The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-18
NO. 272.

cOurSe, before tney could read IT. Tom was
already lost to their view among the distant
swamps of the Red River
Mrs Shelby read the intelligence with the
deepest concern; but any immediate action
upon it was an impossibility. She was then in
attendance upon the sick bed of her husband,
who lay delirous in the crisis of fever Mas
ter George Shelby, who in the interval had
changed from boy to 4 tall youth. was her
constant and faithful assistant and her only
reliance in experimenting his fathers affairs.
Miss Ophelia had taken the precaution 10 send
them the name of the lawyer who did business
for the ST. Clares: and the most that in the
emergency cOuld be done, was TO address let
ter Of inquiry to him. The sudden death of
| Mr.. Shelby, few days after. brought of course,
an absorbing pressure of other interests for a
season.
Mr.. Shelby showed his confidence in his
wife's ability, by appointing her sole executrix
upon his estates and thus Immediately large
and complicated amount of business was
brought upon her hands
Mrs. Shelby, with characteristic energy ap-
piled herself to the work Of STRENGTHENING the
ontangled web of affairs; and she and George
were for some time occupied with collecting
and examining accounts selling property and
settling debts for Mrs Shelby was determined
that everything should be brought into tangible
and recognizable shape let the consequences to
her prove what they might
In the mean time they received a letter from
the lawyer to whom Miss Ophelia had referred
them, saying that he knew nothing of the mat
ter; that the man was sold at public auction,
and that beyond receiving the money, he knew
nothing of the affair.
Neither George nor Mrs Shelby could be
easy at this result; and accordingly, some six
months after, the latter having business for his
3 'Winnet uoSsn tnr rlyty rsrO.>eI 10 ri.It isrr
Orleans in person, and push- his inquiries in
hopes of discovering Toms whereabouts, and
restoring him
After some months of unsuccessful search, by
the merest accident George fell in with u man
in New Orleans who happened to he possessed
of the desired information and with his money
in his pocket, our hero took steamboat for Red
River, resolving TO find out and repurchase his
old friend
He was soon introduced into The house, where
he found Legree in the sitting-room
Legree received the stranger with n kind of
surly hospitality.
=" | understood that you bought, in New Or
leans a boy named Tom He used to be on
my fathers place. and | came to see if |
couldn't buy him back
Legrees brow grew dark, and he broke out,
passiOnately-
ayes, | did buy such a fellow. and n h-ll of
bargain | had Of it, too! The most rebel
lious saucy, impudent dog Set up my mig
gers to run away-got off two gals worth eight
hundred or a thousand dollars apiece He
owned to that; and when | bid him tell me
where they was, he up and said he knew, but no
wouldn't tell and stood TO it, though ! gave
him the cussedest flogging ever gave niger
| | 70 Al hut |
know as he'll make it out"
"Where is he ~ said George, impetuously
"let me see him.
The cheeks of the young man We're crimson,
and his eyes flashed fire; but he prudently said
nothing as yet
He's in dat ar she'd said little follow,
who stood holding Georges horse.
Legree kicked the boy, and sworc at him.
But George without saying another word,
, turned and strobe to the spot
night-not suffering; for every nerve of suffer
ing was blunted aud destroyed. He lay for
the most part in n quiet stupor for the laws of
n powerful and well-kni frame would not at
y once release the imprisoned spirit. BY stealth
there had been there in the darkness of the
i night poor, desolated creatures, who stole from
y their scanty hours rest that they might repay
to him some of those mnistrations of love in
which he had always been no abundant Truly,
J. these poor disciples had little to gve-only the
" cup of cold water-but it was given with full
hearts
Tears had fallen on that honest insensble
:, face-tears of late repentance in the poor, ig-
norant heather, whom his dying love and pa
., thence had awakened to repentance and bitter
prayers, breathed over him to n late-found Saw
Jour- of whom they scarce knew more than
| I..t. H..
} heart OF man never implores in vain.
Classy, who had glided out of her place of
concealment and, by overhearing, learnt the
sacrifice that had been made for her and En-
incline, had been there the night before, defy
ing the danger of detection and, moved by tho
few last words which the atectionate soul had
yet strength to breathe, the long winter of
despair-the Joe Of years-had given way, and
the dark, despairing woman had wept and
prayed
When George entered the shed, he felt his
head glddy and his heart sick.
Is it possible is it possbe!" said he, kncel-
ing down by him. Uncle Tom my poor
poor old friend"
Something in the voice penetrated to tho ear
of the dying He moved his head gently, and
smiled, and said
Jesus make dying bed
| roc' SUI ms oo"hy Pho"s "'e'
Tears which did honor to his manly heart
fell from the young mans eyes, rs he bent ovor
his poor friend.
ooh, dear Uncle Tom, do wake-do speak
once more look up here's maSs'r George
your own little mass'r George-don't you know
me?D
"Mass'r George" said Tom, opening his
eyes and speaking in feeble voice. Mass'r
| George
He looked bewildered Slowly the idea
seemed to I'll his soul the vacant eye became
fxed--brightened the whole face lighted up;
the hard hands clasped and tears ran down
the checks
Bless the Lord, it il, it is-it's all wanted
They haven't forgotten me, 1t warns my
soul-it does my old heart good. Now shall
die content Bless the Lord oh my soul ~
"You shant die--you mustn't die, nor think
Of it. I've come TO buy you, and take you
home" said George, with impctuous yehe-
mence.
"Ah, massr George yer too late--the Lords
bought me- and in going 10 take me home; and
long to go--lieavcn is better than kntuck'
"0h, don't die-itl kill mc-itll break my
heart 10 think what you've suffered, and lying
here in this old shed here-poor, poor fellow
Don't call mo poor fellow" said Tom,
solemnly. IL hare been poor fellow, but that's
all past and gone; now Pm right in the door.
going straight into glory. Oh, mass'r George.
Hcaucn has come I've got the victory Tho
Lord Jesus has given it to me-glory be to his
name
George was awe-struck ut the force, the ve-
hemence and power with which these broken
sentences were uttered. He sat gazing in si-
lence.
| 4.