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Haley made a turn or two about the boat, and then, coming up, seated himself near her, and began saying something to her in an indifferent undertone. Tom soon noticed a heavy cloud passing over the womans brow; and that she answered rapidly, and with great vehemence. I dont believe it,I wont believe it! he heard her say. Youre jist a foolin with me. If you wont believe it, look here! said the man, drawing out a paper; this yers the bill of sale, and theres your masters name to it; and I paid down good solid cash for it, too, I can tell you,so, now! I dont believe Masr would cheat me so; it cant be true! said the woman, with increasing agitation. You can ask any of these men here, that can read writing. Here! he said, to a man that was passing by, jist read this yer, wont you! This yer gal wont believe me, when I tell her what t is. Why, its a bill of sale, signed by John Fosdick, said the man, making over to you the girl Lucy and her child. Its all straight enough, for aught I see. The womans passionate exclamations collected a crowd around her, and the trader briefly explained to them the cause of the agitation. He told me that I was going down to Louisville, to hire out as cook to the same tavern where my husband works,thats what Masr told me, his own self; and I cant believe hed lie to me, said the woman. But he has sold you, my poor woman, theres no doubt about it, said a good-natured looking man, who had been examining the papers; he has done it, and no mistake. Then its no account talking, said the woman, suddenly growing quite calm; and, clasping her child tighter in her arms, she sat down on her box, turned her back round, and gazed listlessly into the river. Going to take it easy, after all! said the trader. Gals got grit, I see. The woman looked calm, as the boat went on; and a beautiful soft summer breeze passed like a compassionate spirit over her head,the gentle breeze, that never inquires whether the brow is dusky or fair that it fans. And she saw sunshine sparkling on the water, in golden ripples, and heard gay voices, full of ease and pleasure, talking around her everywhere; but her heart lay as if a great stone had fallen on it. Her baby raised himself up against her, and stroked her cheeks with his little hands; and, springing up and down, crowing and chatting, seemed determined to arouse her. She strained him suddenly and tightly in her arms, and slowly one tear after another fell on his wondering, unconscious face; and gradually she seemed, and little by little, to grow calmer, and busied herself with tending and nursing him. The child, a boy of ten months, was uncommonly large and strong of his age, and very vigorous in his limbs. Never, for a moment, still, he kept his mother constantly busy in holding him, and guarding his springing activity. Thats a fine chap! said a man, suddenly stopping opposite to him, with his hands in his pockets. How old is he? Ten months and a half, said the mother. The man whistled to the boy, and offered him part of a stick of candy, which he eagerly grabbed at, and very soon had it in a babys general depository, to wit, his mouth. Rum fellow! said the man Knows whats what! and he whistled, and walked on. When he had got to the other side of the boat, he came across Haley, who was smoking on top of a pile of boxes. |
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