ld opened the book, and in a clear, pleasant, happy voice she
read slowly, but correctly,--

"My God, the spring of all my joys,
The life of my delights,
The glory of my brightest days,
And comfort of my nights.

"In darkest shades if he appear,
My dawning is begun;
He is my soul's sweet morning star,
And he my rising sun."

"Look dar, chile," cried the old nurse, springing to her feet, "Massa
George's jess a'most out ob de door. Ef he SHOULD fall and break his
neck, what WOULD 'come of us. Dis yer chile 'd neber hab no more peace
all de days of her life. Yer reads raal pooty, honey; but ye mus'n't
neglect duty for de books, 'caus ef ye do, ye isn't worthy of de
prevelege."

So Tidy had to forego her hymns till the children were put to bed.

After this, in the long winter evenings, in Mammy Grace's snug cabin,
what harvests of enjoyment were gathered from that precious book. Uncle
Simon was the favored guest on such occasions, and always "bringed his
welcome wid hissef," he said, in the shape of pitch-pine fagots, the
richest to be found, by the light of which they read and sung the songs
of Zion, which they dearly loved; the pious old slave in the mean
time commending, congratulating, and encouraging Tidy in her wonderful
intellectual achievements.

CHAPTER XII. A GREAT UNDERTAKING.

PERSONS of will and energy generally have some distinct object before
them which they are striving to reach,--something of importance to
be gained or done. As fast as one thing is attained, another plan
is projected; and so they go on, mounting up from one achievement to
another all through life. And this enterprising spirit begins to be
developed at a very early age in children.

Tidy was one of these active little beings, full of business, never
unhappy for want of something to do; and besides the ordinary and more
trivial occupations of the outer life, her spirit or inner life had ever
a dear, cherished object before it, which engrossed her thoughts,
taxed her capabilities, and raised her above the degraded level of her
companions in servitude.

Now that she had attained one grand point in learning to read, she
ventured on another and far more difficult enterprise. What do you think
it was? Why, nothing more or less than to GET HER LIBERTY.

She had heard Miss Matilda say in the kitchen, "If I don't give the
child her liberty, I hope she will take it." This was