Bomefree's Death

A rude cabin, in a lone wood, far from any neighbors, was granted to our freed friends, as the only assistance they were now to expect. Bomefree, from this time, found his poor needs hardly supplied, as his new providers were scarce able to administer to their own wants. However, the time drew near when things were to be decidedly worse rather than better; for they had not been together long, before Betty died, and shortly after, Caesar followed her to 'that bourne from whence no traveller returns'-leaving poor James again desolate, and more helpless than ever before; as, this time, there was no kind family in the house, and the Ardinburghs no longer invited him to their homes. Yet, lone, blind and helpless as he was, James for a time lived on. One day, an aged colored woman, named Soan, called at his shanty, and James besought her, in the most moving manner, even with tears, to tarry awhile and wash and mend him up, so that he might once more be decent and comfortable; for he was suffering dreadfully with the filth and vermin that had collected upon him.

Our freed friends were given a rough cabin in a lonely wood, far from any neighbors. It was the only help they could now expect. From then on, Bomefree's poor needs were hardly met, since his new caretakers could barely meet their own needs. But things were soon to get decidedly worse rather than better. They had not been together long before Betty died. Shortly afterward, Caesar followed her to 'that place from which no traveler returns'. Poor James was once again alone and more helpless than ever. This time, there was no kind family in the house, and the Ardinburghs no longer invited him to their homes. Yet, alone, blind, and helpless as he was, James lived on for a time. One day, an elderly colored woman named Soan visited his shanty. James pleaded with her most movingly, even with tears, to stay awhile, wash him, and mend his clothes. He wanted to be decent and comfortable once more, for he was suffering terribly from the filth and vermin that had gathered on him.

Soan was herself an emancipated slave, old and weak, with no one to care for her; and she lacked the courage to undertake a job of such seeming magnitude, fearing she might herself get sick, and perish there without assistance; and with great reluctance, and a heart swelling with pity, as she afterwards declared, she felt obliged to leave him in his wretchedness and filth. And shortly after her visit, this faithful slave, this deserted wreck of humanity, was found on his miserable pallet, frozen and stiff in death. The kind angel had come at last, and relieved him of the many miseries that his fellow-man had heaped upon him. Yes, he had died, chilled and starved, with none to speak a kindly word, or do a kindly deed for him, in that last dread of hour of need!

Soan was herself a freed slave, old and weak, with no one to care for her. She lacked the courage to take on a job that seemed so enormous. She feared she might get sick herself and die there without help. As she later said, she felt she had to leave him in his misery and filth. She did so with great reluctance and a heart full of pity. Shortly after her visit, this faithful slave, this abandoned wreck of humanity, was found frozen and stiff in death on his miserable bed. The kind angel had come at last and relieved him of the many miseries his fellow human beings had heaped upon him. Yes, he had died of cold and hunger, with no one to speak a kind word or do a kind deed for him in that last terrible hour of need!

The news of his death reached the ears of John Ardinburgh, a grandson of the old Colonel; and he declared that 'Bomefree, who had ever been a kind and faithful slave, should now have a good funeral.' And now, gentle reader, what think you constituted a good funeral? Answer-some black paint for the coffin, and-a jug of ardent spirits! What a compensation for a life of toil, of patient submission to repeated robberies of the most aggravated kind, and, also, far more than murderous neglect!! Mankind often vainly attempts to atone for unkindness or cruelty to the living, by honoring the same after death; but John Ardinburgh undoubtably meant his pot of paint and jug of whisky should act as an opiate on his slaves, rather than on his own seared conscience.

News of his death reached John Ardinburgh, a grandson of the old Colonel. John declared that 'Bomefree, who had always been a kind and faithful slave, should now have a good funeral.' Now, gentle reader, what do you think made a good funeral? The answer: some black paint for the coffin, and a jug of strong liquor! What a reward for a life of toil and patient submission to repeated robberies of the worst kind! And for neglect far worse than murder! People often try in vain to make up for cruelty or unkindness to the living by honoring them after death. But John Ardinburgh undoubtedly meant his pot of paint and jug of whiskey to soothe his slaves, not his own hardened conscience.