OurgoodsenatorinhisnativestatehadnotbeenexceededbyanyofhisbrethrenatWashington,inthesortofeloquencewhichhaswonforthemimmortalrenown!Howsublimelyhehadsatwithhishandsinhispockets,andscoutedallsentimentalweaknessofthosewhowouldputthewelfareofafewmiserablefugitivesbeforegreatstateinterests!
  Hewasasboldasalionaboutit,and“mightilyconvinced”notonlyhimself,buteverybodythatheardhim;—butthenhisideaofafugitivewasonlyanideaofthelettersthatspelltheword,—oratthemost,theimageofalittlenewspaperpictureofamanwithastickandbundlewith“Ranawayfromthesubscriber”underit。Themagicoftherealpresenceofdistress,—theimploringhumaneye,thefrail,tremblinghumanhand,thedespairingappealofhelplessagony,—thesehehadnevertried。Hehadneverthoughtthatafugitivemightbeahaplessmother,adefencelesschild,—likethatonewhichwasnowwearinghislostboy’slittlewell-knowncap;andso,asourpoorsenatorwasnotstoneorsteel,—ashewasaman,andadownrightnoble-heartedone,too,—hewas,aseverybodymustsee,inasadcaseforhispatriotism。Andyouneednotexultoverhim,goodbrotheroftheSouthernStates;forwehavesomeinklingsthatmanyofyou,undersimilarcircumstances,wouldnotdomuchbetter。Wehavereasontoknow,inKentucky,asinMississippi,arenobleandgeneroushearts,towhomneverwastaleofsufferingtoldinvain。Ah,goodbrother!isitfairforyoutoexpectofusserviceswhichyourownbrave,honorableheartwouldnotallowyoutorender,wereyouinourplace?
  Bethatasitmay,ifourgoodsenatorwasapoliticalsinner,hewasinafairwaytoexpiateitbyhisnight’spenance。Therehadbeenalongcontinuousperiodofrainyweather,andthesoft,richearthofOhio,aseveryoneknows,isadmirablysuitedtothemanufactureofmud—andtheroadwasanOhiorailroadofthegoodoldtimes。
  “Andpray,whatsortofaroadmaythatbe?”sayssomeeasterntraveller,whohasbeenaccustomedtoconnectnoideaswitharailroad,butthoseofsmoothnessorspeed。
  Know,then,innocenteasternfriend,thatinbenightedregionsofthewest,wherethemudisofunfathomableandsublimedepth,roadsaremadeofroundroughlogs,arrangedtransverselysidebyside,andcoatedoverintheirpristinefreshnesswithearth,turf,andwhatsoevermaycometohand,andthentherejoicingnativecallethitaroad,andstraightwayessayethtoridethereupon。Inprocessoftime,therainswashoffalltheturfandgrassaforesaid,movethelogshitherandthither,inpicturesquepositions,up,downandcrosswise,withdiverschasmsandrutsofblackmudintervening。
  Oversucharoadasthisoursenatorwentstumblingalong,makingmoralreflectionsascontinuouslyasunderthecircumstancescouldbeexpected,—thecarriageproceedingalongmuchasfollows,—bump!bump!bump!slush!downinthemud!—thesenator,womanandchild,reversingtheirpositionssosuddenlyastocome,withoutanyveryaccurateadjustment,againstthewindowsofthedown-hillside。Carriagesticksfast,whileCudjoeontheoutsideisheardmakingagreatmusteramongthehorses。Aftervariousineffectualpullingsandtwitchings,justasthesenatorislosingallpatience,thecarriagesuddenlyrightsitselfwithabounce,—twofrontwheelsgodownintoanotherabyss,andsenator,woman,andchild,alltumblepromiscuouslyontothefrontseat,—senator’shatisjammedoverhiseyesandnosequiteunceremoniously,andheconsidershimselffairlyextinguished;—childcries,andCudjoeontheoutsidedeliversanimatedaddressestothehorses,whoarekicking,andfloundering,andstrainingunderrepeatedcracksofthewhip。Carriagespringsup,withanotherbounce,—downgothehindwheels,—senator,woman,andchild,flyoverontothebackseat,hiselbowsencounteringherbonnet,andbothherfeetbeingjammedintohishat,whichfliesoffintheconcussion。Afterafewmomentsthe“slough”ispassed,andthehorsesstop,panting;—thesenatorfindshishat,thewomanstraightensherbonnetandhushesherchild,andtheybracethemselvesforwhatisyettocome。
  Forawhileonlythecontinuousbump!bump!intermingled,justbywayofvariety,withdiverssideplungesandcompoundshakes;andtheybegintoflatterthemselvesthattheyarenotsobadlyoff,afterall。Atlast,withasquareplunge,whichputsallontotheirfeetandthendownintotheirseatswithincrediblequickness,thecarriagestops,—and,aftermuchoutsidecommotion,Cudjoeappearsatthedoor。
  “Please,sir,it’spowerfulbadspot,this’yer。Idon’tknowhowwe’stogetclarout。I’mathinkin’we’llhavetobeagettin’rails。”
  Thesenatordespairinglystepsout,pickinggingerlyforsomefirmfoothold;downgoesonefootanimmeasurabledepth,—hetriestopullitup,loseshisbalance,andtumblesoverintothemud,andisfishedout,inaverydespairingcondition,byCudjoe。
  Butweforbear,outofsympathytoourreaders’bones。Westerntravellers,whohavebeguiledthemidnighthourintheinterestingprocessofpullingdownrailfences,toprytheircarriagesoutofmudholes,willhavearespectfulandmournfulsympathywithourunfortunatehero。Webegthemtodropasilenttear,andpasson。
  Itwasfulllateinthenightwhenthecarriageemerged,drippingandbespattered,outofthecreek,andstoodatthedoorofalargefarmhouse。
  Ittooknoinconsiderableperseverancetoarousetheinmates;butatlasttherespectableproprietorappeared,andundidthedoor。Hewasagreat,tall,bristlingOrsonofafellow,fullsixfeetandsomeinchesinhisstockings,andarrayedinaredflannelhunting-shirt。Averyheavymatofsandyhair,inadecidedlytousledcondition,andabeardofsomedays’growth,gavetheworthymananappearance,tosaytheleast,notparticularlyprepossessing。Hestoodforafewminutesholdingthecandlealoft,andblinkingonourtravellerswithadismalandmystifiedexpressionthatwastrulyludicrous。Itcostsomeeffortofoursenatortoinducehimtocomprehendthecasefully;andwhileheisdoinghisbestatthat,weshallgivehimalittleintroductiontoourreaders。
  HonestoldJohnVanTrompewasoncequiteaconsiderableland-ownerandslave-ownerintheStateofKentucky。Having“nothingofthebearabouthimbuttheskin,”andbeinggiftedbynaturewithagreat,honest,justheart,quiteequaltohisgiganticframe,hehadbeenforsomeyearswitnessingwithrepresseduneasinesstheworkingsofasystemequallybadforoppressorandoppressed。Atlast,oneday,John’sgreathearthadswelledaltogethertoobigtowearhisbondsanylonger;sohejusttookhispocket-bookoutofhisdesk,andwentoverintoOhio,andboughtaquarterofatownshipofgood,richland,madeoutfreepapersforallhispeople,—men,women,andchildren,—packedthemupinwagons,andsentthemofftosettledown;andthenhonestJohnturnedhisfaceupthecreek,andsatquietlydownonasnug,retiredfarm,toenjoyhisconscienceandhisreflections。
  “Areyouthemanthatwillshelterapoorwomanandchildfromslave-catchers?”saidthesenator,explicitly。
  “IratherthinkIam,”saidhonestJohn,withsomeconsiderableemphasis。
  “Ithoughtso,”’saidthesenator。
  “Ifthere’sanybodycomes,”saidthegoodman,stretchinghistall,muscularformupward,“whyhereI’mreadyforhim:andI’vegotsevensons,eachsixfoothigh,andthey’llbereadyfor’em。Giveourrespectsto’em,”saidJohn;“tell’emit’snomatterhowsoontheycall,—makenokinderdifferencetous,”saidJohn,runninghisfingersthroughtheshockofhairthatthatchedhishead,andburstingoutintoagreatlaugh。
  Weary,jaded,andspiritless,Elizadraggedherselfuptothedoor,withherchildlyinginaheavysleeponherarm。Theroughmanheldthecandletoherface,andutteringakindofcompassionategrunt,openedthedoorofasmallbed-roomadjoiningtothelargekitchenwheretheywerestanding,andmotionedhertogoin。Hetookdownacandle,andlightingit,setituponthetable,andthenaddressedhimselftoEliza。
  “Now,Isay,gal,youneedn’tbeabitafeard,letwhowillcomehere。I’muptoallthatsorto’thing,”saidhe,pointingtotwoorthreegoodlyriflesoverthemantel-piece;“andmostpeoplethatknowmeknowthat’twouldn’tbehealthytotrytogetanybodyouto’myhousewhenI’maginit。Sonowyoujistgotosleepnow,asquietasifyermotherwasarockin’ye,”saidhe,asheshutthedoor。
  “Why,thisisanuncommonhandsomeun,”hesaidtothesenator。“Ah,well;handsomeunshasthegreatestcausetorun,sometimes,iftheyhasanykindo’feelin,suchasdecentwomenshould。Iknowallaboutthat。”
  Thesenator,inafewwords,brieflyexplainedEliza’shistory。
  “O!ou!aw!now,Iwanttoknow?”saidthegoodman,pitifully;“sho!nowsho!That’snaturnow,poorcrittur!hunteddownnowlikeadeer,—hunteddown,jestforhavin’naturalfeelin’s,anddoin’whatnokindo’mothercouldhelpadoin’!Itellyewhat,theseyerthingsmakemecomethenighesttoswearin’,now,o’mostanything,”saidhonestJohn,ashewipedhiseyeswiththebackofagreat,freckled,yellowhand。“Itellyerwhat,stranger,itwasyearsandyearsbeforeI’djinethechurch,’causetheministersroundinourpartsusedtopreachthattheBiblewentinfortheseerecuttingsup,—andIcouldn’tbeupto’emwiththeirGreekandHebrew,andsoItookupagin’em,Bibleandall。IneverjinedthechurchtillIfoundaministerthatwasupto’emallinGreekandallthat,andhesaidrightthecontrary;andthenItookrighthold,andjinedthechurch,—Ididnow,fact,”saidJohn,whohadbeenallthistimeuncorkingsomeveryfriskybottledcider,whichatthisjuncturehepresented。
  “Ye’dbetterjestputuphere,now,tilldaylight,”saidhe,heartily,“andI’llcalluptheoldwoman,andhaveabedgotreadyforyouinnotime。”
  “Thankyou,mygoodfriend,”saidthesenator,“Imustbealong,totakethenightstageforColumbus。”
  “Ah!well,then,ifyoumust,I’llgoapiecewithyou,andshowyouacrossroadthatwilltakeyoutherebetterthantheroadyoucameon。Thatroad’smightybad。”
  Johnequippedhimself,and,withalanterninhand,wassoonseenguidingthesenator’scarriagetowardsaroadthatrandowninahollow,backofhisdwelling。Whentheyparted,thesenatorputintohishandaten-dollarbill。
  “It’sforher,”hesaid,briefly。
  “Ay,ay,”saidJohn,withequalconciseness。
  Theyshookhands,andparted。
  ThePropertyIsCarriedOff
  TheFebruarymorninglookedgrayanddrizzlingthroughthewindowofUncleTom’scabin。Itlookedondowncastfaces,theimagesofmournfulhearts。Thelittletablestoodoutbeforethefire,coveredwithanironing-cloth;acoarsebutcleanshirtortwo,freshfromtheiron,hungonthebackofachairbythefire,andAuntChloehadanotherspreadoutbeforeheronthetable。Carefullysherubbedandironedeveryfoldandeveryhem,withthemostscrupulousexactness,everynowandthenraisingherhandtoherfacetowipeoffthetearsthatwerecoursingdownhercheeks。
  Tomsatby,withhisTestamentopenonhisknee,andhisheadleaninguponhishand;—butneitherspoke。Itwasyetearly,andthechildrenlayallasleeptogetherintheirlittlerudetrundle-bed。
  Tom,whohad,tothefull,thegentle,domesticheart,whichwoeforthem!hasbeenapeculiarcharacteristicofhisunhappyrace,gotupandwalkedsilentlytolookathischildren。
  “It’sthelasttime,”hesaid。
  AuntChloedidnotanswer,onlyrubbedawayoverandoveronthecoarseshirt,alreadyassmoothashandscouldmakeit;andfinallysettingherironsuddenlydownwithadespairingplunge,shesatdowntothetable,and“lifteduphervoiceandwept。”
  “S’posewemustberesigned;butohLord!howkenI?IfIknow’danythingwharyou’sgoin’,orhowthey’dsarveyou!Mississaysshe’lltryand’deemye,inayearortwo;butLor!nobodynevercomesupthatgoesdownthar!Theykills’em!I’vehearn’emtellhowdeyworks’emupondemarplantations。”
  “There’llbethesameGodthere,Chloe,thatthereishere。”
  “Well,”saidAuntChloe,“s’posederewill;butdeLordletsdreffulthingshappen,sometimes。Idon’tseemtogetnocomfortdatway。”
  “I’mintheLord’shands,”saidTom;“nothin’cangonofurderthanheletsit;—andthar’sonethingIcanthankhimfor。It’smethat’ssoldandgoingdown,andnotyounurthechil’en。Hereyou’resafe;—whatcomeswillcomeonlyonme;andtheLord,he’llhelpme,—Iknowhewill。”
  Ah,brave,manlyheart,—smotheringthineownsorrow,tocomfortthybelovedones!Tomspokewithathickutterance,andwithabitterchokinginhisthroat,—buthespokebraveandstrong。
  “Let’sthinkonourmarcies!”headded,tremulously,asifhewasquitesureheneededtothinkonthemveryhardindeed。
  “Marcies!”saidAuntChloe;“don’tseenomarcyin’t!’tan’tright!tan’trightitshouldbeso!Mas’rneveroughtterleftitsothatyecouldbetookforhisdebts。Ye’vearnthimallhegetsforye,twiceover。Heowedyeyerfreedom,andoughttergin’ttoyeryearsago。Mebbehecan’thelphimselfnow,butIfeelit’swrong。Nothingcan’tbeatthatarouto’me。Sichafaithfulcritturasye’vebeen,—andallerssothisbusiness’foreyerowneveryway,—andreckonedonhimmorethanyerownwifeandchil’en!Themassellsheart’sloveandheart’sblood,togetouttharscrapes,deLord’llbeupto’em!”
  “Chloe!now,ifyeloveme,yewon’ttalkso,whenperhapsjestthelasttimewe’lleverhavetogether!AndI’lltellye,Chloe,itgoesaginmetohearonewordaginMas’r。Wan’theputinmyarmsababy?—it’snaturIshouldthinkaheapofhim。Andhecouldn’tbespectedtothinksomuchofpoorTom。Mas’rsisusedtohavin’alltheseyerthingsdonefor’em,andnat’llytheydon’tthinksomuchon’t。Theycan’tbespectedto,noway。Sethim’longsideofotherMas’rs—who’shadthetreatmentandlivin’I’vehad?Andheneverwouldhaveletthisyercomeonme,ifhecouldhaveseeditaforehand。Iknowhewouldn’t。”
  “Wal,anyway,thar’swrongaboutitsomewhar,”saidAuntChloe,inwhomastubbornsenseofjusticewasapredominanttrait;“Ican’tjestmakeoutwhar’tis,butthar’swrongsomewhar,I’mclaro’that。”
  “YeroughtterlookuptotheLordabove—he’saboveall—thardon’tasparrowfallwithouthim。”
  “Itdon’tseemtocomfortme,butIspectitorter,”saidAuntChloe。“Butdar’snousetalkin’;I’lljeswetupdecorn-cake,andgetyeonegoodbreakfast,’causenobodyknowswhenyou’llgetanother。”
  Inordertoappreciatethesufferingsofthenegroessoldsouth,itmustberememberedthatalltheinstinctiveaffectionsofthatracearepeculiarlystrong。Theirlocalattachmentsareveryabiding。Theyarenotnaturallydaringandenterprising,buthome-lovingandaffectionate。Addtothisalltheterrorswithwhichignoranceinveststheunknown,andaddtothis,again,thatsellingtothesouthissetbeforethenegrofromchildhoodasthelastseverityofpunishment。Thethreatthatterrifiesmorethanwhippingortortureofanykindisthethreatofbeingsentdownriver。Wehaveourselvesheardthisfeelingexpressedbythem,andseentheunaffectedhorrorwithwhichtheywillsitintheirgossippinghours,andtellfrightfulstoriesofthat“downriver,”whichtothemis
  “Thatundiscoveredcountry,fromwhosebourn
  Notravellerreturns。”1
  AmissionaryfigureamongthefugitivesinCanadatoldusthatmanyofthefugitivesconfessedthemselvestohaveescapedfromcomparativelykindmasters,andthattheywereinducedtobravetheperilsofescape,inalmosteverycase,bythedesperatehorrorwithwhichtheyregardedbeingsoldsouth,—adoomwhichwashangingeitheroverthemselvesortheirhusbands,theirwivesorchildren。ThisnervestheAfrican,naturallypatient,timidandunenterprising,withheroiccourage,andleadshimtosufferhunger,cold,pain,theperilsofthewilderness,andthemoredreadpenaltiesofrecapture。
  Thesimplemorningmealnowsmokedonthetable,forMrs。ShelbyhadexcusedAuntChloe’sattendanceatthegreathousethatmorning。Thepoorsoulhadexpendedallherlittleenergiesonthisfarewellfeast,—hadkilledanddressedherchoicestchicken,andpreparedhercorn-cakewithscrupulousexactness,justtoherhusband’staste,andbroughtoutcertainmysteriousjarsonthemantel-piece,somepreservesthatwereneverproducedexceptonextremeoccasions。
  “Lor,Pete,”saidMose,triumphantly,“han’twegotabusterofabreakfast!”atthesametimecatchingatafragmentofthechicken。
  AuntChloegavehimasuddenboxontheear。“Tharnow!crowingoverthelastbreakfastyerpoordaddy’sgwinetohavetohome!”
  “O,Chloe!”saidTom,gently。
  “Wal,Ican’thelpit,”saidAuntChloe,hidingherfaceinherapron;“I’ssotossedaboutit,itmakesmeactugly。”
  Theboysstoodquitestill,lookingfirstattheirfatherandthenattheirmother,whilethebaby,climbingupherclothes,begananimperious,commandingcry。
  “Thar!”saidAuntChloe,wipinghereyesandtakingupthebaby;“nowI’sdone,Ihope,—nowdoeatsomething。Thisyer’smynicestchicken。Thar,boys,yeshallhavesome,poorcritturs!Yermammy’sbeencrosstoyer。”
  Theboysneedednosecondinvitation,andwentinwithgreatzealfortheeatables;anditwaswelltheydidso,asotherwisetherewouldhavebeenverylittleperformedtoanypurposebytheparty。
  “Now,”saidAuntChloe,bustlingaboutafterbreakfast,“Imustputupyerclothes。Jestlikeasnot,he’lltake’emallaway。Iknowtharways—meanasdirt,theyis!Wal,now,yerflannelsforrhumatisisinthiscorner;sobecareful,’causetherewon’tnobodymakeyenomore。Thenhere’syeroldshirts,andtheseyerisnewones。Itoedofftheseyerstockingslastnight,andputdeballin’emtomendwith。ButLor!who’llevermendforye?”andAuntChloe,againovercome,laidherheadontheboxside,andsobbed。“Tothinkon’t!nocritturtodoforye,sickorwell!Idon’traillythinkIoughtterbegoodnow!”
  Theboys,havingeateneverythingtherewasonthebreakfast-table,begannowtotakesomethoughtofthecase;and,seeingtheirmothercrying,andtheirfatherlookingverysad,begantowhimperandputtheirhandstotheireyes。UncleTomhadthebabyonhisknee,andwaslettingherenjoyherselftotheutmostextent,scratchinghisfaceandpullinghishair,andoccasionallybreakingoutintoclamorousexplosionsofdelight,evidentlyarisingoutofherowninternalreflections。
  “Ay,crowaway,poorcrittur!”saidAuntChloe;ye’llhavetocometoit,too!ye’lllivetoseeyerhusbandsold,ormebbebesoldyerself;andtheseyerboys,they’stobesold,Is’pose,too,jestlikeasnot,whendeygetsgoodforsomethin’;an’tnouseinniggershavin’nothin’!”
  Hereoneoftheboyscalledout,“Thar’sMissisa-comin’in!”
  “Shecan’tdonogood;what’sshecomingfor?”saidAuntChloe。
  Mrs。Shelbyentered。AuntChloesetachairforherinamannerdecidedlygruffandcrusty。Shedidnotseemtonoticeeithertheactionorthemanner。Shelookedpaleandanxious。
  “Tom,”shesaid,“Icometo—”andstoppingsuddenly,andregardingthesilentgroup,shesatdowninthechair,and,coveringherfacewithherhandkerchief,begantosob。
  “Lor,now,Missis,don’t—don’t!”saidAuntChloe,burstingoutinherturn;andforafewmomentstheyallweptincompany。Andinthosetearstheyallshedtogether,thehighandthelowly,meltedawayalltheheart-burningsandangeroftheoppressed。O,yewhovisitthedistressed,doyeknowthateverythingyourmoneycanbuy,givenwithacold,avertedface,isnotworthonehonesttearshedinrealsympathy?
  “Mygoodfellow,”saidMrs。Shelby,“Ican’tgiveyouanythingtodoyouanygood。IfIgiveyoumoney,itwillonlybetakenfromyou。ButItellyousolemnly,andbeforeGod,thatIwillkeeptraceofyou,andbringyoubackassoonasIcancommandthemoney;—and,tillthen,trustinGod!”
  HeretheboyscalledoutthatMas’rHaleywascoming,andthenanunceremoniouskickpushedopenthedoor。Haleystoodthereinveryillhumor,havingriddenhardthenightbefore,andbeingnotatallpacifiedbyhisillsuccessinrecapturinghisprey。
  “Come,”saidhe,“yenigger,ye’rready?Servant,ma’am!”saidhe,takingoffhishat,ashesawMrs。Shelby。
  AuntChloeshutandcordedthebox,and,gettingup,lookedgrufflyonthetrader,hertearsseemingsuddenlyturnedtosparksoffire。
  Tomroseupmeekly,tofollowhisnewmaster,andraiseduphisheavyboxonhisshoulder。Hiswifetookthebabyinherarmstogowithhimtothewagon,andthechildren,stillcrying,trailedonbehind。
  Mrs。Shelby,walkinguptothetrader,detainedhimforafewmoments,talkingwithhiminanearnestmanner;andwhileshewasthustalking,thewholefamilypartyproceededtoawagon,thatstoodreadyharnessedatthedoor。Acrowdofalltheoldandyounghandsontheplacestoodgatheredaroundit,tobidfarewelltotheiroldassociate。Tomhadbeenlookedupto,bothasaheadservantandaChristianteacher,byalltheplace,andtherewasmuchhonestsympathyandgriefabouthim,particularlyamongthewomen。
  “Why,Chloe,youbaritbetter’nwedo!”saidoneofthewomen,whohadbeenweepingfreely,noticingthegloomycalmnesswithwhichAuntChloestoodbythewagon。
  “I’sdonemytears!”shesaid,lookinggrimlyatthetrader,whowascomingup。“Idoesnotfeeltocry’foredataroldlimb,nohow!”
  “Getin!”saidHaleytoTom,ashestrodethroughthecrowdofservants,wholookedathimwithloweringbrows。
  Tomgotin,andHaley,drawingoutfromunderthewagonseataheavypairofshackles,madethemfastaroundeachankle。
  Asmotheredgroanofindignationranthroughthewholecircle,andMrs。Shelbyspokefromtheverandah,—“Mr。Haley,Iassureyouthatprecautionisentirelyunnecessary。”
  “Don’know,ma’am;I’velostonefivehundreddollarsfromthisyerplace,andIcan’taffordtorunnomorerisks。”
  “Whatelsecouldshespectonhim?”saidAuntChloe,indignantly,whilethetwoboys,whonowseemedtocomprehendatoncetheirfather’sdestiny,clungtohergown,sobbingandgroaningvehemently。
  “I’msorry,”saidTom,“thatMas’rGeorgehappenedtobeaway。”
  Georgehadgonetospendtwoorthreedayswithacompaniononaneighboringestate,andhavingdepartedearlyinthemorning,beforeTom’smisfortunehadbeenmadepublic,hadleftwithouthearingofit。
  “GivemylovetoMas’rGeorge,”hesaid,earnestly。
  Haleywhippedupthehorse,and,withasteady,mournfullook,fixedtothelastontheoldplace,Tomwaswhirledaway。
  Mr。Shelbyatthistimewasnotathome。HehadsoldTomunderthespurofadrivingnecessity,togetoutofthepowerofamanwhomhedreaded,—andhisfirstfeeling,aftertheconsummationofthebargain,hadbeenthatofrelief。Buthiswife’sexpostulationsawokehishalf-slumberingregrets;andTom’smanlydisinterestednessincreasedtheunpleasantnessofhisfeelings。Itwasinvainthathesaidtohimselfthathehadarighttodoit,—thateverybodydidit,—andthatsomediditwithouteventheexcuseofnecessity;—hecouldnotsatisfyhisownfeelings;andthathemightnotwitnesstheunpleasantscenesoftheconsummation,hehadgoneonashortbusinesstourupthecountry,hopingthatallwouldbeoverbeforehereturned。
  TomandHaleyrattledonalongthedustyroad,whirlingpasteveryoldfamiliarspot,untiltheboundsoftheestatewerefairlypassed,andtheyfoundthemselvesoutontheopenpike。Aftertheyhadriddenaboutamile,Haleysuddenlydrewupatthedoorofablacksmith’sshop,when,takingoutwithhimapairofhandcuffs,hesteppedintotheshop,tohavealittlealterationinthem。
  “Theseyer’salittletoosmallforhisbuild,”saidHaley,showingthefetters,andpointingouttoTom。
  “Lor!now,iftharan’tShelby’sTom。Hehan’tsoldhim,now?”saidthesmith。
  “Yes,hehas,”saidHaley。
  “Now,yedon’t!well,reely,”saidthesmith,“who’dathoughtit!Why,yeneedn’tgotofetterin’himupthisyerway。He’sthefaithfullest,bestcrittur—”
  “Yes,yes,”saidHaley;“butyourgoodfellersarejustthecritturstowantterrunoff。Themstupidones,asdoesn’tcarewhartheygo,andshifless,drunkenones,asdon’tcarefornothin’,they’llstickby,andlikeasnotberatherpleasedtobetotedround;buttheseyerprimefellers,theyhatesitlikesin。Nowaybuttofetter’em;gotlegs,—they’lluse’em,—nomistake。”
  “Well,”saidthesmith,feelingamonghistools,“themplantationsdownthar,stranger,an’tjesttheplaceaKentuckniggerwantstogoto;theydiesthartol’ablefast,don’tthey?”
  “Wal,yes,tol’ablefast,therdyingis;whatwiththe’climatingandonethingandanother,theydiessoastokeepthemarketupprettybrisk,”saidHaley。
  “Wal,now,afellercan’thelpthinkin’it’samightypitytohaveanice,quiet,likelyfeller,asgoodunasTomis,godowntobefairlygroundupononeofthemarsugarplantations。”
  “Wal,he’sgotafa’rchance。Ipromisedtodowellbyhim。I’llgethiminhouse-servantinsomegoodoldfamily,andthen,ifhestandsthefeverand’climating,he’llhaveaberthgoodasanyniggeroughtteraskfor。”
  “Heleaveshiswifeandchil’enuphere,s’pose?”
  “Yes;buthe’llgetanotherthar。Lord,thar’swomenenougheverywhar,”saidHaley。
  Tomwassittingverymournfullyontheoutsideoftheshopwhilethisconversationwasgoingon。Suddenlyheheardthequick,shortclickofahorse’shoofbehindhim;and,beforehecouldfairlyawakefromhissurprise,youngMasterGeorgesprangintothewagon,threwhisarmstumultuouslyroundhisneck,andwassobbingandscoldingwithenergy。
  “Ideclare,it’srealmean!Idon’tcarewhattheysay,anyof’em!It’sanasty,meanshame!IfIwasaman,theyshouldn’tdoit,—theyshouldnot,so!”saidGeorge,withakindofsubduedhowl。
  “O!Mas’rGeorge!thisdoesmegood!”saidTom。“Icouldn’tbartogooffwithoutseein’ye!Itdoesmerealgood,yecan’ttell!”HereTommadesomemovementofhisfeet,andGeorge’seyefellonthefetters。
  “Whatashame!”heexclaimed,liftinghishands。“I’llknockthatoldfellowdown—Iwill!”
  “Noyouwon’t,Mas’rGeorge;andyoumustnottalksoloud。Itwon’thelpmeany,toangerhim。”
  “Well,Iwon’t,then,foryoursake;butonlytothinkofit—isn’titashame?Theyneversentforme,norsentmeanyword,and,ifithadn’tbeenforTomLincon,Ishouldn’thaveheardit。Itellyou,Iblew’emupwell,allof’em,athome!”
  “Thatarwasn’tright,I’m’feard,Mas’rGeorge。”
  “Can’thelpit!Isayit’sashame!Lookhere,UncleTom,”saidhe,turninghisbacktotheshop,andspeakinginamysterioustone,“I’vebroughtyoumydollar!”
  “O!Icouldn’tthinko’takin’on’t,Mas’rGeorge,nowaysintheworld!”saidTom,quitemoved。
  “Butyoushalltakeit!”saidGeorge;“lookhere—ItoldAuntChloeI’ddoit,andsheadvisedmejusttomakeaholeinit,andputastringthrough,soyoucouldhangitroundyourneck,andkeepitoutofsight;elsethismeanscampwouldtakeitaway。Itellye,Tom,Iwanttoblowhimup!itwoulddomegood!”
  “No,don’tMas’rGeorge,foritwon’tdomeanygood。”
  “Well,Iwon’t,foryoursake,”saidGeorge,busilytyinghisdollarroundTom’sneck;“butthere,now,buttonyourcoattightoverit,andkeepit,andremember,everytimeyouseeit,thatI’llcomedownafteryou,andbringyouback。AuntChloeandIhavebeentalkingaboutit。Itoldhernottofear;I’llseetoit,andI’llteasefather’slifeout,ifhedon’tdoit。”
  “O!Mas’rGeorge,yemustn’ttalkso’boutyerfather!”
  “Lor,UncleTom,Idon’tmeananythingbad。”
  “Andnow,Mas’rGeorge,”saidTom,“yemustbeagoodboy;’memberhowmanyheartsissotonye。Al’ayskeepclosetoyermother。Don’tbegettin’intoanyofthemfoolishwaysboyshasofgettin’toobigtomindtheirmothers。Tellyewhat,Mas’rGeorge,theLordgivesgoodmanythingstwiceover;buthedon’tgiveyeamotherbutonce。Ye’llneverseesichanotherwoman,Mas’rGeorge,ifyelivetobeahundredyearsold。So,now,youholdontoher,andgrowup,andbeacomforttoher,thar’smyowngoodboy,—youwillnow,won’tye?”
  “Yes,Iwill,UncleTom,”saidGeorgeseriously。
  “Andbecarefulofyerspeaking,Mas’rGeorge。Youngboys,whentheycomestoyourage,iswilful,sometimes—itisnaturtheyshouldbe。Butrealgentlemen,suchasIhopesyou’llbe,neverletsfallonwordsthatisn’t’spectfultotharparents。Yean’t’fended,Mas’rGeorge?”
  “No,indeed,UncleTom;youalwaysdidgivemegoodadvice。”
  “I’solder,yeknow,”saidTom,strokingtheboy’sfine,curlyheadwithhislarge,stronghand,butspeakinginavoiceastenderasawoman’s,“andIseesallthat’sboundupinyou。O,Mas’rGeorge,youhaseverything,—l’arnin’,privileges,readin’,writin’,—andyou’llgrowuptobeagreat,learned,goodmanandallthepeopleontheplaceandyourmotherandfather’llbesoproudonye!BeagoodMas’r,likeyerfather;andbeaChristian,likeyermother。’MemberyerCreatorinthedayso’yeryouth,Mas’rGeorge。”
  “I’llberealgood,UncleTom,Itellyou,”saidGeorge。“I’mgoingtobeafirst-rater;anddon’tyoubediscouraged。I’llhaveyoubacktotheplace,yet。AsItoldAuntChloethismorning,I’llbuildourhouseallover,andyoushallhavearoomforaparlorwithacarpetonit,whenI’maman。O,you’llhavegoodtimesyet!”
  Haleynowcametothedoor,withthehandcuffsinhishands。
  “Lookhere,now,Mister,”saidGeorge,withanairofgreatsuperiority,ashegotout,“IshallletfatherandmotherknowhowyoutreatUncleTom!”
  “You’rewelcome,”saidthetrader。
  “Ishouldthinkyou’dbeashamedtospendallyourlifebuyingmenandwomen,andchainingthem,likecattle!Ishouldthinkyou’dfeelmean!”saidGeorge。
  “Solongasyourgrandfolkswantstobuymenandwomen,I’masgoodastheyis,”saidHaley;“’tan’tanymeanersellin’on’em,that’tisbuyin’!”
  “I’llneverdoeither,whenI’maman,”saidGeorge;“I’mashamed,thisday,thatI’maKentuckian。Ialwayswasproudofitbefore;”andGeorgesatverystraightonhishorse,andlookedroundwithanair,asifheexpectedthestatewouldbeimpressedwithhisopinion。
  “Well,good-by,UncleTom;keepastiffupperlip,”saidGeorge。
  “Good-by,Mas’rGeorge,”saidTom,lookingfondlyandadmiringlyathim。“GodAlmightyblessyou!Ah!Kentuckyhan’tgotmanylikeyou!”hesaid,inthefulnessofhisheart,asthefrank,boyishfacewaslosttohisview。Awayhewent,andTomlooked,tilltheclatterofhishorse’sheelsdiedaway,thelastsoundorsightofhishome。Butoverhisheartthereseemedtobeawarmspot,wherethoseyounghandshadplacedthatpreciousdollar。Tomputuphishand,andhelditclosetohisheart。
  “Now,Itellyewhat,Tom,”saidHaley,ashecameuptothewagon,andthrewinthehandcuffs,“Imeantostartfa’rwithye,asIgen’allydowithmyniggers;andI’lltellyenow,tobeginwith,youtreatmefa’r,andI’lltreatyoufa’r;Ian’tneverhardonmyniggers。Calculatestodothebestfor’emIcan。Now,yesee,you’dbetterjestsettledowncomfortable,andnotbetryin’notricks;becausenigger’stricksofallsortsI’mupto,andit’snouse。Ifniggersisquiet,anddon’ttrytogetoff,theyhasgoodtimeswithme;andiftheydon’t,why,it’stharfault,andnotmine。”
  TomassuredHaleythathehadnopresentintentionsofrunningoff。Infact,theexhortationseemedratherasuperfluousonetoamanwithagreatpairofironfettersonhisfeet。ButMr。Haleyhadgotinthehabitofcommencinghisrelationswithhisstockwithlittleexhortationsofthisnature,calculated,ashedeemed,toinspirecheerfulnessandconfidence,andpreventthenecessityofanyunpleasantscenes。
  Andhere,forthepresent,wetakeourleaveofTom,topursuethefortunesofothercharactersinourstory。
  1AslightlyinaccuratequotationfromHamlet,ActIII,sceneI,lines369-370。
  InWhichPropertyGetsintoanImproperStateofMind
  Itwaslateinadrizzlyafternoonthatatraveleralightedatthedoorofasmallcountryhotel,inthevillageofN——,inKentucky。Inthebarroomhefoundassembledquiteamiscellaneouscompany,whomstressofweatherhaddriventoharbor,andtheplacepresentedtheusualsceneryofsuchreunions。Great,tall,raw-bonedKentuckians,attiredinhunting-shirts,andtrailingtheirloosejointsoveravastextentofterritory,withtheeasyloungepeculiartotherace,—riflesstackedawayinthecorner,shot-pouches,game-bags,hunting-dogs,andlittlenegroes,allrolledtogetherinthecorners,—werethecharacteristicfeaturesinthepicture。Ateachendofthefireplacesatalong-leggedgentleman,withhischairtippedback,hishatonhishead,andtheheelsofhismuddybootsreposingsublimelyonthemantel-piece,—aposition,wewillinformourreaders,decidedlyfavorabletotheturnofreflectionincidenttowesterntaverns,wheretravellersexhibitadecidedpreferenceforthisparticularmodeofelevatingtheirunderstandings。
  Minehost,whostoodbehindthebar,likemostofhiscountrymen,wasgreatofstature,good-naturedandloose-jointed,withanenormousshockofhaironhishead,andagreattallhatonthetopofthat。
  Infact,everybodyintheroomboreonhisheadthischaracteristicemblemofman’ssovereignty;whetheritwerefelthat,palm-leaf,greasybeaver,orfinenewchapeau,thereitreposedwithtruerepublicanindependence。Intruth,itappearedtobethecharacteristicmarkofeveryindividual。Someworethemtippedrakishlytooneside—thesewereyourmenofhumor,jolly,free-and-easydogs;somehadthemjammedindependentlydownovertheirnoses—thesewereyourhardcharacters,thoroughmen,who,whentheyworetheirhats,wantedtowearthem,andtowearthemjustastheyhadamindto;therewerethosewhohadthemsetfaroverback—wide-awakemen,whowantedaclearprospect;whilecarelessmen,whodidnotknow,orcare,howtheirhatssat,hadthemshakingaboutinalldirections。Thevarioushats,infact,werequiteaShakespeareanstudy。
  Diversnegroes,inveryfree-and-easypantaloons,andwithnoredundancyintheshirtline,werescuttlingabout,hitherandthither,withoutbringingtopassanyveryparticularresults,exceptexpressingagenericwillingnesstoturnovereverythingincreationgenerallyforthebenefitofMas’randhisguests。Addtothispictureajolly,crackling,rollickingfire,goingrejoicinglyupagreatwidechimney,—theouterdoorandeverywindowbeingsetwideopen,andthecalicowindow-curtainfloppingandsnappinginagoodstiffbreezeofdamprawair,—andyouhaveanideaofthejollitiesofaKentuckytavern。
  YourKentuckianofthepresentdayisagoodillustrationofthedoctrineoftransmittedinstinctsandpecularities。Hisfathersweremightyhunters,—menwholivedinthewoods,andsleptunderthefree,openheavens,withthestarstoholdtheircandles;andtheirdescendanttothisdayalwaysactsasifthehousewerehiscamp,—wearshishatatallhours,tumbleshimselfabout,andputshisheelsonthetopsofchairsormantelpieces,justashisfatherrolledonthegreensward,andputhisupontreesandlogs,—keepsallthewindowsanddoorsopen,winterandsummer,thathemaygetairenoughforhisgreatlungs,—callseverybody“stranger,”withnonchalantbonhommie,andisaltogetherthefrankest,easiest,mostjovialcreatureliving。
  Intosuchanassemblyofthefreeandeasyourtravellerentered。Hewasashort,thick-setman,carefullydressed,witharound,good-naturedcountenance,andsomethingratherfussyandparticularinhisappearance。Hewasverycarefulofhisvaliseandumbrella,bringingtheminwithhisownhands,andresisting,pertinaciously,alloffersfromthevariousservantstorelievehimofthem。Helookedroundthebarroomwithratherananxiousair,and,retreatingwithhisvaluablestothewarmestcorner,disposedthemunderhischair,satdown,andlookedratherapprehensivelyupattheworthywhoseheelsillustratedtheendofthemantel-piece,whowasspittingfromrighttoleft,withacourageandenergyratheralarmingtogentlemenofweaknervesandparticularhabits。
  “Isay,stranger,howareye?”saidtheaforesaidgentleman,firinganhonorarysaluteoftobacco-juiceinthedirectionofthenewarrival。
  “Well,Ireckon,”wasthereplyoftheother,ashedodged,withsomealarm,thethreateninghonor。
  “Anynews?”saidtherespondent,takingoutastripoftobaccoandalargehunting-knifefromhispocket。
  “NotthatIknowof,”saidtheman。
  “Chaw?”saidthefirstspeaker,handingtheoldgentlemanabitofhistobacco,withadecidedlybrotherlyair。
  “No,thankye—itdon’tagreewithme,”saidthelittleman,edgingoff。
  “Don’t,eh?”saidtheother,easily,andstowingawaythemorselinhisownmouth,inordertokeepupthesupplyoftobacco-juice,forthegeneralbenefitofsociety。
  Theoldgentlemanuniformlygavealittlestartwheneverhislong-sidedbrotherfiredinhisdirection;andthisbeingobservedbyhiscompanion,heverygood-naturedlyturnedhisartillerytoanotherquarter,andproceededtostormoneofthefire-ironswithadegreeofmilitarytalentfullysufficienttotakeacity。
  “What’sthat?”saidtheoldgentleman,observingsomeofthecompanyformedinagrouparoundalargehandbill。
  “Niggeradvertised!”saidoneofthecompany,briefly。
  Mr。Wilson,forthatwastheoldgentleman’sname,roseup,and,aftercarefullyadjustinghisvaliseandumbrella,proceededdeliberatelytotakeouthisspectaclesandfixthemonhisnose;and,thisoperationbeingperformed,readasfollows:
  “Ranawayfromthesubscriber,mymulattoboy,George。SaidGeorgesixfeetinheight,averylightmulatto,browncurlyhair;isveryintelligent,speakshandsomely,canreadandwrite,willprobablytrytopassforawhiteman,isdeeplyscarredonhisbackandshoulders,hasbeenbrandedinhisrighthandwiththeletterH。
  “Iwillgivefourhundreddollarsforhimalive,andthesamesumforsatisfactoryproofthathehasbeenkilled。”
  Theoldgentlemanreadthisadvertisementfromendtoendinalowvoice,asifhewerestudyingit。
  Thelong-leggedveteran,whohadbeenbesiegingthefire-iron,asbeforerelated,nowtookdownhiscumbrouslength,andrearingalofthistallform,walkeduptotheadvertisementandverydeliberatelyspitafulldischargeoftobacco-juiceonit。
  “There’smyminduponthat!”saidhe,briefly,andsatdownagain。
  “Why,now,stranger,what’sthatfor?”saidminehost。
  “I’ddoitallthesametothewriterofthatarpaper,ifhewashere,”saidthelongman,coollyresuminghisoldemploymentofcuttingtobacco。“Anymanthatownsaboylikethat,andcan’tfindanybetterwayo’treatingonhim,deservestolosehim。SuchpapersastheseisashametoKentucky;that’smymindrightout,ifanybodywantstoknow!”
  “Well,now,that’safact,”saidminehost,ashemadeanentryinhisbook。
  “I’vegotagangofboys,sir,”saidthelongman,resuminghisattackonthefire-irons,“andIjesttells’em—‘Boys,’saysI,—‘runnow!dig!put!jestwhenyewantto!Inevershallcometolookafteryou!’That’sthewayIkeepmine。Let’emknowtheyarefreetorunanytime,anditjestbreaksuptheirwantingto。More’nall,I’vegotfreepapersfor’emallrecorded,incaseIgetskeeledupanyo’thesetimes,andtheyknowit;andItellye,stranger,therean’tafellowinourpartsgetsmoreoutofhisniggersthanIdo。Why,myboyshavebeentoCincinnati,withfivehundreddollars’worthofcolts,andbroughtmebackthemoney,allstraight,timeandagin。Itstandstoreasontheyshould。Treat’emlikedogs,andyou’llhavedogs’worksanddogs’actions。Treat’emlikemen,andyou’llhavemen’sworks。”Andthehonestdrover,inhiswarmth,endorsedthismoralsentimentbyfiringaperfectfeudejoiatthefireplace。
  “Ithinkyou’realtogetherright,friend,”saidMr。Wilson;“andthisboydescribedhereisafinefellow—nomistakeaboutthat。Heworkedformesomehalf-dozenyearsinmybaggingfactory,andhewasmybesthand,sir。Heisaningeniousfellow,too:heinventedamachineforthecleaningofhemp—areallyvaluableaffair;it’sgoneintouseinseveralfactories。Hismasterholdsthepatentofit。”
  “I’llwarrantye,”saidthedrover,“holdsitandmakesmoneyoutofit,andthenturnsroundandbrandstheboyinhisrighthand。IfIhadafairchance,I’dmarkhim,Ireckonsothathe’dcarryitonewhile。”
  “Theseyerknowin’boysisallersaggravatin’andsarcy,”saidacoarse-lookingfellow,fromtheothersideoftheroom;“that’swhytheygetscutupandmarkedso。Iftheybehavedthemselves,theywouldn’t。”
  “Thatistosay,theLordmade’emmen,andit’sahardsqueezegettin’emdownintobeasts,”saidthedrover,dryly。
  “Brightniggersisn’tnokindof’vantagetotheirmasters,”continuedtheother,wellentrenched,inacoarse,unconsciousobtuseness,fromthecontemptofhisopponent;“what’stheuseo’talentsandthemthings,ifyoucan’tgettheuseon’emyourself?Why,alltheusetheymakeon’tistogetroundyou。I’vehadoneortwoofthesefellers,andIjestsold’emdownriver。IknewI’dgottolose’em,firstorlast,ifIdidn’t。”
  “BettersendordersuptotheLord,tomakeyouaset,andleaveouttheirsoulsentirely,”saidthedrover。
  Heretheconversationwasinterruptedbytheapproachofasmallone-horsebuggytotheinn。Ithadagenteelappearance,andawell-dressed,gentlemanlymansatontheseat,withacoloredservantdriving。
  Thewholepartyexaminedthenewcomerwiththeinterestwithwhichasetofloafersinarainydayusuallyexamineeverynewcomer。Hewasverytall,withadark,Spanishcomplexion,fine,expressiveblackeyes,andclose-curlinghair,alsoofaglossyblackness。Hiswell-formedaquilinenose,straightthinlips,andtheadmirablecontourofhisfinely-formedlimbs,impressedthewholecompanyinstantlywiththeideaofsomethinguncommon。Hewalkedeasilyinamongthecompany,andwithanodindicatedtohiswaiterwheretoplacehistrunk,bowedtothecompany,and,withhishatinhishand,walkedupleisurelytothebar,andgaveinhisnameasHenryButter,Oaklands,ShelbyCounty。Turning,withanindifferentair,hesauntereduptotheadvertisement,andreaditover。
  “Jim,”hesaidtohisman,“seemstomewemetaboysomethinglikethis,upatBeman’s,didn’twe?”
  “Yes,Mas’r,saidJim,“onlyIan’tsureaboutthehand。”
  “Well,Ididn’tlook,ofcourse,”saidthestrangerwithacarelessyawn。Thenwalkinguptothelandlord,hedesiredhimtofurnishhimwithaprivateapartment,ashehadsomewritingtodoimmediately。
  Thelandlordwasallobsequious,andarelayofaboutsevennegroes,oldandyoung,maleandfemale,littleandbig,weresoonwhizzingabout,likeacoveyofpartridges,bustling,hurrying,treadingoneachother’stoes,andtumblingovereachother,intheirzealtogetMas’r’sroomready,whileheseatedhimselfeasilyonachairinthemiddleoftheroom,andenteredintoconversationwiththemanwhosatnexttohim。
  Themanufacturer,Mr。Wilson,fromthetimeoftheentranceofthestranger,hadregardedhimwithanairofdisturbedanduneasycuriosity。Heseemedtohimselftohavemetandbeenacquaintedwithhimsomewhere,buthecouldnotrecollect。Everyfewmoments,whenthemanspoke,ormoved,orsmiled,hewouldstartandfixhiseyesonhim,andthensuddenlywithdrawthem,asthebright,darkeyesmethiswithsuchunconcernedcoolness。Atlast,asuddenrecollectionseemedtoflashuponhim,forhestaredatthestrangerwithsuchanairofblankamazementandalarm,thathewalkeduptohim。
  “Mr。Wilson,Ithink,”saidhe,inatoneofrecognition,andextendinghishand。“Ibegyourpardon,Ididn’trecollectyoubefore。Iseeyourememberme,—Mr。Butler,ofOaklands,ShelbyCounty。”
  “Ye—yes—yes,sir,”saidMr。Wilson,likeonespeakinginadream。
  Justthenanegroboyentered,andannouncedthatMas’r’sroomwasready。
  “Jim,seetothetrunks,”saidthegentleman,negligently;thenaddressinghimselftoMr。Wilson,headded—“Ishouldliketohaveafewmoments’conversationwithyouonbusiness,inmyroom,ifyouplease。”
  Mr。Wilsonfollowedhim,asonewhowalksinhissleep;andtheyproceededtoalargeupperchamber,whereanew-madefirewascrackling,andvariousservantsflyingabout,puttingfinishingtouchestothearrangements。
  Whenallwasdone,andtheservantsdeparted,theyoungmandeliberatelylockedthedoor,andputtingthekeyinhispocket,facedabout,andfoldinghisarmsonhisbosom,lookedMr。Wilsonfullintheface。
  “George!”saidMr。Wilson。
  “Yes,George,”saidtheyoungman。
  “Icouldn’thavethoughtit!”
  “Iamprettywelldisguised,Ifancy,”saidtheyoungman,withasmile。“Alittlewalnutbarkhasmademyyellowskinagenteelbrown,andI’vedyedmyhairblack;soyouseeIdon’tanswertotheadvertisementatall。”
  “O,George!butthisisadangerousgameyouareplaying。Icouldnothaveadvisedyoutoit。”
  “Icandoitonmyownresponsibility,”saidGeorge,withthesameproudsmile。
  Weremark,enpassant,thatGeorgewas,byhisfather’sside,ofwhitedescent。Hismotherwasoneofthoseunfortunatesofherrace,markedoutbypersonalbeautytobetheslaveofthepassionsofherpossessor,andthemotherofchildrenwhomayneverknowafather。FromoneoftheproudestfamiliesinKentuckyhehadinheritedasetoffineEuropeanfeatures,andahigh,indomitablespirit。Fromhismotherhehadreceivedonlyaslightmulattotinge,amplycompensatedbyitsaccompanyingrich,darkeye。AslightchangeinthetintoftheskinandthecolorofhishairhadmetamorphosedhimintotheSpanish-lookingfellowhethenappeared;andasgracefulnessofmovementandgentlemanlymannershadalwaysbeenperfectlynaturaltohim,hefoundnodifficultyinplayingtheboldparthehadadopted—thatofagentlemantravellingwithhisdomestic。
  Mr。Wilson,agood-naturedbutextremelyfidgetyandcautiousoldgentleman,ambledupanddowntheroom,appearing,asJohnBunyanhathit,“muchtumbledupanddowninhismind,”anddividedbetweenhiswishtohelpGeorge,andacertainconfusednotionofmaintaininglawandorder:so,asheshambledabout,hedeliveredhimselfasfollows:
  “Well,George,Is’poseyou’rerunningaway—leavingyourlawfulmaster,George—Idon’twonderatit—atthesametime,I’msorry,George,—yes,decidedly—IthinkImustsaythat,George—it’smydutytotellyouso。”
  “Whyareyousorry,sir?”saidGeorge,calmly。
  “Why,toseeyou,asitwere,settingyourselfinoppositiontothelawsofyourcountry。”
  “Mycountry!”saidGeorge,withastrongandbitteremphasis;“whatcountryhaveI,butthegrave,—andIwishtoGodthatIwaslaidthere!”
  “Why,George,no—no—itwon’tdo;thiswayoftalkingiswicked—unscriptural。George,you’vegotahardmaster—infact,heis—wellheconductshimselfreprehensibly—Ican’tpretendtodefendhim。ButyouknowhowtheangelcommandedHagartoreturntohermistress,andsubmitherselfunderthehand;1andtheapostlesentbackOnesimustohismaster。”2
  “Don’tquoteBibleatmethatway,Mr。Wilson,”saidGeorge,withaflashingeye,“don’t!formywifeisaChristian,andImeantobe,ifeverIgettowhereIcan;buttoquoteBibletoafellowinmycircumstances,isenoughtomakehimgiveitupaltogether。IappealtoGodAlmighty;—I’mwillingtogowiththecasetoHim,andaskHimifIdowrongtoseekmyfreedom。”
  “Thesefeelingsarequitenatural,George,”saidthegood-naturedman,blowinghisnose。“Yes,they’renatural,butitismydutynottoencourage’eminyou。Yes,myboy,I’msorryforyou,now;it’sabadcase—verybad;buttheapostlesays,‘Leteveryoneabideintheconditioninwhichheiscalled。’WemustallsubmittotheindicationsofProvidence,George,—don’tyousee?”
  Georgestoodwithhisheaddrawnback,hisarmsfoldedtightlyoverhisbroadbreast,andabittersmilecurlinghislips。
  “Iwonder,Mr。Wilson,iftheIndiansshouldcomeandtakeyouaprisonerawayfromyourwifeandchildren,andwanttokeepyouallyourlifehoeingcornforthem,ifyou’dthinkityourdutytoabideintheconditioninwhichyouwerecalled。Iratherthinkthatyou’dthinkthefirststrayhorseyoucouldfindanindicationofProvidence—shouldn’tyou?”
  Thelittleoldgentlemanstaredwithbotheyesatthisillustrationofthecase;but,thoughnotmuchofareasoner,hehadthesenseinwhichsomelogiciansonthisparticularsubjectdonotexcel,—thatofsayingnothing,wherenothingcouldbesaid。So,ashestoodcarefullystrokinghisumbrella,andfoldingandpattingdownallthecreasesinit,heproceededonwithhisexhortationsinageneralway。
  “Yousee,George,youknow,now,Ialwayshavestoodyourfriend;andwhateverI’vesaid,I’vesaidforyourgood。Now,here,itseemstome,you’rerunninganawfulrisk。Youcan’thopetocarryitout。Ifyou’retaken,itwillbeworsewithyouthanever;they’llonlyabuseyou,andhalfkillyou,andsellyoudowntheriver。”
  “Mr。Wilson,Iknowallthis,”saidGeorge。“Idorunarisk,but—”hethrewopenhisovercoat,andshowedtwopistolsandabowie-knife。“There!”hesaid,“I’mreadyfor’em!DownsouthIneverwillgo。
  No!ifitcomestothat,Icanearnmyselfatleastsixfeetoffreesoil,—thefirstandlastIshalleverowninKentucky!”
  “Why,George,thisstateofmindisawful;it’sgettingreallydesperateGeorge。I’mconcerned。Goingtobreakthelawsofyourcountry!”
  “Mycountryagain!Mr。Wilson,youhaveacountry;butwhatcountryhaveI,oranyonelikeme,bornofslavemothers?Whatlawsarethereforus?Wedon’tmakethem,—wedon’tconsenttothem,—wehavenothingtodowiththem;alltheydoforusistocrushus,andkeepusdown。Haven’tIheardyourFourth-of-Julyspeeches?Don’tyoutellusall,onceayear,thatgovernmentsderivetheirjustpowerfromtheconsentofthegoverned?Can’tafellowthink,thathearssuchthings?Can’theputthisandthattogether,andseewhatitcomesto?”
  Mr。Wilson’smindwasoneofthosethatmaynotunaptlyberepresentedbyabaleofcotton,—downy,soft,benevolentlyfuzzyandconfused。HereallypitiedGeorgewithallhisheart,andhadasortofdimandcloudyperceptionofthestyleoffeelingthatagitatedhim;buthedeemedithisdutytogoontalkinggoodtohim,withinfinitepertinacity。
  “George,thisisbad。Imusttellyou,youknow,asafriend,you’dbetternotbemeddlingwithsuchnotions;theyarebad,George,verybad,forboysinyourcondition,—very;”andMr。Wilsonsatdowntoatable,andbegannervouslychewingthehandleofhisumbrella。
  “Seehere,now,Mr。Wilson,”saidGeorge,comingupandsittinghimselfdeterminatelydowninfrontofhim;“lookatme,now。Don’tIsitbeforeyou,everyway,justasmuchamanasyouare?Lookatmyface,—lookatmyhands,—lookatmybody,”andtheyoungmandrewhimselfupproudly;“whyamInotaman,asmuchasanybody?Well,Mr。Wilson,hearwhatIcantellyou。Ihadafather—oneofyourKentuckygentlemen—whodidn’tthinkenoughofmetokeepmefrombeingsoldwithhisdogsandhorses,tosatisfytheestate,whenhedied。Isawmymotherputupatsheriff’ssale,withhersevenchildren。Theyweresoldbeforehereyes,onebyone,alltodifferentmasters;andIwastheyoungest。ShecameandkneeleddownbeforeoldMas’r,andbeggedhimtobuyherwithme,thatshemighthaveatleastonechildwithher;andhekickedherawaywithhisheavyboot。Isawhimdoit;andthelastthatIheardwashermoansandscreams,whenIwastiedtohishorse’sneck,tobecarriedofftohisplace。”
  “Well,then?”
  “Mymastertradedwithoneofthemen,andboughtmyoldestsister。Shewasapious,goodgirl,—amemberoftheBaptistchurch,—andashandsomeasmypoormotherhadbeen。Shewaswellbroughtup,andhadgoodmanners。Atfirst,Iwasgladshewasbought,forIhadonefriendnearme。Iwassoonsorryforit。Sir,Ihavestoodatthedoorandheardherwhipped,whenitseemedasifeveryblowcutintomynakedheart,andIcouldn’tdoanythingtohelpher;andshewaswhipped,sir,forwantingtoliveadecentChristianlife,suchasyourlawsgivenoslavegirlarighttolive;andatlastIsawherchainedwithatrader’sgang,tobesenttomarketinOrleans,—senttherefornothingelsebutthat,—andthat’sthelastIknowofher。Well,Igrewup,—longyearsandyears,—nofather,nomother,nosister,notalivingsoulthatcaredformemorethanadog;nothingbutwhipping,scolding,starving。Why,sir,I’vebeensohungrythatIhavebeengladtotakethebonestheythrewtotheirdogs;andyet,whenIwasalittlefellow,andlaidawakewholenightsandcried,itwasn’tthehunger,itwasn’tthewhipping,Icriedfor。No,sir,itwasformymotherandmysisters,—itwasbecauseIhadn’tafriendtolovemeonearth。Ineverknewwhatpeaceorcomfortwas。IneverhadakindwordspokentometillIcametoworkinyourfactory。Mr。Wilson,youtreatedmewell;youencouragedmetodowell,andtolearntoreadandwrite,andtotrytomakesomethingofmyself;andGodknowshowgratefulIamforit。Then,sir,Ifoundmywife;you’veseenher,—youknowhowbeautifulsheis。WhenIfoundshelovedme,whenImarriedher,IscarcelycouldbelieveIwasalive,Iwassohappy;and,sir,sheisasgoodassheisbeautiful。Butnowwhat?Why,nowcomesmymaster,takesmerightawayfrommywork,andmyfriends,andallIlike,andgrindsmedownintotheverydirt!Andwhy?Because,hesays,IforgotwhoIwas;hesays,toteachmethatIamonlyanigger!Afterall,andlastofall,hecomesbetweenmeandmywife,andsaysIshallgiveherup,andlivewithanotherwoman。Andallthisyourlawsgivehimpowertodo,inspiteofGodorman。Mr。Wilson,lookatit!Thereisn’toneofallthesethings,thathavebrokentheheartsofmymotherandmysister,andmywifeandmyself,butyourlawsallow,andgiveeverymanpowertodo,inKentucky,andnonecansaytohimnay!Doyoucallthesethelawsofmycountry?Sir,Ihaven’tanycountry,anymorethanIhaveanyfather。ButI’mgoingtohaveone。Idon’twantanythingofyourcountry,excepttobeletalone,—togopeaceablyoutofit;andwhenIgettoCanada,wherethelawswillownmeandprotectme,thatshallbemycountry,anditslawsIwillobey。Butifanymantriestostopme,lethimtakecare,forIamdesperate。I’llfightformylibertytothelastbreathIbreathe。Yousayyourfathersdidit;ifitwasrightforthem,itisrightforme!”
  Thisspeech,deliveredpartlywhilesittingatthetable,andpartlywalkingupanddowntheroom,—deliveredwithtears,andflashingeyes,anddespairinggestures,—wasaltogethertoomuchforthegood-naturedoldbodytowhomitwasaddressed,whohadpulledoutagreatyellowsilkpocket-handkerchief,andwasmoppinguphisfacewithgreatenergy。
  “Blast’emall!”hesuddenlybrokeout。“Haven’tIalwayssaidso—theinfernaloldcusses!IhopeIan’tswearing,now。Well!goahead,George,goahead;butbecareful,myboy;don’tshootanybody,George,unless—well—you’dbetternotshoot,Ireckon;atleast,Iwouldn’thitanybody,youknow。Whereisyourwife,George?”headded,ashenervouslyrose,andbeganwalkingtheroom。
  “Gone,sirgone,withherchildinherarms,theLordonlyknowswhere;—goneafterthenorthstar;andwhenweevermeet,orwhetherwemeetatallinthisworld,nocreaturecantell。”
  “Isitpossible!astonishing!fromsuchakindfamily?”
  “Kindfamiliesgetindebt,andthelawsofourcountryallowthemtosellthechildoutofitsmother’sbosomtopayitsmaster’sdebts,”saidGeorge,bitterly。
  “Well,well,”saidthehonestoldman,fumblinginhispocket:“Is’pose,perhaps,Ian’tfollowingmyjudgment,—hangit,Iwon’tfollowmyjudgment!”headded,suddenly;“sohere,George,”and,takingoutarollofbillsfromhispocket-book,heofferedthemtoGeorge。
  “No,mykind,goodsir!”saidGeorge,“you’vedoneagreatdealforme,andthismightgetyouintotrouble。Ihavemoneyenough,Ihope,totakemeasfarasIneedit。”
  “No;butyoumust,George。Moneyisagreathelpeverywhere;—can’thavetoomuch,ifyougetithonestly。Takeit,—dotakeit,now,—do,myboy!”
  “Oncondition,sir,thatImayrepayitatsomefuturetime,Iwill,”saidGeorge,takingupthemoney。
  “Andnow,George,howlongareyougoingtotravelinthisway?—notlongorfar,Ihope。It’swellcarriedon,buttoobold。Andthisblackfellow,—whoishe?”
  “Atruefellow,whowenttoCanadamorethanayearago。Heheard,afterhegotthere,thathismasterwassoangryathimforgoingoffthathehadwhippedhispooroldmother;andhehascomeallthewaybacktocomforther,andgetachancetogetheraway。”
  “Hashegother?”
  “Notyet;hehasbeenhangingabouttheplace,andfoundnochanceyet。Meanwhile,heisgoingwithmeasfarasOhio,toputmeamongfriendsthathelpedhim,andthenhewillcomebackafterher。
  “Dangerous,verydangerous!”saidtheoldman。
  Georgedrewhimselfup,andsmileddisdainfully。
  Theoldgentlemaneyedhimfromheadtofoot,withasortofinnocentwonder。
  “George,somethinghasbroughtyououtwonderfully。Youholdupyourhead,andspeakandmovelikeanotherman,”saidMr。Wilson。
  “BecauseI’mafreeman!”saidGeorge,proudly。“Yes,sir;I’vesaidMas’rforthelasttimetoanyman。I’mfree!”
  “Takecare!Youarenotsure,—youmaybetaken。”
  “Allmenarefreeandequalinthegrave,ifitcomestothat,Mr。Wilson,”saidGeorge。
  “I’mperfectlydumb-foundedwithyourboldness!”saidMr。Wilson,—“tocomerightheretothenearesttavern!”
  “Mr。Wilson,itissobold,andthistavernissonear,thattheywillneverthinkofit;theywilllookformeonahead,andyouyourselfwouldn’tknowme。Jim’smasterdon’tliveinthiscounty;heisn’tknownintheseparts。Besides,heisgivenup;nobodyislookingafterhim,andnobodywilltakemeupfromtheadvertisement,Ithink。”
  “Butthemarkinyourhand?”
  Georgedrewoffhisglove,andshowedanewly-healedscarinhishand。
  “ThatisapartingproofofMr。Harris’regard,”hesaid,scornfully。“Afortnightago,hetookitintohisheadtogiveittome,becausehesaidhebelievedIshouldtrytogetawayoneofthesedays。Looksinteresting,doesn’tit?”hesaid,drawinghisgloveonagain。
  “Ideclare,myverybloodrunscoldwhenIthinkofit,—yourconditionandyourrisks!”saidMr。Wilson。
  “Minehasruncoldagoodmanyyears,Mr。Wilson;atpresent,it’saboutuptotheboilingpoint,”saidGeorge。
  “Well,mygoodsir,”continuedGeorge,afterafewmoments’silence,“Isawyouknewme;IthoughtI’djusthavethistalkwithyou,lestyoursurprisedlooksshouldbringmeout。Ileaveearlytomorrowmorning,beforedaylight;bytomorrownightIhopetosleepsafeinOhio。Ishalltravelbydaylight,stopatthebesthotels,gotothedinner-tableswiththelordsoftheland。So,good-by,sir;ifyouhearthatI’mtaken,youmayknowthatI’mdead!”
  Georgestooduplikearock,andputouthishandwiththeairofaprince。Thefriendlylittleoldmanshookitheartily,andafteralittleshowerofcaution,hetookhisumbrella,andfumbledhiswayoutoftheroom。
  Georgestoodthoughtfullylookingatthedoor,astheoldmanclosedit。Athoughtseemedtoflashacrosshismind。Hehastilysteppedtoit,andopeningit,said,
  “Mr。Wilson,onewordmore。”
  Theoldgentlemanenteredagain,andGeorge,asbefore,lockedthedoor,andthenstoodforafewmomentslookingonthefloor,irresolutely。Atlast,raisinghisheadwithasuddeneffort—“Mr。Wilson,youhaveshownyourselfaChristianinyourtreatmentofme,—IwanttoaskonelastdeedofChristiankindnessofyou。”
  “Well,George。”
  “Well,sir,—whatyousaidwastrue。Iamrunningadreadfulrisk。Thereisn’t,onearth,alivingsoultocareifIdie,”headded,drawinghisbreathhard,andspeakingwithagreateffort,—“Ishallbekickedoutandburiedlikeadog,andnobody’llthinkofitadayafter,—onlymypoorwife!Poorsoul!she’llmournandgrieve;andifyou’donlycontrive,Mr。Wilson,tosendthislittlepintoher。ShegaveittomeforaChristmaspresent,poorchild!Giveittoher,andtellherIlovedhertothelast。Willyou?Willyou?”headded,earnestly。
  “Yes,certainly—poorfellow!”saidtheoldgentleman,takingthepin,withwateryeyes,andamelancholyquiverinhisvoice。
  “Tellheronething,”saidGeorge;“it’smylastwish,ifshecangettoCanada,togothere。Nomatterhowkindhermistressis,—nomatterhowmuchshelovesherhome;beghernottogoback,—forslaveryalwaysendsinmisery。Tellhertobringupourboyafreeman,andthenhewon’tsufferasIhave。Tellherthis,Mr。Wilson,willyou?”
  “Yes,George。I’lltellher;butItrustyouwon’tdie;takeheart,—you’reabravefellow。TrustintheLord,George。Iwishinmyheartyouweresafethrough,though,—that’swhatIdo。”
  “IsthereaGodtotrustin?”saidGeorge,insuchatoneofbitterdespairasarrestedtheoldgentleman’swords。“O,I’veseenthingsallmylifethathavemademefeelthattherecan’tbeaGod。YouChristiansdon’tknowhowthesethingslooktous。There’saGodforyou,butisthereanyforus?”
  “O,now,don’t—don’t,myboy!”saidtheoldman,almostsobbingashespoke;“don’tfeelso!Thereis—thereis;cloudsanddarknessarearoundabouthim,butrighteousnessandjudgmentarethehabitationofhisthrone。There’saGod,George,—believeit;trustinHim,andI’msureHe’llhelpyou。Everythingwillbesetright,—ifnotinthislife,inanother。”
  Therealpietyandbenevolenceofthesimpleoldmaninvestedhimwithatemporarydignityandauthority,ashespoke。Georgestoppedhisdistractedwalkupanddowntheroom,stoodthoughtfullyamoment,andthensaid,quietly,
  “Thankyouforsayingthat,mygoodfriend;I’llthinkofthat。”
  1Gen。16。TheangelbadethepregnantHagarreturntohermistressSarai,eventhoughSaraihaddealtharshlywithher。
  2Phil。1:10。Onesimuswentbacktohismastertobecomenolongeraservantbuta“brotherbeloved。”