1847.] Mrs. and Mr. Jackson. 335 



assumed rather a stern expression, and he went backward about 

 six paces, and then advanced vigorously, and came in contact 

 with Frederick's rear, just as he was pointing to a hoe, and asking, 

 " Vhat's that?" The impulse sent him nearly a rod, and landed 

 hira on his lace. " Why its the old ram," said the hired man, as 

 if calmly answering the question. " It's the old ram, that's what 

 it is, and he won't have this nonsense. He knows what you are 

 up to, and if you don't stop, he'll knock the life out of you." 

 Fitzjames discontinued his habit of questioning out of deference 

 to the opinion of the ram. It was suggested that it would be 

 well to send the said quadruped back with him as his private 

 tutor, as he could beat more into him, or out of him, than any 

 body else. 



Frederic returned to the college and remained till no more mo- 

 ney could be raised on the mortgage. This mortifying fact was 

 made known to him by a letter from his mother, and her injunc- 

 tion to return home. He made known the state of affairs to his 

 companions, whom h(^ summoned to his privy council. They 

 unanimously advised him, with great gravity and earnestness, to 

 go south and marry a rich wife, assuring him that his genteel per- 

 son and address, would enable him to accomplish it "in no time." 

 Great secresy was of course enjoined. Accordingly he sold off 

 his chattels, borrowed what money he could, his advisers lending 

 him to carry on the joke, and away he went to Georgia. The 

 secret instructions they gave him have not transpired, but certain 

 it is, that in less than six months he was the master of a planta- 

 tion and some hundred negroes, and a life interest in the body of 

 a widow. The next summer he came on to the north, and visited 

 Luneville in his splendid barouche, leaving his wife at the Springs. 

 His mother had now a son who was a gentleman. 



Mr. Jackson, the gentleman, was reminded of the mortgage 

 given for his benefit, and of the improbability of its being can- 

 celled without his aid. He very considerately proposed that the 

 farm be sold, that his father be advanced to the post of negro- 

 driver on his plantation, and his mother to that of housekeeper in 

 his establishment. To the first of these propositions, Mrs. J. had 

 no strong objection, but she utterly objected to residing among 

 negroes herself, and occupying a second place in any house. She 

 was greatly provoked to learn that the late widow had reserved 

 to herself all control over money matters, though he assured her 

 that he had submitted to it out of deference to her example. 

 Frederic soon left the place and never returned. 



The great object of Mrs. Jackson's life, the gentility of Fitz- 

 james, being accomplished, her undivided energies could now be 

 given to saving. The parlor was closed forever — company was 

 at an end — Mr. Jackson was starved ad libitum — and the mort- 

 gage finally paid off. 



