his friend descended to some of the other apartments, which were used as bed-chambers. They were elegantly finished, and furnished with every comfort and luxury, and appeared to be kept in the most perfect order. They then proceeded to the parlors, and withdrawing-rooms on the first floor. These bore the same evidence of taste and elegance-turkey carpets covered the floors, rich damask curtains shaded the windows, and beautiful velvet covered chairs, sofas and ottomans were tastefully arranged through the rooms. The doors were mahogany, with silver hinges and handles, and marble mantles, supported by graceful statues, were surmounted by the rarest of Italian vases and other ornaments of agate and alabaster. One room, especially, the great parlor, as it was called, was ornamented by richly carved and gilded window frames, walls and ceilings painted in fresco; and the furniture was in keeping with the rest.

The porticos or verandas were spacious and airy, well calculated for promenading or lounging in pleasent weather.

Lastly, the gentlemen descended into the basement, where, without elegance there was neatness and comfort. Everything bore a pleasing and cheerful aspect, even the countenances of the slaves, who were busily employed in divers ways, seemed to in

dicate perfect contentment. These last, at the entrance of their master and his guest bowed and courtesied respectfully; and two or three little woolly heads creeping up to the Colonel, caught hold of the skirt of his coat, singing out, "Me berry good boy, massa; gim me penny.'

"You see," said Buchingham, throwing some coppers among them, "how I spoil these creatures."

Aye," replied the other, "but all masters are not like you."

"Granted," said the Colonel, as they stepped from the back door into the garden, and proceeded slowly down a gravel walk towards Cora's favorite retreat, the arbor before mentioned, "granted, but I foresee that you will one day admit, in spite of prejudices, that there really are no such barbarians among us as you have always believed there were."

แ

'Perhaps I may, but I do not feel inclined to do so just at present."

After remaining a short time in the arbor, they took their way from the garden into the lawn, visited a sparkling fountain, where gold and silver fish abounded, and then mounted a spiral staircase, around a large sycamore tree, which terminated in a platform eight or ten feet square. This was one of the original ideas of the Colonel, and the Doctor thought it a very novel one.

They proceeded, onward, conversing the while, until they reached the principal gate at the main entrance, where stood the porter's lodges, a couple of small handsome buildings occupied by one of the Colonels overseers and his family. Here they paused awhile, and then went, by a circuitous path, to the rear of the lawn, beyond the flower garden, where stood the cabins of the slaves. As these were pretty much the same as most of the slave-cabins in the South, I need not pause to describe them. There were only a few old women and some small children about them, as the rest were at work in the fields, whither the gentlemen now proceeded.

As they strolled about, looking at the slaves, who were diligently at work, the Colonel pointed out one in particular, who although he took part in the labor seemed to act as an overseer. He was a strong, large man, and apparently the most active among them.

That," said Buckingham is one of my best men; but when I bought him of my neighbor Harding, whose house you can see through those beech trees yonder, he was the most lazy worthless fellow you can conceive of. His master was always a cruel man-and notwithstanding poor Jerry was severely whipped almost every day, he did not alter in the least.

"Knowing of his ill treatment, and believing that he could be reclaimed by gentle management, I offered to buy him, out of pity. Harding readily agreed to it and I brought him home. Jerry behaved just the same for a while, but I said nothing.

"One day in very hot weather I went out in the field and found him asleep, lying with his face to the sun. I took out my handkerchief and laid it over his ebony features. When he awoke and found what I had done. I was told that he was very much ashamed and mortified, saying, 'Massa was too good to such a wicked nigger.' From this there was a decided improvement in him—and he would work with diligence for a few days, until his old habits of laziness would come on, when he would feign sickness. I would then bathe his head with my own hands, and order two other slaves to sit and fan him. He became so much ashamed at last, knowing that he was so unworthy of such kind treatment, that he suddenly left off all his old tricks, and became one of my trustiest and best workmen. So much for the effects of gentle usage."

While this incident was being related the gentlemen had retraced their steps to the mansion. The young people were sitting in the veranda engaged in lively conversation; and joining them, Buckingham

and his guest assisted to pass away the time until dinner.

Towards evening, Eugene and Melville proposed a ride on horseback to the ladies, which was gleefully accepted by them, on condition that the old gentlemen should accompany them. This was not declined, so they started, a gay cavalcade.

On their way they passed the mansion and grounds of Harding. "There," said Buckingham to his friend, "is the residence of Jerry's former master. He is a hard, cruel man, but strange to say, he is a Northerner, from the state of Ohio, and once was a strong abolitionist."

"A planter from the North!" ejaculated the Doctor, "how can that be?"

"The fact is," replied the Colonel, "the plantation was left to him by a relative of his wife, who is from the same state with her husband; but failing to dispose of it to advantage, as he had desired to do, he at last concluded to come and live on it himself in spite of his prejudices. He has been here nine years, and appears to enjoy his capacity of tyrant, for he abuses his slaves worse than any Southerner I ever heard of. Certainly he was not cruel at first, but being naturally despotic, he loved to exercise power where he found it easy to do so, and therefore it grew on him by degrees till he became what he now is