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READER RESPONSES, 1881-93 1053

so afraid of his learning to read, and who must have perceived that the poor boy was
becoming more and more "dangerously" enlightened. The threat of a flogging, however,
did not prevent Frederick Douglass from seeking the spiritual sympathy and
counsel he so much valued, and he continued his visits to Lawson as often as possible.
About this time he heard the word "abolition," and by dint of perseverance
found out its meaning, as understood by that noble band of philanthropists in
America, who made it their watchword through many many long years of darkness
and trial. He picked up, too, the information that if he could only get away somewhere
to the north he might gain his liberty, and the purpose to escape, notwithstanding
all difficulties, was formed in his breast. But, boy as he was, he was shrewd
enough to see that he must bide his time, and that it would be desirable that he
should be bigger and stronger, and know how to write, and many other things, before
he could successfully grapple with the difficulty of achieving his freedom. He had
indeed many terrible experiences to go through before that day should come,
although, happily for him, he could not foresee them.

The first step in this new and sad episode of his life was his removal from
Baltimore. Although nominally the property of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Auld, he still
legally belonged to his "old master," Captain Anthony, as he was called. After he had
been in Baltimore about four years, Captain Anthony died, and as he died intestate,
his "property" in flesh and blood, as well as other chattels, had to be divided
between his son Anthony, a confirmed drunkard and profligate, and his daughter
Lucretia, the wife of Captain Thomas Auld, who was the brother of Frederick
Douglass's master in Baltimore. The terror and misery which such a "division of
property" often occasioned among unhappy slaves is powerfully described in the
autobiography. Referring to his own case, Mr. Douglass says: "The thought of
becoming the [76.31-39] should come into his possession." Fortunately, Frederick
escaped the cruel lot which seemed to threaten him, and by a family arrangement, to
his great relief, returned after six months' absence to Baltimore.

The uncertainties of a slave's position were. however, again speedily illustrated:
and a variety of circumstances, including the deaths of Andrew Anthony
and "Miss" Lucretia, brought him into the possession of Captain Thomas Auld
and his second wife, who lived at St. Michael's on Chesapeake Bay, not far from
the plantation on which Douglass was born. The boy's position at Baltimore had
become more uncomfortable than formerly, for his master, Hugh Auld, had given
way to brandy and had company, while his once pious and affectionate mistress
had been soured and spoiled by slavery and social isolation. Even this, however,
was better than the miseries of his new position, for Thomas Auld was wretchedly
and cruelly stingy and his wife was cold and hard. Their unfortunate slaves were
almost starved and were compelled to steal food in order to live. Thomas Auld
was also intensely selfish, weak, and cowardly: in short, "incapable of a noble
action." In August, 1833, six months after Frederick Douglass passed into his
hands, "Master Thomas" attended a Methodist camp-meeting in the neighbour-

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