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Struggles for Freedom.
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FROM THE
DARKNESS COMETH THE LIGHT
OR
STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM.
ST. LOUIS, MO.
PUBLISHING HOUSE OF J. T. SMITH, No. 11, Bridge Entrance.
Dedi!tio".To those ho !" their #a$or ha#e %ade their na%e i%%orta$, &ro% ho% e are dai$" $earning
the $essons o& 'atriotis%, in ho% e res'ect the #irt(es o& charit", 'atience and &riendshi' as
dis'$a"ed toards the co$ored race and to those
)*hose deeds crod Histor"+s 'agesnd Ti%e+s great #o$(%e %a-e,)
is this $itt$e #o$(%e re#erent$" dedicated
THE G/N0 /M OF THE /EPUBLI2.
#ref!e.
So %an" o& %" &riends ha#e (rged %e to gi#e a short s-etch o& %" #aried $i&e that I ha#e
consented, and hereith 'resent it &or the consideration o& %" readers. Those ho ere ith %e
in the da"s o& s$a#er" i$$ a''reciate these 'ages, &or tho(gh the" cannot rec(r ith an"
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ha''iness to the no )shado" 'ast, or rene the (nrenea!$e,) the (nacco(nta!$e $onging &or
the aged to $oo- !ac-ard and re#ie the e#ents o& their "o(th i$$ &ind an ansering chord inthis $itt$e !oo-.
Those o& "o( ho ha#e ne#er s(&&ered as e ha#e, 'erha's %a" s(''ose the case, and there&ore
acce't ith interest and s"%'ath" the 'assages o& $i&e and character here 'ortra"ed and the
$essons hich sho($d &o$$o &ro% the%.
I& there is a ant o& (nit" or coherence in this or-, !e charita!$e and attri!(te it to $ac- o&
-no$edge and e3'erience in $iterar" ac4(ire%ents. s this is a or$d o& #aried interests and%an" e#ents, a$tho(gh e are each !(t ato%s, it %(st !e re%e%!ered, that e assist in %a-ing
the grand tota$ o& a$$ histor", and there&ore are e3c(sa!$e in %a-ing o(r a&&airs o& i%'ortance to
o(rse$#es, and endea#oring to i%'ress the% on others. *ith this reason o& %" see-ing "o(r&a#or, I $ea#e "o( to the 'er(sa$ o& %" $itt$e ta$e.
L. . 0.
CONTENTS
CHA#TER I.
CHA#TER II.
CHA#TER III.
CHA#TER I$.
CHA#TER $.
CHA#TER $I.
CHA#TER $II.
5Pg 67
STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM.
CHA#TER I.
)Soon is the echo and the shado o+er,Soon, soon e $ie ith $id8enc(%!ered e"esnd the great&a!rics that e reared !e&ore2r(%!$e to %a-e a d(st to hide ho dies.)
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s I care$ess$" '$a"ed aa" the ho(rs, %other+s s%i$es o($d &ade aa", and her !ro contract
into a hea#" &ron. I ondered %(ch thereat, !(t the ti%e ca%eah? on$" too soon, hen I$earned the secret o& her e#er8changing &ace?
5Pg 1A7
CHA#TER II.
Mrs. *ash $ost her hea$th, and, on the ad#ice o& a 'h"sician, ent to Pensaco$a, F$orida,
acco%'anied !" %" %other. There she died, and her !od" as !ro(ght !ac- to St. Lo(is and
there interred. &ter Mrs. *ash+s death, the tro(!$es o& %" 'arents and their chi$dren %a" !e saidto ha#e rea$$" co%%enced.
Tho(gh in direct o''osition to the i$$ o& Ma;or Berr", %" &ather+s 4(onda% %aster and &riend,
J(dge *ash tore %" &ather &ro% his i&e and chi$dren and so$d hi% )a" don So(th?)
S$a#er"? c(rsed s$a#er"? hat cri%es has it in#o-ed? and, oh? hat retri!(tion has a righteo(s
God #isited ('on these traders in h(%an &$esh? The ri#ers o& tears shed !" (s he$'$ess5Pg 17 ones,in ca'ti#it", ere t(rned to $a-es o& !$ood? Ho o&ten ha#e e cried in o(r ang(ish, )Oh? Lord,
ho $ong, ho $ongC) B(t the handriting as on the a$$, and tard" ;(stice ca%e at $ast and
a#enged the oes o& an o''ressed race? 2hic-a%a(ga, Shi$oh, t$anta and Gett"s!(rgh, s'o-e in
th(nder tones? John Bron+s !od" had indeed %arched on, and e, the ranso%ed ones, g$ori&"God and dedicate o(rse$#es to His ser#ice, and ac-no$edge His greatness and goodness in
resc(ing (s &ro% s(ch !ondage as 'arts h(s!and &ro% i&e, the %other &ro% her chi$dren, a"e,
e#en the !a!e &ro% her !reast?
Ma;or Berr"+s da(ghter Mar", short$" a&ter, %arried H. S. 2o3, o& Phi$ade$'hia, and the" ent tothat cit" to 'ass their hone"%oon, ta-ing %" sister Nanc" ith the% as aiting8%aid. *hen %"
&ather as so$d So(th, %" %other registered a so$e%n #o that her chi$dren sho($d not contin(e
in s$a#er" a$$5Pg 1D7 their $i#es, and she ne#er s'ared an o''ort(nit" to i%'ress it ('on (s, that e%(st get o(r &reedo% hene#er the chance o&&ered. So here as an (n$oo-ed8&or a#en(e o&
esca'e hich 'resented %(ch that as &a#ora!$e in carr"ing o(t her desire to see Nanc" a &ree
o%an.
Ha#ing !een !ro(ght (' in a &ree State, %other had $earned %(ch to her ad#antage, hich o($d
ha#e !een i%'ossi!$e in a s$a#e State, and hich she no 'ro'osed to t(rn to acco(nt &or the !ene&it o& her da(ghter. So %other instr(cted %" sister not to ret(rn ith Mr. and Mrs. 2o3, !(t
to r(n aa", as soon as chance o&&ered, to 2anada, here a &riend o& o(r %other+s $i#ed ho asa$so a r(naa" s$a#e, $i#ing in &reedo% and ha''iness in Toronto.
s the ha''" co('$e andered &ro% cit" to cit", in search o& '$eas(re, %" sister as constant$"t(rning o#er in her %ind #ario(s '$ans o& esca'e. Fort(ne &ina$$" &a#ored 5Pg 17 Nanc", &or on
their ho%eard tri' the" sto''ed at Niagara Fa$$s &or a &e da"s. In her on ords I i$$
descri!e her esca'e
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)In the %orning, Mr. and Mrs. 2o3 ent &or a dri#e, te$$ing %e that I co($d ha#e the da" to do as
I '$eased. The shores o& 2anada had !een tanta$i>ing %" $onging ga>e &or so%e da"s, and I as !o(nd to reach there $ong !e&ore %" %istress ret(rned. So I $oc-ed (' Mrs. 2o3+s tr(n- and '(t
the -e" (nder the 'i$$o, here I as s(re she o($d &ind it, and I %ade a stri-e &or &reedo%?
ser#ant in the hote$ ga#e %e a$$ necessar" in&or%ation and e#en assisted %e in getting aa".
So%e -ind o& a &esti#a$ as going on, and a $arge crod as %arching &ro% the rin- to the ri#er,headed !" a !and o& %(sic. In s(ch a %ot$e" throng I as (nnoticed, !(t as tre%!$ing ith &ear
o& !eing detected. It see%ed an age !e&ore the &err" !oat arri#ed, hich at $ast a''eared,
en#e$o'ed in a gigantic reath o& !$ac- s%o-e. Hasti$" I 5Pg 197e%!ar-ed, and as the !oat sto$eaa" into the %ist" ti$ight and a%ong cr(shing &ie$ds o& ice, tho(gh the air as chi$$ and
g$oo%", I &e$t the ar%th o& &reedo% as I neared the 2anada shore. I $anded, itho(t 4(estion,
and &o(nd %" %other+s &riend ith !(t $itt$e di&&ic($t", ho assisted %e to get or- and s(''ort%"se$&. Not $ong a&terards, I %arried a 'ros'ero(s &ar%er, ho 'ro#ided %e ith a ha''"
ho%e, here I !ro(ght %" chi$dren into the or$d itho(t the sin o& s$a#er" to stri#e against.)
On the ret(rn o& Mrs. 2o3 to St. Lo(is she sent &or %" %other and to$d her that Nanc" had r(n
aa". Mother as #er" than-&($, and in her heart arose a 'ra"er o& than-sgi#ing, !(t o(tard$"she 'retended to !e #e3ed and angr". Oh? the i%'enetra!$e %as- o& these 'oor !$ac- creat(res?
ho %(ch o& ;o", o& sorro, o& %iser" and ang(ish ha#e the" hidden &ro% their tor%entors?
I as a s%a$$ gir$ at that ti%e, !(t re%e%!er 5Pg 167ho i$d$" %other shoed her ;o" at Nanc"+s
esca'e hen e ere a$one together. She o($d dance, c$a' her hands, and, a#ing the% a!o#e
her head, o($d ind($ge in one o& those eird negro %e$odies, hich so char% and &ascinate the$istener.
Mrs. 2o3 co%%enced ho(se-ee'ing on a grand and e3tended sca$e, ha#ing a $arge ac4(aintance,
she entertained $a#ish$". M" %other cared &or the $a(ndr", and I, ho as $i#ing ith a Mrs.
Underhi$$, &ro% Ne or-, and as ha#ing rather good ti%es, as co%'e$$ed to go $i#e ith
Mrs. 2o3 to %ind the !a!". M" 'atha" as thorn" eno(gh, and tho(gh there %a" !e no rosesitho(t thorns, I had thorns in '$ent" ith no roses.
I as !eginning to '$an &or &reedo%, and as &ore#er on the a$ert &or a chance to esca'e and ;oin
%" sister. I as then te$#e "ears o$d, and o&ten ta$-ed the %atter o#er ith %other and
can#assed the 'ro!a!i$ities o& !oth o& (s getting aa". No sche%es ere5Pg =:7 too i$d &or (s toconsider? Mother as es'ecia$$" rest$ess, !eca(se she as a &ree o%an (' to the ti%e o& her
!eing -idna''ed, so the in;(stice and eight o& s$a#er" !ore %ore hea#i$" ('on her than ('on
%e. She did not dare to ta$- it o#er ith an"one &or &ear that the" o($d se$$ her &(rther don theri#er, so I as her on$" con&idant. Mother as a$a"s '$anning and getting read" to go, and
hi$e the &ire as !(rning !right$", it !(t needed a $itt$e %ore 'ro#ocation to add to the &$a%es.
5Pg =17
CHA#TER III.
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Mrs. 2o3 as a$a"s #er" se#ere and e3acting ith %" %other, and one occasion, hen
so%ething did not s(it her, she t(rned on %other $i-e a &(r", and dec$ared, )I a% ;(st tired o(tith the +hite airs+ "o( '(t on, and i& "o( don+t !eha#e di&&erent$", I i$$ %a-e Mr. 2o3 se$$ "o(
don the ri#er at once.)
$tho(gh %other t(rned gre" ith &ear, she 'resented a !o$d &ront and retorted that )she didn+t
care, she as tired o& that '$ace, and didn+t $i-e to $i#e there, noho.) This so in&(riated Mr. 2o3
that he cried, )Ho dare a negro sa" hat she $i-ed or hat she did not $i-e< and he o($d shoher hat he sho($d do.)
So, on the da" &o$$oing, he too- %" %other to an a(ction8roo% on Main Street and so$d5Pg ==7
her to the highest !idder, &or &i#e h(ndred and &i&t" do$$ars. Oh? God? the 'it" o& it? )In the ho%e
o& the !ra#e and the $and o& the &ree,) in the sight o& the stars and stri'esthat s"%!o$ o&&reedo%so$d aa" &ro% her chi$d, to satis&" the anger o& a 'ee#ish %istress?
M" %other ret(rned to the ho(se to get her &e !e$ongings, and straining %e to her !reast,
!egged %e to !e a good gir$, that she as going to r(n aa", and o($d !(" %e as soon as she
co($d. *ith a$$ the in!orn &aith o& a chi$d, I !e$ie#ed it %ost &ond$", and hen I heard that shehad act(a$$" %ade her esca'e, three ee-s a&ter, %" heart ga#e an e3($tant thro! and cried, )God
is good?)
$arge reard as o&&ered, the !$oodho(nds c(rse the% and c(rse their %asters ere set $oose
on her trai$. In the da" ti%e she hid in ca#es and the s(rro(nding oods, and in the night ti%e,
g(ided !" the ondro(s North Star, that !$essed $odestone o& a s$a#e5Pg =@7 'eo'$e, %" %other&ina$$" reached 2hicago, here she as arrested !" the negro8catchers. t this ti%e the F(giti#e
S$a#e La as in &($$ o'eration, and it as against the $a o& the ho$e co(ntr" to aid and
'rotect an esca'ed s$a#e< not e#en a drin- o& ater, &or the $o#e o& the Master, %ight !e gi#en,and those ho dared to do it and there ere %an" s(ch !ra#e hearts, than- God? '$aced their
$i#es in danger.
The 'resence o& !$oodho(nds and )nigger8catchers) in their %idst, created great e3cite%ent and
scanda$i>ed the co%%(nit". Fee$ing ran high and h(ndreds o& 'eo'$e gathered together anddec$ared that %other sho($d not !e ret(rned to s$a#er"< !(t &earing that Mr. 2o3 o($d rea- his
#engeance ('on %e, %" %other &ina$$" ga#e herse$& (' to her ca'tors, and ret(rned to St. Lo(is.
nd so the %others o& Israe$ ha#e !een e#er s$ain thro(gh their dee'est a&&ections?
&ter %" %other+s ret(rn, she decided to5Pg =A7 s(e &or her &reedo%, and &or that '(r'ose
e%'$o"ed a good $a"er. She had a%'$e testi%on" to 'ro#e that she as -idna''ed, and it asso &($$" #eri&ied that the ;(r" decided that she as a &ree o%an, and 'a'ers ere %ade o(t
according$".
In the %eanhi$e, Miss Martha Berr" had %arried Mr. Mitche$$ and ta-en %e to $i#e ith her. Ihad ne#er !een ta(ght to or-, as '$a"ing ith the !a!ies had !een %" so$e occ('ation<there&ore, hen Mrs. Mitche$$ co%%anded %e to do the ee-$" ashing and ironing, I had no
%ore idea ho it as to !e done than Mrs. Mitche$$ herse$&. B(t I %ade the e&&ort to do hat she
re4(ired, and %" &ai$(re o($d ha#e !een a%(sing had it not !een so a''a$$ing. In those da"s&i$tering as (n-non and the %an" a"s o& c$earing ater ere to %e an (nso$#ed ridd$e. I
ne#er had to do it, so it ne#er concerned %e ho the c$othes ere e#er ashed c$ean.
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s the Mississi''i ater as e#en %(ddier 5Pg =7 than no, the res($ts o& %" ashing can !e
!etter i%agined than descri!ed. &ter soa-ing and !oi$ing the c$othes in its earth" de'ths, &or aco('$e o& da"s, in #ain atte%'t to get the% c$ean, and rinsing thro(gh se#era$ aters, I &o(nd the
c$othes ere getting dar-er and dar-er, (nti$ the" near$" a''ro3i%ated %" on co$or. In %"
des'air, I &rantica$$" r(shed to %" %other and so!!ed o(t %" tro(!$es on her -ind$" !reast. So in
the %orning, !e&ore the hite 'eo'$e had arisen, a &riend o& %" %other ca%e to the ho(se andashed o(t the c$othes. 0(ring a$$ this ti%e, Mrs. Mitche$$ as sco$ding #igoro(s$", sa"ing o#er
and o#er again, )L(c", "o( do not ant to or-, "o( are a $a>", good8&or8nothing nigger?) I as
angr" at !eing ca$$ed a nigger, and re'$ied, )o( don+t -no nothing, "o(rse$&, a!o(t it, and "o(e3'ect a 'oor ignorant gir$ to -no %ore than "o( do "o(rse$&< i& "o( had an" &ee$ing "o( o($d
get so%e!od" to teach %e, and then I+d do e$$ eno(gh.)5Pg =D7
She then ga#e %e a ra''er to do (', and to$d %e i& I r(ined that as I did the other c$othes, she
o($d hi' %e se#ere$". I ansered, )o( ha#e no !(siness to hi' %e. I don+t !e$ong to "o(.)
M" %other had so o&ten to$d %e that she as a &ree o%an and that I sho($d not die a s$a#e, Ia$a"s had a &ee$ing o& inde'endence, hich o($d in#aria!$" cro' o(t in these enco(nters ith
%" %istress< and hen I th(s s'o-e, sa(ci$", I %(st con&ess, she o'ened her e"es in angr"a%a>e%ent and cried
)o( do !e$ong to %e, &or %" 'a'a $e&t "o( to %e in his i$$, hen "o( ere a !a!", and "o(
o(ght to !e asha%ed o& "o(rse$& to ta$- so to one that "o( ha#e !een raised ith< no, "o( ta-ethat ra''er, and i& "o( don+t do it (' 'ro'er$", I i$$ !ring "o( (' ith a ro(nd t(rn.)
*itho(t &(rther co%%ent, I too- the ra''er, hich as too handso%e to tr(st to an
ine3'erienced hand, $i-e Mrs. Mitche$$ #er"5Pg =7 e$$ -ne I as, and ashed it, ith the sa%e
dire&($ res($ts as chronic$ed !e&ore. B(t I co($d not he$' it, as hea#en is %" itness. I asentire$" and ho'e$ess$" ignorant? B(t o& co(rse %" %istress o($d not !e$ie#e it, and dec$ared
o#er and o#er again, that I did it on '(r'ose to 'ro#o-e her and sho %" de&iance o& her ishes.
In #ain did I disc$ai% an" s(ch intentions. She as !o(nd to carr" o(t her threat o& hi''ing %e.
I re!e$$ed against s(ch go#ern%ent, and o($d not 'er%it her to stri-e %e< she (sed sho#e$,tongs and !roo%stic- in #ain, as I disar%ed her as &ast as she 'ic-ed (' each ea'on. In&(riated
at her &ai$(re, %" o''osition and deter%ination not to !e hi''ed, Mrs. Mitche$$ dec$ared she
o($d re'ort %e to Mr. Mitche$$ and ha#e hi% '(nish %e.
*hen her h(s!and ret(rned ho%e, she i%%ediate$" entered a $ist o& co%'$aints against %e as
$ong as the %ora$ $a, inc$(ding %" &ai$(re to ash her c$othes 'ro'er$", and her 5Pg =97 ina!i$it"to !rea- %" head &or it< the $ast indict%ent see%ed to !e the hea#iest she co($d !ring against %e.
I as in the shado o& the doora" as the o%an ra#ed, hi$e Mr. Mitche$$ $istened 'atient$"
(nti$ the end o& his i&e+s grie#ances reached an a''ea$ to hi% to hi' %e ith the strength thata %an a$one co($d 'ossess.
Then he dec$ared, )Martha, this thing o& c(tting (' and s$ashing ser#ants is so%ething I -no
nothing a!o(t, and 'ositi#e$" i$$ not do. I don+t !e$ie#e in s$a#er", an"ho< it is a c(rse on this
$and, and I ish e ere e$$ rid o& it.)
)Mr. Mitche$$, I i$$ not ha#e that sa(c" !aggage aro(nd this ho(se, &or i& she &inds "o( on+thi' her, there i$$ !e no $i#ing ith her, so "o( sha$$ ;(st se$$ her, and I insist ('on it.)
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)*e$$, Martha,) he ansered, )I &o(nd the gir$ ith "o( hen e ere %arried, and as "o( c$ai%
her as "o(rs, I sha$$ not inter'ose5Pg =67 an" o!;ections to the dis'osa$ o& hat "o( choose to ca$$"o(r 'ro'ert", in an" %anner "o( see &it, and I i$$ %a-e arrange%ents &or se$$ing her at once.)
I distinct$" o#erheard a$$ that as said, and as ;(st as deter%ined not to !e so$d as I as not to
!e hi''ed. M" %other+s $a"er had to$d her to ca(tion %e ne#er to go o(t o& the cit", i&, at an"
ti%e, the hite 'eo'$e anted %e to go, so I as 4(ite sett$ed as to %" co(rse, in case Mr.
Mitche$$ (ndertoo- to se$$ %e.
Se#era$ da"s a&ter this con#ersation too- '$ace, Mrs. Mitche$$, ith her !a!" and n(rse, L(c"*ash, %ade a #isit to her grand%other+s, $ea#ing orders that I sho($d !e so$d !e&ore her ret(rn<
so I as not s(r'rised to !e ordered !" Mr. Mitche$$ to 'ac- (' %" c$othes and get read" to go
don the ri#er, &or I as to !e so$d that %orning, and $ea#e, on the stea%!oat $e3. Scott, at @o+c$oc- in the a&ternoon.
)2an+t I go see %" %other, &irstC) I as-ed.5Pg @:7
)No,) he re'$ied, not #er" gent$", )there is no ti%e &or that, "o( can see her hen "o( co%e !ac-.
So h(rr" (' and get read", and $et (s ha#e no %ore ords a!o(t it?)
Ho I did hate hi%? To hear hi% ta$- as i& I ere going to ta-e a '$eas(re tri', hen he -ne
that i& he so$d %e So(th, as he intended, I o($d ne#er see %" dear %other again.
Hoe#er, I hasti$" ran (' stairs and 'ac-ed %" tr(n-, !(t %" %other+s in;(nction, )ne#er to goo(t o& the cit",) as e#er 'resent in %" %ind.
Mr. Mitche$$ as S('erintendent o& Indian &&airs, his o&&ice !eing in the de$$ing ho(se, and Ico($d hear hi% gi#ing orders to his c$er-, as I ran $ight$" don the stairs, o(t o& the &ront door to
the street, and ith &$eet &oot, I s-i%%ed the road hich $ed to %" %other+s door, and, reaching
it, stood tre%!$ing in e#er" $i%! ith terror and &atig(e.
I co($d not gain ad%ittance, as %" %other 5Pg @17 as aa" to or- and the door as $oc-ed. hite o%an, $i#ing ne3t door, and ho as a$a"s &riend$" to %other, to$d %e that she o($d
not ret(rn (nti$ night. I c$as'ed %" hands in des'air and cried, )Oh? the hite 'eo'$e ha#e so$d
%e, and I had to r(n aa" to -ee' &ro% !eing sent don the ri#er.)
This hite $ad", hose na%e I a% sorr" I cannot re%e%!er, s"%'athi>ed ith %e, as she -ne%" %other+s stor" and had ritten %an" $etters &or her, so she o&&ered %e the -e" o& her ho(se,
hich, &ort(nate$", &itted %" %other+s door, and I as soon inside, coering ith &ear in the
dar-ness, %agni&"ing e#er" noise and e#er" 'assing ind, (nti$ %" i%agination had a$%ost
con#erted the $itt$e cottage into a !oat, and I as stea%ing don So(th, aa" &ro% %" %other,as &ast as I co($d go.
Late at night %other ret(rned, and as to$d a$$ that had ha''ened, and a&ter getting 5Pg @=7s(''er,
she too- %e to a &riend+s ho(se &or concea$%ent, (nti$ the ne3t da".
s soon as Mr. Mitche$$ had disco#ered %" (n$oo-ed8&or de'art(re, he as &(rio(s, &or he did
not thin- I had sense eno(gh to r(n aa"< he acc(sed the coach%an o& he$'ing %e o&&, and,des'ite the 'oor %an+s denia$s, h(rried hi% aa" to the ca$a!oose and '(t hi% (nder the $ash, in
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order to &orce a con&ession. Finding this co(rse (na#ai$ing, he o&&ered a reard to the negro
catchers, on the sa%e e#ening, !(t their e&&orts ere e4(a$$" &r(it$ess.
5Pg @@7
CHA#TER I$.
On the %orning o& the 9th o& Se'te%!er, 19A=, %" %other s(ed Mr. 0. 0. Mitche$$ &or the 'ossession o& her chi$d, L(c" nn Berr". M" %other, acco%'anied !" the sheri&&, too- %e &ro%
%" hiding8'$ace and con#e"ed %e to the ;ai$, hich as $ocated on Si3th Street, !eteen
2hestn(t and Mar-et, here the Lac$ede Hote$ no stands, and there %et Mr. Mitche$$, ith Mr.H. S. 2o3, his !rother8in8$a.
J(dge Br"ant M($$an'h" read the $a to Mr. Mitche$$, hich stated that i& Mr. Mitche$$ too- %e
!ac- to his ho(se, he %(st gi#e !ond and sec(rit" to the a%o(nt o& to tho(sand do$$ars, and&(rther%ore, I sho($d not !e ta-en o(t o& the State o& Misso(ri (nti$ I had a chance to 'ro#e %"&reedo%. Mr. H. S. 2o35Pg @A7 !eca%e his sec(rit" and Mr. Mitche$$ ga#e !ond according$", and
then de%anded that I sho($d !e '(t in ;ai$.
)*h" do "o( ant to '(t that 'oor "o(ng gir$ in ;ai$C) de%anded %" $a"er. )Beca(se,) he
retorted, )her %other or so%e o& her cre %ight r(n her o&&, ;(st to %a-e %e 'a" the to
tho(sand do$$ars< and I o($d $i-e to see her $a"er, or an" other %an, in ;ai$, that o($d ta-e ('a d nigger case $i-e that.)
)o( need not thin-, Mr. Mitche$$,) ca$%$" re'$ied Mr. M(rdoc-, )!eca(se %" c$ient is co$ored
that she has no rights, and can !e cheated o(t o& her &reedo%. She is ;(st as &ree as "o( are, and
the 2o(rt i$$ so decide it, as "o( i$$ see.)
Hoe#er, I as '(t in a ce$$, (nder $oc- and -e", and there re%ained &or se#enteen $ong anddrear" %onths, $istening to the
)&oreign echoes &ro% the street,Faint so(nds o& re#e$, tra&&ic, con&$ict -eennd, thin-ing
that %an+s reiterated &eet5Pg @7Ha#e gone s(ch a"s since e+er the or$d has !een,I ondered
ho each o&t8(sed tone and g$ance/etains its %ight and o$d signi&icance.)
M" on$" cri%e as see-ing &or that &reedo% hich as %" !irthright? I heard Mr. Mitche$$ te$$
his i&e that he did not !e$ie#e in s$a#er", "et, thro(gh his instr(%enta$it", I as sh(t aa" &ro%
the s(n$ight, !eca(se he as deter%ined to 'ro#e %e a s$a#e, and th(s -ee' %e in !ondage.2onsistenc", tho( art a ;ee$?
t the ti%e %" %other entered s(it &or her &reedo%, she as not instr(cted to %ention her to
chi$dren, Nanc" and L(c", so the hite 'eo'$e too- ad#antage o& this &$a, and shoed a
deter%ination to (se e#er" %eans in their 'oer to 'ro#e that I as not her chi$d.
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This ga#e %" %other an i%%ense a%o(nt o& tro(!$e, !(t she had girded (' her $oins &or the
&ight, and, -noing that she as right, as reso$#ed, !" the he$' o& God and a good $a"er, toin %" case against a$$ o''osition.5Pg @D7
&ter ad#ice !" co%'etent 'ersons, %other ent to J(dge Edard Bates and !egged hi% to '$ead
the case, and, a&ter &($$" considering the 'roo&s and $earning that %" %other as a 'oor o%an,
he consented to (nderta-e the case and %a-e his charges on$" s(&&icient to co#er his e3'enses. It
o($d !e e$$ here to gi#e a !rie& s-etch o& J(dge Bates, as %an" 'eo'$e ondered that s(ch adisting(ished states%an o($d ta-e (' the case o& an o!sc(re negro gir$.
Edard Bates as !orn in Be$%ont, Gooch$and co(nt", a., Se'te%!er, 16@. He as o& (a-er
descent, and inherited a$$ the #irt(es o& that 'eace8$o#ing 'eo'$e. In 191=, he recei#ed a
%idshi'%an+s arrant, and as on$" 're#ented &ro% &o$$oing the sea !" the in&$(ence o& his%other, to ho% he as great$" attached. Edard e%igrated to Misso(ri in 191A, and entered
('on the 'ractice o& $a, and, in 191D, as a''ointed 'rosec(ting $a"er &or the St. Lo(is
2irc(it. Toard the5Pg @7c$ose o& the sa%e "ear, he as a''ointed ttorne" Genera$ &or the neState o& Misso(ri, and in 19=D, hi$e "et a "o(ng %an, as e$ected re'resentati#e to congress as
an anti80e%ocrat, and ser#ed one ter%. For the &o$$oing tent"8&i#e "ears, he de#oted hi%se$&to his 'ro&ession, in hich he as a shining $ight. His 'ro!it" and ('rightness attracted to hi% a
c$ass o& 'eo'$e ho ere in the right and on$" so(ght ;(stice, hi$e he re'e$$ed, !" his #irt(es,those ho tra&&ic in the %iseries or %ista-es o& (n&ort(nate 'eo'$e, &or the" dared not co%e to
hi% and see- co(nse$ to aid the% in their #i$$ain".
In 19A, Mr. Bates as de$egate to the 2on#ention &or Interna$ I%'ro#e%ent, he$d in 2hicago,
and !" his action he ca%e 'ro%inent$" !e&ore the ho$e co(ntr". In 19:, President Fi$$%oreo&&ered hi% the 'ort&o$io o& Secretar" o& *ar, hich he dec$ined. Three "ears $ater, he acce'ted
the o&&ice o& J(dge o& St. Lo(is Land 2o(rt.5Pg @97
*hen the 4(estion o& the re'ea$ o& the Misso(ri 2o%'ro%ise as agitated, he earnest$" o''osed
it, and th(s !eca%e identi&ied ith the )&ree $a!or) 'art" in Misso(ri, and (nited ith it, ino''osition to the ad%ission o& Kansas (nder the Leco%'ton 2onstit(tion. He a&terards !eca%e
a 'ro%inent anti8s$a#er" %an, and in 196 as %entioned as a candidate &or the 'residenc". He
as ar%$" s(''orted !" his on State, and &or a ti%e it see%ed that the o''osition to Go#ernor
Seard %ight concentrate on hi%. In the Nationa$ /e'(!$ican 2on#ention, 19D:, he recei#ed&ort"8eight #otes on the &irst !a$$ot, !(t hen it !eca%e a''arent that !raha% Linco$n as the
&a#orite, Mr. Bates ithdre his na%e. Mr. Linco$n a''ointed J(dge Bates ttorne" Genera$,
and hi$e in the 2a!inet he acted a digni&ied, sa&e and &aith&($ 'art. In 19DA, he resigned hiso&&ice and ret(rned to his ho%e in St. Lo(is, here he died in 19D6, s(rro(nded !" his ee'ing
&a%i$".5Pg @67
)$o#ed at ho%e, re#ered a!road.Princes and $ords are !(t the !reath o& -ings,+n honest%an+s the no!$est or- o& God.+)
On the th o& Fe!r(ar", 19AA, the s(it &or %" &reedo% !egan. !right, s(nn" da", a da" hich
the ha''" and care8&ree o($d drin- in ith a -een sense o& en;o"%ent. B(t %" heart as &($$ o& !itterness< I co($d see on$" g$oo% hich see%ed to dee'en and gather c$oser to %e as I neared
the co(rtroo%. The ;ai$er+s sister8in8$a, Mrs. Lac", s'o-e to %e o& s(!%ission and 'atience< !(t
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I co($d not &ee$ an"thing !(t re!e$$ion against %" $ot. I co($d not see one g$ea% o& !rightness in
%" &(t(re, as I as h(rried on to hear %" &ate decided.
%ong the %ost i%'ortant itnesses ere J(dge /o!ert *ash and Mr. Harr" 0o(g$as, ho had !een an o#erseer on J(dge *ash+s &ar%, and a$so Mr. MacKeon, ho !o(ght %" %other &ro% H.
S. 2o3, ;(st 're#io(s to her r(nning aa".
J(dge *ash testi&ied that )the de&endant,5Pg A:7 L(c" . Berr", as a %ere in&ant hen he ca%e
in 'ossession o& Mrs. Fannie Berr"+s estate, and that he o&ten sa the chi$d in the care o& its
re'(ted %other, Po$$", and to his !est -no$edge and !e$ie&, he tho(ght L(c" . Berr" asPo$$"+s on chi$d.)
Mr. 0o(g$as and Mr. MacKeon corro!orated J(dge *ash+s state%ent. &ter the e#idence &ro%
!oth sides as a$$ in, Mr. Mitche$$+s $a"er, Tho%as H(tchinson, co%%enced to '$ead. For one
ho(r, he ta$-ed so !itter$" against %e and against %" !eing in 'ossession o& %" $i!ert" that I astre%!$ing, as i& ith ag(e, &or I certain$" tho(ght e#er"!od" %(st !e$ie#e hi%< indeed I a$%ost
!e$ie#ed the dread&($ things he said, %"se$&, and as I $istened I c$osed %" e"es ith sic-ening
dread, &or I co($d ;(st see %"se$& &$oating don the ri#er, and %" heart8thro!s see%ed to !e thethro!s o& the %ight" engine hich 'ro'e$$ed %e &ro% %" %other and &reedo% &ore#er?
Oh? hat a re$ie& it as to %e hen he 5Pg A17 &ina$$" &inished his harang(e and res(%ed his seat?
s I ne#er heard an"one '$ead !e&ore, I as #er" %(ch a$ar%ed, a$tho(gh I -ne in %" heart
that e#er" ord he (ttered as a $ie? et, ho as I to %a-e 'eo'$e !e$ie#eC It see%ed a
'(>>$ing 4(estion?
J(dge Bates arose, and his so($&($ e$o4(ence and earnest '$eading %ade s(ch an i%'ression on%" sore heart, I $istened ith reneed ho'e. I &e$t the !$ac- stor% c$o(ds o& do(!t and des'air
ere &ading aa", and that I as dri&ting into the sa&e har!or o& the rea$%s o& tr(th. I &e$t as i&
e#er"!od" must !e$ie#e him, &or he c$(ng to the tr(th, and I ondered ho Mr. H(tchinson co($d
so $ie a!o(t a 'oor de&ense$ess gir$ $i-e %e.
J(dge Bates chained his hearers ith the gra'hic histor" o& %" %other+s $i&e, &ro% the ti%e she
'$a"ed on I$$inois !an-s, thro(gh her tria$s in s$a#er", her se'aration &ro% her h(s!and, her
e&&orts to !eco%e &ree, her #o$(ntar" ret(rn to s$a#er" &or the sa-e o& her 5Pg A=7chi$d, L(c", andher s(!se4(ent e&&orts in sec(ring her on &reedo%. $$ these incidents he $ingered o#er ste' !"
ste', and conc$(ding, he said
)Gent$e%en o& the ;(r", I a% a s$a#e8ho$der %"se$&, !(t, than-s to the $%ight" God, I a% a!o#e
the !ase 'rinci'$e o& ho$ding an"!od" a s$a#e that has as good right to her &reedo% as this gir$
has !een 'ro#en to ha#e< she as &ree !e&ore she as !orn< her %other as &ree, !(t -idna''edin her "o(th, and sacri&iced to the greed o& negro traders, and no &ree o%an can gi#e !irth to a
s$a#e chi$d, as it is in direct #io$ation o& the $as o& God and %an?)
t this ;(nct(re he read the a&&ida#it o& Mr. . Pose", ith ho% %" %other $i#ed at the ti%e o&
her a!d(ction< a$so a&&ida#its o& Mr. and Mrs. *oods, in corro!oration o& the 're#io(s &acts d($"set &orth. J(dge Bates then said
5Pg A@7 )Gent$e%en o& the ;(r", here I rest this case, as I o($d not ant an" !etter e#idence &or
one o& %" on chi$dren. The testi%on" o& J(dge *ash is a$one s(&&icient to s(!stantiate the
c$ai% o& Po$$" 2roc-ett Berr" to the de&endant as !eing her on chi$d.)
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The case as then s(!%itted to the ;(r", a!o(t 9 o+c$oc- in the e#ening, and I as ret(rned to the
;ai$ and $oc-ed in the ce$$ hich I had occ('ied &or se#enteen %onths, &i$$ed ith the %ostintense ang(ish.
5Pg AA7
CHA#TER $.
)There+s a ;o" in e#er" sorro,There+s a re$ie& &ro% e#er" 'ain<Tho(gh to8da" +tis dar- to8
%orroHE i$$ t(rn a$$ !right again.)
Be&ore the sheri&& !ade %e good night he to$d %e to !e in readiness at nine o+c$oc- on the
&o$$oing %orning to acco%'an" hi% !ac- to co(rt to hear the #erdict. M" %other as not at the
tria$. She had $ingered %an" da"s a!o(t the ;ai$ e3'ecting %" case o($d !e ca$$ed, and &ina$$"hen ca$$ed to tria$ the dear, &aith&($ heart as not 'resent to s(stain %e d(ring that dread&($
s'eech o& Mr. H(tchinson. $$ night $ong I s(&&ered agonies o& &right, the s(s'ense as
so%ething a&($, and co($d on$" !e co%'rehended !" those ho ha#e gone thro(gh so%e
si%i$ar ordea$.
I had %issed the conso$ation o& %" %other+s 'resence, and I &e$t so ho'e$ess and a$one? 5Pg A7
B$essed %other? ho she c$(ng and &o(ght &or %e. No or- as too hard &or her to (nderta-e.
Others o($d ha#e &$inched !e&ore the o!stac$es hich con&ronted her, !(t (nda(nted$" she
'(rs(ed her a", (nti$ %" &reedo% as esta!$ished !" e#er" right and itho(t a 4(estioningdo(!t?
On the %orning o& %" ret(rn to 2o(rt, I as (tter$" (na!$e to he$' %"se$&. I as so o#erco%eith &right and e%otion,ith the a$ternating &ee$ings o& des'air and ho'ethat I co($d not
stand sti$$ $ong eno(gh to dress %"se$&. I tre%!$ed $i-e an as'en $ea&< so I sent a %essage to Mrs.Lac" to re4(est 'er%ission &or %e to go to her roo%, that she %ight assist %e in dressing. I had
done a great dea$ o& seing &or Mrs. Lac", &or she had shoed %e %(ch -indness, and as a
good 2hristian. She g$ad$" assisted %e, and (nder her i$$ing hands I as soon %ade read", and,
'ro%'t$" at nine o+c$oc-, the sheri&& ca$$ed and escorted %e to the co(rtho(se.5Pg AD7
On o(r a" thither, J(dge Bates o#ertoo- (s. He $i#ed o(t a short distance in the co(ntr", andas riding on horse!ac-. He ti''ed his hat to %e as 'o$ite$" as i& I ere the &inest $ad" in the
$and, and cried o(t, )Good %orning Miss L(c", I s(''ose "o( had '$easant drea%s $ast night?)
He see%ed so !right and s%i$ing that I as i%!(ed ith reneed ho'e< and hen he addressed
the sheri&& ith )Good %orning Sir. I don+t s(''ose the ;(r" as o(t tent" %in(tes ere the"C)and the sheri&& re'$ied )oh? no, sir,) %" heart ga#e a $ea', &or I as s(re that %" &ate as decided
&or ea$ or oe.
I atched the ;(dge (nti$ he t(rned the corner and desiring to !e re$ie#ed o& s(s'ense &ro% %" 'ent8(' an3iet", I eager$" as-ed the sheri&& i& I ere &ree, !(t he gr(&&$" ansered that )he didn+t
-no.) I as s(re he did -no, !(t as too %ean to te$$ %e. Ho co($d he ha#e !een so &$int",
hen he %(st ha#e seen ho orried I as.5Pg A7
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t $ast the co(rtho(se as reached and I had ta-en %" seat in s(ch a condition o& he$'$ess terror
that I co($d not te$$ one 'erson &ro% another. Friends and &oes ere as one, and #ain$" did I tr" todisting(ish the%. M" $ong con&ine%ent, !(rdened ith harroing an3iet", the s$ee'$ess night I
had ;(st s'ent, the (nacco(nta!$e a!sence o& %" %other, had !ro(ght %e to an indescri!a!$e
condition. I &e$t da>ed, as i& I ere no $onger %"se$&. I see%ed to !e another 'ersonan on8
$oo-erand in %" heart de$t a 'it" &or the 'oor, $one$" gir$, ith don8cast &ace, sitting on the !ench a'art &ro% an"one e$se in that nois" roo%. I &o(nd %"se$& ondering here L(c"+s %other
as, and ho she o($d &ee$ i& the tria$ ent against her< I see%ed to ha#e $ost a$$ &ee$ing a!o(t
it, !(t as s'ec($ating hat L(c" o($d do, and hat her %other o($d do, i& the hand o& Fateas raised against 'oor L(c"? Oh? ho sorr" I did &ee$ &or %"se$&?5Pg A97
t the so(nd o& a gent$e #oice, I gathered co(rage to $oo- ('ard, and ca(ght the -ind$" g$ea%
o& J(dge Bates+ e"es, as he !ent his ga>e ('on %e and s%i$ing$" said, )I i$$ ha#e "o( discharged
in a &e %in(tes, Miss L(c"?)
So%e other !(siness occ('ied the attention o& the 2o(rt, and hen I had !eg(n to thin- the" had&orgotten a$$ a!o(t %e, J(dge Bates arose and said ca$%$", )o(r Honor, I desire to ha#e this
gir$, L(c" . Berr", discharged !e&ore going into an" other !(siness.)
J(dge M($$an'h" ansered )2ertain$"?) Then the #erdict as ca$$ed &or and rendered, and the
;(r"%en res(%ed their '$aces. Mr. Mitche$$+s $a"er ;(%'ed (' and e3c$ai%ed
)o(r Honor, %" c$ient de%ands that this gir$ !e re%anded to ;ai$. He does not consider that the
case has had a &air tria$, I a% not in&or%ed as to hat co(rse he intends to '(rs(e, !(t I a% noe3'ressing his 'resent ishesC)
J(dge Bates as on his &eet in a second and cried )For sha%e? is it not eno(gh that this 5Pg A67
gir$ has !een de'ri#ed o& her $i!ert" &or a "ear and a ha$&, that "o( %(st sti$$ '(rs(e her a&ter a
&air and i%'artia$ tria$ !e&ore a ;(r", in hich it as c$ear$" 'ro#en and decided that she had
e#er" right to &reedo%C I de%and that she !e set at $i!ert" at once?)
)I agree ith J(dge Bates,) res'onded J(dge M($$an'h", )and the gir$ %a" go?)
Oh? the o#er&$oing than-&($ness o& %" grate&($ heart at that %o%ent, ho co($d 'ict(re itC
None !(t the good God a!o#e (s? I co($d ha#e -issed the &eet o& %" de$i#erers, !(t I as too &($$
to e3'ress %" than-s, !(t ith a #oice tre%!$ing ith tears I tried to than- J(dge Bates &or a$$ his-indness.
s soon as 'ossi!$e, I ret(rned to the ;ai$ to !id the% a$$ good8!"e and than- the% &or their good
treat%ent o& %e hi$e (nder their care. The" re;oiced ith %e in %" good &ort(ne and ished
%e %(ch s(ccess and ha''iness in "ears to co%e.
I as %(ch concerned at %" %other+s 5Pg :7 'ro$onged a!sence, and as dee'$" an3io(s to %eet
her and so! o(t %" ;o" on her &aith&($ !oso%. S(re$" it as the hands o& God hich 're#ented%other+s 'resence at the tria$, &or !ro-en don ith an3iet" and $oss o& s$ee' on %" acco(nt, the
re#($sion o& &ee$ing o($d ha#e !een greater than her o#er8ro(ght heart co($d ha#e s(stained.
s soon as she heard o& the res($t, she h(rried to %eet %e, and hand in hand e ga>ed into each
other+s e"es and sa the $ight o& &reedo% there, and e &e$t in o(r hearts that e co($d ith oneaccord cr" o(t )G$or" to God in the highest, and 'eace and good i$$ toards %en.)
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0ear, dear %other? ho so$e%n$" I in#o-e "o(r s'irit as I re#ie these tr"ing scenes o& %"
gir$hood, so $ong agone? o(r 'atient &ace and neat$"8dressed &ig(re stands e#er in the&oregro(nd o& that chec-ered ti%e< a &ig(re shoing na(ght to an on8$oo-er !(t the co%%on
'$ace #irt(es o& an honest o%an?5Pg 17 Ne#er o($d an ordinar" o!ser#er connect those #irt(es
ith a(ght o& herois% or greatness, !(t to %e the" are as !right ra"s as e#er e%anated &ro% the
$i#es o& the great ones o& earth, hich are 'ortra"ed on historic 'agesto %e, the 4(a$ities o& hertr(e, stead&ast heart and no!$e so($ !eco%e )a conste$$ation, and is trac-ed in Hea#en
straighta".)
5Pg =7
CHA#TER $I.
&ter the tria$ as o#er and %" %other had at $ast !een aarded the right to on her on chi$d,her ne3t tho(ght re#erted to sister Nanc", ho had !een gone so $ong, and &ro% ho% e had
ne#er heard, and the greatest a%!ition %other no had as to see her chi$d Nanc". So, e
earnest$" set o(rse$#es to or- to reach the desired end, hich as to #isit 2anada and see- the
$ong8$ost gir$. M" %other !eing a &irst8c$ass $a(ndress, and %"se$& an e3'ert sea%stress, it aseas" to 'roc(re a$$ the or- e co($d do, and co%%and o(r on 'rices. *e &o(nd, as e$$ as the
hites, a great di&&erence !eteen s$a#e and &ree $a!or, &or hi$e the &irst as co%'($sor", and,
there&ore, at the !est, 'er&(nctor", the $atter %(st !e s('erior in order to create a de%and, andrea$i>ing this &($$", %other and5Pg @7 I e3'ended the (t%ost care in o(r res'ecti#e ca$$ings, and
ere e$$ rearded &or o(r e&&orts.
B" e3ercising rigid econo%" and %(ch se$&8denia$, e, at $ast, acc(%($ated s(&&icient to ena!$e
%other to start &or 2anada, and oh? ho re;oiced I as hen that dear, o#eror-ed %othera''roached the ti%e, hen her hard8earned and $ong8de&erred ho$ida" as a!o(t to !egin. The
(ses o& ad#ersit" is a orn the%e, and in it there is %(ch o& ea- cant, !(t hen it is considered
ho %(ch o& sacri&ice the 'o#ert"8stric-en %(st !ear in order to 'roc(re the s$ightest
grati&ication, sho($d it not i%'ress the thin-ing %ind ith a%a>e%ent, ho %(ch o& &ortit(deand 'atience the honest 'oor dis'$a" in the e3ercise o& se$&8denia$? Oh? "e 'ros'ero(s? 'rate o&
the (ses o& ad#ersit" as 'oetica$$" as "o( '$ease, e ho are o!$iged to $earn o& the% !" !itter
e3'erience o($d great$" 're&er a change o& s(rro(ndings.5Pg A7
Mother arri#ed in Toronto to ee-s a&ter she $e&t St. Lo(is, and s(r'rised %" sister Nanc", in a '$easant ho%e. She had %arried a 'ros'ero(s &ar%er, ho oned the &ar% on hich the" $i#ed,
as e$$ as so%e 'ro'ert" in the cit" near8!". Mother as indescri!a!$" ha''" in &inding her chi$dso '$easant$" sit(ated, and too- %(ch '$eas(re ith her !right $itt$e grandchi$dren< and a&ter a$ong #isit, ret(rned ho%e, a$tho(gh strong$" (rged to re%ain the rest o& her $i&e ith Nanc"< !(t
o$d 'eo'$e are $i-e o$d trees, ('root the%, and trans'$ant to other scenes, the" droo' and die, no
%atter ho !right the s(nshine, or ho !a$%" the !ree>es.
On her ret(rn, %other &o(nd %e ith Mrs. E$sie Tho%as, here I had $i#ed d(ring her a!sence,
sti$$ seing &or a $i#e$ihood. Those ere the da"s in hich seing %achines ere (n-non, and
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no stitching or seing o& an" descri'tion as a$$oed to 'ass %(ster, (n$ess each stitch $oo-ed
as i& it ere a 'art o& the5Pg 7 c$oth. The art o& &ine seing as $ost hen seing %achinesere in#ented, and tho(gh do(!t$ess the" ha#e gi#en o%en %ore $eis(re, the" ha#e destro"ed
that e3tre%e neatness in the cra&t, hich o!tained in the da"s o& $ong ago.
Ti%e 'assed ha''i$" on ith (s, ith no e#ent to r(&&$e $i&e+s 'eace&($ strea%, (nti$ 19A, hen I
%et Frederic- T(rner, and in a &e short %onths e ere %ade %an and i&e. &ter o(r
%arriage, e re%o#ed to (inc", I$$., !(t o(r ha''iness as o& short d(ration, as %" h(s!andas -i$$ed in the e3'$osion o& the stea%!oat Edard Bates, on hich he as e%'$o"ed. To %"
%ind it see%ed a sing($ar coincidence that the !oat hich !ore the na%e o& the great and good
%an, ho had gi#en %e the &irst ;o" o& %" %eagre $iðe 'recio(s !oon o& &reedo%and thathis na%esa-e sho($d !e the %eans o& eighting %e ith %" &irst great sorro< this tho(ght
see%ed to reconci$e %e to %" grie&, &or that5Pg D7 na%e as e#er sacred, and I co($d not s'ea- it
itho(t re#erence.
The n(%!er o& -i$$ed and o(nded ere %an", and the" ere distri!(ted a%ong &riends andhos'ita$s< %" h(s!and as carried to a &riend+s, here he !reathed his $ast. Te$egra'hs ere
anting in those ti%es, so da"s 'assed !e&ore this retched 'iece o& nes reached %e, and there !eing no rai$roads, and %an" de$a"s, I reached the ho%e o& %" &riend on$" to !e to$d that %"
h(s!and as dead and !(ried. Intense grie& as %ine, and %" re'ining orried %other great$"<she ne#er !e$ie#ed in &retting a!o(t an"thing that co($d not !e he$'ed. M" on$" conso$ation &ro%
her as, )+2ast "o(r !(rden on the Lord.+ My h(s!and is don So(th, and I don+t -no here he
is< he %a" !e dead< he %a" !e a$i#e< he %a" !e ha''" and co%&orta!$e< he %a" !e -ic-ed,a!(sed and ha$&8star#ed. Your h(s!and, hone", is in hea#en< and %ineGod on$" -nos here
he is?)5Pg 7
In those &e ords, I -ne her !(rden as hea#ier than %ine, &or I had !een ta(ght that there
as ho'e !e"ond the gra#e, !(t ho'e as $e&t !ehind hen so$d )don so(&)< and so I reso$#ed
to concea$ %" grie&, and de#ote %"se$& to %" %other, ho had done so %(ch and s(&&ered so%(ch &or %e.
*e then ret(rned to St. Lo(is, and too- (' the o$d $i&e, %in(s the content%ent hich had a$a"s
!(o"ed (s (' in o(r dai$" tria$s, and ith an added sorro hich cast a sadness o#er (s. B(t
Ti%e, the great hea$er, ta(ght (s 'atience and resignation, and once %ore e ere
)*aiting hen &ort(ne sheds !right$" her s%i$e,There a$a"s is so%ething to ait &or the hi$e.)
5Pg 97
CHA#TER $II.
Fo(r "ears a&terard, I !eca%e the i&e o& achariah 0e$ane", o& 2incinnati, ith ho% I ha#e
had a ha''" %arried $i&e, contin(ing &ort"8to "ears. Fo(r chi$dren ere !orn to (s, and %an"
ere the '$ans e %a''ed o(t &or their &(t(re, !(t to o& o(r $itt$e gir$s ere ca$$ed &ro% (shi$e sti$$ in their chi$dhood. M" re%aining da(ghter attained the age o& tent"8to "ears, and
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$e&t $i&e !ehind, hi$e the !rightest o& 'ros'ects as hers, and %" son, in the &($$ness o& a
'ro%ising "o(th, at the age o& tent"8&o(r, )t(rned his &ace to the a$$.) So %" c(' o& !itternessas &($$ to the !ri% and o#er&$oing< "et one conso$ation as a$a"s %ine? O(r chi$dren ere
!orn &ree and died &ree? Their chi$dhood and %" %aternit" ere ne#er shadoed ith a tho(ght
o& se'aration. The gri% rea'er did not s'are 5Pg 67 the%, !(t the" ere as )treas(res $aid (' in
hea#en.) S(ch a se'aration one co($d acce't &ro% the hand o& God, ith h(%!$e s(!%ission,)&or He ca$$eth His on?)
Mother a$a"s %ade her ho%e ith %e (nti$ the da" o& her death< she had $i#ed to see the ;o"&($
ti%e hen her race as %ade &ree, their chains str(c- o&&, and their right to their on &$esh and
!$ood $a&($$" ac-no$edged. Her $i&e, so &($$ o& sorro, as ended, &($$ o& "ears ands(rro(nded !" %an" &riends, !oth !$ac- and hite, ho recogni>ed and a''reciated her
s(&&erings and sacri&ices and re;oiced that her o$d age as s'ent in &reedo% and '$ent". The
a>(re #a($t o& hea#en !ends o#er (s a$$, and the g$ea%ing %oon$ight !rightens the %ar!$e ta!$ethich %ar-s her $ast resting '$ace, )to &a%e and &ort(ne (n-non,) !(t in the e"es o& Hi% ho
;(dgeth (s, hers as a herois% hich o(t#ied the %ost &a%o(s.
5Pg D:7
I &re4(ent$" tho(ght o& &ather, and ondered i& he ere a$i#e or dead< and at the ti%e o& the great
e3od(s o& negroes &ro% the So(th, a &e "ears ago, a $arge n(%!er arri#ed in St. Lo(is, and ere
cared &or !" the co$ored 'eo'$e o& that cit". The" ere she$tered in ch(rches, ha$$s and 'ri#ateho(ses, (nti$ s(ch ti%e as the" co($d '(rs(e their ;o(rne". Metho(ght, I i$$ &ind hi% in this
%ot$e" crod, o& a$$ ages, &ro% the croing !a!e in its %other+s ar%s, to the aged and decre'it,
on ho% the %ar-s o& s$a#er" ere sti$$ #isi!$e. I 'i$ed in4(ir" ('on in4(ir", (nti$ a&ter $ong and
'ersistent search, I $earned that %" &ather had a$a"s $i#ed on the sa%e '$antation, &i&teen %i$es&ro% ic-s!(rg. I rote to %" &ather and !egged hi% to co%e and see %e and %a-e his ho%e
ith %e< sent hi% the %one", so he o($d !e to no e3'ense, and hen he &ina$$" reached St.
Lo(is, it as ith great ;o" that I recei#ed hi%. O$d, gri>>$ed and gra", ti%e had dea$t 5Pg D17
hard$" ith hi%, and he $oo-ed #er" $itt$e $i-e the da''er %aster+s #a$et, hose dar- !ea(t" on
%" %other+s heart.
Fort"8&i#e "ears o& se'aration, hard or-, ro(gh ti%es and heart $ongings, had 'erse#ering$"
'er&or%ed its or-, and instead o& a %an !earing his "ears ith ('right #igor, he as %ade 're%at(re$" o$d !" the acc(%($ation o& tro(!$es. M" sister Nanc" ca%e &ro% 2anada, and e
had a %ost ;o"&($ re(nion, and on$" the a!sence o& o(r %other $e&t a #ac((%, hich e dee'$"
and sorro&($$" &e$t. Father co($d not !e 'ers(aded to sta" ith (s, hen he &o(nd his i&e dead<
he $onged to get !ac- to his o$d associations o& &ort"8&i#e "ears standing, he &e$t $i-e a stranger ina strange $and, and ta-ing 'it" on hi%, I (rged hi% no %ore, !(t $et hi% go, tho(gh ith great
re$(ctance.
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There are a!o(nding in '(!$ic and 'ri#ate $i!raries o& a$$ sorts, $i#es o& 'eo'$e hich 5Pg D=7 &i$$
o(r %inds ith a%a>e%ent, ad%iration, s"%'ath", and indeed ith as %an" &ee$ings as there are 'eo'$e, so I can scarce$" e3'ect that the reader o& these e'isodes o& %" $i&e i$$ %eet ith %ore
than a 'assing interest, !(t as s(ch I i$$ co%%end it to "o(r tho(ght &or a !rie& ho(r. To !e s(re,
I a% dee'$" sensi!$e that this stor", as ritten, is not a #er" stri-ing 'er&or%ance, !(t I ha#e
!ro(ght "o( ith %e &ace to &ace ith !(t on$" a &e o& the 'ain&($ &acts engendered !" s$a#er",and the rest can !e dran &ro% histor". J(st ha#e 'atience a $itt$e $onger, and I ha#e done.
I !eca%e a %e%!er o& the Methodist E'isco'a$ 2h(rch in 19< as e$ected President o& the &irst
co$ored societ", ca$$ed the )Fe%a$e Union,) hich as the &irst e#er organi>ed e3c$(si#e$" &or
o%en< as e$ected President o& a societ" -non as the )0a(ghters o& ion)< as %atron o&)Si$oa% 2o(rt,) No. =, three "ears in s(ccession< as Most ncient Matron o& the )Grand 2o(rt
o& Misso(ri,) o& 5Pg D@7 hich on$" the i#es o& Masons are a$$oed to !eco%e %e%!ers. I a% at
'resent, Past Grand 2hie& Prece'tress o& the )0a(ghters o& the Ta!ernac$e and Knights o&Ta!or,) and a$so as Secretar", and a% sti$$ a %e%!er, o& 2o$. Sha *o%an+s /e$ie& 2or's, No.
@A, a(3i$iar" to the 2o$. Sha Post, @A@, Grand r%" o& the /e'(!$ic.
2onsidering the $i%ited ad#antages o&&ered %e, I ha#e %ade the !est (se o& %" ti%e, and hat&e ta$ents the Lord has !estoed on %e I ha#e not )hidden in a na'-in,) !(t (sed the% &or His
g$or" and to !ene&it those &or ho% I $i#e. nd hat !etter can e do than to $i#e &or othersC
E3ce't the deceit&($ness o& riches, nothing is so i$$(sor" as the s(''osition o& interest e ass(%ethat o(r readers %a" &ee$ in o(r a&&airs< !(t i& this s-etch is ta-en (' &or ;(st a %o%ent o& "o(r
$i&e, it %a" sett$e the 'ro!$e% in "o(r %ind, i& not in others, )2an the negro race s(cceed,
'ro'ortionate$", as e$$ as the5Pg DA7 hites, i& gi#en the sa%e chance and an e4(a$ startC)
)The ho(rs are groing shorter &or the %i$$ions ho are toi$ing<nd the ho%es are groing !etter &or the %i$$ions "et to !e<nd e a$$ sha$$ $earn the $esson, ho that aste and sin are
s'oi$ingThe &airest and the &inest o& a grand h(%anit".
It is co%ing? it is co%ing? and %en+s tho(ghts are groing dee'er<The" are gi#ing o& their
%i$$ions as the" ne#er ga#e !e&ore<The" are $earning the ne Gos'e$< %an %(st !e his !rother+s
-ee'er,nd right, not %ight, sha$$ tri(%'h, and the se$&ish r($e no %ore.)
Fi"is.
