On Monday I returned to the plantation, and busied myself with preparations for the important day.  Wednesday came.  It was a beautiful day, and the faces of the slaves were as bright as the sunshine.  The poor creatures were merry.  They were expecting little presents from the bride, and hoping for better times under her administration.  I had no such hopes for them.  I knew that the young wives of slaveholders often thought their authority and importance would be best established and maintained by cruelty; and what I had heard of young Mrs. Flint gave me no reason to expect that her rule over them would be less severe than that of the master and overseer.  Truly, the colored race are the most cheerful and forgiving people on the face of the earth.  That their masters sleep in safety is owing to their superabundance of heart; and yet they look upon their sufferings with less pity than they would bestow on those of a horse or a dog.

I stood at the door with others to receive the bridegroom and bride.  She was a handsome, delicate-looking girl, and her face flushed with emotion at sight of her new home.  I thought it likely that visions of a happy future were rising before her.  It made me sad; for I knew how soon clouds would come over her sunshine.  She examined every part of the house, and told me she was delighted with the arrangements I had made.  I was afraid old Mrs. Flint had tried to prejudice her against me, and I did my best to please her.

All passed off smoothly for me until dinner time arrived.  I did not mind the embarrassment of waiting on a dinner party, for the first time in my life, half so much as I did the meeting with Dr. Flint and his wife, who would be among the guests.  It was a mystery to me why Mrs. Flint had not made her appearance at the plantation during all the time I was putting the house in order.  I had not met her, face to face, for five years, and I had no wish to see her now.  She was a praying woman, and, doubtless, considered my present position a special answer to her prayers.  Nothing could please her better than to see me humbled and trampled upon.  I was just where she would have me—­in the power of a hard, unprincipled master.  She did not speak to me when she took her seat at table; but her satisfied, triumphant smile, when I handed her plate, was more eloquent than words.  The old doctor was not so quiet in his demonstrations.  He ordered me here and there, and spoke with peculiar emphasis when he said “your mistress.”  I was drilled like a disgraced soldier.  When all was over, and the last key turned, I sought my pillow, thankful that God had appointed a season of rest for the weary.