ARRIVAL FROM UNIONVILLE, 1857.

CAROLINE ALDRIDGE AND JOHN WOOD.

Caroline was a stout, light-complexioned, healthy-looking young woman of twenty-three years of age.  She fled from Thornton Poole, of Unionville, Md.  She gave her master the character of being a “very mean man; with a wife meaner still,” “I consider them mean in every respect,” said Caroline.  No great while before she escaped, one of her brothers and a sister had been sent to the Southern market.  Recently she had been apprized that herself and a younger brother would have to go the same dreadful road.  She therefore consulted with the brother and a particular young friend, to whom she was “engaged,” which resulted in the departure of all three of them.  Though the ordinary steps relative to marriage, as far as slaves were allowed, had been complied with, nevertheless on the road to Canada, they availed themselves of the more perfect way of having the ceremony performed, and went on their way rejoicing.

Since the sale of Caroline’s brother and sister, just referred to, her mother and three children had made good their exit to Canada, having been evidently prompted by said sale.  Long before that time, however, three other brothers fled on the Underground Rail Road.  They were encouraged to hope to meet each other in Canada.

JOHN WOOD.  John was about twenty-eight years of age, of agreeable manners, intelligent, and gave evidence of a strong appreciation of liberty.  Times with John had “not been very rough,” until within the last year of his bondage.  By the removal of his old master by death, a change for the worse followed.  The executors of the estate—­one of whom owed him an old grudge—­made him acquainted with the fact, that amongst certain others, he would have to be sold.  Judge Birch (one of the executors), “itching” to see him “broke in,” “took particular pains” to speak to a notorious tyrant by the name of Boldin, to buy him.  Accordingly on the day of sale, Boldin was on hand and the successful bidder for John.  Being familiar with, the customs of this terrible Boldin,—­of the starving fare and cruel flogging usual on his farm, John mustered courage to declare at the sale, that he “would not serve him.”  In the hearing of his new master, he said, “before I will serve him I will CUT my throat!” The master smiled, and simply asked for a rope; “had me tied and delivered into the hands of a constable,” to be sent over to the farm.  Before reaching his destination, John managed to untie his hands and feet and flee to the woods.  For three days he remained secreted.  Once or twice he secretly managed to get an interview with his mother and one of his sisters, by whom he was persuaded to return to his master.  Taking their advice, he commenced service under circumstances, compared with which, the diet, labor and comforts of an ordinary penitentiary would have been luxurious.  The chief food allowed the