home.

  But had she not better run away ? Where ? She had never been from the place far enough to decide what course to take. She resolved to speak to Aunt Abby. She mapped the dangers of her course, her liability to fail in finding so good friends as John and herself. Frado’s mind was busy for days and nights. She contemplated administering poison to her mistress, to rid herself and the house of so detestable a plague.

  But she was restrained by an overruling Providence ; and finally decided to stay contentedly through her period of service, which would expire when she was eighteen years of age.

  In a few months Jane returned home with her family, to relieve her parents, upon whom years and affliction had left the marks of age. The years intervening since she had left her home, had, in some degree, softened the opposition to her unsanctioned marriage with George. The more Mrs. B. had about her, the more energetic seemed her directing capabilities, and her fault-finding propensities. Her own, she had full power over ; and Jane after vain endeavors, became disgusted, weary, and perplexed, and decided that, though her mother might suffer, she could not endure her home. They followed Jack to the West. Thus vanished all hopes of sympathy or relief from this source to Frado. There seemed no one capable of enduring the oppressions of the house but her. She turned to the darkness of the future with the determination previously formed, to remain until she should be eighteen. Jane begged her to follow her so soon as she should be released ; but so wearied out was she by her mistress, she felt disposed to flee from any and every one having her similitude of name or feature.

  CHAPTER XI.

  MARRIAGE AGAIN.

  Crucified the hopes that cheered me,

  All that to the earth endeared me;

  Love of wealth and fame and power,

  Love, — all have been crucified.

  C. E.

  DARKNESS before day. Jane left, but Jack was now to come again. After Mary’s death he visited home, leaving a wife behind. An orphan whose home was with a relative, gentle, loving, the true mate of kind, generous Jack. His mother was a stranger to her, of course, and had perfect right to interrogate:

  “ Is she good looking, Jack ? ” asked his mother.

  “ Looks well to me, ” was the laconic reply.

  “ Was her father rich ? ”

  “ Not worth a copper, as I know of ; I never asked him, ” answered Jack.

  “ Hadn’t she any property ? What did you marry her for, ” asked his mother.

  “ Oh, she’s worth a million dollars, mother, though not a cent of it is in money. ”

  “ Jack ! what do you want to bring such a poor being into the family, for ? You’d better stay here, at home, and let your wife go. Why could n’t you try to do better, and not disgrace your parents ? ”

  “ Don’t judge, till you see her, ” was Jack’s reply, and immediately changed the subject. It was no recommendation to his mother, and she did not feel prepared to welcome her cordially now he was to come with his wife. He was indignant at his mother’s advice to desert her. It rankled bitterly in his soul, the bare suggestion. He had more to bring. He now came with a child also. He decided to leave the West, but not his family.

  Upon their arrival, Mrs. B. extended a cold welcome to her new daughter, eyeing her dress with closest scrutiny. Poverty was to her a disgrace, and she could not associate with any thus dishonored. This coldness was felt by Jack’s worthy wife, who only strove the harder to recommend herself by her obliging, winning ways.

  Mrs. B. could never let Jack be with her alone without complaining of this or that deficiency in his wife.

  He cared not so long as the complaints were piercing his own ears. He would not have Jenny disquieted. He passed his time in seeking employment.

  A letter came from his brother Lewis, then at the South, soliciting his services. Leaving his wife, he repaired thither.

  Mrs. B. felt that great restraint was removed, that Jenny was more in her own power. She wished to make her feel her inferiority ; to relieve Jack of his burden if he would not do it himself. She watched her incessantly, to catch at some act of Jenny’s which might be construed into conjugal unfaithfulness.

  Near by were a family of cousins, one a young man of Jack’s age, who, from love to his cousin, proffered all needful courtesy to his stranger relative. Soon news reached Jack that Jenny was deserting her covenant vows, and had formed an illegal intimacy with his cousin. Meantime Jenny was told by her mother-in-law that Jack did not marry her untrammelled. He had another love whom he would be glad, even now, if he could, to marry. It was very doubtful if he ever came for her.

  Jenny would feel pained by her unwelcome gossip, and, glancing at her child, she decided, however true it might be, she had a pledge which would enchain him yet. Ere long, the mother’s inveterate hate crept out into some neighbor’s enclosure, and, caught up hastily, they passed the secret round till it became none, and Lewis was sent for, the brother by whom Jack was employed. The neighbors saw her fade in health and spirits ; they found letters never reached their destination when sent by either. Lewis arrived with the joyful news that he had come to take Jenny home
with him.

  What a relief to her to be freed from the gnawing taunts of her adversary.

  Jenny retired to prepare for the journey, and Mrs. B. and Henry had a long interview. Next morning he informed Jenny that new clothes would be necessary, in order to make her presentable to Baltimore society, and he should return without her, and she must stay till she was suitably attired.

  Disheartened, she rushed to her room, and, after relief from weeping, wrote to Jack to come ; to have pity on her, and take her to him. No answer came. Mrs. Smith, a neighbor, watchful and friendly, suggested that she write away from home, and employ some one to carry it to the office who would elude Mrs. B., who, they very well knew, had intercepted Jenny’s letter, and influenced Lewis to leave her behind. She accepted the offer, and Frado succeeded in managing the affair so that Jack soon came to the rescue, angry, wounded, and forever after alienated from his early home and his mother. Many times would Frado steal up into Jenny’s room, when she knew she was tortured by her mistress’ malignity, and tell some of her own encounters with her, and tell her she might “ be sure it would n’t kill her, for she should have died long before at the same treatment. ”

  Susan and her child succeeded Jenny as visitors. Frado had merged into womanhood, and, retaining what she had learned, in spite of the few privileges enjoyed formerly, was striving to enrich her mind. Her school-books were her constant companions, and every leisure moment was applied to them. Susan was delighted to witness her progress, and some little book from her was a reward sufficient for any task imposed, however difficult. She had her book always fastened open near her, where she could glance from toil to soul refreshment. The approaching spring would close the term of years which Mrs. B. claimed as the period of her servitude. Often as she passed the waymarks of former years did she pause to ponder on her situation, and wonder if she could succeed in providing for her own wants. Her health was delicate, yet she resolved to try.

  Soon she counted the time by days which should release her. Mrs. B. felt that she could not well spare one who could so well adapt herself to all departments — man, boy, housekeeper, domestic, etc. She begged Mrs. Smith to talk with her, to show her how ungrateful it would appear to leave a home of such comfort — how wicked it was to be ungrateful ! But Frado replied that she had had enough of such comforts ; she wanted some new ones ; and as it was so wicked to be ungrateful, she would go from temptation ; Aunt Abby said “ we must n’t put ourselves in the way of temptation. ”

  Poor little Fido ! She shed more tears over him than over all beside.

  The morning for departure dawned. Frado engaged to work for a family a mile distant. Mrs. Bellmont dismissed her with the assurance that she would soon wish herself back again, and a present of a silver half dollar.

  Her wardrobe consisted of one decent dress, without any superfluous accompaniments. A Bible from Susan she felt was her greatest treasure.

  Now was she alone in the world. The past year had been one of suffering resulting from a fall, which had left her lame.

  The first summer passed pleasantly, and the wages earned were expended in garments necessary for health and cleanliness. Though feeble, she was well satisfied with her progress. Shut up in her room, after her toil was finished, she studied what poor samples of apparel she had, and, for the first time, prepared her own garments.

  Mrs. Moore, who employed her, was a kind friend to her, and attempted to heal her wounded spirit by sympathy and advice, burying the past in the prospects of the future. But her failing health was a cloud no kindly human hand could dissipate. A little light work was all she could accomplish. A clergyman, whose family was small, sought her, and she was removed there. Her engagement with Mrs. Moore finished in the fall. Frado was anxious to keep up her reputation for efficiency, and often pressed far beyond prudence. In the winter she entirely gave up work, and confessed herself thoroughly sick. Mrs. Hale, soon overcome by additional cares, was taken sick also, and now it became necessary to adopt some measures for Frado’s comfort, as well as to relieve Mrs. Hale. Such dark forebodings as visited her as she lay, solitary and sad, no moans or sighs could relieve.

  The family physician pronounced her case one of doubtful issue. Frado hoped it was final. She could riot feel relentings that her former home was abandoned, and yet, should she be in need of succor could she obtain it from one who would now so grudgingly bestow it ? The family were applied to, and it was decided to take her there. She was removed to a room built out from the main building, used formerly as a workshop, where cold and rain found unobstructed access, and here she fought with bitter reminiscences and future prospects till she became reckless of her faith and hopes and person, and half wished to end what nature seemed so tardily to take.

  Aunt Abby made her frequent visits, and at last had her removed to her own apartment, where she might supply her wants, and minister to her once more in heavenly things.

  Then came the family consultation.

  “ What is to be done with her, ” asked Mrs. B., “ after she is moved there with Nab ? ”

  “ Send for the Dr., your brother, ” Mr. B. replied.

  “ When ? ”

  “ To-night. ”

  “ To-night ! and for her ! Wait till morning, ” she continued.

  “ She has waited too long now ; I think something should be done soon. ”

  “ I doubt if she is much sick, ” sharply interrupted Mrs. B.

  “ Well, we’ll see what our brother thinks. ”

  His coming was longed for by Frado, who had known him well during her long sojourn in the family ; and his praise of her nice butter and cheese, from which his table was supplied, she knew he felt as well as spoke.

  “ You ’re sick, very sick, ” he said, quickly, after a moment’s pause, “ Take good care of her, Abby, or she ’ll never get well. All broken down. ”

  “ Yes, it was at Mrs. Moore’s, ” said Mrs. B., “ all this was done. She did but little the latter part of the time she was here. ”

  “ It was commenced longer ago than last summer. Take good care of her ; she may never get well, ” remarked the Dr.

  “ We sha’ n’t pay you for doctoring her ; you may look to the town for that, sir, ” said Mrs. B., and abruptly left the room.

  “ Oh dear ! oh dear ! ” exclaimed Frado, and buried her face in the pillow.

  A few kind words of consolation, and she was once more alone in the darkness which enveloped her previous days. Yet she felt sure they owed her a shelter and attention, when disabled, and she resolved to feel patient, and remain till she could help herself. Mrs. B. would not attend her, nor permit her domestic to stay with her at all. Aunt Abby was her sole comforter. Aunt Abby’s nursing had the desired effect, and she slowly improved. As soon as she was able to be moved, the kind Mrs. Moore took her to her home again, and completed what Aunt Abby had so well commenced. Not that she was well, or ever would be ; but she had recovered so far as rendered it hopeful she might provide for her own wants. The clergyman at whose house she was taken sick, was now seeking some one to watch his sick children, and as soon as he heard of her recovery, again asked for her services.

  What seemed so light and easy to others, was too much for Frado ; and it became necessary to ask once more where the sick should find an asylum.

  All felt that the place where her declining health began, should be the place of relief ; so they applied once more for a shelter.

  “ No, ” exclaimed the indignant Mrs. B. ; “ she she shall never come under this roof again ; never ! never ! ” she repeated, as if each repetition were a bolt to prevent admission.

  One only resource ; the public must pay the expense. So she was removed to the home of two maidens, (old,) who had principle enough to be willing to earn the money a charitable public disburses.

  Three years of weary sickness wasted her, without extinguishing a life apparently so feeble. Two years had these maidens watched and cared for her, and they began to weary, and finally to request the
authorities to remove her.

  Mrs. Hoggs was a lover of gold and silver, and she asked the favor of filling her coffers by caring for the sick. The removal caused severe sickness.

  By being bolstered in the bed, after a time she could use her hands, and often would ask for sewing to beguile the tedium. She had become very expert with her needle the first year of her release from Mrs. B., and she had forgotten none of her skill. Mrs. H. praised her, and as she improved in health, was anxious to employ her. She told her she could in this way replace her clothes, and as her board would be paid for, she would thus gain something.

  Many times her hands wrought when her body was in pain ; but the hope that she might yet help herself, impelled her on.

  Thus she reckoned her store of means by a few dollars, and was hoping soon to come in possession, when she was startled by the announcement that Mrs. Hoggs had reported her to the physician and town officers as an impostor. That she was, in truth, able to get up and go to work.

  This brought on a severe sickness of two weeks, when Mrs. Moore again sought her, and took her to her home. She had formerly had wealth at her command, but misfortune had deprived her of it, and unlocked her heart to sympathies and favors she had never known while it lasted. Her husband, defrauded of his last means by a branch of the Bellmont family, had supported them by manual labor, gone to the West, and left his wife and four young children. But she felt humanity required her to give a shelter to one she knew to be worthy of a hospitable reception. Mrs. Moore’s physician was called, and pronounced her a very sick girl, and encouraged Mrs. M. to keep her and care for her, and he would see that the authorities were informed of Frado’s helplessness, and pledged assistance.

  Here she remained till sufficiently restored to sew again. Then came the old resolution to take care of herself, to cast off the unpleasant charities of the public.