Book Description

This is an annotated version of the book1. contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2. This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errorsIn Which the Reader Is Introduced to a Man of HumanityLate in the afternoon of a chilly day in February, two gentlemen weresitting alone over their wine, in a well-furnished dining parlor, inthe town of P----, in Kentucky. There were no servants present, and thegentlemen, with chairs closely approaching, seemed to be discussing somesubject with great earnestness.For convenience sake, we have said, hitherto, two _gentlemen_. One ofthe parties, however, when critically examined, did not seem, strictlyspeaking, to come under the species. He was a short, thick-set man,with coarse, commonplace features, and that swaggering air of pretensionwhich marks a low man who is trying to elbow his way upward in theworld. He was much over-dressed, in a gaudy vest of many colors, a blueneckerchief, bedropped gayly with yellow spots, and arranged with aflaunting tie, quite in keeping with the general air of the man. Hishands, large and coarse, were plentifully bedecked with rings; and hewore a heavy gold watch-chain, with a bundle of seals of portentoussize, and a great variety of colors, attached to it,--which, in theardor of conversation, he was in the habit of flourishing and jinglingwith evident satisfaction. His conversation was in free and easydefiance of Murray's Grammar,* and was garnished at convenient intervalswith various profane expressions, which not even the desire to begraphic in our account shall induce us to transcribe. * English Grammar (1795), by Lindley Murray (1745-1826), the most authoritative American grammarian of his day.His companion, Mr. Shelby, had the appearance of a gentleman; and thearrangements of the house, and the general air of the housekeeping,indicated easy, and even opulent circumstances. As we before stated, thetwo were in the midst of an earnest conversation."That is the way I should arrange the matter," said Mr. Shelby."I can't make trade that way--I positively can't, Mr. Shelby," said theother, holding up a glass of wine between his eye and the light."Why, the fact is, Haley, Tom is an uncommon fellow; he is certainlyworth that sum anywhere,--steady, honest, capable, manages my whole farmlike a clock.""You mean honest, as niggers go," said Haley, helping himself to a glassof brandy."No; I mean, really, Tom is a good, steady, sensible, pious fellow. Hegot religion at a camp-meeting, four years ago; and I believe hereally _did_ get it. I've trusted him, since then, with everything Ihave,--money, house, horses,--and let him 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 Shelby," said Haley,with a candid flourish of his hand, "but _I do_. I had a fellow, now,in this yer last lot I took to Orleans--'t was as good as a meetin, now,really, to hear that critter pray; and he was quite gentle and quietlike. He fetched me a good sum, too, for I bought him cheap of a manthat was 'bliged to sell out; so I realized six hundred on him. Yes, Iconsider religion a valeyable thing in a nigger, when it's the genuinearticle, and no mistake.""Well, Tom's got the real article, if ever a fellow had," rejoined theother. "Why, last fall, I let him go to Cincinnati alone, to do businessfor 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'tcheat.' Tom comes back, sure enough; I knew he would. Some low fellows,they say, said to him--Tom, why don't you make tracks for Canada?' 'Ah,master trusted me, and I couldn't,'--they told me about it. I am sorryto part with Tom, I must say.