The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-07-14
Nisceiiapsoqs.
From tie London Reekly ChroDiels
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Harriet Beecher Stowe.
INTERESTING PASSAGE FROM HER AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
The following extracts from letter
addressed by Mrs. Stowe to a friend in
this country, in answer to an inquiry for
some particulars of her early life, give an
account of the origin of the world
renowned ssUncle Toms Cabin" After
aplayful description of her personal ap-
pearance-an account of her marriage
with Professor Stowe, at the age of
twenty -fye-her settlement at Lane Sem
mary, near Cincinnati, In Ohio, and the
increase of her family, she says:
"The most beautiful of these (her
children) and the most beloved lies
buried near my Cincinnati residence. 1t
was at his dying bed, and at his grave,
that 1 learnt what poor slave mother
may feel when her child is torn from
her. In the depths efmy sorrow. which
seemed to me immeasurable, it was my
only prayer to God that such anguish
might not be suffered in vain.
"There were circumstances connected
with this child's death of such peculiar
bitterness-of what might seem almost
cruel suffering-thatI / felt | could never
be consoled for it, unless It should ap-
pear that the crushing of my own heart
might enable me to work out some great
good to others.
..His death took place during the
cholera summer, when in a circle of FIVE
miles around me nine thousand were
buried-a mortality which have never
heard exceeded anywhere.
''My husband, in feeble health, was
obliged to be absent the whole time, and
! had sole charge of family of fifteen
persons. He could not return to me, be-
cause | would not permit it; for in many
instances where parents had returned
from distance to their families and the
injected atmosphere, the result had been
sudden death, and the physician warned
me that if he returned. it would only be
to die. My poor Charlie died for want
oftimely medical aid for, in the univer-
sal confusion and despair that prevailed,
it was often impossible to obtain assist
.nce till it was too late.
.sI allude to this bereavement because
I believe that much that is in uncle
Toms Cabin had its root in the awful
scenes and bitter sorrows of that sum-
mer. 1t has left now, trust, no trace
in my mind, except deep compassion
for the sorrowful. especially for mothers
who are separated from their children
"During the long years of struggling
with poverty, sickness, and hot, debili-
tating climate. my children grew up
around me. The nursery and the kitch- !
en- were my principal fields of. labor
Some of my friends, plying my tolls,
sent some of my sketches to certain lib
orally paying annuals, with my name.
With the first money that earned this
way bought feather-bedI For, as I
had married into poverty, and without
dowry, and as my husband had only a
large library of books, and great deal
of learning, this bed and pillows were
thought, on the whole. the most profta-
BILE investment.
81 now thought had discovered the
philosophers stone; and when a new
carpet or mattrass was needed, or when,
at the close of the year. it began to be
evident that my family accounts, like
Dora's, 'wouldn't add up, then / used to
say to my faithful friend and factotum,
Anna, who shared all my Joys and sor-
rows, Now, if you'll keep the babies
quiet, and attend TO all the things in the
house for one day. I'll write piece, and
then we shall be out ofthe scrape.. And
so / became an authoress Very mod
est at first, do assure you. and remon-
strsting very seriously with the friends
who had thought it best ts put my name
TO my productions BY way Of getting up
q areputation.
"During my life at the West. I lived
two miles from the city of Cincinnati, in
the country; and domestic service. not
always to be found in the city. is next to
impossible TO be obtained in the country,
even oy those who are willing to give the
highest wages. So what was to be ex-
pected for poor me, who had very little
Of this worlds good to offer :? Had it
not been for my inseparahle friend Anna,
noble-hearted English girl, who landed
on cur American shores in destitntion
and sorrow, and who claye unto me as
Ruth unto Naomi, l had never lived
through all the toll which this uncer-
tainty and absolute want of domestic
service imposed upon mo. You may
imagine, therefore, how glad was when
about dozen families of liberated ne
grcsse came and settled in our vicinity.
They became my fayorite resorts in cases
of emergency.
"If anybody wants to have a black
face look handsome, let them be left as
have benin feeble health, in oppres-
sive hot weather, with 8 sick baby In
arms, AMI two or three ether little ones
IN the nursery. and not single servant
n the whole house TO do a single tarn.
And then. If they should see any good
Aunt. frankie coming in. with her hon
est, bluff, black face, her long, sszoHu
arms. her chest as big and stout as q baf=
rel. and her hilarious. hearty lanois-