Chapter 1: Hello, I am Cyrus Griest.
It's been a long journey to Pennsylvania from Maryland by foot, but finally Margaret has escaped the grips of the slave patrols in Maryland. At any step, Margaret could have been caught and sent back to her owner. The punishment handed down would be heavy, as well, as she would be sure to receive at least 50 lashes. All this while she is only trying to receive what was promised to her. Margaret was promised her freedom. Now, she is taking it. She has been told about people in the North that will help her gain her freedom. Now she just has to find them. She moves at night, when the slave catchers cannot easily spot her. She watches her back and keeps her senses focused to pick up on any movement around her. The only problem is that Margaret is located somewhere new... somewhere entirely different from her home, and she doesn't know who to trust and who to suspect may take her back into slavery. She's seen the wanted signs. She knows that this place isn't safe and that with one wrong move, she'll be right back on the Morgan Plantation. She has to get further North, but there is only one way to get there... one step at a time. So Morgan will keep her mind clear and be prepared to run when needed. She's been told of a man named Goodridge that can help her, but she doesn't know how or where to find him. For now, though, she has to find some cover for the evening, so she tries to blend in behind a group of free blacks walking down Market Street. Just then, a white man approaches her.
Cyrus Griest: "Ma'am, Are you lost?"
Margaret: "No, Sir. Just going home for the evening."
Cyrus Griest: "May I ask you where home is?"
Margaret: "Oh, just down the road a ways."
Cyrus Griest: "Ma'am, this is a small town, and everyone knows everyone. I don't believe that you are from around here."
Margaret: "Sure am. Now, if you please, I better be on my way."
Cyrus Griest: "Well, if there is any way I can help you, please let me know."
Margaret: "Sir... there is one thing. Can you help me find the North Star?"
Cyrus Griest: "Well, if you are trying to find the North Star, I might be just the person your looking for. I can offer you safe harbor. My name is Cyrus Griest. My family has dedicated themselves to helping runaways. Let me take you to my brother Amos' home. We have warm food and a place where you can rest. Will you follow me?"
Margaret: "How do I know that this isn't a trick and that you'll try to sell me down to the South?"
Cyrus Griest: "You'll just have to trust me... I've been doing this for some time now."
You are faced with a decision... do you trust this random stranger who you met in the middle of the night or will you try to find safety in a nearby forest? This man could sell you back into slavery and reap the reward for your capture. On the other hand, if he is honest and true, maybe you'll be one step closer to freedom. What will you choose to do?
Cyrus Griest: "Ma'am, Are you lost?"
Margaret: "No, Sir. Just going home for the evening."
Cyrus Griest: "May I ask you where home is?"
Margaret: "Oh, just down the road a ways."
Cyrus Griest: "Ma'am, this is a small town, and everyone knows everyone. I don't believe that you are from around here."
Margaret: "Sure am. Now, if you please, I better be on my way."
Cyrus Griest: "Well, if there is any way I can help you, please let me know."
Margaret: "Sir... there is one thing. Can you help me find the North Star?"
Cyrus Griest: "Well, if you are trying to find the North Star, I might be just the person your looking for. I can offer you safe harbor. My name is Cyrus Griest. My family has dedicated themselves to helping runaways. Let me take you to my brother Amos' home. We have warm food and a place where you can rest. Will you follow me?"
Margaret: "How do I know that this isn't a trick and that you'll try to sell me down to the South?"
Cyrus Griest: "You'll just have to trust me... I've been doing this for some time now."
You are faced with a decision... do you trust this random stranger who you met in the middle of the night or will you try to find safety in a nearby forest? This man could sell you back into slavery and reap the reward for your capture. On the other hand, if he is honest and true, maybe you'll be one step closer to freedom. What will you choose to do?