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A gentlemanly hand, he said, and well spelt, too. Well, now, but Im not sure, after all, about this religion, said he, the old wicked expression returning to his eye; the country is almost ruined with pious white people; such pious politicians as we have just before elections,such pious goings on in all departments of church and state, that a fellow does not know wholl cheat him next. I dont know, either, about religions being up in the market, just now. I have not looked in the papers lately, to see how it sells. How many hundred dollars, now, do you put on for this religion? You like to be jokin, now, said the trader; but, then, theres sense under all that ar. I know theres differences in religion. Some kinds is misrable: theres your meetin pious; theres your singin, roarin pious; them ar ant no account, in black or white;but these rayly is; and Ive seen it in niggers as often as any, your rail softly, quiet, stiddy, honest, pious, that the hull world couldnt tempt em to do nothing that they thinks is wrong; and ye see in this letter what Toms old master says about him. Now, said the young man, stooping gravely over his book of bills, if you can assure me that I really can buy this kind of pious, and that it will be set down to my account in the book up above, as something belonging to me, I wouldnt care if I did go a little extra for it. How dye say? Wal, raily, I cant do that, said the trader. Im a thinkin that every manll have to hang on his own hook, in them ar quarters. Rather hard on a fellow that pays extra on religion, and cant trade with it in the state where he wants it most, ant it, now? said the young man, who had been making out a roll of bills while he was speaking. There, count your money, old boy! he added, as he handed the roll to the trader. All right, said Haley, his face beaming with delight; and pulling out an old inkhorn, he proceeded to fill out a bill of sale, which, in a few moments, he handed to the young man. I wonder, now, if I was divided up and inventoried, said the latter as he ran over the paper, how much I might bring. Say so much for the shape of my head, so much for a high forehead, so much for arms, and hands, and legs, and then so much for education, learning, talent, honesty, religion! Bless me! there would be small charge on that last, Im thinking. But come, Eva, he said; and taking the hand of his daughter, he stepped across the boat, and carelessly putting the tip of his finger under Toms chin, said, good-humoredly, Look-up, Tom, and see how you like your new master. Tom looked up. It was not in nature to look into that gay, young, handsome face, without a feeling of pleasure; and Tom felt the tears start in his eyes as he said, heartily, God bless you, Masr! Well, I hope he will. Whats your name? Tom? Quite as likely to do it for your asking as mine, from all accounts. Can you drive horses, Tom? Ive been allays used to horses, said Tom. Masr Shelby raised heaps of em. Well, I think I shall put you in coachy, on condition that you wont be drunk more than once a week, unless in cases of emergency, Tom. Tom looked surprised, and rather hurt, and said, I never drink, Masr. Ive heard that story before, Tom; but then well see. It will be a special accommodation to all concerned, if you dont. Never mind, my boy, he added, good-humoredly, seeing Tom still looked grave; I dont doubt you mean to do well. I sartin do, Masr, said Tom. And you shall have good times, said Eva. Papa is very good to everybody, only he always will laugh at them. |
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