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Show Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. But it was the la t place they thought of. Yet there was no place, ·where slavery ex"i ·ted, that could have affonlcd n1e so good a place of concealn1ent. Dr. Flint and his family repeatedly tried to coax and bribe 1ny children to tell so1nething they bad heard said. about 1nc. One day the doctor took them into a shop, and offered them so1ne bright little silver pieces and gay handkerchiefs if they would tell where their n1other ·was. Ellen shrank away from him, and would not peak; but Benny spoke up, and said, "Dr. Flint, I don't know where 1ny mother is. I guess she's in Now York ; and ·when you go there again, I wish you'd ask her to co1ne home, for I want to sec her; but if yon put her in jail, or tell her you'll cut her head off, I'll tell her to go right back." .. Chrifhnas FeH:i vi ties. 179 XXII. CIIRISTniAS FE TIVITIES. CHRISTMAS was approaching. Grandtnother brought me materials, and I busied myself making some new garments and little playthings for my chilurcn. Were it not that hiring day is near at hand, and many falnilies are fearfully looking forward to the probability of separation in a fe\v day. , Christlnas n1igh t be a happy season for the poor slaves. Even -lave 1noLhcrs try to gladden the hearts of their litLle ones on that occasion. Benny and Ellen had their Christina · stocking filled. Their imprisoned 1nothcr conld not ·have the privilege of witnessing their surprise and joy. Bnt I hau the pleasure of peeping at them as they \Ycnt into the street with their new suits on. I heard. Benny a~k a. little playmate whether Santa Clan brongh t hin1 any thing. "Yes," replied the boy; " but ~-.'1anta Claus ain't a real man. It's the children's mothers that put things into the stockings." " No, that can't be," replied Benny, "for Santa Clau brought Ellen and n1e these new clothes, and n1y mother has been gone thi .· long ·time." How I longed to tell hi1n that his n1other rnade those garments, and that many a tear fell on thmn while she worked ! Every child rises early on Christ1nas morning to sec the Johnkannaus. Without thern, Christmas ·would |