ire on the library hearth,
obeying a sudden impulse which I could not restrain, I said to Madam
P----:

'The Colonel's treatment of that poor woman is inexplicable to me. Why
is he so hard with her? It is not in keeping with what I have seen of
his character.'

'The Colonel is a peculiar man,' replied the lady. 'Noble, generous, and
a true friend, he is also a bitter, implacable enemy. When he once
conceives a dislike, his feelings become even vindictive; and never
having had an ungratified wish, he does not know how to feel for the
sorrows of those beneath him. Sam, though a proud, headstrong, unruly
character, was a great favorite with him; he felt his death much; and as
he attributes it to Jule, he feels terribly bitter toward her. She will
have to be sold to get her out of his way, for he will _never_ forgive
her.'

It was some time before the Colonel joined us, and when he at last made
his appearance, he seemed in no mood for conversation. The lady soon
retired; but feeling unlike sleep, I took down a book from the shelves,
drew my chair near the fire, and fell to reading. The Colonel, too, was
deep in the newspapers, till, after a while, Jim entered the room:

'I'se cum to ax ef you've nuffin more to-night, Cunnel?' said the negro.

'No, nothing, Jim,' replied his master; 'but, stay--hadn't you better
sleep in front of Moye's door?'

'Dunno, sar; jess as you say.'

'I think you'd better,' returned the Colonel.

With a 'Yas, massa,' the darky left the apartment.

The Colonel shortly rose, and bade me 'good night.' I continued reading
till the clock struck eleven, when I laid the book aside and went to my
room.

I slept, as I have said before, on the lower floor, and was obliged to
pass by the door of the overseer's apartment as I went to mine. Wrapped
in his blanket, and stretched at full length on the ground, Jim lay
there, fast asleep. I passed on, thinking of the wisdom of placing a
tired negro on guard over an acute and desperate Yankee.

I rose in the morning with the sun, and had partly donned my clothing,
when I heard a loud uproar in the hall. Opening my door, I saw Jim
pounding vehemently at the Colonel's room, and looking as pale as is
possible with a person of his completion.

'What the d---l is the matter?' asked his master, who now, partly
dressed, stepped into the hall.

'Moye hab gone, sar; he'm gone and took Firefly (my host's
five-thousand-dollar thorough-bred) wid him.'

For a m