The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-07-28
HOW LINCOLN HELPED HER.
How q Runaway Slave Found Her Hus-
band Again.

band Again.
The death at the Rhode Island state
Institution for the Insane of Nancy
Scott. aged 20 years. which occurred
during the last week OF May. brings 10
memory a story of Abraham Lincoln
which has never been published.
way back In slavery days Nancy
Scott and her husband were slaves on
Virginia plantation owned by one of
the prominent and wealthy i. +. VS.
of the commonwealth. Nancy was the
trusted housekeeper OF the family.
While young she was married to a
young slave on the same plantation.
Her marriage occurred about the be-
ginning Of the civil war. and after the
first few months of fighting her hus-
band disclosed TO her intention of run
ming away and working his way North.
seeking "A means OF livelihood; he bade
her remain where she was until he
could communicate with her and said
that when he became established where
he was sure of supporting her he would
send for her To go 10 him.
Months went on until one day a dusky
little one came to Nancy's arms. When
the baby was "a year old Nancy decided
TO try and escape and travel North,
hoping 20 hear some news OF her baby's
father. She lef~her cabin one night az
nearly dawn. carrying her little one i'm
her arms. and passed slowly across the
country which was the fighting arena OF
more battles than any other territory
In the South. She was trying to make
her way to the Potomac river, and
there. at some obscure landing. take a
boat for Washington. Such a place she
reached one hot day. When the boat
arrived she went aboard. keeping as
much out OF the way OF the passengers
/ NJ 0h Of
men seated on the quarterback. Among
them one whose lean, gaunt figure and
dark.seamy face somewhat attracted
her notice.
when the boat neared Washington
she left her place below among the
freight and timidly went up to the
gangway. The steamer had arrived at
her dock and the passengers were leav-
Ing. but the group In which the dark,
rugged man was seated had not yet dis
persed.
Nancy Scott went forward toward the
gangplank. but before she had reached
IL the purser stepped forward, and said
harshly:
Here. you. woman, where are you
going? Where's your ticket?"
Paralyzed with fear she hesitated.
u You're a runaway niger, and YOU
can't go ashore; you go below and wei
see about you later"
But the dark. seamy-faced man, with
the tired eyes. came up then and said
\ quietly:
What Is the matter?"
u The tears streamed down Nancy
Scott's face as she said she only wanted
TO go ashore: that she was searching
for her husband. her little ones father
Tell me your story" said the darl
man.
In simple words she told him OF hel
separation from her husband, the brit
OF her child. her weeks of weary wait
Ing and the eyes Of the dark man grew
soft with pity.
Turning 70 the purser he said: lie
this woman go ashore" Then takin;
her by the arm he walked by her sid
until the street was reached. Givin,
her some money he told her to find SOM
, decent coIored family and make in
quiries for her missing husband.
Tell me your name, sir?" begget
Nancy Scott.
My name. my good woman, is plail
Abraham Lincoln" said the man, an
turning away. he lifted his hat 'Jus
like | was n grand lady" and left her
. Nancy Scott. with the help of the pas
,, tor OF a church for colored people. fodn,
! her husband: he had vainly tried {
, communicate with her many times: n
had not dared to go in search Of her
He was employed in a hotel and abb
TO care for his little family comfortably
Later ne died. and Nancy found EN-
ployment with the family of a treasur
, clerk. with whose family she cam
NQrth.-N. Y. Sun.