"To-night," said Mrs. Bird, "how is it possible--and where to?"
"Well, I know pretty well where to," said Mr. Bird, beginning to put onhis boots. "I know a place where she would be safe enough, but theplague of the thing is, nobody could drive a carriage there to-night butme. The creek has to be crossed twice, and the second crossing is quitedangerous, unless one know it as I do. But never mind. I'll take herover myself. There is no help for it. I could not bear to see the poorwoman caught."
"Thank you, thank you, dear John," said the wife, laying her white handon his--"Could I ever have loved you had I not known you better than youdo yourself?"
Off Mr. Bird set to see about the carriage, but at the door he stoppedfor a moment, and then coming back, he said, with a quivering voice,--
"Mary, I don't know how you'd feel about it, but there's the drawer fullof things--of--of--poor little Henry's." So saying, he turned quickly onhis heel, and shut the door after him.
His wife opened the little bedroom door adjoining her room, and takingthe candle, set it down on the top of a bureau there; then from a smallrecess she took a key, and put it thoughtfully in the lock of a drawer,and made a sudden pause, while two boys, who, boy-like, had followedclose on her heels, stood looking, with silent, significant glances, attheir mother. And oh! mother that reads this, has there never been inyour house a drawer, or a closet, the opening of which has been to youlike the opening again of a little grave? Ah! happy mother that you are,if it has not been so!
Mrs. Bird slowly opened the drawer. There were little coats of many aform and pattern, piles of aprons, and rows of small stockings; and evena pair of little shoes, worn and rubbed at the toes, were peeping fromthe folds of a paper. There was a toy horse and waggon, a top, aball--memorials gathered with many a tear and many a heartbreak! She satdown by the drawer, and leaning her head on her hands over it, wept tillthe tears fell through her fingers into the drawer; then suddenlyraising her head, she began, with nervous haste, selecting the plainestand most substantial articles, and gathering them into a bundle.
"Mamma," said one of the boys, gently touching her arm, "are you goingto give away those things?"
"My dear boys," she said, softly and earnestly, "if our dear, loving,little Henry looks down from heaven, he would be glad to have us dothis. I could not find it in my heart to give them away to any commonperson--to anybody that was happy; but I give them to a mother moreheart-broken and sorrowful than I am; and I hope God will send hisblessings with them!"
Mr. Bird returned about twelve o'clock with the carriage. "Mary," saidhe, coming in with his overcoat in his hand, you must wake her up now."We must be off." Soon arrayed in a cloak, bonnet, and shawl that hadbelonged to her benefactress, poor Eliza appeared at the door with herchild in her arms. When she got seated in the carriage, she fixed herlarge dark eyes on Mrs. Bird's face, and seemed going to speak. Her lipsmoved, but there was no sound; pointing upward with a look never to beforgotten, she fell back in her seat and covered her face. The door wasshut, and the carriage drove on.
It was not long before they arrived at the place where Mr. Bird thoughtthey would be safe from the cruel trader. It was a village about sevenmiles off, consisting of neat houses, with orchards and meadows aboutthem.
They all belonged to Quakers, a sect of Christians whom foolish peoplelaugh at, because they think it right to wear broad-brimmed hats, andodd old-fashioned bonnets; but they do many good and charitable things,especially for the poor negroes, and one of them took Harry and hismother in.
I cannot tell all the kindness the Quaker and his family did to them,giving Harry such good things, and watching lest the trader should comethat way; but the greatest joy of all was, one evening, when a tallstrong man, called Phineas Fletcher, who was a Quaker, and a greattraveller, guided to the village Harry's poor father, George. His masterwas going to sell him too, and he had run away, and searched everywherefor his wife and child, to take them with him to Canada, which you knowbelongs to England. Oh what a happy meeting that was between George,Eliza, and little Harry.
But they could not remain long with the kind Quakers. Their cruelpursuers had found out where they were hid, so they had all to set outagain together. This time they were guided by the brave-hearted PhineasFletcher, and hoped to reach Canada in safety. But their pursuersovertook them, and they had to run to the rocks to defend themselves, asthe verses will tell.
THE DEFENCE.
See Harry's poor father, with pistol in hand, How bravely he takes on the steep rock his stand, Over rivers, and forests, and towns he has passed, And found his Eliza and Harry at last.
The kind Quaker folks that wear drab, brown, and gray, To the wanderers gave shelter and bread on their way, Their warm clothes were given them, their waggon was lent, And the strong-armed Phineas along with them went.
Their hope was to journey to Canada's shore, Where the trader or master could reach them no more; For the English flag floats there, o'er land and o'er sea, And they knew in its shadow the negro was free.
But far is their way through the slave-dealing land, And now on their track comes the trader's fierce band; So for refuge and rest to the rocks they have run, And the father will fight for his wife and his son.
He fires on the first up the steep rock that springs, But the trader comes on, shouting all wicked things, Till Phineas right over the crag flings him clear, Saying, "Friend, in my mind thou hast no business here."
Then off go the traders to find them more men, And off go the friends in their waggon again; But don't you wish well to the good man for life, Who would fight for his freedom, his child, and his wife?
THE DEFENCE.
But far is their way through the slave-dealing land, And now on their track comes the trader's fierce band So for refuge and rest to the rocks they have run, And the father will fight for his wife and his son.]
After this, George and Eliza, with their little Harry, journeyed on,never stopping, except at the house of another kind friend, to disguisethemselves before going on board the steamboat, which at last broughtthem safe to Canada.
ARRIVAL IN THE LAND OF FREEDOM.
Look on the travellers kneeling, In thankful gladness, here, As the boat that brought them o'er the lake, Goes steaming from the pier.
'Tis Harry, like a girl disguised, His mother, like a boy, But the father kneels beside them, And their hearts are full of joy.
No man can buy or sell them, No trader chase them more, The land of freedom has been gained, The good Canadian shore.
And they are strangers on the soil, As poor as poor can be, But the English flag above them floats, They know that they are free.
George got employment in a factory, and as he was active and clever inhis work, he soon earned enough to take a pretty little house, wherethey all lived together. Harry grew older, and went to school, where hewas a good boy, and never forgot how God had preserved him from thewicked trader, and what his poor mother had suffered to bring him away.His father, George, though he worked all day, was learning too from allsorts of good books, which he used to read by the fire in the evenings.He was ever thinking of the poor heathen kings in Africa, and thenegroes they sold for slaves. So at last, when he had learned a greatdeal, he determined to become a missionary; and, with his wife andfamily, he embarked for Africa, where he still labours, teaching thepoor negroes the glad tidings of the gospel.
WHO UNCLE TOM WAS.
Now I must tell you something about Uncle Tom, from whom this book isnamed. He was a negro man, as black as jet, and a slave, belonging toMr. Shelby, the rich man who at first owned Eliza and Harry. Mr. Shelbyhad a g
reat estate, and many slaves to cultivate it, but they all lovedand respected Tom, for he was a good Christian, and kind to everybody,on which account they used all to call him Uncle. Tom's master was kindto his slaves, and especially to Tom, because he was honest and carefulwith his property. Tom had a cabin or cottage hard by the rich man'shouse; it was built of logs cut from great trees; there was a garden infront, with beautiful flowers and strawberries in it; and climbingplants, so common in our country, twined along the walls. Tom had also awife as black as himself; her name was Chloe, and she cooked for theShelbys. You will remember how late she kept the trader's dinner when hewanted to pursue Eliza. They had two little sons, with very black facesand curly heads, and a little black baby just beginning to walk. Tom andhis family were very happy in that cabin; the poor negroes used togather there to hear Tom sing hymns and pray, for, as I said, he was apious man, and the slaves had no other church to go to, for many peoplein America will not let negroes worship God with them. Mr. Shelby's son,a very clever boy, who had gained many prizes at school, liked Tom too,and used to come teach him to read and write in the evenings, and Tomhad great hopes of being able to read the Bible at last. As Chloe was acook she always contrived to have ready something very nice for Mr.George when he came to teach her goodman, and George would stand withone eye on Tom's copy, and another on the cake she prepared, while theboys and the baby played about them.
ARRIVAL IN THE LAND OF FREEDOM.
No man can buy or sell them, No trader chase them more, The land of freedom has been gained, The good Canadian shore.]
But all those pleasant days came to an end. Mr. Shelby lost his money,and got in debt to a man who dealt in slaves; for that debt he soldlittle Harry to him, and the rest of it was paid with poor Tom. Thinkwhat sad news that was for the cabin!
TOM AND HIS WIFE HAVE HEARD THAT HE IS SOLD.
The work of the winter day is o'er, But Tom and his wife are weeping sore Beside the hearth, where you can't forget How the cakes were baked, and the copy set.
Oh, never again will Tom be taught! From his master, by wicked trader bought; And he will carry poor Tom next day, From children, and wife, and home away.
His home--It was low of roof and wall, But there had been room and love for all, The peace that waits on contented days, The voice of prayer and the hymn of praise.
And Tom himself, he is black of skin, But, children, his soul is fair within, His life is good and his heart is brave, And yet they have sold him as a slave.
TOM AND HIS WIFE HAVE HEARD THAT HE IS SOLD.
The fire-light shows on the lowly bed, Each dusky face, and each curly head Of his little children, sound asleep; Oh well may their poor tired mother weep!]
The fire light shows on the lowly bed, Each dusky face, and each curly head Of his little children, sound asleep; Oh well may their poor tired mother weep!
Now Tom is trying to soothe her woe: "Dear Chloe 'tis best that I should go, Our babes and you will live safely here, And I may be far, but God is near."
"Yet think of me, love, when I am gone, And the days of the pleasant spring come on. Don't grieve, dear wife"--and his tears fell fast. "You know we will meet in heaven at last."
Tom might have fled away, as Eliza did with Harry, but he took pity onMr. Shelby for being in debt to the trader, and also feared that if hefled, his wife and children would be sold to pay it. Poor Chloe weptsore, and so did the boys, and all the negroes on the estate were verysorry to part with him. George Shelby was from home when Tom was sold,and knew nothing about the matter. But he returned that very day, andthe moment he learned that Tom was gone, he saddled his horse and rodeafter him. When he came up to the waggon he sprang into it, and throwinghis arms round Tom's neck, began sobbing and scolding most violently.
"I declare it's a shame! I don't care what they say, any of them. It's anasty mean shame! If I was a man, they shouldn't do it," said George.
"Oh, Mas'r George! this does me good!" said Tom. "I couldn't bear to gooff without seein' ye! It does me real good, ye can't tell!" Here Tommade some movement of his feet, and George's eyes fell on the fetters.
"What a shame!" he exclaimed, lifting his hands. "I'll knock that oldfellow down--I will!"
"No, you won't, Mas'r George; and you must not talk so loud. It won'thelp me any, to anger him."
"Well, I won't, then, for your sake; but only to think of it--isn't it ashame? They never sent for me, nor sent me any word, and, if it hadn'tbeen for Tom Lincoln, I shouldn't have heard it. I tell you, I blew themup well, all of them, at home."
"That wasn't right, I'm feared, Mas'r George."
"Can't help it! I say it's a shame! Look here, Uncle Tom," said he,turning his back to the rest of the party, and speaking in a mysterioustone, "_I've brought you my dollar!_"
"Oh, I couldn't think o' takin' it, Mas'r George, no ways in the world,"said Tom, quite moved.
"But you shall take it," said George. "Look here; I told Aunt Chloe I'ddo it, and she advised me just to make a hole in it, and put a stringthrough, so you could hang it round your neck, and keep it out of sight,else this mean scamp would take it away. I tell ye, Tom, I want to blowhim up! it would do me good."
"No, don't, Mas'r George, for it won't do _me_ any good."
"Well, I won't, for your sake," said George, busily tying his dollarround Tom's neck; "but there, now, button your coat tight over it, andkeep it, and remember, every time you see it, that I'll come down afteryou, and bring you back. Aunt Chloe and I have been talking about it. Itold her not to fear; I'll see to it, and I'll tease father's life outif he don't do it."
"O, Mas'r George, ye mustn't talk so about your father! You must be agood boy; remember how many hearts is set on ye. Always keep close toyer mother. Don't be gettin' into them foolish ways boys has of gettin'too big to mind their mothers. Tell ye what, Mas'r George, the Lordgives good many things twice over; but he don't give ye a mother butonce. Ye'll never see sich another woman, Mas'r George, if ye live tobe a hundred years old. So, now, you hold on to her, and grow up, and bea comfort to her, thar's my own good boy--you will, now, won't ye?"
"Yes, I will, Uncle Tom," said George, seriously.
"And be careful of yer speaking, Mas'r George. Young boys, when theycome to your age, is wilful, sometimes--it's natur they should be. Butreal gentlemen, such as I hopes you'll be, never lets fall no words thatisn't respectful to thar parents. Ye an't offended, Mas'r George?"
"No indeed, Uncle Tom; you always did give me good advice."
"I's older, ye know," said Tom, stroking the boy's fine curly head withhis large, strong hand, but speaking in a voice as tender as awoman's--"and I sees all that's bound up in you. O, Mas'r George, youhas everything--larnin', privileges, readin', writin'--and you'll growup to be a great, learned, good man, and all the people on the place,and your mother and father'll be so proud on ye! Be a good mas'r, likeyer father; and be a Christian, like yer mother. Remember yer Creator inthe days o' yer youth, Mas'r George. And now, Good-bye, Mas'r George,"said Tom, looking fondly and admiringly at him. "God Almighty blessyou!" Away George went, and Tom looked, till the clatter of his horse'sheels died away, the last sound or sight of his home.
When the trader was disappointed in catching Harry, he put handcuffs onpoor Tom to prevent his escape, and took him away in a waggon to a town,where he bought more slaves--children from their mothers, and husbandsfrom their wives--some of them as black as Tom, and some nearly white,like Harry and his mother. Then he put them all on board of a steamboatgoing down the great river Mississippi. You will see on the map that itis one of the largest rivers in America. There are many towns on itsbanks, and steamboats go from one to another carrying goods andpassengers; and th
e trader seeing that Tom was quiet and peaceable, tookoff the handcuffs, and allowed him to go about the steamboat helping thesailors, for Tom would help anybody. There were many people on boardbesides the negroes, and among them a rich gentleman called Mr. St.Clair. He was returning home from a visit to his relations, who lived inNew England, and had with him his little daughter Eva, and his cousinMiss Feely. Eva had long yellow curls, and a fair, pretty face; betterthan that, she had the fear of God and the love of all goodness in herheart. Always cheerful, meek, and kindly, everybody loved Eva St. Clair,especially her father, for she was his only daughter. Tom saw her playabout the steamboat, for they were days and nights on the voyage. Evaused to come close and look at him, when he sat thinking of Chloe andthe children. The little one was shy, notwithstanding all her busyinterest in everything going on, and it was not easy to tame her. But atlast Tom and she got on quite confidential terms.
"What's little missy's name?" said Tom at last, when he thought matterswere ripe to push such an inquiry.
"Evangeline St. Clair," said the little one, "though papa and everybodyelse call me Eva. Now, what's your name?"
"My name's Tom; the little children used to call me Uncle Tom, away backthar in Kentucky."
"Then, I mean to call you Uncle Tom, because, you see, I like you," saidEva. "So, Uncle Tom, where are you going?"
"I don't know, Miss Eva."
"Don't know?" said Eva.
"No. I am going to be sold to somebody. I don't know who."
"My papa can buy you," said Eva, quickly; "and if he buys you, you willhave good times. I mean to ask him to, this very day."