The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-07-24
COPYRIGHT sEcURED BY THE AUTHOR
70 fha National Ewa
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY.
by MRS. H. Is. STOWE.

and carpet Of cory ParOr, and glittered on the
sides Of the tea-oups aud well frightened tea pot
as Senator Burr was drawing of his boots, pre-
paratory to inserting his feet in pair Of new
handsome slippers which his wife had been work
ing for him while away on his Senatorial tour.
Mrs Burr, looking the very picture Of delight,
was experimenting the arrangements Of the table,
ever and anon mingling admonitory remurks to a
number Of frocksome Juveniles, who we're cifer-
vescing in al those modes Of untold gamho and
mischief that have Astonished mothers ever since
the Flood.
"Tom, let the door-knob alone, there's man
Mary Mary don't pull the cats tail-poor
pussy jim you mustn't climb on that table-no.
mo- You don't know, my dear, what surprise
it is to us all to you here to-nightp said she,
at last, when she found a space TO say something
TO her husband
Yes, yes, thought Ia just make a run down,
spend the night and have little comfort at
home. I'm tired to death, and nay head aches"
Mrs. Burr cast a glance at comprehensive,
which stood in the haltopen closet and appeared
to mediate an approach to it, hut her husband
a.. "a. .,..--.-s
No, no, Mary, no doctoring cup Of your
}}C-'@' h"' 'sa. aud some Of our good bone Byia1
is what want It's a tiresome business this le-
gislatiDgp
And the Senator smiled as If he rather liked
the idea of considering himself sacrifice to his
country.
Well, said his wife, after the business Of the
tea-table was getting rather slack, "and what
have they been doing in the Senate {"
Now, it was very unusual thing for gentle
little Mrs Burr ever to trouble her head with
what was going on in the House of the State,
very wisely considering that she had enough to
do to mind her own. MIR. Burr therefore opened
his eyes in surprise and said
" Not very much of Importance
Well, but is it true that they havssbesu pass
ing law fOrbiddng people to give meat and drink
to those poor oolored folks that come along
heard they were talking OF some such law, but /
didn't think any Christian Legislature would
pass it,"
"Why, Mary, you are getting to be polid-
clan all at Onoeo
No, nonsense | wouldn't give ftp for all
your politics. generally, but think this is some
thing downright cruel and unchristan. hope,
my dear, no such law has been passed.
"There has been law passed forbiddng people
to help off the slaves that come over from Ken
$500 ~ hsar 30 much - 49, 'nihB ''-s v1rH
, done by these reckless Abolitionists, that our
brethren in Kentucky are very strongly excited,
and 1t seems necessary, and no more than Chris
tian and kind that something should be done by
our State to quiet the excitement"
= "And what is the law it don't forbid us to
shelter these poor creatures night, does it, and
to give 'em something comfortable to cat and
few old clothes, and send 'em quietly about their
5 business 20
"Why, yes, my dear-that would be aiding and
Abetting you know"
Mrs. Burr was a tmid, blushing, little woman
Of about four feet 10 height, and with mild, blue
eyes, and peach-bow complexion, and the gen
tlest, sweetest voice in the world as for courage,
a moderate-sized cock turkey had been known to
put her to rout at the very first gobbe, and a
stout hOuse-dog Of moderate capacity, would bring
her into subsection merely by show Of his teeth.
Her husband aud children were her entire world,
aud In these she ruled more by entreaty and per-
|
was only one thing that was capable of arousing
her, and that provOoation came In on the side OF
her unusually gentle and sympathetic nature
anything 10 the shape Of cruelty would throw her
into passion, which was the more alarming aud
ineKplicabe in proportion to the general softness
Of her nature. Generally the most indulgent and
easy to be entreated Of all mothers still her boys
had very reverent remembrance Of a most We
hement chastisement she once bestowed on them
because she found them leagued with several
graceless boys of the neighbOrhood, stoning de-
fencoless kitten
"pll tell you WHAT Master Bill used to soy,
{" WAS scared that time mother came at me 10
that thought she was crazy, and was whipped
and tumbed of to bed, without any supper, be-
fore | could get over wondering what had come
about aud after that, heard mother crying out
side the door, which made me feel worse than all
the rest III tell you what,n he'd say we boys
never stoned another kittenip
Ga the present occasion, Mrs Burr rose quick
ly, with very red cheeks, which quite improved
her general appearance, aud walked up to her
husband with quite resolute air, and said, In
determined tone
"Now John, | want to know II you think such
law as that Is right aud Christian"
"You won't shoot me, now, Mary, II say
dop
81 never could have thought it Of you, John /;
you didn't vote for itP
Even 80, my fair politician"
"YOu ought to be ashamed, John Poor, home
less. houseless creatures les shameful, wick
ell Abominable law, and I break it for Onethe FIRST
tipe get a chance and ! hope shall have
a chance II do. Things have got to pref
~ pass, II a woman can't give warm sup
per and bed TO poor, starving creatures, just be-
cause they are slaves, and have been abused aud
oppressed all their lives, poor things"
"But, Mary, just listen TO me- Your feelings
are all quite right, dear--and interesting-and
love you for them but, then, dear, We mustn't
suffer our feelings TO run away with our judg-
ment---you mus; consider it's not a matter Of pri-
vAte feeling--thers are great public interests in
yolyed-there Is such a state Of public agitation
rising that we must put aside our private feel
ingsp
"NOw, John, don't know anything about pol
itlcs, but can read my Bible and there see
that must feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
and comfort the desolate-And that Bible mean
10 follow
aBut In cases where your doing 80 would In
volve great public evil"-
Gobeying God never brings on public evils.
I know Il can't It's always safest all round to
do as He bids u.s."
aNOw, listen to me, Mary, and can state to
YOU very clear argument 10 show ~