TheFreeman’sDefence
TherewasagentlebustleattheQuakerhouse，astheafternoondrewtoaclose。RachelHallidaymovedquietlytoandfro，collectingfromherhouseholdstoressuchneedmentsascouldbearrangedinthesmallestcompass，forthewandererswhoweretogoforththatnight。Theafternoonshadowsstretchedeastward，andtheroundredsunstoodthoughtfullyonthehorizon，andhisbeamsshoneyellowandcalmintothelittlebed-roomwhereGeorgeandhiswifeweresitting。Hewassittingwithhischildonhisknee，andhiswife’shandinhis。Bothlookedthoughtfulandseriousandtracesoftearswereontheircheeks。
“Yes，Eliza，”saidGeorge，“Iknowallyousayistrue。Youareagoodchild，—agreatdealbetterthanIam；andIwilltrytodoasyousay。I’lltrytoactworthyofafreeman。I’lltrytofeellikeaChristian。GodAlmightyknowsthatI’vemeanttodowell，—triedhardtodowell，—wheneverythinghasbeenagainstme；andnowI’llforgetallthepast，andputawayeveryhardandbitterfeeling，andreadmyBible，andlearntobeagoodman。”
“AndwhenwegettoCanada，”saidEliza，“Icanhelpyou。Icandodress-makingverywell；andIunderstandfinewashingandironing；andbetweenuswecanfindsomethingtoliveon。”
“Yes，Eliza，solongaswehaveeachotherandourboy。O！Eliza，ifthesepeopleonlyknewwhatablessingitisforamantofeelthathiswifeandchildbelongtohim！I’veoftenwonderedtoseementhatcouldcalltheirwivesandchildrentheirownfrettingandworryingaboutanythingelse。Why，Ifeelrichandstrong，thoughwehavenothingbutourbarehands。IfeelasifIcouldscarcelyaskGodforanymore。Yes，thoughI’veworkedhardeveryday，tillIamtwenty-fiveyearsold，andhavenotacentofmoney，norarooftocoverme，noraspotoflandtocallmyown，yet，iftheywillonlyletmealonenow，Iwillbesatisfied，—thankful；Iwillwork，andsendbackthemoneyforyouandmyboy。Astomyoldmaster，hehasbeenpaidfivetimesoverforallheeverspentforme。Idon’towehimanything。”
“Butyetwearenotquiteoutofdanger，”saidEliza；“wearenotyetinCanada。”
“True，”saidGeorge，“butitseemsasifIsmeltthefreeair，anditmakesmestrong。”
Atthismoment，voiceswereheardintheouterapartment，inearnestconversation，andverysoonarapwasheardonthedoor。Elizastartedandopenedit。
SimeonHallidaywasthere，andwithhimaQuakerbrother，whomheintroducedasPhineasFletcher。Phineaswastallandlathy，red-haired，withanexpressionofgreatacutenessandshrewdnessinhisface。Hehadnottheplacid，quiet，unworldlyairofSimeonHalliday；onthecontrary，aparticularlywide-awakeandaufaitappearance，likeamanwhoratherprideshimselfonknowingwhatheisabout，andkeepingabrightlookoutahead；peculiaritieswhichsortedratheroddlywithhisbroadbrimandformalphraseology。
“OurfriendPhineashathdiscoveredsomethingofimportancetotheinterestsoftheeandthyparty，George，”saidSimeon；“itwerewellfortheetohearit。”
“ThatIhave，”saidPhineas，“anditshowstheuseofaman’salwayssleepingwithoneearopen，incertainplaces，asI’vealwayssaid。nightIstoppedatalittlelonetavern，backontheroad。Theerememberstheplace，Simeon，wherewesoldsomeapples，lastyear，tothatfatwoman，withthegreatear-rings。Well，Iwastiredwithharddriving；and，aftermysupperIstretchedmyselfdownonapileofbagsinthecorner，andpulledabuffalooverme，towaittillmybedwasready；andwhatdoesIdo，butgetfastasleep。”
“Withoneearopen，Phineas？”saidSimeon，quietly。
“No；Islept，earsandall，foranhourortwo，forIwasprettywelltired；butwhenIcametomyselfalittle，Ifoundthatthereweresomemenintheroom，sittingroundatable，drinkingandtalking；andIthought，beforeImademuchmuster，I’djustseewhattheywereupto，especiallyasIheardthemsaysomethingabouttheQuakers。‘So，’saysone，‘theyareupintheQuakersettlement，nodoubt，’sayshe。ThenIlistenedwithbothears，andIfoundthattheyweretalkingaboutthisveryparty。SoIlayandheardthemlayoffalltheirplans。Thisyoungman，theysaid，wastobesentbacktoKentucky，tohismaster，whowasgoingtomakeanexampleofhim，tokeepallniggersfromrunningaway；andhiswifetwoofthemweregoingtorundowntoNewOrleanstosell，ontheirownaccount，andtheycalculatedtogetsixteenoreighteenhundreddollarsforher；andthechild，theysaid，wasgoingtoatrader，whohadboughthim；andthentherewastheboy，Jim，andhismother，theyweretogobacktotheirmastersinKentucky。Theysaidthatthereweretwoconstables，inatownalittlepieceahead，whowouldgoinwith’emtoget’emtakenup，andtheyoungwomanwastobetakenbeforeajudge；andoneofthefellows，whoissmallandsmooth-spoken，wastosweartoherforhisproperty，andgetherdeliveredovertohimtotakesouth。They’vegotarightnotionofthetrackwearegoingtonight；andthey’llbedownafterus，sixoreightstrong。Sonow，what’stobedone？”
Thegroupthatstoodinvariousattitudes，afterthiscommunication，wereworthyofapainter。RachelHalliday，whohadtakenherhandsoutofabatchofbiscuit，tohearthenews，stoodwiththemupraisedandfloury，andwithafaceofthedeepestconcern。Simeonlookedprofoundlythoughtful；Elizahadthrownherarmsaroundherhusband，andwaslookinguptohim。Georgestoodwithclenchedhandsandglowingeyes，andlookingasanyothermanmightlook，whosewifewastobesoldatauction，andsonsenttoatrader，allundertheshelterofaChristiannation’slaws。
“Whatshallwedo，George？”saidElizafaintly。
“IknowwhatIshalldo，”saidGeorge，ashesteppedintothelittleroom，andbeganexaminingpistols。
“Ay，ay，”saidPhineas，noddinghisheadtoSimeon；thouseest，Simeon，howitwillwork。”
“Isee，”saidSimeon，sighing；“Iprayitcomenottothat。”
“Idon’twanttoinvolveanyonewithorforme，”saidGeorge。“Ifyouwilllendmeyourvehicleanddirectme，Iwilldrivealonetothenextstand。Jimisagiantinstrength，andbraveasdeathanddespair，andsoamI。”
“Ah，well，friend，”saidPhineas，“butthee’llneedadriver，forallthat。Thee’squitewelcometodoallthefighting，theeknows；butIknowathingortwoabouttheroad，thattheedoesn’t。”
“ButIdon’twanttoinvolveyou，”saidGeorge。
“Involve，”saidPhineas，withacuriousandkeenexpressionofface，“Whentheedoesinvolveme，pleasetoletmeknow。”
“Phineasisawiseandskilfulman，”saidSimeon。“Theedoeswell，George，toabidebyhisjudgment；and，”headded，layinghishandkindlyonGeorge’sshoulder，andpointingtothepistols，“benotoverhastywiththese，—youngbloodishot。”
“Iwillattacknoman，”saidGeorge。“AllIaskofthiscountryistobeletalone，andIwillgooutpeaceably；but，”—hepaused，andhisbrowdarkenedandhisfaceworked，—“I’vehadasistersoldinthatNewOrleansmarket。Iknowwhattheyaresoldfor；andamIgoingtostandbyandseethemtakemywifeandsellher，whenGodhasgivenmeapairofstrongarmstodefendher？No；Godhelpme！I’llfighttothelastbreath，beforetheyshalltakemywifeandson。Canyoublameme？”
“Mortalmancannotblamethee，George。Fleshandbloodcouldnotdootherwise，”saidSimeon。“Woeuntotheworldbecauseofoffences，butwoeuntothemthroughwhomtheoffencecometh。”
“Wouldnotevenyou，sir，dothesame，inmyplace？”
“IpraythatIbenottried，”saidSimeon；“thefleshisweak。”
“Ithinkmyfleshwouldbeprettytolerablestrong，insuchacase，”saidPhineas，stretchingoutapairofarmslikethesailsofawindmill。“Ian’tsure，friendGeorge，thatIshouldn’tholdafellowforthee，iftheehadanyaccountstosettlewithhim。”
“Ifmanshouldeverresistevil，”saidSimeon，“thenGeorgeshouldfeelfreetodoitnow:buttheleadersofourpeopletaughtamoreexcellentway；forthewrathofmanworkethnottherighteousnessofGod；butitgoessorelyagainstthecorruptwillofman，andnonecanreceiveitsavetheytowhomitisgiven。LetuspraytheLordthatwebenottempted。”
“AndsoIdo，”saidPhineas；“butifwearetemptedtoomuch—why，letthemlookout，that’sall。”
“It’squiteplaintheewasn’tbornaFriend，”saidSimeon，smiling。“Theoldnaturehathitswayintheeprettystrongasyet。”
Totellthetruth，Phineashadbeenahearty，two-fistedbackwoodsman，avigoroushunter，andadeadshotatabuck；but，havingwooedaprettyQuakeress，hadbeenmovedbythepowerofhercharmstojointhesocietyinhisneighborhood；andthoughhewasanhonest，sober，andefficientmember，andnothingparticularcouldbeallegedagainsthim，yetthemorespiritualamongthemcouldnotbutdiscernanexceedinglackofsavorinhisdevelopments。
“FriendPhineaswilleverhavewaysofhisown，”saidRachelHalliday，smiling；“butweallthinkthathisheartisintherightplace，afterall。”
“Well，”saidGeorge，“isn’titbestthatwehastenourflight？”
“Igotupatfouro’clock，andcameonwithallspeed，fulltwoorthreehoursaheadofthem，iftheystartatthetimetheyplanned。Itisn’tsafetostarttilldark，atanyrate；fortherearesomeevilpersonsinthevillagesahead，thatmightbedisposedtomeddlewithus，iftheysawourwagon，andthatwoulddelayusmorethanthewaiting；butintwohoursIthinkwemayventure。IwillgoovertoMichaelCross，andengagehimtocomebehindonhisswiftnag，andkeepabrightlookoutontheroad，andwarnusifanycompanyofmencomeon。Michaelkeepsahorsethatcansoongetaheadofmostotherhorses；andhecouldshootaheadandletusknow，iftherewereanydanger。IamgoingoutnowtowarnJimandtheoldwomantobeinreadiness，andtoseeaboutthehorse。Wehaveaprettyfairstart，andstandagoodchancetogettothestandbeforetheycancomeupwithus。So，havegoodcourage，friendGeorge；thisisn’tthefirstuglyscrapethatI’vebeeninwiththypeople，”saidPhineas，asheclosedthedoor。
“Phineasisprettyshrewd，”saidSimeon。“Hewilldothebestthatcanbedoneforthee，George。”
“AllIamsorryfor，”saidGeorge，“istherisktoyou。”
“Thee’llmuchobligeus，friendGeorge，tosaynomoreaboutthat。Whatwedoweareconscienceboundtodo；wecandonootherway。Andnow，mother，”saidhe，turningtoRachel，“hurrythypreparationsforthesefriends，forwemustnotsendthemawayfasting。”
AndwhileRachelandherchildrenwerebusymakingcorn-cake，andcookinghamandchicken，andhurryingontheetceterasoftheeveningmeal，Georgeandhiswifesatintheirlittleroom，withtheirarmsfoldedabouteachother，insuchtalkashusbandandwifehavewhentheyknowthatafewhoursmaypartthemforever。
“Eliza，”saidGeorge，“peoplethathavefriends，andhouses，andlands，andmoney，andallthosethingscan’tloveaswedo，whohavenothingbuteachother。TillIknewyou，Eliza，nocreaturehadlovedme，butmypoor，heart-brokenmotherandsister。IsawpoorEmilythatmorningthetradercarriedheroff。ShecametothecornerwhereIwaslyingasleep，andsaid，‘PoorGeorge，yourlastfriendisgoing。Whatwillbecomeofyou，poorboy？’AndIgotupandthrewmyarmsroundher，andcriedandsobbed，andshecriedtoo；andthosewerethelastkindwordsIgotfortenlongyears；andmyheartallwitheredup，andfeltasdryasashes，tillImetyou。Andyourlovingme，—why，itwasalmostlikeraisingonefromthedead！I’vebeenanewmaneversince！Andnow，Eliza，I’llgivemylastdropofblood，buttheyshallnottakeyoufromme。Whoevergetsyoumustwalkovermydeadbody。”
“O，Lord，havemercy！”saidEliza，sobbing。“Ifhewillonlyletusgetoutofthiscountrytogether，thatisallweask。”
“IsGodontheirside？”saidGeorge，speakinglesstohiswifethanpouringouthisownbitterthoughts。“Doesheseealltheydo？Whydoesheletsuchthingshappen？AndtheytellusthattheBibleisontheirside；certainlyallthepoweris。Theyarerich，andhealthy，andhappy；theyaremembersofchurches，expectingtogotoheaven；andtheygetalongsoeasyintheworld，andhaveitalltheirownway；andpoor，honest，faithfulChristians，—Christiansasgoodorbetterthanthey，—arelyingintheverydustundertheirfeet。Theybuy’emandsell’em，andmaketradeoftheirheart’sblood，andgroansandtears，—andGodletsthem。”
“FriendGeorge，”saidSimeon，fromthekitchen，“listentothisPsalm；itmaydotheegood。”
Georgedrewhisseatnearthedoor，andEliza，wipinghertears，cameforwardalsotolisten，whileSimeonreadasfollows:
“Butasforme，myfeetwerealmostgone；mystepshadwell-nighslipped。ForIwasenviousofthefoolish，whenIsawtheprosperityofthewicked。Theyarenotintroublelikeothermen，neitheraretheyplaguedlikeothermen。Therefore，pridecompasseththemasachain；violencecovereththemasagarment。Theireyesstandoutwithfatness；theyhavemorethanheartcouldwish。Theyarecorrupt，andspeakwickedlyconcerningoppression；theyspeakloftily。Thereforehispeoplereturn，andthewatersofafullcuparewrungouttothem，andtheysay，HowdothGodknow？andisthereknowledgeintheMostHigh？”
“Isnotthatthewaytheefeels，George？”
“Itissoindeed，”saidGeorge，—“aswellasIcouldhavewrittenitmyself。”
“Then，hear，”saidSimeon:“WhenIthoughttoknowthis，itwastoopainfulformeuntilIwentuntothesanctuaryofGod。ThenunderstoodItheirend。Surelythoudidstsettheminslipperyplaces，thoucastedstthemdowntodestruction。Asadreamwhenoneawaketh，so，ohLord，whenthouawakest，thoushaltdespisetheirimage。NeverthelessIamcontinuallywiththee；thouhastholdenmebymyrighthand。Thoushaltguidemebythycounsel，andafterwardsreceivemetoglory。ItisgoodformetodrawnearuntoGod。IhaveputmytrustintheLordGod。”1
Thewordsofholytrust，breathedbythefriendlyoldman，stolelikesacredmusicovertheharassedandchafedspiritofGeorge；andafterheceased，hesatwithagentleandsubduedexpressiononhisfinefeatures。
“Ifthisworldwereall，George，”saidSimeon，“theemight，indeed，askwhereistheLord？Butitisoftenthosewhohaveleastofallinthislifewhomhechoosethforthekingdom。Putthytrustinhimand，nomatterwhatbefallstheehere，hewillmakeallrighthereafter。”
Ifthesewordshadbeenspokenbysomeeasy，self-indulgentexhorter，fromwhosemouththeymighthavecomemerelyaspiousandrhetoricalflourish，propertobeusedtopeopleindistress，perhapstheymightnothavehadmucheffect；butcomingfromonewhodailyandcalmlyriskedfineandimprisonmentforthecauseofGodandman，theyhadaweightthatcouldnotbutbefelt，andboththepoor，desolatefugitivesfoundcalmnessandstrengthbreathingintothemfromit。
AndnowRacheltookEliza’shandkindly，andledthewaytothesupper-table。Astheyweresittingdown，alighttapsoundedatthedoor，andRuthentered。
“Ijustranin，”shesaid，“withtheselittlestockingsfortheboy，—threepair，nice，warmwoollenones。Itwillbesocold，theeknows，inCanada。Doestheekeepupgoodcourage，Eliza？”sheadded，trippingroundtoEliza’ssideofthetable，andshakingherwarmlybythehand，andslippingaseed-cakeintoHarry’shand。“Ibroughtalittleparceloftheseforhim，”shesaid，tuggingatherpockettogetoutthepackage。“Children，theeknows，willalwaysbeeating。”
“O，thankyou；youaretookind，”saidEliza。
“Come，Ruth，sitdowntosupper，”saidRachel。
“Icouldn’t，anyway。IleftJohnwiththebaby，andsomebiscuitsintheoven；andIcan’tstayamoment，elseJohnwillburnupallthebiscuits，andgivethebabyallthesugarinthebowl。That’sthewayhedoes，”saidthelittleQuakeress，laughing。“So，good-by，Eliza；good-by，George；theLordgranttheeasafejourney；”and，withafewtrippingsteps，Ruthwasoutoftheapartment。
Alittlewhileaftersupper，alargecovered-wagondrewupbeforethedoor；thenightwasclearstarlight；andPhineasjumpedbrisklydownfromhisseattoarrangehispassengers。Georgewalkedoutofthedoor，withhischildononearmandhiswifeontheother。Hisstepwasfirm，hisfacesettledandresolute。RachelandSimeoncameoutafterthem。
“Yougetout，amoment，”saidPhineastothoseinside，“andletmefixthebackofthewagon，there，forthewomen-folksandtheboy。”
“Herearethetwobuffaloes，”saidRachel。“Maketheseatsascomfortableasmaybe；it’shardridingallnight。”
Jimcameoutfirst，andcarefullyassistedouthisoldmother，whoclungtohisarm，andlookedanxiouslyabout，asifsheexpectedthepursuereverymoment。
“Jim，areyourpistolsallinorder？”saidGeorge，inalow，firmvoice。
“Yes，indeed，”saidJim。
“Andyou’venodoubtwhatyoushalldo，iftheycome？”
“IratherthinkIhaven’t，”saidJim，throwingopenhisbroadchest，andtakingadeepbreath。“DoyouthinkI’llletthemgetmotheragain？”
Duringthisbriefcolloquy，Elizahadbeentakingherleaveofherkindfriend，Rachel，andwashandedintothecarriagebySimeon，and，creepingintothebackpartwithherboy，satdownamongthebuffalo-skins。TheoldwomanwasnexthandedinandseatedandGeorgeandJimplacedonaroughboardseatfrontofthem，andPhineasmountedinfront。
“Farewell，myfriends，”saidSimeon，fromwithout。
“Godblessyou！”answeredallfromwithin。
Andthewagondroveoff，rattlingandjoltingoverthefrozenroad。
Therewasnoopportunityforconversation，onaccountoftheroughnessofthewayandthenoiseofthewheels。Thevehicle，therefore，rumbledon，throughlong，darkstretchesofwoodland，—overwidedrearyplains，—uphills，anddownvalleys，—andon，on，ontheyjogged，hourafterhour。Thechildsoonfellasleep，andlayheavilyinhismother’slap。Thepoor，frightenedoldwomanatlastforgotherfears；and，evenEliza，asthenightwaned，foundallheranxietiesinsufficienttokeephereyesfromclosing。Phineasseemed，onthewhole，thebriskestofthecompany，andbeguiledhislongdrivewithwhistlingcertainveryunquaker-likesongs，ashewenton。
Butaboutthreeo’clockGeorge’searcaughtthehastyanddecidedclickofahorse’shoofcomingbehindthematsomedistanceandjoggedPhineasbytheelbow。Phineaspulleduphishorses，andlistened。
“ThatmustbeMichael，”hesaid；“IthinkIknowthesoundofhisgallop；”andheroseupandstretchedhisheadanxiouslybackovertheroad。
Amanridinginhothastewasnowdimlydescriedatthetopofadistanthill。
“Thereheis，Idobelieve！”saidPhineas。GeorgeandJimbothsprangoutofthewagonbeforetheyknewwhattheyweredoing。Allstoodintenselysilent，withtheirfacesturnedtowardstheexpectedmessenger。Onhecame。Nowhewentdownintoavalley，wheretheycouldnotseehim；buttheyheardthesharp，hastytramp，risingnearerandnearer；atlasttheysawhimemergeonthetopofaneminence，withinhail。
“Yes，that’sMichael！”saidPhineas；and，raisinghisvoice，“Halloa，there，Michael！”
“Phineas！isthatthee？”
“Yes；whatnews—theycoming？”
“Rightonbehind，eightortenofthem，hotwithbrandy，swearingandfoaminglikesomanywolves。”
And，justashespoke，abreezebroughtthefaintsoundofgallopinghorsementowardsthem。
“Inwithyou，—quick，boys，in！”saidPhineas。“Ifyoumustfight，waittillIgetyouapieceahead。”And，withtheword，bothjumpedin，andPhineaslashedthehorsestoarun，thehorsemankeepingclosebesidethem。Thewagonrattled，jumped，almostflew，overthefrozenground；butplainer，andstillplainer，camethenoiseofpursuinghorsemenbehind。Thewomenheardit，and，lookinganxiouslyout，saw，farintherear，onthebrowofadistanthill，apartyofmenloomingupagainstthered-streakedskyofearlydawn。Anotherhill，andtheirpursuershadevidentlycaughtsightoftheirwagon，whosewhitecloth-coveredtopmadeitconspicuousatsomedistance，andaloudyellofbrutaltriumphcameforwardonthewind。Elizasickened，andstrainedherchildclosertoherbosom；theoldwomanprayedandgroaned，andGeorgeandJimclenchedtheirpistolswiththegraspofdespair。Thepursuersgainedonthemfast；thecarriagemadeasuddenturn，andbroughtthemnearaledgeofasteepoverhangingrock，thatroseinanisolatedridgeorclumpinalargelot，whichwas，allaroundit，quiteclearandsmooth。Thisisolatedpile，orrangeofrocks，roseupblackandheavyagainstthebrighteningsky，andseemedtopromiseshelterandconcealment。ItwasaplacewellknowntoPhineas，whohadbeenfamiliarwiththespotinhishuntingdays；anditwastogainthispointhehadbeenracinghishorses。
“Nowforit！”saidhe，suddenlycheckinghishorses，andspringingfromhisseattotheground。“Outwithyou，inatwinkling，everyone，andupintotheserockswithme。Michael，theetiethyhorsetothewagon，anddriveaheadtoAmariah’sandgethimandhisboystocomebackandtalktothesefellows。”
Inatwinklingtheywerealloutofthecarriage。
“There，”saidPhineas，catchingupHarry，“you，eachofyou，seetothewomen；andrun，nowifyoueverdidrun！”
Theyneedednoexhortation。Quickerthanwecansayit，thewholepartywereoverthefence，makingwithallspeedfortherocks，whileMichael，throwinghimselffromhishorse，andfasteningthebridletothewagon，begandrivingitrapidlyaway。
“Comeahead，”saidPhineas，astheyreachedtherocks，andsawinthemingledstarlightanddawn，thetracesofarudebutplainlymarkedfoot-pathleadingupamongthem；“thisisoneofouroldhunting-dens。Comeup！”
Phineaswentbefore，springinguptherockslikeagoat，withtheboyinhisarms。Jimcamesecond，bearinghistremblingoldmotheroverhisshoulder，andGeorgeandElizabroughtuptherear。Thepartyofhorsemencameuptothefence，and，withmingledshoutsandoaths，weredismounting，topreparetofollowthem。Afewmoments’scramblingbroughtthemtothetopoftheledge；thepaththenpassedbetweenanarrowdefile，whereonlyonecouldwalkatatime，tillsuddenlytheycametoariftorchasmmorethanayardinbreadth，andbeyondwhichlayapileofrocks，separatefromtherestoftheledge，standingfullthirtyfeethigh，withitssidessteepandperpendicularasthoseofacastle。Phineaseasilyleapedthechasm，andsatdowntheboyonasmooth，flatplatformofcrispwhitemoss，thatcoveredthetopoftherock。
“Overwithyou！”hecalled；“spring，now，once，foryourlives！”saidhe，asoneafteranothersprangacross。Severalfragmentsofloosestoneformedakindofbreast-work，whichshelteredtheirpositionfromtheobservationofthosebelow。
“Well，hereweallare，”saidPhineas，peepingoverthestonebreast-worktowatchtheassailants，whowerecomingtumultuouslyupundertherocks。“Let’emgetus，iftheycan。Whoevercomesherehastowalksinglefilebetweenthosetworocks，infairrangeofyourpistols，boys，d’yesee？”
“Idosee，”saidGeorge！“andnow，asthismatterisours，letustakealltherisk，anddoallthefighting。”
“Thee’squitewelcometodothefighting，George，”saidPhineas，chewingsomecheckerberry-leavesashespoke；“butImayhavethefunoflookingon，Isuppose。Butsee，thesefellowsarekinderdebatingdownthere，andlookingup，likehenswhentheyaregoingtoflyupontotheroost。Hadn’ttheebettergive’emawordofadvice，beforetheycomeup，justtotell’emhandsomelythey’llbeshotiftheydo？”
Thepartybeneath，nowmoreapparentinthelightofthedawn，consistedofouroldacquaintances，TomLokerandMarks，withtwoconstables，andaposseconsistingofsuchrowdiesatthelasttavernascouldbeengagedbyalittlebrandytogoandhelpthefunoftrappingasetofniggers。
“Well，Tom，yercoonsarefarlytreed，”saidone。
“Yes，Isee’emgouprighthere，”saidTom；“andhere’sapath。I’mforgoingrightup。Theycan’tjumpdowninahurry，anditwon’ttakelongtoferret’emout。”
“But，Tom，theymightfireatusfrombehindtherocks，”saidMarks。“Thatwouldbeugly，youknow。”
“Ugh！”saidTom，withasneer。“Alwaysforsavingyourskin，Marks！Nodanger！niggersaretooplaguyscared！”
“Idon’tknowwhyIshouldn’tsavemyskin，”saidMarks。“It’sthebestI’vegot；andniggersdofightlikethedevil，sometimes。”
Atthismoment，Georgeappearedonthetopofarockabovethem，and，speakinginacalm，clearvoice，said，
“Gentlemen，whoareyou，downthere，andwhatdoyouwant？”
“Wewantapartyofrunawayniggers，”saidTomLoker。“OneGeorgeHarris，andElizaHarris，andtheirson，andJimSelden，andanoldwoman。We’vegottheofficers，here，andawarranttotake’em；andwe’regoingtohave’em，too。D’yehear？An’tyouGeorgeHarris，thatbelongstoMr。Harris，ofShelbycounty，Kentucky？”
“IamGeorgeHarris。AMr。Harris，ofKentucky，didcallmehisproperty。ButnowI’mafreeman，standingonGod’sfreesoil；andmywifeandmychildIclaimasmine。Jimandhismotherarehere。Wehavearmstodefendourselves，andwemeantodoit。Youcancomeup，ifyoulike；butthefirstoneofyouthatcomeswithintherangeofourbulletsisadeadman，andthenext，andthenext；andsoontillthelast。”
“O，come！come！”saidashort，puffyman，steppingforward，andblowinghisnoseashedidso。“Youngman，thisan’tnokindoftalkatallforyou。Yousee，we’reofficersofjustice。We’vegotthelawonourside，andthepower，andsoforth；soyou’dbettergiveuppeaceably，yousee；foryou’llcertainlyhavetogiveup，atlast。”
“Iknowverywellthatyou’vegotthelawonyourside，andthepower，”saidGeorge，bitterly。“YoumeantotakemywifetosellinNewOrleans，andputmyboylikeacalfinatrader’spen，andsendJim’soldmothertothebrutethatwhippedandabusedherbefore，becausehecouldn’tabuseherson。YouwanttosendJimandmebacktobewhippedandtortured，andgrounddownundertheheelsofthemthatyoucallmasters；andyourlawswillbearyououtinit，—moreshameforyouandthem！Butyouhaven’tgotus。Wedon’townyourlaws；wedon’townyourcountry；westandhereasfree，underGod’ssky，asyouare；and，bythegreatGodthatmadeus，we’llfightforourlibertytillwedie。”
Georgestoodoutinfairsight，onthetopoftherock，ashemadehisdeclarationofindependence；theglowofdawngaveaflushtohisswarthycheek，andbitterindignationanddespairgavefiretohisdarkeye；and，asifappealingfrommantothejusticeofGod，heraisedhishandtoheavenashespoke。
IfithadbeenonlyaHungarianyouth，nowbravelydefendinginsomemountainfastnesstheretreatoffugitivesescapingfromAustriaintoAmerica，thiswouldhavebeensublimeheroism；butasitwasayouthofAfricandescent，defendingtheretreatoffugitivesthroughAmericaintoCanada，ofcoursewearetoowellinstructedandpatriotictoseeanyheroisminit；andifanyofourreadersdo，theymustdoitontheirownprivateresponsibility。WhendespairingHungarianfugitivesmaketheirway，againstallthesearch-warrantsandauthoritiesoftheirlawfulgovernment，toAmerica，pressandpoliticalcabinetringwithapplauseandwelcome。WhendespairingAfricanfugitivesdothesamething，—itis—whatisit？
Beitasitmay，itiscertainthattheattitude，eye，voice，manner，ofthespeakerforamomentstruckthepartybelowtosilence。Thereissomethinginboldnessanddeterminationthatforatimehusheseventherudestnature。Markswastheonlyonewhoremainedwhollyuntouched。Hewasdeliberatelycockinghispistol，and，inthemomentarysilencethatfollowedGeorge’sspeech，hefiredathim。
“YeseeyegetjistasmuchforhimdeadasaliveinKentucky，”hesaidcoolly，ashewipedhispistolonhiscoat-sleeve。
Georgesprangbackward，—Elizautteredashriek，—theballhadpassedclosetohishair，hadnearlygrazedthecheekofhiswife，andstruckinthetreeabove。
“It’snothing，Eliza，”saidGeorge，quickly。
“Thee’dbetterkeepoutofsight，withthyspeechifying，”saidPhineas；“they’remeanscamps。”
“Now，Jim，”saidGeorge，“lookthatyourpistolsareallright，andwatchthatpasswithme。ThefirstmanthatshowshimselfIfireat；youtakethesecond，andsoon。Itwon’tdo，youknow，towastetwoshotsonone。”
“Butwhatifyoudon’thit？”
“Ishallhit，”saidGeorge，coolly。
“Good！now，there’sstuffinthatfellow，”mutteredPhineas，betweenhisteeth。
Thepartybelow，afterMarkshadfired，stood，foramoment，ratherundecided。
“Ithinkyoumusthavehitsomeon’em，”saidoneofthemen。“Iheardasqueal！”
“I’mgoingrightupforone，”saidTom。“Ineverwasafraidofniggers，andIan’tgoingtobenow。Whogoesafter？”hesaid，springinguptherocks。
Georgeheardthewordsdistinctly。Hedrewuphispistol，examinedit，pointedittowardsthatpointinthedefilewherethefirstmanwouldappear。
OneofthemostcourageousofthepartyfollowedTom，and，thewaybeingthusmade，thewholepartybeganpushinguptherock，—thehindermostpushingthefrontonesfasterthantheywouldhavegoneofthemselves。Ontheycame，andinamomenttheburlyformofTomappearedinsight，almostatthevergeofthechasm。
Georgefired，—theshotenteredhisside，—but，thoughwounded，hewouldnotretreat，but，withayelllikethatofamadbull，hewasleapingrightacrossthechasmintotheparty。
“Friend，”saidPhineas，suddenlysteppingtothefront，andmeetinghimwithapushfromhislongarms，“theeisn’twantedhere。”
Downhefellintothechasm，cracklingdownamongtrees，bushes，logs，loosestones，tillhelaybruisedandgroaningthirtyfeetbelow。Thefallmighthavekilledhim，haditnotbeenbrokenandmoderatedbyhisclothescatchinginthebranchesofalargetree；buthecamedownwithsomeforce，however，—morethanwasatallagreeableorconvenient。
“Lordhelpus，theyareperfectdevils！”saidMarks，headingtheretreatdowntherockswithmuchmoreofawillthanhehadjoinedtheascent，whileallthepartycametumblingprecipitatelyafterhim，—thefatconstable，inparticular，blowingandpuffinginaveryenergeticmanner。
“Isay，fellers，”saidMarks，“youjistgoroundandpickupTom，there，whileIrunandgetontomyhorsetogobackforhelp，—that’syou；”and，withoutmindingthehootingsandjeersofhiscompany，Markswasasgoodashisword，andwassoonseengallopingaway。
“Waseversuchasneakingvarmint？”saidoneofthemen；“tocomeonhisbusiness，andheclearoutandleaveusthisyerway！”
“Well，wemustpickupthatfeller，”saidanother。“CussmeifImuchcarewhetherheisdeadoralive。”
Themen，ledbythegroansofTom，scrambledandcrackledthroughstumps，logsandbushes，towherethatherolaygroaningandswearingwithalternatevehemence。
“Yekeepitagoingprettyloud，Tom，”saidone。“Yemuchhurt？”
“Don’tknow。Getmeup，can’tye？BlastthatinfernalQuaker！Ifithadn’tbeenforhim，I’dapitchedsomeon’emdownhere，toseehowtheylikedit。”
Withmuchlaborandgroaning，thefallenherowasassistedtorise；and，withoneholdinghimupundereachshoulder，theygothimasfarasthehorses。
“Ifyoucouldonlygetmeamilebacktothatartavern。Givemeahandkerchieforsomething，tostuffintothisplace，andstopthisinfernalbleeding。”
Georgelookedovertherocks，andsawthemtryingtolifttheburlyformofTomintothesaddle。Aftertwoorthreeineffectualattempts，hereeled，andfellheavilytotheground。
“O，Ihopeheisn’tkilled！”saidEliza，who，withalltheparty，stoodwatchingtheproceeding。
“Whynot？”saidPhineas；“serveshimright。”
“Becauseafterdeathcomesthejudgment，”saidEliza。
“Yes，”saidtheoldwoman，whohadbeengroaningandpraying，inherMethodistfashion，duringalltheencounter，“it’sanawfulcaseforthepoorcrittur’ssoul。”
“Onmyword，they’releavinghim，Idobelieve，”saidPhineas。
Itwastrue；foraftersomeappearanceofirresolutionandconsultation，thewholepartygotontheirhorsesandrodeaway。Whentheywerequiteoutofsight，Phineasbegantobestirhimself。
“Well，wemustgodownandwalkapiece，”hesaid。“ItoldMichaeltogoforwardandbringhelp，andbealongbackherewiththewagon；butweshallhavetowalkapiecealongtheroad，Ireckon，tomeetthem。TheLordgranthebealongsoon！It’searlyintheday；therewon’tbemuchtravelafootyetawhile；wean’tmuchmorethantwomilesfromourstopping-place。Iftheroadhadn’tbeensoroughlastnight，wecouldhaveoutrun’ementirely。”
Asthepartynearedthefence，theydiscoveredinthedistance，alongtheroad，theirownwagoncomingback，accompaniedbysomemenonhorseback。
“Well，now，there’sMichael，andStephenandAmariah，”exclaimedPhineas，joyfully。“Nowwearemade—assafeasifwe’dgotthere。”
“Well，dostop，then，”saidEliza，“anddosomethingforthatpoorman；he’sgroaningdreadfully。”
“ItwouldbenomorethanChristian，”saidGeorge；“let’stakehimupandcarryhimon。”
“AnddoctorhimupamongtheQuakers！”saidPhineas；“prettywell，that！Well，Idon’tcareifwedo。Here，let’shavealookathim；”andPhineas，whointhecourseofhishuntingandbackwoodslifehadacquiredsomerudeexperienceofsurgery，kneeleddownbythewoundedman，andbeganacarefulexaminationofhiscondition。
“Marks，”saidTom，feebly，“isthatyou，Marks？”
“No；Ireckon’tan’tfriend，”saidPhineas。“MuchMarkscaresforthee，ifhisownskin’ssafe。He’soff，longago。”
“IbelieveI’mdonefor，”saidTom。“Thecussedsneakingdog，toleavemetodiealone！Mypooroldmotheralwaystoldme’twouldbeso。”
“Lasakes！jisthearthepoorcrittur。He’sgotamammy，now，”saidtheoldnegress。“Ican’thelpkinderpityin’onhim。”
“Softly，softly；don’ttheesnapandsnarl，friend，”saidPhineas，asTomwincedandpushedhishandaway。“Theehasnochance，unlessIstopthebleeding。”AndPhineasbusiedhimselfwithmakingsomeoff-handsurgicalarrangementswithhisownpocket-handkerchief，andsuchascouldbemusteredinthecompany。
“Youpushedmedownthere，”saidTom，faintly。
“WellifIhadn’ttheewouldhavepushedusdown，theesees，”saidPhineas，ashestoopedtoapplyhisbandage。“There，there，—letmefixthisbandage。Wemeanwelltothee；webearnomalice。Theeshallbetakentoahousewherethey’llnursetheefirstrate，wellasthyownmothercould。”
Tomgroaned，andshuthiseyes。Inmenofhisclass，vigorandresolutionareentirelyaphysicalmatter，andoozeoutwiththeflowingoftheblood；andthegiganticfellowreallylookedpiteousinhishelplessness。
Theotherpartynowcameup。Theseatsweretakenoutofthewagon。Thebuffalo-skins，doubledinfours，werespreadallalongoneside，andfourmen，withgreatdifficulty，liftedtheheavyformofTomintoit。Beforehewasgottenin，hefaintedentirely。Theoldnegress，intheabundanceofhercompassion，satdownonthebottom，andtookhisheadinherlap。Eliza，GeorgeandJim，bestowedthemselves，aswellastheycould，intheremainingspaceandthewholepartysetforward。
“Whatdoyouthinkofhim？”saidGeorge，whosatbyPhineasinfront。
“Wellit’sonlyaprettydeepflesh-wound；but，then，tumblingandscratchingdownthatplacedidn’thelphimmuch。Ithasbledprettyfreely，—prettymuchdreanedhimout，courageandall，—buthe’llgetoverit，andmaybelearnathingortwobyit。”
“I’mgladtohearyousayso，”saidGeorge。“Itwouldalwaysbeaheavythoughttome，ifI’dcausedhisdeath，eveninajustcause。”
“Yes，”saidPhineas，“killingisanuglyoperation，anywaythey’llfixit，—manorbeast。I’veseenabuckthatwasshotdownandadying，lookthatwayonafellerwithhiseye，thatitreelymostmadeafellerfeelwickedforkillingonhim；andhumancreaturesisamoreseriousconsiderationyet，bein’，asthywifesays，thatthejudgmentcomesto’emafterdeath。SoIdon’tknowasourpeople’snotionsonthesemattersistoostrict；and，considerin’howIwasraised，Ifellinwiththemprettyconsiderably。”
“Whatshallyoudowiththispoorfellow？”saidGeorge。
“O，carryhimalongtoAmariah’s。There’soldGrandmamStephensthere，—Dorcas，theycallher，—she’smostanamazin’nurse。Shetakestonursingrealnatural，andan’tneverbettersuitedthanwhenshegetsasickbodytotend。Wemayreckononturninghimovertoherforafortnightorso。”
Arideofaboutanhourmorebroughtthepartytoaneatfarmhouse，wherethewearytravellerswerereceivedtoanabundantbreakfast。TomLokerwassooncarefullydepositedinamuchcleanerandsofterbedthanhehad，everbeeninthehabitofoccupying。Hiswoundwascarefullydressedandbandaged，andhelaylanguidlyopeningandshuttinghiseyesonthewhitewindow-curtainsandgently-glidingfiguresofhissickroom，likeawearychild。Andhere，forthepresent，weshalltakeourleaveofoneparty。
1Ps。73，“TheEndoftheWickedcontrastedwiththatoftheRighteous。”
MissOphelia’sExperiencesandOpinions
OurfriendTom，inhisownsimplemusings，oftencomparedhismorefortunatelot，inthebondageintowhichhewascast，withthatofJosephinEgypt；and，infact，astimewenton，andhedevelopedmoreandmoreundertheeyeofhismaster，thestrengthoftheparallelincreased。
St。Clarewasindolentandcarelessofmoney。HithertotheprovidingandmarketinghadbeenprincipallydonebyAdolph，whowas，tothefull，ascarelessandextravagantashismaster；and，betweenthemboth，theyhadcarriedonthedispersingprocesswithgreatalacrity。Accustomed，formanyyears，toregardhismaster’spropertyashisowncare，Tomsaw，withanuneasinesshecouldscarcelyrepress，thewastefulexpenditureoftheestablishment；and，inthequiet，indirectwaywhichhisclassoftenacquire，wouldsometimesmakehisownsuggestions。
St。Clareatfirstemployedhimoccasionally；but，struckwithhissoundnessofmindandgoodbusinesscapacity，heconfidedinhimmoreandmore，tillgraduallyallthemarketingandprovidingforthefamilywereintrustedtohim。
“No，no，Adolph，”hesaid，oneday，asAdolphwasdeprecatingthepassingofpoweroutofhishands；“letTomalone。Youonlyunderstandwhatyouwant；Tomunderstandscostandcometo；andtheremaybesomeendtomoney，byeandbyeifwedon’tletsomebodydothat。”
Trustedtoanunlimitedextentbyacarelessmaster，whohandedhimabillwithoutlookingatit，andpocketedthechangewithoutcountingit，Tomhadeveryfacilityandtemptationtodishonesty；andnothingbutanimpregnablesimplicityofnature，strengthenedbyChristianfaith，couldhavekepthimfromit。But，tothatnature，theveryunboundedtrustreposedinhimwasbondandsealforthemostscrupulousaccuracy。
WithAdolphthecasehadbeendifferent。Thoughtlessandself-indulgent，andunrestrainedbyamasterwhofounditeasiertoindulgethantoregulate，hehadfallenintoanabsoluteconfusionastomeumtuumwithregardtohimselfandhismaster，whichsometimestroubledevenSt。Clare。Hisowngoodsensetaughthimthatsuchatrainingofhisservantswasunjustanddangerous。Asortofchronicremorsewentwithhimeverywhere，althoughnotstrongenoughtomakeanydecidedchangeinhiscourse；andthisveryremorsereactedagainintoindulgence。Hepassedlightlyoverthemostseriousfaults，becausehetoldhimselfthat，ifhehaddonehispart，hisdependentshadnotfallenintothem。
Tomregardedhisgay，airy，handsomeyoungmasterwithanoddmixtureoffealty，reverence，andfatherlysolicitude。ThatheneverreadtheBible；neverwenttochurch；thathejestedandmadefreewithanyandeverythingthatcameinthewayofhiswit；thathespenthisSundayeveningsattheoperaortheatre；thathewenttowineparties，andclubs，andsuppers，oftenerthanwasatallexpedient，—wereallthingsthatTomcouldseeasplainlyasanybody，andonwhichhebasedaconvictionthat“Mas’rwasn’taChristian；”—aconviction，however，whichhewouldhavebeenveryslowtoexpresstoanyoneelse，butonwhichhefoundedmanyprayers，inhisownsimplefashion，whenhewasbyhimselfinhislittledormitory。NotthatTomhadnothisownwayofspeakinghismindoccasionally，withsomethingofthetactoftenobservableinhisclass；as，forexample，theverydayaftertheSabbathwehavedescribed，St。Clarewasinvitedouttoaconvivialpartyofchoicespirits，andwashelpedhome，betweenoneandtwoo’clockatnight，inaconditionwhenthephysicalhaddecidedlyattainedtheupperhandoftheintellectual。TomandAdolphassistedtogethimcomposedforthenight，thelatterinhighspirits，evidentlyregardingthematterasagoodjoke，andlaughingheartilyattherusticityofTom’shorror，whoreallywassimpleenoughtolieawakemostoftherestofthenight，prayingforhisyoungmaster。
“Well，Tom，whatareyouwaitingfor？”saidSt。Clare，thenextday，ashesatinhislibrary，indressing-gownandslippers。St。ClarehadjustbeenentrustingTomwithsomemoney，andvariouscommissions。“Isn’tallrightthere，Tom？”headded，asTomstillstoodwaiting。
“I’m’fraidnot，Mas’r，”saidTom，withagraveface。
St。Clarelaiddownhispaper，andsetdownhiscoffee-cup，andlookedatTom。
“WhyTom，what’sthecase？Youlookassolemnasacoffin。”
“Ifeelverybad，Mas’r。IallayshavethoughtthatMas’rwouldbegoodtoeverybody。”
“Well，Tom，haven’tIbeen？Come，now，whatdoyouwant？There’ssomethingyouhaven’tgot，Isuppose，andthisisthepreface。”
“Mas’rallaysbeengoodtome。Ihaven’tnothingtocomplainofonthathead。ButthereisonethatMas’risn’tgoodto。”
“Why，Tom，what’sgotintoyou？Speakout；whatdoyoumean？”
“night，betweenoneandtwo，Ithoughtso。Istudieduponthematterthen。Mas’risn’tgoodtohimself。”
Tomsaidthiswithhisbacktohismaster，andhishandonthedoor-knob。St。Clarefelthisfaceflushcrimson，buthelaughed。
“O，that’sall，isit？”hesaid，gayly。
“All！”saidTom，turningsuddenlyroundandfallingonhisknees。“O，mydearyoungMas’r；I’m’fraiditwillbelossofall—all—bodyandsoul。ThegoodBooksays，‘itbitethlikeaserpentandstingethlikeanadder！’mydearMas’r！”
Tom’svoicechoked，andthetearsrandownhischeeks。
“Youpoor，sillyfool！”saidSt。Clare，withtearsinhisowneyes。“Getup，Tom。I’mnotworthcryingover。”
ButTomwouldn’trise，andlookedimploring。
“Well，Iwon’tgotoanymoreoftheircursednonsense，Tom，”saidSt。Clare；“onmyhonor，Iwon’t。Idon’tknowwhyIhaven’tstoppedlongago。I’vealwaysdespisedit，andmyselfforit，—sonow，Tom，wipeupyoureyes，andgoaboutyourerrands。Come，come，”headded，“noblessings。I’mnotsowonderfullygood，now，”hesaid，ashegentlypushedTomtothedoor。“There，I’llpledgemyhonortoyou，Tom，youdon’tseemesoagain，”hesaid；andTomwentoff，wipinghiseyes，withgreatsatisfaction。
“I’llkeepmyfaithwithhim，too，”saidSt。Clare，asheclosedthedoor。
AndSt。Claredidso，—forgrosssensualism，inanyform，wasnotthepeculiartemptationofhisnature。
But，allthistime，whoshalldetailthetribulationsmanifoldofourfriendMissOphelia，whohadbegunthelaborsofaSouthernhousekeeper？
ThereisallthedifferenceintheworldintheservantsofSouthernestablishments，accordingtothecharacterandcapacityofthemistresseswhohavebroughtthemup。
Southaswellasnorth，therearewomenwhohaveanextraordinarytalentforcommand，andtactineducating。Suchareenabled，withapparentease，andwithoutseverity，tosubjecttotheirwill，andbringintoharmoniousandsystematicorder，thevariousmembersoftheirsmallestate，—toregulatetheirpeculiarities，andsobalanceandcompensatethedeficienciesofonebytheexcessofanother，astoproduceaharmoniousandorderlysystem。
SuchahousekeeperwasMrs。Shelby，whomwehavealreadydescribed；andsuchourreadersmayremembertohavemetwith。IftheyarenotcommonattheSouth，itisbecausetheyarenotcommonintheworld。Theyaretobefoundthereasoftenasanywhere；and，whenexisting，findinthatpeculiarstateofsocietyabrilliantopportunitytoexhibittheirdomestictalent。
SuchahousekeeperMarieSt。Clarewasnot，norhermotherbeforeher。Indolentandchildish，unsystematicandimprovident，itwasnottobeexpectedthatservantstrainedunderhercareshouldnotbesolikewise；andshehadveryjustlydescribedtoMissOpheliathestateofconfusionshewouldfindinthefamily，thoughshehadnotascribedittothepropercause。
Thefirstmorningofherregency，MissOpheliawasupatfouro’clock；andhavingattendedtoalltheadjustmentsofherownchamber，asshehaddoneeversinceshecamethere，tothegreatamazementofthechambermaid，shepreparedforavigorousonslaughtonthecupboardsandclosetsoftheestablishmentofwhichshehadthekeys。
Thestore-room，thelinen-presses，thechina-closet，thekitchenandcellar，thatday，allwentunderanawfulreview。Hiddenthingsofdarknesswerebroughttolighttoanextentthatalarmedalltheprincipalitiesandpowersofkitchenandchamber，andcausedmanywonderingsandmurmuringsabout“deseyernorthernladies”fromthedomesticcabinet。
OldDinah，theheadcook，andprincipalofallruleandauthorityinthekitchendepartment，wasfilledwithwrathatwhatsheconsideredaninvasionofprivilege。NofeudalbaroninMagnaChartatimescouldhavemorethoroughlyresentedsomeincursionofthecrown。
Dinahwasacharacterinherownway，anditwouldbeinjusticetohermemorynottogivethereaderalittleideaofher。Shewasanativeandessentialcook，asmuchasAuntChloe，—cookingbeinganindigenoustalentoftheAfricanrace；butChloewasatrainedandmethodicalone，whomovedinanorderlydomesticharness，whileDinahwasaself-taughtgenius，and，likegeniusesingeneral，waspositive，opinionatedanderratic，tothelastdegree。
Likeacertainclassofmodernphilosophers，Dinahperfectlyscornedlogicandreasonineveryshape，andalwaystookrefugeinintuitivecertainty；andhereshewasperfectlyimpregnable。Nopossibleamountoftalent，orauthority，orexplanation，couldevermakeherbelievethatanyotherwaywasbetterthanherown，orthatthecourseshehadpursuedinthesmallestmattercouldbeintheleastmodified。Thishadbeenaconcededpointwithheroldmistress，Marie’smother；and“MissMarie，”asDinahalwayscalledheryoungmistress，evenafterhermarriage，founditeasiertosubmitthancontend；andsoDinahhadruledsupreme。Thiswastheeasier，inthatshewasperfectmistressofthatdiplomaticartwhichunitestheutmostsubservienceofmannerwiththeutmostinflexibilityastomeasure。
Dinahwasmistressofthewholeartandmysteryofexcuse-making，inallitsbranches。Indeed，itwasanaxiomwithherthatthecookcandonowrong；andacookinaSouthernkitchenfindsabundanceofheadsandshouldersonwhichtolayoffeverysinandfrailty，soastomaintainherownimmaculatenessentire。Ifanypartofthedinnerwasafailure，therewerefiftyindisputablygoodreasonsforit；anditwasthefaultundeniablyoffiftyotherpeople，whomDinahberatedwithunsparingzeal。
ButitwasveryseldomthattherewasanyfailureinDinah’slastresults。Thoughhermodeofdoingeverythingwaspeculiarlymeanderingandcircuitous，andwithoutanysortofcalculationastotimeandplace，—thoughherkitchengenerallylookedasifithadbeenarrangedbyahurricaneblowingthroughit，andshehadaboutasmanyplacesforeachcookingutensilasthereweredaysintheyear，—yet，ifonewouldhavepatiencetowaitherowngoodtime，upwouldcomeherdinnerinperfectorder，andinastyleofpreparationwithwhichanepicurecouldfindnofault。
Itwasnowtheseasonofincipientpreparationfordinner。Dinah，whorequiredlargeintervalsofreflectionandrepose，andwasstudiousofeaseinallherarrangements，wasseatedonthekitchenfloor，smokingashort，stumpypipe，towhichshewasmuchaddicted，andwhichshealwayskindledup，asasortofcenser，whenevershefelttheneedofaninspirationinherarrangements。ItwasDinah’smodeofinvokingthedomesticMuses。
SeatedaroundherwerevariousmembersofthatrisingracewithwhichaSouthernhouseholdabounds，engagedinshellingpeas，peelingpotatoes，pickingpin-feathersoutoffowls，andotherpreparatoryarrangements，—Dinaheveryonceinawhileinterruptinghermeditationstogiveapoke，oraraponthehead，tosomeoftheyoungoperators，withthepudding-stickthatlaybyherside。Infact，Dinahruledoverthewoollyheadsoftheyoungermemberswitharodofiron，andseemedtoconsiderthembornfornoearthlypurposebutto“savehersteps，”asshephrasedit。Itwasthespiritofthesystemunderwhichshehadgrownup，andshecarrieditouttoitsfullextent。
MissOphelia，afterpassingonherreformatorytourthroughalltheotherpartsoftheestablishment，nowenteredthekitchen。Dinahhadheard，fromvarioussources，whatwasgoingon，andresolvedtostandondefensiveandconservativeground，—mentallydeterminedtoopposeandignoreeverynewmeasure，withoutanyactualobservablecontest。
Thekitchenwasalargebrick-flooredapartment，withagreatold-fashionedfireplacestretchingalongonesideofit，—anarrangementwhichSt。ClarehadvainlytriedtopersuadeDinahtoexchangefortheconvenienceofamoderncook-stove。Notshe。NoPuseyite，1orconservativeofanyschool，wasevermoreinflexiblyattachedtotime-honoredinconveniencesthanDinah。
WhenSt。Clarehadfirstreturnedfromthenorth，impressedwiththesystemandorderofhisuncle’skitchenarrangements，hehadlargelyprovidedhisownwithanarrayofcupboards，drawers，andvariousapparatus，toinducesystematicregulation，underthesanguineillusionthatitwouldbeofanypossibleassistancetoDinahinherarrangements。Hemightaswellhaveprovidedthemforasquirreloramagpie。Themoredrawersandclosetstherewere，themorehiding-holescouldDinahmakefortheaccommodationofoldrags，hair-combs，oldshoes，ribbons，cast-offartificialflowers，andotherarticlesofvertu，whereinhersouldelighted。
WhenMissOpheliaenteredthekitchenDinahdidnotrise，butsmokedoninsublimetranquillity，regardinghermovementsobliquelyoutofthecornerofhereye，butapparentlyintentonlyontheoperationsaroundher。
MissOpheliacommencedopeningasetofdrawers。
“Whatisthisdrawerfor，Dinah？”shesaid。
“It’shandyformostanything，Missis，”saidDinah。Soitappearedtobe。Fromthevarietyitcontained，MissOpheliapulledoutfirstafinedamasktable-clothstainedwithblood，havingevidentlybeenusedtoenvelopsomerawmeat。
“What’sthis，Dinah？Youdon’twrapupmeatinyourmistress’besttable-cloths？”
“OLor，Missis，no；thetowelswasallamissin’—soIjestdidit。Ilaidouttowashthata，—that’swhyIputitthar。”
“Shif’less！”saidMissOpheliatoherself，proceedingtotumbleoverthedrawer，whereshefoundanutmeg-graterandtwoorthreenutmegs，aMethodisthymn-book，acoupleofsoiledMadrashandkerchiefs，someyarnandknitting-work，apaperoftobaccoandapipe，afewcrackers，oneortwogildedchina-saucerswithsomepomadeinthem，oneortwothinoldshoes，apieceofflannelcarefullypinnedupenclosingsomesmallwhiteonions，severaldamasktable-napkins，somecoarsecrashtowels，sometwineanddarning-needles，andseveralbrokenpapers，fromwhichsundrysweetherbsweresiftingintothedrawer。
“Wheredoyoukeepyournutmegs，Dinah？”saidMissOphelia，withtheairofonewhoprayedforpatience。
“Mostanywhar，Missis；there’ssomeinthatcrackedtea-cup，upthere，andthere’ssomeoverinthatarcupboard。”
“Herearesomeinthegrater，”saidMissOphelia，holdingthemup。
“Laws，yes，Iput’emtherethismorning，—Ilikestokeepmythingshandy，”saidDinah。“You，Jake！whatareyoustoppingfor！You’llcotchit！Bestill，thar！”sheadded，withadiveofherstickatthecriminal。
“What’sthis？”saidMissOphelia，holdingupthesaucerofpomade。
“Laws，it’smyhargrease；—Iputitthartohaveithandy。”
“Doyouuseyourmistress’bestsaucersforthat？”
“Law！itwascauseIwasdriv，andinsichahurry；—Iwasgwinetochangeitthisveryday。”
“Herearetwodamasktable-napkins。”
“Themtable-napkinsIputthar，toget’emwashedout，someday。”
“Don’tyouhavesomeplacehereonpurposeforthingstobewashed？”
“Well，Mas’rSt。Claregotdatarchest，hesaid，fordat；butIlikestomixupbiscuitandhevmythingsonitsomedays，andthenitan’thandyaliftin’upthelid。”
“Whydon’tyoumixyourbiscuitsonthepastry-table，there？”
“Law，Missis，itgetssotsofullofdishes，andonethingandanother，deran’tnoroom，noway—”
“Butyoushouldwashyourdishes，andclearthemaway。”
“Washmydishes！”saidDinah，inahighkey，asherwrathbegantoriseoverherhabitualrespectofmanner；“whatdoesladiesknow’boutwork，Iwanttoknow？When’dMas’revergethisdinner，ifIvastospendallmytimeawashin’andaputtin’updishes？MissMarienevertelledmeso，nohow。”
“Well，herearetheseonions。”
“Laws，yes！”saidDinah；“thariswharIput’em，now。Icouldn’t’member。Them’sparticularonionsIwasasavin’fordisyerverystew。I’dforgottheywasindataroldflannel。”
MissOphelialiftedoutthesiftingpapersofsweetherbs。
“IwishMissiswouldn’ttouchdemar。IlikestokeepmythingswhereIknowswhartogoto’em，”saidDinah，ratherdecidedly。
“Butyoudon’twanttheseholesinthepapers。”
“Them’shandyforsiftin’on’tout，”saidDinah。
“Butyouseeitspillsalloverthedrawer。”
“Laws，yes！ifMissiswillgoatumblin’thingsallupso，itwill。Missishasspiltlotsdatarway，”saidDinah，cominguneasilytothedrawers。“IfMissisonlywillgoupstarstillmyclarin’uptimecomes，I’llhaveeverythingright；butIcan’tdonothin’whenladiesisround，ahenderin’。You，Sam，don’tyougibthebabydatarsugar-bowl！I’llcrackyeover，ifyedon’tmind！”
“I’mgoingthroughthekitchen，andgoingtoputeverythinginorder，once，Dinah；andthenI’llexpectyoutokeepitso。”
“Lor，now！MissPhelia；dataran’tnowayforladiestodo。Ineverdidseeladiesdoin’nosich；myoldMissisnorMissMarieneverdid，andIdon’tseenokinderneedon’t；”andDinahstalkedindignantlyabout，whileMissOpheliapiledandsorteddishes，emptieddozensofscatteringbowlsofsugarintoonereceptacle，sortednapkins，table-cloths，andtowels，forwashing；washing，wiping，andarrangingwithherownhands，andwithaspeedandalacritywhichperfectlyamazedDinah。
“Lornow！ifdatardewaydemnorthernladiesdo，deyan’tladies，nohow，”shesaidtosomeofhersatellites，whenatasafehearingdistance。“Ihasthingsasstraightasanybody，whenmyclarin’uptimescomes；butIdon’twantladiesround，ahenderin’，andgettingmythingsallwhereIcan’tfind’em。”
TodoDinahjustice，shehad，atirregularperiods，paroxymsofreformationandarrangement，whichshecalled“clarin’uptimes，”whenshewouldbeginwithgreatzeal，andturneverydrawerandclosetwrongsideoutward，ontothefloorortables，andmaketheordinaryconfusionseven-foldmoreconfounded。Thenshewouldlightherpipe，andleisurelygooverherarrangements，lookingthingsover，anddiscoursinguponthem；makingalltheyoungfryscourmostvigorouslyonthetinthings，andkeepingupforseveralhoursamostenergeticstateofconfusion，whichshewouldexplaintothesatisfactionofallinquirers，bytheremarkthatshewasa“clarin’up。”“Shecouldn’thevthingsagwineonsoastheyhadbeen，andshewasgwinetomaketheseyeryoungoneskeepbetterorder；”forDinahherself，somehow，indulgedtheillusionthatshe，herself，wasthesouloforder，anditwasonlytheyounguns，andtheeverybodyelseinthehouse，thatwerethecauseofanythingthatfellshortofperfectioninthisrespect。Whenallthetinswerescoured，andthetablesscrubbedsnowywhite，andeverythingthatcouldoffendtuckedoutofsightinholesandcorners，Dinahwoulddressherselfupinasmartdress，cleanapron，andhigh，brilliantMadrasturban，andtellallmarauding“younguns”tokeepoutofthekitchen，forshewasgwinetohavethingskeptnice。Indeed，theseperiodicseasonswereoftenaninconveniencetothewholehousehold；forDinahwouldcontractsuchanimmoderateattachmenttoherscouredtin，astoinsistuponitthatitshouldn’tbeusedagainforanypossiblepurpose，—atleast，tilltheardorofthe“clarin’up”periodabated。
MissOphelia，inafewdays，thoroughlyreformedeverydepartmentofthehousetoasystematicpattern；butherlaborsinalldepartmentsthatdependedonthecooperationofservantswerelikethoseofSisyphusortheDanaides。Indespair，sheonedayappealedtoSt。Clare。
“Thereisnosuchthingasgettinganythinglikeasysteminthisfamily！”
“Tobesure，thereisn’t，”saidSt。Clare。
“Suchshiftlessmanagement，suchwaste，suchconfusion，Ineversaw！”
“Idaresayyoudidn’t。”
“Youwouldnottakeitsocoolly，ifyouwerehousekeeper。”
“Mydearcousin，youmayaswellunderstand，onceforall，thatwemastersaredividedintotwoclasses，oppressorsandoppressed。Wewhoaregood-naturedandhateseveritymakeupourmindstoagooddealofinconvenience。Ifwewillkeepashambling，loose，untaughtsetinthecommunity，forourconvenience，why，wemusttaketheconsequence。SomerarecasesIhaveseen，ofpersons，who，byapeculiartact，canproduceorderandsystemwithoutseverity；butI’mnotoneofthem，—andsoImadeupmymind，longago，toletthingsgojustastheydo。Iwillnothavethepoordevilsthrashedandcuttopieces，andtheyknowit，—and，ofcourse，theyknowthestaffisintheirownhands。”
“Buttohavenotime，noplace，noorder，—allgoingoninthisshiftlessway！”
“MydearVermont，younativesupbytheNorthPolesetanextravagantvalueontime！Whatonearthistheuseoftimetoafellowwhohastwiceasmuchofitasheknowswhattodowith？Astoorderandsystem，wherethereisnothingtobedonebuttoloungeonthesofaandread，anhoursoonerorlaterinbreakfastordinnerisn’tofmuchaccount。Now，there’sDinahgetsyouacapitaldinner，—soup，ragout，roastfowl，dessert，ice-creamsandall，—andshecreatesitalloutofchaosandoldnightdownthere，inthatkitchen。Ithinkitreallysublime，thewayshemanages。But，Heavenblessus！ifwearetogodownthere，andviewallthesmokingandsquattingabout，andhurryscurryationofthepreparatoryprocess，weshouldnevereatmore！Mygoodcousin，absolveyourselffromthat！It’smorethanaCatholicpenance，anddoesnomoregood。You’llonlyloseyourowntemper，andutterlyconfoundDinah。Lethergoherownway。”
But，Augustine，youdon’tknowhowIfoundthings。”
“Don’tI？Don’tIknowthattherolling-pinisunderherbed，andthenutmeg-graterinherpocketwithhertobacco，—thattherearesixty-fivedifferentsugar-bowls，oneineveryholeinthehouse，—thatshewashesdisheswithadinner-napkinoneday，andwithafragmentofanoldpetticoatthenext？Buttheupshotis，shegetsupgloriousdinners，makessuperbcoffee；andyoumustjudgeheraswarriorsandstatesmenarejudged，byhersuccess。”
“Butthewaste，—theexpense！”
“O，well！Lockeverythingyoucan，andkeepthekey。Giveoutbydriblets，andneverinquireforoddsandends，—itisn’tbest。”
“Thattroublesme，Augustine。Ican’thelpfeelingasiftheseservantswerenotstrictlyhonest。Areyousuretheycanbereliedon？”
AugustinelaughedimmoderatelyatthegraveandanxiousfacewithwhichMissOpheliapropoundedthequestion。
“O，cousin，that’stoogood，—honest！—asifthat’sathingtobeexpected！Honest！—why，ofcourse，theyarn’t。Whyshouldtheybe？Whatuponearthistomakethemso？”
“Whydon’tyouinstruct？”
“Instruct！O，fiddlestick！WhatinstructingdoyouthinkIshoulddo？Ilooklikeit！AstoMarie，shehasspiritenough，tobesure，tokilloffawholeplantation，ifI’dlethermanage；butshewouldn’tgetthecheateryoutofthem。”
“Aretherenohonestones？”
“Well，nowandthenone，whomNaturemakessoimpracticablysimple，truthfulandfaithful，thattheworstpossibleinfluencecan’tdestroyit。But，yousee，fromthemother’sbreastthecoloredchildfeelsandseesthattherearenonebutunderhandwaysopentoit。Itcangetalongnootherwaywithitsparents，itsmistress，itsyoungmasterandmissieplay-fellows。Cunninganddeceptionbecomenecessary，inevitablehabits。Itisn’tfairtoexpectanythingelseofhim。Heoughtnottobepunishedforit。Astohonesty，theslaveiskeptinthatdependent，semi-childishstate，thatthereisnomakinghimrealizetherightsofproperty，orfeelthathismaster’sgoodsarenothisown，ifhecangetthem。Formypart，Idon’tseehowtheycanbehonest。SuchafellowasTom，here，is，—isamoralmiracle！”
“Andwhatbecomesoftheirsouls？”saidMissOphelia。
“Thatisn’tmyaffair，asIknowof，”saidSt。Clare；“Iamonlydealinginfactsofthepresentlife。Thefactis，thatthewholeraceareprettygenerallyunderstoodtobeturnedovertothedevil，forourbenefit，inthisworld，howeveritmayturnoutinanother！”
“Thisisperfectlyhorrible！”saidMissOphelia；yououghttobeashamedofyourselves！”
“Idon’tknowasIam。Weareinprettygoodcompany，forallthat，”saidSt。Clare，“aspeopleinthebroadroadgenerallyare。Lookatthehighandthelow，alltheworldover，andit’sthesamestory，—thelowerclassusedup，body，soulandspirit，forthegoodoftheupper。ItissoinEngland；itissoeverywhere；andyetallChristendomstandsaghast，withvirtuousindignation，becausewedothethinginalittledifferentshapefromwhattheydoit。”
“Itisn’tsoinVermont。”
“Ah，well，inNewEngland，andinthefreeStates，youhavethebetterofus，Igrant。Butthere’sthebell；so，Cousin，letusforawhilelayasideoursectionalprejudices，andcomeouttodinner。”
AsMissOpheliawasinthekitcheninthelatterpartoftheafternoon，someofthesablechildrencalledout，“La，sakes！thar’sPrueacoming，gruntingalonglikesheallersdoes。”
Atall，bonycoloredwomannowenteredthekitchen，bearingonherheadabasketofrusksandhotrolls。
“Ho，Prue！you’vecome，”saidDinah。
Pruehadapeculiarscowlingexpressionofcountenance，andasullen，grumblingvoice。Shesetdownherbasket，squattedherselfdown，andrestingherelbowsonherkneessaid，
“OLord！Iwish’tI’sdead！”
“Whydoyouwishyouweredead？”saidMissOphelia。
“I’dbeouto’mymisery，”saidthewoman，gruffly，withouttakinghereyesfromthefloor。
“Whatneedyougettingdrunk，then，andcuttingup，Prue？”saidasprucequadroonchambermaid，dangling，asshespoke，apairofcoralear-drops。
Thewomanlookedatherwithasoursurlyglance。
“Maybeyou’llcometoit，oneoftheseyerdays。I’dbegladtoseeyou，Iwould；thenyou’llbegladofadrop，likeme，toforgetyourmisery。”
“Come，Prue，”saidDinah，“let’slookatyourrusks。Here’sMissiswillpayforthem。”
MissOpheliatookoutacoupleofdozen。
“Thar’ssometicketsinthataroldcrackedjugonthetopshelf，”saidDinah。“You，Jake，climbupandgetitdown。”
“Tickets，—whataretheyfor？”saidMissOphelia。
“WebuyticketsofherMas’r，andshegivesusbreadfor’em。”
“Andtheycountsmymoneyandtickets，whenIgetshome，toseeifI’sgotthechange；andifIhan’t，theyhalfkillsme。”
“Andservesyouright，”saidJane，thepertchambermaid，“ifyouwilltaketheirmoneytogetdrunkon。That’swhatshedoes，Missis。”
“Andthat’swhatIwilldo，—Ican’tlivenootherways，—drinkandforgetmymisery。”
“Youareverywickedandveryfoolish，”saidMissOphelia，“tostealyourmaster’smoneytomakeyourselfabrutewith。”
“It’smightylikely，Missis；butIwilldoit，—yes，Iwill。OLord！IwishI’sdead，Ido，—IwishI’sdead，andoutofmymisery！”andslowlyandstifflytheoldcreaturerose，andgotherbasketonherheadagain；butbeforeshewentout，shelookedatthequadroongirt，whostillstoodplayingwithherear-drops。
“Yethinkye’remightyfinewiththemar，afrolickin’andatossin’yourhead，andalookin’downoneverybody。Well，nevermind，—youmaylivetobeapoor，old，cut-upcrittur，likeme。HopetotheLordyewill，Ido；thenseeifyewon’tdrink，—drink，—drink，—yerselfintotorment；andsarveyeright，too—ugh！”and，withamalignanthowl，thewomanlefttheroom。
“Disgustingoldbeast！”saidAdolph，whowasgettinghismaster’sshaving-water。“IfIwashermaster，I’dcutherupworsethansheis。”
“Yecouldn’tdothatar，noways，”saidDinah。“Herback’safarsightnow，—shecan’tnevergetadresstogetheroverit。”
“Ithinksuchlowcreaturesoughtnottobeallowedtogoroundtogenteelfamilies，”saidMissJane。“Whatdoyouthink，Mr。St。Clare？”shesaid，coquettishlytossingherheadatAdolph。
Itmustbeobservedthat，amongotherappropriationsfromhismaster’sstock，Adolphwasinthehabitofadoptinghisnameandaddress；andthatthestyleunderwhichhemoved，amongthecoloredcirclesofNewOrleans，wasthatofMr。St。Clare。
“I’mcertainlyofyouropinion，MissBenoir，”saidAdolph。
BenoirwasthenameofMarieSt。Clare’sfamily，andJanewasoneofherservants。
“Pray，MissBenoir，mayIbeallowedtoaskifthosedropsarefortheball，tomorrownight？Theyarecertainlybewitching！”
“Iwonder，now，Mr。St。Clare，whattheimpudenceofyoumenwillcometo！”saidJane，tossingherprettyheadtiltheear-dropstwinkledagain。“Ishan’tdancewithyouforawholeevening，ifyougotoaskingmeanymorequestions。”
“O，youcouldn’tbesocruel，now！Iwasjustdyingtoknowwhetheryouwouldappearinyourpinktarletane，”saidAdolph。
“Whatisit？”saidRosa，abright，piquantlittlequadroonwhocameskippingdownstairsatthismoment。
“Why，Mr。St。Clare’ssoimpudent！”
“Onmyhonor，”saidAdolph，“I’llleaveittoMissRosanow。”
“Iknowhe’salwaysasaucycreature，”saidRosa，poisingherselfononeofherlittlefeet，andlookingmaliciouslyatAdolph。“He’salwaysgettingmesoangrywithhim。”
“O！ladies，ladies，youwillcertainlybreakmyheart，betweenyou，”saidAdolph。“Ishallbefounddeadinmybed，somemorning，andyou’llhaveittoanswerfor。”
“Dohearthehorridcreaturetalk！”saidbothladies，laughingimmoderately。
“Come，—clarout，you！Ican’thaveyouclutteringupthekitchen，”saidDinah；“inmyway，foolin’roundhere。”
“AuntDinah’sglum，becauseshecan’tgototheball，”saidRosa。
“Don’twantnoneo’yourlight-coloredballs，”saidDinah；“cuttin’round，makin’b’lieveyou’swhitefolks。Arterall，you’sniggers，muchasIam。”
“AuntDinahgreasesherwoolstiff，everyday，tomakeitliestraight，”saidJane。
“Anditwillbewool，afterall，”saidRosa，maliciouslyshakingdownherlong，silkycurls。
“Well，intheLord’ssight，an’twoolasgoodasbar，anytime？”saidDinah。“I’dliketohaveMississaywhichisworththemost，—acouplesuchasyou，oronelikeme。Getoutwidye，yetrumpery，—Iwon’thaveyeround！”
Heretheconversationwasinterruptedinatwo-foldmanner。St。Clare’svoicewasheardattheheadofthestairs，askingAdolphifhemeanttostayallnightwithhisshaving-water；andMissOphelia，comingoutofthedining-room，said，
“JaneandRosa，whatareyouwastingyourtimefor，here？Goinandattendtoyourmuslins。”
OurfriendTom，whohadbeeninthekitchenduringtheconversationwiththeoldrusk-woman，hadfollowedheroutintothestreet。Hesawhergoon，givingeveryonceinawhileasuppressedgroan。Atlastshesetherbasketdownonadoorstep，andbeganarrangingtheold，fadedshawlwhichcoveredhershoulders。
“I’llcarryyourbasketapiece，”saidTom，compassionately。
“Whyshouldye？”saidthewoman。“Idon’twantnohelp。”
“Youseemtobesick，orintrouble，orsomethin’，”saidTom。
“Ian’tsick，”saidthewoman，shortly。
“Iwish，”saidTom，lookingatherearnestly，—“IwishIcouldpersuadeyoutoleaveoffdrinking。Don’tyouknowitwillbetheruinofye，bodyandsoul？”
“IknowsI’mgwinetotorment，”saidthewoman，sullenly。“Yedon’tneedtotellmethatar。I’sugly，I’swicked，—I’sgwinestraighttotorment。O，Lord！IwishI’sthar！”
Tomshudderedatthesefrightfulwords，spokenwithasullen，impassionedearnestness。
“O，Lordhavemercyonye！poorcrittur。Han’tyeneverheardofJesusChrist？”
“JesusChrist，—who’she？”
“Why，he’stheLord，”saidTom。
“IthinkI’vehearntello’theLord，andthejudgmentandtorment。I’veheardo’that。”
“Butdidn’tanybodyevertellyouoftheLordJesus，thatloveduspoorsinners，anddiedforus？”
“Don’tknownothin’’boutthat，”saidthewoman；“nobodyhan’tneverlovedme，sincemyoldmandied。”
“Wherewasyouraised？”saidTom。
“UpinKentuck。Amankeptmetobreedchil’enformarket，andsold’emasfastastheygotbigenough；lastofall，hesoldmetoaspeculator，andmyMas’rgotmeo’him。”
“Whatsetyouintothisbadwayofdrinkin’？”
“Togetsheto’mymisery。IhadonechildafterIcomehere；andIthoughtthenI’dhaveonetoraise，causeMas’rwasn’taspeculator。Itwasdepeartestlittlething！andMississheseemedtothinkaheapon’t，atfirst；itnevercried，—itwaslikelyandfat。ButMissistucksick，andItendedher；andItuckthefever，andmymilkallleftme，andthechilditpinedtoskinandbone，andMissiswouldn’tbuymilkforit。Shewouldn’theartome，whenItelledherIhadn’tmilk。ShesaidsheknowedIcouldfeeditonwhatotherfolkseat；andthechildkinderpined，andcried，andcried，andcried，dayandnight，andgotallgonetoskinandbones，andMissisgotsotaginitandshesaid’twan’tnothin’butcrossness。Shewisheditwasdead，shesaid；andshewouldn’tletmehaveito’nights，cause，shesaid，itkeptmeawake，andmademegoodfornothing。Shemademesleepinherroom；andIhadtoputitawayoffinalittlekindo’garret，andtharitcrieditselftodeath，onenight。Itdid；andItucktodrinkin’，tokeepitscryingoutofmyears！Idid，—andIwilldrink！Iwill，ifIdogototormentforit！Mas’rsaysIshallgototorment，andItellhimI’vegottharnow！”
“O，yepoorcrittur！”saidTom，“han’tnobodynevertelledyehowtheLordJesuslovedye，anddiedforye？Han’ttheytelledyethathe’llhelpye，andyecangotoheaven，andhaverest，atlast？”
“Ilookslikegwinetoheaven，”saidthewoman；“an’ttharwherewhitefolksisgwine？S’posethey’dhavemethar？I’drathergototorment，andgetawayfromMas’randMissis。Ihadso，”shesaid，aswithherusualgroan，shegotherbasketonherhead，andwalkedsullenlyaway。
Tomturned，andwalkedsorrowfullybacktothehouse。InthecourthemetlittleEva，—acrownoftuberosesonherhead，andhereyesradiantwithdelight。
“O，Tom！hereyouare。I’mgladI’vefoundyou。Papasaysyoumaygetouttheponies，andtakemeinmylittlenewcarriage，”shesaid，catchinghishand。“Butwhat’sthematterTom？—youlooksober。”
“Ifeelbad，MissEva，”saidTom，sorrowfully。“ButI’llgetthehorsesforyou。”
“Butdotellme，Tom，whatisthematter。IsawyoutalkingtocrossoldPrue。”
Tom，insimple，earnestphrase，toldEvathewoman’shistory。Shedidnotexclaimorwonder，orweep，asotherchildrendo。Hercheeksgrewpale，andadeep，earnestshadowpassedoverhereyes。Shelaidbothhandsonherbosom，andsighedheavily。
1EdwardBouveriePusey(1800-1882)，championoftheorthodoxyofrevealedreligion，defenderoftheOxfordmovement，andRegiusprofessorofHebrewandCanonofChristChurch，Oxford。
MissOphelia’sExperiencesandOpinionsContinued
“Tom，youneedn’tgetmethehorses。Idon’twanttogo，”shesaid。
“Whynot，MissEva？”
“Thesethingssinkintomyheart，Tom，”saidEva，—“theysinkintomyheart，”sherepeated，earnestly。“Idon’twanttogo；”andsheturnedfromTom，andwentintothehouse。
Afewdaysafter，anotherwomancame，inoldPrue’splace，tobringtherusks；MissOpheliawasinthekitchen。
“Lor！”saidDinah，“what’sgotPrue？”
“Prueisn’tcominganymore，”saidthewoman，mysteriously。
“Whynot？”saidDinah。“shean’tdead，isshe？”
“Wedoesn’texactlyknow。She’sdowncellar，”saidthewoman，glancingatMissOphelia。
AfterMissOpheliahadtakentherusks，Dinahfollowedthewomantothedoor。
“WhathasgotPrue，anyhow？”shesaid。
Thewomanseemeddesirous，yetreluctant，tospeak，andanswered，inlow，mysterioustone。
“Well，youmustn’ttellnobody，Prue，shegotdrunkagin，—andtheyhadherdowncellar，—andthartheyleftherallday，—andIhearn’emsayingthattheflieshadgottoher，—andshe’sdead！”
Dinahheldupherhands，and，turning，sawclosebyhersidethespirit-likeformofEvangeline，herlarge，mysticeyesdilatedwithhorror，andeverydropofblooddrivenfromherlipsandcheeks。
“Lorblessus！MissEva’sgwinetofaintaway！Whatgousall，toletherharsuchtalk？Herpa’llberailmad。”
“Ishan’tfaint，Dinah，”saidthechild，firmly；“andwhyshouldn’tIhearit？Itan’tsomuchformetohearit，asforpoorPruetosufferit。”
“Lorsakes！itisn’tforsweet，delicateyoungladies，likeyou，—theseyerstoriesisn’t；it’senoughtokill’em！”
Evasighedagain，andwalkedupstairswithaslowandmelancholystep。
MissOpheliaanxiouslyinquiredthewoman’sstory。Dinahgaveaverygarrulousversionofit，towhichTomaddedtheparticularswhichhehaddrawnfromherthatmorning。
