The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-26
MEMORY Of CHRISTMAS.
One Night That Stands Fixed and
Clear In the Writer'S
Mind.
A Fugitive Lad Who Harmed Ills
Freedom az q Christmas
Present.
story of the Underground Mall Service In
tho Time Of Trouble with tho
out
written for THE HEnrsA 1sDrpnsprsr.I

Written for III HELENA ~IsDEpnNpENrI
nUT OF THE MASS OF CHILD
Hl hoods memories. tina events Of u
~ Christmaa night stand fixed and
clear, intensifying hv contrast my recollec-
tions of the days mirth, and the sweetness
and security of our home. This home was
costly tucked away in a har~bor-looked ham
let ON the southern shore of Lake Eric.
Our Christmas festival invariably began
at church and With singing. "Hark, the
Herald Angels" Then piling into slsighs
we trooped homewsrd to greetings, romps
and games, only interrupted by the an
nounnsment Of dinner. whsn the whole
family gathered around the holly-deoked
board.
Dinner done, 1t was dark enough in q
northern latitude for the Christmas tree.
Later. grandfather led ont his eldest grand
daughter In the long Virginia reel, and
grandmamma followed "up the middle and
down again. with knickerbookered beau.
Before parting. at midnight, grandfath-
sr's deep voice toned into harmony our
shrill rendering of the Christmas anthem.
1t was ono O'Clock whom we reached
home the night I especially remember. after
driving over deep SHOWS not too we'll trod.
Katy met us at the door, an unwonted
frown on her sunny IIish face: Davis has
been here, sir, with . black boy, and he's
coming again. he says"
The words were scarcely uttered whom
Davis, the village barber, appeared. fol-
lowed by . handsome mulatto boy. He
breathlessly explained that this was - fu-
gitive." "Our underground people have
put him across Kentucky and Ohio. he's
Just in; the constablea are on his track; his
masters on the next train. ] can't do no
mo-, sah," continued Davis. lapsin0 into
his v%ernacular. 'rse brune him to you!
You'se dc magistrate"
Help me to Freedom, massa," cried &he
boy himself, scanning my fathers panied
face. "Canada's so near-iust 'cross de
lake. Only help me to get there"
Tho sosne IL stamped on my mind. The
kneeling figure. the olaspsd hands, the
trembling mouth and tear-spread eyes of
the negro pleading for freedom.
"Go home, Davis" said my mother. "We
will take care Of the boy"
Then followed a rapid consultation be-
tween my parents and cousin Henry
Tucker, scarcely more than a boy himself.
You're sure your masters on the three
O'Clock train?" they asked the young negro.
Eyes mssss. No mistake. A. he's q
mighty ane gentleman. sab, big moustache
and goatee, an wears q blue coat with
shiny buttons. He's q sporting gentleman.
san. His names Col. Golf of New Orleans.
and them buttons is made out O. gold he
won In Saratoga last summer. He carries
two silver revolvers, too, sah," and San
dro's tono evinced a just pride In 30 splen-
did an owner.
well. come along, sandro, you go by
that train, too said my father.
For de Lords sake, maasa," began the
boy. but Cousin Henry cut him short:
1T is the road to Canada. You must
obey and not speak one word" and Sand o
followed into the darkness.
II was cold and clustering on the lake
shore that Christmas night. The three
men set off briskly. but were overtaken by
the mail carriers sleigh with tho night mail
bags. Henry hailed him:
ANY more ROOM, Mr.. Brigham?"
PLENTY; hop NJ"
mo, a package by underground" and 20
and so and so, whispered the conspiretor.
"All right. there's a big empty bag"
A few noiseless seconds in the snow and
Brigham's bells again iingled down the
road. The others, outing cross lots, ar
rived simultaneously at the station. Brig
ham began loading his bags on the train
just come in. How natural that Henry
Tucker should lend a helping hand, and no
mail agents face when Brigham muttered
''nnderground."
Meanwhile my father strolled forward to
"look for a man expected from the west, -
he explained to the constable patrollinR the
platform.
A tall, dashing man stepped off, peerine
about. The constable saluted Col. Gof.
who displayed two revolvers. saving: ND
nave saved you an arrest had the boy been
here! But I'll catch him yet! You're sure
no passenger ferried across the Niagara to-
niRht?"
The whistle called the sporting gentleman
to his train. My father joined the con-
stable and listened to the tale of his fruit
less pursuit. OF the fugitive.
Henry Tucker had suddenly determined
to 90 to Buffalo. and i'll the smoking Cur
found Col. Golf. and SO volubly inclined
that the search for Sandro. his runaway
slave, was no longer q secret. Arrived at
ger to the upper exit, and then hurried to
the lower one. whore a pile of mail bags.
for Canada" was being hustled into .
sleigh. One q~user-shaped bag was lifted
on last by Henry and the driver,
and after they had thrown q
buffalo robe over it the sleigh elided
swiftly away. Up Exchange, up Main, the
government horses few with the United
States mail across Buffalo to Black Rock
ferry. 1t was now the twilight of; a
new day, and the sun, nearing the horizon.
elided the fast flowing ripples of Niagara
river.
Drowsy toll-kespers and custom house
officers passed the government mail an
questioned. Before many minutes it was
landed on the opposite shore.
Henry shook the topmost mail bag.
"Snndro," he shouted. No answer.
"Hullo, Sandro! wake up" Still nc
round. ''Quiok! he's smothered" cried
Henry, lifting out the quser-shapsd bag
which stood on END, stock still. When the
faatenInOg vera un1One. S0ndrO'a 1Urlv
head and bright. anxious eyes, appeared.
why didn't you answsrT' asked Henry.
rather BavaRely.
"'Cause. massa. You sole me to obey and
not speak q word"
Good boy, Sandro," said Henry, "and
this is Canada. make you a Christmas
present of your fresdom."
All these incidents my cousin told me