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38 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; OR
feelings of his audiences, that there seemed often a danger that it would be lost altogether in the abundance of the responses which broke out everywhere around him* |
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While this scene was passing in the cabin of the man, one quite otherwise passed in the halls of the master.
The trader and Mr. Shelby were seated together in the dining-room aforenamed, at a table covered with papers and writing utensils.
Mr. Shelby was busy in counting some bundles of bills, which, as they were counted, he pushed over to the trader, who counted them likewise.
" All fair," said the trader ; " and now for signing these yer."
Mr. Shelby hastily drew the bills of sale towards him, and signed them, like a man that hurries over some disagreeable business, and then pushed them over with the money. Haley produced, from a well-worn valise, a parchment, which, after looking over it a moment, he handed to Mr. Shelby, who took it with a gesture of suppressed eagerness.
" Wal, now, the thing 's done ! " said the trader, getting up.
" It's done ! " said Mr. Shelby, in a musing tone ; and, fetching a long breath, he repeated, " It's done ! "
" Yer don't seem to feel much pleased with it, 'pears to me," said the trader.
" Haley," said Mr. Shelby, " I hope you '11 remember that you promised, on your honor, you would n't sell Tom, without knowing what sort of hands he 's going into."
" Why, you 've just done it, sir," said the trader.
" Circumstances, you well know, obliged me," said Shelby, haughtily.
" Wal, you know, they may 'blige me, too," said the trader. " Howsomever, I '11 do the very best I can in gettin' Tom a good berth; as to my treatin' on him bad, |
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