. "Because times were hard and I could not come
up with my wages as I was required to do, so I thought I would try and
do better." At this juncture Abram explained substantially in what sense
times were hard, &c. In the first place he was not allowed to own
himself; he, however, preferred hiring his time to serving in the usual
way. This favor was granted Abram; but he was compelled to pay $15 per
month for his time, besides finding himself in clothing, food, paying
doctor bills, and a head tax of $15 a year.

[Illustration: HON. ABRAM GALLOWAY]

Even under this master, who was a man of very good disposition, Abram
was not contented. In the second place, he "always thought Slavery was
wrong," although he had "never suffered any personal abuse." Toiling
month after month the year round to support his master and not himself,
was the one intolerable thought. Abram and Richard were intimate
friends, and lived near each other. Being similarly situated, they could
venture to communicate the secret feelings of their hearts to each
other. Richard was four years older than Abram, with not quite so much
Anglo-Saxon blood in his veins, but was equally as intelligent, and was
by trade, a "fashionable barber," well-known to the ladies and gentlemen
of Wilmington. Richard owed service to Mrs. Mary Loren, a widow. "She
was very kind and tender to all her slaves." "If I was sick," said
Richard, "she would treat me the same as a mother would." She was the
owner of twenty, men, women and children, who were all hired out, except
the children too young for hire. Besides having his food, clothing and
doctor's expenses to meet, he had to pay the "very kind and
tender-hearted widow" $12.50 per month, and head tax to the State,
amounting to twenty-five cents per month. It so happened, that Richard
at this time, was involved in a matrimonial difficulty. Contrary to the
laws of North Carolina, he had lately married a free girl, which was an
indictable offence, and for which the penalty was then in soak for
him--said penalty to consist of thirty-nine lashes, and imprisonment at
the discretion of the judge.

So Abram and Richard put their heads together, and resolved to try the
Underground Rail Road. They concluded that liberty was worth dying for,
and that it was their duty to strike for Freedom even if it should cost
them their lives. The next thing needed, was information about the
Underground Rail Road. Before a great while the captain of a