190
WEST INDIES.
marrying J. P.
She told me that she was
going "to try live wid 'em first a little bit for trial, and den if he be one good neger, she marry 'em." I said, " Y o u know J. P. is at least twenty years younger than you,—he is quite a drunkard, lazy, and has a very saucy tongue ; moreover his grounds are not in good order, and he is a sad thief, and I think you had best not try him ; for I am convinced he only wishes to get you for his wife, that he may have the advantage of your good grounds,— he is always in trouble, and fighting, and his clothes are in rags ; he is a fine-looking young man, but I fear that is a l l ; I would be happy to see you marry a good man ; and though it is very necessary and prudent to know the man well whom you marry, yet to live with him upon trial is very sinful; it is against the law of God." I. comprehended me very well; but in spite of all my advice, J. P.'s eloquence prevailed—for he was as negroes say, " cunning too much."
Some weeks after this ill-sorted
union, I. came up to me, " Oh misses, me fool