Now I must tell you something about Uncle Tom, from whom this book is
named. He was a negro man, as black as jet, and a slave, belonging to
Mr. Shelby, the rich man who at first owned Eliza and Harry. Mr. Shelby
had a great estate, and many slaves to cultivate it, but they all loved
and respected Tom, for he was a good Christian, and kind to everybody,
on which account they used all to call him Uncle. Tom's master was kind
to his slaves, and especially to Tom, because he was honest and careful
with his property. Tom had a cabin or cottage hard by the rich man's
house; it was built of logs cut from great trees; there was a garden in
front, with beautiful flowers and strawberries in it; and climbing
plants, so common in our country, twined along the walls. Tom had also a
wife as black as himself; her name was Chloe, and she cooked for the
Shelbys. You will remember how late she kept the trader's dinner when he
wanted to pursue Eliza. They had two little sons, with very black faces
and curly heads, and a little black baby just beginning to walk. Tom and
his family were very happy in that cabin; the poor negroes used to
gather there to hear Tom sing hymns and pray, for, as I said, he was a
pious man, and the slaves had no other church to go to, for many people
in America will not let negroes worship God with them. Mr. Shelby's son,
a very clever boy, who had gained many prizes at school, liked Tom too,
and used to come teach him to read and write in the evenings, and Tom
had great hopes of being able to read the Bible at last. As Chloe was a
cook she always contrived to have ready something very nice for Mr.
George when he came to teach her goodman, and George would stand with
one eye on Tom's copy, and another on the cake she prepared, while the
boys and the baby played about them.
[Illustration: ARRIVAL IN THE LAND OF FREEDOM.
No man can buy or sell them,
No trader chase them more,
The land of freedom has been gained,
The good Canadian shore.]
But all those pleasant days came to an end. Mr. Shelby lost his money,
and got in debt to a man who dealt in slaves; for that debt he sold
little Harry to him, and the rest of it was paid with poor Tom. Think
what sad news that was for the cabin!