k about farming in all
its branches, and "niggers" too, in an emergency, so the evening passed
off pleasantly with the Dr. in the parlor, and "Joe" in the kitchen. The
Dr., however, had given "Joe" precept upon precept, "here a little, and
there a little," as to how he should act in the presence of master white
people, or slave colored people, and thus he was prepared to act his
part with due exactness. Before the evening grew late, the Dr., fearing
some accident, intimated, that he was feeling a "little languid," and
therefore thought that he had better "retire." Furthermore he added,
that he was "liable to vertigo," when not quite well, and for this
reason he must have his boy "Joe" sleep in the room with him. "Simply
give him a bed quilt and he will fare well enough in one corner of the
room," said the Dr. The proposal was readily acceded to, and carried
into effect by the accommodating host. The Dr. was soon in bed, sleeping
soundly, and "Joe," in his new coat and pants, wrapped up in the bed
quilt, in a corner of the room quite comfortably.

The next morning the Dr. arose at as early an hour as was prudent for a
gentleman of his position, and feeling refreshed, partook of a good
breakfast, and was ready, with his boy, "Joe," to prosecute their
journey. Face, eyes, hope, and steps, were set as flint,
Pennsylvania-ward. What time the following day or night they crossed
Mason and Dixon's line is not recorded on the Underground Rail Road
books, but at four o'clock on Thanksgiving Day, the Dr. safely landed
the "fleeing girl of fifteen" at the residence of the writer in
Philadelphia. On delivering up his charge, the Dr. simply remarked to
the writer's wife, "I wish to leave this young lad with you a short
while, and I will call and see further about him." Without further
explanation, he stepped into his carriage and hurried away, evidently
anxious to report himself to his wife, in order to relieve her mind of a
great weight of anxiety on his account. The writer, who happened to be
absent from home when the Dr. called, returned soon afterwards. "The Dr.
has been here" (he was the family physician), "and left this 'young
lad,' and said, that he would call again and see about him," said Mrs.
S. The "young lad" was sitting quite composedly in the dining-room, with
his cap on. The writer turned to him and inquired, "I suppose you are
the person that the Dr. went to Washington after, are you not?" "No,"
said "Joe." "Where are