The Adopted Daughter: A Tale for Young Persons

appointment the following evening,

n house; and Syphax, who soon gained intelligence among the slaves of his rapaciousness, and cruel conduct towards them, informed his master, though not without great fear of the consequence. The very idea of having part of our property in our f

have felt what they feel.' 'And I too,' said Syphax; 'at l

us not live in the constant apprehension of what they must suffer to provide us rum, and sugar, and sweetmeats, when we are not here to see how they are treated." My arguments prevailed, and the plantation was sold with the

w in their younger days were not Christians; 'but now we see what Christians are,' said they, 'and we will love them dearly.' Alas! they had seen

eat advantage to ourselves), my husband satisfied Jackson's demands; and we were pleased to hear him say, that he

. Meridith caught the infection. He would have insisted on my leaving him, but I would not hear of it; I sent my two children with Bella and Syphax to a distant part of the island, fully assured that the

service; and I think it but a poor amends to their families, the being enabled to assist them, who must feel the loss of a son and a daughter, too keenly for money to recompense, at least if they feel like me. It was my anxiety alone, and extreme solicitude for my husband, which preve

ution had received a shock from the fever, and the violent remedies which were given him for it, which he never recovered; and I had the misery of seeing his health daily growing worse and worse, though every medicine and change of air was repeatedly tried. His uncle an

us life for what I have not the most distant prospect of obtaining; my health is too far gone ever to be recovere

n when only thirty years old. Need I tell you my distress, or what I felt when I found he was no more-but that would be impossible! The faithful affection of Syphax and Bella, both to him and myself, I can never forget; and I now wished to live only for my children; and, in pursuance to his injunction, to exert myself for their sake; but alas! they were too soo

whom I could love; when but a few months back I had an affectionate husband

ept aloud, and throwing her arms around her neck, said in broken accents, "Oh! my dear Mamma, I can never be

ere buried at Coombdale, and where, my friend," addressing Mr. Campbell, who could only bow his assent, "if you survive me, I hope you will see me buried also, I left the place where every thing reminded me of my heavy loss; and after a visit to London for a few weeks, to settle and regulate my affairs, I determined to seek the place of my childhood, and i

far more eloquent, in her opinion, than all the professions they could have made. Each looked at her with pity and admiration; and Anna thought s

e retrospection of her many trials had been too much for her, and she remained absorbed in silent grief. After her uncle and aunt had left them, on finding her friend did not

rs. Meridith, "is most likel

ve heard you say," replied Anna

consolation?" said Mrs. Me

that is the Scriptures," replie

rn that the best of men are not exempt from affliction; why

lked to the farm, as Mrs. Meridith was anxious to see Mr. and Mrs. Campbell after her late recital. When they arrived neither of them we

er just come from the house, her eyes full of tears. "What is t

a distressed family indeed: her husband has such bad hea

s. Meridith; "she was always a very

her loss more severely felt; she has left six chi

row. "Here is a case worse than mine," thought Mrs. Meridith: "poverty and ill health I never knew." She did not at

wife to me;" and then looking at his children, he repeated with tears, "if it had been

hem," returned Mrs. Meridith; "do not despair,"

e only one who could be of any use in the house), Anna proposed their sending an old woman in the village, whose home was not very comfortable at her son's-in-law, with whom she then lived, to take care of Lewry's family. This arrangem

, who were chiefly girls, saying, "I knew their poor mother well, and a kind neighbour she always was to me; and

then about six years old, always attracted their attention; and Mrs. Meridith asked her daughter if she wo

ce, and with Bella to teach her what I do not know, I hope I should not spoil

rite must not withdraw your affection fr

replied the affectionate girl; "can I ever love

arity, if we gain her confidence and esteem, and teach her rightly to appreciate her own character, we need not be afraid of disrespect. I should wish a servant to be well acquainted with me, and to believe that I would not betray the trust she reposed in me; and it is desira