英语天堂-第25部分

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ll？”
“Because　they　will　bring　the　highest　sum　of　any；—that’s　why。　I　could　choose　another；　if　you　say　so。　The　fellow　made　me　a　high　bid　on　Eliza；　if　that　would　suit　you　any　better；”　said　Mr。　Shelby。
“The　wretch！”　said　Mrs。　Shelby；　vehemently。
“Well；　I　didn’t　listen　to　it；　a　moment；—out　of　regard　to　your　feelings；　I　wouldn’t；—so　give　me　some　credit。”
“My　dear；”　said　Mrs。　Shelby；　recollecting　herself；　“forgive　me。　I　have　been　hasty。　I　was　surprised；　and　entirely　unprepared　for　this；—but　surely　you　will　allow　me　to　intercede　for　these　poor　creatures。　Tom　is　a　noble…hearted；　faithful　fellow；　if　he　is　black。　I　do　believe；　Mr。　Shelby；　that　if　he　were　put　to　it；　he　would　lay　down　his　life　for　you。”
“I　know　it；—I　dare　say；—but　what’s　the　use　of　all　this？—I　can’t　help　myself。”
“Why　not　make　a　pecuniary　sacrifice？　I’m　willing　to　bear　my　part　of　the　inconvenience。　O；　Mr。　Shelby；　I　have　tried—tried　most　faithfully；　as　a　Christian　woman　should—to　do　my　duty　to　these　poor；　simple；　dependent　creatures。　I　have　cared　for　them；　instructed　them；　watched　over　them；　and　know　all　their　little　cares　and　joys；　for　years；　and　how　can　I　ever　hold　up　my　head　again　among　them；　if；　for　the　sake　of　a　little　paltry　gain；　we　sell　such　a　faithful；　excellent；　confiding　creature　as　poor　Tom；　and　tear　from　him　in　a　moment　all　we　have　taught　him　to　love　and　value？　I　have　taught　them　the　duties　of　the　family；　of　parent　and　child；　and　husband　and　wife；　and　how　can　I　bear　to　have　this　open　acknowledgment　that　we　care　for　no　tie；　no　duty；　no　relation；　however　sacred；　compared　with　money？　I　have　talked　with　Eliza　about　her　boy—her　duty　to　him　as　a　Christian　mother；　to　watch　over　him；　pray　for　him；　and　bring　him　up　in　a　Christian　way；　and　now　what　can　I　say；　if　you　tear　him　away；　and　sell　him；　soul　and　body；　to　a　profane；　unprincipled　man；　just　to　save　a　little　money？　I　have　told　her　that　one　soul　is　worth　more　than　all　the　money　in　the　world；　and　how　will　she　believe　me　when　she　sees　us　turn　round　and　sell　her　child？—sell　him；　perhaps；　to　certain　ruin　of　body　and　soul！”
“I’m　sorry　you　feel　so　about　it；—indeed　I　am；”　said　Mr。　Shelby；　“and　I　respect　your　feelings；　too；　though　I　don’t　pretend　to　share　them　to　their　full　extent；　but　I　tell　you　now；　solemnly；　it’s　of　no　use—I　can’t　help　myself。　I　didn’t　mean　to　tell　you　this　Emily；　but；　in　plain　words；　there　is　no　choice　between　selling　these　two　and　selling　everything。　Either　they　must　go；　or　all　must。　Haley　has　come　into　possession　of　a　mortgage；　which；　if　I　don’t　clear　off　with　him　directly；　will　take　everything　before　it。　I’ve　raked；　and　scraped；　and　borrowed；　and　all　but　begged；—and　the　price　of　these　two　was　needed　to　make　up　the　balance；　and　I　had　to　give　them　up。　Haley　fancied　the　child；　he　agreed　to　settle　the　matter　that　way；　and　no　other。　I　was　in　his　power；　and　had　to　do　it。　If　you　feel　so　to　have　them　sold；　would　it　be　any　better　to　have　all　sold？”
Mrs。　Shelby　stood　like　one　stricken。　Finally；　turning　to　her　toilet；　she　rested　her　face　in　her　hands；　and　gave　a　sort　of　groan。
“This　is　God’s　curse　on　slavery！—a　bitter；　bitter；　most　acomursed　thing！—a　curse　to　the　master　and　a　curse　to　the　slave！　I　was　a　fool　to　think　I　could　make　anything　good　out　of　such　a　deadly　evil。　It　is　a　sin　to　hold　a　slave　under　laws　like　ours；—I　always　felt　it　was；—I　always　thought　so　when　I　was　a　girl；—I　thought　so　still　more　after　I　joined　the　church；　but　I　thought　I　could　gild　it　over；—I　thought；　by　kindness；　and　care；　and　instruction；　I　could　make　the　condition　of　mine　better　than　freedom—fool　that　I　was！”
“Why；　wife；　you　are　getting　to　be　an　abolitionist；　quite。”
“Abolitionist！　if　they　knew　all　I　know　about　slavery；　they　might　talk！　We　don’t　need　them　to　tell　us；　you　know　I　never　thought　that　slavery　was　right—never　felt　willing　to　own　slaves。”
“Well；　therein　you　differ　from　many　wise　and　pious　men；”　said　Mr。　Shelby。　“You　remember　Mr。　B。’s　sermon；　the　other　Sunday？”
“I　don’t　want　to　hear　such　sermons；　I　never　wish　to　hear　Mr。　B。　in　our　church　again。　Ministers　can’t　help　the　evil；　perhaps；—can’t　cure　it；　any　more　than　we　can；—but　defend　it！—it　always　went　against　my　common　sense。　And　I　think　you　didn’t　think　much　of　that　sermon；　either。”
“Well；”　said　Shelby；　“I　must　say　these　ministers　sometimes　carry　matters　further　than　we　poor　sinners　would　exactly　dare　to　do。　We　men　of　the　world　must　wink　pretty　hard　at　various　things；　and　get　used　to　a　deal　that　isn’t　the　exact　thing。　But　we　don’t　quite　fancy；　when　women　and　ministers　come　out　broad　and　square；　and　go　beyond　us　in　matters　of　either　modesty　or　morals；　that’s　a　fact。　But　now；　my　dear；　I　trust　you　see　the　necessity　of　the　thing；　and　you　see　that　I　have　done　the　very　best　that　circumstances　would　allow。”
“O　yes；　yes！”　said　Mrs。　Shelby；　hurriedly　and　abstractedly　fingering　her　gold　watch；—“I　haven’t　any　jewelry　of　any　amount；”　she　added；　thoughtfully；　“but　would　not　this　watch　do　something？—it　was　an　expensive　one；　when　it　was　bought。　If　I　could　only　at　least　save　Eliza’s　child；　I　would　sacrifice　anything　I　have。”
“I’m　sorry；　very　sorry；　Emily；”　said　Mr。　Shelby；　“I’m　sorry　this　takes　hold　of　you　so；　but　it　will　do　no　good。　The　fact　is；　Emily；　the　thing’s　done；　the　bills　of　sale　are　already　signed；　and　in　Haley’s　hands；　and　you　must　be　thankful　it　is　no　worse。　That　man　has　had　it　in　his　power　to　ruin　us　all；—and　now　he　is　fairly　off。　If　you　knew　the　man　as　I　do；　you’d　think　that　we　had　had　a　narrow　escape。”
“Is　he　so　hard；　then？”
“Why；　not　a　cruel　man；　exactly；　but　a　man　of　leather；—a　man　alive　to　nothing　but　trade　and　profit；—cool；　and　unhesitating；　and　unrelenting；　as　death　and　the　grave。　He’d　sell　his　own　mother　at　a　good　per　centage—not　wishing　the　old　woman　any　harm；　either。”
“And　this　wretch　owns　that　good；　faithful　Tom；　and　Eliza’s　child！”
“Well；　my　dear；　the　fact　is　that　this　goes　rather　hard　with　me；　it’s　a　thing　I　hate　to　think　of。　Haley　wants　to　drive　matters；　and　take　possession　tomorrow。　I’m　going　to　get　out　my　horse　bright　and　early；　and　be　off。　I　can’t　see　Tom；　that’s　a　fact；　and　you　had　better　arrange　a　drive　somewhere；　and　carry　Eliza　off。　Let　the　thing　be　done　when　she　is　out　of　sight。”
“No；　no；”　said　Mrs。　Shelby；　“I’ll　be　in　no　sense　acomomplice　or　help　in　this　cruel　business。　I’ll　go　and　see　poor　old　Tom；　God　help　him；　in　his　distress！　They　shall　see；　at　any　rate；　that　their　mistress　can　feel　for　and　with　them。　As　to　Eliza；　I　dare　not　think　about　it。　The　Lord　forgive　us！　What　have　we　done；　that　this　cruel　necessity　should　come　on　us？”
There　was　one　listener　to　this　conversation　whom　Mr。　and　Mrs。　Shelby　little　suspected。
Communicating　with　their　apartment　was　a　large　closet；　opening　by　a　door　into　the　outer　passage。　When　Mrs。　Shelby　had　dismissed　Eliza　for　the　night；　her　feverish　and　excited　mind　had　suggested　the　idea　of　this　closet；　and　she　had　hidden　herself　there；　and；　with　her　ear　pressed　close　against　the　crack　of　the　door；　had　lost　not　a　word　of　the　conversation。
When　the　voices　died　into　silence；　she　rose　and　crept　stealthily　away。　Pale；　shivering；　with　rigid　features　and　compressed　lips；　she　looked　an　entirely　altered　being　from　the　soft　and　timid　creature　she　had　been　hitherto。　She　moved　cautiously　along　the　entry；　paused　one　moment　at　her　mistress’　door；　and　raised　her　hands　in　mute　appeal　to　Heaven；　and　then　turned　and　glided　into　her　own　room。　It　was　a　quiet；　neat　apartment；　on　the　same　floor　with　her　mistress。　There　was　a　pleasant　sunny　window；　where　she　had　often　sat　singing　at　her　sewing；　there　a　little　case　of　books；　and　various　little　fancy　articles；　ranged　by　them；　the　gifts　of　Christmas　holidays；　there　was　her　simple　wardrobe　in　the　closet　and　in　the　drawers：—here　was；　in　short；　her　home；　and；　on　the　whole；　a　happy　one　it　had　been　to　her。　But　there；　on　the　bed；　lay　her　slumbering　boy；　his　long　curls　falling　negligently　around　his　unconscious　face；　his　rosy　mouth　half　open；　his　little　fat　hands　thrown　out　over　the　bedclothes；　and　a　smile　spread　like　a　sunbeam　over　his　whole　face。
“Poor　boy！　poor　fellow！”　said　Eliza；　“they　have　sold　you！　but　your　mother　will　save　you　yet！”
No　tear　dropped　over　that　pillow；　in　such　straits　as　these；　the　heart　has　no　tears　to　give；—it　drops　only　blood；　bleeding　itself　away　in　silence。　She　took　a　piece　of　paper　and　a　pencil；　and　wrote；　hastily；
“O；　Missis！　dear　Missis！　don’t　think　me　ungrateful；—don’t　think　hard　of　me；　any　way；—I　heard　all　you　and　master　said　tonight。　I　am　going　to　try　to　save　my　boy—you　will　not　blame　me！　God　bless　and　reward　you　for　all　your　kindness！”
Hastily　folding　and　directing　this；　she　went　to　a　drawer　and　made　up　a　little　package　of　clothing　for　her　boy；　which　she　tied　with　a　handkerchief　firmly　round　her　waist；　and；　so　fond　is　a　mother’s　remembrance；　that；　even　in　the　terrors　of　that　hour；　she　did　not　forget　to　put　in　the　little　package　one　or　two　of　his　favorite　toys；　reserving　a　gayly　painted　parrot　to　amuse　him；　when　she　should　be　called　on　to　awaken　him。　It　was　some　trouble　to　arouse　the　little　sleeper；　but；　after　some　effort；　he　sat　up；　and　was　playing　with　his　bird；　while　his　mother　was　putting　on　her　bonnet　and　shawl。
“Where　are　you　going；　mother？”　said　he；　as　she　drew　near　the　bed；　with　his　little　coat　and　cap。
His　mother　drew　near；　and　looked　so　earnestly　into　his　eyes；　that　he　at　once　divined　that　something　unusual　was　the　matter。
“Hush；　Harry；”　she　said；　“mustn’t　speak　loud；　or　they　will　hear　us。　A　wicked　man　was　coming　to　take　little　Harry　away　from　his　mother；　and　carry　him　’way　off　in　the　dark；　but　mother　won’t　let　him—she’s　going　to　put　on　her　little　boy’s　cap　and　coat；　and　run　off　with　him；　so　the　ugly　man　can’t　catch　him。”
Saying　these　words；　she　had　tied　and　buttoned　on　the　child’s　simple　outfit；　and；　taking　him　in　her　arms；　she　whispered　to　him　to　be　very　still；　and；　opening　a　door　in　her　room　which　led　into　the　outer　verandah；　she　glided　noiselessly　out。
It　was　a　sparkling；　frosty；　starlight　night；　and　the　mother　wrapped　the　shawl　close　round　her　child；　as；　perfectly　quiet　with　vague　terror；　he　clung　round　her　neck。
Old　Bruno；　a　great　Newfoundland；　who　slept　at　the　end　of　the　porch；　rose；　with　a　low　growl；　as　she　came　near。　She　gently　spoke　his　name；　and　the　animal；　an　old　pet　and　playmate　of　hers；　instantly；　wagging　his　tail；　prepared　to　follow　her；　though　apparently　revolving　much；　in　this　simple　dog’s　head；　what　such　an　indiscreet　midnight　promenade　might　mean。　Some　dim　ideas　of　imprudence　or　impropriety　in　the　measure　seemed　to　embarrass　him　considerably；　for　he　often　stopped；　as　Eliza　glided　forward；　and　looked　wistfully；　first　at　her　and　then　at　the　house；　and　then；　as　if　reassured　by　reflection；　he　pattered　along　after　her　again。　A　few　minutes　brought　them　to　the　window　of　Uncle　Tom’s　cottage；　and　Eliza　stopping；　tapped　lightly　on　the　window…pane。
The　prayer…meeting　at　Uncle　Tom’s　had；　in　the　order　of　hymn…singing；　been　protracted　to　a　very　late　hour；　and；　as　Uncle　Tom　had　indulged　himself　in　a　few　lengthy　solos　afterwards；　the　consequence　was；　that；　although　it　was　now　between　twelve　and　one　o’clock；　he　and　his　worthy　helpmeet　were　not　yet　asleep。
“Good　Lord！　what’s　that？”　said　Aunt　Chloe；　starting　up　and　hastily　drawing　the　curtain。　“My　sakes　alive；　if　it　an’t　Lizy！　Get　on　your　clothes；　old　man；　quick！—there’s　old　Bruno；　too；　a　pawin　round；　what　on　airth！　I’m　gwine　to　open　the　door。”
And　suiting　the　action　to　the　word；　the　door　flew　open；　and　the　light　of　the　tallow　candle；　which　Tom　had　hastily　lighted；　fell　on　the　haggard　face　and　dark；　wild　eyes　of　the　fugitive。
“Lord　bless　you！—I’m　skeered　to　look　at　ye；　Lizy！　Are　ye　tuck　sick；　or　what’s　come　over　ye？”
“I’m　running　away—Uncle　Tom　and　Aunt　Chloe—carrying　off　my　child—Master　sold　him！”
“Sold　him？”　echoed　both；　lifting　up　their　hands　in　dismay。
“Yes；　sold　him！”　said　Eliza；　firmly；　“I　crept　into　the　closet　by　Mistress’　door　tonight；　and　I　heard　Master　tell　Missis　that　he　had　sold　my　Harry；　and　you；　Uncle　Tom；　both；　to　a　trader；　and　that　he　was　going　off　this　morning　on　his　horse；　and　that　the　man　was　to　take　possession　today。”
Tom　had　stood；　during　this　speech；　with　his　hands　raised；　and　his　eyes　dilated；　like　a　man　in　a　dream。　Slowly　and　gradually；　as　its　meaning　came　over　him；　he　collapsed；　rather　than　seated　himself；　on　his　old　chair；　and　sunk　his　head　down　upon　his　knees。
“The　good　Lord　have　pity　on　us！”　said　Aunt　Chloe。　“O！　it　don’t　seem　as　if　it　was　true！　What　has　he　done；　that　Mas’r　should　sell　him？”
“He　hasn’t　done　anything；—it　isn’t　for　that。　Master　don’t　want　to　sell；　and　Missis　she’s　always　good。　I　heard　her　plead　and　beg　for　us；　but　he　told　her　’t　was　no　use；　that　he　was　in　this　man’s　debt；　and　that　this　man　had　got　the　power　over　him；　and　that　if　he　didn’t　pay　him　off　clear；　it　would　end　in　his　having　to　sell　the　place　and　all　the　people；　and　move　off。　Yes；　I　heard　him　say　there　was　no　choice　between　selling　these　two　and　selling　all；　the　man　was　driving　him　so　hard。　Master　said　he　was　sorry；　but　oh；　Missis—you　ought　to　have　heard　her　talk！　If　she　an’t　a　Christian　and　an　angel；　there　never　was　one。　I’m　a　wicked　girl　to　leave　her　so；　but；　then；　I　can’t　help　it。　She　said；　herself；　one　soul　was　worth　more　than　the　world；　and　this　boy　has　a　soul；　and　if　I　let　him　be　carried　off；　who　knows　what’ll　become　of　it？　It　must　be　right：　but；　if　it　an’t　right；　the　Lord　forgive　me；　for　I　can’t　help　doing　it！”
“Well；　old　man！”　said　Aunt　Chloe；　“why　don’t　you　go；　too？　Will　you　wait　to　be　toted　down　river；　where　they　kill　niggers　with　hard　work　and　starving？　I’d　a　heap　rather　die　than　go　there；　any　day！　There’s　time　for　ye；—be　off　with　Lizy；—you’ve　got　a　pass　to　come　and　go　any　time。　Come；　bustle　up；　and　I’ll　get　your　things　together。”
Tom　slowly　raised　his　head；　and　looked　sorrowfully　but　quietly　around；　and　said；
“No；　no—I　an’t　going。　Let　Eliza　go—it’s　her　right！　I　wouldn’t　be　the　one　to　say　no—’tan’t　in　natur　for　her　to　stay；　but　you　heard　what　she　said！　If　I　must　be　sold；　or　all　the　people　on　the　place；　and　everything　go　to　rack；　why；　let　me　be　sold。　I　s’pose　I　can　b’ar　it　as　well　as　any　on　’em；”　he　added；　while　something　like　a　sob　and　a　sigh　shook　his　broad；　rough　chest　convulsively。　“Mas’r　always　found　me　on　the　spot—he　always　will。　I　never　have　broke　trust；　nor　used　my　pass　no　ways　contrary　to　my　word；　and　I　never　will。　It’s　better　for　me　alone　to　go；　than　to　break　up　the　place　and　sell　all。　Mas’r　an’t　to　blame；　Chloe；　and　he’ll　take　care　of　you　and　the　poor—”
Here　he　turned　to　the　rough　trundle　bed　full　of　little　woolly　heads；　and　broke　fairly　down。　He　leaned　over　the　back　of　the　chair；　and　covered　his　face　with　his　large　hands。　Sobs；　heavy；　hoarse　and　loud；　shook　the　chair；　and　great　tears　fell　through　his　fingers　on　the　floor；　just　such　tears；　sir；　as　you　dropped　into　the　coffin　where　lay　your　first…born　son；　such　tears；　woman；　as　you　shed　when　you　heard　the　cries　of　your　dying　babe。　For；　sir；　he　was　a　man；—and　you　are　but　another　man。　And；　woman；　though　dressed　in　silk　and　jewels；　you　are　but　a　woman；　and；　in　life’s　great　straits　and　mighty　griefs；　ye　feel　but　one　sorrow！
“And　now；”　said　Eliza；　as　she　stood　in　the　door；　“I　saw　my　husband　only　this　aft