The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-08-10
From hs London Weekly Chronicle.
HARRIET BERCHER STOWE.

FROM ns London Weekly Chronicle.
HARRIET BERCHER STOWE.
The following extracts from letter ad-
dressed by friend in this country, in an.
swer to IN Inquiry for somo particulars Of
her early life, give an account Of the origin
OF the world-renowned Uncle Toms Cab.
in" Alter playful description OF her up.
pearance,-an account Of her marriage with
Professor Stowe, at the ags Of 25-her set.
clement at Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati,
Ohio, and the increase Of her family, she
says:
The most beautiful OF these, Cher childrcn)
and tho most beloved, lies buried near my
Cincinnati residence. 1t was at his dying
bed, and at his grave, that learnt what o
poor slave mother may feel when her child
is taken from her. In the depth Of my sor.
row which seemed to be immeasurablc, it
was my only prayer to God that such an
guish might not be suffered in vain.
There are circumstances connected with
this child's death o: such peculiar bitter
ness or what seemed almost suferings-
that I felt I could never be consoled for H.,
unless il should appear that tho crushing OF
my own heart might enable me 10 work ou,
,on,o c,a,t oooJ to otbara
His death took place during the cholera
summer, when in circle five miles around
me, nine thousand were buried-a morial.
ty which have never heard exceeded any.
where.
My husband, in feeble health, was oblig.
ed to be absen, the whole time, and I had
sole charge Of family Of fifteen persons.
He could not return to me, because would
not permit il; Tor in many instances where
parents had returned from distance TO
their families, and The infected air, the result
had been sudden death {; and the physician
warned me ,ha, If he returned It would only
be 10 die. My poor Charlie died for want
Of medical Gid; for in the universal con-
fusion and despair which prevailed, it was
onen impossible 10 obtain assistance till il
was too laie.
I allude 10 this bereavement because I
believe that much that is in Uncle Toms
Cabin" had its roots in the awful scenes and
bitter sorrows Of that summer. II has LEFT
now, trust, no trace in my mind, except
deep compassion for The sorrowiul, especial
ly for mothers who are separated from their
children.
During long years Of struggling with pov.
erty, sickness, and hot, deblialing climate,
my children grew up around me. The
nursery and The kitchen were my principal
fields Of labor. Some Of my friends, plying
my tolls, sent some Of my sketches 10 Ger.
tain literally paying ANNALS, with my
name. With the first money that earned
this way, bought fea,he, bed For as
I had married into poverty, and without q
dowry, and rs my husband had only large
library Of books, and a great deal OF learn
ing, this bed and pillows were thought on
the whole the most profitable investment.
now thought had discovered the phi
losopher's stone, and when new carpe, or
mai,rass was needed, or when at The close
of the year il began 10 be evident that my
family accounts, like Dora's wouldn't add
up,r then used 10 cay 10 my faithful friend
and hcio,um, Anna, who shared all my
joys and sorrows. "Now, il you'll keep the
babies quiet, and attend 10 all the things in
the house Tor one day, Ill wriis a piece,
and then we shall get out Of the scrnpe."-
And SO became an auihoress Very
modest al first, assure you, and remon-
stra,ing very seriously with The friends who
had thought !, best TO put my namo 10 my
productions, by way Of getting up a repu.
taiion.
During my life in the West I lived two
miles from the city Of Cincinnati, 10 the
country; and domestic service, not always
10 be found in the city, is next 10 impossi-
bic 10 be found in the country, even by
those who are willing 10 pay the highest
wages. So wha, will be expected for poor
me, who had bu, very little Of the world
goods to ofIeri Had il not been for my in-
separable friend, Anna, q noble hearted
English girl, who landed on our American
shores ia desiiiuiion and sorrow, and who
clave unto me as Roth unto Naomi, I had
never lived through oil the toll and uncer.
,ainiy and absolute want Of domestic ser.
vice imposed upon me. You may imagine
therefore, how glad was when abou, q
dozen families oi liberal n.groes came and
settled in our vicinity. They became my
iayorile resorts in cases Of emergency.
II anybody wants 10 have a black face
look handsome, let them be lefi a. have
been-in feeble health. in. oppressive hot
weather, with sick baby in her arms, and
Two or three other little ones The nursery,
and not single servant In the whole house
to do mo single turn. And II they should
go any good Aunt frankie coming in with