The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-25
For the National Era.
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
LIFE MONG THE LOWLY.
BY MRS. II. b. STOWE.
CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII
Week after week glded away in the st.
49,. .....o.,,.., *. ,4.,s 49,, =. ~
hP4k p their psnaI h,S. I~b"ye that IT. rS;l
had gone down. For how mperiousiy, how
coolly, in disregard of all ones feeling does the
hard, cold, uninteresting course of daily reali-
ties move on Still must we eat, and drink
and sleep, and wake again-still bargain buy,
sell, ask and answer questions = pursue, in
short thousand shadows though all inter
est in them be over; the cold mechanical habit
Of living remaining after ali vital interest in it
has fled
All the interests and hopes of ST. Clare's life
had unconsciously wound themselves around
this child 1t was for Eva that he had man.
aged his property it was for Eva that he had
planned the disposal of his time; and to do this
and that for Eya-to buy, improve, alter, and
arrange or dispose something for her, had
been 20 long his habit that now she was gone
there seemed nothing to be thought of, and
nothing to be done
True. there was another life-a life which,
once believed in, stands rs solemn, significant
figure before the otherwise unmeaning cypress
of time, changing them to orders of mysterious,
untold value. ST. Clare knew this well and
often in many a weary hour he heard that
slender childish voice calling him to the skies,
and saw that little hand pointing to him the
way of life but heavy lethargy of sorrow
lay on him--he could not arise. He had one
of those natures which could better and more
clearly conceive of religious things from its
own perceptions and instincts, than many a
matter of fact and practical Christian. The
gift to appreciate and the sense to feel the
H. 4 nc off,
seems an attribute of those whose whole life
shows a careless disregard of them. Hence
| Moore, Byron, Goethe, often speak words more
wisely descriptive of the true religious senti
ment than another man whose whole life 4
governed by it, In such minds, disregard o
religion is a more fearful treason NOR
deadly sin
St Clare had never pretended to govern
himself by any religious obligation, and Ger
tain fneness of nature gave him such On in
stnctive view Of the extent of the requirement.
of Christianity that he shrank by anticipation
| from what he felt would be the exactions Of
| his own conscience, if he once did resolve to
assume them For so inconsistent is human
nature, especially in the ideal, that not to I'M
dertake thing mt all, seems better than to I'M
dertake and come short.
Still St Clare was in many respects another
man. He read his little Eya's Bible seriously
and honestly, he thought more soberly and
practically of his relations to his servants
enough to make him extremely dissatisfied with
both his past and present course and one thing
he did soon after his return to New Orleans
and that was to commence the legal steps
necessary to Toms emancipation which was to
be perfected AZ soon as he could get through
the necessary formalities Meantime he at
tached himself to Tom more and more every
day In all the wide world, there was nothing
that seemed to remind him so much of Eva,
and he would insist on keeping him constantly
about him and fastidlous and unapproaehable
M he was with regard to his deeper feelings,
he almost thought aloud to Tom. Nor would
any one have wondered ut it, who had seen the
expression of affection and devotion with which
Tom continually followed his young master
"Wel, 1om,D said st. Clare, the day after
he had commenced the legal formalitics for his
enfranchisement, Pm going to make free
man of you-so have your trunk packed, and
get ready to set out for Kentuck'
The sudden light Of joy that shone in Toms
face as he raised his hands TO heaven, his en-
phatc "Bless the Lord,' rather discomposed
st Clare he did not like it that Tom should
be SO ready to leave him.
4You haven't had such very bad times here
that you need be in such IA rapture, Tom," he
said, drily.
No, no, mass'r faint that-it's bcn q free
man That's what I'm joyin for"
"Why Tom, don't you think, for your own
part you've been better off than to be free ?u
"No, indeed, mass'r St. Clare" said Tom
with flash of energy. "No, indeed ~
"Wby Tom, you couldn't possibly have
earned, by your work, such clothes and such
living as have given you"
Knows all that, mass'r ST. Clare massr's
been too good; but, massr, I'D rather have poor
clothes, poor house, poor everything and have
'em mine, than have the best, and have 'em any
mans else had so, mass'r think it's natur
mass'rn
IL suppose so, Tom, and you'll be going off
and leaving me in u month or SOP he added
rather discontentedly. Though why you
shouldn't, no mortal knows,n he said, in a gayer
tone and getting up he began to walk the
ho0rn
Not while mass'r is in trouble said Tom
" III stay with massr as long AZ he wants me
NO ~ | can be any use.p
mot while Pm in trouble, Tom?n said st.
Clare, looking sadly out of the window. -.
{" And when will my trouble be over 90
"When mass'r St. ClaIe's a Christian" said
Tom.
"And you really mean to stay by till that
day comes" said st. Clare, half smiling as he
turned from the window, and laid his hand on
Toms shoulder. "Ah. Tom, you soft silly boy
won't keep you till that day; 20 home TO your
wife and children, and give my love to all
Pr faith 10 believe that day will come, said
Tom, earnestly, and with tears in his eyes the
Lord has work for mass'r"
"A work, hey!" said st. Clare; well, now,
Tom, give me your views on what sort Of a work
Il is let's hearo
."Why, even poor fellow like me has a work
from the Lord; and mass'r St. Clare, that has
larnin, and riches, and friends--how much he
might do for the Lord!p
"Tom, you seem 10 think the Lord needs a
great deal done for him." said St. Clare, smi-
ling.
ave does for the Lord when we does for his
critturn," said Tom.
"Good theology, Tom; better than DIR. b.
breaches, dare swear" said st. Clare