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Fortunately a favourable and sudden change took place, for which neither her physician nor attendants could assign a cause, and she visibly recovered.
Mr. Chapman was blessed by this joyful change; he saw with transport the colour again glow on the cheek of his beloved daughter; he was resolved that the day of her recovery should be a joyful holiday to the whole plantation. He was really a good man, and very generally beloved; the slaves readily obeyed so kind a master; and his plantation was esteemed the most thriving in the island. And we feel no hesitation in asserting, that if every planter in Jamaica and tho West Indies were to follow his humane example, it would not only tend to the increase of their own private wealth, but the good of this country at large; and it is indisputably as easy for a master to gain the love of his slaves, as their hatred.
One morning, Mr. Chapman visited the apartment of his daughter, expecting to find her much recovered; but what his surprise to perceive her chamber window open, a sheet slung out, and ono end tied to the bed-post! Her clothes were on the floor. He was transfixed in amaze; but perceiving a note lay on the table, he eagerly broke the seal, and read its heart-ronding contents. It was as follows:—
"Dear Father,
Being no longer able to support an existence without the partner of my soul, my beloved Orford, I hope you will pardon this my first act of disobedience. The conflict between filial duty and love has been severe—but all-powerful love has conquered. I am determined to search the mountains and find out this Jack—this terror of our
