y she passed unnoticed,
until on her arrival at Jackson she was stopped by the police, who
demanded her papers. Not having any she was confined in the county
jail, and after due notice in the papers, calling for the owner to
come and take her away, she was sold at auction according to law. The
girl was very much grieved at her failure to find her mistress, but
being of a good disposition soon became contented with her lot.
Accordingly, when Dr. Humphries purchased her, she followed him home
with a cheerful step.

On entering his house the doctor presented the negro to Emma.

"Here, Emma," he observed, "is a girl I have bought for you to-day."

"Thank you," she answered, looking at Elsy. "This is really a nice
looking girl. Who did you buy her from?"

"She says she is from New Orleans. Her master is a prisoner in the
hands of the Yankees, and her mistress being turned out of her home by
Butler, is now somewhere in the Confederacy, but where, the girl
cannot tell. When her mistress left New Orleans, the Yankees would not
permit the slave to leave with her, but she succeeded in escaping from
their lines, and came to Jackson, where she was arrested, and as no
owner claimed her, she was sold to me at auction this morning
according to law."

"Then we will not be doing justice to the owner of the girl, if we
keep her constantly. Perhaps her mistress is some poor soldier's wife
who would be glad to get the money you have expended, or may require
her services."

"I have thought of that before I purchased her, but as she seems
honest, I did not make the thought prevent me from getting her. I have
also made up my mind to give her up should her owner at any time claim
her, and he is a poor man."

"I am glad you have so decided," Emily replied, "for I should not have
liked the idea of depriving any Confederate soldier of his slave,
particularly if he is a poor man. And now," she continued, speaking to
Elsy, "do you go in the next room and wait there until I come in."

Making a curtesy, Elsy left the parlor, and entered the room pointed
out by Emily.

"I have some news for you, Emily," remarked the Doctor as soon as the
negro had left the room.

"What is it about," she enquired.

"Something that will interest you considerably," he answered.

"If it will interest me, let me know what it is," she remarked.

"I have received a telegraphic dispatch from Harry," Dr. Humphries
replied.

"Why, how could he have arrived in