and accompany her to her new master’s, Charles Canory, who treated her very kindly while she remained in his family.  Mr. Canory resided in St. Charles County for five years after he purchased my mother.  During that time my father and mother were in the same neighborhood, but a short distance from each other.  But another trial awaited them.  Her master removed twenty miles away to a village called Bremen, near St. Louis, Mo.  My father, thereafter, visited my mother once a week, walking the distance every Saturday evening and returning on Sunday evening.  But through all her trials and deprivations her trust and confidence was in Him who rescued his faithful followers from the fiery furnace and the lion’s den, and led Moses through the Red Sea.  Her trust and confidence was in Jesus.  She relied on His precious promises, and ever found Him a present help in every time of need.  Two years after this separation my father was sold and separated from us, but previous to his delivery to his new master he made his escape to a free State.  My mother was then left with two children.  She had three during the time they were permitted to remain together, and buried one.  Their names were Sarah Ann, Mattie Jane and Esther J. When my father left I was about three years of age, yet I can well remember the little kindnesses my father used to bestow upon us, and the deep affection and fondness he manifested for us.  I shall never forget the bitter anguish of my parents’ hearts, the sighs they uttered or the profusion of tears which coursed down their sable cheeks.  O, what a horrid scene, but he was not her’s, for cruel hands had separated them.

    The strongest tie of earthly joy that bound the aching heart—­
    His love was e’er a joyous light that o’er the pathway shone—­
    A fountain gushing ever new amid life’s desert wild—­
    His slightest word was a sweet tone of music round her heart—­
    Their lives a streamlet blent in one.  O, Father, must they part? 
    They tore him from her circling arms, her last and fond embrace—­
    O never again can her sad eyes gaze upon his mournful face. 
    It is not strange these bitter sighs are constant bursting forth. 
    Amid mirth and glee and revelry she never took a part,
    She was a mother left alone with sorrow in her heart.

But my mother was conscious some time previous of the change that was to take place with my father, and if he was sold in the immediate vicinity he would be likely to be sold again at their will, and she concluded to assist him to make his escape from bondage.  Though the parting was painful, it afforded her solace in the contemplation of her husband becoming a free man, and cherishing a hope that her little family, through the aid of some angel of mercy, might be enabled to make their escape also, and meet to part no more on earth.  My father came to spend the night with us, according to his usual custom.  It was the last time, and sadness brooded upon his brow.