The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-10-02
For the National Era
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY.
CHAPTER XvII.-THe FreemGn's Defence,
BY MRS, II, a, STOWE

CHAPTER XVII-The Freen,an's Defence,
There was a gentle hustle at the Quaker
house as the afternoon drew to close Rachel
Halliday moved quietly TO and fro, collecting
from her household stores such needments ny
could be arranged in the smallest compass, for
the wanderers who were b. 20 forth that night.
The afternoon shadows stretched eastward, and
the round, red sun stood thoughtfully on the
horizon, and bis beams shone yellow and calm
into the little bed-roonf where George and his
Both looked thoughtful and serious, and traces
of tears were on their cheeks.
ayes, Eliza said George, i know all you
saw is true. You are good child---a great
deal better than am; and will try to do as
YOU saw. I'll try to act worthy of q free man.
flI try to feel like Christian. God Almighty
knows that Pye meant TO do well-trled hard
20 do well-when whea everything has been
against me and now I'll forget all the past,
and nut away every hard and bitter feeling,
and read my Bible and learn to be good
man.
"And when we get TO Canada" said Eliza,
az can helm YOU | can do dress-making very
well and understand fine washing and iron
ing. and between US we can find something to
live on.0
"Yes Eliza. 10 long as we have each other
and our boy. Oh Eliza, IL these people only
knew what blessing il is for a man TO feel
that his wife and child belong to him. Pve
often wondered to see men that could call their
wives and children their otc,l, fretting and wor
rying about anything else. Why, | feel rich
and strong, though we have nothing but oul
bare hands. feel as if could scarcely AK
God for any more Yes, though Pve worked
hard every day, till agh twenty-five years old
and have not a cent Of money nor a roof II
cover me, nor spot Of land 10 call my own
vet, if they will only let me alone now will
be satisfed-tbankful viii work, and send
back the money for you and my boy As t.
my old master, he has been paid five times over
Cor all he ever spent for me. ! don't owe him
anything"
"But vet we are not quite out of danger
said Eliza, "we are not yet in Canada"
"True," said George, "but il seems IA if
melt the free air, and it makes me strong"
At this moment voices were heard in the
outer apartment in earnest conversation, and
very soon rap was heard on the door Eliza
started and opened IL.
| Simeon Halliday was there, and with him {
Quaker brother, when he introduced as Phin
cas- Fletcher Phineas was tall and lathy
! red-haired, with AN expression OF great acute
1 ness and shrewdnsss in his face. He had no
the placid, quiet, unworidly air of Simeon Hal
liday; on the contrary, a particularly wide
awake and az fat appearance, like MAJ
who rather prides himself ON knowing wha
he rs about and keeping bright lookou
Observation-Disclosures which sorted rather odd,
with his broad brun and formal phraseology.
sour friend Phineas hath discovered some
thing of importance 70 Me interests Of thee an
thy party, George said Simeon " it were we
J for thee TO hear itp
} THAT have,D said Phineas z and il show
the use of mans always sleeping with ON
ear open, in certain places, az Pve always saic
Last night stopped at little lone tavern, bac
on the road. Thee remembers the place, Sim
con, where we sold some apples last year :
, that fat woman with the great earrings. WEI
L was tired with hard driving; and after m
supper, ! stretched myself down on pile Q
bags in the corner, and pulled buffalo owe
me, To wait till my bed was ready, and wha
! does do but get fast asleep"
aWith one ear open, Phineas :" said Simeon
: quietly.
; "No; slept. ears and all, for an hour or two
J for was pretty well tired but when cam
10 myself little, I found that there were som
| men in the room, sitting round table, drink
ing and talking and thought, before mao
much muster, I'd just see what they were u
especially as I heard them say sone.liln
! shout THE Quakers So,' says one, they ar
up in the Quaker Settlement, no doubt say
, he. Then listened with both ears ana
, found that they were talking about this yer
party. So ! lay, and heard them lay on y
} their plans. This young man. they said, wa
to be sent back to Kentucky TO his master VII
: was going 70 make an example OF nm, 20 kes e
all niggers from running away and ms WI
} two Of them was goips'so run down 70 Ne
, Orleans to sell, a fhsi1eup account ana the
, calculated 10 ~ rfrbeen or eighteen handre
I dollars Tor her : SsA ~ child, they SSH
. was going 70 . trcgE ~ had bought him
D and then there - ~ 10y, Jun, ana q
. mother---thsy ~ nv ~ % their ms~ssr
~ Ks1snehy s. @s. , snsss sb ssd' W y
. would % In wss1I Z ~ ~ ON taken up a.
1 ths Young woman We y h. taken before