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To get shet o my misery. I had one child after I come here; and I thought then Id have one to raise, cause Masr wasnt a speculator. It was de peartest little thing! and Missis she seemed to think a heap on t, at first; it never cried,it was likely and fat. But Missis tuck sick, and I tended her; and I tuck the fever, and my milk all left me, and the child it pined to skin and bone, and Missis wouldnt buy milk for it. She wouldnt hear to me, when I telled her I hadnt milk. She said she knowed I could feed it on what other folks eat; and the child kinder pined, and cried, and cried, and cried, day and night, and got all gone to skin and bones, and Missis got sot agin it and she said t want nothin but crossness. She wished it was dead, she said; and she wouldnt let me have it o nights, cause, she said, it kept me awake, and made me good for nothing. She made me sleep in her room; and I had to put it away off in a little kind o garret, and thar it cried itself to death, one night. It did; and I tuck to drinkin, to keep its crying out of my ears! I did,and I will drink! I will, if I do go to torment for it! Masr says I shall go to torment, and I tell him Ive got thar now! O, ye poor crittur! said Tom, hant nobody never telled ye how the Lord Jesus loved ye, and died for ye? Hant they telled ye that hell help ye, and ye can go to heaven, and have rest, at last? I looks like gwine to heaven, said the woman; ant thar where white folks is gwine? Spose theyd have me thar? Id rather go to torment, and get away from Masr and Missis. I had so, she said, as with her usual groan, she got her basket on her head, and walked sullenly away. Tom turned, and walked sorrowfully back to the house. In the court he met little Eva,a crown of tuberoses on her head, and her eyes radiant with delight. O, Tom! here you are. Im glad Ive found you. Papa says you may get out the ponies, and take me in my little new carriage, she said, catching his hand. But whats the matter Tom?you look sober. I feel bad, Miss Eva, said Tom, sorrowfully. But Ill get the horses for you. But do tell me, Tom, what is the matter. I saw you talking to cross old Prue. Tom, in simple, earnest phrase, told Eva the womans history. She did not exclaim or wonder, or weep, as other children do. Her cheeks grew pale, and a deep, earnest shadow passed over her eyes. She laid both hands on her bosom, and sighed heavily. |
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