A Woman's Life-Work Labors and Experiences

o say, there was seldom a week passed without a slave or slaves l

mption, and yet was unwilling to see any minister or religious person, to say any thing to him about a pr

d on her. I took his emaciated hand, and said, "I see you are very low and weak, and I do not wish to worry yo

llow as he said, "I can neve

ery desire of the heart, and is able to save to the uttermost, even at the eleventh hour." I saw the starting tear as he looked earnestly at me, while I was st

d like to

at the impression made was deepening, and asked if it would

like to hea

precious soul to the cleansing fountain, and that his faith might incre

e, and said, "I want you to come to-morrow." He wept freely; a

ood near the door weeping for joy over the consent of the dear

m she said, "O, how thankful we are to God for this visit to my poor boy! He seems in

p both hands, saying, "God will

"his word is nigh thee, even

or me," he

prayer, in which he joined with a few ejaculations. I

sister came for me in

ey wants to s

y, glory to God, Mrs. Haviland! Come to me quick, I want to kiss you; for God brought me out of darkness this morning about the break of day. O hallelujah! Glory to Jesus! He shed his blood for p

and talking, and I advised him to rest

e has done for me! I want you to see my cousin Georg

w days, and left him, with his

mother, smiling, and said, "There's Mary; don'

, mother do

arnestly at the object. "There, she's gone now." Fifteen minutes before he breathed

I can't

aised both hands, with a smile, and said, "Here she is, with two angels with her. They've come f

out four years old; and his mother told me she had not heard he

ied with that disease were Levi and Catherine Coffin's daughter Anna, about ten years of age, and a lady, the mother of three chi

her or any of the ministers of her acquaintance to talk with him on the subject of religion. But he was glad to hear that his cousin Harvey had died so happy; and she thought if I should tell him about Harvey he would listen to me. He could speak but little above a whisper, I told him of my reading to Harvey, and asked if he woul

ve it; but I am more rested early in the morning, and if y

be there if life an

ning I met him mo

feel quite clear, because I want to go to head-quarters, and I am confused, and don't know where to go or w

Lord Jesus as clearly as possible before him. I read a few passages where he manifested his power by miracles, "that

I've got a foothold. Now I can

how I wish I could have voice and strength to tell you how happy I am! I want to go to my Savior; he is m

his mother and mister, and sank into a stu

little errand as we are passing through our life-work. I felt to upbraid myself for being so inattentive to that request. Had that precious soul left the shores of time without hope in Christ, I could ne

he privilege of working in Cincinnati at house-cleaning, washing, or any jobs she could get, by paying her mistress three dollars per week. In this way she had managed to lay aside for herself over twenty dollars during nearly two years. She had a husband and nine childre

away as your other d

uld help her. I told her I would gladly relieve her were it in my power; but all I could do was to advise her to bring her family in the covered market wagon, and throw a quilt or blanket over them; then the hay she always put in for her team over that, and a bag of apples, and another of potatoes, or any thing she generally brought into market, placed in front so as to present the appearance of a load of marketing. As she had been over so often, she said, the ferryman hardly ever asked her for her pass, for he knew her so well. "Don't you see you are the very one to bring yourself and family here? You could drive over and take your family to either of three places: to a col

d she did see you wonst, an' you couldn't do nothin' for her. She's bin house-cleanin' wid me, an' it 'pears like she's 'cryin' all the time, day an' night, an' me an' another woman got her to see you, if I'd git you to come to Mr. Hatfield's at noon." I found her wringing her hands and

s sole my poor gal down de river, to sen' her two gals to de Norf to school now she's gwine to sell my Mary, kase they's runnin' short o' money; an' she missed

rpose of heart, and he will restore the joys of his salvation and again will set you free in soul. Then, I feel confident that the Captain of the soul's freedom will open the way for freedom from this chain of slavery that now binds you as a family. Now go to Jesus; he will do great things for you. You lose confi

a, Indiana. I had supposed she went directly to Canada, and I was sorr

nt through this ci

o see her wipe her tears away and become calm

on can you go

obably go to my home in Michigan next week, and it is uncertain when I return; but don't forget to carry your burden to the Lord by constant prayer for his directing hand; and whatever way he opens, take it; if it should b

for his help in this time of your great need, he will lead you out of slavery. I advise yo

said she could get a few dollars,

e, whether in my Michigan home, or here in this city, I shall not forge

followed me to my home. Hardly a day passed without presentin

id John Hatfield. He said she remained in the city three or four weeks after I saw her, to get money to start with, but she was too late. Her Mary was sold just before she returned home, and the poor woman grieved so for her poor girl, that he heard her mistress abused her, and threatened to sell them all. It seem

d of nine slaves early that morning, and that a reward of five hundred dollars was offered for information of their whereabouts. While my heart leape

rty! But according to your principles, Mr

ve the same rights from their Creator that we have, and

ou can easily find out where they are, and slyly r

n times that amount

ld, and should t

e heavy burdens and let the oppressed go free. It is pain to me to hear you advance the sentiments you do in the presence of your

son I ever met. This hurts my feelings more than anyth

t view from your present one. I am grieved to hear this from one who is looked upon as a leader to

arguments that I have not mentioned. To-night, from seven

make this a subject of prayer, as I should myself, during the day.

or a number of days. I asked permission of her to be absent an hour for that purpose, and her consent for two hours w

down the river. I heard some days a

n I gave Mary, and I hoped so

r liberty, as for her," and I accepted the remark as almost a h

f the nine slaves to be Mary French and family. "I know nothing of the name, but a woman

friend is going to call on he

the corner sat Mary French with her little grandchild sitting at her feet. "Is it possible that is Mary French?" I excl

Hatfiel', she said he was a bad man, an' lied only to keep my mouey. She begged me so hard I tole her if you'd tell me whar Mary is, I'd have faith in you, an' when you tole me so quick, all my faith in you come back. How I wish you could see my man, for he's so sure they'll cotch us. I don't know whar he is, for we's scattered among de good people. O, what a time I had wid 'im to git 'im started. I loaded an' unloaded four times afore he'd come. At las' a pore white man tole me he hear missus say she gwine to sell us all to de firs' trader come along. I say, 'What shall I do?' He say, 'If I was you, I'd run away.' I say 'Here's my man an' chillen, can't go widout 'em.' He say 'All go, an' if dey cotch you 'twon't be no wuss dan to go to de trader, and if I can do any way to help you I will, for I feels sorry for you.' When I tole my man, he was so skeered he didn't know hisself scarcely. He was ready to do anyhow I wants 'im, au' I went to dis white man, an' ax 'im for his boy ten year ole, to go wid me to market, an' take all my family, an' I'd cover 'em up in de market wagon. 'An' I'll tell your boy I wants 'im to watch my team for me, an' I'll gib 'im a dollar.' 'All right, only tell 'im what you'll do, an' tell 'im to come an' ax me an' he musn't know I knows about it.' An' I tuk missus' young hosses, an' put my man an' chillen in, cover 'em up, den put a bag o' taters an' apples an' a basket o' chickens in fron

this hour. He replied that he had thought of but little else during the whole day; but on the whole doubted whether his reasons would stand the test, and declined saying any thing farther in defense of the position he had advanced. A few weeks later he died of cholera. I called on his widow, who said he died a happy soul, and often spoke of his confidence in me as an honest-hearted Christian, and she never h

wo or three blocks when he stopped and cried, because he didn't know where to find Walnut Street. Then a man came and told him to stop crying and he'd drive him to the ferry. They went to Hall's, on Macallister Street, but not one was left there five minutes. They were conducted to different hiding-places, and not one was left within a half a mile to a mile from that part of the city. Slave-hunters were paid from three dollars to seven dollars a

ed, until the police rushed at the increased cry, "Stop thief, STOP THIEF," and slackened their pace. But while the excited crowd gathered to see the police arrest the thieves, the colored man beside the driver demanded the reason why he and his ladies should receive this insult to

re were gathered a very large congregation in a grove, of both colored and white people. While listening to an eloquent oration delivered by Samuel J. May, of Boston, I was taken from my seat and borne away a few rods, hardly touching the tops of the bushes with my feet. I turned first one way and then the other, until I discovered the sable face of Mary French, with big tears rolling down her cheeks. Not a word was spoken un

dey

" said I; "those two girls dre

't if you know'd what your mother has done for me an' my family. If it hadn't been for her we should all been in slavery to dis day. I wants you to go out dar whar you see your mother standin' afore a great while. I'm gwine back to her now." She came with her two girls, who were also very demonstrative

d. As the Ohio school law made provision to support a colored school in any town or place where there were as many as fifteen regular scholars, my daughter A

Cincinnati, containing a proposition to do the best he could for him, and with that object in view he staved off the case to the next session of their court. At the close of the meeting fifteen dollars were raised, Bishop Quinn, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, giving one-third of it. As there was a fall of snow a foot deep, the friends conclude

r object in going through the swamp before a break-up. The two old people granted the favor; but when the old lady saw the color of my company she became rather suspicious. Said she, "If these are slaves we don't want any trouble, because you know the Fugitive-slave Law makes a deal of tro

r reason for crossing the swamp to save distance, and as there were indications of a thaw in the afternoon, we chose to come through that night. The man said that was his reason for going for a load of lumber so early-he fearing a

an ahead of us, with his carriage, stopped and turned back, saying, "There is Mr. Jones now, coming to see you, I reckon." As he came to us, I told him of the inquiry I made for a resting-place. "And that is my house for you and barn for your horses," he said. After giving each of us a shake of the hand, he said, turning to me, "I know you, though I neve

the floating ice from the ford, to enable me to drive through. Working as they did with all their might to keep the cakes of ice from running against the horses and from impeding the wheels, when we reached the swift current of the stream a cake blocked the wagon so as to stop the horses a few moments. One horse became discouraged and began to lie down. At this the three women jumped upon a large floating cake, from which they reached the sh

weak forces and built a church, designed for school, as well as their occasional meetings. My school averaged nearly twenty scholars during the term, at the close of which we put in a petiti

that this petition of the importunate widow would stand before them until it was granted. They frequently inquired of the colored people how long I was going to teach for them. The answer every time was, as I told them, until the board of education took it. In their discussions in the bo

et, and cursing every toe on them, and cursing every nail on every toe, and so on, to cursing my head, and cursing every hair on it. This regular set of curses were for me every time I passed when he was in his cabin, and frequently a number of others standing by would join him. But as he or some of the othe

5th of May we marched through town to a grove, with two beautiful banners. The one borne by the young woman who walked by my side bore the motto, "God is love," and next to it all the girls followed in couples. Then followed the young men and boys in the same manner, headed by the banner, upon which was inscribed, "Knowledge is power." I instructed the children and young people to walk straight forward, and not even turn their heads to the right or left, and not to notice by look or word any remark that might be made, not even to talk to each other until we reached our little stand in the woods. N

have entered upon when I closed last term; but as your board refused to do its duty I continued, although I have not

ught to have a school; but I am surprised at your not remaini

ian young man of their own color, with whom they could correspond and secure his services. His parents were living in Toledo, and he would be pl

of people. We are apt to indulge in prejudices against certain classes or nations of people. Some people are prejudiced against the German people. They'll say he's nobody but a Dutchman, he's not worth noticing; and others are prejudiced against the Irish, and will say, 'They are nobody but Irish people, they are not worth noticing;' and others are prejudiced against black people: 'They are nobody but negroes, and they are not worth

's the doctrine Father Mathew prached, ye know." "Jamie, that's all right," said another. One of

e not marr

s a white man, who died

he a bl

ht children, all under age, and the youngest

e heard that black man we often saw comin' from schule

and that black man is a young man who has never had the privilege of going to school and learning to read and write

not a bit of it true. Our people was about to set fire to your schule-house-in fait

e before I left, which will be in four weeks. Then they will have a

h a tacher as you. Indade, I'm sorry to hear you're to lave us; I'

"Indade, missus, we didn't know ye; an' now we'll fight

ses. Even my systematic curser was among my best friends after that, and my scholars, as well as myself, were treated with the utmost respect ever after, and two of them sent for me when very sick and not expected to live, one of whom died a few days after. As she was in great distress of mind, I read to her

until she could make up two rich silk dresses and other clothing suitable for her, as he was not willing his folks should know he was marrying a poor girl. He could easily take a dress pattern from each bolt of silk and his father never know it, and any other goods she needed. As his father was going to New York for a new supply of goods, he would supply her with other goods to make up until his father's new goods came, then he would hire a dressmaker to make up her silk dresses. All this she fully believed, as from a true and faithful lover, to whom she had given her heart's best and purest affections. She said, "A number of days I hesitated, because I wanted to tell my mother all about it, but he persisted in leaving Cleveland secretly, and return on our bridal trip to surprise my mother and that cruel stepfather. At last I foolishly consented, to my ruin and sorrow, for I haven't seen one moment of peace since I was deserted by that man;" and again bathed herself in tears. Recovering herself, she continued, "I wouldn't have my mother know this for the world. She is a good Christian woman. She's a Methodist, and has seen a sight of trouble with my stepfather; and, if she knew this, it would break her heart." On further inquiry I found he brought her to this house as an excuse to keep her secluded until they were about to be married, when he would pay her board a few days in the finest hotel in the city. "The next day

untruthful. "As you say Mrs. Cassaday kept you sewing most of the time, you can tell her you were employed most of time in sewing; but do not, at present, tell her or your mother of the life you have lived, and place of your residence while here." She promised she would gladly take my advice, and leave for Cleveland the first opportunity. As we parted she leaned her head upon my shoulder, with fast dropping tears, and said, "I shall always thank you for acting the part of a mother in helping me away from this horrible place." The following morning she called to leave word with Mrs. Buck, that fortunately for her Mrs. Cassad

of an old soldier of the cross, who, with her aged companion, were visiting their children. She said she did not expect to remain much longer in this world of checkered scenes; but her son had been here a short time only, and had not formed any acquaintances among Christian people, and their hired girl said "she was passing your school-house one morning and heard you opening your school with prayer, and I told her to find your boarding-place, and leave word for you to come after your school closed, as I wanted to hear the voice of prayer once more." I read a chapter and offered praye

orgive me? I have never so much as opened my Bible that lies in the bottom of my chest all these seven years, until yesterday I went home and took my Bible for the first time to read in these years; and I felt so condemn

is the enlightening influence of God's Holy Spirit

l thy heart, and the blood of Jesus is sufficient to wash away every stain that sin has made. Though they be as scarlet, he will make them

darkest of sins of her firm resolution to live a virtuous life, and she locked her door; but t

om them. And I have plenty of washing, ironing, and house-cleaning to do; and I get along so much better than I exp

Lord would open the way for her, and enable her to bring up her li

y experience with her, how she was prospering. The cheering reply was, "Splendidly; I haven't heard a disparaging word of her for months, and there used to be hard stories about her." I heard she had united with the Baptist Church, and I think she is