Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-12-02
From the Bosten Chronotyps.
Story of Ellen Crafts. =.

Il
Story Of Ellen Crafts. g +
In city about nine hundred miles south
Of Mason and Dixon's line, Ellen Crafts
was slave Because we find her in this
, degrading condition, let it not be understood
that she is a negro. Ellen Crafts, though
slave, is white; or, rather to be strictly
{ correct, brunette. She is now about
nineteen or twenty years Of sge, and will
rendlly pass in any circle as q dark color.
ed white girl. Girls dark rs Ellen, are as
4 often met with as those of fairer SKINS
\ We are not describing the chief attraction
/ of ball room, but something more, when
we say that frmness, intelligence, and
perseverance, are distinctly and impressive
; ly marked upon her csuntenanee. Her
hair is long,straight and dark colored, nose
prominent, eyes dark, large and express
i've. We are thus particular, to show how
little there is, of any feature by which the
enslaved race is readily recognized.
4 In the city from which Ellen fled, she
acted as body servant or slave to another
young woman, possibly her sster--for our
knowledge ofthe, "patriarchal institution
leads readily and naturally to that infer,
ence. tsF4.z
/ While iE this situation she married. -
1t is for the profit of the master that early
marriages should be law Of custom =
The union contracted by Ellen proved TO
be happy one. The husband, William
slaves have no right to other names
has proved himselfto be every way wor-
thy Of her. lsy his industry, and by turn
ing night into day, he contrived to procure
enough money to purchase q portion of his
time from the man who claimed TO own
him. 1t cost William all he had, but it
procured him privileges which enabled
him. by assiduous application, to lay by
another store,-a large portion Of which,
the lions share, went to swell The MASTER S
ill-gotten gains--for new and dear bought
privileges. r iii -..sil,s- ,s ~.
By dint Of saving nnd starving, William
contrived to accumulate for himself and
wife, enough to purchase for each, many
little comforts and privileges They were
thus enabled TO ameliorate their condition.
and were for a time happy Though not
permitted to see each other efiener than
once week, they had many secret meet.
ings. or:as as,sssl-zas s.is Eal.a4s a.,z-
Thess stolen interviews were sweet ard
precious. Were they not, ye, who love
the wife Of your aGec,ionsi Thoughts of
their, condi,ion,s their hard lot, mingled
with unavniling regrets, withou; doubt,
were The principle ones exchanged between
them. But this condition they were con-
strained to endure, almost joyfullv, in view
Of the greater deprivation and sufforngs of
their fellow slaves. s......,--, -, nab
Prisileg es like these, however, were
destined to rear their rich harvest
Thoughts of liberty are never long absent
from slave or prisoner. This was the
great subject, between Ellen md William.
In the long, lone hours OF night, that we re,
but nshering in, to. them another day of
bondage, the spirit Of liberty visited them.
Not inappropriate to their condition is the
exclamation Of David: "As the henrt pa Mt.
eth after the wnter-brooks, so pante,h my
soul alter thee, o! God. 'sy~s s5a-sl
1t is quite certain that they could have
escaped from the city in which they were
But whittier could they fee? Without a
place, without means Of support, hunted by
every ave-catcher, .like the partridge up.
on the mountains, surrounded by enemies,
their capture was certain: and stripes. sep
arntion would be their lot. <e 20 getf.t.Gs
These considerations filed their hearts
with sadness. But liberty ever bright ond
fair. bid them TO hope on.a Fer mnny
weeks they thought over every plan of es-
cape, which promised success, but could
find none. ,.t, seFs3 ssse..,,..t .ss-a,. ..s
They had heard vaguely Of tho abolition
lists Of the north; bu. they had been repre-
sented to them as monsters more 10 be
dreaded, than the slave driver himself.an
their hopes led them no. that way. Still
they would enquire concerning them, and
one day sufficient was learned to deter
mine their course. They would flee to
the nbolitionists. .:.'
i Their star in the east had indeed arisen.
but how could they follow its glorious path? ?
The nearest city was Philadelphia, a dis
f tance Of 1000 miles; weary way for fu.
gitives from slavery But the determina-
ton once formed, every obstacle wos to be
overcome. Accordingly their sleeping and
waking thoughts were given to fnd out the
way to the spot where liberty dwelt.
The first obstacle 10 be overcome was Il
secure the necessary funds for the propos.
ed flight. By double toll, by n more mi.
serly saving, sufficient sum was acquir
ed. They were, for slaves really rich
and now freedom or death, rather than
slavery, was their joint language.
The plan adopted, displays degree of
. ingenuity which could not have been ac'
!. quired under the ordinary circumstances
: ofhfe. Solitary confinement, or life OF
perpetual bondage are the only incentives
Q which bring out all the latent ingenuity of
the man. The thoughts of the captive
!. are upon one point. The whole energy
g and strength Of his mind are directed 10 one
. aim. Let such an one see but the slight
est probability Of success, thoughi! be but
the fain,est glimmer, and that faith, which
I overcomes mountains, lifts the man int
il the paradise he would gain. That fa;tI
j, secures the boon ssFtaa "s
/, 1t is decided that Ellen should personat'
e an invalid young man. The plan propos
cd invoIved n laroe expanditure, Sinct