The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-13
WASHINGTON, d. G.
For the National Era
tcopYRIeHT SECURED ACCORDING TO LAwI
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY.
CHAPTER XX.-Ksaiuck.
BY MRS. II. b. STOWE,

CHAPTER XX.--ksatuck.
Our readers may not be unwilling to glance
hack for a brief interval at Uncle Toms Cabin
ON the Kentucky farm, and see what has been
TRANSMITTING among those whom he had left be-
hind.
1t was late in the summer afternoon, and the
doors and windows of the large parlor all stood
open to invite any stray brave that might feel
in a good humor to enter. Mr. Shelby sat in
large hall opening into the room, and run
ming through the whole length of the house to
balcony on either end Leisurely tipped
back in one chair, with his heels in another, he
was enjoying his after-dinner cigar. Mrs Shell
by sat IN the door, busy about some fine sew
ing; she seemed like one who had something
on her mind, which she was seeking an oppor-
tunity to introduce
@Do you know she said, that Chloe has
nad a-'eiaf from Tom !n -.
An has sis Toa:'s got some friend there,
IL seems HOW Is the 90 poy'. ~ ~ ~ = a
"He has been bought by very fine family
| should think, said Mrs. Shelby-"is kindly
treated, and has not much to do"
"Ah WELL Pm glad of livery glad said
Mr. Shelby, heartily. "Tom, | suppose, will
get reconciled to Southern residence-hardly
want to come up here again"
ION the contrary, he inquiries very anxious
ly," said Mrs Shelby "when the money for his
redemption is to be raised"
pm sure don't know" said Mr.. Shelby.
Once get business running wrong there does
seem to be no end to tits like jumping from
one bog to another all through swamp-bor-
row of one to pay another, and then borrow of
another to pay one and these cOnfOunded
notes falling due before man has time to
smoke cigar, and turn round-dunning let
ters and dunning messages-all scamper and
hurry-scurry."
1T does seem to me- my dear, that some
thing might be done to straighten matters
Suppose we sell off all the horses, and sell one
of your farms, and pay up square
SOh, ridiculous, Emily! You are the finest
woman in Kentucky, but still you haven't sense
to know that you don't understand business
women never do, and never can"
But at least" said Mrs. Shelby, "could not
you give me some little insight into yours-a
list of all your debts at least and of all that is
owed to you-and let me try and see if can't
help you to economize"
"Oh, bother! on'tplague me, Emily can't
tell exactly. | know somewhere about what
things are likely to be- but there's no trimming
and squaring my affairs as Chloe trims crust
of her pies You don't know anything about
business, tell youn
And Mr.. Shelby, not knowing any other way
of enforcing his ideas raised his voice--a mode
of arguing very convenient and convincing when
gentleman is discussing matters of business
with his wife
Mrs. Shelby ceased talking with something
of sigh The fact was, that though her hus-
band had stated she was a woman, she had a
clear, energetic, practical mind, and force of
character every way superior to that of her
husbands; so that it would not have been so
very absurd a supposition to have allowed her
capable of managing as Mr.. Shelby supposed.
Her heart was set On performing her promise
to Tom and Aunt Chloe and she sighed as dis
couragements thickened around her
Don't you think we might in some way
contrive to raise that money! Poor Aunt
Chloe, her heart is 80 set on ito
I'm sorry if it is. ] think was premature
IN promising. Pm not sure now but it's the
best way to tell Chloe, and let her make up
her mind to it. Tom'll have another wife in a
year or two, and she had better take up with
somebody elsen
MIR. Shelby, have taught my people that
their marriages are AZ sacred as ours. ! never
could think n giving Chloe such advice"
It's a pity, wife, that you have burdened
them with morality above their condition
and prospects. ! always thought so.0
dts only the morality of the Bible, MIR.
Shelby"
"Well, well, Emily, don't pretend to inter
fere with your religious notions, only they seem
extremely untitled for people in that condition.
"They are indeed" said Mrs Shelby, and
that is why from my soul ! hate the whole
thing tell you, my dear, l cannot absolve
myself from the promises make to these help
less creatures II can get the money no other
way, will take music scholars could get
enough, know-and earn hemoney myself"
You wouldn't degrade yourself that way
Emily? never could consent to itn
Degrade would it degrade me as much as
to break my faith with the helpless! No, in
deed"
"Well you are always heroic and transcen
dental, said Mr.. Shelby, but think you had
better think before you undertake such piect
Of Quxotsm"
Here the conversation was interrupted by
the appearance Of Aunt Chloe at the end O
the verandah
II you please, missis,p said she.
well, Chloe, what's it 90 said her mistress
rslng, and gong to the end Of the balcony.
II mlssis would come and look at dis ye
lot o. poetry
Chloe had a particular fancy for calling
poultry poetry An application of languag,
IN winch she always persisted, notwithstandin,
frequent corrections and advisings from tn,
younger members of the family.
La sakes," she would say III can't seq
one JUS good as turry-poetry, suthin good any
how ;" and 80 poetry Chloe continued 10 call L
Ind II.
lot OF chickens and ducks over which Chic
stood with very grave face of consideration.
I'm a-thinkin whether missis would IN
a-hayin a chicken pie o. desc yer.n
Really, Aunt Chloe don't much care
serve them any way you Gken
Chloe stood handling them over abstractedly
twas quite evident that the chickens were no
what she was thinking Of At last, with tn,
snort laugh with which her tribe often intro
uuee doubtful proposal, she said
Laws me, missisI what should massr ant
mlsss be a troublin themselves bout de money
una not usin what's right in der hands" ant
chloe laughed again
o don't understand you, Chloe" said Mrs
Spel1y, nothing doubling, from her knowledg'
" ohoe's manner, that she had heard every
.ora OF the conversation that had passed be
tween her and her husband.
n, why, laws me- missis" said Chloe laugh
ns again, "other folks hires out der nigger
ana makes money on 'em--don't keep ach
''oe eatin 'em out Of house and home.D
.ho. Wen, Chloe, who do you propose that W,
;. Law. Laws amt aproposin nothln only San
a. 'a''d der was one Of desc yer psyfsctioners
aey cails EN- in Louisville, said ne wanted .
zoo hand at cake and pastry, and said he't
swell, chloeo 800