The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-11-23

TO appear at tne next court to 10 the charge
ofkidnapping, he became alarmed, and told where
captain Dana could be arrested. His directions
were followed, and the delinquent was seized and
taken to Isaac I. Hoppsr's house. He was in
towering passion, protesting his innocence, and
threatening vengeance against everybody who
should attempt TO detain him. Badly as Friend
Hopper thought of the man. he almost wished he
had escaped when he discovered that he had a
wife and children to suffer for his msdongs His
tender heart would not allow him TO be present at
the trial. lest his wife should be there in distress
She did not appear, however, and Captain d ina
made full confession, alleging poverty as an ex
euse. He was educated man, and had previ
ously sustained a fair reputation. He was liberia
ted on bail for fifteen hundred dollars which was
forfeited; but the Jud sments were never ensor-
eedaganst his securities.
COLONEL RIDGELY's SLAVE.
A slave escaped from Colonel Ridg,ly. who re-
sided in the southern part OF Virginia. He went
to Philadelphia, and remained there undiscovered
for several years. But he was never quite free
from anxiety, lest in some unlucky hour, he should
be arrested and carried back to bondage. When
" NA"N 'e'H NF SO'iAo hioHCy, ITO Cdliou upUH lSFHC
I. Hopper to assist him in buying the free use of
his own limbs. negotiation was opened with
Col. Ridgely, who agreed to take two hundred dol
lars for the fugitive, and appointed time TO come
to Philadelphia to arrange the business. But in
stead of keeping his agreement honoraby. he went
to that city several weeks bef,re the specified
time. watched his bondnan, seized him, and con-
veyed him to Friend Hopp. RS office. When the
promised two hundred dollars were offered, he re-
fused to accept them.
why. that is the sum thou hast agreed upon,
said Friend Hopper.
Il know that replied the CuIonel; but won't
take it now. He was the best servant ever had
can sell him for one thousand dollars in Virginia
Under present circumstances, I will take five hun
dred dollars for him, and net cne cent less
After considerable discussion. Friend Hopper
urged him to allow his bondman until ten O'Clock
next morning to see whit he could do among his
friends; and he himself gave written obligation
that the man should be delivered up to him at thai
hour, in case he coull not procure five, hundred
dollars to purchase his freedom.
When the master gone, Friend Hopper
said to the alarmed fugitive, There now remains
but one way for thee to obtain thy freedom. As
to raising five hundred dollars, that is out of the
question. But il thou wilt be prompt and reso-
lutte, and do precisely what tell thee think thou
canst get off fsafsly.'
4 will do anything for freedom replied the
bondman; for have made up my MIND, come what
may. that never will go back into sluvery.'
Very well then,' rejoined his friend Don't get
frightened when the right moment comes to act,
but keep thy wits about thee, and do as tell thee
Thy master will come here tomorrow at ten o.
clock. according to appointment. l must deliver
thee up TO him and receive back the obligation for
five hundred dollars, which have. given him. Do
thou stand with thy back against the door. which
opens from this room into the parlor When he
has returned the paper to me. open the door quick
ly, lock it on the inside, and through the par
lor into the back yard. There is a wall there
eight feet high with spikes at the top. Thou wilt
find clothes horse leaning against it to help thee
up. When thou hast mounted, kick the clothes
horse down behind thee, drop on the other side Of
the wall aud be off, The premises were then
shown to him, and he received minute directions
through what alleys and streets he had better pass,
and at what house he could find temporary ref
uge.
Col. Ridgely came the next morning, at the ap-
pointed hour, and brought friend to stand senti-
mel at the street lest the slave should attempt
to rush out. 1t did not occur to him that there
was any danger of his rushing in.
We have not been able to raise the FIVE humid
red dollars, said Friend Hopper, 'and here is thy
man, according to agreement
sand dollars; and the instant it left his hand the
fugitive passed into the parlor. The master sprung
tho counter after him, but found the door lock-
ed. Before he could get to the back yard by an
other door, the wall was scaled, the clothes horse
thrown down, and the fugitive was beyond his
reach Of course he returned very much disap-
pointed and enraged declaring his firm belief that
a trick had been planned upon him purposely.-
After he had given vent to his anger some little
time, Friend Hopper asked for private inter-
view with him. When they were alone together
in the parlor he sad L admit it was an intention
al trick, but had what seemed to me good reason
for resorting to it. In the first place, thou ddst
pot keep the agreement with me, but sought to
gain an unfair advantage. In the next place,
knew that man was thy own son; and think any
person who is so unfeeling as to make traffic OF
his own flesh and bioe deserves to be tricked out
of the chance to do it,
What if he is my son?' rejoined the Virginian.
i've as good right to sell my own flesh and blood
that ofany other person. 1fI choose TO do it, it
is none Of your business He opened the door.
and beckoniug to his friend, who in waiting,
he said; Hopper admits this was ell trick to set
the slave free.' Then turning to Friend Hopper,
he added, You admit it was a trick don't you!'
Thou and will talk that matter over by our
Selves he replied. The presence of a third per-
son is not always convenient
The 'lonel went off in violent passion and
forgetting that he was not iu Virginiu, he rushed
into the houses of several colored people. knocked
them about, overturned their beds, and broke their
furniture, in search of the fugitive. Being unable