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542 UNCLE TOM'S CABIN; OR
The scene now changes to a small, neat tenement, in the outskirts of Montreal; the time, evening. A cheerful fire blazes on the hearth; a tea-table, covered with a snowy cloth, stands prepared for the evening meal. In one corner of the room was a table covered with a green cloth, where was an open writing-desk, pens, paper, and over it a shelf of well-selected books.
This was George's study. The same zeal for self-improvement, which led him to steal the much coveted arts of reading and writing, amid all the toils and discouragements of his early life, still led him to devote all his leisure time to self-cultivation.
At this present time, he is seated at the table, making notes from a volume of the family library he has been reading.
" Come, George," says Eliza, " you 've been gone all day. Do put down that book, and let's talk, while I 'm getting tea, — do."
And little Eliza seconds the effort, by toddling up to her father, and trying to pull the book out of his hand, and install herself on his knee as a substitute.
" Oh, you little witch! " says George, yielding, as, in such circumstances, man always must.
" That's right," says Eliza, as she begins to cut a loaf of bread. A little older she looks ; her form a little fuller; her air more matronly than of yore; but evidently contented and happy as woman need be.
" Harry, my boy, how did you come on in that sum, today ? " says George, as he laid his hand on his son's head.
Harry has lost his long curls; but he can never lose those eyes and eyelashes, and that fine, bold brow, that flushes with triumph, as he answers, " I did it, every bit of it, myself, father ; and nobody helped me ! '
" That's right," says his father; " depend on yourself, my son. You have a better chance than ever your poor father had."
At this moment, there is a rap at the door; and Eliza |
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