The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-20
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CONDENSED
CLASSICS
~
UNCLE TOMS
CABIN
~
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE
Condensation by
HARRIET BEEcHER STOWE
Condensation by
John kendrick Bangs

E:z:** ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TT WAS in the days when African
slavery flourlshed under the free
l. skies of America. Evil times had
befalIen the house Of Shelby, and
pressing debt required the sacrifice OF |
a portion of the holdings Of the Ken |
lucky planter in human chattels. Un-
Gle Tom instead of the freedom that |
had been promised him as the reward
of a lifetime of devoted service found
himself torn from wife, home and
children, transferred to the hands Of
an INSCRIPTIONS trader, and consigned
to the terrOr-ridden slave-markets OF
the lower Mississippi. So trusted had
the black man been that numerous
avenues of escape lay open to him.
OF one of these, in the dead of winter,
over the ice-bound waters Of the Ohio
river, by the underground" to San
dusky, and thence to freedom in Can
ada the mulatto-girl Eliza, and her
son who had been sold at the same
time, had awaited themselves. But
TOMS fidelity to his master was too
strong, and fearing to involve him IN
further difficulties he bravely faced
the miseries of the future.
II am in the Lords hands," said
he to those who tried to persuade him
to escape, "and there'll be the same
God there that there is here"
"Well, it's a nasty mean shame,
Tom I" sobbed his masters son George,
as he babe the old slave farewell.
'But remember-some day I'll come
down and buy you back"
The voyage down the Mississippi
with the slave-gang to which Tom was
attached was filled with scenes and
episodes of woe and tragedy, but Tom
found relief from sorrow in the COM
partnership of a fellow-passenger a
fairy-like little girl, full Of the smil-
ing spirit of play, who fascinated by
Toms unusual dexterity in the making
of strange toys dear to the hearts of
children, chung to him as to an old
and beloved friend.
"Where are you going. TOMB" she
asked one day.
, II dunno, Missy" said rom. "Reck-
! on I'm gwine to be sold to somebody
but 1 dunno who.'
swell, my father can buy you," said
she, land I'll ask him to this very
day.
, 'Thank you, my little lady," smiled
3 Tom, gratefully.
, And his "little lady" she soon be
q came, for the brave black won little
t Eva's life back from the swirling wa.
4 tiers of the Mississippi into which she
I had fallen, and in sheer gratitude fol
t her deliverance the child's father, Au
: gustine St. Clare bought him from
q the trader.
8 The scene now changes to New Or
e leans, where in beautiful home, iI
J. daily comradeship with his little mis-
o tress, Tom for time was happy. st
e Glare, his new master, was kindly an(
?. sympathetic, and while of an easy
v going disposition dawning conscious
r, ness of the iniquity of slavery hat
l come into his soul, a consciousness
n confirmed and accentuated by his dai
l. ly contemplation of the nobility o
l. heart Of the faithful Tom. Two year
2, Of this unlocked for happiness passe'
It away, and once more Tom was fac
o to face with misfortune. His flower
o like little companion, growing dali
n more and more fragile, herself in spit
E. Of her years envisaging and depresse
l. by the wickedness Of the system O
l. slavery which not only destroyed tn
l souls Of the oppressed, but debase
% the character of the oppressors, fina
Is " died. Heart-broken over his los
n St. Glare found comfort only in tn
N companionship of the equally hear
N broken Tom, and one day in a sue
IN den surge of gratitude he promise
r the old man his freedom, but the ligt
ID Of Joy that shone in Toms face whe
10 he heard the promise disconcerte
ly him.
~ 'You haven't had such a bad tin
he here that you should be so glad
leave me-" he said sadly.
e ''Tain't leavin' We, Marse st. Clare
a. Said Tom, "it's bein' free that +,
ID a-joyin' in"
OF But 1t was not to be. The cas-
q. going nature Of st. Glare caused hi
IN to delay TomS emancipation paper
M and one night trying to separate tv
III drunken brawlers intent upon killiI
n, each other St. Clare was himself sta
hg bed to death; and in the settleme
~ OF his estate Tom once more -four
or himself at the auction-block.
e. Enter now one Simon Legree, a ms
" ter Of far different type from Shell
~ and st. Glare. A brute, and drum
81 ard. A beast whose glance was an |
ell suit to womanhood. A fiend WI
ne prided himself upon his inflexible br
!; tally, and with british satisfacti
rs showed to all who would look,
~ knuckles calloused with the blows
Sc had inflicted upon the helpless. ,
nu him by virtue of length of purse f
~ Tom who now tasted the tragic Dire
-" Of the cup of slavery. The mantle