Hatchie, the Guardian Slave; or, The Heiress of Bellevue

daughter of a

en as shrubs an

know the ran

ho from such a

ch a s

ow

cenes of triumph and of conquest that awaited her. She was not dazzled by the brilliancy of the position to which wealth and an honorable name entitled her. Such thoughts never occurred to her. She did think of Henry Carroll; but not in the proud situation to which her wealth might elevate him, but as a pure heart that would beat in unison with her own, that would sympathize with her in her hour of sorrow; as one who would mingle his

unceremonious blending of dollars and cents with the revered name of her father wa

illany. He looked gloomy and sorrowful. So thoroughly had he schooled himself in hypocrisy for this occasion, that the scene he knew would, in a few minutes, transpire, had no prophetic ind

allude to the death of her father that with much difficulty she restrained a flood of tears. The scene

iefly and formally stating the reasons of their meeting, to which he added a short but apparently ve

acies to charitable institutions and to personal friends; after which was a legacy of ten thousand dollars to Emily Dumont, to be paid in Cincinnati by his brother. The

loor, and heard the other stipulations in regard to her. So utterly unexpected, so terribly revolting, was the clause which pronounced her a slave, that for a time she did not realize its awful import. But the blank dismay of her friends, the

edged the signatures to be genuine. Here, then, thought they, was the reason why the provisions of the will had been concealed from them. So impressed were they with the apparent purpose of Colonel Dumont in throwing

of money to various charitable institutions, and in the event of his life being prolonged, did not wish to be pointed at and lauded for this act. True char

y the will he had invented; and he felt strong in his position,

ion. He had no means of disproving the illegitimacy of Emily. The family had been unknown to him at the period of her birth. The house-servants, with the exception of Hatchie, were all younger than Emily. Then, the statement was made in the will, and was, therefore, the statement of Colonel Dumont himself,-for the genuineness of the will he did not call in question. In accordance with his general character, her father had manumitted her, and left her a competence. From this clause he inferred that her father intended to place her beyond the reach of harm, and beyond the possibility of ever being reduced to th

that his brother's wife had died in giving birth to a dead child; and that Emily, who was the child of a house-servant by him, had so engaged his attention by her singular beauty that he had substituted her for his own child. This story, Jaspar said, his brother had told him in the strictest confidence, many years before. M

is mind before he could reconcile himself to the revolting truth. Her beautiful character, built up mostly under his own supervision, he regarded with peculiar pride. He was not so bigoted, howeve

ed by the melancholy interest they felt in the unfortunate Emily, Mr. Faxon requested to see her, and was shown to h

d articulate no more. The terrible reality

tionately, taking her hand. "The ways of Providence

ily, looking at the minister with a subdued expression, while hot tea

orrow. I have come to direct your thoughts to that bett

ured Emily, as a feeling of

t the will of Heaven. In God's own

but what a terribl

the keeping of the Almighty. He may have many ye

iends will despise,-a slave!" replied Emily, coveri

oughts. This may be a deception, though, to be c

nded to her; her eyes brightened, and a l

g name of father; who watched so tenderly over my infancy, and guided my youthful heart so faithfully; who, an hour b

are inscrutable. Whatever afflictions visit us, they are ordered

tears blinded her,-"I love his memory still, though every word of this hated will were true. I ought not to repine, whatever be my fut

tience in this painful event. But, Emily, had you

aid Emily, wiping away the tears

some slight circumstance, whic

moments, and then repl

e all too young to remember

ut Hat

ter send for him, an

ay that his knowl

accompanied by Jaspar, who, hearing her inquiries for the man his rifle-ba

, it was not probable he could know much of the events attending the birth of Emily to his prejudice. If it should prove that he did, why, it was an easy thing to get rid of him. His rifle-ball or the slave-market we

y that your father's favorite servant met with a sad mishap last night, of w

ched, as she saw all hop

y as her excited feelings would pe

d feel for a slave, and he commenced the narrative he h

late, had broken into the house. I seized my rifle, and when I opened the door the thief sprung out at the open window. I pursued him down the shell-road to the river; upon reaching which I perceived him paddling a canoe towards the opposite shore. I fired. A

as Hatchie?" asked Emily, with much anxiety; f

earance of the thief corresponded to his size and form. I am now satisfied, th

ways honest and fai

st share your surpri

ty that it was not he

said Jaspar, sharply. "Th

ent anxiety to settle the question had roused his first suspicion. "He was, if I mistake not,

Jaspar, with a coolness that

shot him, Mr. Dumont?" as

me. I am not your pupil or your servant," replied Jaspar, rather

ter, in a tone of mock humility. "D

temper at the sarcastic manner of the other. "Now,

art the consolations of religion to this afflicted child of the chu

your object," replied Jaspar, with a sneer w

so sudden and so severe as to call forth a remark,

a nervous start; "you have th

olen? Was it not in the iron safe, with t

eplied Jasp

rrogated Mr. Faxon, taking

s to you last night?" asked

not," re

stood by when I opened the safe, and must have witnessed its contents. You can judge how he o

making his escape came ashore. Where is

t," said Jas

will disclose something of t

anoe was not to be found. I did not secure it last night, and probably it bro

kind of solemn sarcasm. "This whole aff

uel," cried Emily, the tears again co

mark and signature of your father?" said Jaspar,

! but,

ncle of the progeny of my brother's slaves. Th

ut hear me," replied Emily, f

eek. I will no longer endure the presence of one upon whom my brother's bo

he had established his position, and, at least, silenced Emily. The

the will was a forgery. If such was the fact, the minister was compelled to acknowledge that it was a deep-laid plot. Everything seemed to aid the conspirators; for he was satisfied, both from the wording and the chirography of the wil

, advisable, under the state of feeling which would follow the publicity of the will. Emily, painful as it was to leave the home of her childhood at such a time, ac

roceeded to New Orleans, in the family ca