The History of Mary Prince | Page 2

at
home long together.
Mrs. Williams was a kind-hearted good woman, and she treated all her
slaves well. She had only one daughter, Miss Betsey, for whom I was
purchased, and who was about my own age. I was made quite a pet of
by Miss Betsey, and loved her very much. She used to lead me about
by the hand, and call me her little nigger. This was the happiest period
of my life; for I was too young to understand rightly my condition as a
slave, and too thoughtless and full of spirits to look forward to the days
of toil and sorrow.
My mother was a household slave in the same family. I was under her
own care, and my little brothers and sisters were my play-fellows and
companions. My mother had several fine children after she came to
Mrs. Williams,--three girls and two boys. The tasks given out to us
children were light, and we used to play together with Miss Betsey,
with as much freedom almost as if she had been our sister.
My master, however, was a very harsh, selfish man; and we always
dreaded his return from sea. His wife was herself much afraid of him;
and, during his stay at home, seldom dared to shew her usual kindness

to the slaves. He often left her, in the most distressed circumstances, to
reside in other female society, at some place in the West Indies of
which I have forgot the name. My poor mistress bore his ill-treatment
with great patience, and all her slaves loved and pitied her. I was truly
attached to her, and, next to my own mother, loved her better than any
creature in the world. My obedience to her commands was cheerfully
given: it sprung solely from the affection I felt for her, and not from
fear of the power which the white people's law had given her over me.
I had scarcely reached my twelfth year when my mistress became too
poor to keep so many of us at home; and she hired me out to Mrs.
Pruden, a lady who lived about five miles off, in the adjoining parish,
in a large house near the sea. I cried bitterly at parting with my dear
mistress and Miss Betsey, and when I kissed my mother and brothers
and sisters, I thought my young heart would break, it pained me so. But
there was no help; I was forced to go. Good Mrs. Williams comforted
me by saying that I should still be near the home I was about to quit,
and might come over and see her and my kindred whenever I could
obtain leave of absence from Mrs. Pruden. A few hours after this I was
taken to a strange house, and found myself among strange people. This
separation seemed a sore trial to me then; but oh! 'twas light, light to
the trials I have since endured!--'twas nothing--nothing to be mentioned
with them; but I was a child then, and it was according to my strength.
I knew that Mrs. Williams could no longer maintain me; that she was
fain to part with me for my food and clothing; and I tried to submit
myself to the change. My new mistress was a passionate woman; but
yet she did not treat me very unkindly. I do not remember her striking
me but once, and that was for going to see Mrs. Williams when I heard
she was sick, and staying longer than she had given me leave to do. All
my employment at this time was nursing a sweet baby, little Master
Daniel; and I grew so fond of my nursling that it was my greatest
delight to walk out with him by the sea-shore, accompanied by his
brother and sister, Miss Fanny and Master James.--Dear Miss Fanny!
She was a sweet, kind young lady, and so fond of me that she wished
me to learn all that she knew herself; and her method of teaching me
was as follows:--Directly she had said her lessons to her grandmamma,

she used to come running to me, and make me repeat them one by one
after her; and in a few months I was able not only to say my letters but
to spell many small words. But this happy state was not to last long.
Those days were too pleasant to last. My heart always softens when I
think of them.
At this time Mrs. Williams died. I was told suddenly of her death, and
my grief was so great that, forgetting I had the baby in my arms, I ran
away directly to my poor mistress's house; but reached it only in time
to see the corpse carried out. Oh, that was a day of sorrow,--a heavy
day!