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Tom, said his master, kindly, I want you to notice that I give this gentleman bonds to forfeit a thousand dollars if you are not on the spot when he wants you; hes going today to look after his other business, and you can have the day to yourself. Go anywhere you like, boy. Thank you, Masr, said Tom. And mind yourself, said the trader, and dont come it over your master with any o yer nigger tricks; for Ill take every cent out of him, if you ant thar. If hed hear to me, he wouldnt trust any on yeslippery as eels! Masr, said Tom,and he stood very straight,I was jist eight years old when ole Missis put you into my arms, and you wasnt a year old. Thar, says she, Tom, thats to be your young Masr; take good care on him, says she. And now I jist ask you, Masr, have I ever broke word to you, or gone contrary to you, specially since I was a Christian? Mr. Shelby was fairly overcome, and the tears rose to his eyes. My good boy, said he, the Lord knows you say but the truth; and if I was able to help it, all the world shouldnt buy you. And sure as I am a Christian woman, said Mrs. Shelby, you shall be redeemed as soon as I can any bring together means. Sir, she said to Haley, take good account of who you sell him to, and let me know. Lor, yes, for that matter, said the trader, I may bring him up in a year, not much the wuss for wear, and trade him back. Ill trade with you then, and make it for your advantage, said Mrs. Shelby. Of course, said the trader, all s equal with me; lives trade em up as down, so I does a good business. All I want is a livin, you know, maam; thats all any on us wants, I, spose. Mr. and Mrs. Shelby both felt annoyed and degraded by the familiar impudence of the trader, and yet both saw the absolute necessity of putting a constraint on their feelings. The more hopelessly sordid and insensible he appeared, the greater became Mrs. Shelbys dread of his succeeding in recapturing Eliza and her child, and of course the greater her motive for detaining him by every female artifice. She therefore graciously smiled, assented, chatted familiarly, and did all she could to make time pass imperceptibly. At two oclock Sam and Andy brought the horses up to the posts, apparently greatly refreshed and invigorated by the scamper of the morning. Sam was there new oiled from dinner, with an abundance of zealous and ready officiousness. As Haley approached, he was boasting, in flourishing style, to Andy, of the evident and eminent success of the operation, now that he had farly come to it. Your master, I spose, dont keep no dogs, said Haley, thoughtfully, as he prepared to mount. Heaps on em, said Sam, triumphantly; thars Brunohes a roarer! and, besides that, bout every nigger of us keeps a pup of some natur or uther. Poh! said Haley,and he said something else, too, with regard to the said dogs, at which Sam muttered, I dont see no use cussin on em, no way. But your master dont keep no dogs (I pretty much know he dont) for trackin out niggers. |
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