Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1854-06-09
Uncle Tom in Real Life.


The Cincinnati Unionist relates the ad-
ventures of gentleman from Boone county
in Kentucky, who visited the theatre to
see if the Portra;turc of Southern Life in
"Uncle Toms Cabin" was faithfully deli
neated. As scene after scene passed before
him, his curiosity gave place to intense
emotions-each character awoke different
feelings. In Mr.Harris he saw the image
of his own situation as STAKEHOLDER and
sympathies as a master. Topsy and An
dy, the former for her ludicrous originali-
ty, and the latter for his comical wit,
convulsed him with laughter. The man
illness of ST. Clair filled him with admira-
ton, while Eva quite enchanted him by
her artless purity and sweetness. Legree's
demoniac actions Mortified him, but Uncle
Toms "Massa, never did do it never
could do it-and, Massa, nerer riN do
1t, IN die first" completely overcame
him, and he realized for the first time that
though "skies may differ, still moral beau
ty dwells in white and black the same"
and when he saw Uncle Tom die rather
than do wrong and cruel act, and Eva's
angelic vision ready to guide his freed
spirit to
"The heaven Of rest where all are free"
the glorious truth, "God looks at the
hearts of men," thrilled through his soul.
He moved away mechanically with the
retiring audience, only to return few
evenings later, accompanied by his wife,
two daughters, and a faithful maid servant.
The eldest daughter was a fair-haired,
gentle maiden, with dreamy eyes and an
indolent manner, that indicated rather the
lack of stimulant than intellect. Minnie,
aged about seven years, showed by every
lineament Of her countenance, that she was
a fun provoking and mirth- loving creature,
and appeared as though she was never
guilty of one moment of thought. The
drawa commenced-all were interested,
but Minnie seemed peculiarly inspired.
She neither smiled nor shed tear, but
her cheek would pale, then quickly flush,
as though for the first time she thought.
When the curtain dropped after the grand
tableaux, she could restrain her emotions
no longer, but threw herself into her
fathers arms, and murmured, "our poor
people, too, pa, our poor, dear people"
The next morning they pursued their
way homeward, but the old gentleman
neither spoke or noticed his travelling
companions. He seemed revolving in his
mind some weighty purpose; i: was the
emancipation of his slaves. 1t was great
sacrifice not only of wealth, but it was
humbling to his pride. Many of them
had been owned by his family long
whilc-he had inherited them and they
had grown old in his service Queries
here arose, what would his neighbors say,
and how could he do without them, and a
thousand conflicting reasons came to his
mind that never before had found place
there. His feelings were uncomfortable and
occasionally bitter tear stole down his
manly cheek. His family clustered around
him in silence, and Minnie's mischicvous
face was more strongly thoughtful, and at
intervals she would twine her arms around
his neck and kiss off the unbiddcn tear
On their arrival home, the servants gath
cred around Mr.. Minor, to give him a
hearty welcome, for be was kind and in
dulgent master, but they soon re.reated,
"massa was so strange" He spent the
night unhappily, and the next morning he
entered the presence of his family calm,
but pale, to fulfil the new ana firm pur-
pose of his soul. When breakfast was
over, he summoned all his servants together
and giving each the necessary papers, he
told them that they all were free. For
moment bewilderment reigned supreme,
then simultaneously they rushed toward
him, and falling upon their knees they rent
the air with sobs, cries of joy, and excla-
nations Of exultation. As soon as they
were comparatively calm, Mr.. Minor in
quired what they were going to do, now
they were free? A part of them utterly |
refused to leave him, but the young and
more ambitious turned hopeful eye to
the land of freedom. These he provided
for the journey, and on Wednesday last,
seven passed through our city to settle on
the northern shores of the lake, while four
with Mr. Minor. OF course, in
relating the occurrence, fictitious names
have been used, and the fastidious reader
may deem the narrative too highly colored,
but neither Of these circumstances can
,ffect the truth of the main facts of the
,ase, which were derived from Q reliable |
source.
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INpIANA-The recent Democratic Con-
7ention at indianapolis was stormy one,
md the Administration party triumphed
were adopted sustaining the
present National Administration. denoun.