The Bondwoman's Narrative

by Hannah Crafts

  He repeated the question with something of sternness in his tone.

  “In fact, Sir” said Mr Henry, coming forward. “We can tell you tell you [sic] nothing about Charlotte. She was here yesterday, to[-]day she is not.”

  “Then she went off last night, eh” said the trader.

  “And they went together” answered Cropp. “This is better than I hoped, we can now put the dogs on the fresh track, and they can hardly fail to run them down.”

  The dogs were long, gaunt, and lean, inexpressibly fierce with a cannibal look that made me tremble.

  Mr Henry inquired of Cropp if the dogs belonged to him.

  “No such good news as that” he answered. “They belong to my brother-in-law fifty miles from here.”

  “And you sent for them?”

  “I did, thinking Bill’s recovery well worth the trouble and expense. He was well worth fifteen hundred of any man’s money, to say nothing of the example. If one of these fellows gets off safe, another will soon follow, and then another untill all the best hands have gone. But they hate mortally to be overtaken, and brought back, and with these hounds real Cuban, and the best in the country I think we can catch them.”

  “Do let them go” said Mrs Henry imploringly.

  “Let ’em go, indeed” said Cropp, and he exchanged glances with the trader.

  “Do you really sympathise with them so much, madam?[”] inquired the latter.

  Mr Henry caught the eyes of his wife before she had time to answer and shook his head significantly feared the consequences of his wife’s imprudence.

  “Let me reply for her” he said. “It is her nature to sympathise with everything weak and unprotected, and I believe most women are alike in this respect.[”]

  “Far from it” said Cropp. “Why my wife is dev’lish hard on the slaves, worse than I be. She actually killed two or three of the best gals I ever had. Just worked them to death. I told her ’twasn’t right, and money out of pocket, too.”

  “Very well, Cropp” said the trader. “Your wife is sharp no doubt, and keen for her own interests which is right, but in one thing I don’t agree with you. I don’t believe there ever was a negro that would hurt himself at work. However I think we had better be off.”

  The two arose, went out on the piazza, and stood a few minutes conversing in a low tone. Then Mr Cropp came back, put his head in at the door, and asked if William had been to the Mr Henry would object to letting the dogs into Charlotte’s room.

  “They are undoubtedly together” said Cropp “and if Tiger, there, can get the scent of both on a fresh track their chances of escape a[i]n’t worth a farthing.”

  Mrs Henry involuntarily raised her eyes to heaven; while her husband rose and himself led the way to the room they sought.

  The dogs ran round and round snuffing and smelling at the carpet. At length Tiger uttered a fierce bay.

  “He has found the scent” said Cropp. “Hunt: seek ’em find ’em Tiger, that’s a good dog.”

  Thus encouraged the dog leaped furiously against the outer door. It was opened. He rushed out, tore down the garden alley, and entered the bower baying madly. We had no desire to look after them, but an hour later I heard their wild voices ringing through the forest.

  That night the prayer of Mr Henry was characterised by unusual solemnity, and he especially asked the blessing and protection of Heaven for such wanderers as had not where [sic] to lay their heads.

  CHAPTER 12

  A New Mistress

  I am poor, and sorrowful.

  DAVID

  Two days elapsed without our hearing any news of Charlotte, or her husband. During all this time Mrs Henry was in the greatest state of alarm and anxiety, her appetite failed, sleep nearly fled her eyelids, and her feverish imagination conjured up many pictures of direful misery. She thought of her beautiful favorite hunted like a wild beast from place to place, without food or shelter; and strong only in her love, or even yet more fearful painted her torn by dogs, and expiring without a friend to wipe the death-damps from her brow, or point her parting soul to the Cross of Calvary.

  But on the third day Mr Henry at her earnest so in compliance with her earnest solicitation, rode over to Cropp’s farm to learn the result of the hunt. To our great delight he returned with information that the fugitives had escaped. By some mysterious process they had baffled the dogs, outwitted their pursuers, and were probably on the high road to freedom and happiness. The trader, however had gone forward thinking to intercept them in crossing a river; while Cropp returned to his estate his temper soured by disappointment, and fully prepared to wreak vengeance for his loss on the innocent and helpless.

  It was now June, the laboriest month summer, and Nature wore her gayest robes, but my expected Master had not arrived. Indeed he had written another letter stating that sickness in his family detained him, and commanding me to abide where I was for the present. Events are usually crowded, and the same day we received this letter Mrs Wheeler came on her summer visit. Mrs Henry received her with gracious politeness, and led her to the apartments appropriated for her use. It would be a difficult undertaking to describe all the costly and elegant and beautiful things they contained. The dainty drawers, the exquisite little cases and boxes for jewelry and fancy things. Then the tables set off with flowers and damask, the chairs in velvet and brocade, and the bed so white, and fresh and sweet that it resembled an Alpine snow-drift. I remember thinking at the time what a blessed thing it must be, not only to have friends, but to [be] able to treat them so luxuriously.

  Mrs Wheeler complained of feeble health, and required the most incessant attendance. Her two waiting maids had ran [sic] off to the North, and she had been thus far unable to suit herself with another. Now that Charlotte was absent Mrs Henry could not supply her wants, unless I consented to perform the service service. This I readily engaged to do, wishing not only to oblige the lady, but to show my gratitude to Mrs Henry. The next morning Mrs Wheeler sent for me to her room. She was languidly reclining in a large chamber chair deeply cushioned, loosely enveloped in a light morning wrapper. She made an effort to smile as I advanced, and inquired in a particularly bland, soft, insinuating voice if I could perform the duties of Lady’s maid.

  “I can try, madam” I answered.

  “But trying will not suit me, unless you succeed” she answered quickly. “Can you dress hair?”

  “I have done something at it.”

  “Did you do it well and as it should be done?”

  “There was no fault found.”

  “Well, that I may be enabled to judge of your skill in that fashionable art I wish you to dress my hair this morning.”

  “But Madam.”

  “What?”

  “There are many styles of dressing hair.”

  “Certainly, put mine in the most graceful style of morning costume you know.”

  “Yes, Madam.” And I went to work with combs, brushes and pomatum [pomade].

  “Be careful” she exclaimed. “My hair, I expect, is excessively tangled, as it hasn’t been combed for more than a week.”

  “Indeed, Madam.”

  It’s more than a week I think, yes I know it is

  “I was too feeble to think of attempting it myself, and since Jane ran off, there has been no one to whom I could think of entrusting my head, till Mrs Henry so warmly recommended you.”

  “I am much obliged to Mrs Henry I am sure.[”]

  “Jane was very handy at almost everything” she continued. “You will seldom find a slave so handy, but she grew discontented and dissatisfied with her condition, thought she could do better in a land of freedom, and such like I watched her closely you may depend; there, there, how you pull.”

  The comb had caught in a snarl of hair.

  “Forgive me, madam, but I could not help it; the hair is actually matted.”

  “Oh dear, this is what I have to endure from losing Jane, but she’ll have to suffer more, probably. I didn’t much like the idea
of bringing her to Washington. It was all Mr Wheeler’s fault. He wanted me to come, and I couldn’t think of doing without her in my feeble health. Are you getting the tangles most out?”

  “I believe so.”

  “My husband, you are aware, occupies a high official position in the Federal City, which gives us access to the best society the Capital affords. While there my time was chiefly occupied in giving and receiving visits, attending parties, and going to places of amusement. As I knew that Washington was swarming with the enemies of our domestic institution I told Catharine, my second maid, to keep a sharp eye on Jane, and if strangers called on her during my absence, or she received messages from them to inform me. Hannah Hannah, why I can’t stand such rough usage.[”]

  “I do my best, madam, but your hair is in a dreadful state.”

  “I know that, but do be careful” and she continued the rehearsal of Jane’s conduct.

  Those who suppose that southern ladies keep their attendants at a distance, scarcely speaking to them, or only to give commands have a very erroneous impression. Between the mistress and her slave a freedom exists probably not to be found elsewhere. A northern woman would have recoiled at the idea of communicating a private history to one of my race, and in my condition, whereas such a thought never occurred to Mrs Wheeler. I was near her. She was not fond of silence when there was a listener, and I was pleased with her apparent sociality.

  “Catharine, however” she went on “was false to her trust, but I had a little page, or errand boy, who discovered that something was not right, and so came to me one day, with the information that both Jane and Catharine had received a letter from somebody. [‘]And who were they from?[’] I inquired.

  “ [‘]Can’t tell for certain, but I think[’] he answered, scratching his head.

  “ [‘]And what do you think?[’]

  “ [‘]Why Missus, to tell you all about it. The ’Hio man’s servant has been here good many times, and Jane said he was her brother, but I knowed better and told her so; then she wanted me not to tell you, but I told her that I should. And to[-]day he was skulking round here and then they both had letters, and that’s just what I know.[’] ”

  “Who did he mean by the ’Hio man?”

  “The Senator from Ohio, whose name I forget, but who professed a great regard for slaves and negroes, I don’t know why, unless because he was so black himself, his mulatto servant being much the whitest, and best looking man of the two. This fellow was thought to have his master’s concurrence in persuading servants to abandon their masters; it was even suspected that the grave senator assisted in spiriting them away.”

  “Did many go?”

  “I should think so. Nearly every family lost two or more, and these generally speaking the most valuable ones they possessed. I told my husband that there was something in the wind, but he only laughed at me, said there was no danger of our servants going, that they were too well off, and knew it, and so one night when I was attending a party at the Russian Minister’s they took themselves away off.[”]

  “Did you try to recover them?[”]

  “Oh, no: Mr Wheeler said that it would be of no use, and then he disliked making a hue and cry about a slave at the Federal Capital, so we said little as possible about it.”

  “Well Madam, your hair is completed; will you tell me how you like it?” said I, bringing forward a mirror. “To me it looks well.”

  “So it does, why Hannah I must retain you in my service.”

  I bowed, but said nothing. Notwithstanding her sociality and freedom of conversation there was something in her manner that I did not like. Her voice had that low was soft and low, but the tone was rather artificial than natural. Her manner was exceedingly pleasant and kind, though I could not help fearing that it was affected. Then there was a sparkle in her eye, and a tremor in her frame when she became agitated that indicated an effort to keep down strong passion.

  While assisting at her toilet I was greatly amused with the gossip and titbits of Washington scandal she related, yet my heart did not yearn towards her as it [did] to Mrs Henry, and I felt a certain presentiment that by acquaintance with her she must be less good.

  Her toilet preperations being finished she retired to her breakfast room, a dainty little boudoir, with a great bow window, completely trellised by climbing rose vines. Here she was joined by Mrs Henry, and they partook together their morning meal.

  “You find Hannah right handy, don’t you?” inquired Mrs Henry.

  “Oh, very, I have serious thoughts of dictating a letter to that gentleman this day, if you will give me his name and address. I must endeavor to secure her. She could fill the place of Jane so exactly.”

  “She would do more” said Mrs Henry. “Hannah is a good girl; she has good principles, and is I believe a consistent Christian. I don’t think your Jane was either.”

  “Oh, as to that” said Mrs Wheeler [“]it makes little difference. I never trouble myself about the principles of my girls; so they are obedient is all I require.”

  After breakfast Mrs Henry went out to give the servants their orders for the day, while Mrs Wheeler se Wheeler requested me to read for her. I had not gone over two pages, when she called for pillows, which were to be disposed about her person to facilitate slumber; then she inquired if I was musical, adding that Jane used to soothe her to sleep with the guitar. I had played a little on the harp, and so I told her. She bade me get it, and play softly, very softly on account of her nerves. Then settling her person among the pillows, but in such a manner as not to derange her hair she prepared to take a nap. My music, however, did not suit her. It was sharp, or flat, or dull, or insipid anything but what she wished.

  I was sorry at my inability to please her, and apologised of course in the best language I was able to command.

  It was singular, indeed, but there was something imperative in her manner. Her requests, though made in the softest voice, implied command. You were not forced, but awed to obedience.

  That afternoon she dictated a letter for me to write. It was to my prospective master, and the subject was myself. It opened as business letters usually do, very brief and concise. Then it stated that she, (Mrs Wheeler) was visiting Mrs Henry, that she had seen me, that I was very homely, and what was worse a bigot in religion; that I wept and shuddered at the idea of being transferred to his family, though I was very fond of her, and that my earnest solicitations had induced her to offer to purchase me, though she could not give anything like a great price, as she had many doubts of my ability to serve her properly, and thought from my previous character that I would be likely to run away the first opportunity.

  No one can doubt that I hesitated to pen such a libel on myself. She perceived my feelings.

  “All in the way of a bargain, my dear” she said smiling in her blandest manner. “I think you quite beautiful but of course others might not; then you are doubtless very good, yet some might consider your notions of religion and truth as highly improper for one in your station, and of course you prefer the service of a lady to that of a gentleman, in which probably you would be compelled to sacrifise [sic] honor and virtue. Upon the whole my dear, that letter is destined to do you a great kindness, greater in all probability than you can imagine. Don’t you think so?”

  I said like enough.

  “Again” she continued “though you have not solicitated me to become your purchaser Mrs Henry has, which is just the same thing in substance, and as to my last remark of not being perfectly satisfied with your ways, as no one can pretend to perfection in this world it is nothing. Don’t you see it so?”

  “I cannot say that I do” I answered faintly.

  Her eyes sparkled, her frame trembled, but her voice retained the same soft persuasive tone.

  [“]Now Hannah, don’t be foolish, you know that I have great need of your services. Do you wish me to write that you are very beautiful and good?”

  “Oh, Madam, you know I do not.”

  “Then why not re
main satisfied with it as it is?”

  “I am satisfied.”

  “Very well, that is all. Now seal the letter.”

  The letter was sealed, and despatched by the errand boy to the Post Office. Mrs Henry came in, and Mrs Wheeler informed her that I had written a beautiful letter at her dictation, being myself perfectly suited and satisfied with the contents. Mrs Henry congratulated me on my improved prospects, and I saw how her open and guileless nature had been duped.

  Days passed away and still I was the attendant of Mrs Wheeler, though it is impossible to say how irksome the duty had become. There seemed no end to her vanities, and whims, and caprices. She reminded me exactly of a spoiled child that never cares for what it has, but is always wanting something new. She would call for a pomegranite, just taste, and then order it away, and ask for a nutmeg or citron. These obtained were not prized, and something else was wanted. Yet I observed that such exhibitions of disquiet and discontent were never made in the presence of Mrs Henry. Everything, then, was nice, beautiful, and excellent. It seemed never to occur to her that a person could be ill or weary, though all the time complaining of feebleness herself. Sometimes in the dead hours of night she would call me out of bed to get her some kind of candy or confectionary. Then she would call for water to take away the saccharine taste; and then again for more candy. Sometimes it would be for salt, and at others vinegar; there was no telling. She used always to charge me order me not to let Mrs Henry know how foolish she was, and I was silly enough to obey her.