UNCLE TOM'S CABIN

"
tellhim
"
once
"
0
Mr.
urn,
north western part of the state,where,for some
years, our familyspent a few months annually.
Our plantation was three miles from this family
KEY TO UNCLE TOMS' CABIN. 91
Master Legreefinds himself, one
pleasant morning, walked offto some Justice
mansion. There all the field-slaveslived and Dogberry's, to answer to the charge of not
worked. Occasionally, a month,perhaps, givinghis niggersenough to eat and wear.
" some of the familywould ride over to the plantation
We willcallthe infatuatedwhite man who
; but I never visitedthe fieldswhere the slaves
has undertaken this fool'serrand Master
were at work,and knew almost nothingof their
condition ; but this I do
Shallow.
know, that the overseers
Let us
"
imaginea scene : Le-
who had charge of them were generally unprincipled
standingcarelessly with his hands in
and intemperate men. But I rejoice to his pockets, rolling a quidof tobacco in his
know that the generaltreatment of slaves in that mouth
region of country was far milder ;
than on the
JusticeDogberry, seated in all the
plantations in the lower country.
majesty of law,reinforcedby a decanter of
Throughout all the eastern and middle portionswhiskeyand some tumblers,intended to
of the state,the planters very rarelyreside permanently
assist in illuminating the intellectin such
on theirplantationsṪheyhave almost obscure cases.
invariably two residences,and spendless than
Justice
half the year
on their estates. Even while spending
a few months on them,politics, field-sports,
take a littlesomething, to beginwith. Mr.
races, speculations, journeys,visits, company, Legree șit down ; sit
"
down, Mr. a'
literary pursuits, "c, absorb so much of their what
"
's-your-name ? Shallow.
time,that they must, to a considerable extent, Mr.
take the condition of their slaves on
Legreeand Mr. Shallow each sit
trust,from
the reports of their overseers. I make this statement,
down,and take theirtumbler of whiskeyand
because these slaveholders (the wealthier water. After some littleconversation, the
class)are, I believe,almost the onlyones who
justice introducesthe business as follows :
visitthe North with their families;and Northern
"Now,
opinionsof slavery are based about thisniggerbusiness.Gentlemen,
chiefly on their testimony.
you know the act of "
"
um
where the deuce is that act? [Fumblingan
With regardto overseers, Miss Grimke's old law-book.]How plagued did you ever
testimony is further borne out by the universalhear
of that act,Shallow ? I 'm sure I 'm
acknowledgment of Southern owners. forgot all about it ;
! here 'tis. Well,
A description of thisclassof beingsig furnishedMr.
Shallowțhe act says you must make
by Mr. Wirt,in his Life of Patrick proof, you observe.
Henry,page 34. "Last and lowest,"he Mr. Shallow. [Stuttering and hesitating.]
says, [pfdifferentclassesin society]
" a Good
feculum of beings called a most see that them overseers," ar niggers are most starved?
abject, degraded, unprincipled race." Now, Only see how raggedtheyare !
suppose, while the master is in Charleston, Justice. I can't say
as I 've observed it
enjoyingliterary leisure, the slaveson some particular. Seem to be very well contented.
Bellemont or other plantation, gettingtired
of beinghungry and cold, form themselves Shallow. [Eagerly.] But justask
into a committee of the whole țo see what Pomp, or Sambo,or Dinah,or Tom !
is to be done. A broad-shouldered, courageous
Justice Dogberry.[Withdignity.] I' m
astonished at you, Mr. Shallow ! You
think of producingnegro testimony?I
longer ; and,havingby some means become hopeI know the law betterthan that! We
acquainted with this benevolent protective must have directproof, you know.
act,resolves to make an appealto the horns Shallow
of thislegislative altar. Tom talks stoutly, takes another tumbler of whiskey and water,
havingjustbeen boughton to the place, and Justice Dogberrygives a longahe-a-
and been used to better quarterselsewhere.
The women and children perhapsadmire, speaks:
but the venerable eldersof the "
plantation,
Sambo,Cudge,Pomp and old Aunt Dinah, you would n't have any objections to swarin'
he better mind himself, and keepoff;that settlesitall, you know."
clar o' dat ar. Tom, beingyoung and progressive,
As swearing iswhat Mr. Legreeis rather
does not regardthese conservativemore accustomed to do than anythingelse
maxims ; he isdetermined that,if there is
such a thing as justice to be got,he will have
gested
it. After considerable research, he finds' ; and he swears, accordingly, to any
some, white man in the neighborhood verdant
enough to enter the complaint for him.
fellow,whom we will callTom, declares
it is too bad, and he won't stand it any
sunshiny,
gree,
Dogberry. Come, gentlemen,
land ! why, don't everybody
is posed;Legreesignificantl
um. After a few moments the justice
"Well, after all,I suppose, Mr. Legree,
that could be named, a more appropriate
termination of the affaircould not be sug-
extent, and with any fulness and variety
of oath that could be desired ; and thus the