This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
SKETCHES OF THE
56

CHAPTER VIII.

GEORGE AND CLARA—THEY REACH OBERLIN—HOTLY PURSUED—TAKE PASSAGE WITH CAPT. TITUS—RECOGNIZED BY THEIR OWNER—CAPT. TITUS’ EXPERIENCE—AN INCIDENT OF THE BURNING OF THE ERIE—ESCAPE OF THE FUGITIVES.

Among the exciting incidents connected with the U. G. R. R., no case excited our sympathy more than that of George and Clara. George had been his young master’s body servant; was of medium height and fine proportions, intelligent, respectful, and uncommonly efficient in business. Clara was his sister; she had been lady’s maid, and had never been overtasked with hard work. Both of them had seen a good deal of polite society, and availed themselves of such advantages as came in their way to acquire information, and some of the rudiments of an education. They were polite and respectful in their manners, and were as contented and happy as people in their condition could be, and perhaps they would have remained in slavery, rather than run the risk of the terrible punishment they knew awaited them, if they should be captured, had not her master sold Clara to a trader, who boasted that he could sell her in New Orleans for $3,000. His excuse for selling her? when his family remonstrated, was that she was insolent and refused to obey him. The usual remedy for such fault having failed, he sold her; the particular thing in