Bond and Free | Page 8

in case of their imprudent return, they may be remanded to slavery.
Signed,
C. W. MUNSER,
"Attorney at Law,
"Administrator."
Conflicting emotions excited the minds of the brothers. Grief at their loss, disappointment at not being able to accomplish their well-laid plans, and mental questioning as to what should be done, for a few moments caused them to look at each other in silence. Oscar stood holding the letter in his hand, and was the first to speak.
"What does this mean? Does this man presume to affirm that we, with our sisters, are not heirs to our father's estate? I would like to face him with the certificate of our parents' marriage, which mother was always so careful should be preserved. How does he dare to impugn father's honor, and disown us? Liar that he is, I will have him prove that Hunt Templeton is heir to my father's estate."
James Templeton, more self-possessed than his impetuous brother, approached and addressed him by the title he had always used since early childhood, "Little Buddie, the books tell us that law is founded upon justice, and executed for the preservation of social and moral rights; but wise men make law sometimes bend and adapt itself to existing customs, rather than change an existing custom for the sake of justice. Perhaps you do not fully understand the history of our parentage, as we rarely refer to it. Father found mother, a beautiful quadroon, in the New Orleans slave market, and bought her with the intention of making her his wife. The marriage ceremony was performed in New Orleans, and he brought her to Virginia. The certificate is still, I suppose, in sister Mary's possession. The laws of the slave states do not legalize marriage between master and servant, nor indeed between slaves themselves."
"I see," replied Oscar; "but father certainly gave mother her freedom."
"Free," said James, "in every regard, as any lady born in freedom, in exercising her own will and pleasure, beloved and honored by our father, but she was never emancipated according to the laws of Virginia; and, were she living, would be entitled to inherit none of his property except it had been given her in his will. Emancipation papers were made out for sister Mary, as well as ourselves, at mother's earnest solicitation, as each of us severally left home to attend school."
"Do I understand, brother James, that the marriage certificate is null and void?"
"The certificate is evidence of a marriage in the sight of heaven, and doubtless would be recognized as such in Europe, and in every free state of our own country; but not in the state where it was executed, or where they subsequently resided."
"Suppose," continued Oscar, "father had given mother her freedom previous to their marriage."
"Then it would have done away with the question of our bondage," said James; "and I adhere to the principle yet, brother, 'Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.' I claim that no man, nor body of men, have a right to abrogate God's commands. Such a law as you speak of is unconstitutional, and God will overthrow it. Hunt Templeton will rue the day he deprived us of our inheritance, by taking advantage of an unconstitutional law."
"And yet," said James, "Hunt Templeton is not the sole author of our trouble. 'The transgressions of fathers are visited upon children of the third and fourth generations.' We are those representatives, and rest under the curse. Our father's half-brother supposes we are yet children, and require advice. We must certainly change our plans, and in a day or two decide what steps are to be taken. There is little sister Letitia; we must look after her, at least, and not leave her in the clutches of this villain. Thanks to father's generosity, we can battle for ourselves and for her also."
"You are well able to command a good position," said Oscar, "and I must find something to do. Instead of traveling through Switzerland, we must secure passage on the first steamer and return to our native land."
"Yes, that will be our first move," said James. "Sister Mary has doubtless received duplicates of these documents before this, and will be anxious to hear from us. We must write this evening and send by the English mail, so that a letter will notify her of our coming. With no prospect of another remittance, we must husband our means and add to it a trifle by the sale of these books and all articles that we shall not now require."
Several days passed, which the brothers industriously employed in surmises regarding affairs at Temple Vale, and in speculations for the future, while their hands were as busily employed in making preparations to leave Germany and return to America with but little baggage.
Oscar was in favor of advancing to