第1章

InWhichtheReaderIsIntroducedtoaManofHumanity

LateintheafternoonofachillydayinFebruary，twogentlemenweresittingaloneovertheirwine，inawell-furnisheddiningparlor，inthetownofP——，inKentucky。Therewerenoservantspresent，andthegentlemen，withchairscloselyapproaching，seemedtobediscussingsomesubjectwithgreatearnestness。

Forconveniencesake，wehavesaid，hitherto，twogentlemen。Oneoftheparties，however，whencriticallyexamined，didnotseem，strictlyspeaking，tocomeunderthespecies。Hewasashort，thick-setman，withcoarse，commonplacefeatures，andthatswaggeringairofpretensionwhichmarksalowmanwhoistryingtoelbowhiswayupwardintheworld。Hewasmuchover-dressed，inagaudyvestofmanycolors，ablueneckerchief，bedroppedgaylywithyellowspots，andarrangedwithaflauntingtie，quiteinkeepingwiththegeneralairoftheman。Hishands，largeandcoarse，wereplentifullybedeckedwithrings；andheworeaheavygoldwatch-chain，withabundleofsealsofportentoussize，andagreatvarietyofcolors，attachedtoit，—which，intheardorofconversation，hewasinthehabitofflourishingandjinglingwithevidentsatisfaction。HisconversationwasinfreeandeasydefianceofMurray’sGrammar，1andwasgarnishedatconvenientintervalswithvariousprofaneexpressions，whichnoteventhedesiretobegraphicinouraccountshallinduceustotranscribe。

Hiscompanion，Mr。Shelby，hadtheappearanceofagentleman；andthearrrangementsofthehouse，andthegeneralairofthehousekeeping，indicatedeasy，andevenopulentcircumstances。Aswebeforestated，thetwowereinthemidstofanearnestconversation。

“ThatisthewayIshouldarrangethematter，”saidMr。Shelby。

“Ican’tmaketradethatway—Ipositivelycan’t，Mr。Shelby，”saidtheother，holdingupaglassofwinebetweenhiseyeandthelight。

“Why，thefactis，Haley，Tomisanuncommonfellow；heiscertainlyworththatsumanywhere，—steady，honest，capable，managesmywholefarmlikeaclock。”

“Youmeanhonest，asniggersgo，”saidHaley，helpinghimselftoaglassofbrandy。

“No；Imean，really，Tomisagood，steady，sensible，piousfellow。Hegotreligionatacamp-meeting，fouryearsago；andIbelievehereallydidgetit。I’vetrustedhim，sincethen，witheverythingIhave，—money，house，horses，—andlethimcomeandgoroundthecountry；andIalwaysfoundhimtrueandsquareineverything。”

“Somefolksdon’tbelievethereispiousniggersShelby，”saidHaley，withacandidflourishofhishand，“butIdo。Ihadafellow，now，inthisyerlastlotItooktoOrleans—’twasasgoodasameetin，now，really，tohearthatcritterpray；andhewasquitegentleandquietlike。Hefetchedmeagoodsum，too，forIboughthimcheapofamanthatwas’bligedtosellout；soIrealizedsixhundredonhim。Yes，Iconsiderreligionavaleyablethinginanigger，whenit’sthegenuinearticle，andnomistake。”

“Well，Tom’sgottherealarticle，ifeverafellowhad，”rejoinedtheother。“Why，lastfall，IlethimgotoCincinnatialone，todobusinessforme，andbringhomefivehundreddollars。‘Tom，’saysItohim，‘Itrustyou，becauseIthinkyou’reaChristian—Iknowyouwouldn’tcheat。’Tomcomesback，sureenough；Iknewhewould。Somelowfellows，theysay，saidtohim—Tom，whydon’tyoumaketracksforCanada？’‘Ah，mastertrustedme，andIcouldn’t，’—theytoldmeaboutit。IamsorrytopartwithTom，Imustsay。Yououghttolethimcoverthewholebalanceofthedebt；andyouwould，Haley，ifyouhadanyconscience。”

“Well，I’vegotjustasmuchconscienceasanymaninbusinesscanaffordtokeep，—justalittle，youknow，toswearby，as’twere，”saidthetrader，jocularly；“and，then，I’mreadytodoanythinginreasonto’bligefriends；butthisyer，yousee，isaleetletoohardonafellow—aleetletoohard。”Thetradersighedcontemplatively，andpouredoutsomemorebrandy。

“Well，then，Haley，howwillyoutrade？”saidMr。Shelby，afteranuneasyintervalofsilence。

“Well，haven’tyouaboyorgalthatyoucouldthrowinwithTom？”

“Hum！—nonethatIcouldwellspare；totellthetruth，it’sonlyhardnecessitymakesmewillingtosellatall。Idon’tlikepartingwithanyofmyhands，that’safact。”

Herethedooropened，andasmallquadroonboy，betweenfourandfiveyearsofage，enteredtheroom。Therewassomethinginhisappearanceremarkablybeautifulandengaging。Hisblackhair，fineasflosssilk，hunginglossycurlsabouthisround，dimpledface，whileapairoflargedarkeyes，fulloffireandsoftness，lookedoutfrombeneaththerich，longlashes，ashepeeredcuriouslyintotheapartment。Agayrobeofscarletandyellowplaid，carefullymadeandneatlyfitted，setofftoadvantagethedarkandrichstyleofhisbeauty；andacertaincomicairofassurance，blendedwithbashfulness，showedthathehadbeennotunusedtobeingpettedandnoticedbyhismaster。

“Hulloa，JimCrow！”saidMr。Shelby，whistling，andsnappingabunchofraisinstowardshim，“pickthatup，now！”

Thechildscampered，withallhislittlestrength，aftertheprize，whilehismasterlaughed。

“Comehere，JimCrow，”saidhe。Thechildcameup，andthemasterpattedthecurlyhead，andchuckedhimunderthechin。

“Now，Jim，showthisgentlemanhowyoucandanceandsing。”Theboycommencedoneofthosewild，grotesquesongscommonamongthenegroes，inarich，clearvoice，accompanyinghissingingwithmanycomicevolutionsofthehands，feet，andwholebody，allinperfecttimetothemusic。

“Bravo！”saidHaley，throwinghimaquarterofanorange。

“Now，Jim，walklikeoldUncleCudjoe，whenhehastherheumatism，”saidhismaster。

Instantlytheflexiblelimbsofthechildassumedtheappearanceofdeformityanddistortion，as，withhisbackhumpedup，andhismaster’sstickinhishand，hehobbledabouttheroom，hischildishfacedrawnintoadolefulpucker，andspittingfromrighttoleft，inimitationofanoldman。

Bothgentlemenlaugheduproariously。

“Now，Jim，”saidhismaster，“showushowoldElderRobbinsleadsthepsalm。”Theboydrewhischubbyfacedowntoaformidablelength，andcommencedtoningapsalmtunethroughhisnose，withimperturbablegravity。

“Hurrah！bravo！whatayoung’un！”saidHaley；“thatchap’sacase，I’llpromise。Tellyouwhat，”saidhe，suddenlyclappinghishandonMr。Shelby’sshoulder，“flinginthatchap，andI’llsettlethebusiness—Iwill。Come，now，ifthatain’tdoingthethingupabouttherightest！”

Atthismoment，thedoorwaspushedgentlyopen，andayoungquadroonwoman，apparentlyabouttwenty-five，enteredtheroom。

Thereneededonlyaglancefromthechildtoher，toidentifyherasitsmother。Therewasthesamerich，full，darkeye，withitslonglashes；thesameripplesofsilkyblackhair。Thebrownofhercomplexiongavewayonthecheektoaperceptibleflush，whichdeepenedasshesawthegazeofthestrangemanfixeduponherinboldandundisguisedadmiration。Herdresswasoftheneatestpossiblefit，andsetofftoadvantageherfinelymouldedshape；—adelicatelyformedhandandatrimfootandanklewereitemsofappearancethatdidnotescapethequickeyeofthetrader，wellusedtorunupataglancethepointsofafinefemalearticle。

“Well，Eliza？”saidhermaster，asshestoppedandlookedhesitatinglyathim。

“IwaslookingforHarry，please，sir；”andtheboyboundedtowardher，showinghisspoils，whichhehadgatheredintheskirtofhisrobe。

“Well，takehimawaythen，”saidMr。Shelby；andhastilyshewithdrew，carryingthechildonherarm。

“ByJupiter，”saidthetrader，turningtohiminadmiration，“there’sanarticle，now！YoumightmakeyourfortuneonthatargalinOrleans，anyday。I’veseenoverathousand，inmyday，paiddownforgalsnotabithandsomer。”

“Idon’twanttomakemyfortuneonher，”saidMr。Shelby，dryly；and，seekingtoturntheconversation，heuncorkedabottleoffreshwine，andaskedhiscompanion’sopinionofit。

“Capital，sir，—firstchop！”saidthetrader；thenturning，andslappinghishandfamiliarlyonShelby’sshoulder，headded—

“Come，howwillyoutradeaboutthegal？—whatshallIsayforher—what’llyoutake？”

“Mr。Haley，sheisnottobesold，”saidShelby。“Mywifewouldnotpartwithherforherweightingold。”

“Ay，ay！womenalwayssaysuchthings，causetheyha’ntnosortofcalculation。Justshow’emhowmanywatches，feathers，andtrinkets，one’sweightingoldwouldbuy，andthataltersthecase，Ireckon。”

“Itellyou，Haley，thismustnotbespokenof；Isayno，andImeanno，”saidShelby，decidedly。

“Well，you’llletmehavetheboy，though，”saidthetrader；“youmustownI’vecomedownprettyhandsomelyforhim。”

“Whatonearthcanyouwantwiththechild？”saidShelby。

“Why，I’vegotafriendthat’sgoingintothisyerbranchofthebusiness—wantstobuyuphandsomeboystoraiseforthemarket。Fancyarticlesentirely—sellforwaiters，andsoon，torich’uns，thatcanpayforhandsome’uns。Itsetsoffoneofyergreatplaces—arealhandsomeboytoopendoor，wait，andtend。Theyfetchagoodsum；andthislittledevilissuchacomical，musicalconcern，he’sjustthearticle！’

“Iwouldrathernotsellhim，”saidMr。Shelby，thoughtfully；“thefactis，sir，I’mahumaneman，andIhatetotaketheboyfromhismother，sir。”

“O，youdo？—La！yes—somethingofthatarnatur。Iunderstand，perfectly。Itismightyonpleasantgettingonwithwomen，sometimes，Ial’ayshatestheseyerscreechin，’screamin’times。Theyaremightyonpleasant；but，asImanagesbusiness，Igenerallyavoids’em，sir。Now，whatifyougetthegirloffforaday，oraweek，orso；thenthething’sdonequietly，—alloverbeforeshecomeshome。Yourwifemightgethersomeear-rings，oranewgown，orsomesuchtruck，tomakeupwithher。”

“I’mafraidnot。”

“Lorblessye，yes！Thesecrittersain’tlikewhitefolks，youknow；theygetsoverthings，onlymanageright。Now，theysay，”saidHaley，assumingacandidandconfidentialair，“thatthiskindo’tradeishardeningtothefeelings；butIneverfounditso。Factis，Inevercoulddothingsupthewaysomefellersmanagethebusiness。I’veseen’emaswouldpullawoman’schildoutofherarms，andsethimuptosell，andshescreechin’likemadallthetime；—verybadpolicy—damagesthearticle—makes’emquiteunfitforservicesometimes。Iknewarealhandsomegalonce，inOrleans，aswasentirelyruinedbythissorto’handling。Thefellowthatwastradingforherdidn’twantherbaby；andshewasoneofyourrealhighsort，whenherbloodwasup。Itellyou，shesqueezedupherchildinherarms，andtalked，andwentonrealawful。Itkindermakesmybloodruncoldtothinkof’t；andwhentheycarriedoffthechild，andlockedherup，shejestwentravin’mad，anddiedinaweek。Clearwaste，sir，ofathousanddollars，justforwantofmanagement，—there’swhere’tis。It’salwaysbesttodothehumanething，sir；that’sbeenmyexperience。”Andthetraderleanedbackinhischair，andfoldedhisarm，withanairofvirtuousdecision，apparentlyconsideringhimselfasecondWilberforce。

Thesubjectappearedtointerestthegentlemandeeply；forwhileMr。Shelbywasthoughtfullypeelinganorange，Haleybrokeoutafresh，withbecomingdiffidence，butasifactuallydrivenbytheforceoftruthtosayafewwordsmore。

“Itdon’tlookwell，now，forafellertobepraisin’himself；butIsayitjestbecauseit’sthetruth。IbelieveI’mreckonedtobringinaboutthefinestdrovesofniggersthatisbroughtin，—atleast，I’vebeentoldso；ifIhaveonce，IreckonIhaveahundredtimes，—allingoodcase，—fatandlikely，andIloseasfewasanymaninthebusiness。AndIlaysitalltomymanagement，sir；andhumanity，sir，Imaysay，isthegreatpillarofmymanagement。”

Mr。Shelbydidnotknowwhattosay，andsohesaid，“Indeed！”

“Now，I’vebeenlaughedatformynotions，sir，andI’vebeentalkedto。Theyan’tpop’lar，andtheyan’tcommon；butIstuckto’em，sir；I’vestuckto’em，andrealizedwellon’em；yes，sir，theyhavepaidtheirpassage，Imaysay，”andthetraderlaughedathisjoke。

Therewassomethingsopiquantandoriginalintheseelucidationsofhumanity，thatMr。Shelbycouldnothelplaughingincompany。Perhapsyoulaughtoo，dearreader；butyouknowhumanitycomesoutinavarietyofstrangeformsnow-a-days，andthereisnoendtotheoddthingsthathumanepeoplewillsayanddo。

Mr。Shelby’slaughencouragedthetradertoproceed。

“It’sstrange，now，butInevercouldbeatthisintopeople’sheads。Now，therewasTomLoker，myoldpartner，downinNatchez；hewasacleverfellow，Tomwas，onlytheverydevilwithniggers，—onprinciple’twas，yousee，forabetterheartedfellerneverbrokebread；’twashissystem，sir。IusedtotalktoTom。‘Why，Tom，’Iusedtosay，‘whenyourgalstakesonandcry，what’stheuseo’crackinon’emoverthehead，andknockin’on’emround？It’sridiculous，’saysI，‘anddon’tdonosorto’good。Why，Idon’tseenoharmintheircryin’，’saysI；‘it’snatur，’saysI，‘andifnaturcan’tblowoffoneway，itwillanother。Besides，Tom，’saysI，‘itjestspilesyourgals；theygetsickly，anddowninthemouth；andsometimestheygetsugly，—particularyallowgalsdo，—andit’sthedevilandallgettin’on’embrokein。Now，’saysI，‘whycan’tyoukindercoax’emup，andspeak’emfair？Dependonit，Tom，alittlehumanity，throwninalong，goesaheapfurtherthanallyourjawin’andcrackin’；anditpaysbetter，’saysI，‘dependon’t。’ButTomcouldn’tgetthehangon’t；andhespiledsomanyforme，thatIhadtobreakoffwithhim，thoughhewasagood-heartedfellow，andasfairabusinesshandasisgoin’”

“AnddoyoufindyourwaysofmanagingdothebusinessbetterthanTom’s？”saidMr。Shelby。

“Why，yes，sir，Imaysayso。Yousee，whenIanywayscan，Itakesaleetlecareabouttheonpleasantparts，likesellingyoungunsandthat，—getthegalsoutoftheway—outofsight，outofmind，youknow，—andwhenit’scleandone，andcan’tbehelped，theynaturallygetsusedtoit。’Tan’t，youknow，asifitwaswhitefolks，that’sbrought，upinthewayof’spectin’tokeeptheirchildrenandwives，andallthat。Niggers，youknow，that’sfetchedupproperly，ha’n’tnokindof’spectationsofnokind；soallthesethingscomeseasier。”

“I’mafraidminearenotproperlybroughtup，then，”saidMr。Shelby。

“S’posenot；youKentuckyfolksspileyourniggers。Youmeanwellby’em，but’tan’tnorealkindness，arterall。Now，anigger，yousee，what’sgottobehackedandtumbledroundtheworld，andsoldtoTom，andDick，andtheLordknowswho，’tan’tnokindnesstobegivin’onhimnotionsandexpectations，andbringin’onhimuptoowell，fortheroughandtumblecomesalltheharderonhimarter。Now，Iventuretosay，yourniggerswouldbequitechop-falleninaplacewheresomeofyourplantationniggerswouldbesingingandwhoopinglikeallpossessed。Everyman，youknow，Mr。Shelby，naturallythinkswellofhisownways；andIthinkItreatniggersjustaboutaswellasit’severworthwhiletotreat’em。”

“It’sahappythingtobesatisfied，”saidMr。Shelby，withaslightshrug，andsomeperceptiblefeelingsofadisagreeablenature。

“Well，”saidHaley，aftertheyhadbothsilentlypickedtheirnutsforaseason，“whatdoyousay？”

“I’llthinkthematterover，andtalkwithmywife，”saidMr。Shelby。“Meantime，Haley，ifyouwantthemattercarriedoninthequietwayyouspeakof，you’dbestnotletyourbusinessinthisneighborhoodbeknown。Itwillgetoutamongmyboys，anditwillnotbeaparticularlyquietbusinessgettingawayanyofmyfellows，iftheyknowit，I’llpromiseyou。”

“O！certainly，byallmeans，mum！ofcourse。ButI’lltellyou。I’minadevilofahurry，andshallwanttoknow，assoonaspossible，whatImaydependon，”saidhe，risingandputtingonhisovercoat。

“Well，callupthisevening，betweensixandseven，andyoushallhavemyanswer，”saidMr。Shelby，andthetraderbowedhimselfoutoftheapartment。

“I’dliketohavebeenabletokickthefellowdownthesteps，”saidhetohimself，ashesawthedoorfairlyclosed，“withhisimpudentassurance；butheknowshowmuchhehasmeatadvantage。IfanybodyhadeversaidtomethatIshouldsellTomdownsouthtooneofthoserascallytraders，Ishouldhavesaid，‘Isthyservantadog，thatheshoulddothisthing？’Andnowitmustcome，foraughtIsee。AndEliza’schild，too！IknowthatIshallhavesomefusswithwifeaboutthat；and，forthatmatter，aboutTom，too。Somuchforbeingindebt，—heigho！Thefellowseeshisadvantage，andmeanstopushit。”

PerhapsthemildestformofthesystemofslaveryistobeseenintheStateofKentucky。Thegeneralprevalenceofagriculturalpursuitsofaquietandgradualnature，notrequiringthoseperiodicseasonsofhurryandpressurethatarecalledforinthebusinessofmoresoutherndistricts，makesthetaskofthenegroamorehealthfulandreasonableone；whilethemaster，contentwithamoregradualstyleofacquisition，hasnotthosetemptationstohardheartednesswhichalwaysovercomefrailhumannaturewhentheprospectofsuddenandrapidgainisweighedinthebalance，withnoheaviercounterpoisethantheinterestsofthehelplessandunprotected。

Whoevervisitssomeestatesthere，andwitnessesthegood-humoredindulgenceofsomemastersandmistresses，andtheaffectionateloyaltyofsomeslaves，mightbetemptedtodreamtheoft-fabledpoeticlegendofapatriarchalinstitution，andallthat；butoverandabovethescenetherebroodsaportentousshadow—theshadowoflaw。Solongasthelawconsidersallthesehumanbeings，withbeatingheartsandlivingaffections，onlyassomanythingsbelongingtoamaster，—solongasthefailure，ormisfortune，orimprudence，ordeathofthekindestowner，maycausethemanydaytoexchangealifeofkindprotectionandindulgenceforoneofhopelessmiseryandtoil，—solongitisimpossibletomakeanythingbeautifulordesirableinthebestregulatedadministrationofslavery。

Mr。Shelbywasafairaveragekindofman，good-naturedandkindly，anddisposedtoeasyindulgenceofthosearoundhim，andtherehadneverbeenalackofanythingwhichmightcontributetothephysicalcomfortofthenegroesonhisestate。Hehad，however，speculatedlargelyandquiteloosely；hadinvolvedhimselfdeeply，andhisnotestoalargeamounthadcomeintothehandsofHaley；andthissmallpieceofinformationisthekeytotheprecedingconversation。

Now，ithadsohappenedthat，inapproachingthedoor，Elizahadcaughtenoughoftheconversationtoknowthatatraderwasmakingofferstohermasterforsomebody。

Shewouldgladlyhavestoppedatthedoortolisten，asshecameout；buthermistressjustthencalling，shewasobligedtohastenaway。

Stillshethoughtsheheardthetradermakeanofferforherboy；—couldshebemistaken？Herheartswelledandthrobbed，andsheinvoluntarilystrainedhimsotightthatthelittlefellowlookedupintoherfaceinastonishment。

“Eliza，girl，whatailsyoutoday？”saidhermistress，whenElizahadupsetthewash-pitcher，knockeddowntheworkstand，andfinallywasabstractedlyofferinghermistressalongnightgowninplaceofthesilkdressshehadorderedhertobringfromthewardrobe。

Elizastarted。“O，missis！”shesaid，raisinghereyes；then，burstingintotears，shesatdowninachair，andbegansobbing。

“Why，Elizachild，whatailsyou？”saidhermistress。

“O！missis，missis，”saidEliza，“there’sbeenatradertalkingwithmasterintheparlor！Iheardhim。”

“Well，sillychild，supposetherehas。”

“O，missis，doyousupposemas’rwouldsellmyHarry？”Andthepoorcreaturethrewherselfintoachair，andsobbedconvulsively。

“Sellhim！No，youfoolishgirl！Youknowyourmasterneverdealswiththosesoutherntraders，andnevermeanstosellanyofhisservants，aslongastheybehavewell。Why，yousillychild，whodoyouthinkwouldwanttobuyyourHarry？Doyouthinkalltheworldaresetonhimasyouare，yougoosie？Come，cheerup，andhookmydress。Therenow，putmybackhairupinthatprettybraidyoulearnttheotherday，anddon’tgolisteningatdoorsanymore。”

“Well，but，missis，youneverwouldgiveyourconsent—to—to—”

“Nonsense，child！tobesure，Ishouldn’t。Whatdoyoutalksofor？Iwouldassoonhaveoneofmyownchildrensold。Butreally，Eliza，youaregettingaltogethertooproudofthatlittlefellow。Amancan’tputhisnoseintothedoor，butyouthinkhemustbecomingtobuyhim。”

Reassuredbyhermistress’confidenttone，Elizaproceedednimblyandadroitlywithhertoilet，laughingatherownfears，assheproceeded。

Mrs。Shelbywasawomanofhighclass，bothintellectuallyandmorally。TothatnaturalmagnanimityandgenerosityofmindwhichoneoftenmarksascharacteristicofthewomenofKentucky，sheaddedhighmoralandreligioussensibilityandprinciple，carriedoutwithgreatenergyandabilityintopracticalresults。Herhusband，whomadenoprofessionstoanyparticularreligiouscharacter，neverthelessreverencedandrespectedtheconsistencyofhers，andstood，perhaps，alittleinaweofheropinion。Certainitwasthathegaveherunlimitedscopeinallherbenevolenteffortsforthecomfort，instruction，andimprovementofherservants，thoughhenevertookanydecidedpartinthemhimself。Infact，ifnotexactlyabelieverinthedoctrineoftheefficiencyoftheextragoodworksofsaints，hereallyseemedsomehoworothertofancythathiswifehadpietyandbenevolenceenoughfortwo—toindulgeashadowyexpectationofgettingintoheaventhroughhersuperabundanceofqualitiestowhichhemadenoparticularpretension。

Theheaviestloadonhismind，afterhisconversationwiththetrader，layintheforeseennecessityofbreakingtohiswifethearrangementcontemplated，—meetingtheimportunitiesandoppositionwhichheknewheshouldhavereasontoencounter。

Mrs。Shelby，beingentirelyignorantofherhusband’sembarrassments，andknowingonlythegeneralkindlinessofhistemper，hadbeenquitesincereintheentireincredulitywithwhichshehadmetEliza’ssuspicions。Infact，shedismissedthematterfromhermind，withoutasecondthought；andbeingoccupiedinpreparationsforaneveningvisit，itpassedoutofherthoughtsentirely。

1EnglishGrammar(1795)，byLindleyMurray(1745-1826)，themostauthoritativeAmericangrammarianofhisday。

TheMother

Elizahadbeenbroughtupbyhermistress，fromgirlhood，asapettedandindulgedfavorite。

Thetravellerinthesouthmustoftenhaveremarkedthatpeculiarairofrefinement，thatsoftnessofvoiceandmanner，whichseemsinmanycasestobeaparticulargifttothequadroonandmulattowomen。Thesenaturalgracesinthequadroonareoftenunitedwithbeautyofthemostdazzlingkind，andinalmosteverycasewithapersonalappearanceprepossessingandagreeable。Eliza，suchaswehavedescribedher，isnotafancysketch，buttakenfromremembrance，aswesawher，yearsago，inKentucky。Safeundertheprotectingcareofhermistress，Elizahadreachedmaturitywithoutthosetemptationswhichmakebeautysofatalaninheritancetoaslave。Shehadbeenmarriedtoabrightandtalentedyoungmulattoman，whowasaslaveonaneighboringestate，andborethenameofGeorgeHarris。

Thisyoungmanhadbeenhiredoutbyhismastertoworkinabaggingfactory，wherehisadroitnessandingenuitycausedhimtobeconsideredthefirsthandintheplace。Hehadinventedamachineforthecleaningofthehemp，which，consideringtheeducationandcircumstancesoftheinventor，displayedquiteasmuchmechanicalgeniusasWhitney’scotton-gin。1

Hewaspossessedofahandsomepersonandpleasingmanners，andwasageneralfavoriteinthefactory。Nevertheless，asthisyoungmanwasintheeyeofthelawnotaman，butathing，allthesesuperiorqualificationsweresubjecttothecontrolofavulgar，narrow-minded，tyrannicalmaster。Thissamegentleman，havingheardofthefameofGeorge’sinvention，tookarideovertothefactory，toseewhatthisintelligentchattelhadbeenabout。Hewasreceivedwithgreatenthusiasmbytheemployer，whocongratulatedhimonpossessingsovaluableaslave。

Hewaswaiteduponoverthefactory，shownthemachinerybyGeorge，who，inhighspirits，talkedsofluently，heldhimselfsoerect，lookedsohandsomeandmanly，thathismasterbegantofeelanuneasyconsciousnessofinferiority。Whatbusinesshadhisslavetobemarchingroundthecountry，inventingmachines，andholdinguphisheadamonggentlemen？He’dsoonputastoptoit。He’dtakehimback，andputhimtohoeinganddigging，and“seeifhe’dstepaboutsosmart。”Accordingly，themanufacturerandallhandsconcernedwereastoundedwhenhesuddenlydemandedGeorge’swages，andannouncedhisintentionoftakinghimhome。

“But，Mr。Harris，”remonstratedthemanufacturer，“isn’tthisrathersudden？”

“Whatifitis？—isn’tthemanmine？”

“Wewouldbewilling，sir，toincreasetherateofcompensation。”

“Noobjectatall，sir。Idon’tneedtohireanyofmyhandsout，unlessI’veamindto。”

“But，sir，heseemspeculiarlyadaptedtothisbusiness。”

“Daresayhemaybe；neverwasmuchadaptedtoanythingthatIsethimabout，I’llbebound。”

“Butonlythinkofhisinventingthismachine，”interposedoneoftheworkmen，ratherunluckily。

“Oyes！amachineforsavingwork，isit？He’dinventthat，I’llbebound；letaniggeraloneforthat，anytime。Theyarealllabor-savingmachinesthemselves，everyoneof’em。No，heshalltramp！”

Georgehadstoodlikeonetransfixed，athearinghisdoomthussuddenlypronouncedbyapowerthatheknewwasirresistible。Hefoldedhisarms，tightlypressedinhislips，butawholevolcanoofbitterfeelingsburnedinhisbosom，andsentstreamsoffirethroughhisveins。Hebreathedshort，andhislargedarkeyesflashedlikelivecoals；andhemighthavebrokenoutintosomedangerousebullition，hadnotthekindlymanufacturertouchedhimonthearm，andsaid，inalowtone，

“Giveway，George；gowithhimforthepresent。We’lltrytohelpyou，yet。”

Thetyrantobservedthewhisper，andconjectureditsimport，thoughhecouldnothearwhatwassaid；andheinwardlystrengthenedhimselfinhisdeterminationtokeepthepowerhepossessedoverhisvictim。

Georgewastakenhome，andputtothemeanestdrudgeryofthefarm。Hehadbeenabletorepresseverydisrespectfulword；buttheflashingeye，thegloomyandtroubledbrow，werepartofanaturallanguagethatcouldnotberepressed，—indubitablesigns，whichshowedtooplainlythatthemancouldnotbecomeathing。

ItwasduringthehappyperiodofhisemploymentinthefactorythatGeorgehadseenandmarriedhiswife。Duringthatperiod，—beingmuchtrustedandfavoredbyhisemployer，—hehadfreelibertytocomeandgoatdiscretion。ThemarriagewashighlyapprovedofbyMrs。Shelby，who，withalittlewomanlycomplacencyinmatch-making，feltpleasedtouniteherhandsomefavoritewithoneofherownclasswhoseemedineverywaysuitedtoher；andsotheyweremarriedinhermistress’greatparlor，andhermistressherselfadornedthebride’sbeautifulhairwithorange-blossoms，andthrewoveritthebridalveil，whichcertainlycouldscarcehaverestedonafairerhead；andtherewasnolackofwhitegloves，andcakeandwine，—ofadmiringgueststopraisethebride’sbeauty，andhermistress’indulgenceandliberality。ForayearortwoElizasawherhusbandfrequently，andtherewasnothingtointerrupttheirhappiness，exceptthelossoftwoinfantchildren，towhomshewaspassionatelyattached，andwhomshemournedwithagriefsointenseastocallforgentleremonstrancefromhermistress，whosought，withmaternalanxiety，todirecthernaturallypassionatefeelingswithintheboundsofreasonandreligion。

AfterthebirthoflittleHarry，however，shehadgraduallybecometranquillizedandsettled；andeverybleedingtieandthrobbingnerve，oncemoreentwinedwiththatlittlelife，seemedtobecomesoundandhealthful，andElizawasahappywomanuptothetimethatherhusbandwasrudelytornfromhiskindemployer，andbroughtundertheironswayofhislegalowner。

Themanufacturer，truetohisword，visitedMr。HarrisaweekortwoafterGeorgehadbeentakenaway，when，ashehoped，theheatoftheoccasionhadpassedaway，andtriedeverypossibleinducementtoleadhimtorestorehimtohisformeremployment。

“Youneedn’ttroubleyourselftotalkanylonger，”saidhe，doggedly；“Iknowmyownbusiness，sir。”

“Ididnotpresumetointerferewithit，sir。Ionlythoughtthatyoumightthinkitforyourinteresttoletyourmantousonthetermsproposed。”

“O，Iunderstandthematterwellenough。Isawyourwinkingandwhispering，thedayItookhimoutofthefactory；butyoudon’tcomeitovermethatway。It’safreecountry，sir；theman’smine，andIdowhatIpleasewithhim，—that’sit！”

AndsofellGeorge’slasthope；—nothingbeforehimbutalifeoftoilanddrudgery，renderedmorebitterbyeverylittlesmartingvexationandindignitywhichtyrannicalingenuitycoulddevise。

Averyhumanejuristoncesaid，Theworstuseyoucanputamantoistohanghim。No；thereisanotherusethatamancanbeputtothatisWORSE！

1AmachineofthisdescriptionwasreallytheinventionofayoungcoloredmaninKentucky。[Mrs。Stowe’snote。]

TheHusbandandFather

Mrs。Shelbyhadgoneonhervisit，andElizastoodintheverandah，ratherdejectedlylookingaftertheretreatingcarriage，whenahandwaslaidonhershoulder。Sheturned，andabrightsmilelightedupherfineeyes。

“George，isityou？Howyoufrightenedme！Well；Iamsogladyou’scome！Missisisgonetospendtheafternoon；socomeintomylittleroom，andwe’llhavethetimealltoourselves。”

Sayingthis，shedrewhimintoaneatlittleapartmentopeningontheverandah，whereshegenerallysatathersewing，withincallofhermistress。

“HowgladIam！—whydon’tyousmile？—andlookatHarry—howhegrows。”Theboystoodshylyregardinghisfatherthroughhiscurls，holdingclosetotheskirtsofhismother’sdress。“Isn’thebeautiful？”saidEliza，liftinghislongcurlsandkissinghim。

“Iwishhe’dneverbeenborn！”saidGeorge，bitterly。“IwishI’dneverbeenbornmyself！”

Surprisedandfrightened，Elizasatdown，leanedherheadonherhusband’sshoulder，andburstintotears。

“Therenow，Eliza，it’stoobadformetomakeyoufeelso，poorgirl！”saidhe，fondly；“it’stoobad:O，howIwishyouneverhadseenme—youmighthavebeenhappy！”

“George！George！howcanyoutalkso？Whatdreadfulthinghashappened，orisgoingtohappen？I’msurewe’vebeenveryhappy，tilllately。”

“Sowehave，dear，”saidGeorge。Thendrawinghischildonhisknee，hegazedintentlyonhisgloriousdarkeyes，andpassedhishandsthroughhislongcurls。

“Justlikeyou，Eliza；andyouarethehandsomestwomanIeversaw，andthebestoneIeverwishtosee；but，oh，IwishI’dneverseenyou，noryoume！”

“O，George，howcanyou！”

“Yes，Eliza，it’sallmisery，misery，misery！Mylifeisbitteraswormwood；theverylifeisburningoutofme。I’mapoor，miserable，forlorndrudge；Ishallonlydragyoudownwithme，that’sall。What’stheuseofourtryingtodoanything，tryingtoknowanything，tryingtobeanything？What’stheuseofliving？IwishIwasdead！”

“O，now，dearGeorge，thatisreallywicked！Iknowhowyoufeelaboutlosingyourplaceinthefactory，andyouhaveahardmaster；butpraybepatient，andperhapssomething—”

“Patient！”saidhe，interruptingher；“haven’tIbeenpatient？DidIsayawordwhenhecameandtookmeaway，fornoearthlyreason，fromtheplacewhereeverybodywaskindtome？I’dpaidhimtrulyeverycentofmyearnings，—andtheyallsayIworkedwell。”

“Well，itisdreadful，”saidEliza；“but，afterall，heisyourmaster，youknow。”

“Mymaster！andwhomadehimmymaster？That’swhatIthinkof—whatrighthashetome？I’mamanasmuchasheis。I’mabettermanthanheis。Iknowmoreaboutbusinessthanhedoes；Iamabettermanagerthanheis；Icanreadbetterthanhecan；Icanwriteabetterhand，—andI’velearneditallmyself，andnothankstohim，—I’velearneditinspiteofhim；andnowwhatrighthashetomakeadray-horseofme？—totakemefromthingsIcando，anddobetterthanhecan，andputmetoworkthatanyhorsecando？Hetriestodoit；hesayshe’llbringmedownandhumbleme，andheputsmetojustthehardest，meanestanddirtiestwork，onpurpose！”

“O，George！George！youfrightenme！Why，Ineverheardyoutalkso；I’mafraidyou’lldosomethingdreadful。Idon’twonderatyourfeelings，atall；butoh，dobecareful—do，do—formysake—forHarry’s！”

“Ihavebeencareful，andIhavebeenpatient，butit’sgrowingworseandworse；fleshandbloodcan’tbearitanylonger；—everychancehecangettoinsultandtormentme，hetakes。IthoughtIcoulddomyworkwell，andkeeponquiet，andhavesometimetoreadandlearnoutofworkhours；butthemoreheseeIcando，themoreheloadson。HesaysthatthoughIdon’tsayanything，heseesI’vegotthedevilinme，andhemeanstobringitout；andoneofthesedaysitwillcomeoutinawaythathewon’tlike，orI’mmistaken！”

“Odear！whatshallwedo？”saidEliza，mournfully。

“Itwasonlyyesterday，”saidGeorge，“asIwasbusyloadingstonesintoacart，thatyoungMas’rTomstoodthere，slashinghiswhipsonearthehorsethatthecreaturewasfrightened。Iaskedhimtostop，aspleasantasIcould，—hejustkeptrighton。Ibeggedhimagain，andthenheturnedonme，andbeganstrikingme。Iheldhishand，andthenhescreamedandkickedandrantohisfather，andtoldhimthatIwasfightinghim。Hecameinarage，andsaidhe’dteachmewhowasmymaster；andhetiedmetoatree，andcutswitchesforyoungmaster，andtoldhimthathemightwhipmetillhewastired；—andhediddoit！IfIdon’tmakehimrememberit，sometime！”andthebrowoftheyoungmangrewdark，andhiseyesburnedwithanexpressionthatmadehisyoungwifetremble。“Whomadethismanmymaster？That’swhatIwanttoknow！”hesaid。

“Well，”saidEliza，mournfully，“IalwaysthoughtthatImustobeymymasterandmistress，orIcouldn’tbeaChristian。”

“Thereissomesenseinit，inyourcase；theyhavebroughtyouuplikeachild，fedyou，clothedyou，indulgedyou，andtaughtyou，sothatyouhaveagoodeducation；thatissomereasonwhytheyshouldclaimyou。ButIhavebeenkickedandcuffedandswornat，andatthebestonlyletalone；andwhatdoIowe？I’vepaidforallmykeepingahundredtimesover。Iwon’tbearit。No，Iwon’t！”hesaid，clenchinghishandwithafiercefrown。

Elizatrembled，andwassilent。Shehadneverseenherhusbandinthismoodbefore；andhergentlesystemofethicsseemedtobendlikeareedinthesurgesofsuchpassions。

“YouknowpoorlittleCarlo，thatyougaveme，”addedGeorge；“thecreaturehasbeenaboutallthecomfortthatI’vehad。Hehassleptwithmenights，andfollowedmearounddays，andkindo’lookedatmeasifheunderstoodhowIfelt。Well，theotherdayIwasjustfeedinghimwithafewoldscrapsIpickedupbythekitchendoor，andMas’rcamealong，andsaidIwasfeedinghimupathisexpense，andthathecouldn’taffordtohaveeveryniggerkeepinghisdog，andorderedmetotieastonetohisneckandthrowhiminthepond。”

“O，George，youdidn’tdoit！”

“Doit？notI！—buthedid。Mas’randTompeltedthepoordrowningcreaturewithstones。Poorthing！helookedatmesomournful，asifhewonderedwhyIdidn’tsavehim。IhadtotakeafloggingbecauseIwouldn’tdoitmyself。Idon’tcare。Mas’rwillfindoutthatI’monethatwhippingwon’ttame。Mydaywillcomeyet，ifhedon’tlookout。”

“Whatareyougoingtodo？O，George，don’tdoanythingwicked；ifyouonlytrustinGod，andtrytodoright，he’lldeliveryou。”

“Ian’taChristianlikeyou，Eliza；myheart’sfullofbitterness；Ican’ttrustinGod。Whydoesheletthingsbeso？”

“O，George，wemusthavefaith。Mistresssaysthatwhenallthingsgowrongtous，wemustbelievethatGodisdoingtheverybest。”

“That’seasytosayforpeoplethataresittingontheirsofasandridingintheircarriages；butlet’embewhereIam，Iguessitwouldcomesomeharder。IwishIcouldbegood；butmyheartburns，andcan’tbereconciled，anyhow。Youcouldn’tinmyplace，—youcan’tnow，ifItellyouallI’vegottosay。Youdon’tknowthewholeyet。”

“Whatcanbecomingnow？”

“Well，latelyMas’rhasbeensayingthathewasafooltoletmemarryofftheplace；thathehatesMr。Shelbyandallhistribe，becausetheyareproud，andholdtheirheadsupabovehim，andthatI’vegotproudnotionsfromyou；andhesayshewon’tletmecomehereanymore，andthatIshalltakeawifeandsettledownonhisplace。Atfirstheonlyscoldedandgrumbledthesethings；butyesterdayhetoldmethatIshouldtakeMinaforawife，andsettledowninacabinwithher，orhewouldsellmedownriver。”

“Why—butyouweremarriedtome，bytheminister，asmuchasifyou’dbeenawhiteman！”saidEliza，simply。

“Don’tyouknowaslavecan’tbemarried？Thereisnolawinthiscountryforthat；Ican’tholdyouformywife，ifhechoosestopartus。That’swhyIwishI’dneverseenyou，—whyIwishI’dneverbeenborn；itwouldhavebeenbetterforusboth，—itwouldhavebeenbetterforthispoorchildifhehadneverbeenborn。Allthismayhappentohimyet！”

“O，butmasterissokind！”

“Yes，butwhoknows？—hemaydie—andthenhemaybesoldtonobodyknowswho。Whatpleasureisitthatheishandsome，andsmart，andbright？Itellyou，Eliza，thataswordwillpiercethroughyoursoulforeverygoodandpleasantthingyourchildisorhas；itwillmakehimworthtoomuchforyoutokeep。”

ThewordssmoteheavilyonEliza’sheart；thevisionofthetradercamebeforehereyes，and，asifsomeonehadstruckheradeadlyblow，sheturnedpaleandgaspedforbreath。Shelookednervouslyoutontheverandah，wheretheboy，tiredofthegraveconversation，hadretired，andwherehewasridingtriumphantlyupanddownonMr。Shelby’swalking-stick。Shewouldhavespokentotellherhusbandherfears，butcheckedherself。

“No，no，—hehasenoughtobear，poorfellow！”shethought。“No，Iwon’ttellhim；besides，itan’ttrue；Missisneverdeceivesus。”

“So，Eliza，mygirl，”saidthehusband，mournfully，“bearup，now；andgood-by，forI’mgoing。”

“Going，George！Goingwhere？”

“ToCanada，”saidhe，straighteninghimselfup；andwhenI’mthere，I’llbuyyou；that’sallthehopethat’sleftus。Youhaveakindmaster，thatwon’trefusetosellyou。I’llbuyyouandtheboy；—Godhelpingme，Iwill！”

“O，dreadful！ifyoushouldbetaken？”

“Iwon’tbetaken，Eliza；I’lldiefirst！I’llbefree，orI’lldie！”

“Youwon’tkillyourself！”

“Noneedofthat。Theywillkillme，fastenough；theyneverwillgetmedowntheriveralive！”

“O，George，formysake，dobecareful！Don’tdoanythingwicked；don’tlayhandsonyourself，oranybodyelse！Youaretemptedtoomuch—toomuch；butdon’t—goyoumust—butgocarefully，prudently；prayGodtohelpyou。”

“Well，then，Eliza，hearmyplan。Mas’rtookitintohisheadtosendmerightbyhere，withanotetoMr。Symmes，thatlivesamilepast。IbelieveheexpectedIshouldcomeheretotellyouwhatIhave。Itwouldpleasehim，ifhethoughtitwouldaggravate‘Shelby’sfolks，’ashecalls’em。I’mgoinghomequiteresigned，youunderstand，asifallwasover。I’vegotsomepreparationsmade，—andtherearethosethatwillhelpme；and，inthecourseofaweekorso，Ishallbeamongthemissing，someday。Prayforme，Eliza；perhapsthegoodLordwillhearyou。”

“O，prayyourself，George，andgotrustinginhim；thenyouwon’tdoanythingwicked。”

“Well，now，good-by，”saidGeorge，holdingEliza’shands，andgazingintohereyes，withoutmoving。Theystoodsilent；thentherewerelastwords，andsobs，andbitterweeping，—suchpartingasthosemaymakewhosehopetomeetagainisasthespider’sweb，—andthehusbandandwifewereparted。

AnEveninginUncleTom’sCabin

ThecabinofUncleTomwasasmalllogbuilding，closeadjoiningto“thehouse，”asthenegroparexcellencedesignateshismaster’sdwelling。Infrontithadaneatgarden-patch，where，everysummer，strawberries，raspberries，andavarietyoffruitsandvegetables，flourishedundercarefultending。Thewholefrontofitwascoveredbyalargescarletbignoniaandanativemultiflorarose，which，entwistingandinterlacing，leftscarceavestigeoftheroughlogstobeseen。Here，also，insummer，variousbrilliantannuals，suchasmarigolds，petunias，four-o’clocks，foundanindulgentcornerinwhichtounfoldtheirsplendors，andwerethedelightandprideofAuntChloe’sheart。

Letusenterthedwelling。Theeveningmealatthehouseisover，andAuntChloe，whopresidedoveritspreparationasheadcook，haslefttoinferiorofficersinthekitchenthebusinessofclearingawayandwashingdishes，andcomeoutintoherownsnugterritories，to“getheroleman’ssupper”；therefore，doubtnotthatitisheryouseebythefire，presidingwithanxiousinterestovercertainfrizzlingitemsinastew-pan，andanonwithgraveconsiderationliftingthecoverofabake-kettle，fromwhencesteamforthindubitableintimationsof“somethinggood。”Around，black，shiningfaceishers，soglossyastosuggesttheideathatshemighthavebeenwashedoverwithwhiteofeggs，likeoneofherowntearusks。Herwholeplumpcountenancebeamswithsatisfactionandcontentmentfromunderherwell-starchedcheckedturban，bearingonit，however，ifwemustconfessit，alittleofthattingeofself-consciousnesswhichbecomesthefirstcookoftheneighborhood，asAuntChloewasuniversallyheldandacknowledgedtobe。

Acookshecertainlywas，intheveryboneandcentreofhersoul。Notachickenorturkeyorduckinthebarn-yardbutlookedgravewhentheysawherapproaching，andseemedevidentlytobereflectingontheirlatterend；andcertainitwasthatshewasalwaysmeditatingontrussing，stuffingandroasting，toadegreethatwascalculatedtoinspireterrorinanyreflectingfowlliving。Hercorn-cake，inallitsvarietiesofhoe-cake，dodgers，muffins，andotherspeciestoonumeroustomention，wasasublimemysterytoalllesspractisedcompounders；andshewouldshakeherfatsideswithhonestprideandmerriment，asshewouldnarratethefruitlesseffortsthatoneandanotherofhercompeershadmadetoattaintoherelevation。

Thearrivalofcompanyatthehouse，thearrangingofdinnersandsuppers“instyle，”awokealltheenergiesofhersoul；andnosightwasmorewelcometoherthanapileoftravellingtrunkslaunchedontheverandah，forthensheforesawfresheffortsandfreshtriumphs。

Justatpresent，however，AuntChloeislookingintothebake-pan；inwhichcongenialoperationweshallleavehertillwefinishourpictureofthecottage。

Inonecornerofitstoodabed，coveredneatlywithasnowyspread；andbythesideofitwasapieceofcarpeting，ofsomeconsiderablesize。OnthispieceofcarpetingAuntChloetookherstand，asbeingdecidedlyintheupperwalksoflife；anditandthebedbywhichitlay，andthewholecorner，infact，weretreatedwithdistinguishedconsideration，andmade，sofaraspossible，sacredfromthemaraudinginroadsanddesecrationsoflittlefolks。Infact，thatcornerwasthedrawing-roomoftheestablishment。Intheothercornerwasabedofmuchhumblerpretensions，andevidentlydesignedforuse。Thewalloverthefireplacewasadornedwithsomeverybrilliantscripturalprints，andaportraitofGeneralWashington，drawnandcoloredinamannerwhichwouldcertainlyhaveastonishedthathero，ifeverhehappenedtomeetwithitslike。

Onaroughbenchinthecorner，acoupleofwoolly-headedboys，withglisteningblackeyesandfatshiningcheeks，werebusyinsuperintendingthefirstwalkingoperationsofthebaby，which，asisusuallythecase，consistedingettinguponitsfeet，balancingamoment，andthentumblingdown，—eachsuccessivefailurebeingviolentlycheered，assomethingdecidedlyclever。

Atable，somewhatrheumaticinitslimbs，wasdrawnoutinfrontofthefire，andcoveredwithacloth，displayingcupsandsaucersofadecidedlybrilliantpattern，withothersymptomsofanapproachingmeal。AtthistablewasseatedUncleTom，Mr。Shelby’sbesthand，who，asheistobetheheroofourstory，wemustdaguerreotypeforourreaders。Hewasalarge，broad-chested，powerfully-mademan，ofafullglossyblack，andafacewhosetrulyAfricanfeatureswerecharacterizedbyanexpressionofgraveandsteadygoodsense，unitedwithmuchkindlinessandbenevolence。Therewassomethingabouthiswholeairself-respectinganddignified，yetunitedwithaconfidingandhumblesimplicity。

Hewasverybusilyintentatthismomentonaslatelyingbeforehim，onwhichhewascarefullyandslowlyendeavoringtoaccomplishacopyofsomeletters，inwhichoperationhewasoverlookedbyyoungMas’rGeorge，asmart，brightboyofthirteen，whoappearedfullytorealizethedignityofhispositionasinstructor。

“Notthatway，UncleTom，—notthatway，”saidhe，briskly，asUncleTomlaboriouslybroughtupthetailofhisgthewrongsideout；“thatmakesaq，yousee。”

“Lasakes，now，doesit？”saidUncleTom，lookingwitharespectful，admiringair，ashisyoungteacherflourishinglyscrawledq’sandg’sinnumerableforhisedification；andthen，takingthepencilinhisbig，heavyfingers，hepatientlyrecommenced。

“Howeasywhitefolksal’usdoesthings！”saidAuntChloe，pausingwhileshewasgreasingagriddlewithascrapofbacononherfork，andregardingyoungMasterGeorgewithpride。“Thewayhecanwrite，now！andread，too！andthentocomeouthereeveningsandreadhislessonstous，—it’smightyinterestin’！”

“But，AuntChloe，I’mgettingmightyhungry，”saidGeorge。“Isn’tthatcakeintheskilletalmostdone？”

“Mosedone，Mas’rGeorge，”saidAuntChloe，liftingthelidandpeepingin，—“browningbeautiful—areallovelybrown。Ah！letmealonefordat。MissisletSallytrytomakesomecake，t’otherday，jestolarnher，shesaid。‘O，goway，Missis，’saidI；‘itreallyhurtsmyfeelin’s，now，toseegoodvittlesspiltdatarway！Cakerisalltooneside—noshapeatall；nomorethanmyshoe；goway！”

AndwiththisfinalexpressionofcontemptforSally’sgreenness，AuntChloewhippedthecoveroffthebake-kettle，anddisclosedtoviewaneatly-bakedpound-cake，ofwhichnocityconfectionerneedtohavebeenashamed。Thisbeingevidentlythecentralpointoftheentertainment，AuntChloebegannowtobustleaboutearnestlyinthesupperdepartment。

“Hereyou，MoseandPete！getoutdeway，youniggers！Getaway，Mericky，honey，—mammy’llgiveherbabysomefin，byandby。Now，Mas’rGeorge，youjesttakeoffdembooks，andsetdownnowwithmyoldman，andI’lltakeupdesausages，andhavedefirstgriddlefullofcakesonyourplatesinlessdannotime。”

“Theywantedmetocometosupperinthehouse，”saidGeorge；“butIknewwhatwaswhattoowellforthat，AuntChloe。”

“Soyoudid—soyoudid，honey，”saidAuntChloe，heapingthesmokingbatter-cakesonhisplate；“youknow’dyouroldaunty’dkeepthebestforyou。O，letyoualonefordat！Goway！”And，withthat，auntygaveGeorgeanudgewithherfinger，designedtobeimmenselyfacetious，andturnedagaintohergriddlewithgreatbriskness。

“Nowforthecake，”saidMas’rGeorge，whentheactivityofthegriddledepartmenthadsomewhatsubsided；and，withthat，theyoungsterflourishedalargeknifeoverthearticleinquestion。

“Lablessyou，Mas’rGeorge！”saidAuntChloe，withearnestness，catchinghisarm，“youwouldn’tbeforcuttin’itwiddatargreatheavyknife！Smashalldown—spilealldeprettyriseofit。Here，I’vegotathinoldknife，Ikeepssharpapurpose。Darnow，see！comesapartlightasafeather！Noweataway—youwon’tgetanythingtobeatdatar。”

“TomLinconsays，”saidGeorge，speakingwithhismouthfull，“thattheirJinnyisabettercookthanyou。”

“DemLinconsan’tmuchcount，noway！”saidAuntChloe，contemptuously；“Imean，setalongsideourfolks。They’s’spectablefolksenoughinakinderplainway；but，astogettin’upanythinginstyle，theydon’tbegintohaveanotionon’t。SetMas’rLincon，now，alongsideMas’rShelby！GoodLor！andMissisLincon，—canshekindersweepitintoaroomlikemymissis，—sokindersplendid，yerknow！O，goway！don’ttellmenothin’ofdemLincons！”—andAuntChloetossedherheadasonewhohopedshedidknowsomethingoftheworld。

“Well，though，I’veheardyousay，”saidGeorge，“thatJinnywasaprettyfaircook。”

“SoIdid，”saidAuntChloe，—“Imaysaydat。Good，plain，commoncookin’，Jinny’lldo；—makeagoodponeo’bread，—bilehertatersfar，—hercorncakesisn’textra，notextranow，Jinny’scorncakesisn’t，butthenthey’sfar，—but，Lor，cometodehigherbranches，andwhatcanshedo？Why，shemakespies—sartinshedoes；butwhatkindercrust？Canshemakeyourrealfleckypaste，asmeltsinyourmouth，andliesalluplikeapuff？Now，IwentovertharwhenMissMarywasgwinetobemarried，andJinnyshejestshowedmedeweddin’pies。JinnyandIisgoodfriends，yeknow。Ineversaidnothin’；butgo’long，Mas’rGeorge！Why，Ishouldn’tsleepawinkforaweek，ifIhadabatchofpieslikedemar。Why，deywan’tno’count’tall。”

“IsupposeJinnythoughttheywereeversonice，”saidGeorge。

“Thoughtso！—didn’tshe？Tharshewas，showingem，asinnocent—yesee，it’sjesthere，Jinnydon’tknow。Lor，thefamilyan’tnothing！Shecan’tbespectedtoknow！’Ta’ntnofaulto’hem。Ah，Mas’rGeorge，youdoesn’tknowhalf’yourprivilegesinyerfamilyandbringin’up！”HereAuntChloesighed，androlleduphereyeswithemotion。

“I’msure，AuntChloe，IunderstandImypieandpuddingprivileges，”saidGeorge。“AskTomLinconifIdon’tcrowoverhim，everytimeImeethim。”

AuntChloesatbackinherchair，andindulgedinaheartyguffawoflaughter，atthiswitticismofyoungMas’r’s，laughingtillthetearsrolleddownherblack，shiningcheeks，andvaryingtheexercisewithplayfullyslappingandpokingMas’rGeorgey，andtellinghimtogoway，andthathewasacase—thathewasfittokillher，andthathesartinwouldkillher，oneofthesedays；and，betweeneachofthesesanguinarypredictions，goingoffintoalaugh，eachlongerandstrongerthantheother，tillGeorgereallybegantothinkthathewasaverydangerouslywittyfellow，andthatitbecamehimtobecarefulhowhetalked“asfunnyashecould。”

“AndsoyetelledTom，didye？O，Lor！whatyoungunswillbeupter！YecrowedoverTom？O，Lor！Mas’rGeorge，ifyewouldn’tmakeahornbuglaugh！”

“Yes，”saidGeorge，“Isaystohim，‘Tom，yououghttoseesomeofAuntChloe’spies；they’retherightsort，’saysI。”

“Pity，now，Tomcouldn’t，”saidAuntChloe，onwhosebenevolenthearttheideaofTom’sbenightedconditionseemedtomakeastrongimpression。“Yeoughterjustaskhimheretodinner，someo’thesetimes，Mas’rGeorge，”sheadded；“itwouldlookquiteprettyofye。Yeknow，Mas’rGeorge，yeoughtenterfeel’bovenobody，on’countyerprivileges，’causeallourprivilegesisgi’ntous；weoughtal’aysto’memberthat，”saidAuntChloe，lookingquiteserious。

“Well，ImeantoaskTomhere，somedaynextweek，”saidGeorge；“andyoudoyourprettiest，AuntChloe，andwe’llmakehimstare。Won’twemakehimeatsohewon’tgetoveritforafortnight？”

“Yes，yes—sartin，”saidAuntChloe，delighted；

“you’llsee。Lor！tothinkofsomeofourdinners！YerminddatargreatchickenpieImadewhenweguvdedinnertoGeneralKnox？IandMissis，wecomeprettynearquarrellingaboutdatarcrust。Whatdoesgetintoladiessometimes，Idon’tknow；but，sometimes，whenabodyhasdeheaviestkindo’’sponsibilityon’em，asyemaysay，andisallkinder‘seris’andtakenup，deytakesdatartimetobehangin’roundandkinderinterferin’！Now，Missis，shewantedmetododisway，andshewantedmetododatway；and，finally，Igotkindersarcy，and，saysI，‘Now，Missis，dojistlookatdembeautifulwhitehandso’yournwithlongfingers，andallasparklingwithrings，likemywhitelilieswhendedew’son’em；andlookatmygreatblackstumpinhands。Now，don’tyethinkdatdeLordmusthavemeantmetomakedepie-crust，andyoutostayindeparlor？Dar！Iwasjistsosarcy，Mas’rGeorge。”

“Andwhatdidmothersay？”saidGeorge。

“Say？—why，shekinderlarfedinhereyes—demgreathandsomeeyeso’hern；and，saysshe，‘Well，AuntChloe，Ithinkyouareaboutintherighton’t，’saysshe；andshewentoffindeparlor。Sheoughtercrackedmeoverdeheadforbein’sosarcy；butdar’swhar’tis—Ican’tdonothin’withladiesindekitchen！”

“Well，youmadeoutwellwiththatdinner，—Iremembereverybodysaidso，”saidGeorge。

“Didn’tI？Andwan’tIbehinddedinin’-roomdoordatberyday？anddidn’tIseedeGeneralpasshisplatethreetimesforsomemoredatberypie？—and，sayshe，‘Youmusthaveanuncommoncook，Mrs。Shelby。’Lor！Iwasfittosplitmyself。

“AnddeGineral，heknowswhatcookin’is，”saidAuntChloe，drawingherselfupwithanair。“Beryniceman，deGineral！HecomesofoneofdeberyfustestfamiliesinOldVirginny！Heknowswhat’swhat，now，aswellasIdo—deGineral。Yesee，there’spintsinallpies，Mas’rGeorge；buttan’teverybodyknowswhattheyis，orasorterbe。ButtheGineral，heknows；Iknewbyhis’markshemade。Yes，heknowswhatdepintsis！”

Bythistime，MasterGeorgehadarrivedatthatpasstowhichevenaboycancome(underuncommoncircumstances，whenhereallycouldnoteatanothermorsel)，and，therefore，hewasatleisuretonoticethepileofwoollyheadsandglisteningeyeswhichwereregardingtheiroperationshungrilyfromtheoppositecorner。

“Here，youMose，Pete，”hesaid，breakingoffliberalbits，andthrowingitatthem；“youwantsome，don’tyou？Come，AuntChloe，bakethemsomecakes。”

AndGeorgeandTommovedtoacomfortableseatinthechimney-corner，whileAunteChloe，afterbakingagoodlypileofcakes，tookherbabyonherlap，andbeganalternatelyfillingitsmouthandherown，anddistributingtoMoseandPete，whoseemedrathertoprefereatingtheirsastheyrolledaboutonthefloorunderthetable，ticklingeachother，andoccasionallypullingthebaby’stoes。

“O！golong，willye？”saidthemother，givingnowandthenakick，inakindofgeneralway，underthetable，whenthemovementbecametooobstreperous。“Can’tyebedecentwhenwhitefolkscomestoseeye？Stopdatar，now，willye？Bettermindyerselves，orI’lltakeyedownabutton-holelower，whenMas’rGeorgeisgone！

Whatmeaningwascouchedunderthisterriblethreat，itisdifficulttosay；butcertainitisthatitsawfulindistinctnessseemedtoproduceverylittleimpressionontheyoungsinnersaddressed。

“La，now！”saidUncleTom，“theyaresofulloftickleallthewhile，theycan’tbehavetheirselves。”

Heretheboysemergedfromunderthetable，and，withhandsandfaceswellplasteredwithmolasses，beganavigorouskissingofthebaby。

“Getalongwidye！”saidthemother，pushingawaytheirwoollyheads。“Ye’llallsticktogether，andnevergetclar，ifyedodatfashion。Golongtodespringandwashyerselves！”shesaid，secondingherexhortationsbyaslap，whichresoundedveryformidably，butwhichseemedonlytoknockoutsomuchmorelaughfromtheyoungones，astheytumbledprecipitatelyovereachotheroutofdoors，wheretheyfairlyscreamedwithmerriment。

“Didyeeverseesuchaggravatingyounguns？”saidAuntChloe，rathercomplacently，as，producinganoldtowel，keptforsuchemergencies，shepouredalittlewateroutofthecrackedtea-potonit，andbeganrubbingoffthemolassesfromthebaby’sfaceandhands；and，havingpolishedhertillsheshone，shesetherdowninTom’slap，whileshebusiedherselfinclearingawaysupper。ThebabyemployedtheintervalsinpullingTom’snose，scratchinghisface，andburyingherfathandsinhiswoollyhair，whichlastoperationseemedtoaffordherspecialcontent。

“Aintsheapeartyoungun？”saidTom，holdingherfromhimtotakeafull-lengthview；then，gettingup，hesetheronhisbroadshoulder，andbegancaperinganddancingwithher，whileMas’rGeorgesnappedatherwithhispocket-handkerchief，andMoseandPete，nowreturnedagain，roaredafterherlikebears，tillAuntChloedeclaredthatthey“fairlytookherheadoff”withtheirnoise。As，accordingtoherownstatement，thissurgicaloperationwasamatterofdailyoccurrenceinthecabin，thedeclarationnowhitabatedthemerriment，tilleveryonehadroaredandtumbledanddancedthemselvesdowntoastateofcomposure。

“Well，now，Ihopesyou’redone，”saidAuntChloe，whohadbeenbusyinpullingoutarudeboxofatrundle-bed；“andnow，youMoseandyouPete，getintothar；forwe’sgoin’tohavethemeetin’。”

“Omother，wedon’twanter。Wewantstosituptomeetin’，—meetin’sissocuris。Welikes’em。”

“La，AuntChloe，shoveitunder，andlet’emsitup，”saidMas’rGeorge，decisively，givingapushtotherudemachine。

AuntChloe，havingthussavedappearances，seemedhighlydelightedtopushthethingunder，saying，asshedidso，“Well，mebbe’twilldo’emsomegood。”

Thehousenowresolveditselfintoacommitteeofthewhole，toconsidertheaccommodationsandarrangementsforthemeeting。

“Whatwe’stodoforcheers，now，IdeclarIdon’tknow，”saidAuntChloe。AsthemeetinghadbeenheldatUncleTom’sweekly，foranindefinitelengthoftime，withoutanymore“cheers，”thereseemedsomeencouragementtohopethatawaywouldbediscoveredatpresent。

“OldUnclePetersungbothdelegsoutofdatoldestcheer，lastweek，”suggestedMose。

“Yougolong！I’llboun’youpulled’emout；someo’yourshines，”saidAuntChloe。

“Well，it’llstand，ifitonlykeepsjamupagindewall！”saidMose。

“DenUnclePetermus’n’tsitinit，causeheal’ayshitcheswhenhegetsasinging。Hehitchedprettynighacrossderoom，t’othernight，”saidPete。

“GoodLor！gethiminit，then，”saidMose，“anddenhe’dbegin，‘Comesaints—andsinners，hearmetell，’anddendownhe’dgo，”—andMoseimitatedpreciselythenasaltonesoftheoldman，tumblingonthefloor，toillustratethesupposedcatastrophe。

“Comenow，bedecent，can’tye？”saidAuntChloe；“an’tyershamed？”

Mas’rGeorge，however，joinedtheoffenderinthelaugh，anddeclareddecidedlythatMosewasa“buster。”Sothematernaladmonitionseemedrathertofailofeffect。

“Well，oleman，”saidAuntChloe，“you’llhavetototeinthemarbar’ls。”

“Mother’sbar’lsislikedatarwidder’s，Mas’rGeorgewasreading’bout，indegoodbook，—deyneverfails，”saidMose，asidetoPeter。

“I’msureoneon’emcavedinlastweek，”saidPete，“andlet’emalldownindemiddleofdesingin’；datarwasfailin’，warntit？”

DuringthisasidebetweenMoseandPete，twoemptycaskshadbeenrolledintothecabin，andbeingsecuredfromrolling，bystonesoneachside，boardswerelaidacrossthem，whicharrangement，togetherwiththeturningdownofcertaintubsandpails，andthedisposingofthericketychairs，atlastcompletedthepreparation。

“Mas’rGeorgeissuchabeautifulreader，now，Iknowhe’llstaytoreadforus，”saidAuntChloe；“’pearslike’twillbesomuchmoreinterestin’。”

Georgeveryreadilyconsented，foryourboyisalwaysreadyforanythingthatmakeshimofimportance。

Theroomwassoonfilledwithamotleyassemblage，fromtheoldgray-headedpatriarchofeighty，totheyounggirlandladoffifteen。Alittleharmlessgossipensuedonvariousthemes，suchaswhereoldAuntSallygothernewredheadkerchief，andhow“MissiswasagoingtogiveLizzythatspottedmuslingown，whenshe’dgothernewberagemadeup；”andhowMas’rShelbywasthinkingofbuyinganewsorrelcolt，thatwasgoingtoproveanadditiontothegloriesoftheplace。Afewoftheworshippersbelongedtofamilieshardby，whohadgotpermissiontoattend，andwhobroughtinvariouschoicescrapsofinformation，aboutthesayingsanddoingsatthehouseandontheplace，whichcirculatedasfreelyasthesamesortofsmallchangedoesinhighercircles。

Afterawhilethesingingcommenced，totheevidentdelightofallpresent。Notevenallthedisadvantageofnasalintonationcouldpreventtheeffectofthenaturallyfinevoices，inairsatoncewildandspirited。Thewordsweresometimesthewell-knownandcommonhymnssunginthechurchesabout，andsometimesofawilder，moreindefinitecharacter，pickedupatcamp-meetings。

Thechorusofoneofthem，whichranasfollows，wassungwithgreatenergyandunction:

“Dieonthefieldofbattle，

Dieonthefieldofbattle，

Gloryinmysoul。”

Anotherspecialfavoritehadoftrepeatedthewords—

“O，I’mgoingtoglory，—won’tyoucomealongwithme？

Don’tyouseetheangelsbeck’ning，andacallingmeaway？

Don’tyouseethegoldencityandtheeverlastingday？”

Therewereothers，whichmadeincessantmentionof“Jordan’sbanks，”and“Canaan’sfields，”andthe“NewJerusalem；”forthenegromind，impassionedandimaginative，alwaysattachesitselftohymnsandexpressionsofavividandpictorialnature；and，astheysung，somelaughed，andsomecried，andsomeclappedhands，orshookhandsrejoicinglywitheachother，asiftheyhadfairlygainedtheothersideoftheriver。

Variousexhortations，orrelationsofexperience，followed，andintermingledwiththesinging。Oneoldgray-headedwoman，longpastwork，butmuchreveredasasortofchronicleofthepast，rose，andleaningonherstaff，said—“Well，chil’en！Well，I’mmightygladtohearyeallandseeyealloncemore，’causeIdon’tknowwhenI’llbegonetoglory；butI’vedonegotready，chil’en；’pearslikeI’dgotmylittlebundlealltiedup，andmybonneton，jestawaitin’forthestagetocomealongandtakemehome；sometimes，inthenight，IthinkIhearthewheelsarattlin’，andI’mlookin’outallthetime；now，youjestbereadytoo，forItellyeall，chil’en，”shesaidstrikingherstaffhardonthefloor，“datargloryisamightything！It’samightything，chil’en，—youdon’nonothingaboutit，—it’swonderful。”Andtheoldcreaturesatdown，withstreamingtears，aswhollyovercome，whilethewholecirclestruckup—

“OCanaan，brightCanaan

I’mboundforthelandofCanaan。”

Mas’rGeorge，byrequest，readthelastchaptersofRevelation，ofteninterruptedbysuchexclamationsas“Thesakesnow！”“Onlyhearthat！”“Jestthinkon’t！”“Isallthatacomin’sureenough？”

George，whowasabrightboy，andwelltrainedinreligiousthingsbyhismother，findinghimselfanobjectofgeneraladmiration，threwinexpositionsofhisown，fromtimetotime，withacommendableseriousnessandgravity，forwhichhewasadmiredbytheyoungandblessedbytheold；anditwasagreed，onallhands，that“aministercouldn’tlayitoffbetterthanhedid；that“’twasreely’mazin’！”

UncleTomwasasortofpatriarchinreligiousmatters，intheneighborhood。Having，naturally，anorganizationinwhichthemoralewasstronglypredominant，togetherwithagreaterbreadthandcultivationofmindthanobtainedamonghiscompanions，hewaslookeduptowithgreatrespect，asasortofministeramongthem；andthesimple，hearty，sincerestyleofhisexhortationsmighthaveedifiedevenbettereducatedpersons。Butitwasinprayerthatheespeciallyexcelled。Nothingcouldexceedthetouchingsimplicity，thechildlikeearnestness，ofhisprayer，enrichedwiththelanguageofScripture，whichseemedsoentirelytohavewroughtitselfintohisbeing，astohavebecomeapartofhimself，andtodropfromhislipsunconsciously；inthelanguageofapiousoldnegro，he“prayedrightup。”Andsomuchdidhisprayeralwaysworkonthedevotionalfeelingsofhisaudiences，thatthereseemedoftenadangerthatitwouldbelostaltogetherintheabundanceoftheresponseswhichbrokeouteverywherearoundhim。

Whilethisscenewaspassinginthecabinoftheman，onequiteotherwisepassedinthehallsofthemaster。

ThetraderandMr。Shelbywereseatedtogetherinthediningroomafore-named，atatablecoveredwithpapersandwritingutensils。

Mr。Shelbywasbusyincountingsomebundlesofbills，which，astheywerecounted，hepushedovertothetrader，whocountedthemlikewise。

“Allfair，”saidthetrader；“andnowforsigningtheseyer。”

Mr。Shelbyhastilydrewthebillsofsaletowardshim，andsignedthem，likeamanthathurriesoversomedisagreeablebusiness，andthenpushedthemoverwiththemoney。Haleyproduced，fromawell-wornvalise，aparchment，which，afterlookingoveritamoment，hehandedtoMr。Shelby，whotookitwithagestureofsuppressedeagerness。

“Wal，now，thething’sdone！”saidthetrader，gettingup。

“It’sdone！”saidMr。Shelby，inamusingtone；and，fetchingalongbreath，herepeated，“It’sdone！”

“Yerdon’tseemtofeelmuchpleasedwithit，’pearstome，”saidthetrader。

“Haley，”saidMr。Shelby，“Ihopeyou’llrememberthatyoupromised，onyourhonor，youwouldn’tsellTom，withoutknowingwhatsortofhandshe’sgoinginto。”

“Why，you’vejustdoneitsir，”saidthetrader。

“Circumstances，youwellknow，obligedme，”saidShelby，haughtily。

“Wal，youknow，theymay’bligeme，too，”saidthetrader。“Howsomever，I’lldotheverybestIcaningettin’Tomagoodberth；astomytreatin’onhimbad，youneedn’tbeagrainafeard。Ifthere’sanythingthatIthanktheLordfor，itisthatI’mnevernowayscruel。”

Aftertheexpositionswhichthetraderhadpreviouslygivenofhishumaneprinciples，Mr。Shelbydidnotfeelparticularlyreassuredbythesedeclarations；but，astheywerethebestcomfortthecaseadmittedof，heallowedthetradertodepartinsilence，andbetookhimselftoasolitarycigar。