d not advise you to let the poor negroes have their
liberty and go North."

"It's not at all strange, sir; it's not at all strange. My son knows
what's best for the niggers; he has always told me that they were much
better off than the free niggers in the North. In fact, I don't
believe there are any white labouring people in the world who are as
well off as the slaves."

"You are quite mistaken, madam," said the young man. "For instance, my
own widowed mother, before she died, emancipated all her slaves, and
sent them to Ohio, where they are getting along well. I saw several of
them last summer myself."

"Well," replied the lady, "freedom may do for your ma's niggers, but it
will never do for mine; and, plague them, they shall never have it;
that is the word, with the bark on it."

"If freedom will not do for your slaves," replied the passenger, "I
have no doubt your Ned and the other nine negroes will find out their
mistake, and return to their old home.

"Blast them!" exclaimed the old lady, with great emphasis, "if I ever
get them, I will cook their infernal hash, and tan their accursed black
hides well for them! God forgive me," added the old soul, "the niggers
will make me lose all my religion!"

By this time the lady had reached her destination. The gentleman got
out at the next station beyond. As soon as she was gone, the young
Southerner said to my master, "What a d----d shame it is for that old
whining hypocritical humbug to cheat the poor negroes out of their
liberty! If she has religion, may the devil prevent me from ever being
converted!"

For the purpose of somewhat disguising myself, I bought and wore a very
good second-hand white beaver, an article which I had never indulged in
before. So just before we arrived at Washington, an uncouth planter,
who had been watching me very closely, said to my master, "I reckon,
stranger, you are 'SPILING' that ere nigger of yourn, by letting him
wear such a devilish fine hat. Just look at the quality on it; the
President couldn't wear a better. I should just like to go and kick it
overboard." His friend touched him, and said, "Don't speak so to a
gentleman." "Why not?" exclaimed the fellow. He grated his short
teeth, which appeared to be nearly worn away by the incessant chewing
of tobacco, and said, "It always makes me itch all over, from head to
toe, to get hold of every d----d nigger I see dressed like a white man.
Washington is run away with S