Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-02-26

their safety and happiness. as to cause her to Tor
get the poor little orphan which God, in his prov
idence seemed to cast upon her care. And they
we're deeply impressed with her story, as che re-
pcated it in her own simple style. And several
mothers instinctively folded their babes closer to
their bosoms, while tears of sympathy chased each
other down their cheeks, and their silent but earn
est prayers assembled to q throne Of grace, plead
ing for the blessing of heaven to attend this poor
old mother in her long journey, and reward her
noble deeds Of benevolence. Christians who had
enjoyed great privileges, felt deeply their want of
love to God and loUe to man, when they saw the
faith Of this poor slave mother exhibited in her
kindness towards that little orphan.
But there were some who, for the sake Of the
reward offered, watched every road that they
might apprehend these helpless creatures, and re
turn them to bondage. Yes, there were men SO
void of every feeling of humanity they tried to
catch these poor women and children, and take
them back to slavery--men so base that they tram
pie on conscience and every principle OF justice
and bsnevolence for the sake of a few hundred
dollars which they hoped to get if successful.
They might be seen s~neaking in different direc'
tione, with clubs, guns, knives, and pistols, hunt
ing a poor old,gray,headed mother, who was fee
ing with her children to a land of liberty. But
all their efforts were in vain for he who led Isra'
ell through the wilderness to a land of promise,
guided the helpless band safely through every dan
ger.
1t was scarcely dark before C company of frisnds
we're waiting to lend a helping hand-ready to
risk their property or peril their lives if necessary.
1t was not safe to travel by the public roads, SO
closely we're they watched. So some of the men
took the babies in their arms, and others took the
large children on their backs, preparatory to al
seven miles walk. 1t was with difficulty tina. the
old mother could be persuaded to let the men car
ry the little orphan, for fear they would not keep
it wrapped up closely. She wanted to carry III
herself-to use her own words-"to keep its cloak
tucked round it, an its hands kiyered, for it's
mighty weakly" She finally consented, however,
and they all started through the fields and woods,
over fences and logs at one time descending into
a deep ravine, and at another scrambling up a
steep hill.
All were silent except little Tom. He felt very
comfortable riding upon a mans back and like
most boys, was disposed to nsk a great many ques-
tions. Little Tom was naturally very quick, and
during his first day in Ohio he had acquired many
ideas about freedom. The old mans grandchil.
dren had taken quite a fancy to Tom and told him
a great many things about Canada. They had
even pictured to his mind the r>ad, and told him
that be would ride across the lake in q fine large
steamer. This almost put little Tom in ecstacy.
He had often seen the steamboats, passing his
masters door, and 80 impatient was he to ride on
one, that every few moments he would ask, "Haint
we most thar :" where, Tom ?" some one would
reply. "Most to Canerday," he would answer,
seeming a little ve1ed at what appeared to him
to be impairment. mo, we are not there yet,
Tom" "Well, we'r most to de boat, haint we ?"
His active mind had already formed many plans
and he never seemed so earnest as when telling
them to others. "I'm gwin to help nanny, or
I'm gwin to work hard an get money to buy a
house, when we get to Canerday." Such were
some of little Toms plans and where there was
no apprehension of danger, the men encouraged
him to enliven the company with his humorous
sayings.
After they had proceeded several miles, their
path lay along the edge of q wood upon a steep
bill. side, and the public road was in the valley be-
low. The moon was now shining brightly--too
brightly, indeed. to suit these travellers. All at
once the tramping of hoofs upon the road told Of
the coming pursuers. 1t was not possible to re.
treat and they dare not hurry forward, lest the
%rustling of leaves beneath their feet should betray
them. There was barely a possibility of hiding
behind u fence.
What's to be done I" said one.
"We'l have to fight" said another, as all in
stinctivsly began to prepare their weapons.
"NO," said the old mother, as she folded hel
> babe in her arms and crept close to the fence, a
the same time reckoning to her oldest daughter t
get her babe and hide, too, mo, de good Lori
help u.s."
1t was but a moment till all we're closely con
cealed behind the fence. Scarcely a breath wa
drawn and so oppressive wac the silence tina
they were almost afraid the teating of their hear
would betray them. The pursuers were now with
. in a few rods, and painting for their prey. Not
stir was mace by those lying behind the fence
Indeed so death-like was the stiffness, that tn
babe which the youngest mother held in her arm
became frightened, and gave a hideous scream
;, = ITS all over now" they thought. And oh! who
y horror filled that mothers breast. She saw uott
ing now but chains and MISREPRESENTATION fror
her mother. her brothers, and sisters, and eve
from her own little babe. She saw nothing i
- such a life worth living for. Despair filed he
' bosom, chilled her blood, frenzied her mind, an
robbed her Of that natural affection which shoul
fill a mothers heart. She grasped the throat
:, her child and strangled it till its cry was hushe,
- And so great was her fear of being captured ar
taken back, that she might have strangled her ow
3 babe to death even, if one of the men had not or
vented her.
" "We're on to 'emm now" said one of the pu
suers. "Didn't you hear the young one squall q
there 10 the woods 7"
They refined up their horses and listened. b.
heard no more. at wort DO to waste time her
boys" said another shat was nothing but
cat. Let's 60 on" All consented to tn
and started of, much to the satisfaction and cor
b fort of the company lying behind the fence, wi