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Show 10-l UNCLE TO~I~S CAB!~: OH., for the time completely overcome, were sobbing, with their heads bowed upon their knees. "I know," said Eva, "you alllovo me." "Yes; oh, yes! indeed we do! Lord bless her!" was tho involuntary answer of all. "Yes, I know you do ! There isn't one of you that hasn't always been very kind to me; and I want to give you something that, when you look at, you shall always remember me. I 'm going to give all of you a. curl of my hair; and, when you look at it, think thnt I loved you and am gone to heaven, and that I want to see you all there. n It is impossible to describe the scene, as, with tears and sobs, they g•thcred round the little creature, anrl took from her hands what seemed to them a last mark of her love. 'rhey fell on their knees; they sobbed, and prayed, and kissed the hem of her garment; and the elder ones poured forth words of endearment, mingled in prayers and blessings, after the manner of their susceptible race. As each one took their gift, Miss Ophelia, who was apprehensive for the effect of all this excitement on her little patient, signed to each one to pass out of the apartment. At last, all were gone but 'l'om and Mammy. "Hero, Uncle ~rom /' said Eva, "is a beautiful one for you. 0, I am so happy, Uncle Tom, to think I shall sec you in ]tcavcn,-for I'm sure I shallj and :Mammy,- dear, good, kind ~fammy! n she said, fondly throwing her arms round her old nurse,- c' I know you '11 be there, too." "0, ~iiss Eva, don't see how I can live without yo, no how! " said the faithful creature. " 'Pears Jikc it 's just taking everything ol:f the place to oncet ! " and ?lbmmy gave way to a passion of grief. Miss Ophelia pushed her aud 'l'om gen tly ti·om the LCFE AMONG TilE LOWLY. 105 apartment, and thought they were all gone; but, as she turned, Topsy was standing there. "Where did you start up from?" she said, suddenly. "I was hero," said ~ropsy, wiping the tears from her eyes. "0, l\fiss Ev:t, I 'vc been a bad girl; but won't you give me one, too ? " . "Yes, poor Topsy! to be sure, I will. There -every hmc you look at that, think that I love you, and wanted you to be a good girl ! " "0, Miss Eva,, I is tryin!" said Topsy earnestly· "but Lor, it's so hard to be good! 'Pears like1 I an't us~d to it' no ways! '' ' "Jesus knows it, Topsy; he is sorry for you; he will help you." Topsy, with her eyes hid in her apron, was silently passed from the ap~rtrncnt by Miss Ophelia; but, as sho went, she h1d tl1e prcc1ous curl in her bosom. All being gone, Miss Ophelia shut the door. 'l'hat worthy lady had mpcd away many tears of her own, during the scene; but concern for the consequence of such nn excitement to her young charge was uppermost in her mind. St. Clare had been sitting, during the whole time, with his hand shading his eyes, in the same attitude. When they were an gone, he sat so still. "Papa!" said Eva, gently, laying her 11and on his. He gave a sudden start and shiver; but m::tdc no ::mswer. "Dear papa!" said Eva. "I canuot," said St. Clare, rising, "I cannot have it so ! Tho Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me!" and St. Clare pronounced these words with a bitter emphasis, indeed. "Augustine! has not God a right to do what he will whh his own?" said :1\Iiss Ophelia. |
