Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-09-08

Emancipator and Free American. The writer us
lady of great responsibility, who has removed her
family from slave to a free State, and whose state
ments may be relied on true
THE FAMISHED HAND.
Tn the wear 1884 or 3, | left Norfolk,
(Va.) in large schooner bound for New
York. One Of the cabin passengers had a
sick child and no attendant. The second
day after we left Norfolk the child asked
for food, and offered to prepare toast for
it. For this purpose | went to the cooks
room, which was below the deck, and in GO
ing TO which, it was necessary TO pass
quantity of freight, which had been put on
board at Norfolk The steward kindly as
sisted me in making the toast, and added
cracker and cup of tea. With these, on
small waiter, was retiring to the cabin,
when in passing the freight which consisted
of boxes, bags, etc, little tawny, iamlshed
looking hand was held out from between the
packages. The skeleton fingers, agitated
by convulsive movement, were evidently
reached forth with a view to the food in my
possession. Shocked, but not alarmed by
the appariton, laid the cracker on the
hand, which was Immediately Withdrawn
No one observed the transaction, and went
softly to the cabin. The sick child was
gratiied with its meal and when, in the
afternoon, it wanted more, again offered
my services apologized to the steward
for the liberty | was taking in visiting his
premises so often, but pleaded the necessity
of attending TO the little invalid. | found
he was father, and inquired the names Of
his children. ] brought him presents for
them and so ingratiated myself into his IA
vor. that soon had free access to the larder,
and often found nice things prepared for
myself as well as for the little one in the
cabin. But whatever could procure was
divided with the famished hand, which, TO
me. had become precious charge. There
must have been an eye to watch my motions.
In fancy, could see that eye, cleaning at
INV approach, but at other times closed in
dim despair.
As ali was tranquil on board, it was evil
dent that alone was aware of the presence
of the unseen fugitive; and | humbly re-
turned thanks to god for allowing me the
privilege of administering TO the wants of
this, his outcast, despised and prosecuted
image. That the unfortunate being was
slave, doubted not ; but how could serve
him. or her, or whoever it might be, eilec-
tualy? | knew the law and usages in such
cases. | knew the poor being had nothing
TO hope for from the Captain and crew of
the vessel, and repeatedly asked myself the
agonizng question, will there be any way of
escape! | had hopes that we might land in
the night, and so, under favor Of darkness,
the fugitive be enabled to GO on shore I'M
seen by those on board, | determined to
watch for and assist the creature who had
been thus providentially consigned to my
care.
On the sixth day 1--WE having long pas
sage) found that the goods below were be-
ing moved in order to come at something
which was wanted and so filled up was the
passage that could not 60 below. My
heart seemed to die within me, for the safe
ty of the sufferer had become dear to me-
We sat down to dinner, Blu. the dishes swan
before my eyes, felt that discovery must
take place. The tumbling of the freight be.
low had not ceased Each moment | ex-
pected an alarm. At length heard sud-
den 'shalIop' and all was quiet. Presently
the steward came into the cabin looked
Significantly at the company, and whispered
Il
and Immediately laid down the knife and
fork and went on deck. One of the passen-
gers followed him, but soon returned and
in a laughing manner informed us that q
strange passenger had been. found among
the freight 1T Isl added he, "a small mu.
latto boy, who says he belongs to MIR -
of Norfolk. That he had been concealed
among the lumber on the wharyes for two
weeks, and secreted himself in the schooner
the night before we sailed. He is going tC
New York to find his father, who escaped
two years since And, continued he, he
is starved to skeleton, hardly worth taking
back Many jokes were passed, as to the
manner of his being renovated when he
should again fall into the hands of his mas
ter. Some thought the vessel mast put i'm
mediately back. Others were Of opinion
that, as we were within eight or ten hour.
sail of New York, the trip would be made
and the boy carried back on her return
The unfortunate child had been brough
on deck, and we all left the cabin to look a
him. followed behind, almost unwilling
TO see him and stood some time by thu
companion way in order to gain strength
for the interview. | then proceeded for
ward. As soon as he discovered me, brgh
CLEAN shot over his countenance, and he in
stinctiyely held out the same famished hand
NV feelings were no longer to be controlled
There stood child, before me, not NOR,
than eleven or twelve years Of age, Of yellow
complexion and sad countenance, nearly ma
ked his back scared with scars, and hi
flesh wasted to the bone. burst into tears