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| TffOMAS GAMBETT. 625 house became known as one of the refuges for fugitives. The sentiment of this community was, at that time, bitterly averse to any word or effort against Slavery, and Mr. Garrett had but half a dozen friends who stood by him. Nearly all others looked at him with suspicion, or positive aversion, and his house was constantly under the surveillance of the police, who then, sad to say, were always on the watch for any fugitives from bondage. Thomas •was not disheartened or dismayed by the lack of popular sympathy or approval. He believed the Lord was on his side, and cared nothing for the adverse opinion of men. Many and interesting stories are told of the meu and women he helped away, some of them full of pathos, and some decidedly amusing. He told the latter which related to his ingenious contrivances for assisting fugitives to escape the police with much pleasure, in hia later years. We would repeat many of them, but this is not the time or place. Tbe necessity of avoiding the police was the only tiling, however, which ever forced him into any secrecy iu his operations, and in all other respects he was " without concealment and without compromise " in his opposition to Slavery. He was a man of unusual personal bravery, and of powerful physique, and did not present an encouraging object for the bullying intimidation by which the pro-slavery men of that day generally overawed their opponents. He seems to have scarcely known what fear was, and though irate slave-holders often called OH him to learn the whereabouts of their slaves, he met them placidly, never deuted having helped the fugitives on their way, positively refused to give them any information, and when they flourished pistols, or bowie-knives to enforce their demands, he calmly pushed the weapons aside, and told them that none but cowards resorted to such means to cany their ends. He continued his labors, thus, for years, helping all who came to him, and making no concealment of his readiness to do so. His firmness aud courage slowly won others, first to admire, and then to assist him, and the little band of faithful workers, of which he was chief, gradually enlarged and included in its number, men of all ranks, and differing creeds, and, • singular as it may seem, even numbering some ardent Democrats io its ranks. He has, in conversation with the present writer and others, frequently acknowledged the valuable services of two Roman Catholics, of Irish birth, still living in this city, who were ever faithful to him, and will now be amongst those who most earnestly mourn his decease. Hia efforts, of course, brought him much persecution and annoyance, but never culminated in. anything really serious, until about the year 1846 or '47. He then met, at New Castle, a man, woman, and six children, from down on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Tbe man was free, the woman bad been a slave, and while in Slavery had had by her husband, two children. She -me then set free, and afterwards had four children. The whole party ran away. They traveled several days, and finally reached Middietown, late 40 |