[Illustration:  Note.—­The Lawyer owned a Blacksmith’s shop.]

    The slumbers from his drowsy eyes,
    And think that it was time to rise. 
    So Cuff went off.  His master woke,
    And Cuff was gone!  It was no joke. 
    The Lawyer’s work must now be done,
    All by himself; and till the sun

[Illustration:  A man escaping from slavery.]

    Is slowly sinking in the west,
    He’ll scarcely have a minute’s rest. 
    He felt his temper quickly rise,
    Thinking his slave too rich a prize,
    To be allowed to slip away,
    Without a trial for “fair play;”

[Illustration:  A slave-catcher is worse than a beast of prey.]

    Said he, “My course is plain enough,
    I’ll take my horse and go for Cuff,
    For he’s my slave, and he shall give
    To me, his service if he live.” 
    Saddling his horse he mounts him quick,
    Drives after Cuff with spur and stick: 

[Illustration:  “Angel of Mercy.”]

    But soon he paused his cause to try,
    And thus he said, Why should not I
    Be slave instead of Cuff, and he
    As well be running after me
    As I for him?—­I’ll let him go,
    Whether he’s free by law or no.

[Illustration:  Justice freeing the slave.]

For God who fashioned him and me, No doubt MADE ALL HIS CHILDREN FREE.  So justice o’er his mind held sway, And Cuff in freedom, went his way.

[Illustration:  Emancipation.]