A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. HavilandHaviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Religion
A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. Haviland
Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith)
Freed persons; Haviland, Laura S. (Laura Smith), 1808-1898; Underground Railroad
I had seen a carriage stand fifteen or twenty minutes at the bar-room
door and finally leave without a passenger, and Daniel saw the same
carriage at the rear door equally long, which also left there empty.
Upon coming down James Martin evidently took in the situation at a
glance, for, giving my son a pinch, he said: "Mr. Haviland, let us go
into the dining-room and call for supper." This was to give the drunken
rabble time to leave so that he could relate his adventures with the
Southerners after supper. But by this time the porter came to me to
inquire if I wished to see Mr. Bayliss, the sick man. I replied in the
affirmative, upon which he said: "He is very low; no stranger has been
allowed to enter his room for three days, but his doctor is here. Would
you like to see him?" "I would," I replied. A tall gentleman now
entered the room and addressed me: "Madam, are you the lady who wished
to see me?" "I am, if you are the physician who has charge of John
Bayliss of Tennessee, who we learn is very ill, by a letter which
Willis Hamilton received yesterday."
"I am Dr. Taylor of this city, and have the case of Mr. Bayliss in my
care. His son-in-law is here taking care of him, and they are all
greatly disappointed at not seeing Hamilton this evening, as Mr.
Bayliss has sent for him and his family, and they can not imagine why
he does not come."
"Well, I can tell you why. We feared a trap, as Willis's wife was
formerly a slave."
"I don't see," said the doctor, "how you could suspect any thing wrong
in that letter, as I understand they have written them before, and you
should have compared the letters to see if they were written by the
same person."
"We did so, and found they were written by the same person. But there
are other points to consider: 1st, John Bayliss stands somewhat in the
relation of a slaveholder, as in a former letter he spoke of three aged
slaves living with him, and wished Hamilton and wife to stay with him
two weeks if he lived, which was doubtful, and wished them to be sure
and bring their children, though we all know that four little noisy
children are not agreeable companions in a sick-room."
Here my learned doctor gave his head a vigorous scratch, and said:
"Well, madam, Mr. Bayliss is probably childish from age, and his severe
illness makes him more so. A nervous temperament like his, affected by
disease, often enfeebles the mind, as body and mind are in close
relationship philosophically. Now, he is just childish enough to want
to see those children playing around his room, and he says he would
make them handsome presents; and as money seems to be plenty with him
and apparently no object, I judge they would be well paid for coming."
I did not appear to question this view of the case, but inquired how
long Deacon Bayliss had been ill.
"About seven days, madam," replied the doctor.
"What seems to be the nature of the disease?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account