They were told, “She has lived here, but she has left.”

“How long ago?”

“I don’t know, sir.”

“Do you know where she went?”

“I do not, sir.”  And the door was closed.

This Mr. Dodge, who claimed me as his property, was originally a Yankee pedler in the south; then he became a merchant, and finally a slaveholder.  He managed to get introduced into what was called the first society, and married Miss Emily Flint.  A quarrel arose between him and her brother, and the brother cowhided him.  This led to a family feud, and he proposed to remove to Virginia.  Dr. Flint left him no property, and his own means had become circumscribed, while a wife and children depended upon him for support.  Under these circumstances, it was very natural that he should make an effort to put me into his pocket.

I had a colored friend, a man from my native place, in whom I had the most implicit confidence.  I sent for him, and told him that Mr. and Mrs. Dodge had arrived in New York.  I proposed that he should call upon them to make inquiries about his friends at the south, with whom Dr. Flint’s family were well acquainted.  He thought there was no impropriety in his doing so, and he consented.  He went to the hotel, and knocked at the door of Mr. Dodge’s room, which was opened by the gentleman himself, who gruffly inquired, “What brought you here?  How came you to know I was in the city?”

“Your arrival was published in the evening papers, sir; and I called to ask Mrs. Dodge about my friends at home.  I didn’t suppose it would give any offence.”

“Where’s that negro girl, that belongs to my wife?”

“What girl, sir?”

“You know well enough.  I mean Linda, that ran away from Dr. Flint’s plantation, some years ago.  I dare say you’ve seen her, and know where she is.”

“Yes, sir, I’ve seen her, and know where she is.  She is out of your reach, sir.”

“Tell me where she is, or bring her to me, and I will give her a chance to buy her freedom.”

“I don’t think it would be of any use, sir.  I have heard her say she would go to the ends of the earth, rather than pay any man or woman for her freedom, because she thinks she has a right to it.  Besides, she couldn’t do it, if she would, for she has spent her earnings to educate her children.”

This made Mr. Dodge very angry, and some high words passed between them.  My friend was afraid to come where I was; but in the course of the day I received a note from him.  I supposed they had not come from the south, in the winter, for a pleasure excursion; and now the nature of their business was very plain.