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Show 54 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN: OR1 Shelby, "when the money for his redemption is to be raised." "I'm sure I don't know," said 1\ir. Shelby. "Once get business running wrong, there does seem to be no end to it. It's like jumping from one bog to another, all through a swamp; borrow of one to pn.y another, and then borrow of another to pay one,- and these confounded notes falling due before a man has time to smoke a cigar and turn round,dunning letters and dunning messages,- all scamper and hurry -scurry.'' "It does seem to me, my dear, that something might be done to straighten matters. Suppose we sell ofT all the horses, and sell one of your farms, and pay up square 1" "0, ridiculous, Emily! You are the finest woman in Kentucky; but still you haven't sense to know that you don't understand business; -women never do, and never can.'' "But, at least," said Mrs. Shelby, "could not you give me some little insight into yours ; a list of all your debts, at least, and of all that is owed to you, and let me try and see if I can't help you to economize.'' "0, bother 1· don't plague me, Emily! -I can't tell exactly. I know somewhere about what things arc likely to be; but there 's no trimming and squaring my affairs, as Chloe trims crust off her pies. You don't know anything about business, I tell you." And 1\'L:. Shelby, not knowing any other way of enforcing his idc::u;, raised his voice,- a mode of arguing very convenient and convincing, when a gentleman is discussing matters of business with his wife. Mrs. Shelby ceased talking, with something of a sigh. The fact was, that though her husband had stated she was a LH'E AMONG TilE LOWJ .. Y. 55 woman, she had a clear, energetic, practical mind, and a force of character every way suporior to that of her husband; so that it would not have been so very absurd a supposition, to l'"ve allowed her mpable of manoging, as Mr. Shelby supposed. Her heart was set on performing her promise to Tom and Aunt Chloe, and she sighed as discouragements thickened around her. "Don't you think we might in some way contrive to raise that money? Poor Aunt Chloe ! her heart is so set on it ! " ''I'm sorry, if it is. I think I was premature in promising. I'm not sure, now, but it's the best way to tell Chloe, and let her make up her mind to it. Tom 'II have another wife, in a year or two; and she had better take up Yrith somebody else." "Mr. Shelby, I have taught my people that their marriages are as sacred as ours. I never could think of giving Chloe such advice." "It's a pity, wife, that you have burdened them with a morality above their condition and prospects. I always thought so.') "It's only the morality of the Bible, Mr. Shelby." :'Well, w~ll, Emily, I don't pretend to interfere with your rehgwus not1ons; only they seem extremely unfitted for poople in that condition." "1,hey are) indeed," said ~..frs. Shelby, "and that is why) from my soul, I hate the whole thing. I tell you, my dear, I cannot absolve myself from the promises I make to these helpless creatures. If I can get the money no other way I will take music-scholars;- I could get enough, I know, a~d earn the money myself." "You wouldn't degrade yourself that way, Emily1 I never could consent to it." |
