Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/38

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the rattling of the chains, the stifled groans of bereaved wives, the piercing cries of orphan children are not heard at the same time ascending the skies; the sound of one is commingled and drowned in the sound of the other. In this land, sacred to freedom, the poor Fugitive can stand erect, and claim his own liberty, and worship his God "under his own vine and fig-tree, where no one dares to molest or make him afraid." In 1843, I had an occasion, for the first time, to try my skill in my new profession, which was to me, I must confess, quite an awkward business, it is, however, to be hoped that my zeal and love for human freedom amply made up for this defect. Some time previous to my acquaintance with this Community, a Slave had made his escape from the State of Maryland, and located in this county, supposing himself secure from the clutches of his proud and self-important tyrant master; he, therefore, became content to remain protected only by public opinion. In this unmolested condition he remained for several years in connexion with the Methodist congregation, and I believe he was a very useful member. His Minister, probably wishing to increase his salary by the addition of 100 dollars, which was offered for the Slave, or his whereabouts; at all events he betrayed him. While engaged in his daily avocation, by which he made an honest and respectable living for his family, (as he