From the Darkness Cometh the Light by Lucy A. Delaney
Author:Lucy A. Delaney [Delaney, Lucy A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography & Autobiography, Cultural; Ethnic & Regional, African American & Black, Women, Social Science, Slavery
ISBN: 9781513221540
Google: 6W1LEAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Graphic Arts Books
Published: 2021-10-12T00:46:56+00:00
CHAPTER V.
"There's a joy in every sorrow,
There's a relief from every pain;
Though to-day 'tis dark to-morrow
HE will turn all bright again."
Before the sheriff bade me good night he told me to be in readiness at nine o'clock on the following morning to accompany him back to court to hear the verdict. My mother was not at the trial. She had lingered many days about the jail expecting my case would be called, and finally when called to trial the dear, faithful heart was not present to sustain me during that dreadful speech of Mr. Hutchinson. All night long I suffered agonies of fright, the suspense was something awful, and could only be comprehended by those who have gone through some similar ordeal.
I had missed the consolation of my mother's presence, and I felt so hopeless and alone! Blessed mother! how she clung and fought for me. No work was too hard for her to undertake. Others would have flinched before the obstacles which confronted her, but undauntedly she pursued her way, until my freedom was established by every right and without a questioning doubt!
On the morning of my return to Court, I was utterly unable to help myself. I was so overcome with fright and emotion,âwith the alternating feelings of despair and hopeâthat I could not stand still long enough to dress myself. I trembled like an aspen leaf; so I sent a message to Mrs. Lacy to request permission for me to go to her room, that she might assist me in dressing. I had done a great deal of sewing for Mrs. Lacy, for she had showed me much kindness, and was a good Christian. She gladly assisted me, and under her willing hands I was soon made ready, and, promptly at nine o'clock, the sheriff called and escorted me to the courthouse.
On our way thither, Judge Bates overtook us. He lived out a short distance in the country, and was riding on horseback. He tipped his hat to me as politely as if I were the finest lady in the land, and cried out, "Good morning Miss Lucy, I suppose you had pleasant dreams last night!" He seemed so bright and smiling that I was imbued with renewed hope; and when he addressed the sheriff with "Good morning Sir. I don't suppose the jury was out twenty minutes were they?" and the sheriff replied "oh! no, sir," my heart gave a leap, for I was sure that my fate was decided for weal or woe.
I watched the judge until he turned the corner and desiring to be relieved of suspense from my pent-up anxiety, I eagerly asked the sheriff if I were free, but he gruffly answered that "he didn't know." I was sure he did know, but was too mean to tell me. How could he have been so flinty, when he must have seen how worried I was.
At last the courthouse was reached and I had taken my seat in such a condition of helpless terror that I could not tell one person from another.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
Americas | African Americans |
Civil War | Colonial Period |
Immigrants | Revolution & Founding |
State & Local |
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote(3102)
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson(2728)
The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson(2301)
All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein & Bob Woodward(2236)
Lonely Planet New York City by Lonely Planet(2080)
The Room Where It Happened by John Bolton;(2012)
And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts(1993)
The Murder of Marilyn Monroe by Jay Margolis(1955)
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum(1949)
The Innovators by Walter Isaacson(1945)
Lincoln by David Herbert Donald(1848)
A Colony in a Nation by Chris Hayes(1776)
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer(1658)
Amelia Earhart by Doris L. Rich(1568)
The Unsettlers by Mark Sundeen(1566)
Birdmen by Lawrence Goldstone(1518)
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers(1494)
Dirt by Bill Buford(1491)
Decision Points by George W. Bush(1442)
