New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-06-28
STORY OF ELLEN CRAFTS.
From the Boston Chronotype


rather 10 be strictly correct brunette one
now about nineteen or twenty years OF age ah'
will readily pass Ia any circle as oafk oo'ofe,
white girl Girls dark as + len, are 80 often ~ ~
with. as those Of fsirsr skins. We are not oe'
scribing the chief attraction OF ballroom Du'
something more, when We say that hrmncss, ln
tslligence and perseverance are distinctly anf
imores.ively marked upon her countensnce hei
bairis long straight, and dark coOred, nose prom
pept. eyes dark, large and expressive we are
thus particular, 70 show her connection WIN III.
Anglo Saxon and 70 show how little there 49, "'
Feature by which the enslaved race is 50 read y
recognized.
Ia the oity from which Ellen fed, she acted a.
body servant or slave 10 another young "omt"
possibly her sster-ior our knowledge oil the
"patrisfchal institution leads readliy ana ha'u'
rally ~ that inference.
Vbils in This situation she married. 1t IL i1i
the profit of the master that early marriage =
should be a law Of custom. The union contracted
by Ellen proved % be happy one. The husband
Willism-ssves have no right 10 other names
has proved himself 10 be every way worthy o
her By his industry, and by turning night INTO
day. he con,rived % procure enough money 10
purchase a portion OF his time from the man who
claimed to own him. Ii cost William all he bad'
bat It procured him privileges which enabled hm,
by assiduOus application, TO lay by another store
"a larger portion Of which, the hons share. went
TO swell the masters iil-gOtten gains,-i0r ne"
and dear bought privileges
BY dnt OF saving and starving, William con.
trived 10 accumulate for himself aud vile, enough
10 purchase TOR each macy little comforts aud
privileges. They were thus enabled 10 anellofate
their condition, and were for time happy
Thouyh not permitted b. see each other Otener
than once a week they had many secret meetings
These stolen interviews were sweet and pre-
cious Were they not, ye, who love the vile ~
yoar sf sctions Thoughts of their condition, their
hard lot ming led with unavallng regrets, without
doubt were the principal ones exchsnged De
tween them But this condition they were con
strained TO endure almost ioyfuly, In view q the
greater deprivation aud suhenngs OF their fellow
slaves.
Privileges ike these, however were destined
10 bear their rich harvest. Thoughts OF liberty
are never long absent from slave or prisoner.
HOPE beckOus forever, even through sOrest us -
This was the great subject. between Ellen aud
William. Ia the long, zone hours of the night
that were but usheriug 10, to them, another day
of bondage. the Spirit OF lberty visitedthem. Not
inspproprate TO their condition is the exclamation
of David AS the hart pan,eth after the water.
brooks, so panteih my soui aler thee, q God.
lis quite certain that they could have escaped
nom the city in which they were. But whuhcr
could they fee Without place, without means
of support, hunted by every siave-catcher hhe
the partridge upon the mountains, surrounded 10y
enemies their capture was certain; aud stripes,
separation, accumulated woes, you'd be their iot
These considerations filled their hearts WITH
sadness. But Liberty, ever bright aud TAR, bade
than hope On. For many weeks they thought
over every plan OF escape which promised sue
cess bat could find noue
They had heard vaguely, Of the Abolitionisis Of
the North bat they had been represented TO them
as monsters more 60 be dreaded than the say
driver himself and their hopes led them not that
way. Sull, they would inquire concerning them,
and one q Az sufficient was learned 10 determine
their course. They would flee TO the Abolitionists
Their Star 10 the East, had indeed arisen, hat
bow could they follow rs glorious path The
nesres, city to them was Philadelphia distsnce
OF !. 900 miles weary way for ideiuves IRON
slavery. But the determination once formed
every obstacle was 10 be overcome. Accord
insly their sleeping and waking thoughts Were
given 70 fad out tue way TO the spot where Liberty
dvet.
TIE first obstacle 10 be overcome was 20 secure
the Necessary funds for the proposed flight. By
double toll. by more than misery saving, a suth-
cisnt sum was acquired. They were, for slaves.
really r,ch and noS freedom or death rather than
slavery, as their Joint language.
Tue plan adopted. Displays degree OF la
genuity whi h could not have been acquired un-
der the ordinary Circumstances OF life. htsry
confinement or lite o. perpetual bondage are
the only incentives hich bring out all the latent
Ingenuity Of the msn. The thoughts Of the cap
tive are upon one pOlnt. The whole energy aud
strength Of his mind are directed u one aim. Let
such an o0e see but the slightest probSoiliy OF
Of success, though II be but the ialntlog Simmer
and that faith which overcomes mountains. hli :
the rAan into the paradise he would gain. That
faith secures the bOon.
II was decided that Ellen should personaie on
invalid Young man, aud that William should rep
resent the servsas. The psn proposed involved 3
large expenditure. since yoauc mon who IsVe
with their servants are supposed % be nch. bl'
10 secured this great this sbounding advantage
BY this dsguise they cou q take the pubic high
way, and the most rapid convey snces. Besitt
the very holiness, the originality OF the plaa was
designed to be tnelr greatest safeguard nor WIZ
would look for fugitive from slavery under tic
hat OF a aie.faced sickig s0Eth, pursuing his
way North, IN quest OF heath, attended by sew
,ng man
90 isr the plan. Its execution was now the
great point Could a disguise, ,mpenetrahe T.
the slave csicheTs, whose scent Is hike TIE blood
houuds and cara the bloodhound be procured
Over this vital question Ellen aud William pond.
cred day aud night, with Pslpitssns hesrts Bot
that genius which gave the bod scheme birth.
was vet fertile IN resources. The first ldes VA,
aprestge OF its full accomplishment
There was no point, however minute IN the
habiliments of a young man. that was not studiec
with as much care as ever Newton or hersche
studied the heavens. This wss necessary, FOR
yoang woman who first attempts the apparel OF {
boy Is sure to DC discovered st the first glance, b,
sn accurate observer. Hence ELLEN practice
nightly in her esrb until she had become
thoroughly trGiaed.
But 70 the dress itself A slave cannot purchase
suit uuQuesjioned, another person may
Therefore extreme caution became necessary
else the cherished scheme of months would have
been discovered aad oVerthrown. Then they
must die, for il hope be dead, why seek 10 live.
Wilsa was the purchaser. At various places
and different times, under numerous prctexts h,
bought the required articles. TIE hat was a vely
high bell-crow ned. or as he stated il, a double
story hat" Next he bought sack, which, on be
ing put on, proved - world too wide but Ellen
thought that was no objection, as sacks never
htl" The vest proved 70 be very long one
reaching below the hips, bat iashionsbiy cut, snc
as IL was all the 60 wss adopted without de
mar, especially as the sack eoald be baltonec
over and hide the dispropoItion OF ats size Their
the psataloons were OF mos; liberal dimensions
and boots. more easily obtained, completed thi'
part OF tue wardrobe. A pair Of green glasses
were procured for toe purpose OF making Elea
look older iOr hen fitted oot IN her new rig, s1e
looked exceedingly yoang, beside her features
pisAi hs Recognized BY any person whom they