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Show 254 UNCLE TOM'S OADIN: OR, through its dingy, dusty panes, a scanty, uncertain light on the tall, high-backed chairs and dusty tables, that had once seen better days. Altogether, it was a weird and ghostly place; but, ghostly as it was, it wanted not in legends among the superstitious negroes, to increase its terrors. Some few years before, a negro woman, who had incurred Legree's displeasure, was confined there for several weeks. What passed there, we do not say; the negroes used to whisper darkly to each other ; but it was known that the body of the unfortunate creature was one day taken down from there, and buried; and, after that, it was said that oaths and cm·sings, and the sound of violent blows, used to ring through that old garret, and mingled with wailings and groans of despair. Once, when Legree chanced to overhear something of this kind, he flew into a violent passion, and swore that the next one that told stories about that garret should have an opportunity of knowing what was there, for he would chain them up there for a week. This hint was enough to repress talking, though, of course, it did not disturb tho credit of the story in the least. Gradually, the staircase that led to the garret, and even tho pa.ssage-way to the staircase, were avoided by every one in the bouse, from every one fearing to speak of it, and tho legend was gradually falling into desuetude. It had suddenly occurred to Cassy to make use of the superstitious excitability, which was so great in Legree, for the purpose of her liberation, and that of her fellow-sufferer. The sleeping-room of Ca.ssy was directly under the garret. One day, without consulting Legree, she suddenly took it upon her, with some considerable ostentation, to change all the furniture and appurtenances of the room to one at some considerable distance. The under-servants, who were called LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY. 255 on to effect this movement, were running and bustling about with great zeal and confusion, when Legree returned from a ride. "Hallo! you Cass ! " said Legree, "what's in the wind now~'' "Nothing; only I choose to have another room," said Cassy, doggedly. "And what for, pray?" said Legree. " I choose to," said Cassy. "The devil you do ! and what for?" "I'd like to get some sleep, now and then." "Sleep ! well, what hinders your sleeping ? " "I could tell, I suppose, if you want to hear," said Cassy, dryly. " Speak out, yon minx ! " said Legree. "0! nothing. I suppose it wouldn't disturb you! Only groans, and people scuflling, and rolling round on the garret floor, half the night, from twelve to morning ! " "People up garret!" said Legree, uneasily, but forcing a laugh; ''who arc they, Cassy 'J'' Cassy raised her sharp, black eyes, and looked in the face of Legree, with an expression that went through his benes, as she said, " To be sure, Simon, who are they? I 'd like to have you tell me. You don't know, I suppose ! " With an oath, Legree struck at her with his riding-whip; but she glided to one side, and passed through the door, and looking back, said, "If you 'II sleep in that room, you 'II know all abeut it. Perhaps you 'd better try it! " and then immediately she shut and locked the door. Legree blustered and swore, and threatened to break down the door; but apparently thought better of it, and walked uneasily into the sitting-room. Cassy perceived that her |