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Show 156 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN: OR, inflict upon him. Briskness, alertness, and cheerfulness of appcamncc, especially before observers, arc constantly enforced upon them, both by the hope of thereby getting a good master, and the fear of all that the driver may bring upon them, if they prove unsalable. "What dat ar nigger doin here?" said Sambo, coming up to Tom, after Mr. Skeggs had left tho room. Sambo 1ms a full black, of great size, very lively, voluble, and full of trick and grimace. "What you doin here?" said Sambo, coming up to Tom, and poking him facetiously in the side. "Mcditatin', eh?" ''I am to be sold at the auction, to-morrow!'' said Tom, quietly. "Sold at auction,- haw! haw! boys, an't this yer fun? I wish't I was gwine that ar way!- tell ye, wouldn't I make em laugh? But how is it,-dis yer whole lot gwine to-morrow?" said Sambo, laying his hand freely on Adolph's shoulder. "Please to let me alone!" said Adolph, fiercely, straightening himself up, with extreme disgust. "Law, now, boys! dis yer 's one o' yer white niggcrs,-kind o' cream color, yo know, scented!" said he, coming up to Adolph and snuffing. "0, Lor! he'd do for a tobaccershop; they could keep him to scent snuff! Lor, he 'd keep a whole shopc agwinc,- he would! " "I say, keep off, can't you?" said Adolph, enraged. "Lor, now, how touchy we is,- we white niggers! Look at us, now ! " and Sambo gave a ludicrous imitation of Adolph's manner; ''here's de airs and graces. We 's been in a good family, I spocs." "Yes," said Adolph; "I had a master that could have bought you all for old truck ! " LIFE AMONG TilE LOWLY. 157 "Laws, now, only think," said Sambo, "tho gent1emcns that we is ! '' "I belongod to the St. Clare family," said Adolph, proudly. "Lor, you did! Be hanged if they ar' n't lucky to get shet of yc. Spects they 's gwinc to trade yc off with a lot o' cracked tea-pots and sich like!" said Sambo, with a provoking grin. Adolph, enraged at this taunt, flew furiously at his adversary, swearing and striking on every side of him. The l'CSt laughed and shouted, and the uproar brought the keeper to the door. " 'Vhat now, boys 1 Order,- order! " he said, coming in and flourishing a. large whip. All fled in different directions, except Sambo, who, presuming on the favor which the keeper had to him as a licensed wag, stood his ground, ducking his head with a facetious grin, whenever the master made a dive at him. u Lor, Mas'r, 'tan't us,- we 's reglar stiddy,-it 's these yer new hands; they 's real aggra.vatin' ,-kinder pickin' at us, all time ! " The keeper, at this, turned upon Tom and Adolph, and distributing a few kicks and cuffs without much inquiry, and leaving general orders for all to be good boys and go to sleep, left the apartment. 'Vhile this scene was going on in the men's sleeping-room, the reader may be curious to take a. peep at the corresponding apartment a11otted to the women. Stretched out in various attitudes over the floor, he may see numberless sleeping forms of every shade of complexion, from the purest ebony to white, and of all years, fl"Om childhood to old age, lying now asleep. Here is a fine bright gi rl , of ten years, whose mother was sold YOT,. TT. J4 |
