UNCLE TOM and EMMELINE at back.—ADOLF, SKEGGS, MARKS, MANN, and various spectators discovered. MARKS and MANN come forward.

  Hulloa, Alf! what brings you here?

  Well, I was wanting a valet, and I heard that St. Clare's valet was going; I thought I'd just look at them.

  Catch me ever buying any of St. Clare's people. Spoiled niggers every one—impudent as the devil.

  Never fear that; if I get 'em, I'll soon have their airs out of them— they'll soon find that they've another kind of master to deal with than St. Clare. 'Pon my word, I'll buy that fellow—I like the shape of him.

  You'll find it'll take all you've got to keep him—he's deucedly extravagant.

  Yes, but my lord will find that he can't be extravagant with

  A nigger with his boots blacked—bah! [Spits on them.] Holloa, you!

  In Kintuck, mas'r.

  What have you done?

  Had care of mas'r's farm.

  That's a likely story. [Turns to EMMELINE.] You're a nice-looking girl enough. How old are you?

  [Shrieking.] Ah! you hurt me.

  Stop that, you minx! No whimpering here. The sale is going to begin. [Mounts the rostrum.] Gentlemen, the next article I shall offer you to-day is Adolf, late valet to Mr. St. Clare. How much am I offered? [Various bids are made. ADOLF is knocked down to MANN for eight hundred dollars.] Gentlemen, I now offer a prime article—the quadroon girl, Emmeline, only fifteen years of age, warranted in every respect.

  Now look here, you two belong to me.

  Heaven help us, then!

[Music.—LEGREE stands over them exulting. Picture—closed in.

—The Garden of MISS OPHELIA'S House in Vermont.

Enter OPHELIA and DEACON PERRY, L. 1 E.

  Miss Ophelia, allow me to offer you my congratulations upon your safe arrival in your native place. I hope it is your intention to pass the remainder of your days with us?

  Well, Deacon, I have come here with that express purpose.

  I presume you were not over-pleased with the South?

  Well, to tell you the truth, Deacon, I wasn't; I liked the country very well, but the people there are so dreadful shiftless.

  The result, I presume, of living in a warm climate.

  Well, Deacon, what is the news among you all here?

  Well, we live on in the same even jog-trot pace. Nothing of

  Poor soul! I pity you, Deacon.

  Thank you. You perceive I bear my loss with resignation.

  How you must miss her tongue!

  Molly certainly was fond of talking. She always would have the last word—heigho!

  What was her complaint, Deacon?

  A mild and soothing one, Miss Ophelia: she had a severe attack of the lockjaw.

  Dreadful!

  Wasn't it? When she found she couldn't use her tongue, she took it so much to heart that it struck to her stomach and killed her. Poor dear! Excuse my handkerchief; she's been dead only eighteen months.

  Why, Deacon, by this time you ought to be setting your cap for another wife.

  Do you think so, Miss Ophelia?

  I don't see why you shouldn't—you are still a good-looking man, Deacon.

  Ah! well, I think I do wear well—in fact, I may say remarkably well. It has been observed to me before.

  And you are not much over fifty?

  Just turned of forty, I assure you.

  Hale and hearty?

  Health excellent—look at my eye! Strong as a lion—look at my arm!! A No. 1 constitution—look at my leg!!!

  Have you no thoughts of choosing another partner?

  Well, to tell you the truth, I have.

  Who is she?

  She is not far distant. [Looks at OPHELIA in an anguishing manner.] I have her in my eye at this present moment.

  [Aside.] Really, I believe he's going to pop. Why, surely, Deacon, you don't mean to—

  Yes, Miss Ophelia, I do mean; and believe me, when I say— [Looking off, R. 1 E.] The Lord be good to us, but I believe there is the devil coming!

TOPSY runs on, R. 1 E. with bouquet. She is now dressed very neatly.

  Miss Feely, here is some flowers dat I hab been gathering for you.

  That's a good child.

  Miss Ophelia, who is this young person?

  She is my daughter.

  [Aside.] Her daughter! Then she must have married a colored man off South. I was not aware that you had been married, Miss Ophelia?

  Married! Sakes alive! what made you think I had been married?

  Good gracious, I'm getting confused. Didn't I understand

  Only by adoption. She is my adopted daughter.

  O—oh! [Aside.] I breathe again.

  By Golly! dat old man's eyes stick out of 'um head dre'ful. Guess he never seed anything like me afore.

  Deacon, won't you step into the house and refresh yourself after your walk?

  I accept your polite invitation. [Offers his arm.] Allow me.

  As gallant as ever, Deacon. I declare, you grow younger every day.

  You can never grow old, madam.

  Ah, you flatterer! [Exeunt, R. 1 E.

  Dar dey go, like an old goose and gander. Guess dat ole gemblemun feels kind of confectionary—rather sweet on my old missis. By Golly! she's been dre'ful kind to me ever since I come away from de South; and I loves her, I does, 'cause she takes such car' on me and gives me dese fine clothes. I tries to be good too, and I's gettin 'long 'mazin' fast. I's not so wicked as I used to was. [Looks out, L. 1 E.] Holloa! dar's some one comin' here. I wonder what he wants now.

  By chowder, here I am again. Phew, it's a pretty considerable tall piece of walking between here and New Orleans, not to mention the wear of shoe-leather. I guess I'm about done up. If this streak of bad luck lasts much longer, I'll borrow sixpence to buy a rope, and hang myself right straight up! When I went to call on Miss Ophelia, I swow if I didn't find out that she had left for Vermont; so I kind of concluded to make tracks in that direction myself and as I didn't have any money left, why I had to foot it, and here I am in old Varmount once more. They told me Miss Ophelia lived up here. I wonder if she will remember the relationship. [Sees TOPSY.] By chowder, there's a darkey. Look here, Charcoal!

  [Comes forward.] My name isn't Charcoal—it's Topsy.

  Oh! your name is Topsy, is it, you juvenile specimen of Day & Martin?

  Tell you I don't know nothin' 'bout Day & Martin. I's Topsy and I belong to Miss Feely St. Clare.

  I'm much obleeged to you, you small extract of Japan, for your information. So Miss Ophelia lives up there in the white house, does she?

  Well, she don't do nothin' else.

  Well, then, just locomote your pins.

  What—what's dat?

  Walk your chalks!

  By Golly! dere ain't no chalk 'bout me.

  Move your trotters.

  How you does spoke! What you mean by trotters?

  Why, your feet, Stove Polish.

  What does you want me to move my feet for?

  To tell your mistress, you ebony angel, that a gentleman wishes to see her.

  Does you call yourself a gentleman! By Golly! you look more like a scar'crow.

  Now look here, you Charcoal, don't you be sassy. I'm a gentleman in distress; a done-up speculator; one that has seen better days—long time ago—and better clothes too, by chowder! My creditors are like my boots—they've no soles. I'm a victim to circumstances. I've been through much and survived it. I've taken walking exercise for the benefit of my health; but as I was trying to live on air at the same time, it was a losing speculation, 'cause it gave me such a dreadful appetite.

  Golly! you look as if you could eat an ox, horns and all.

  Well, I calculate I could, if he was roasted—it's a speculation I should like to engage in. I have returned like the fellow that run away in Scripture; and if anybody's got a fatted calf they want to kill, all they got to do is to fetch him along. Do you know, Charcoal, that your mistress is a relation of mine?

  Is she your uncle?

  No, no, not quite so near as that. My second cousin married her niece.

  And does you want to see Miss Feely?

  I do. I have come to seek a home beneath her roof, and take care of all the spare change she don't want to use.

  Den just you follow me, mas'r.

  Stop! By chowder, I've got a great idee. Say, you Day & Martin, how should you like to enter into a speculation?

  Golly! I doesn't know what a spec—spec—cu—what-do-you-call-'um am.

  Well, now, I calculate I've hit upon about the right thing. Why should I degrade the manly dignity of the Cutes by becoming a beggar—expose myself to the chance of receiving the cold shoulder as a poor relation? By chowder, my blood biles as I think of it! Topsy, you can make my fortune, and your own, too. I've an idee in my head that is worth a million of dollars.

  Golly! is your head worth dat? Guess you wouldn't bring dat out South for de whole of you.

  Don't you be too severe, now, Charcoal; I'm a man of genius. Did you ever hear of Barnum?

  Barnum! Barnum! Does he live out South?

  No, he lives in New York. Do you know how he made his fortin?

  What is him fortin, hey? Is it something he wears?

  Chowder, how green you are!

  [Indignantly.] Sar, I hab you to know I's not green; I's brack.

  To be sure you are, Day & Martin. I calculate, when a per-

  And did he make the money?

  Sartin sure, and no mistake.

  Golly! now I thought money always growed.

  Oh, git out! You are too cute—you are cuterer than I am—and I'm Cute by name and cute by nature. Well, as I was saying, Barnum made his money by exhibiting a woolly horse; now wouldn't it be an all-fired speculation to show you as the woolly gal?

  You want to make a sight of me?

  I'll give you half the receipts, by chowder!

  Should I have to leave Miss Feely?

  To be sure you would.

  Den you hab to get a woolly gal somewhere else, Mas'r Cute.

  There's another speculation gone to smash, by chowder! [Exit, R. 1 E.

—A Rude Chamber.

TOM is discovered, in old clothes, seated on a stool, C. He holds in his hand a paper containing a curl of EVA'S hair. The scene opens to the symphony of “Old Folks at Home.”

  I have come to de dark places; I's going through de vale of shadows. My heart sinks at times and feels just like a big lump of lead. Den it gits up in my throat and chokes me till de tears roll out of my eyes; den I take out dis curl of little Miss Eva's hair, and the sight of it brings calm to my mind and I feels strong again. [Kisses the curl and puts it in his breast—takes out a silver dollar, which is suspended around his neck by a string.] Dere's de bright silver dollar dat Mas'r George Shelby gave me the day I was sold away from old Kentuck, and I've kept it ever since. Mas'r George must have grown to be a man by this time. I wonder if I shall ever see him again.

  Shut up, you black cuss! Did you think I wanted any of your infernal howling? [Turns toEMMELINE.] We're home. [EMMELINE shrinks from him. He takes hold of her ear.] You didn't ever wear earrings?

  [Trembling.] No, master.

  Well, I'll give you a pair, if you're a good girl. You needn't be so frightened; I don't mean to make you work very hard. You'll have fine times with me and live like a lady; only be a good girl.

  My soul sickens as his eyes gaze upon me. His touch makes my very flesh creep.

  [Turns to TOM, and points to SAMBO and QUIMBO.] Ye see what ye'd get if ye'd try to run off. These yer boys have been raised to track niggers and they'd just as soon chaw one on ye up as eat

  [Withdrawing her hand, and shrinking back.] No, no! let me work in the fields; I don't want to be a lady.

  Oh! you're going to be contrary, are you? I'll soon take all that out of you.

  Kill me, if you will.

  Oh! you want to be killed, do you? Now come here, you Tom, you see I told you I didn't buy you jest for the common work; I mean to promote you and make a driver of you, and to-night ye may jest as well begin to get yer hand in. Now ye jest take this yer gal, and flog her; ye've seen enough on't to know how.

  I beg mas'r's pardon—hopes mas'r won't set me at that. It's what I a'nt used to—never did, and can't do—no way possible.

  Ye'll larn a pretty smart chance of things ye never did know before I've done with ye. [Strikes TOM with whip, three blows.—Music chord each blow.] There! now will ye tell me ye can't do it?

  Yes, mas'r! I'm willing to work night and day, and work while there's life and breath in me; but his yer thing I can't feel it right to do, and, mas'r, I never shall do it, never!

  What! ye black beast! tell me ye don't think it right to do what I tell ye! What have any of you cussed cattle to do with thinking what's right? I'll put a stop to it. Why, what do ye think ye are? May be ye think yer a gentleman, master Tom, to be telling your master what's right and what a'nt! So you pretend it's wrong to flog the gal?

  I think so, mas'r; 'twould be downright cruel, and it's what I never will do, mas'r. If you mean to kill me, kill me; but as to raising my hand agin any one here, I never shall—I'll die first!

  Well, here's a pious dog at last, let down among us sinners—powerful holy critter he must be. Here, you rascal! you make believe to be so pious, didn't you never read out of your Bible, “Servants, obey your masters”? An't I your master? Didn't I pay twelve hundred dollars, cash, for all there is inside your cussed old black shell? An't you mine, body and soul?

  No, no! My soul a'nt yours, mas'r; you haven't bought it—ye can't buy it; it's been bought and paid for by one that is able to keep it, and you can't harm it!

  I can't? we'll see, we'll see! Here, Sambo! Quimbo! give this dog such a breaking in as he won't get over this month!

  Oh, no! you will not be so cruel—have some mercy!

  Mercy? you won't find any in this shop! Away with the black cuss! Flog him within an inch of his life!

[Music.—SAMBO and QUIMBO seize TOM and drag him up stage. LEGREE seizes EMMELINE, and throws her round to R. H.—She falls on her knees, with her hands lifted in supplication.—LEGREE raises his whip, as if to strike TOM.—Picture.—Closed in.

Enter OPHELIA ,followed by TOPSY, L. H.

  A person inquiring for me, did you say, Topsy?

  Yes, missis.

  What kind of a looking man is he?

  By golly! he's very queer looking man, anyway; and den he talks so dre'ful funny. What does you think?—yah! yah! he wanted to 'zibite me as de woolly gal! yah! yah!

  Oh! I understand. Some cute Yankee, who wants to purchase you, to make a show of—the heartless wretch!

  Dat's just him, missis; dat's just his name. He tole me dat it was Cute—Mr. Cute Speculashum—dat's him.

  What did you say to him, Topsy?

  Well, I didn't say much, it was brief and to the point—I tole him I wouldn't leave you, Miss Feely, no how.

  That's right, Topsy; you know you are very comfortable here—you wouldn't fare quite so well if you went away among strangers.

  By golly! I know dat; you takes care on me, and makes me good. I don't steal any now, and I don't swar, and I don't dance breakdowns. Oh! I isn't so wicked as I used to was.

  That's right, Topsy; now show the gentleman, or whatever he is, up.

  By golly! I guess he won't make much out of Miss Feely. [Crosses to R., and exit R. 1 E.]

  I wonder who this person can be? Perhaps it is some old acquaintance, who has heard of my arrival, and who comes on a social visit.

  Aunt, how do ye do? Well, I swan, the sight of you is good for weak eyes.

  [Coldly drawing back.] Really, sir, I can't say that I ever had the pleasure of seeing you before.

  Well, it's a fact that you never did. You see I never happened to be in your neighborhood afore now. Of course you've heard of me? I'm one of the Cutes—Gumption Cute, the first and only son of Josiah and Maria Cute, of Oniontown, on the Onion river in the north part of this ere State of Varmount.

  Can't say I ever heard the name before.

  Well then, I calculate your memory must be a little ricketty. I'm a relation of yours.

  A relation of mine! Why, I never heard of any Cutes in our family.

  Well, I shouldn't wonder if you never did. Don't you remember your niece, Mary?

  Of course I do. What a shiftless question!

  Well, you see my second cousin, Abijah Blake, married her. So you see that makes me a relation of yours.

  Rather a distant one, I should say.

  By chowder! I'm near enough, just at present.

  Well, you certainly are a sort of connection of mine.

  Yes, kind of sort of.

  And of course you are welcome to my house, as long as you wish to make it your home.

  By chowder! I'm booked for the next six months—this isn't a bad speculation.

  I hope you left all your folks well at home?

  Well, yes, they're pretty comfortably disposed of. Father and mother's dead, and Uncle Josh has gone to California. I am the only representative of the Cutes left.

  There doesn't seem to be a great deal of you left. I declare, you are positively in rags.

  Well, you see, the fact is, I've been speculating—trying to get bank-notes—specie-rags, as they say—but I calculate I've turned out rags of another sort.

  I'm sorry for your ill luck, but I am afraid you have been shiftless.

  By chowder! I've done all that a fellow could do. You see, somehow, everything I take hold of kind of bursts up.

  Well, well, perhaps you'll do better for the future; make yourself at home. I have got to see to some house-hold matters, so excuse me for a short time. [Aside.] Impudent and shiftless. [Exit, L. 1 E.

  By chowder! I rather guess that this speculation will hitch. She's a good-natured old critter; I reckon I'll be a son to her while she lives, and take care of her valuables arter she's a defunct departed. I wonder if they keep the vittles in this ere room? Guess not. I've got extensive accommodations for all sorts of eatables. I'm a regular vacuum, throughout—pockets and all. I'm chuck full of emptiness. [Looks out, R. H.] Holloa! who's this elderly individual coming up stairs? He looks like a compound essence of starch and dignity. I wonder if he isn't another relation of mine. I should like a rich old fellow now for an uncle.

  Ha! a stranger here!

  How d'ye do?

  You are a friend to Miss Ophelia, I presume?

  Well, I rather calculate that I am a leetle more than a friend.

  [Aside.] Bless me! what can he mean by those mysterious words? Can he be her—no I don't think he can. She said she wasn't—well, at all events, it's very suspicious.

  The old fellow seems kind of stuck up.

  You are a particular friend to Miss Ophelia, you say?

  Well, I calculate I am.

  Bound to her by any tender tie?

  It's something more than a tie—it's a regular double-twisted knot.

  Ah! just as I suspected. [Aside.] Might I inquire the nature of that tie?

  Well, it's the natural tie of relationship.

  A relation—what relation?

  Why, you see, my second cousin, Abijah Blake, married her niece, Mary.

  Oh! is that all?

  By chowder, ain't that enough?

  Then you are not her husband?

  To be sure I ain't. What put that ere idee into your cranium?

  [Shaking him vigorously by the hand.] My dear sir, I'm delighted to see you.

  Holloa! you ain't going slightly insane, are you?

  No, no fear of that; I'm only happy, that's all.

  I wonder if he's been taking a nipper?

  As you are a relation of Miss Ophelia's, I think it proper that I should make you my confidant; in fact, let you into a little scheme that I have lately conceived.

  Is it a speculation?

  Well, it is, just at present; but I trust before many hours to make it a surety.

  By chowder! I hope it won't serve you the way my speculations have served me. But fire away, old boy, and give us the prospectus.

  Well, then, my young friend, I have been thinking, ever since Miss Ophelia returned to Vermont, that she was just the person to fill the place of my lamented Molly.

  Say, you, you couldn't tell us who your lamented Molly was, could you?

  Why, the late Mrs. Perry, to be sure.

  Oh! then the lamented Molly was your wife?

  She was.

  And now you wish to marry Miss Ophelia?

  Exactly.

  [Aside.] Consarn this old porpoise! if I let him do that he'll Jew me out of my living. By chowder! I'll put a spoke in his wheel.

  Well, what do you say? will you intercede for me with your aunt?

  No! bust me up if I do!

  No?

  No, I tell you. I forbid the bans. Now, ain't you a purty individual, to talk about getting married, you old superannuated Methuselah specimen of humanity! Why, you've got one foot in etarnity already, and t'other ain't fit to stand on. Go home and go to bed! have your head shaved, and send for a lawyer to make your will, leave your property to your heirs—if you hain't got any, why leave it to me—I'll take care of it, and charge nothing for the trouble.

  Really, sir, this language to one of my standing, is highly indecorous—it's more, sir, than I feel willing to endure, sir. I shall expect an explanation, sir.

  Now, you see, old gouty toes, you're losing your temper.

  Sir, I'm a deacon; I never lost my temper in all my life, sir.

  Now, you see, you're getting excited; you had better go; we can't have a disturbance here!

  No, sir! I shall not go, sir! I shall not go until I have seen Miss Ophelia. I wish to know if she will countenance this insult.

  Now keep cool, old stick-in-the-mud! Draw it mild, old timber-toes!

  Damn it all, sir, what—

  Oh! only think, now, what would people say to hear a deacon swearing like a trooper?

  Sir—I—you—this is too much, sir.

  Well, now, I calculate that's just about my opinion, so we'll have no more of it. Get out of this! start your boots, or by chowder! I'll pitch you from one end of the stairs to the other.

  [Crossing to C.] Hoity toity! What's the meaning of all these loud words?

  [Together.] Well, you see, Aunt—

  Miss Ophelia, I beg—

  Now, look here, you just hush your yap! How can I fix up matters if you keep jabbering?

  Silence! for shame, Mr. Cute. Is that the way you speak to the deacon?

  Darn the deacon!

  Deacon Perry, what is all this?

  Madam, a few words will explain everything. Hearing from this person that he was your nephew, I ventured to tell him that I cherished hopes of making you my wife, where upon he flew into a violent passion, and ordered me out of the house.

  Does this house belong to you or me, Mr. Cute?

  Well, to you, I reckon.

  Then how dare you give orders in it?

  Well, I calculated that you wouldn't care about marrying old half a century there.

  That's enough; I will marry him; and as for you, [Points, R. U. E.] get out.

  Get out?

  Yes; the sooner the better.

  Darned if I don't serve him out first though.

[Music .—CUTE makes a dash at DEACON, who gets behind OPHELIA.—TOPSY enters, with a broom and beats CUTE around stage.—OPHELIA faints in DEACON'S arms.—CUTE falls, and TOPSY butts him kneeling over him.—Quick drop.]

END OF ACT V