The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-25
For the National Era.
lCoPYRIeHT SECURED ACCORDING To LAwl
UNCLE TOMS CABIN:
OR,
LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY.
CHAPTER XLI-Cont,nued.
BY MRS. n. b. STOWE.

CHATTER ALl-JON1Hutd.
After this, Legree became harder drinker
than ever before. He no longer drank eau
tiously, prudently, but imprudently and reck-
lessly.
There were reports around the country, soon
after, that he was sick and dying Excess
had brought on that frightful disease that
seems to throw the lurid shadows of coming
retribution back into the present life. None
could bear the horrors of that sick room, when
he raved and screamed, and spoke of sights
which almost stopped the blood of those who
heard him. and, at his dying bed, stood
stern, white, memorable figure saying " Come
come come
BY singular coincidence, on the very night
that this vision appeared to Legree, the house
door was found open in the morning and some
of the negroes had seen two white figures
gliding down the avenue towards the high
road
1t was sunrise when Classy and Emmelne
paused for a moment in a little knot of trees
near the town.
Classy was dressed after the manner of the
Creole Spanish ladies-wholly in black A
small black bonnet on her head, covered by a
veil thick with embroidery, concealed her face
1t had been agreed that, in their escape, she
was to personate the character of Creole
lady, and Emmene that of her servant.
Brought up from early life in connection
with the highest society, the language, move
ments, and air of Classy were all in agreement
with this idea; and she had still enough re.
naming with her of n once splendid wardrobe
and set of jewels, to enable her to personate
the thing to advantage.
She stopped in the outskirts of the town,
where she had noticed trunks for sale, and
purchased a handsome one. This she request
ed the man to send along with her. And, ac-
cordngly, thus escorted by boy wheeling her
trunk, and Emmeline behind her carrying her
carpet-bag and sundry bundles, she made her
appearance at the small tavern like lady of
consideration.
The first person that struck her, after her
arrival, was George Shelby, who was staying
there, awaiting the next boat.
Classy had remarked the young man from
her loop-hole in the garnet, and seen him bear
away the body of Tom, and observed with Sc
cret exultatlOn, his rencOntre with Legree.
Subsequently, she had gathered, from the con-
versations she had overheard among the ne
groes, as she glided about in her ghostly dis
guse, after nightfall, who he was, and in what
relation he stood to Tom She therefore felt
an immediate accession of confidence, when she
found that he was, like herself, awaiting the
next boat
Cassy's air and manner, address, and evident
command of money prevented any rising dis
position TO suspicion in the hotel. People never
inquire too closely into those who are fair on
the main point, Of paying well-a thing which
Classy had forcsccn when she provided herself
with money
In the edge of the evening, boat was heard
coming along, and George Shelby handed Cas-
sy aboard, with the politeness which comes nat
urally to every Kentuckan and exerted him.
self to provide her with good state-room.
Classy kept her room and bed on pretext of
illness, during the whole time they were on
Red river and was waited on, with obsequi-
Gus devotion, by her attendant.
When they arrived at the Mississippi river,
George, having learned that the course of the |
strange lady was upward, ike his own, pro- |
posed to take a state-room for her on the same |
boat with himself-good-natu compassion.
ating her feeble health and DESTROYS to do |
what he could to assist her
Behold, therefore, the whole party safely |
transferred to the good steamer Cincinnati and
sweeping up the river under powerful head
of steam.
Cassy's health was much better. She sat
upon the guards, came to the table, and was
upon in the boat a. lady that must |
have been very handsome.
From the moment that George got the first |
glimpse Of her face, he was troubled with one
Of those fleeing and indefinite likenesses |
which almost everybody can remember, and |
has been, at times, perplexed with He could |
not keep himself from looking at her, and
watching her perpetually. At table, or sitting |
ut her siate.room door, still she would encoun.
ter the young mans eyes fixed on her. and
politely withdrawn. when she showed by her |
countenance that she was sensible of the OBJ |
servation.
CASEY became uneasy. She began TO think |
that he suspected something and finally re-
solved 10 throw herself entirely on his gene
rosity and intrusted him with her whole his
tory.
George was heartily disposed 10 sympathize
with any one who had escaped from Legree's
place that he could not remem-
Der or speak Of with patence-and, with the |
courageous disregard Of consequences which il |
of his age and State, he assured |
her that he would do oil in his power to pro- |
lect and bring them through.
The next state-room To Cassy's was occupied
by French lady named DE Thoux, who was
by a fine little daughter, q child
Df some twelve summers.
This lady, having gathered from Georges
that he WAS from Kentucky,
seemed evidently disposed to cultivate his &C
iuaintance; in which design she was seconded
by the graces of her little girl, who was about
rs pretty plaything as ever diverted the wes-
riness OF q fortnights trip On steamboat.
Georges chair was often placed at her state !