Her Escape

The question in her mind, and one not easily solved, now was, 'How can I get away?' So, as was her usual custom, she 'told God she was afraid to go in the night, and in the day every body would see her.' At length, the thought came to her that she could leave just before the day dawned, and get out of the neighborhood where she was known before the people were much astir. 'Yes,' said she, fervently, 'that's a good thought! Thank you, God, for that thought!' So, receiving it as coming direct from God, she acted upon it, and one fine morning, a little before day-break, she might have been seen stepping stealthily away from the rear of Master Dumont's house, her infant on one arm and her wardrobe on the other; the bulk and weight of which, probably, she never found so convenient as on the present occasion, a cotton handkerchief containing both her clothes and her provisions.

The question on her mind now was not easy to answer: 'How can I get away?' As usual, she 'told God she was afraid to go at night, and everyone would see her during the day.' At last, she thought she could leave just before dawn. She could get out of the neighborhood where people knew her before they were up and about. 'Yes,' she said fervently, 'that's a good thought! Thank you, God, for that thought!' She believed the thought came directly from God, so she acted on it. One fine morning, just before daybreak, she could be seen slipping away from the back of Master Dumont's house. She carried her infant on one arm and her entire wardrobe on the other. Her wardrobe was probably never so convenient in size and weight as it was on that occasion. A cotton handkerchief held both her clothes and her provisions.

As she gained the summit of a high hill, a considerable distance from her master's, the sun offended her by coming forth in all his pristine splendor. She thought it never was so light before; indeed, she thought it much too light. She stopped to look about her, and ascertain if her pursuers were yet in sight. No one appeared, and, for the first time, the question came up for settlement, 'Where, and to whom, shall I go?' In all her thoughts of getting away, she had not once asked herself whither she should direct her steps. She sat down, fed her infant, and again turning her thoughts to God, her only help, she prayed him to direct her to some safe asylum. And soon it occurred to her, that there was a man living somewhere in the direction she had been pursuing, by the name of Levi Rowe, whom she had known, and who, she thought, would be likely to befriend her. She accordingly pursued her way to his house, where she found him ready to entertain and assist her, though he was then on his death-bed. He bade her partake of the hospitalities of his house, said he knew of two good places where she might get in, and requested his wife to show her where they were to be found. As soon as she came in sight of the first house, she recollected having seen it and its inhabitants before, and instantly exclaimed, 'That's the place for me; I shall stop there.' She went there, and found the good people of the house, Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagener, absent, but was kindly received and hospitably entertained by their excellent mother, till the return of her children. When they arrived, she made her case known to them. They listened to her story, assuring her they never turned the needy away, and willingly gave her employment.

When she reached the top of a high hill, a considerable distance from her master's house, the sun came out. Its full brightness offended her. She thought it had never been so light before. In fact, she thought it was much too light. She stopped and looked around to see if her pursuers were in sight. No one appeared. For the first time, she asked herself, 'Where, and to whom, shall I go?' In all her thoughts of getting away, she had never once asked herself where she should go. She sat down and fed her infant. Again, she turned her thoughts to God, her only help, and prayed that he would lead her to a safe refuge. Soon she remembered a man named Levi Rowe, whom she had known. He lived somewhere in the direction she had been traveling, and she thought he would likely help her. So she went on to his house. Though he was on his deathbed, he was ready to welcome and help her. He invited her to accept his household's hospitality. He said he knew of two good places where she might be taken in. He asked his wife to show her where they were. As soon as she saw the first house, she remembered seeing it and the people who lived there before. She immediately exclaimed, 'That's the place for me; I shall stop there.' She went to the house, but the good people who lived there, Mr. and Mrs. Van Wagener, were away. Their excellent mother welcomed her kindly and looked after her until her children returned. When they arrived, she told them about her situation. They listened to her story and assured her that they never turned away anyone in need. They willingly gave her work.

She had not been there long before her old master, Dumont, appeared, as she had anticipated; for when she took French leave of him, she resolved not to go too far from him, and not put him to as much trouble in looking her up-for the latter he was sure to do-as Tom and Jack had done when they ran away from him, a short time before. This was very considerate in her, to say the least, and a proof that 'like begets like.' He had often considered her feelings, though not always, and she was equally considerate.

She had not been there long before her old master, Dumont, appeared, just as she had expected. When she left him without permission, she had decided not to go too far away. She knew he would look for her, and she did not want to give him as much trouble as Tom and Jack had. They had run away from him a short time before. This was very considerate of her, to say the least, and proof that 'like begets like.' He had often considered her feelings, though not always, and she was equally considerate.

When her master saw her, he said, 'Well, Bell, so you've run away from me.' 'No, I did not run away; I walked away by day-light, and all because you had promised me a year of my time.' His reply was, 'You must go back with me.' Her decisive answer was, 'No, I won't go back with you.' He said, 'Well, I shall take the child.' This also was as stoutly negatived.

When her master saw her, he said, 'Well, Bell, so you've run away from me.' 'No, I didn't run away. I walked away in daylight, all because you had promised me a year of my time.' He replied, 'You must go back with me.' She answered firmly, 'No, I won't go back with you.' He said, 'Well, I shall take the child.' She refused just as firmly.

Mr. Isaac S. Van Wagener then interposed, saying, he had never been in the practice of buying and selling slaves; he did not believe in slavery; but, rather than have Isabella taken back by force, he would buy her services for the balance of the year-for which her master charged twenty dollars, and five in addition for the child. The sum was paid, and her master Dumont departed; but not till he had heard Mr. Van Wagener tell her not to call him master-adding, 'there is but one master; and he who is your master is my master.' Isabella inquired what she should call him? He answered, 'call me Isaac Van Wagener, and my wife is Maria Van Wagener.' Isabella could not understand this, and thought it a mighty change, as it most truly was from a master whose word was law, to simple Isaac S. Van Wagener, who was master to no one. With these noble people, who, though they could not be the masters of slaves, were undoubtedly a portion of God's nobility, she resided one year, and from them she derived the name of Van Wagener; he being her last master in the eye of the law, and a slave's surname is ever the same as his master; that is, if he is allowed to have any other name than Tom, Jack, or Guffin. Slaves have sometimes been severely punished for adding their master's name to their own. But when they have no particular title to it, it is no particular offence.

Mr. Isaac S. Van Wagener then stepped in. He said he had never made a practice of buying and selling slaves. He did not believe in slavery. But rather than have Isabella taken back by force, he would buy her services for the rest of the year. Her master charged twenty dollars for her services and five more for the child. The money was paid, and her master Dumont left. But before he left, he heard Mr. Van Wagener tell Isabella not to call him master. He added, 'there is only one master, and he who is your master is my master.' Isabella asked what she should call him. He answered, 'call me Isaac Van Wagener, and my wife is Maria Van Wagener.' Isabella could not understand this and thought it a mighty change. It truly was a change, from a master whose word was law to plain Isaac S. Van Wagener, who was master to no one. Isabella lived for one year with these noble people. They could not be masters of slaves, but they were undoubtedly among God's nobility. She took the name Van Wagener from them. In the eyes of the law, he was her last master, and a slave's surname is always the same as the master's. That is, if the slave is allowed any name other than Tom, Jack, or Guffin. Slaves have sometimes been severely punished for adding their master's name to their own. But when they have no particular right to the name, it is no particular offense.