The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-07
, LEWIS CLARKE, ALIAS GEORGE HARRIS

arc parallel. Personally, too, there was
no dissimilarity between the real and
the fictitious character. Mrs. Stowe
drew her picture accurately from life.
phe description that the story gives of
George Harris was IN exact description
of Lewis Clarke ut the time that Mrs.
Stowe knew him. "Six feet in height,
n very light mulatto, brown, curly hair,
is very intelligent, speaks handsomely,
can read and write"
Both were accomplished and adepts
atthe spinning-wheel. After an effectual
escape and several years of slow prog
'ess northward, during which time he
was favorably received in Ohio and
other states, he finally found his way
to Cam bridgeport, Mass, where he was
kindly received by DIR. Lyman Beccher,
who felt keen interest in his career,
and gave him pleasant employment ut
his own home.
Lewis Clarke, now an old man, de-
lights In relating incidents in the home
life of the Beccher family, with which
he was closely identified for six years,
and among whom he was treated with
the utmost kindness, Mrs. Harriet
.Beecher Stowe, whose husband at that
time was a professor Mt Lane seminary,
an Ohio institution of which her father,
Lyman Bcechcr, was president, made it
custom to spend her summers ut Cam
bridgeport, her girlhoods home. It
was during these visits that her sympa-
thics became aroused In. the young
mulatto under her fathers roof, who
had endured so much, and who became
to her type of his kind, and Just
exponent of the barbaritics of the south
crn slave-holding system. Mrs Stowe
turned an attentive car to every rcmi-
niscence with which young Clarke was
quite willing to regale her, being cs-
pccially alert at any incident or detail
that she fancied she might render avail
able. Frequently she would follow the
young man about his work and ply him
with deft questions, he unsuspecting of
Interior motive on her part. Then sud-
denly she would say with apparent in
differences wait here, George, until 1
come back" and hasten to her room to
make stealthy memorandum, return
ing soon to continue her drawing out"
of the young negro and collect further
material.
The "Aunt Chloe" of the book had
for her original old "Aunt Annie" who
belonged to Clarlee's kentucky master.
''Emelinc" was his sister, Della Clarke
Other characters were specific subjects
from real life idealized. "Uncle Tom"
was q sort of composite photograph,
compiled from various sources, hnd
artistically retouched.
Lewis Clarke. alias George Harris, IS
now o striking, picturesque. looking
man of seventy-six, with q refined face,
sillscn snow-white locks that curl about
his head, and skin of Caucasian fair
ness. He has devoted considerable time,
both in Canada and New England, in the
lecture field, his theme in former days
being "Thc Exposure OF Slavery"
Even now he has n taste for public life.
With strange inconsistency he has
turned to Kentucky, the scene of the
bittcrest and most calling associations
of his life, rs he alleges, as to peace
full haven in his declining years, and is
living in contcntmcnt with his children
there. Nature has justified herself.
A sriRoGRAPn for drawing spirals