Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-25
From the Middlesex Standard.
CHARLES NELSON.
THE STORY OF. A FUGITIVE FROM SLAVERY,

THE STORY OF FUGITIVE FROM SLAVERY,
In tho summer of 1888, while passing north
ward along the shore of Lake Champlain, reign
ed my horse up through the shady farmyard of
my beloved friend, Robinson. With that suavityI
and smiling good nature, always beaming from
the conference of genuine Quaker, he met
me before the inner gate was reached, and
scarcely waiting for the salutation and shake OF
the hand, Thomas was ordered to see to the due
care e the beast, whilst | was ushered through
long, substantial hail. into the family circle OF the
man, who, some fifty odd years ago, brought in
his saddle bags all the way from Rhode Island,
Providence Plantations, the first locust "sprouts
that were set in the soil fold Addison county
Next to their notoriety as tidy farmers, and
growers of fine wool, the Robnsons were in
those days, as indeed they are to this present,
noted as abolitionist and never were they hab-
pier than when ministering to the wants of the
startled refugee from our republican prison
house. On being summoned to dinner, we
found on this occasion number Of sable repre-
sentatiyes Of the peculiar institution. One of
these bright eyed, lively lad of Is, attracted
cur notice, both on account Of his tender years,
and the sprightIiness Of his bearing. How upon
earth, thought we, can this lad have escaped the
clutches of the manhound He was well c lad
and had about him divers articles Of ornament
or fancy, all Indicating that Charles might have
been one Of those favored slaves, who are so pet
ted that they cling to their bonds from choice
| felt an unusual inclination to exercise the yam
kee perogatve, by nquiring into the history of
our hero. The reader shall have the benefit Of
the information thus sought and obtained
But few weeks previously to our interview,
Charles was, in the language of Louisiana law, "to
all intents, purposes and constructions whatsoev-
err" 4" chattel personal" of precious young
sprg of nobility, named Campbell, residing in
the fr-lamed town Of Vicksburg--the seat of
modern lynch-law justice, where whole platoon
of gamblers and blacklegs were made conspicu-
GUS by means of the gallows-ropc,
One bright May morning, Campbell, accom-
panied by Charles, in the capacity Of body SER
want, set off on tour to the North, to fulfil a
marriage contract which, it would seem had
been previously stipulated between this young
lUlu VI llCC-tlClCC anu OOCtbll-DuN, anu OAiN
of the fair daughters of the Monumental city
Arrived at Baltimore, the nuptials were duly
celebrated, and the happy pair decided upon a
jaunt to Saratoga, and other points Of fashionable
resort, as suitable way of passing the honey.
moon. Steam power soon brought them oyel
the delightful rout to New York, thence up the
majestic Hudson, and on to the charmed ground
whittier crowds of invads, dainty damsels and
precious SWANS do congregate. Some days were
here passed in the midst of the gaiety and fash
ionable Irritation Of the United States Hotel, an
establishment usually resorted to by the chiyalry
for no true souled STAKEHOLDER could brook the
idea of being entertained at one dollar per diem
when equally good Accommodations were Offered
for ten times the amount After lingering
week at the Springs, Campbell, his bride anc
Charles, took the cars for Niagara, but on reach
ing Schenectady, the wary master, possibly fear
ing it would be hazardous to entrust his loco
motive property so near the British dominons
bargained with a hotel-keeper in that city tc
keep Charles safely until his (Campbell's) return
from the Falls With this understanding, Camp
bell left for the grand Cataract But Charley
feeling somewhat lonely among strangers, made
bold the same day. to make the acquaintance o
the slaves weI-tried friend, Wright, who, thougl
prescribed by law and usage in his adopte
State, on account of color, has, by his industry
amassed handsome property, and given llber
al educlIion to a son, who now holds the station
of Moderator of the Presbytery Of New York
Father Wright, lost no time in making himse
acquainted with the case Of Charles, and FINAL
inquired, "Would you like to be free!"
&" Yes indeed, was the prompt response Q
the lad Hold on here, then" said the oil
man, as he turned upon his heel with unwonte
elasticity, and with a significant wink, adding
81 will meet you at such square after tw
lght | will warrant you shall have faithfu
friend to pilot you on to Vermont, where yo
will be secure from the grasp of the kidnapper.
The proposition was assented to by the youn
candidate for freedom, and by dusk Quake
friend in his buggy appeared at the place {
rendezvous. Charles was made passenger {
once, and with bounding hearts, they trayele
all night and a part Of the following day, maxim
distance of more than one hundred mile
when reaching the farmhouse of my fren
Robinson, already mentioned, the boy was lie
in his charge, the Quaker friend returning
the State Of New York.
The writer of this sketch had the pleasure
conveying the slave boy from the domicil
friend Robinson to the capitol of Vernon
where he enjoyed " the largest liberty" and WI
soon indicted into the mysteries of Webster
Spelling Book, and other elementary work
suitable for SO young graduate from the peel
liar institution.
But to return to the bereaved master, whom "
left with his young wife, gazing at the gIories
Niagara. The anti-slavery journals OF NewYor
illormedus of the return of Campbell to Schene
tady where--alas for the uncertainty of all thing
rof a doubtful nature---he learned that his favori
servant was amounr the MISSING: and what W;