e had given way, and the farm now blossomed with
a splendid harvest. The neat cottage stood in a grove, where Lombardy
poplars lift their tops almost to prop the skies, where the willow,
locust, and horse-chestnut trees spread forth their branches, and
flowers never ceased to blossom.

This was the parson's country residence, where the family spent only two
months during the year. His town residence was a fine villa, seated on
the brow of a hill, at the edge of the city.

It was in the kitchen of this house that Agnes found her new home. Mr.
Wilson was every inch a democrat, and early resolved that "his people,"
as he called his slaves, should be well-fed and not over-worked, and
therefore laid down the law and gospel to the overseer as well as to the
slaves. "It is my wish," said he to Mr. Carlingham, an old school-fellow
who was spending a few days with him,--"It is my wish that a new system
be adopted on the plantations in this State. I believe that the sons of
Ham should have the gospel, and I intend that mine shall have it. The
gospel is calculated to make mankind better and none should be without
it."

"What say you," said Carlingham, "about the right of man to his
liberty?"

"Now, Carlingham, you have begun to harp again about men's rights. I
really wish that you could see this matter as I do."

"I regret that I cannot see eye to eye with you," said Carlingham. "I
am a disciple of Rousseau, and have for years made the rights of man my
study, and I must confess to you that I see no difference between white
and black, as it regards liberty."

"Now, my dear Carlingham, would you really have the negroes enjoy the
same rights as ourselves?"

"I would most certainly. Look at our great Declaration of Independence!
look even at the Constitution of our own Connecticut, and see what is
said in these about liberty." "I regard all this talk about rights as
mere humbug. The Bible is older than the Declaration of Independence,
and there I take my stand."

A long discussion followed, in which both gentlemen put forth their
peculiar ideas with much warmth of feeling.

During this conversation, there was another person in the room, seated
by the window, who, although at work, embroidering a fine collar, paid
minute attention to what was said. This was Georgiana, the only daughter
of the parson, who had but just returned from Connecticut, where she had
finished her education. She had had the opportunity of contrasting t