第5章

SelectIncidentofLawfulTrade

“InRamahtherewasavoiceheard，—weeping，andlamentation，andgreatmourning；Rachelweepingforherchildren，andwouldnotbecomforted。”1

Mr。HaleyandTomjoggedonwardintheirwagon，each，foratime，absorbedinhisownreflections。Now，thereflectionsoftwomensittingsidebysideareacuriousthing，—seatedonthesameseat，havingthesameeyes，ears，handsandorgansofallsorts，andhavingpassbeforetheireyesthesameobjects，—itiswonderfulwhatavarietyweshallfindinthesesamereflections！

As，forexample，Mr。Haley:hethoughtfirstofTom’slength，andbreadth，andheight，andwhathewouldsellfor，ifhewaskeptfatandingoodcasetillhegothimintomarket。Hethoughtofhowheshouldmakeouthisgang；hethoughtoftherespectivemarketvalueofcertainsupposititiousmenandwomenandchildrenwhoweretocomposeit，andotherkindredtopicsofthebusiness；thenhethoughtofhimself，andhowhumanehewas，thatwhereasothermenchainedtheir“niggers”handandfootboth，heonlyputfettersonthefeet，andleftTomtheuseofhishands，aslongashebehavedwell；andhesighedtothinkhowungratefulhumannaturewas，sothattherewasevenroomtodoubtwhetherTomappreciatedhismercies。Hehadbeentakeninsoby“niggers”whomhehadfavored；butstillhewasastonishedtoconsiderhowgood-naturedheyetremained！

AstoTom，hewasthinkingoversomewordsofanunfashionableoldbook，whichkeptrunningthroughhishead，againandagain，asfollows:“Wehaveherenocontinuingcity，butweseekonetocome；whereforeGodhimselfisnotashamedtobecalledourGod；forhehathpreparedforusacity。”Thesewordsofanancientvolume，gotupprincipallyby“ignorantandunlearnedmen，”have，throughalltime，keptup，somehow，astrangesortofpoweroverthemindsofpoor，simplefellows，likeTom。Theystirupthesoulfromitsdepths，androuse，aswithtrumpetcall，courage，energy，andenthusiasm，wherebeforewasonlytheblacknessofdespair。

Mr。Haleypulledoutofhispocketsundrynewspapers，andbeganlookingovertheiradvertisements，withabsorbedinterest。Hewasnotaremarkablyfluentreader，andwasinthehabitofreadinginasortofrecitativehalf-aloud，bywayofcallinginhisearstoverifythedeductionsofhiseyes。Inthistoneheslowlyrecitedthefollowingparagraph:

“Executor’sSale，—Negroes！—Agreeablytoorderofcourt，willbesold，onTuesday，February20，beforetheCourt-housedoor，inthetownofWashington，Kentucky，thefollowingnegroes:Hagar，aged60；John，aged30；Ben，aged21；Saul，aged25；Albert，aged14。SoldforthebenefitofthecreditorsandheirsoftheestateofJesseBlutchford，

SamuelMorris，ThomasFlint，Executors。”

“ThisyerImustlookat，”saidhetoTom，forwantofsomebodyelsetotalkto。

“Yesee，I’mgoingtogetupaprimegangtotakedownwithye，Tom；it’llmakeitsociableandpleasantlike，—goodcompanywill，yeknow。WemustdriverighttoWashingtonfirstandforemost，andthenI’llclapyouintojail，whileIdoesthebusiness。”

Tomreceivedthisagreeableintelligencequitemeekly；simplywondering，inhisownheart，howmanyofthesedoomedmenhadwivesandchildren，andwhethertheywouldfeelashedidaboutleavingthem。Itistobeconfessed，too，thatthenaive，off-handinformationthathewastobethrownintojailbynomeansproducedanagreeableimpressiononapoorfellowwhohadalwayspridedhimselfonastrictlyhonestanduprightcourseoflife。Yes，Tom，wemustconfessit，wasratherproudofhishonesty，poorfellow，—nothavingverymuchelsetobeproudof；—ifhehadbelongedtosomeofthehigherwalksofsociety，he，perhaps，wouldneverhavebeenreducedtosuchstraits。However，thedayworeon，andtheeveningsawHaleyandTomcomfortablyaccommodatedinWashington，—theoneinatavern，andtheotherinajail。

Abouteleveno’clockthenextday，amixedthrongwasgatheredaroundthecourt-housesteps，—smoking，chewing，spitting，swearing，andconversing，accordingtotheirrespectivetastesandturns，—waitingfortheauctiontocommence。Themenandwomentobesoldsatinagroupapart，talkinginalowtonetoeachother。ThewomanwhohadbeenadvertisedbythenameofHagarwasaregularAfricaninfeatureandfigure。Shemighthavebeensixty，butwasolderthanthatbyhardworkanddisease，waspartiallyblind，andsomewhatcrippledwithrheumatism。Byhersidestoodheronlyremainingson，Albert，abright-lookinglittlefellowoffourteenyears。Theboywastheonlysurvivorofalargefamily，whohadbeensuccessivelysoldawayfromhertoasouthernmarket。Themotherheldontohimwithbothhershakinghands，andeyedwithintensetrepidationeveryonewhowalkeduptoexaminehim。

“Don’tbefeard，AuntHagar，”saidtheoldestofthemen，“IspoketoMas’rThomas’boutit，andhethoughthemightmanagetosellyouinalotbothtogether。”

“Deyneedn’tcallmewornoutyet，”saidshe，liftinghershakinghands。“Icancookyet，andscrub，andscour，—I’mwuthabuying，ifIdocomecheap；—tellemdatar，—youtellem，”sheadded，earnestly。

Haleyhereforcedhiswayintothegroup，walkeduptotheoldman，pulledhismouthopenandlookedin，feltofhisteeth，madehimstandandstraightenhimself，bendhisback，andperformvariousevolutionstoshowhismuscles；andthenpassedontothenext，andputhimthroughthesametrial。Walkinguplasttotheboy，hefeltofhisarms，straightenedhishands，andlookedathisfingers，andmadehimjump，toshowhisagility。

“Hean’tgwinetobesoldwidoutme！”saidtheoldwoman，withpassionateeagerness；“heandIgoesinalottogether；I’srailstrongyet，Mas’randcandoheapso’work，—heapsonit，Mas’r。”

“Onplantation？”saidHaley，withacontemptuousglance。“Likelystory！”and，asifsatisfiedwithhisexamination，hewalkedoutandlooked，andstoodwithhishandsinhispocket，hiscigarinhismouth，andhishatcockedononeside，readyforaction。

“Whatthinkof’em？”saidamanwhohadbeenfollowingHaley’sexamination，asiftomakeuphisownmindfromit。

“Wal，”saidHaley，spitting，“Ishallputin，Ithink，fortheyoungerlyonesandtheboy。”

“Theywanttoselltheboyandtheoldwomantogether，”saidtheman。

“Finditatightpull；—why，she’sanoldracko’bones，—notworthhersalt。”

“Youwouldn’tthen？”saidtheman。

“Anybody’dbeafool’twould。She’shalfblind，crookedwithrheumatis，andfoolishtoboot。”

“Somebuysuptheseyeroldcritturs，andsesthere’sasightmorewearin’emthanabody’dthink，”saidtheman，reflectively。

“Nogo，’tall，”saidHaley；“wouldn’ttakeherforapresent，—fact，—I’veseen，now。”

“Wal，’tiskinderpity，now，nottobuyherwithherson，—herheartseemssosotonhim，—s’posetheyflingherincheap。”

“Themthat’sgotmoneytospendthatarway，it’sallwellenough。Ishallbidoffonthatarboyforaplantation-hand；—wouldn’tbebotheredwithher，noway，notifthey’dgivehertome，”saidHaley。

“She’lltakeondesp’t，”saidtheman。

“Nat’lly，shewill，”saidthetrader，coolly。

Theconversationwashereinterruptedbyabusyhumintheaudience；andtheauctioneer，ashort，bustling，importantfellow，elbowedhiswayintothecrowd。Theoldwomandrewinherbreath，andcaughtinstinctivelyatherson。

“Keepclosetoyermammy，Albert，—close，—dey’llputusuptogedder，”shesaid。

“O，mammy，I’mfeardtheywon’t，”saidtheboy。

“Deymust，child；Ican’tlive，noways，iftheydon’t”saidtheoldcreature，vehemently。

Thestentoriantonesoftheauctioneer，callingouttocleartheway，nowannouncedthatthesalewasabouttocommence。Aplacewascleared，andthebiddingbegan。Thedifferentmenonthelistweresoonknockedoffatpriceswhichshowedaprettybriskdemandinthemarket；twoofthemfelltoHaley。

“Come，now，youngun，”saidtheauctioneer，givingtheboyatouchwithhishammer，“beupandshowyoursprings，now。”

“Putustwouptogedder，togedder，—doplease，Mas’r，”saidtheoldwoman，holdingfasttoherboy。

“Beoff，”saidtheman，gruffly，pushingherhandsaway；“youcomelast。Now，darkey，spring；”and，withtheword，hepushedtheboytowardtheblock，whileadeep，heavygroanrosebehindhim。Theboypaused，andlookedback；buttherewasnotimetostay，and，dashingthetearsfromhislarge，brighteyes，hewasupinamoment。

Hisfinefigure，alertlimbs，andbrightface，raisedaninstantcompetition，andhalfadozenbidssimultaneouslymettheearoftheauctioneer。Anxious，half-frightened，helookedfromsidetoside，asheheardtheclatterofcontendingbids，—nowhere，nowthere，—tillthehammerfell。Haleyhadgothim。Hewaspushedfromtheblocktowardhisnewmaster，butstoppedonemoment，andlookedback，whenhispooroldmother，tremblingineverylimb，heldouthershakinghandstowardhim。

“Buymetoo，Mas’r，fordedearLord’ssake！—buyme，—Ishalldieifyoudon’t！”

“You’lldieifIdo，that’sthekinkofit，”saidHaley，—“no！”Andheturnedonhisheel。

Thebiddingforthepooroldcreaturewassummary。ThemanwhohadaddressedHaley，andwhoseemednotdestituteofcompassion，boughtherforatrifle，andthespectatorsbegantodisperse。

Thepoorvictimsofthesale，whohadbeenbroughtupinoneplacetogetherforyears，gatheredroundthedespairingoldmother，whoseagonywaspitifultosee。

“Couldn’tdeyleavemeone？Mas’rallerssaidIshouldhaveone，—hedid，”sherepeatedoverandover，inheart-brokentones。

“TrustintheLord，AuntHagar，”saidtheoldestofthemen，sorrowfully。

“Whatgoodwillitdo？”saidshe，sobbingpassionately。

“Mother，mother，—don’t！don’t！”saidtheboy。“Theysayyou’sgotagoodmaster。”

“Idon’tcare，—Idon’tcare。O，Albert！oh，myboy！you’smylastbaby。Lord，howkenI？”

“Come，takeheroff，can’tsomeofye？”saidHaley，dryly；“don’tdonogoodforhertogoonthatarway。”

Theoldmenofthecompany，partlybypersuasionandpartlybyforce，loosedthepoorcreature’slastdespairinghold，and，astheyledherofftohernewmaster’swagon，strovetocomforther。

“Now！”saidHaley，pushinghisthreepurchasestogether，andproducingabundleofhandcuffs，whichheproceededtoputontheirwrists；andfasteningeachhandcufftoalongchain，hedrovethembeforehimtothejail。

AfewdayssawHaley，withhispossessions，safelydepositedononeoftheOhioboats。Itwasthecommencementofhisgang，tobeaugmented，astheboatmovedon，byvariousothermerchandiseofthesamekind，whichhe，orhisagent，hadstoredforhiminvariouspointsalongshore。

TheLaBelleRiviere，asbraveandbeautifulaboataseverwalkedthewatersofhernamesakeriver，wasfloatinggaylydownthestream，underabrilliantsky，thestripesandstarsoffreeAmericawavingandflutteringoverhead；theguardscrowdedwithwell-dressedladiesandgentlemenwalkingandenjoyingthedelightfulday。Allwasfulloflife，buoyantandrejoicing；—allbutHaley’sgang，whowerestored，withotherfreight，onthelowerdeck，andwho，somehow，didnotseemtoappreciatetheirvariousprivileges，astheysatinaknot，talkingtoeachotherinlowtones。

“Boys，”saidHaley，comingup，briskly，“Ihopeyoukeepupgoodheart，andarecheerful。Now，nosulks，yesee；keepstiffupperlip，boys；dowellbyme，andI’lldowellbyyou。”

Theboysaddressedrespondedtheinvariable“Yes，Mas’r，”foragesthewatchwordofpoorAfrica；butit’stobeownedtheydidnotlookparticularlycheerful；theyhadtheirvariouslittleprejudicesinfavorofwives，mothers，sisters，andchildren，seenforthelasttime，—andthough“theythatwastedthemrequiredofthemmirth，”itwasnotinstantlyforthcoming。

“I’vegotawife，”spokeoutthearticleenumeratedas“John，agedthirty，”andhelaidhischainedhandonTom’sknee，—“andshedon’tknowawordaboutthis，poorgirl！”

“Wheredoesshelive？”saidTom。

“Inatavernapiecedownhere，”saidJohn；“Iwish，now，Icouldseeheroncemoreinthisworld，”headded。

PoorJohn！Itwasrathernatural；andthetearsthatfell，ashespoke，cameasnaturallyasifhehadbeenawhiteman。Tomdrewalongbreathfromasoreheart，andtried，inhispoorway，tocomforthim。

Andoverhead，inthecabin，satfathersandmothers，husbandsandwives；andmerry，dancingchildrenmovedroundamongthem，likesomanylittlebutterflies，andeverythingwasgoingonquiteeasyandcomfortable。

“O，mamma，”saidaboy，whohadjustcomeupfrombelow，“there’sanegrotraderonboard，andhe’sbroughtfourorfiveslavesdownthere。”

“Poorcreatures！”saidthemother，inatonebetweengriefandindignation。

“What’sthat？”saidanotherlady。

“Somepoorslavesbelow，”saidthemother。

“Andthey’vegotchainson，”saidtheboy。

“Whatashametoourcountrythatsuchsightsaretobeseen！”saidanotherlady。

“O，there’sagreatdealtobesaidonbothsidesofthesubject，”saidagenteelwoman，whosatatherstate-roomdoorsewing，whileherlittlegirlandboywereplayingroundher。“I’vebeensouth，andImustsayIthinkthenegroesarebetteroffthantheywouldbetobefree。”

“Insomerespects，someofthemarewelloff，Igrant，”saidtheladytowhoseremarkshehadanswered。“Themostdreadfulpartofslavery，tomymind，isitsoutragesonthefeelingsandaffections，—theseparatingoffamilies，forexample。”

“Thatisabadthing，certainly，”saidtheotherlady，holdingupababy’sdressshehadjustcompleted，andlookingintentlyonitstrimmings；“butthen，Ifancy，itdon’toccuroften。”

“O，itdoes，”saidthefirstlady，eagerly；“I’velivedmanyyearsinKentuckyandVirginiaboth，andI’veseenenoughtomakeanyone’sheartsick。Suppose，ma’am，yourtwochildren，there，shouldbetakenfromyou，andsold？”

“Wecan’treasonfromourfeelingstothoseofthisclassofpersons，”saidtheotherlady，sortingoutsomeworstedsonherlap。

“Indeed，ma’am，youcanknownothingofthem，ifyousayso，”answeredthefirstlady，warmly。“Iwasbornandbroughtupamongthem。Iknowtheydofeel，justaskeenly，—evenmoreso，perhaps，—aswedo。”

Theladysaid“Indeed！”yawned，andlookedoutthecabinwindow，andfinallyrepeated，forafinale，theremarkwithwhichshehadbegun，—“Afterall，Ithinktheyarebetteroffthantheywouldbetobefree。”

“It’sundoubtedlytheintentionofProvidencethattheAfricanraceshouldbeservants，—keptinalowcondition，”saidagrave-lookinggentlemaninblack，aclergyman，seatedbythecabindoor。“‘CursedbeCanaan；aservantofservantsshallhebe，’thescripturesays。”2

“Isay，stranger，isthatarwhatthattextmeans？”saidatallman，standingby。

“Undoubtedly。ItpleasedProvidence，forsomeinscrutablereason，todoomtheracetobondage，agesago；andwemustnotsetupouropinionagainstthat。”

“Well，then，we’llallgoaheadandbuyupniggers，”saidtheman，“ifthat’sthewayofProvidence，—won’twe，Squire？”saidhe，turningtoHaley，whohadbeenstanding，withhishandsinhispockets，bythestoveandintentlylisteningtotheconversation。

“Yes，”continuedthetallman，“wemustallberesignedtothedecreesofProvidence。Niggersmustbesold，andtruckedround，andkeptunder；it’swhatthey’smadefor。’Pearslikethisyerview’squiterefreshing，an’tit，stranger？”saidhetoHaley。

“Ineverthoughton’t，”saidHaley，“Icouldn’thavesaidasmuch，myself；Iha’ntnolarning。Itookupthetradejusttomakealiving；if’tan’tright，Icalculatedto’penton’tintime，yeknow。”

“Andnowyou’llsaveyerselfthetrouble，won’tye？”saidthetallman。“Seewhat’tis，now，toknowscripture。Ifye’donlystudiedyerBible，likethisyergoodman，yemighthaveknow’ditbefore，andsavedyeaheapo’trouble。Yecouldjisthavesaid，‘Cussedbe’—what’shisname？—‘and’twouldallhavecomeright。’”Andthestranger，whowasnootherthanthehonestdroverwhomweintroducedtoourreadersintheKentuckytavern，satdown，andbegansmoking，withacurioussmileonhislong，dryface。

Atall，slenderyoungman，withafaceexpressiveofgreatfeelingandintelligence，herebrokein，andrepeatedthewords，“‘Allthingswhatsoeveryewouldthatmenshoulddountoyou，doyeevensountothem。’Isuppose，”headded，“thatisscripture，asmuchas‘CursedbeCanaan。’”

“Wal，itseemsquiteasplainatext，stranger，”saidJohnthedrover，“topoorfellowslikeus，now；”andJohnsmokedonlikeavolcano。

Theyoungmanpaused，lookedasifhewasgoingtosaymore，whensuddenlytheboatstopped，andthecompanymadetheusualsteamboatrush，toseewheretheywerelanding。

“Boththemarchapsparsons？”saidJohntooneofthemen，astheyweregoingout。

Themannodded。

Astheboatstopped，ablackwomancamerunningwildlyuptheplank，dartedintothecrowd，flewuptowheretheslavegangsat，andthrewherarmsroundthatunfortunatepieceofmerchandisebeforeenumerate—“John，agedthirty，”andwithsobsandtearsbemoanedhimasherhusband。

Butwhatneedstellthestory，toldtoooft，—everydaytold，—ofheart-stringsrentandbroken，—theweakbrokenandtornfortheprofitandconvenienceofthestrong！Itneedsnottobetold；—everydayistellingit，—tellingit，too，intheearofOnewhoisnotdeaf，thoughhebelongsilent。

TheyoungmanwhohadspokenforthecauseofhumanityandGodbeforestoodwithfoldedarms，lookingonthisscene。Heturned，andHaleywasstandingathisside。“Myfriend，”hesaid，speakingwiththickutterance，“howcanyou，howdareyou，carryonatradelikethis？Lookatthosepoorcreatures！HereIam，rejoicinginmyheartthatIamgoinghometomywifeandchild；andthesamebellwhichisasignaltocarrymeonwardtowardsthemwillpartthispoormanandhiswifeforever。Dependuponit，Godwillbringyouintojudgmentforthis。”

Thetraderturnedawayinsilence。

“Isay，now，”saidthedrover，touchinghiselbow，“there’sdifferencesinparsons，an’tthere？‘CussedbeCanaan’don’tseemtogodownwiththis’un，doesit？”

Haleygaveanuneasygrowl。

“Andthataran’ttheworston’t，”saidJohn；“mabbeeitwon’tgodownwiththeLord，neither，whenyecometosettlewithHim，oneo’thesedays，asallonusmust，Ireckon。”

Haleywalkedreflectivelytotheotherendoftheboat。

“IfImakeprettyhandsomelyononeortwonextgangs，”hethought，“IreckonI’llstopoffthisyer；it’sreallygettingdangerous。”Andhetookouthispocket-book，andbeganaddingoverhisaccounts，—aprocesswhichmanygentlemenbesidesMr。Haleyhavefoundaspecificforanuneasyconscience。

Theboatsweptproudlyawayfromtheshore，andallwentonmerrily，asbefore。Mentalked，andloafed，andread，andsmoked。Womensewed，andchildrenplayed，andtheboatpassedonherway。

Oneday，whenshelaytoforawhileatasmalltowninKentucky，Haleywentupintotheplaceonalittlematterofbusiness。

Tom，whosefettersdidnotpreventhistakingamoderatecircuit，haddrawnnearthesideoftheboat，andstoodlistlesslygazingovertherailing。Afteratime，hesawthetraderreturning，withanalertstep，incompanywithacoloredwoman，bearinginherarmsayoungchild。Shewasdressedquiterespectably，andacoloredmanfollowedher，bringingalongasmalltrunk。Thewomancamecheerfullyonward，talking，asshecame，withthemanwhoborehertrunk，andsopasseduptheplankintotheboat。Thebellrung，thesteamerwhizzed，theenginegroanedandcoughed，andawayswepttheboatdowntheriver。

Thewomanwalkedforwardamongtheboxesandbalesofthelowerdeck，and，sittingdown，busiedherselfwithchirrupingtoherbaby。

Haleymadeaturnortwoabouttheboat，andthen，comingup，seatedhimselfnearher，andbegansayingsomethingtoherinanindifferentundertone。

Tomsoonnoticedaheavycloudpassingoverthewoman’sbrow；andthatsheansweredrapidly，andwithgreatvehemence。

“Idon’tbelieveit，—Iwon’tbelieveit！”heheardhersay。“You’rejistafoolinwithme。”

“Ifyouwon’tbelieveit，lookhere！”saidtheman，drawingoutapaper；“thisyer’sthebillofsale，andthere’syourmaster’snametoit；andIpaiddowngoodsolidcashforit，too，Icantellyou，—so，now！”

“Idon’tbelieveMas’rwouldcheatmeso；itcan’tbetrue！”saidthewoman，withincreasingagitation。

“Youcanaskanyofthesemenhere，thatcanreadwriting。Here！”hesaid，toamanthatwaspassingby，“jistreadthisyer，won’tyou！Thisyergalwon’tbelieveme，whenItellherwhat’tis。”

“Why，it’sabillofsale，signedbyJohnFosdick，”saidtheman，“makingovertoyouthegirlLucyandherchild。It’sallstraightenough，foraughtIsee。”

Thewoman’spassionateexclamationscollectedacrowdaroundher，andthetraderbrieflyexplainedtothemthecauseoftheagitation。

“HetoldmethatIwasgoingdowntoLouisville，tohireoutascooktothesametavernwheremyhusbandworks，—that’swhatMas’rtoldme，hisownself；andIcan’tbelievehe’dlietome，”saidthewoman。

“Buthehassoldyou，mypoorwoman，there’snodoubtaboutit，”saidagood-naturedlookingman，whohadbeenexaminingthepapers；“hehasdoneit，andnomistake。”

“Thenit’snoaccounttalking，”saidthewoman，suddenlygrowingquitecalm；and，claspingherchildtighterinherarms，shesatdownonherbox，turnedherbackround，andgazedlistlesslyintotheriver。

“Goingtotakeiteasy，afterall！”saidthetrader。“Gal’sgotgrit，Isee。”

Thewomanlookedcalm，astheboatwenton；andabeautifulsoftsummerbreezepassedlikeacompassionatespiritoverherhead，—thegentlebreeze，thatneverinquireswhetherthebrowisduskyorfairthatitfans。Andshesawsunshinesparklingonthewater，ingoldenripples，andheardgayvoices，fullofeaseandpleasure，talkingaroundhereverywhere；butherheartlayasifagreatstonehadfallenonit。Herbabyraisedhimselfupagainsther，andstrokedhercheekswithhislittlehands；and，springingupanddown，crowingandchatting，seemeddeterminedtoarouseher。Shestrainedhimsuddenlyandtightlyinherarms，andslowlyonetearafteranotherfellonhiswondering，unconsciousface；andgraduallysheseemed，andlittlebylittle，togrowcalmer，andbusiedherselfwithtendingandnursinghim。

Thechild，aboyoftenmonths，wasuncommonlylargeandstrongofhisage，andveryvigorousinhislimbs。Never，foramoment，still，hekepthismotherconstantlybusyinholdinghim，andguardinghisspringingactivity。

“That’safinechap！”saidaman，suddenlystoppingoppositetohim，withhishandsinhispockets。“Howoldishe？”

“Tenmonthsandahalf，”saidthemother。

Themanwhistledtotheboy，andofferedhimpartofastickofcandy，whichheeagerlygrabbedat，andverysoonhaditinababy’sgeneraldepository，towit，hismouth。

“Rumfellow！”saidtheman“Knowswhat’swhat！”andhewhistled，andwalkedon。Whenhehadgottotheothersideoftheboat，hecameacrossHaley，whowassmokingontopofapileofboxes。

Thestrangerproducedamatch，andlightedacigar，saying，ashedidso，

“Decentishkindo’wenchyou’vegotroundthere，stranger。”

“Why，Ireckonsheistol’ablefair，”saidHaley，blowingthesmokeoutofhismouth。

“Takingherdownsouth？”saidtheman。

Haleynodded，andsmokedon。

“Plantationhand？”saidtheman。

“Wal，”saidHaley，“I’mfillin’outanorderforaplantation，andIthinkIshallputherin。Theytelledmeshewasagoodcook；andtheycanuseherforthat，orsetheratthecotton-picking。She’sgottherightfingersforthat；Ilookedat’em。Sellwell，eitherway；”andHaleyresumedhiscigar。

“Theywon’twanttheyoung’unontheplantation，”saidtheman。

“Ishallsellhim，firstchanceIfind，”saidHaley，lightinganothercigar。

“S’poseyou’dbesellinghimtol’ablecheap，”saidthestranger，mountingthepileofboxes，andsittingdowncomfortably。

“Don’tknow’boutthat，”saidHaley；“he’saprettysmartyoung’un，straight，fat，strong；fleshashardasabrick！”

“Verytrue，butthenthere’sthebotherandexpenseofraisin’。”

“Nonsense！”saidHaley；“theyisraisedaseasyasanykindofcritterthereisgoing；theyan’tabitmoretroublethanpups。Thisyerchapwillberunningallaround，inamonth。”

“I’vegotagoodplaceforraisin’，andIthoughtoftakin’inalittlemorestock，”saidtheman。“Onecooklostayoung’unlastweek，—gotdrowndedinawashtub，whileshewasahangin’outtheclothes，—andIreckonitwouldbewellenoughtosethertoraisin’thisyer。”

Haleyandthestrangersmokedawhileinsilence，neitherseemingwillingtobroachthetestquestionoftheinterview。Atlastthemanresumed:

“Youwouldn’tthinkofwantin’morethantendollarsforthatarchap，seeingyoumustgethimoffyerhand，anyhow？”

Haleyshookhishead，andspitimpressively。

“Thatwon’tdo，noways，”hesaid，andbeganhissmokingagain。

“Well，stranger，whatwillyoutake？”

“Well，now，”saidHaley，“Icouldraisethatarchapmyself，orgethimraised；he’soncommonlikelyandhealthy，andhe’dfetchahundreddollars，sixmonthshence；and，inayearortwo，he’dbringtwohundred，ifIhadhimintherightspot；Ishan’ttakeacentlessnorfiftyforhimnow。”

“O，stranger！that’srediculous，altogether，”saidtheman。

“Fact！”saidHaley，withadecisivenodofhishead。

“I’llgivethirtyforhim，”saidthestranger，“butnotacentmore。”

“Now，I’lltellyewhatIwilldo，”saidHaley，spittingagain，withreneweddecision。“I’llsplitthedifference，andsayforty-five；andthat’sthemostIwilldo。”

“Well，agreed！”saidtheman，afteraninterval。

“Done！”saidHaley。“Wheredoyouland？”

“AtLouisville，”saidtheman。

“Louisville，”saidHaley。“Veryfair，wegetthereaboutdusk。Chapwillbeasleep，—allfair，—gethimoffquietly，andnoscreaming，—happensbeautiful，—Iliketodoeverythingquietly，—Ihatesallkindofagitationandfluster。”Andso，afteratransferofcertainbillshadpassedfromtheman’spocket-booktothetrader’s，heresumedhiscigar。

Itwasabright，tranquileveningwhentheboatstoppedatthewharfatLouisville。Thewomanhadbeensittingwithherbabyinherarms，nowwrappedinaheavysleep。Whensheheardthenameoftheplacecalledout，shehastilylaidthechilddowninalittlecradleformedbythehollowamongtheboxes，firstcarefullyspreadingunderithercloak；andthenshesprungtothesideoftheboat，inhopesthat，amongthevarioushotel-waiterswhothrongedthewharf，shemightseeherhusband。Inthishope，shepressedforwardtothefrontrails，and，stretchingfaroverthem，strainedhereyesintentlyonthemovingheadsontheshore，andthecrowdpressedinbetweenherandthechild。

“Now’syourtime，”saidHaley，takingthesleepingchildup，andhandinghimtothestranger。“Don’twakehimup，andsethimtocrying，now；itwouldmakeadevilofafusswiththegal。”Themantookthebundlecarefully，andwassoonlostinthecrowdthatwentupthewharf。

Whentheboat，creaking，andgroaning，andpuffing，hadloosedfromthewharf，andwasbeginningslowlytostrainherselfalong，thewomanreturnedtoheroldseat。Thetraderwassittingthere，—thechildwasgone！

“Why，why，—where？”shebegan，inbewilderedsurprise。

“Lucy，”saidthetrader，“yourchild’sgone；youmayaswellknowitfirstaslast。Yousee，Iknow’dyoucouldn’ttakehimdownsouth；andIgotachancetosellhimtoafirst-ratefamily，that’llraisehimbetterthanyoucan。”

ThetraderhadarrivedatthatstageofChristianandpoliticalperfectionwhichhasbeenrecommendedbysomepreachersandpoliticiansofthenorth，lately，inwhichhehadcompletelyovercomeeveryhumaneweaknessandprejudice。Hisheartwasexactlywhereyours，sir，andminecouldbebrought，withpropereffortandcultivation。Thewildlookofanguishandutterdespairthatthewomancastonhimmighthavedisturbedonelesspractised；buthewasusedtoit。Hehadseenthatsamelookhundredsoftimes。Youcangetusedtosuchthings，too，myfriend；anditisthegreatobjectofrecenteffortstomakeourwholenortherncommunityusedtothem，forthegloryoftheUnion。Sothetraderonlyregardedthemortalanguishwhichhesawworkinginthosedarkfeatures，thoseclenchedhands，andsuffocatingbreathings，asnecessaryincidentsofthetrade，andmerelycalculatedwhethershewasgoingtoscream，andgetupacommotionontheboat；for，likeothersupportersofourpeculiarinstitution，hedecidedlydislikedagitation。

Butthewomandidnotscream。Theshothadpassedtoostraightanddirectthroughtheheart，forcryortear。

Dizzilyshesatdown。Herslackhandsfelllifelessbyherside。Hereyeslookedstraightforward，butshesawnothing。Allthenoiseandhumoftheboat，thegroaningofthemachinery，mingleddreamilytoherbewilderedear；andthepoor，dumb-strickenhearthadneithercrynotteartoshowforitsuttermisery。Shewasquitecalm。

Thetrader，who，consideringhisadvantages，wasalmostashumaneassomeofourpoliticians，seemedtofeelcalledontoadministersuchconsolationasthecaseadmittedof。

“Iknowthisyercomeskinderhard，atfirst，Lucy，”saidhe；“butsuchasmart，sensiblegalasyouare，won’tgivewaytoit。Youseeit’snecessary，andcan’tbehelped！”

“O！don’t，Mas’r，don’t！”saidthewoman，withavoicelikeonethatissmothering。

“You’reasmartwench，Lucy，”hepersisted；“Imeantodowellbyye，andgetyeaniceplacedownriver；andyou’llsoongetanotherhusband，—suchalikelygalasyou—”

“O！Mas’r，ifyouonlywon’ttalktomenow，”saidthewoman，inavoiceofsuchquickandlivinganguishthatthetraderfeltthattherewassomethingatpresentinthecasebeyondhisstyleofoperation。Hegotup，andthewomanturnedaway，andburiedherheadinhercloak。

Thetraderwalkedupanddownforatime，andoccasionallystoppedandlookedather。

“Takesithard，rather，”hesoliloquized，“butquiet，tho’；—lethersweatawhile；she’llcomeright，byandby！”

Tomhadwatchedthewholetransactionfromfirsttolast，andhadaperfectunderstandingofitsresults。Tohim，itlookedlikesomethingunutterablyhorribleandcruel，because，poor，ignorantblacksoul！hehadnotlearnedtogeneralize，andtotakeenlargedviews。IfhehadonlybeeninstructedbycertainministersofChristianity，hemighthavethoughtbetterofit，andseeninitanevery-dayincidentofalawfultrade；atradewhichisthevitalsuportofaninstitutionwhichanAmericandivine3tellsushas“noevilsbutsuchasareinseparablefromanyotherrelationsinsocialanddomesticlife。”ButTom，aswesee，beingapoor，ignorantfellow，whosereadinghadbeenconfinedentirelytotheNewTestament，couldnotcomfortandsolacehimselfwithviewslikethese。Hisverysoulbledwithinhimforwhatseemedtohimthewrongsofthepoorsufferingthingthatlaylikeacrushedreedontheboxes；thefeeling，living，bleeding，yetimmortalthing，whichAmericanstatelawcoollyclasseswiththebundles，andbales，andboxes，amongwhichsheislying。

Tomdrewnear，andtriedtosaysomething；butsheonlygroaned。Honestly，andwithtearsrunningdownhisowncheeks，hespokeofaheartofloveintheskies，ofapityingJesus，andaneternalhome；buttheearwasdeafwithanguish，andthepalsiedheartcouldnotfeel。

Nightcameon，—nightcalm，unmoved，andglorious，shiningdownwithherinnumerableandsolemnangeleyes，twinkling，beautiful，butsilent。Therewasnospeechnorlanguage，nopityingvoiceorhelpinghand，fromthatdistantsky。Oneafteranother，thevoicesofbusinessorpleasurediedaway；allontheboatweresleeping，andtheripplesattheprowwereplainlyheard。Tomstretchedhimselfoutonabox，andthere，ashelay，heheard，everandanon，asmotheredsoborcryfromtheprostratecreature，—“O！whatshallIdo？OLord！OgoodLord，dohelpme！”andso，everandanon，untilthemurmurdiedawayinsilence。

Atmidnight，Tomwaked，withasuddenstart。Somethingblackpassedquicklybyhimtothesideoftheboat，andheheardasplashinthewater。Nooneelsesaworheardanything。Heraisedhishead，—thewoman’splacewasvacant！Hegotup，andsoughtabouthiminvain。Thepoorbleedingheartwasstill，atlast，andtheriverrippledanddimpledjustasbrightlyasifithadnotclosedaboveit。

Patience！patience！yewhoseheartsswellindignantatwrongslikethese。Notonethrobofanguish，notonetearoftheoppressed，isforgottenbytheManofSorrows，theLordofGlory。Inhispatient，generousbosomhebearstheanguishofaworld。Bearthou，likehim，inpatience，andlaborinlove；forsureasheisGod，“theyearofhisredeemedshallcome。”

Thetraderwakedupbrightandearly，andcameouttoseetohislivestock。Itwasnowhisturntolookaboutinperplexity。

“Wherealiveisthatgal？”hesaidtoTom。

Tom，whohadlearnedthewisdomofkeepingcounsel，didnotfeelcalledupontostatehisobservationsandsuspicions，butsaidhedidnotknow。

“Shesurelycouldn’thavegotoffinthenightatanyofthelandings，forIwasawake，andonthelookout，whenevertheboatstopped。Inevertrusttheseyerthingstootherfolks。”

ThisspeechwasaddressedtoTomquiteconfidentially，asifitwassomethingthatwouldbespeciallyinterestingtohim。Tommadenoanswer。

Thetradersearchedtheboatfromstemtostern，amongboxes，balesandbarrels，aroundthemachinery，bythechimneys，invain。

“Now，Isay，Tom，befairaboutthisyer，”hesaid，when，afterafruitlesssearch，hecamewhereTomwasstanding。“Youknowsomethingaboutit，now。Don’ttellme，—Iknowyoudo。Isawthegalstretchedouthereaboutteno’clock，andag’inattwelve，andag’inbetweenoneandtwo；andthenatfourshewasgone，andyouwasasleepingrightthereallthetime。Now，youknowsomething，—youcan’thelpit。”

“Well，Mas’r，”saidTom，“towardsmorningsomethingbrushedbyme，andIkinderhalfwoke；andthenIhearnagreatsplash，andthenIclarewokeup，andthegalwasgone。That’sallIknowon’t。”

Thetraderwasnotshockednoramazed；because，aswesaidbefore，hewasusedtoagreatmanythingsthatyouarenotusedto。EventheawfulpresenceofDeathstrucknosolemnchilluponhim。HehadseenDeathmanytimes，—methiminthewayoftrade，andgotacquaintedwithhim，—andheonlythoughtofhimasahardcustomer，thatembarrassedhispropertyoperationsveryunfairly；andsoheonlysworethatthegalwasabaggage，andthathewasdevilishunlucky，andthat，ifthingswentoninthisway，heshouldnotmakeacentonthetrip。Inshort，heseemedtoconsiderhimselfanill-usedman，decidedly；buttherewasnohelpforit，asthewomanhadescapedintoastatewhichneverwillgiveupafugitive，—notevenatthedemandofthewholegloriousUnion。Thetrader，therefore，satdiscontentedlydown，withhislittleaccount-book，andputdownthemissingbodyandsoulundertheheadoflosses！

“He’sashockingcreature，isn’the，—thistrader？sounfeeling！It’sdreadful，really！”

“O，butnobodythinksanythingofthesetraders！Theyareuniversallydespised，—neverreceivedintoanydecentsociety。”

Butwho，sir，makesthetrader？Whoismosttoblame？Theenlightened，cultivated，intelligentman，whosupportsthesystemofwhichthetraderistheinevitableresult，orthepoortraderhimself？Youmakethepublicstatementthatcallsforhistrade，thatdebauchesanddepraveshim，tillhefeelsnoshameinit；andinwhatareyoubetterthanhe？

Areyoueducatedandheignorant，youhighandhelow，yourefinedandhecoarse，youtalentedandhesimple？

Inthedayofafuturejudgment，theseveryconsiderationsmaymakeitmoretolerableforhimthanforyou。

Inconcludingtheselittleincidentsoflawfultrade，wemustbegtheworldnottothinkthatAmericanlegislatorsareentirelydestituteofhumanity，asmight，perhaps，beunfairlyinferredfromthegreateffortsmadeinournationalbodytoprotectandperpetuatethisspeciesoftraffic。

Whodoesnotknowhowourgreatmenareoutdoingthemselves，indeclaimingagainsttheforeignslave-trade。ThereareaperfecthostofClarksonsandWilberforces4risenupamongusonthatsubject，mostedifyingtohearandbehold。TradingnegroesfromAfrica，dearreader，issohorrid！Itisnottobethoughtof！ButtradingthemfromKentucky，—that’squiteanotherthing！

1Jer。31:15。

2Gen。9:25。ThisiswhatNoahsayswhenhewakesoutofdrunkennessandrealizesthathisyoungestson，Ham，fatherofCanaan，hasseenhimnaked。

3Dr。JoelParkerofPhiladelphia。[Mrs。Stowe’snote。]Presbyterianclergyman(1799-1873)，afriendoftheBeecherfamily。Mrs。Stoweattemptedunsuccessfullytohavethisidentifyingnoteremovedfromthestereotype-plateofthefirstedition。

4ThomasClarkson(1760-1846)andWilliamWilberforce(1759-1833)，Englishphilanthropistsandanti-slaveryagitatorswhohelpedtosecurepassageoftheEmancipationBillbyParliamentin1833。

TheQuakerSettlement

Aquietscenenowrisesbeforeus。Alarge，roomy，neatly-paintedkitchen，itsyellowfloorglossyandsmooth，andwithoutaparticleofdust；aneat，well-blackedcooking-stove；rowsofshiningtin，suggestiveofunmentionablegoodthingstotheappetite；glossygreenwoodchairs，oldandfirm；asmallflag-bottomedrocking-chair，withapatch-workcushioninit，neatlycontrivedoutofsmallpiecesofdifferentcoloredwoollengoods，andalargersizedone，motherlyandold，whosewidearmsbreathedhospitableinvitation，secondedbythesolicitationofitsfeathercushions，—arealcomfortable，persuasiveoldchair，andworth，inthewayofhonest，homelyenjoyment，adozenofyourplushorbrochetelledrawing-roomgentry；andinthechair，gentlyswayingbackandforward，hereyesbentonsomefinesewing，satourfineoldfriendEliza。Yes，theresheis，palerandthinnerthaninherKentuckyhome，withaworldofquietsorrowlyingundertheshadowofherlongeyelashes，andmarkingtheoutlineofhergentlemouth！Itwasplaintoseehowoldandfirmthegirlishheartwasgrownunderthedisciplineofheavysorrow；andwhen，anon，herlargedarkeyewasraisedtofollowthegambolsofherlittleHarry，whowassporting，likesometropicalbutterfly，hitherandthitheroverthefloor，sheshowedadepthoffirmnessandsteadyresolvethatwasneverthereinherearlierandhappierdays。

Byhersidesatawomanwithabrighttinpaninherlap，intowhichshewascarefullysortingsomedriedpeaches。Shemightbefifty-fiveorsixty；butherswasoneofthosefacesthattimeseemstotouchonlytobrightenandadorn。Thesnowyfissecrapecap，madeafterthestraitQuakerpattern，—theplainwhitemuslinhandkerchief，lyinginplacidfoldsacrossherbosom，—thedrabshawlanddress，—showedatoncethecommunitytowhichshebelonged。Herfacewasroundandrosy，withahealthfuldownysoftness，suggestiveofaripepeach。Herhair，partiallysilveredbyage，waspartedsmoothlybackfromahighplacidforehead，onwhichtimehadwrittennoinscription，exceptpeaceonearth，goodwilltomen，andbeneathshonealargepairofclear，honest，lovingbrowneyes；youonlyneededtolookstraightintothem，tofeelthatyousawtothebottomofaheartasgoodandtrueaseverthrobbedinwoman’sbosom。Somuchhasbeensaidandsungofbeautifulyounggirls，whydon’tsomebodywakeuptothebeautyofoldwomen？Ifanywanttogetupaninspirationunderthishead，wereferthemtoourgoodfriendRachelHalliday，justasshesitsthereinherlittlerocking-chair。Ithadaturnforquackingandsqueaking，—thatchairhad，—eitherfromhavingtakencoldinearlylife，orfromsomeasthmaticaffection，orperhapsfromnervousderangement；but，asshegentlyswungbackwardandforward，thechairkeptupakindofsubdued“creechycrawchy，”thatwouldhavebeenintolerableinanyotherchair。ButoldSimeonHallidayoftendeclareditwasasgoodasanymusictohim，andthechildrenallavowedthattheywouldn’tmissofhearingmother’schairforanythingintheworld。Forwhy？fortwentyyearsormore，nothingbutlovingwords，andgentlemoralities，andmotherlylovingkindness，hadcomefromthatchair；—head-achesandheart-achesinnumerablehadbeencuredthere，—difficultiesspiritualandtemporalsolvedthere，—allbyonegood，lovingwoman，Godblessher！

“AndsotheestillthinksofgoingtoCanada，Eliza？”shesaid，asshewasquietlylookingoverherpeaches。

“Yes，ma’am，”saidEliza，firmly。“Imustgoonward。Idarenotstop。”

“Andwhat’lltheedo，whentheegetsthere？Theemustthinkaboutthat，mydaughter。”

“Mydaughter”camenaturallyfromthelipsofRachelHalliday；forherswasjustthefaceandformthatmade“mother”seemthemostnaturalwordintheworld。

Eliza’shandstrembled，andsometearsfellonherfinework；butsheanswered，firmly，

“Ishalldo—anythingIcanfind。IhopeIcanfindsomething。”

“Theeknowstheecanstayhere，aslongastheepleases，”saidRachel。

“O，thankyou，”saidEliza，“but”—shepointedtoHarry—“Ican’tsleepnights；Ican’trest。nightIdreamedIsawthatmancomingintotheyard，”shesaid，shuddering。

“Poorchild！”saidRachel，wipinghereyes；“buttheemustn’tfeelso。TheLordhathordereditsothatneverhathafugitivebeenstolenfromourvillage。Itrustthinewillnotbethefirst。”

Thedoorhereopened，andalittleshort，round，pin-cushionywomanstoodatthedoor，withacheery，bloomingface，likearipeapple。Shewasdressed，likeRachel，insobergray，withthemuslinfoldedneatlyacrossherround，plumplittlechest。

“RuthStedman，”saidRachel，comingjoyfullyforward；“howisthee，Ruth？shesaid，heartilytakingbothherhands。

“Nicely，”saidRuth，takingoffherlittledrabbonnet，anddustingitwithherhandkerchief，displaying，asshedidso，aroundlittlehead，onwhichtheQuakercapsatwithasortofjauntyair，despiteallthestrokingandpattingofthesmallfathands，whichwerebusilyappliedtoarrangingit。Certainstraylocksofdecidedlycurlyhair，too，hadescapedhereandthere，andhadtobecoaxedandcajoledintotheirplaceagain；andthenthenewcomer，whomighthavebeenfive-and-twenty，turnedfromthesmalllooking-glass，beforewhichshehadbeenmakingthesearrangements，andlookedwellpleased，—asmostpeoplewholookedathermighthavebeen，—forshewasdecidedlyawholesome，whole-hearted，chirrupinglittlewoman，asevergladdenedman’sheartwithal。

“Ruth，thisfriendisElizaHarris；andthisisthelittleboyItoldtheeof。”

“Iamgladtoseethee，Eliza，—very，”saidRuth，shakinghands，asifElizawereanoldfriendshehadlongbeenexpecting；“andthisisthydearboy，—Ibroughtacakeforhim，”shesaid，holdingoutalittlehearttotheboy，whocameup，gazingthroughhiscurls，andaccepteditshyly。

“Where’sthybaby，Ruth？”saidRachel。

“O，he’scoming；butthyMarycaughthimasIcamein，andranoffwithhimtothebarn，toshowhimtothechildren。”

Atthismoment，thedooropened，andMary，anhonest，rosy-lookinggirl，withlargebrowneyes，likehermother’s，cameinwiththebaby。

“Ah！ha！”saidRachel，comingup，andtakingthegreat，white，fatfellowinherarms，“howgoodhelooks，andhowhedoesgrow！”

“Tobesure，hedoes，”saidlittlebustlingRuth，asshetookthechild，andbegantakingoffalittlebluesilkhood，andvariouslayersandwrappersofoutergarments；andhavinggivenatwitchhere，andapullthere，andvariouslyadjustedandarrangedhim，andkissedhimheartily，shesethimonthefloortocollecthisthoughts。Babyseemedquiteusedtothismodeofproceeding，forheputhisthumbinhismouth(asifitwerequiteathingofcourse)，andseemedsoonabsorbedinhisownreflections，whilethemotherseatedherself，andtakingoutalongstockingofmixedblueandwhiteyarn，begantoknitwithbriskness。

“Mary，thee’dbetterfillthekettle，hadn’tthee？”gentlysuggestedthemother。

Marytookthekettletothewell，andsoonreappearing，placeditoverthestove，whereitwassoonpurringandsteaming，asortofcenserofhospitalityandgoodcheer。Thepeaches，moreover，inobediencetoafewgentlewhispersfromRachel，weresoondeposited，bythesamehand，inastew-panoverthefire。

Rachelnowtookdownasnowymoulding-board，and，tyingonanapron，proceededquietlytomakingupsomebiscuits，firstsayingtoMary，—“Mary，hadn’ttheebettertellJohntogetachickenready？”andMarydisappearedaccordingly。

“AndhowisAbigailPeters？”saidRachel，asshewentonwithherbiscuits。

“O，she’sbetter，”saidRuth；“Iwasin，thismorning；madethebed，tidiedupthehouse。LeahHillswentin，thisafternoon，andbakedbreadandpiesenoughtolastsomedays；andIengagedtogobacktogetherup，thisevening。”

“Iwillgointomorrow，anddoanycleaningtheremaybe，andlookoverthemending，”saidRachel。

“Ah！thatiswell，”saidRuth。“I’veheard，”sheadded，“thatHannahStanwoodissick。Johnwasupthere，lastnight，—Imustgotheretomorrow。”

“Johncancomeinheretohismeals，iftheeneedstostayallday，”suggestedRachel。

“Thankthee，Rachel；willsee，tomorrow；but，herecomesSimeon。”

SimeonHalliday，atall，straight，muscularman，indrabcoatandpantaloons，andbroad-brimmedhat，nowentered。

“Howisthee，Ruth？”hesaid，warmly，ashespreadhisbroadopenhandforherlittlefatpalm；“andhowisJohn？”

“O！Johniswell，andalltherestofourfolks，”saidRuth，cheerily。

“Anynews，father？”saidRachel，asshewasputtingherbiscuitsintotheoven。

“PeterStebbinstoldmethattheyshouldbealongtonight，withfriends，”saidSimeon，significantly，ashewaswashinghishandsataneatsink，inalittlebackporch。

“Indeed！”saidRachel，lookingthoughtfully，andglancingatEliza。

“DidtheesaythynamewasHarris？”saidSimeontoEliza，ashereentered。

Rachelglancedquicklyatherhusband，asElizatremulouslyanswered“yes；”herfears，everuppermost，suggestingthatpossiblytheremightbeadvertisementsoutforher。

“Mother！”saidSimeon，standingintheporch，andcallingRachelout。

“Whatdoestheewant，father？”saidRachel，rubbingherflouryhands，asshewentintotheporch。

“Thischild’shusbandisinthesettlement，andwillbeheretonight，”saidSimeon。

“Now，theedoesn’tsaythat，father？”saidRachel，allherfaceradiantwithjoy。

“It’sreallytrue。Peterwasdownyesterday，withthewagon，totheotherstand，andtherehefoundanoldwomanandtwomen；andonesaidhisnamewasGeorgeHarris；andfromwhathetoldofhishistory，Iamcertainwhoheis。Heisabright，likelyfellow，too。”

“Shallwetellhernow？”saidSimeon。

“Let’stellRuth，”saidRachel。“Here，Ruth，—comehere。”

Ruthlaiddownherknitting-work，andwasinthebackporchinamoment。

“Ruth，whatdoestheethink？”saidRachel。“FathersaysEliza’shusbandisinthelastcompany，andwillbeheretonight。”

AburstofjoyfromthelittleQuakeressinterruptedthespeech。Shegavesuchaboundfromthefloor，assheclappedherlittlehands，thattwostraycurlsfellfromunderherQuakercap，andlaybrightlyonherwhiteneckerchief。

“Hushthee，dear！”saidRachel，gently；“hush，Ruth！Tellus，shallwetellhernow？”

“Now！tobesure，—thisveryminute。Why，now，suppose’twasmyJohn，howshouldIfeel？Dotellher，rightoff。”

“Theeusesthyselfonlytolearnhowtolovethyneighbor，Ruth，”saidSimeon，looking，withabeamingface，onRuth。

“Tobesure。Isn’titwhatwearemadefor？IfIdidn’tloveJohnandthebaby，Ishouldnotknowhowtofeelforher。Come，nowdotellher，—do！”andshelaidherhandspersuasivelyonRachel’sarm。“Takeherintothybed-room，there，andletmefrythechickenwhiletheedoesit。”

Rachelcameoutintothekitchen，whereElizawassewing，andopeningthedoorofasmallbed-room，said，gently，“Comeinherewithme，mydaughter；Ihavenewstotellthee。”

ThebloodflushedinEliza’spaleface；sherose，tremblingwithnervousanxiety，andlookedtowardsherboy。

“No，no，”saidlittleRuth，dartingup，andseizingherhands。“Nevertheefear；it’sgoodnews，Eliza，—goin，goin！”Andshegentlypushedhertothedoorwhichclosedafterher；andthen，turninground，shecaughtlittleHarryinherarms，andbegankissinghim。

“Thee’llseethyfather，littleone。Doestheeknowit？Thyfatheriscoming，”shesaid，overandoveragain，astheboylookedwonderinglyather。

Meanwhile，withinthedoor，anotherscenewasgoingon。RachelHallidaydrewElizatowardher，andsaid，“TheLordhathhadmercyonthee，daughter；thyhusbandhathescapedfromthehouseofbondage。”

ThebloodflushedtoEliza’scheekinasuddenglow，andwentbacktoherheartwithassuddenarush。Shesatdown，paleandfaint。

“Havecourage，child，”saidRachel，layingherhandonherhead。“Heisamongfriends，whowillbringhimheretonight。”

“Tonight！”Elizarepeated，“tonight！”Thewordslostallmeaningtoher；herheadwasdreamyandconfused；allwasmistforamoment。

Whensheawoke，shefoundherselfsnuglytuckeduponthebed，withablanketoverher，andlittleRuthrubbingherhandswithcamphor。Sheopenedhereyesinastateofdreamy，deliciouslanguor，suchasonewhohaslongbeenbearingaheavyload，andnowfeelsitgone，andwouldrest。Thetensionofthenerves，whichhadneverceasedamomentsincethefirsthourofherflight，hadgivenway，andastrangefeelingofsecurityandrestcameoverher；andasshelay，withherlarge，darkeyesopen，shefollowed，asinaquietdream，themotionsofthoseabouther。Shesawthedooropenintotheotherroom；sawthesupper-table，withitssnowycloth；heardthedreamymurmurofthesingingtea-kettle；sawRuthtrippingbackwardandforward，withplatesofcakeandsaucersofpreserves，andeverandanonstoppingtoputacakeintoHarry’shand，orpathishead，ortwinehislongcurlsroundhersnowyfingers。Shesawtheample，motherlyformofRachel，assheeverandanoncametothebedside，andsmoothedandarrangedsomethingaboutthebedclothes，andgaveatuckhereandthere，bywayofexpressinghergood-will；andwasconsciousofakindofsunshinebeamingdownuponherfromherlarge，clear，browneyes。ShesawRuth’shusbandcomein，—sawherflyuptohim，andcommencewhisperingveryearnestly，everandanon，withimpressivegesture，pointingherlittlefingertowardtheroom。Shesawher，withthebabyinherarms，sittingdowntotea；shesawthemallattable，andlittleHarryinahighchair，undertheshadowofRachel’samplewing；therewerelowmurmursoftalk，gentletinklingoftea-spoons，andmusicalclatterofcupsandsaucers，andallmingledinadelightfuldreamofrest；andElizaslept，asshehadnotsleptbefore，sincethefearfulmidnighthourwhenshehadtakenherchildandfledthroughthefrostystarlight。

Shedreamedofabeautifulcountry，—aland，itseemedtoher，ofrest，—greenshores，pleasantislands，andbeautifullyglitteringwater；andthere，inahousewhichkindvoicestoldherwasahome，shesawherboyplaying，freeandhappychild。Sheheardherhusband’sfootsteps；shefelthimcomingnearer；hisarmswerearoundher，histearsfallingonherface，andsheawoke！Itwasnodream。Thedaylighthadlongfaded；herchildlaycalmlysleepingbyherside；acandlewasburningdimlyonthestand，andherhusbandwassobbingbyherpillow。

ThenextmorningwasacheerfuloneattheQuakerhouse。“Mother”wasupbetimes，andsurroundedbybusygirlsandboys，whomwehadscarcetimetointroducetoourreadersyesterday，andwhoallmovedobedientlytoRachel’sgentle“Theehadbetter，”ormoregentle“Hadn’ttheebetter？”intheworkofgettingbreakfast；forabreakfastintheluxuriousvalleysofIndianaisathingcomplicatedandmultiform，and，likepickinguptherose-leavesandtrimmingthebushesinParadise，askingotherhandsthanthoseoftheoriginalmother。While，therefore，Johnrantothespringforfreshwater，andSimeonthesecondsiftedmealforcorn-cakes，andMarygroundcoffee，Rachelmovedgently，andquietlyabout，makingbiscuits，cuttingupchicken，anddiffusingasortofsunnyradianceoverthewholeproceedinggenerally。Iftherewasanydangeroffrictionorcollisionfromtheill-regulatedzealofsomanyyoungoperators，hergentle“Come！come！”or“Iwouldn’t，now，”wasquitesufficienttoallaythedifficulty。BardshavewrittenofthecestusofVenus，thatturnedtheheadsofalltheworldinsuccessivegenerations。Wehadrather，forourpart，havethecestusofRachelHalliday，thatkeptheadsfrombeingturned，andmadeeverythinggoonharmoniously。Wethinkitismoresuitedtoourmoderndays，decidedly。

Whileallotherpreparationsweregoingon，Simeontheelderstoodinhisshirt-sleevesbeforealittlelooking-glassinthecorner，engagedintheanti-patriarchaloperationofshaving。Everythingwentonsosociably，soquietly，soharmoniously，inthegreatkitchen，—itseemedsopleasanttoeveryonetodojustwhattheyweredoing，therewassuchanatmosphereofmutualconfidenceandgoodfellowshipeverywhere，—eventheknivesandforkshadasocialclatterastheywentontothetable；andthechickenandhamhadacheerfulandjoyousfizzleinthepan，asiftheyratherenjoyedbeingcookedthanotherwise；—andwhenGeorgeandElizaandlittleHarrycameout，theymetsuchahearty，rejoicingwelcome，nowonderitseemedtothemlikeadream。

Atlast，theywereallseatedatbreakfast，whileMarystoodatthestove，bakinggriddle-cakes，which，astheygainedthetrueexactgolden-browntintofperfection，weretransferredquitehandilytothetable。

Rachelneverlookedsotrulyandbenignlyhappyasattheheadofhertable。Therewassomuchmotherlinessandfull-heartednesseveninthewayshepassedaplateofcakesorpouredacupofcoffee，thatitseemedtoputaspiritintothefoodanddrinksheoffered。

ItwasthefirsttimethateverGeorgehadsatdownonequaltermsatanywhiteman’stable；andhesatdown，atfirst，withsomeconstraintandawkwardness；buttheyallexhaledandwentofflikefog，inthegenialmorningraysofthissimple，overflowingkindness。

This，indeed，wasahome，—home，—awordthatGeorgehadneveryetknownameaningfor；andabeliefinGod，andtrustinhisprovidence，begantoencirclehisheart，as，withagoldencloudofprotectionandconfidence，dark，misanthropic，piningatheisticdoubts，andfiercedespair，meltedawaybeforethelightofalivingGospel，breathedinlivingfaces，preachedbyathousandunconsciousactsofloveandgoodwill，which，likethecupofcoldwatergiveninthenameofadisciple，shallneverlosetheirreward。

“Father，whatiftheeshouldgetfoundoutagain？”saidSimeonsecond，ashebutteredhiscake。

“Ishouldpaymyfine，”saidSimeon，quietly。

“Butwhatiftheyputtheeinprison？”

“Couldn’ttheeandmothermanagethefarm？”saidSimeon，smiling。

“Mothercandoalmosteverything，”saidtheboy。“Butisn’titashametomakesuchlaws？”

“Theemustn’tspeakevilofthyrulers，Simeon，”saidhisfather，gravely。“TheLordonlygivesusourworldlygoodsthatwemaydojusticeandmercy；ifourrulersrequireapriceofusforit，wemustdeliveritup。

“Well，Ihatethoseoldslaveholders！”saidtheboy，whofeltasunchristianasbecameanymodernreformer。

“Iamsurprisedatthee，son，”saidSimeon；“thymothernevertaughttheeso。Iwoulddoeventhesamefortheslaveholderasfortheslave，iftheLordbroughthimtomydoorinaffliction。”

Simeonsecondblushedscarlet；buthismotheronlysmiled，andsaid，“Simeonismygoodboy；hewillgrowolder，byandby，andthenhewillbelikehisfather。”

“Ihope，mygoodsir，thatyouarenotexposedtoanydifficultyonouraccount，”saidGeorge，anxiously。

“Fearnothing，George，forthereforearewesentintotheworld。Ifwewouldnotmeettroubleforagoodcause，wewerenotworthyofourname。”

“But，forme，”saidGeorge，“Icouldnotbearit。”

“Fearnot，then，friendGeorge；itisnotforthee，butforGodandman，wedoit，”saidSimeon。“Andnowthoumustliebyquietlythisday，andtonight，atteno’clock，PhineasFletcherwillcarrytheeonwardtothenextstand，—theeandtherestoftheycompany。Thepursuersarehardafterthee；wemustnotdelay。”

“Ifthatisthecase，whywaittillevening？”saidGeorge。

“Thouartsafeherebydaylight，foreveryoneinthesettlementisaFriend，andallarewatching。Ithasbeenfoundsafertotravelbynight。”

Evangeline

“Ayoungstar！whichshone

O’erlife—toosweetanimage，forsuchglass！

Alovelybeing，scarcelyformedormoulded；

Arosewithallitssweetestleavesyetfolded。”

TheMississippi！How，asbyanenchantedwand，haveitsscenesbeenchanged，sinceChateaubriandwrotehisprose-poeticdescriptionofit，1asariverofmighty，unbrokensolitudes，rollingamidundreamedwondersofvegetableandanimalexistence。

Butasinanhour，thisriverofdreamsandwildromancehasemergedtoarealityscarcelylessvisionaryandsplendid。Whatotherriveroftheworldbearsonitsbosomtotheoceanthewealthandenterpriseofsuchanothercountry？—acountrywhoseproductsembraceallbetweenthetropicsandthepoles！Thoseturbidwaters，hurrying，foaming，tearingalong，anaptresemblanceofthatheadlongtideofbusinesswhichispouredalongitswavebyaracemorevehementandenergeticthananytheoldworldeversaw。Ah！wouldthattheydidnotalsobearalongamorefearfulfreight，—thetearsoftheoppressed，thesighsofthehelpless，thebitterprayersofpoor，ignorantheartstoanunknownGod—unknown，unseenandsilent，butwhowillyet“comeoutofhisplacetosaveallthepooroftheearth！”

Theslantinglightofthesettingsunquiversonthesea-likeexpanseoftheriver；theshiverycanes，andthetall，darkcypress，hungwithwreathsofdark，funerealmoss，glowinthegoldenray，astheheavily-ladensteamboatmarchesonward。

Piledwithcotton-bales，frommanyaplantation，upoverdeckandsides，tillsheseemsinthedistanceasquare，massiveblockofgray，shemovesheavilyonwardtothenearingmart。WemustlooksometimeamongitscrowdeddecksbeforeweshallfindagainourhumblefriendTom。Highontheupperdeck，inalittlenookamongtheeverywherepredominantcotton-bales，atlastwemayfindhim。

PartlyfromconfidenceinspiredbyMr。Shelby’srepresentations，andpartlyfromtheremarkablyinoffensiveandquietcharacteroftheman，TomhadinsensiblywonhiswayfarintotheconfidenceevenofsuchamanasHaley。

Atfirsthehadwatchedhimnarrowlythroughtheday，andneverallowedhimtosleepatnightunfettered；buttheuncomplainingpatienceandapparentcontentmentofTom’smannerledhimgraduallytodiscontinuetheserestraints，andforsometimeTomhadenjoyedasortofparoleofhonor，beingpermittedtocomeandgofreelywherehepleasedontheboat。

Everquietandobliging，andmorethanreadytolendahandineveryemergencywhichoccurredamongtheworkmenbelow，hehadwonthegoodopinionofallthehands，andspentmanyhoursinhelpingthemwithasheartyagoodwillaseverheworkedonaKentuckyfarm。

Whenthereseemedtobenothingforhimtodo，hewouldclimbtoanookamongthecotton-balesoftheupperdeck，andbusyhimselfinstudyingoverhisBible，—anditisthereweseehimnow。

ForahundredormoremilesaboveNewOrleans，theriverishigherthanthesurroundingcountry，androllsitstremendousvolumebetweenmassiveleveestwentyfeetinheight。Thetravellerfromthedeckofthesteamer，asfromsomefloatingcastletop，overlooksthewholecountryformilesandmilesaround。Tom，therefore，hadspreadoutfullbeforehim，inplantationafterplantation，amapofthelifetowhichhewasapproaching。

Hesawthedistantslavesattheirtoil；hesawafartheirvillagesofhutsgleamingoutinlongrowsonmanyaplantation，distantfromthestatelymansionsandpleasure-groundsofthemaster；—andasthemovingpicturepassedon，hispoor，foolishheartwouldbeturningbackwardtotheKentuckyfarm，withitsoldshadowybeeches，—tothemaster’shouse，withitswide，coolhalls，and，nearby，thelittlecabinovergrownwiththemultifloraandbignonia。Thereheseemedtoseefamiliarfacesofcomradeswhohadgrownupwithhimfrominfancy；hesawhisbusywife，bustlinginherpreparationsforhiseveningmeals；heheardthemerrylaughofhisboysattheirplay，andthechirrupofthebabyathisknee；andthen，withastart，allfaded，andhesawagainthecanebrakesandcypressesandglidingplantations，andheardagainthecreakingandgroaningofthemachinery，alltellinghimtooplainlythatallthatphaseoflifehadgonebyforever。

Insuchacase，youwritetoyourwife，andsendmessagestoyourchildren；butTomcouldnotwrite，—themailforhimhadnoexistence，andthegulfofseparationwasunbridgedbyevenafriendlywordorsignal。

Isitstrange，then，thatsometearsfallonthepagesofhisBible，ashelaysitonthecotton-bale，and，withpatientfinger，threadinghisslowwayfromwordtoword，tracesoutitspromises？Havinglearnedlateinlife，Tomwasbutaslowreader，andpassedonlaboriouslyfromversetoverse。Fortunateforhimwasitthatthebookhewasintentonwasonewhichslowreadingcannotinjure，—nay，onewhosewords，likeingotsofgold，seemoftentoneedtobeweighedseparately，thatthemindmaytakeintheirpricelessvalue。Letusfollowhimamoment，as，pointingtoeachword，andpronouncingeachhalfaloud，hereads，

“Let—not—your—heart—be—troubled。In—my—Father’s—house—are—many—mansions。I—go—to—prepare—a—place—for—you。”

Cicero，whenheburiedhisdarlingandonlydaughter，hadaheartasfullofhonestgriefaspoorTom’s，—perhapsnofuller，forbothwereonlymen；—butCicerocouldpauseovernosuchsublimewordsofhope，andlooktonosuchfuturereunion；andifhehadseenthem，tentoonehewouldnothavebelieved，—hemustfillhisheadfirstwithathousandquestionsofauthenticityofmanuscript，andcorrectnessoftranslation。But，topoorTom，thereitlay，justwhatheneeded，soevidentlytrueanddivinethatthepossibilityofaquestionneverenteredhissimplehead。Itmustbetrue；for，ifnottrue，howcouldhelive？

AsforTom’sBible，thoughithadnoannotationsandhelpsinmarginfromlearnedcommentators，stillithadbeenembellishedwithcertainway-marksandguide-boardsofTom’sowninvention，andwhichhelpedhimmorethanthemostlearnedexpositionscouldhavedone。IthadbeenhiscustomtogettheBiblereadtohimbyhismaster’schildren，inparticularbyyoungMasterGeorge；and，astheyread，hewoulddesignate，bybold，strongmarksanddashes，withpenandink，thepassageswhichmoreparticularlygratifiedhisearoraffectedhisheart。HisBiblewasthusmarkedthrough，fromoneendtotheother，withavarietyofstylesanddesignations；sohecouldinamomentseizeuponhisfavoritepassages，withoutthelaborofspellingoutwhatlaybetweenthem；—andwhileitlaytherebeforehim，everypassagebreathingofsomeoldhomescene，andrecallingsomepastenjoyment，hisBibleseemedtohimallofthislifethatremained，aswellasthepromiseofafutureone。

Amongthepassengersontheboatwasayounggentlemanoffortuneandfamily，residentinNewOrleans，whoborethenameofSt。Clare。Hehadwithhimadaughterbetweenfiveandsixyearsofage，togetherwithaladywhoseemedtoclaimrelationshiptoboth，andtohavethelittleoneespeciallyunderhercharge。

Tomhadoftencaughtglimpsesofthislittlegirl，—forshewasoneofthosebusy，trippingcreatures，thatcanbenomorecontainedinoneplacethanasunbeamorasummerbreeze，—norwassheonethat，onceseen，couldbeeasilyforgotten。

Herformwastheperfectionofchildishbeauty，withoutitsusualchubbinessandsquarenessofoutline。Therewasaboutitanundulatingandaerialgrace，suchasonemightdreamofforsomemythicandallegoricalbeing。Herfacewasremarkablelessforitsperfectbeautyoffeaturethanforasingularanddreamyearnestnessofexpression，whichmadetheidealstartwhentheylookedather，andbywhichthedullestandmostliteralwereimpressed，withoutexactlyknowingwhy。Theshapeofherheadandtheturnofherneckandbustwaspeculiarlynoble，andthelonggolden-brownhairthatfloatedlikeacloudaroundit，thedeepspiritualgravityofhervioletblueeyes，shadedbyheavyfringesofgoldenbrown，—allmarkedheroutfromotherchildren，andmadeeveryoneturnandlookafterher，assheglidedhitherandthitherontheboat。Nevertheless，thelittleonewasnotwhatyouwouldhavecalledeitheragravechildorasadone。Onthecontrary，anairyandinnocentplayfulnessseemedtoflickerliketheshadowofsummerleavesoverherchildishface，andaroundherbuoyantfigure。Shewasalwaysinmotion，alwayswithahalfsmileonherrosymouth，flyinghitherandthither，withanundulatingandcloud-liketread，singingtoherselfasshemovedasinahappydream。Herfatherandfemaleguardianwereincessantlybusyinpursuitofher，—but，whencaught，shemeltedfromthemagainlikeasummercloud；andasnowordofchidingorreproofeverfellonherearforwhatevershechosetodo，shepursuedherownwayallovertheboat。Alwaysdressedinwhite，sheseemedtomovelikeashadowthroughallsortsofplaces，withoutcontractingspotorstain；andtherewasnotacornerornook，aboveorbelow，wherethosefairyfootstepshadnotglided，andthatvisionarygoldenhead，withitsdeepblueeyes，fleetedalong。

Thefireman，ashelookedupfromhissweatytoil，sometimesfoundthoseeyeslookingwonderinglyintotheragingdepthsofthefurnace，andfearfullyandpityinglyathim，asifshethoughthiminsomedreadfuldanger。Anonthesteersmanatthewheelpausedandsmiled，asthepicture-likeheadgleamedthroughthewindowoftheroundhouse，andinamomentwasgoneagain。Athousandtimesadayroughvoicesblessedher，andsmilesofunwontedsoftnessstoleoverhardfaces，asshepassed；andwhenshetrippedfearlesslyoverdangerousplaces，rough，sootyhandswerestretchedinvoluntarilyouttosaveher，andsmoothherpath。

Tom，whohadthesoft，impressiblenatureofhiskindlyrace，everyearningtowardthesimpleandchildlike，watchedthelittlecreaturewithdailyincreasinginterest。Tohimsheseemedsomethingalmostdivine；andwheneverhergoldenheadanddeepblueeyespeeredoutuponhimfrombehindsomeduskycotton-bale，orlookeddownuponhimoversomeridgeofpackages，hehalfbelievedthathesawoneoftheangelssteppedoutofhisNewTestament。

OftenandoftenshewalkedmournfullyroundtheplacewhereHaley’sgangofmenandwomensatintheirchains。Shewouldglideinamongthem，andlookatthemwithanairofperplexedandsorrowfulearnestness；andsometimesshewouldlifttheirchainswithherslenderhands，andthensighwofully，assheglidedaway。Severaltimessheappearedsuddenlyamongthem，withherhandsfullofcandy，nuts，andoranges，whichshewoulddistributejoyfullytothem，andthenbegoneagain。

Tomwatchedthelittleladyagreatdeal，beforeheventuredonanyoverturestowardsacquaintanceship。Heknewanabundanceofsimpleactstopropitiateandinvitetheapproachesofthelittlepeople，andheresolvedtoplayhispartrightskilfully。Hecouldcutcunninglittlebasketsoutofcherry-stones，couldmakegrotesquefacesonhickory-nuts，orodd-jumpingfiguresoutofelder-pith，andhewasaveryPaninthemanufactureofwhistlesofallsizesandsorts。Hispocketswerefullofmiscellaneousarticlesofattraction，whichhehadhoardedindaysofoldforhismaster’schildren，andwhichhenowproduced，withcommendableprudenceandeconomy，onebyone，asoverturesforacquaintanceandfriendship。

Thelittleonewasshy，forallherbusyinterestineverythinggoingon，anditwasnoteasytotameher。Forawhile，shewouldperchlikeacanary-birdonsomeboxorpackagenearTom，whilebusyinthelittleartsafore-named，andtakefromhim，withakindofgravebashfulness，thelittlearticlesheoffered。Butatlasttheygotonquiteconfidentialterms。

“What’slittlemissy’sname？”saidTom，atlast，whenhethoughtmatterswereripetopushsuchaninquiry。

“EvangelineSt。Clare，”saidthelittleone，“thoughpapaandeverybodyelsecallmeEva。Now，what’syourname？”

“Myname’sTom；thelittlechil’enusedtocallmeUncleTom，waybacktharinKentuck。”

“ThenImeantocallyouUncleTom，because，yousee，Ilikeyou，”saidEva。“So，UncleTom，whereareyougoing？”

“Idon’tknow，MissEva。”

“Don’tknow？”saidEva。

“No，Iamgoingtobesoldtosomebody。Idon’tknowwho。”

“Mypapacanbuyyou，”saidEva，quickly；“andifhebuysyou，youwillhavegoodtimes。Imeantoaskhim，thisveryday。”

“Thankyou，mylittlelady，”saidTom。

Theboatherestoppedatasmalllandingtotakeinwood，andEva，hearingherfather’svoice，boundednimblyaway。Tomroseup，andwentforwardtoofferhisserviceinwooding，andsoonwasbusyamongthehands。

Evaandherfatherwerestandingtogetherbytherailingstoseetheboatstartfromthelanding-place，thewheelhadmadetwoorthreerevolutionsinthewater，when，bysomesuddenmovement，thelittleonesuddenlylostherbalanceandfellsheeroverthesideoftheboatintothewater。Herfather，scarceknowingwhathedid，wasplunginginafterher，butwasheldbackbysomebehindhim，whosawthatmoreefficientaidhadfollowedhischild。

Tomwasstandingjustunderheronthelowerdeck，asshefell。Hesawherstrikethewater，andsink，andwasafterherinamoment。Abroad-chested，strong-armedfellow，itwasnothingforhimtokeepafloatinthewater，till，inamomentortwothechildrosetothesurface，andhecaughtherinhisarms，and，swimmingwithhertotheboat-side，handedherup，alldripping，tothegraspofhundredsofhands，which，asiftheyhadallbelongedtooneman，werestretchedeagerlyouttoreceiveher。Afewmomentsmore，andherfatherboreher，drippingandsenseless，totheladies’cabin，where，asisusualincasesofthekind，thereensuedaverywell-meaningandkind-heartedstrifeamongthefemaleoccupantsgenerally，astowhoshoulddothemostthingstomakeadisturbance，andtohinderherrecoveryineverywaypossible。

Itwasasultry，closeday，thenextday，asthesteamerdrewneartoNewOrleans。Ageneralbustleofexpectationandpreparationwasspreadthroughtheboat；inthecabin，oneandanotherweregatheringtheirthingstogether，andarrangingthem，preparatorytogoingashore。Thestewardandchambermaid，andall，werebusilyengagedincleaning，furbishing，andarrangingthesplendidboat，preparatorytoagrandentree。

OnthelowerdecksatourfriendTom，withhisarmsfolded，andanxiously，fromtimetotime，turninghiseyestowardsagroupontheothersideoftheboat。

TherestoodthefairEvangeline，alittlepalerthanthedaybefore，butotherwiseexhibitingnotracesoftheaccidentwhichhadbefallenher。Agraceful，elegantly-formedyoungmanstoodbyher，carelesslyleaningoneelbowonabaleofcotton。whilealargepocket-booklayopenbeforehim。Itwasquiteevident，ataglance，thatthegentlemanwasEva’sfather。Therewasthesamenoblecastofhead，thesamelargeblueeyes，thesamegolden-brownhair；yettheexpressionwaswhollydifferent。Inthelarge，clearblueeyes，thoughinformandcolorexactlysimilar，therewaswantingthatmisty，dreamydepthofexpression；allwasclear，bold，andbright，butwithalightwhollyofthisworld:thebeautifullycutmouthhadaproudandsomewhatsarcasticexpression，whileanairoffree-and-easysuperioritysatnotungracefullyineveryturnandmovementofhisfineform。Hewaslistening，withagood-humored，negligentair，halfcomic，halfcontemptuous，toHaley，whowasveryvolublyexpatiatingonthequalityofthearticleforwhichtheywerebargaining。

“AllthemoralandChristianvirtuesboundinblackMorocco，complete！”hesaid，whenHaleyhadfinished。“Well，now，mygoodfellow，what’sthedamage，astheysayinKentucky；inshort，what’stobepaidoutforthisbusiness？Howmuchareyougoingtocheatme，now？Outwithit！”

“Wal，”saidHaley，“ifIshouldsaythirteenhundreddollarsforthatarfellow，Ishouldn’tbutjustsavemyself；Ishouldn’t，now，re’ly。”

“Poorfellow！”saidtheyoungman，fixinghiskeen，mockingblueeyeonhim；“butIsupposeyou’dletmehavehimforthat，outofaparticularregardforme。”

“Well，theyoungladyhereseemstobesotonhim，andnat’llyenough。”

“O！certainly，there’sacallonyourbenevolence，myfriend。Now，asamatterofChristiancharity，howcheapcouldyouaffordtolethimgo，toobligeayoungladythat’sparticularsotonhim？”

“Wal，now，justthinkon’t，”saidthetrader；“justlookatthemlimbs，—broad-chested，strongasahorse。Lookathishead；themhighforradsallaysshowscalculatinniggers，that’lldoanykindo’thing。I’ve，markedthatar。Now，aniggerofthatarheftandbuildisworthconsiderable，justasyoumaysay，forhisbody，supposinhe’sstupid；butcometoputinhiscalculatinfaculties，andthemwhichIcanshowhehasoncommon，why，ofcourse，itmakeshimcomehigher。Why，thatarfellowmanagedhismaster’swholefarm。Hehasastrornarytalentforbusiness。”

“Bad，bad，verybad；knowsaltogethertoomuch！”saidtheyoungman，withthesamemockingsmileplayingabouthismouth。“Neverwilldo，intheworld。Yoursmartfellowsarealwaysrunningoff，stealinghorses，andraisingthedevilgenerally。Ithinkyou’llhavetotakeoffacoupleofhundredforhissmartness。”

“Wal，theremightbesomethinginthatar，ifitwarntforhischaracter；butIcanshowrecommendsfromhismasterandothers，toproveheisoneofyourrealpious，—themosthumble，prayin，piouscritturyeeverdidsee。Why，he’sbeencalledapreacherinthempartshecamefrom。”

“AndImightusehimforafamilychaplain，possibly，”addedtheyoungman，dryly。“That’squiteanidea。Religionisaremarkablyscarcearticleatourhouse。”

“You’rejoking，now。”

“HowdoyouknowIam？Didn’tyoujustwarranthimforapreacher？Hashebeenexaminedbyanysynodorcouncil？Come，handoveryourpapers。”

Ifthetraderhadnotbeensure，byacertaingood-humoredtwinkleinthelargeeye，thatallthisbanterwassure，inthelongrun，toturnoutacashconcern，hemighthavebeensomewhatoutofpatience；asitwas，helaiddownagreasypocket-bookonthecotton-bales，andbegananxiouslystudyingovercertainpapersinit，theyoungmanstandingby，thewhile，lookingdownonhimwithanairofcareless，easydrollery。

“Papa，dobuyhim！it’snomatterwhatyoupay，”whisperedEva，softly，gettinguponapackage，andputtingherarmaroundherfather’sneck。“Youhavemoneyenough，Iknow。Iwanthim。”

“Whatfor，pussy？Areyougoingtousehimforarattle-box，orarocking-horse，orwhat？

“Iwanttomakehimhappy。”

“Anoriginalreason，certainly。”

Herethetraderhandedupacertificate，signedbyMr。Shelby，whichtheyoungmantookwiththetipsofhislongfingers，andglancedovercarelessly。

“Agentlemanlyhand，”hesaid，“andwellspelt，too。Well，now，butI’mnotsure，afterall，aboutthisreligion，”saidhe，theoldwickedexpressionreturningtohiseye；“thecountryisalmostruinedwithpiouswhitepeople；suchpiouspoliticiansaswehavejustbeforeelections，—suchpiousgoingsoninalldepartmentsofchurchandstate，thatafellowdoesnotknowwho’llcheathimnext。Idon’tknow，either，aboutreligion’sbeingupinthemarket，justnow。Ihavenotlookedinthepaperslately，toseehowitsells。Howmanyhundreddollars，now，doyouputonforthisreligion？”

“Youliketobejokin，now，”saidthetrader；“but，then，there’ssenseunderallthatar。Iknowthere’sdifferencesinreligion。Somekindsismis’rable:there’syourmeetinpious；there’syoursingin，roarinpious；themaran’tnoaccount，inblackorwhite；—buttheseraylyis；andI’veseenitinniggersasoftenasany，yourrailsoftly，quiet，stiddy，honest，pious，thatthehullworldcouldn’ttempt’emtodonothingthattheythinksiswrong；andyeseeinthisletterwhatTom’soldmastersaysabouthim。”

“Now，”saidtheyoungman，stoopinggravelyoverhisbookofbills，“ifyoucanassuremethatIreallycanbuythiskindofpious，andthatitwillbesetdowntomyaccountinthebookupabove，assomethingbelongingtome，Iwouldn’tcareifIdidgoalittleextraforit。Howd’yesay？”

“Wal，raily，Ican’tdothat，”saidthetrader。“I’mathinkinthateveryman’llhavetohangonhisownhook，inthemarquarters。”

“Ratherhardonafellowthatpaysextraonreligion，andcan’ttradewithitinthestatewherehewantsitmost，an’tit，now？”saidtheyoungman，whohadbeenmakingoutarollofbillswhilehewasspeaking。“There，countyourmoney，oldboy！”headded，ashehandedtherolltothetrader。

“Allright，”saidHaley，hisfacebeamingwithdelight；andpullingoutanoldinkhorn，heproceededtofilloutabillofsale，which，inafewmoments，hehandedtotheyoungman。

“Iwonder，now，ifIwasdividedupandinventoried，”saidthelatterasheranoverthepaper，“howmuchImightbring。Saysomuchfortheshapeofmyhead，somuchforahighforehead，somuchforarms，andhands，andlegs，andthensomuchforeducation，learning，talent，honesty，religion！Blessme！therewouldbesmallchargeonthatlast，I’mthinking。Butcome，Eva，”hesaid；andtakingthehandofhisdaughter，hesteppedacrosstheboat，andcarelesslyputtingthetipofhisfingerunderTom’schin，said，good-humoredly，“Look-up，Tom，andseehowyoulikeyournewmaster。”

Tomlookedup。Itwasnotinnaturetolookintothatgay，young，handsomeface，withoutafeelingofpleasure；andTomfeltthetearsstartinhiseyesashesaid，heartily，“Godblessyou，Mas’r！”

“Well，Ihopehewill。What’syourname？Tom？Quiteaslikelytodoitforyouraskingasmine，fromallaccounts。Canyoudrivehorses，Tom？”

“I’vebeenallaysusedtohorses，”saidTom。“Mas’rShelbyraisedheapsof’em。”

“Well，IthinkIshallputyouincoachy，onconditionthatyouwon’tbedrunkmorethanonceaweek，unlessincasesofemergency，Tom。”

Tomlookedsurprised，andratherhurt，andsaid，“Ineverdrink，Mas’r。”

“I’veheardthatstorybefore，Tom；butthenwe’llsee。Itwillbeaspecialaccommodationtoallconcerned，ifyoudon’t。Nevermind，myboy，”headded，good-humoredly，seeingTomstilllookedgrave；“Idon’tdoubtyoumeantodowell。”

“Isartindo，Mas’r，”saidTom。

“Andyoushallhavegoodtimes，”saidEva。“Papaisverygoodtoeverybody，onlyhealwayswilllaughatthem。”

“Papaismuchobligedtoyouforhisrecommendation，”saidSt。Clare，laughing，asheturnedonhisheelandwalkedaway。

1InAtala；ortheLoveandConstantcyofTwoSavagesintheDesert(1801)byFrancoisAugusteRene，VicomtedeChateaubriand(1768-1848)。