ease," replied the fugitive. Taking him
out behind his dwelling, he pointed across the fields to a new brick
farm-house, and said, "Go there and inquire for Mr. Wright." The slave
thanked him and did as he was directed.

He remained with William Wright until April, 1829. During this short
time he learned to read, write, and cipher as far as the single rule of
three, as it was then called, or simple proportion. During his residence
with William Wright, nothing could exceed his kindness or gratitude to
the whole family. He learned to graft trees, and thus rendered great
assistance to William Wright in his necessary business. When working in
the kitchen during the winter he would never allow Phebe Wright to
perform any hard labor, always scrubbing the floor and lifting heavy
burdens for her. Before he went away in the spring he assumed a name
which his talents, perseverance, and genius have rendered famous in both
hemispheres, that of James W.C. Pennington. The initial W. was for his
benefactor's family, and C. for the family of his former master. From
William Wright's he went to Daniel Gibbons', thence to Delaware county,
Pennsylvania, and from there to New Haven, Conn., where, while
performing the duties of janitor at Yale College, he completed the
studies of the college course. After a few years, he went to Heidelberg,
where the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him. He never forgot William
Wright and his family, and on his return from Europe brought them each a
present. The story of his escape and wonderful abilities was spread over
England. An American acquaintance of the Wright family was astonished,
on visiting an Anti-slavery fair in London many years ago, to see among
the pictures for sale there, one entitled, "William and Phebe Wright
receiving James W.C. Pennington." The Dr. died in Florida, in 1870,
where he had gone to preach and assist in opening schools amongst the
Freemen.

In 1842 a party of sixteen slaves came to York, Pa., from Baltimore
county, Md. Here they were taken in charge by William Wright, Joel
Fisher, Dr. Lewis, and William Yocum. The last named was a constable,
and used to assist the Underground Rail Road managers by pretending to
hunt fugitives with the kidnappers. Knowing where the fugitives were he
was enabled to hunt them in the opposite direction from that in which
they had gone, and thus give them time to escape. This constable and a
colored man of York took this party one by one out in