IDA MAY - 1855 - PREFACE - THIS story, which embodies ideas and impressions received by the writer during a residence in the South, is given to the public, in the belief that it will be recognized and accepted as a true picture of that phase of social life which it represents. In the various combinations of society existing in the slave States, there may be brighter, and there certainly are darker scenes, than any here depicted but I have preferred to take the medium tones most commonly Get with, and have earnestly endeavored to C nothing exaggerate, Nor set down aught in palice. I have not written in vain if the tho hts suggested by the perusal of this book shall arouse in any heart a , more intense love of freedom, or bring from any lip a more firm protest against the extession of that system which, alike for master and servant, poisons the springs of life, subverts the noblest instincti, of humanity, and, even in the most favorable circumstances, entails an amount of moral and physical injury to which no lan page can do justice. M. L. I D A M A Y . -- CHAPTER I. -- A child is always a charming novelty, although Cain was the only really venerable and truly original baby. DR. 0. CV. HOLMES. EVERYBO , t D ho Y u ght that Ida May was a wonderful child, and everybody said she would be completely spoiled aid it was a matter of congratulation to all who desired her preservation from ultimate destruction, when one day it was announced that Mrs. May had given birth to a son. Great, indeed, was the rejoicing not only among the c c dear five hundred friends, but in the quiet home of the J Mays. Every face wore a peculiarly happy and relieved expression, - ffom the old doctor, who met the three years old Ida on the stairs, as he descended from the sick-room, and, patting her dark curls, said, So, miss, your nose is out of joint, now, to thc little nurse-maid Bessy, who l I D A M A Y . c , ma - de . , a n, idi t cf ace-a oc imitated the wailing of the new - i inc, Lbgi jy ofi iil tra ing to the child the inestimable treasure of which her mother had become possessed. But when Bliss Ida was ushered into the darkened room, and saw the forxnidhle array of phials and caudle-cups on the mantel-piece, and the stern face of the nurse, who hushed her first r3pturous greeting bf her little brother by pointing to the bed where her mother lay, the young lady began to doubt the extreme benefit she had been told was to be . derived from this hddition to the family. She stood a moment, gazing around, with her large, dark eyes wide open, and her rosy lips set in a queer expression. Come here, my darling, said her mothers feeble voice. Ant you very glad you have a little brother, and wont you love him very much But the child was not in the mood for sentiment. Climbing up into a chair, in order to reach her mother, she pointed with one chubby hand to the fireplace, where the nurse was rocking the baby, and said Mother, - did God send that baby here Yes, my love, replied Mrs. lay. Well, then, said little miss,-dropping her hand and curling her lip in great scorn, - 6c--I should think God might know better than to send him now, when you are so sick you have to hire that great ugly woman to take care of him. But the little stranger, about whose coming the child thus irrever ntly expressed her opinion, was not destined - I D A MAY. long to endure the joys and sorrows of humanity... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.