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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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[Transcribers note: This book included many illustrations. These illustrations are included in the HTML edition.]
Amusing Trial, in Which a Yankee Lawyer Rendered a Just Verdict.
Published at the Office of the Youth’s Cabinet, 126 Fulton Street.
New York.
1841.
[Illustration: A Slave sold at Auction.]
A time there was, when no
one thought
It sin, to hold a slave he’d
bought,
And of his strength have the
command,
As much as of his house and
land.
A Yankee Lawyer long had kept
A negro-man with whom he slept.
[Illustration]
And ate, and Sabbath day,
He half the time from church
would stay;
When Cuff his master’s
garments wore.—
’Twas strange you say,
but he was poor;
And though he cared not for
Cuff’s soul,
Yet such the times, that on
the whole,
[Illustration: Cage.]
“Disguise thyself
as thou wilt, still, slavery, thou art a bitter
draught.”—Sterne.
His slave must to the meeting
go,
If ’twas for nothing
but a show.
They lived on thus for several
years—
One would not think, that
many tears
Would fall from off that shining
face,
So sleek and smooth, or he
would trace
[Illustration: Note.—In some parts of the country, slaves are scantily fed, while their masters live in luxury.]
The chain which bound, or
wish to break,
But choose to stay for his
own sake,
Where he so well was clothed
and fed,
And shared the lawyer’s
food and bed,
So well contented he might
be,
He’d hardly know but
he was free,
[Illustration: Fetters formerly used by the slave traders, to confine the ankles of their victims. The editor has seen some that were actually used by Rhode Island traders.]
But make the fetters of pure
gold.
They’re hateful still,
they gall, they hold,
And if the pill is sugared
o’er,
’Tis still as bitter
as before.
Cuff ponder’d much,
but did not know,
If he his master left to go,
[Illustration: A Cruel Master.]
And seek his fortune, he could
find
Another master half so kind,
And who would give so large
a share
Of the small pittance he could
spare,
And every privilege could
grant,
Which he could need or ever
want;
[Illustration: Emblem of Freedom.—A moth just changed from its chrysalis state, deserting its shell.]
But then of freedom he had
heard,
And ere the dawning light
appeared.
Early one morning Cuff arose,
And quickly putting on his
clothes,
Stole softly out; lest he
should wake
His master, who would rouse
and shake
[Illustration: Note.—The Lawyer owned a Blacksmith’s shop.]
The slumbers from his drowsy
eyes,
And think that it was time
to rise.
So Cuff went off. His
master woke,
And Cuff was gone! It
was no joke.
The Lawyer’s work must
now be done,
All by himself; and till the
sun
[Illustration: A man escaping from slavery.]
Is slowly sinking in the west,
He’ll scarcely have
a minute’s rest.
He felt his temper quickly
rise,
Thinking his slave too rich
a prize,
To be allowed to slip away,
Without a trial for “fair
play;”
[Illustration: A slave-catcher is worse than a beast of prey.]
Said he, “My course
is plain enough,
I’ll take my horse and
go for Cuff,
For he’s my slave, and
he shall give
To me, his service if he live.”
Saddling his horse he mounts
him quick,
Drives after Cuff with spur
and stick:
[Illustration: “Angel of Mercy.”]
But soon he paused his cause
to try,
And thus he said, Why should
not I
Be slave instead of Cuff,
and he
As well be running after me
As I for him?—I’ll
let him go,
Whether he’s free by
law or no.
[Illustration: Justice freeing the slave.]
For God who fashioned him and me, No doubt MADE ALL HIS CHILDREN FREE. So justice o’er his mind held sway, And Cuff in freedom, went his way.
[Illustration: Emancipation.]