Having received infamy poor Mag Smith was taunted, mocked by other whites, and as the result, was left out from the life of white community. She had to work very hard to maintain herself, but still could hardly make the ends meet. Near her house lived a good, but black-coloured, guy named Jim. One day he asked her to marry, and she agreed. This marriage was a final straw, and she understood that she would never be accepted among the whites again. But her poverty, and Jim’s good attitude, made her do this step.
Jim soon died from consumption and Mag was left alone again. Jim’s business partner Seth took care of Mag and soon they two married. But their welfare was far from being well, so Seth offered to leave the children somewhere and leave for some better place, where they could earn money. Once everything was settled they started off. Mag left Frado, her daughter, in the house of the Bellmonts, and said that would take her when coming back home. But she never did, and Frado never saw her mother again.
In the house of the Bellmonts it was decided to keep the girl, though Mrs. Bellmont and her daughter Mary were not satisfied with the decision. Frado was seven years old, and they put on her many duties about the house – to feed hens, cows, and any other possible work both in the field and in the house. Mr. Bellmont had decided to let Frado attend the school, Mary was against it as it meant Frado would go to the same school. But Mr. Bellmont insisted, and Frado became a pupil. At the school she was not treated very well, everyone called her Nig. Mary was especially venomous at her and never missed an opportunity to malign innocent Frado. Three years have passed this way for little Frado.
Mrs. Bellmont treated Frado really badly, whipped her for a reason and not. One day their son, James, was awaited at home. He was absent long time, and he did not know Frado yet. Mrs. Bellmont was really thrilled to see her son, but at the same time all her anxiety turned into wrath and fully revealed upon Frado. Little girl was severe whipped. Frado escaped, and till evening nobody saw her. James came home, everyone was happy to see him, but still all the members, except for Mrs. Bellmont, were worried about Frado. Jack and James went to search for her. They found her far away in the fields and brought her home. James treated Frado warmly and saw her off to her room. Next few days he was busy by making visits to other relatives and friends.
Frado and James became friends, but very soon he married and left the house. In few months after his departure Jane also married and left for the house of her husband. In six months Jack got the position of the clerk in the city and also left. Frado was alone, now she was completely given to the “mercy” of Mrs. Bellmont and Mary. Besides Mrs. Bellmont sold her the only friend and pet – the dog Fido.
Mr. Bellmont returned Frado the dog, which brought the girl much joy. Mr. Bellmont treated Frado rather good, but he never interfered with his wife’s treatment of her, so there was little protection from him. In this way five years passed, many hardships Frado had endured. Soon James came with his wife, and Frado hoped he would take her with him. But James’ health was descending, he was feeble. Nevertheless during his visit he protected Frado as he could, he even insisted that she should eat with them at the same table, as she worked really hard and deserved it. One evening during the dinner Mrs. Bellmont insisted that Frado should eat from her plate in order not to make dirty the new one. Frado took Mrs. Bellmont’s plate, gave it to Fido who licked it all over, and then put some food on it for herself. Mrs. Bellmont was indignant with rage, while all the rest were laughing. Later Mrs. Bellmont whipped Frado and made her not tell anyone. James guessed of it, but could not help. All he wished for was to get better soon and take Frado under his protection. Unfortunately James’ health was not bettering, so the house was filled with sad anxiety.
Frado meanwhile continued attending evening meetings in the church. She was attentive to the words the minister was saying, and after each meeting became more and more serious and interested in the matters of religion. One question bothered her all the time – whether there was heaven for black. In one of the preacher’s speeches she heard the answer – yes, there was! since this time every evining at home she was reading the Bible, learning the prays by heart. Mrs. Bellmont was much disturbed by such a difference in her servant, and spoke of this to her husband. But Mr. Bellmont saw nothing bad in Frado’s desire to be good.
James soon died. Everyone was deeply hurt by the loss. Soon there came a letter of Mary’s decease, and soon of her death. Mrs. Bellmont put all her suffering upon Frado by beating her severely. From overwork and constant beatings Frado’s health was also not good. Poor girl had decided to leave the family as soon as she was eighteen years old.
This time came and Frado really left the Bellmonts, but her poor health did not let her work very hard. She was treated rather good by different people she met, by still was alone. Some years passed, Frado made her leaving by sewing, her health still required improvements, but a poor girl had to work to earn her a living. Later Frado married a man called Samuel. She gave a birth to a boy.
The end of the story is open, but what obvious is that Frado managed to survive in the severe world ruled by prejudices.
