Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-14

so far as to refrain from teaching the slaves in
future, he could not conceive how that which he
was taught to believe of the utmost importance
to himself, and without which he could not be-
come good and useful citizen, should be
so very hurtful to poor Jack He had not yet
learned either from false philosophy or prej-I
udice, the inferiority of the colored race
He felt that Jack was in no respect his inferior
in natural gifts He had as much smewdness
and address as any boy he knew, and his love of
knowledge often taxed his own requirements toI
the utmost His father took great pains to teach
him that that could only be hurtful to Jack
which would benefit him. But Henry was very
dull and slow to believe that any good reason eX-
listed why Jack should not learn as well as him
SELF if he had the capacity. Care was taken
thenceforth to separate Henry and his fayorite,
as much as possible.
Jack was soon convinced that he had no pres
pect of lettering his condition in slavery, and he
resolved to escape as soon as possible. He told
no one, not even his mother, of his purpose. His
plans were skillfully laid and promised success.
One bright morning, about the middle ofswin-
ter, Jack was missing, 1t was, at first, sup
posed that he had gone without leave to visit, on
some ofthe neighboring plantations; but when
on closer search it was discovered that he had
taken his clothes and some trihes given him by
Henry, there could be no further doubt that he
had run of, The neighbors were soon assem-
bled and men on horseback, with dogs and guns
set out in pursuit of the fugitive.-Jack had
foreseen that they would confne their search
chiefly to the roads leading North, and he wise
ly determined to secrete himself for few days,
not far from home, until the heat Of the chase
should be over He supplied himself with a
good stock of provisions, for several days, and
had courage and contryance to rely upon fol
future supplies.
On the second day of his absence, Henry sci
out with his dog and gun for days sport-Nc
one suspected that Jack still fingered in the
neighborhood; and Henry, much as he loveC
him, most fevently hoped that he was alone il
the woods The brown leaves rustled beneath
his light step, and the keen air whstled among
the naked branches Of the trees. Henry was
sad. Jack had always been his companion il
such excursions, and the dark forest seemed lone
y and desolate, as it had never done before
Crossing a rayine, down which torrent hac
passed during the rainy season, and left to mari
its path, huge heaps of old trunks and branche
of trees, he stepped on one of these trunks whicl
extended quite across the bottom of the ravine
for the purpose of reaching the other side, whel
he observed dark object beneath him, crouch
ed on a bed of leaves-Another glance assured
him that it was Jack. The poor fellow slep
soundly Henry looked with pity on the uncon
scious sleeper Here was faithful friend, tn
nurse of his infancy, the companion later year
hiding like felon from all that he had eve
known and loved on earth-that he might seel
in distant land, the freedom he believed to b
his birth-right. Then he thought Of his father
and of the probability of his enquiring whethe
he had seen Jack. He loved and respected hi
father-and he would not to save his own life
tell lie, but he firmly resolved that come wha
would, he never would bctray Jack Henry still
looked with thoughtful sadness on the sleepin!
exile, when he suddenly awoke, and seeing hu
. man form bending over him, sprang to his fee
and seized club that lay by his side, determin
ed to sell his life dearly for he had resolved not t.
be taken alive-His alarm quickly changed t.
delight, when he recognized his young master
He had already determined to set out for TIN
y, North, and he rejoiccd to meet Henry and BIZ
ii him farewell.-The faithful fellow wept ant
s, said, you won't tell where you saw me, Maste
at Henry----I know you too WELL and if every body
d was like you, would never run away, Wher
I, am gone, you will tell nanny where you saw
+ me-and tell her, I'll do very well where Tn
is going, and maybe, some day, come back anc
ut buy her from master, for know she would ney
h. er be persuaded to run off You had better no
N tell her for day or two, for she won't like t,
have her Jack called runaway, and might give
Il hint about me, that would do '-Henr,
"a assured Jack that he would have nothing to lea
ID from him, and bidding each other an alfecionatt
r farewell Henry saw the fugitive in the dim twi
at light, bounding over the hills guided by the
n northern star, to land where slavery is un
as known.
of Henry returned home with an anxious heart
e. Although he firmly resolved on doing what h,
Or thought right, yet so good and obedent chile
lie could not but feel disturbed at the prospect o
at giving offence to kind father 1t was quite
n dark when he arrived. His father who haC
ID been anxously awaiting his return, met him a
y the door and his voice was rather harsh and un
a kind, when he asked Henry what kept him on
so late 4 have been in the woods he replied
Il with my dog and gun In what direction!
OF asked his father. Il started north, sir, but
Id made short cut through the woods toward
st towards Bradey's, and went over the hill
er as far as the river, and came out through thu
n fields by John Mertons We'll, what luck hac
or you! You are a good shot-have you brough
Id home any gamer
i'll Henry met his fathers penetrating glance, ant
IS, at once felt that he suspected him of somethin!
lis wrong, but feared to test his courage and truth
IL iulness, by direct question, For moment h
n. hesitated He reverenced his father: not for tn
n world would he have been guilty of disrespect
as but he also feared God and he dared not outrag