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| 184 THE UNDERGROUND JUIL ROAD. them to think that he had grown older and wiser than when they knew him in his younger days. In casually referring to the manner of his traveling, he alluded to the fact, that he was not very -well, and as it had been a considerable length of time since he had been through that part of the country, he thought that the drive would do him good, and especially the sight of old familiar places and people. The farmer and his family felt themselves exceedingly honored by the visit from the distinguished doctor, and manifested a marked willingness to spare no pains to render his night's lodging in every way comfortable. The Dr. being an educated and intelligent gentleman, well posted on other questions besides medicine, could freely talk 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 af 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 |