About the same time that I received the above note from Miss King, I also received the following from Rev. Timothy Stowe, of Peterboro’, New York.  How much I valued this friendly epistle coming, as it did, from one of the most devoted Christians in America, it is not possible for me to say:—­

“Peterboro’, February 8th, 1853.

“Dear Brother Allen:—­

“I see by the papers, that you have been shamefully mobbed at Fulton.  I write to let you know that there are some in the world who will not join the multitude who are trying to overwhelm you with prejudice.

* * * * *

“Now do not be cast down.  You, I trust, are not the man to cower at such a moment.  Do not be afraid to stand up your whole length in defence of your own rights.

“Come and visit us without delay.  Consider my house your home while here.

“Brother Smith sends you his love.  Brother Remington wishes me to say that you have his confidence, and that he is your friend.

“Yours with kindest regards,
“TIMOTHY STOWE.”

CHAPTER VI.

BRIGHTENING UP.—­GRAND RESULT.

According to the intimation in the note received from Miss King dated Feb. 11th, she met me—­not however as she expected on Tuesday—­but, on Wednesday of next week in Syracuse:  and at the house of a friend whose memory we hold in the highest reverence.

The interview, as the parents and relatives of Miss King understood it, was to be held to the intent that Miss King might then and there in person, and by “word” more effectually than she could possibly do by writing, absolve herself from all engagement, obligation or intention whatsoever to marry me—­now, hereafter, or evermore.  This was their construction of the matter, and it was in the light of this construction that they essayed to grant the request—­the granting of which Miss King made the condition on which she proposed to yield up her sacred right.

That the King family—­determined as they were, law or no law, justice or no justice, Christianity or no Christianity; in short, at all events and all hazards, to prevent our union—­should have granted this interview to Miss King convicts them of as great imbecility and folly as was their persecution of their victim.  But so it is, the innocent shall not only not be cut down, but they who practice unrighteousness shall themselves be overtaken.

But to the interview.  I should be glad to describe my feelings on first meeting Miss King after she had passed through that fiery furnace of affliction.  But I desist.  The “engagement,” I have already said, displayed a moral heroism which no one can comprehend who has not been in America, but the passage through was more than sublime.