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to the house with the girl.
Friend Hopper explained that these men had been watching his house, supposing a fugitive slave to be secreted there; and that they had mistaken one of his domestics for the person they were in search of. After laughing a little at the joke practised upon them, he proposed that they should be set at liberty; and they were accordingly released.
The next morning, a soon as it was light he invited the watchers to come in and warm themselves; but they declined.
After sunrise, they all dispersed, except two.
When breakfast was ready, he urged them to come in and partake; telling them that one could keep guard while the other was eating.
But they replied that Dr. Rich had ordered them to hold no communication with him. Being firmly persuaded that the slave was in the house, they kept sentry several days and nights.
For fear she might escape by the back way, a messenger was sent to Mr. Warrence, who occupied a building in the rear, offering to pay him for his trouble if he would watch the premises in that direction.
His wife happened to overhear the conversation; and having a pitcher of scalding water in her hand, she ran out saying, ‘Do you propose to hire my husband to watch neighbor Hopper's premises for a runaway slave?
Go about your business!
or I will throw this in your face.’
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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