Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, Original Edition | Liberty - Chapter 1

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Dream Audio Books presents Uncle Tom's Cabin or Life among
the Lowly by Harriet beecher Stowe, Volume one, Chapter one,
in which the reader is introduced to a man of humanity.
Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February,
two gentlemen were sitting alone over their wine in a

(00:23):
well furnished dining parlor in the town of p in Kentucky.
There were no servants present, and the gentlemen, with chairs
closely approaching, seemed to be discussing some subject with great earnestness.
For convenience sake, we have said hitherto two gentlemen. One
of the parties, however, when critically examined, did not seem,

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strictly speaking, to come under the species. He was a short,
thick set man, with coarse commonplace features and that swaggering
air of pretension which marks a low man who was
trying to elbow his way upward in the world. He
was much over dressed in a gaudy vest of many colors,

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a blue neckerchief, bedropped gaily with yellow spots, and arranged
with a flaunting tie, quite in keeping with the general
air of the man. His hands large and coarse, were
plentifully bedecked with rings, and he wore a heavy gold
watch chain with a bundle of seals of portentous size

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and a great variety of colors attached to it, which
in the ardor of conversation he was in the habit
of flourishing and jingling with evident satisfaction. His conversation was
in free and easy defiance of Murray's grammar English Grammar
seventeen ninety five by Lindley Murray seventeen forty five to

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eighteen twenty six, the most authoritative American grammarian of his day,
and was garnished at convenient intervals with various profane expressions
which not even the desire to be graphic in our
account shall induce us to transcribe. His companion, mister Shelby,
had the appearance of a gentleman, and the arrangements of

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the house and the general air of the housekeeping indicated
easy and even opulent circumstances. As we before stated, the
two were in the midst of an earnest conversation. That
is the way I should arrange the matter, said mister Shelby.
I can't make trade that way. I positively, can't, mister Shelby,

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said the other, holding up a glass of wine between
his eye and the light. Why the fact is, Haley,
Tom is an uncommon fellow. He is certainly worth that
sum anywhere, Steady, honest, capable manages my whole farm like clock.
You mean, honest as niggers go, said Haley, helping himself

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to a glass of brandy. No, I mean, really, Tom
is a good, steady, sensible, pious fellow. He got religion
at a camp meeting four years ago, and I believe
he really did get it. I've trusted him since then
with everything I have money, house, horses, and let him

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come and go round the country, and I always found
him true and square in everything. Some folks don't believe
there is pious niggers shall be, said Haley, with a
candid flourish of his hand. But I do. I had
a fellow now in this year last lot. I took
to Orleans twas as good as a meetin now really

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to hear that greater prey. And he was quite gentle
and quiet like he fetched me a good sum too,
for I bought him cheap of a man that was
obliged to sell out so I realized six hundred on him. Yes,
I consider religion a valuable thing in a nigger when
it's the genuine article and no mistake. Well Tom's got

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the real article. If ever a fellow had rejoined the
the why last fall I let him go to Cincinnati
alone to do business for me and bring home five
hundred dollars, Tom says I to him, I trust you
because I think you're a Christian. I know you wouldn't cheat.
Tom comes back sure enough. I knew he would. Some

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low fellows, they say, said to him, Tom, why don't
you make tracks for Canada? Ah, A master trusted me,
and I couldn't. They told me about it. I am
sorry to part with Tom. I must say, you ought
to let him cover the whole balance of the debt,
And you would, Hailey, if you had any conscience. Well,
I've got just as much conscience as any man in

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business can aford to keep just a little, you know,
to swear by as twere, said the trader jocularly. And
then I'm ready to do anything in reason to oblige friends.
But this here, you see, is a little too hard
on a fellow, A little too hard. The trader sighed
contemplatively and poured out some more brandy. Well, then, Haley,

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how will you trade, said mister Shelby, after an uneasy
interval of silence. Well, haven't you a boy or gal
that you could throw in with Tom? Hum? None that
I could well spare, to tell the truth, it's only
hard necessity makes me willing to sell at all. I
don't like parting with any of my hands, that's fact.

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Here the door opened and a small quadroon boy between
four and five years of age entered the room. There
was something in his appearance remarkably beautiful and engaging. His
black hair fine as floss silk, hung in glossy curls
about his round, dimpled face, while a pair of large,
dark eyes full of fire and softness looked out from

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beneath the rich long lashes as he peered curiously into
the apartment. A gay robe of scarlet and yellow plaid,
carefully made and neatly fitted, set off to advantage the
dark and rich style of his beauty, and a certain
comic air of assurance blended with bashfulness, showed that he
had been not unused to being petted and noticed by

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his master. Hello, Jim Crow. Said mister Shelby, whistling and
snapping a bunch of raisins towards him. Pick that up. Now.
The child scampered with all his little strength after the prize,
while his master laughed. Come here, Jim crow, said he.
The child came up, and the master patted the curly

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head and chucked him under the chin. Now, Jim, show
this gentleman how you can dance and sing. The boy
commenced one of those wild, grotesque songs common among the
Negroes in a rich, clear voice, accompanying his singing with
many comic evolutions of the hands, feet, and whole body
in all perfect time to the music. Bravo, said Haley,

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throwing him a quarter of an orange. Now, Jim walk
like old uncle Kudja when he has the rheumatism, said
his master. Instantly, the flexible limbs of the child assumed
the appearance of deformity and distortion, as with his back
humped up and his master's stick in his hand, he
hobbled about the room, his childish face drawn into a

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doleful pucker, and spitting from right to left in imitation
of an old man. Both gentlemen laughed uproariously. Now, Jim said,
his master, show us how old elder Robbins leads the psalm.
The boy drew his chubby face down to a formidable
length and commenced toning a psalm tune through his nose

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with imperturbable gravity. Hurrah, bravo, what a young un said, Haley.
That chap's a case. I'll promise tell you what he said,
suddenly clapping his hand on mister Shelby's shoulder, fling in
that chap, and I'll settle the business. I will come
now if that ain't doing the thing up about the rightest.
At this moment, the door was pushed gently open and

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a young quadroon woman, apparently by twenty five, entered the room.
There needed only a glance from the child to her
to identify her as its mother. There was the same rich,
full dark eye with its long lashes, the same ripples
of silky black hair. The brown of her complexion gave
way on the cheek to a perceptible flush, which deepened

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as she saw the gaze of the strange man fixed
upon her in bold and undisguised admiration. Her dress was
of the neatest possible fit and set off to advantage.
Her finely molded shape, a delicately formed hand, and a
trim foot and ankle were items of appearance that did
not escape the quick eye of the trader. Well used

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to run up at a glance the points of a
fine female article. Well, Eliza, said her master, as she
stopped and looked hesitatingly at him. I was looking for Harry, please, sir.
And the boy bounded toward her, showing his spoils, which
he had gathered in the skirt of his robe. Well
take him away, then, said mister Shelby, and hastily she withdrew,

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carrying the child on her arm. By Jupiter, said the trader,
turning to him in admiration. There's an article. Now. You
might make your fortune on that, our gal in New
Orleans any day. I've seen over a thousand in my
day paid down for gals. Not a bit handsomer. I
don't want to make my fortune on her, said mister Shelby, dryly,

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and seeking to turn the conversation, he uncorked a bottle
of fresh wine and asked his companion's opinion of it.
Capital Sir, first, chop, said the trader, then turning and
slapping his hand familiarly on Shelby's shoulder, he added, come,
how will you trade about the gal? What shall I
say for her? What'll you take, mister Haley? She is

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not to be sold, said Shelby. My wife would not
part with her for her weight in gold. Aye. Aye.
Women always say such things because they hadn't no sort
of calculation. Just o em how many watches, feathers and
trinkets one's weight in gold would buy? And that alters
the case. I reckon, I tell you, Haley, this must

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not be spoken of. I say no, and I mean no,
said Shelby, decidedly. Well you'll let me have the boy, though,
said the trader. You must own. I've come down pretty
handsomely for him. What on earth can you want with
the child? Said Shelby. Why I've got a friend that's
going into this yard. Branch of the business wants to

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buy up handsome boys to raise for the market. Fancy
articles entirely sell for waiters, and so on. Two richns
that can pay for handsome ones. It sets off one
of your great places. A real handsome boy to open door,
wait and tend. They fetch a good sum. And this
little devil is such a comical, musical concern. He's just
the article I would rather not sell him, said mister

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Shelby thoughtfully. The fact is, sir, I'm a humane man,
and I hate to take the boy from his mother's Sir,
oh you do, Lah, yes, and something of that ornatter.
I understand perfectly. It is mighty unpleasant getting on with
women sometimes, I allays hates these yre screeching, screaming times.

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They are mighty unpleasant. But as I manages business, I
generally avoid them. Sir. Now, what if you get the
girl off for a day or a week or so,
then the thing's done quietly all over. Before she comes home,
your wife might get her some ear rings or a
new gown or some such truck to make up with her.

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I'm afraid not, Lord bless you. Yes, these critters ain't
like white folks, you know. They gets over things only
manage right now they say, said Haley, assuming a candid
and confidential air, that this kind of trade is hardening
to the feelings. But I never found it. So. Fact is,
I never could do things up the way some fellers

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manage the business. I've seen him as would pull a
woman's child out of her arms An set him up
to sell an that she's screechin like mad all the time.
Very bad policy damage is the article makes em quite
unfit for service. Sometimes. I knew a real handsome gal
once in Orleans, as was entirely ruined by this sort

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of handling. The fellow that was tradin for her didn't
want her baby, and she was one of your real
high sort. When her blood was up, I tell you,
she squeezed up her child in her arms and talked
and went on real awful. It kind of makes my
blood run cold to think of it. And when they
carried off the child and locked her up, she just

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went raven mad and died in a week. Clear waste, sir,
of a thousand dollars, just for want of management. There's
where tis. It's always best to do the humane thing, sir.
That's been my experience. And the trader leaned back in
his chair and folded his arm with an air of
virtuous decision, apparently considering himself a second Wilberforce. The subject

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appeared to interest the gentleman deeply, for while mister Shelby
was thoughtfully pealing an orange, Haley broke out afresh with
becoming diffidence, but as if actually driven by the force
of truth to say a few words more. It don't
look well now for a feller to be praising himself.
But I say it just because it's the truth. I

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believe I'm reckoned to bring in about the finest droves
of niggers that is brought in at least I've been
told so if I have once, I reckon I have
a hundred times all in good case, fat and likely,
and I lose as few as any man in the business.
And I lays it all to my management, sir, and humanity, sir,
I may say, is the great pillar of my management.

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Mister Shelby did not know what to say, and so
he said, Indeed, now I've been laughed at for my notion, sir,
and I've been to they ain't popular and they ain't common.
But I stuck to him, sir. I've stuck to him
and realized, well on him. Yes, sir, they have paid
their passage, I may say, And the trader laughed at

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his joke. There was something so piquant and original in
these elucidations of humanity that mister Shelby could not help
laughing in company. Perhaps you laugh too, dear reader, But
you know, humanity comes out in a variety of strange
forms nowadays, and there is no end to the odd
things that humane people will say and do. Mister Shelby's

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laugh encouraged the trader to proceed. It's strange now, but
I never could beat this into people's heads. Now. There
was Tom Loker, my old partner down in Natches. He
was a clever fellow. Tom was only the very devil
with niggers on principle twas you see for a better
hearted Feller never broke bread twas his system. Sir. I

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used to talk to Tom. Why Tom, I used to say,
when your gals take on and cry, what's the use
of cracking on him over the head and knocking on
him round? It's ridiculous, says I, And don't do no
sort of good. Why I don't see no harm in
their crying, says I. It's natter, says I. And if
natter can't blow off one way, it will another. Besides, Tom,

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says I, it just spiles your gals. But they get
sickly and down in the mouth, and sometimes they get
ugly articularly yallow gals do and it's the devil and
all getting on them broke in now, says I. Why
can't you kind of coax them up and speak them fair?
Depend on it, Tom, A little humanity thrown in along

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goes a heap further than all you're jawing and cracking,
and it pays better, says I, depend on it. But
Tom couldn't get the hang on it, and he spiled
so many for me that I had to break off
with him, though he was a good hearted fellow and
as fair a business hand is going. And do you
find your ways of managing do the business better than Tom's,

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said mister Shelby. Why yes, sir, I may say so.
You see, when I any ways can I takes a
legal care about the unpleasant parts like sellin' young uns
an that get the gals out of the way, out
of sight, out of mind, you know. And when it's
clean done and can't be helped, they naturally gets used
to it. Tain't you know, as if it was white

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folks that's brought up in the way of specter to
keep their children and wives and all that niggers, you know,
that's fetched up properly. Han't no kind of spectations of
no kind, so all these things comes easier. I'm afraid
mine are not properly brought up, then, said mister Shelby.
Suppose not, you Kentucky folks spile your niggers. You mean

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well by 'em, but tain't no real kindness after all.
Now a nigger, you see what's got to be hacked
and tumbled round the world and sold to Tom and Dick.
And the Lord knows who tain't no kindness to be
given on him, notions and expectations, and bringing on him
up too well, for the rough and tumble comes all
the harder on him arder. Now, I venture to say,

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your niggers would be quite chop falling in a place
where some of your plantation niggers would be singing and
whooping like all possessed every man. You know, mister Shelby
naturally thinks well on his own ways. And I think
I treat niggers just about as well as it's ever
worth while to treat em. It's a happy thing to
be satisfied, said mister Shelby, with a slight shrug and

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some perceptible feelings of a disagreeable nature. Well, said Haley,
after they had both silently picked their nuts for a season.
What do you say. I'll think the matter over and
talk with my wife, said mister Shelby. Meantime, Haley, if
you want the matter carried on in the quiet way
you speak of, you'd best not let your business in

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this neighborhood be known. It will get out among my boys,
and it will not be a particularly quiet business away
any of my fellows if they know it. I'll promise you, oh,
certainly by all means. M'um of course, but I'll tell
you I'm in a devil of a hurry and shall
want to know as soon as possible what I may
depend on, said he, rising and putting on his overcoat.

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Well call up this evening between six and seven, and
you shall have my answer, said mister Shelby, and the
trader bowed himself out of the apartment. I'd like to
have been able to kick the fellow down the steps,
said he to himself, as he saw the door fairly
closed with his impudent assurance. But he knows how much
he has me at advantage. If anybody had ever said

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to me that I should sell Tom down south to
one of those rascally traders, I should have said, is
thy servant a dog? That he should do this thing?
And now it must come for aught? I see, and
Eliza's child too. I know that I shall have some
fuss with wife about that, and for that matter, about
Tom too, so much being in debt. Hey, Oh, the

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fellow sees his advantage and means to push it. Perhaps
the mildest form of the system of slavery is to
be seen in the state of Kentucky. The general prevalence
of agricultural pursuits of a quiet and gradual nature, not
requiring those periodic seasons of hurry and pressure that are
called for in the business of more southern districts, makes

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the task of the negro a more healthful and reasonable one,
while the master, content with a more gradual style of acquisition,
has not those temptations to hard heartedness which always overcome
frail human nature when the prospect of sudden and rapid
gain is weighed in the balance, with no heavier counterpoise

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than the interests of the helpless and unprotected. Whoever visits
some estates there and witnesses the good humored indulgence of
some masters and mistresses, and the affectionate loyalty of some
slaves might be tempt to dream the oft fabled poetic
legend of a patriarchal institution, and all that, But over

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and above the scene there broods a portentous shadow, the
shadow of law, so long as the law considers all
these human beings with beating hearts and living affections, only
as so many things belong to a master, so long
as the failure or misfortune, or imprudence or death of

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the kindest owner may cause them any day to exchange
a life of kind, protection and indulgence for one of
hopeless misery and toil, so long it is impossible to
make anything beautiful or desirable in the best regulated administration
of slavery. Mister Shelby was a fair average kind of man,

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good natured and kindly, and disposed to easy indulgence of
those around him, and there had never been a lack
of anything which might contribute to the physical comfort of
the negroes on his estate. However, speculated largely and quite loosely,
had involved himself deeply, and his notes to a large
amount had come into the hands of Haley. And this

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small piece of information is the key to the preceding conversation.
Now it had so happened that, in approaching the door,
Eliza had caught enough of the conversation to know that
a trader was making offers to her master for somebody.
She would gladly have stopped at the door to listen
as she came out, but her mistress just then calling,

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she was obliged to hasten away. Still, she thought she
heard the trader make an offer for her boy. Could
she be mistaken? Her heart swelled and throbbed, and she
involuntarily strained him so tight that the little fellow looked
up into her face in astonishment. Eliza, girl, what ails
you to day? Said her mistress. When Eliza had upset,

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the wash pitcher knocked down the workstand and finally was
abstractedly offering her mistress a long nightgown in place of
the silk dress she had ordered her to bring from
the wardrobe. Eliza started, Oh, missus, she said, raising her eyes,
then bursting into tears. She sat down in a chair
and began sobbing. Why Eliza child, what ails you? Said

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her mistress? Oh missus, missus said Eliza, there's been a
trader talking with master in the parlor, I heard him. Well,
silly child, suppose there was, Oh, missus, do you suppose
Master would sell my harry? And the poor creature threw
herself into a chair and sobbed convulsively sell him? No,

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you foolish girl. You know your master never deals with
those southern traders, and never means to sell any of
his servants as long as they behave. Well, why, you,
silly child, who do you think would want it buy
your harry? Do you think all the world are set
on him as you are? You? Goosey, Come cheer up
and hook my dress there? Now, put my back hair

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up in that pretty braid you learnt the other day,
and don't go listening at doors any more. Well, but missus,
you never would give your consent to to nonsense. Child?
To be sure, I shouldn't. What do you talk so? For?
I would as soon have one of my own children sold?
But really, Eliza, you are getting altogether too proud of

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that little fellow. A man can't put his nose into
the door, but you think he must be coming to
buy him. Reassured by her mistress's confident tone, Eliza proceeded
nimbly and adroitly with her toilette, laughing at her own
fears as she proceeded. Missus Shelby was a woman of
high class, both intellectually and morally. To that natural magnanimity

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and generosity of mind which one often marks as characteristic
of the women of Kentucky, she added high moral and
religious sensibility and principle, carried out with great energy and
ability into practical results. Her husband, who made no professions
to any particular religious character, nevertheless reverenced and respected the

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consistency of hers, and stood perhaps a little in awe
of her opinion. Certain it was that he gave her
unlimited scope in all her benevolent efforts for the comfort, instruction,
and improvement of her servants, though he never took any
decided part in them himself. In fact, if not exactly
a believer in the doctrine of the efficiency of the

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extra good works of saints, he really seemed somehow or
other to fancy that his wife had piety and benevolence
enough for two to indulge a shadowy expectation of getting
into heaven through her superabundance of qualities to which he
made no particular pretension. The heaviest load on his mind
after his conversation with the traitor, lay in the foreseen

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necessity of breaking to his wife the arrangement contemplated meeting
the importunities and opposition which he knew he should have
reason to encounter. Missus Shelby, being entirely ignorant of her
husbands and backs harassments, and knowing only the general kindliness
of his temper, had been quite sincere in the entire
incredulity with which she had met Eliza's suspicions. In fact,

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she dismissed the matter from her mind without a second thought,
and being occupied in preparations for an evening visit, it
passed out of her thoughts entirely. End of Chapter one.
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