Uncle tom's cabin - online children's book

Complete unabridged version in one volume

Home Main Menu Order Support About Search



Share page  


Previous Contents Next

330             UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; OR
in the sunbeams, — a picture never for an hour the same, yet every hour more beautiful.
It is now one of those intensely golden sunsets which kindles the whole horizon into one blaze of glory, and makes the water another sky. The lake lay in rosy or golden streaks, save where white-winged vessels glided hither and thither, like so many spirits, and little golden stars twinkled through the glow, and looked down at them­selves as they trembled in the water.
Tom and Eva were seated on a little mossy seat, in an arbor, at the foot of the garden. It was Sunday evening, and Eva's Bible lay open on her knee. She read, — " And I saw a sea of glass, mingled with fire."
" Tom," said Eva, suddenly stopping, and pointing to the lake, " there 't is."
" What, Miss Eva ? "
" Don't you see, — there ?." said the child, pointing to the glassy water, which, as it rose and fell, reflected the golden glow of the sky. " There 's a ' sea of glass, mingled with fire.' "
" True enough, Miss Eva," said Tom ; and Tom sang: —
'' Oh, had I the wings of the morning-, I 'd fly away to Canaan's shore ; Bright angels should convey me home, To the new Jerusalem."
" Where do you suppose new Jerusalem is, Uncle Tom ? " said Eva.
" Oh, up in the clouds, Miss Eva."
" Then I think I see it," said Eva. " Look in those clouds ! — they look like great gates of pearl; and you can see beyond them, — far, far off, — it 's all gold. Tom, sing about ' spirits bright.' "
Tom sung the words of a well-known Methodist hymn, —
" I see a hand of spirits hright, That taste the glories there ; They all are robed in spotless white, And conquering palms they bear."