A Woman's Life-Work Labors and Experiences

, and found the house was surrounded the night before by strangers, who were followed to a hotel, and on the record the name of her master's son was found. Poor woman! Sh

life. But after her arrival, under the care of a skillful physician, they survived. She had found good friends among her own people and Church two years. I found her weeping, with the two youngest in her arms, the oldest sitting on a stool at her feet. With fast-falling t

can't save u

Lord, who knew all her deep s

and it 'peared like he did bring me out; but if I had stuck closer to him

rs. In broken sentences, she referred to the separation

strong hope that her young master (a

teen minutes; and being ready, we were in the carriage turning the first corner within a minute, and left them in charge of an underground railwa

gh threats of breaking down the door or windows were made; but they were resisted with returning threats of shooting the first man that dared to enter without proper authority. As they were expecting an attack, the women had left their home for the night. The watch was kept around the house until morning approached, when the marshal, with his official papers, was brought to claim Clara and three child

n. In the latter place he fell in with the slave-holder, who was watching for an opportunity to secure the aid of some one who would induce Jack to come to the river, where he would hurry him onto the ferry, and get him on the Kentucky side, when he could easily return him to the far South. As he found Robert Russel a man of no principle, he gave him ten dollars if he would decoy Jack to the wharf of Walnut Street landing about noon, when men were generally at dinner. He

y. They said Robert did not dare come into Cincinnati, fearing that justice would be dealt out in tar and feathers by the colored people. They learned soon after he came to the city that he ran away from Ripley to avoid being arrested for stealing. I advised them not to take the law of tar and feathers, as they had indicated, in their own hands; but to spoil the petting he was getting from the slave-holders across the river, by warning them against Robert Russel, for he

lders of

HE ROGUE, R

etrayed one of his race for ten dollars, in Cincinnati, bringing him into life-long trouble. He will as readily take ten dollars from any of your slaves

going after my school was dismissed, and that I would distribute them through Covington, but to let no one else know of it, except their committee who secured the printing, as it would produce increased excitement. I went a mile from the river before co

g morning to leave the State or take the consequences. Two slaves had left them within a couple of months, and they charged him with taking them over the river. Some of the more excitable were for hauling him out of bed at th

te friends, who they knew would take good care of her. Very soon there was great inquiry for Lavina. They said she was just a little pet they brought with them to play with and mind the baby, and they knew she was stolen from them against her will; but that if they could get sight at her, she would run to them, unless she was forcibly held back by some mean person. Diligent search was made a

e very cruel to keep Lavina from her mother (who belonged to him), and he knew if he could be allowed to see her it would be sufficient to convince them of her attachment to him, and promised to leave the child to her own choice. "But," said Samuel, "Lavina is on our underground railroad." This was as new to the New Orleans slave-holder as were the Ohio laws he had been explaining. After discussing the right and wrong of his claim, Samuel called to his wife to send Jim with a pitcher of water; and out came the little fellow. "Pour a glass of water for this gentleman, Jim;" and their heat

uth as North. There had been much rain to impede his progress, and he suffered much from hunger. He had advanced only a few miles from the river, when he found a family of true friends, who replenished his clothing, and was preparing food for h

ile you go with them you tell Zack to slip into my

be got out of this hous

ficer entered her room she was occupying the front side of the bed. The clothes-press, wardrobe, and under the bed were all closely scrutinized. The husband, pale with excitement, was expecting, in every place they searched, that poor Zack would be found. But they all left satisfied that he was not in th

e proposed to be the conductor. I advised him, by all means, not to go so near Kentucky, as he was so well known through that State. He said he expected we would oppose him. I advised him to consult with Dr. Brisbane, as Levi was absent. But he chose to keep the matter quiet, and went on his dangerous expedition. I was called away to College Hill as nurse, and in three weeks, when I returned

me, I said, "Levi, it is Calvin Fairbanks! Read ou

r. Brisbane ent

aura has found our ridd

rba

s down the river. I told them of his ca

d they are so very bitter against him, I fear he will die in their

but I see no way we can render

eeded a little pocket money. No one dared to take these articles to him, for only two weeks previously a man by the name of Conklin had brought the wife and four children of an escaped slave into Indiana, and was captured in the night. All were taken to the river, and the poor woman and her children returned to their owner, without her meeting the husband and fathe

for strong opposition from my friends, but to my surprise when I proposed the plan to my friends Levi and Catherine Coffin, they favored my project. Catherine did her full share in furnishing a trunk, a thick comfortable and pillow; others soon brought a change of flannels; and as Levi met friends and made known my project of going to Louis

or it was dangerous in the extreme; and he referred to Conklin's fate, that was just as likely to be mine. This so discouraged Levi, that he said, "It may be we

lief. There seemed also a clear answer to prayer that I should be protected; and if time would al

doctor, as I know how he feels about thy going, and

lse would go, I should feel easy to g

prayer is that you may be as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. I know the venom of the serpent is there in power, but God will give his children the wisdom without the po

ner to him in presenting my note of introduction, as he was favorably ac

the jailor's residence. As the colonel's wife answered the door-bell, I inquired for Colonel Buckner. She stepped back to call him, wh

ly social circle. My errand was immediately made known, and the colonel excused himself for overhauling the trunk to take its contents to Calvin at once, as it was in the line of his duty as keeper of the prison to exam

o soon?"

ed to Calvin Fairbanks; and as I have a little pocket change, sent by his friends in

otwell, the injured man who lost his servant Tamor and her child, is very much enraged, and being a man of wealth and influence here, I

nd brought back a receipt. As he handed it to me he said, "I suppos

ng, but was not familiarly acquainted with it

eturn for two or three days, "and I think you had better wait," he continu

ng; and as I had nothing further to accomplish, being satisfied that the things and mone

ou were not coming in to see him, and I told him I was waiting to see the sheriff; and I think you had better wait till the boat makes another trip, as your stay here is as free as air,

an home. The next day the colonel was very free to talk of the false ideas of Northern people about slavery; spoke of Elizabeth Margaret Chandl

died neighbor to me, and I e

nd had no right to judge of their co

essage from Fairbanks to me; he said he had made a confidant of him, and told him to request me to see to forwarding Tamor's trunk of valuable clothing to a place of safety. He then told me the mark on the trunk, and the place in Louisville where it was waiting to

could tell him so. He urged me to send Fairbanks a note, as the colonel or any one else should know nothing of it; but I refused, becoming satisfied that he was more of a dispatch-bearer for the colonel t

uded to knew Delia Webster personally, the colonel brought him in to make my acquaintance and report accordingly. As he passed out of the parlor, he told the colonel he might rest assured that lady was not Delia Webster, and they had nothing to fear from this Cincinnati lady, and he should set the editors right. All this excitement was carefully kept from me, as they wished to keep me as long as they possibly could, hoping to glean some additional evidence against Fairbanks, al

nks's first arrest, and for the same offense, and sentenc

ts, or rather demerits, of abolition principles, which seemed to b

for you go against colonization, and you can't deny it; and i

man or set of men to draw a line, and say to you or me. 'Y

erent thing. We belon

ever nation or color. If the colored people choose to go to Africa. I have no word to say against their removal; it is their r

e trouble it makes us. We expend thousands of do

. They have no care; if they are sick the doctor is sent for, and they are as tenderly cared for as our own children, and their doctor's bills are paid. I know if you would live here a few months you'd see these things very differently. You would see our slaves mar

nted, why do they make you so much tro

man that manumitted two of his slaves on purpose to have them go to Africa as missionaries; and there is the design of Providence in bringing those heathen negroes here to learn the Gospel plan by Christ, to save the da

the Bible and books and papers. That would improve the race at home; and instead

ork, and that they are made for. Their thick skulls show that they can't learn books; and if you k

people in the North who were

ce. They are different from us, you know. Not only their ski

ting on the persons of your wife and daughter-and her hair is as short and skin as black and nose as flat as any you

re's no doing any thing with you

eturned,

. If you carry out your principles, your children would intermarry with negroe

amation in the South to one in the North. I say this fearless of contradiction; it is a fruitful product of slavery. There are hundreds

plied, "I will acknowledge this is a s

is talk on t

e kitchen door, that was ajar, where were their slaves in hearing. In their presence I had avoided answering some of

ou abolitioners get your principles of equal

Savior left his abode with the Father, to dwell a season upon our earthly ball, to suffer and die the ignominious death of the cross, he shed his precious blood for the whole human family, irrespective of nation or color. We believe all are alike obj

ired to the parlor, where other conversation was i

ently spent an hour or two in social conversation. She said they neve

ouldn't take double that for her. But there is poor black Sally, just four weeks ago today she was sold to go down the river in a gang, and I never saw any poor thing so near crazy as she was. She was sold away from her seven children. As I heard her screams I threw my bonnet and shawl on and followed her to the river, and she threw herself down on her face and poured out her whole soul to God to relieve her great distress, and save her poor children. Oh how she cried and prayed. I tell you no heart, not made of stone, could witness that scene and not melt. Many

chen to see my nigger baby." As we entered the kitchen there stood the mother by her fat, laughing baby, bolstered up in his rude cradle of rough boa

nly a bright

ned to the claim and price set upon her little darling. It's mother, Mary, was ebony black, her child was a ligh

to Canada, where you'll be a free man.' Jack met him at the place appointed, and they vent on till daylight, then hid till night, and traveled on. 'Now,' said this abolitioner if you will let me sell you in this little town ahead, I'll be around here till near night, then I'll go on to the next tavern (or I'll tell them so), but I'll stop in a little wood this side, and wait for you till eleven or twelve o'clock, and you can meet me, and I'll give you half I get for you, then well travel all night again, when we'll be out of reach of their hunting for you. Then we can travel by day-time, as you can call me master, and I'll call you my body-servant.' Jack was now fairly in his hands, and did as he directed. As he had divided t

finished his story, with its

ve sold him for the last time, and then have taken from Jack all the money he had given him from these clandestine sales. I have no word of sanction to give to work like this; I should say his place was here in jail instead of Jack. If Jack had come to us h

ld Jack he was

ame very favorably impressed with him as a Christian. He engages, perhaps, as clerk or bookkeeper in one of your large business houses across the street, and during three or six months appears so candid and punctual in all business transactions, that they confide to his care important b

t; we expect and know

tion ranks; but because of counterfeit m

oy free and easy conversation. He was quite pleased to find his servant Jack, and a secret thou

prepared to go to the boat, as the jailor said the sherif

only friend who has called on him. I have a great mind to assume the resp

d, "if you think it prudent; but if no

me on, we'll go," and I followed him in

he jailer told me, had committed no crime, but were placed there for safe keeping, as they had been purchased in different places for the lower market. A gang was being prepared by a trader, and these were all shades, from the ebony

er my trial. I want you to see my lawyer, Mr. Thruston; he

And after I received his note urging me to see hi

his price two hundred or three hundred d

and yet I could see no important benefit in securing an interview with the lawy

y reduce them

eyes that brought tears to the eyes of the

. You can stop with us and be welcome. If you choose to call on Dr. Field, as Fair

rney, he emancipated his own slaves, and left Louisville on account of sl

turned to the keeper, and told him as my interview was prolonged beyond its limit, I would go; and on tak

our Anglo-Saxon race. These four answered to the nod, smiling through their tears. They had enjoyed a taste of freedom, and now were to be hurled back to a dark life of bondage more bitter to them than ever before. But not a word could I utter to them. The slight bow, as I was turning away, was all; and yet that was suffi

ing to me, he remarked, "Those off

ing to and from Calvin. In passing through the yard I met thei

in a like to

, just loud enoug

above a whisper, "Did you see him?" As I gave a nod

, as he had said he would go to the river with me.

u was like an electric shock all over that crowd of slaves." "Didn't you see those four runaways cry at the sight of her?" said o

I don't know, Mrs. Haviland, that it will be in my power to protect you. There have been threats in the papers every day since you've been here; and Shotwell has had his

r. The God of Daniel is here at this hour. Should I be arrested, you wouldn't keep me in

became quiet; and

into the city I'll send him over to see you. I advise you not to set foot on the Kentucky shore again, as I know it will not be safe. There

I had better go with you now, as these officers may come

ncy whatever in going alone;

e door he reached h

you!" and I left t

the first thought was to pass over on the other side. "But I will neither turn to the right nor the left, but pass through their midst," was an impression that I follow

tement in t

ee a group of men at

le do you think this is the little old

ss the street, and upon its front porch stood a little group-the doctor and family, with two m

said the doctor. "We'

y day since you've

and I felt at home again as I cla

t you have kno

l show you the papers;

ll as the doctor, that they had not found my whereabouts and made trouble. I hoped my Cincinnati friends had not seen this, as I had written them the reason of my delay, and sent the letter by the same boat that brought me to Louisville. I enjoyed sweet rest with

uld stand between me and all harm. The doctor said, as he was a lawyer of influence in their city, he advised me to go; and as it was snowing a little, he gave me an umbrella, with which I might screen myself while passing the ja

n," and sent it to both the Commercial and Louisville Co

d to our city, we are still satisfied it was out of no

friends in Cincinnati had not received either of any letters, and had read only these threatening cards in the Cincinnati Commercial, copied from Louisville dailies, that caused g

athy, in which a Louisville physician joined, narrating his observations of the system during a practice of fifteen years in Louisville. As he seemed to be an intelligent and social gentleman, we all seemed to enjo

ere you in

ed at the excitement pr

ant. I understand be spent three hundred dollars in his effort to find that w

ati, was the one threatened

he name. I heard you

ou know any thin

acquainted with h

at sort of a

his breeze over her, or any thing she could do. She is a little, insignificant

ut for Mr. Shotwell, who felt himself w

e of your most influenti

to excuse him, for he is quite

elated a portion of my Louisville experience, was waiting for an opportunity to put a j

is not Mrs. H

name by which

little flurry of excitement; for we have good, substantial people in our town, and I hope you'll visit our city again sometime, and you'll find it's true. I reckon if those excited men had arrest

discouraged, and said he was sorry thou went at this time of excitement, of both North and South, over the lynching of Williams near Baltimore, the binding of Conklin and throwing him into the river, and now the illegal c

er before I left for that prison, and not a moment while in Louisville did I in the least doubt the keeping power to be stronger than the power of darkness. Our friend, James G. Birney, being f

ements were made to go for freedom, and she would rather bury her child on the way than to stay behind till it left her. It died that night, and they were provided with a respectable coffin, and the company, with others, formed a funeral procession to the burying-ground. After the burial the thirteen fugitives were taken to the Quaker settlement, twenty-five miles dist