respectable Marston family. A few yards from the left wing of the
mansion are the "yard houses"-little, comely cabins, about twelve
feet by twenty, and proportionately high. One is the kitchen: it has
a dingy look, the smoke issuing from its chinks regardless of the
chimney; while from its door, sable denizens, ragged and greasy, and
straining their curious faces, issue forth. The polished black cook,
with her ample figure, is foaming with excitement, lest the feast
she is preparing for master's guests may fail to sustain her
celebrity. Conspicuous among these cabins are two presenting a much
neater appearance: they are brightly whitewashed, and the little
windows are decorated with flowering plants. Within them there is an
air of simple neatness and freshness we have seldom seen surpassed;
the meagre furniture seems to have been arranged by some careful
hand, and presents an air of cheerfulness in strange contrast with
the dingy cabins around. In each there is a neatly arranged bed,
spread over with a white cover, and by its side a piece of soft
carpet. It is from these we shall draw forth the principal
characters of our story.

Upon a brick foundation, about twenty rods from the right wing of
the mansion, stands a wood cottage, occupied by the overseer. Mr.
John Ryan not being blessed with family, when Marston is not
honoured with company takes his meals at the mansion. In the
distance, to the left, is seen a long line of humble huts, standing
upon piles, and occupied by promiscuous negro families:--we say
promiscuous, for the marriage-tie is of little value to the master,
nor does it give forth specific claim to parentage. The sable
occupants are beings of uncertainty; their toil is for a life-time-a
weary waste of hope and disappointment. Yes! their dreary life is a
heritage, the conditions of which no man would share willingly.