SCENE III—Snowy landscape.—UNCLE TOM'S Cabin, L. U. E..—Snow on roof.—Practicable door and window.—Dark stage.—Music. Enter ELIZA hastily, with HARRY in her arms. Eliza. My poor boy! they have sold you, but your mother will save you yet!
Chloe. Good Lord! what's that? My sakes alive if it ain't Lizy! Get on your clothes, old man, quick! I'm gwine to open the door.
Tom C.: [Holding the light towards ELIZA.] Lord bless you! I'm skeered to look at ye, Lizy! Are ye tuck sick, or what's come over ye? Eliza. [R.] I'm running away, Uncle Tom and Aunt Chloe, carrying off my child! Master sold him! Tom and Chloe. [L.] Sold him! Eliza. Yes, sold him! I crept into the closet by mistress' door tonight and heard
master tell mistress that he had sold my Harry and you, Uncle Tom, both, to a trader, and that the man was to take possession to-morrow. Chloe. The good Lord have pity on us! Oh! it don't seem as if it was true. What has he done that master should sell him? Eliza. He hasn't done anything—it isn't for that. Master don't want to sell, and mistress—she's always good. I heard her plead and beg for us, but he told her 'twas no use—that he was in this man's debt, and he had got the power over him, and that if he did not pay him off clear, it would end in his having to sell the place and all the people and move off. Chloe. Well, old man, why don't you run away, too? Will you wait to be toted down the river, where they kill niggers with hard work and starving? I'd a heap rather die than go there, any day! There's time for ye, be off with Lizy—you've got a pass to come and go any time. Come, bustle up, and I'll get your things together. Tom. No, no—I ain't going. Let Eliza go—it's her right. I wouldn't be the one to say no—'tain't in natur' for her to stay; but you heard what she said? If I must be sold, or all the people on the place, and everything go to rack, why, let me be sold. I s'pose I can bar it as well as any one. Mas'r always found me on the spot—he always will. I never have broken trust, nor used my pass no ways contrary to my word, and I never will. It's better for me to go alone, than to break up the place and sell all. Mas'r ain't to blame, and he'll take care of you and the poor little 'uns! [Overcome. Chloe. Now, old man, what is you gwine to cry for? Does you want to break this old woman's heart? [Crying. Eliza. I saw my husband only this afternoon, and I little knew then what was to come. He told me he was going to run away. Do try, if you can, to get word to him. Tell him how I went and why I went, and tell him I'm going to try and find Canada. You must give my love to him, and tell him if I never see him again on earth, I trust we shall meet in heaven! Tom. Dat is right, Lizy, trust in the Lord—he is our best friend—our only comforter. Eliza. You won't go with me, Uncle Tom? Tom. No; time was when I would, but the Lord's given me a work among these yer poor souls, and I'll stay with 'em and bear my cross with 'em till the end. It's different with you—it's more'n you could stand, and you'd better go if you can. Eliza. Uncle Tom, I'll try it! Tom. Amen! The Lord help ye! [Exit ELIZA and HARRY R. 1 E. Chloe. What is you gwine to do, old man! What's to become of you? Tom. [Solemnly.] Him that saved Daniel in the den of lions—that saved the children in the fiery furnace—Him that walked on the sea and bade the winds be still—He's alive yet! and I've faith to believe he can deliver me! Chloe. You is right, old man. Tom. The Lord is good unto all that trust him, Chloe. [Exeunt into cabin. |