The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-06
For the National Era.
COPYRIGHT SECUKED ACCOUNTING TO LAW,T
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY.
BY MRS. II. b. STOWE.
CHAPTER Topsu.

BY MRS. II. b. STOWE.
CHAPTER XIX.-TopSy
One morning, while Miss pphelia was busy
in some of her domestic cares st. Clare's voice
,,shsaTt1s ealing hs7 at the 30 "a % 5io st.,...N
" Come down here, Cousii, I've something
to show YOU
Wket ia Il E" said sac0.helia epnYos
dSwn @1rn her sewing inner rand y .
"Pve made a purchase for YOUR department;
see here" said St. Clare and with the word,
he pulled along little negro girl, about eight
or nine years of age.
She was one of the blackes of her race, and
her round, shining eyes Offering as glass
beads, moved with quick and restless glances
over everything in the room. Her mouth, half
open with astonishment at tie wonders of the
new mass'r's parlor, displayed a white and
brilliant set of teeth. Her woolly hair was
braided in sundry little tails,which stuck out
in every direction. The expression of her face
was an odd mixture of shreEdness and cum
ming, over which was oddly Drawn, like kind
of veil, an expression of the most doeful gravi-
ty and solemnity. She was dressed in a single
filthy, ragged garment mads of bagging, and
stood with her hands demlrely folded before
her. Altogether there wR something odd
and goblin-hke about her ppearance-some-
thing as Miss Ophelia afterwards said, $50
heathenish,o as TO inspire that good lady with
utter dismay; and turning TO st. Clare, she
said
Augustine, what in the world have you
brought that thing here for
q For Won, fn aducota IN Ia erra and train
in the way she should go. Thought she was
rather a funny specimen in tie Jim Crow line.
Here, Topsy," he added, giving whistle, as a
man would, to call the attention of a dog
give US song, now, and show US some of your
dancing"
The black, CLASSY eyes Uttered with kind
of wicked drollery, and tie thing struck up il
clear, shrill voice, an odd negro melody, Il
which she kept time with her hands and feet
spinning round, clapping her hands knockn
her knees together, in a wild, fantastic sort {
time and producing in her throat all those cd
cultural sounds which Distinguish the natiy
music of her race; and fially, turning a sun
merset or two and giving prolonged closn
note, as odd and uneartliy as that of a steaI
whistle, she came suddenly down on the carpe
and stood with her hands folded, and mos
sanctimonious expression Of meekness and sc
lemnity over her face, only broken by the Gun
ming glances which she shot askance from til
corners Of her eyes
Miss Ophelia stood silet perfectly paralyze
with amazement
st. Clare, like mischieous fellow as he was
appeared to enjoy her adjustment, and ad
dressing the child again, aid
"TOpsy this is your new mistress Tn
going to give you up to h +; see now that 20,
behave YOURSELF
Yes, mass'r," said ToFy with sanctimoni
Gus gravity, her wicked aes twinkling as sh
spoke
You're going to be gold, Topsy, you under
stand. =" said St. Clare.
"Oh yes mass'r," said tropsy, with another
twinkle, her hands still deoutly folded.
Now, Augustine, wh8 upon earth is th
for" said Miss Ophelia tYour house is so full
of these little plaques nowthat BODY can't sci
down their foot without trading on 'em | gel
up in the morning, and ind one asleep behind
the door, and see one bhck head poking Out
from under the table, one wing on the door mat
and they are hopping andmoving and grinning
between all the ratings, asd tumbling over the
kitchen floor. What on earth did you want
to bring this one forln
"For you to educate--din't | tell you? You're
always preaching about etucating thought
j would make you present of fresh-caughi
specimen, and let you try pur hand on her. and
bring her up in the way sic should CO."
II don't want her, amsure-I have more Ia
do with 'em now than | went to-
That's you Christians all oyer-you'll get
up Society and get SONS poor missionary IL
spend all his days among Just such heather
But let me zee one Of you that would take one
into your house with you, and take the labor Of
their conversion on yourselves No; when il
comes to that, they are dirty and disagreeable,
and it's too much care, and no ON
"Augustine, you know didn't think oft in
that light" said Miss Ophelia, evidently soften
ing well, it might be real missionary
work" said She looking rather more favorably
on the child
st. Clare had touched the right string. Miss
Ophelias conscientiousness was ever on the
alert. "But" she added, a. really didn't see
the need Of buying this ons-there are enough
now in your house TO take all my time and
skiilv
"Well, then, cousin,n said St. Clare, drawing
her aside, " ought to beg your pardon for my
5irCcShSo' "" wv ~ So~~J 80
ter all, that there's no sense in them. Why the
fact is, this concern belonged to couple OF
drunken creatures that keep low restaurant
that | have to pass by every day, and | was
tired Of hearing her screaming and them beat
ing and swearing at her. She looked bright
and funny, too, az il something might be made
Of hcr-so | bought her, and I'll give her to
you. Try, now and give her good orthodox
New England bringing up, and see what itll
make Of her. You know haven't any gilt
that way, but I'd like you to try
9Well, III do what car" said Miss OPhelia
and she approached her new subject very much
~ person might be supposed TO approach
black spider, supposing them to have beneyo-
lent designs tOwardl
"Shes dresdfully dirty and half naked" she
said
swell, take her down stairss.and make some
Of them clean and cIothe her up"
Miss Ophslia carried her to the kitchen
regions.
"Don't see what mass'r st Clare wants Of
mother Niger" said Dinsh, surveying the new
arrival with no friendly air. "Wont have
her round under my feet know
1Pah! said Rosa and Jane, with supreme
disgust "lst her keep out Of our way: What in
the world mass'r wanted another OF these low
niggers for, | can't seeD
1Ycu 20 long No more niger dan you be,
Miss Ross,p said Dinah, who felt this last TO