. James Wilson was a native of the State of Connecticut where he
was educated for the ministry in the Methodist persuasion. His father
was a strict follower of John Wesley, and spared no pains in his son's
education, with the hope that he would one day be as renowned as the
leader of his sect. James had scarcely finished his education at New
Haven, when he was invited by an uncle, then on a visit to his father,
to spend a few months at Natchez in Mississippi. Young Wilson accepted
his uncle's invitation, and accompanied him to the South. Few Young
men, and especially clergymen, going fresh from college to the South,
but are looked upon as geniuses in a small way, and who are not invited
to all the parties in the neighborhood. Mr. Wilson was not an exception
to this rule. The society into which he was thrown, on his arrival at
Natchez, was too brilliant for him not to be captivated by it, and, as
might have been expected, he succeeded in captivating a plantation with
seventy slaves if not the heart of the lady to whom it belonged.

Added to this, he became a popular preacher, and had a large
congregation with a snug salary. Like other planters, Mr. Wilson
confided the care of his farm to Ned Huckelby, an overseer of high
reputation in his way.

The Poplar Farm, as it was called, was situated in a beautiful valley,
nine miles from Natchez, and near the Mississippi River. The once
unshorn face of nature had given way, and the farm now blossomed with a
splendid harvest. The neat cottage stood in a grove, where Lombardy
poplars lift their tops almost to prop the skies, where the willow,
locust and horse-chestnut trees spread forth their branches, and
flowers never ceased to blossom.

This was the parson's country residence, where the family spent only
two months during the year. His town residence was a fine villa, seated
on the brow of a hill at the edge of the city.

It was in the kitchen of this house that Agnes found her new home. Mr.
Wilson was every inch a democrat, and early resolved that "his people,"
as he called his slaves should be well-fed and not over-worked, and
therefore laid down the law and gospel to the overseer as well as to
the slaves. "It is my wish," said he to Mr. Carlingham, an old
school-fellow who was spending a few days with him,--"It is my wish
that a new system be adopted on the plantations in this State. I
believe that the sons of Ham should have the gospel, and I intend that
mine shall have