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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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“What! our Tom?- that good, faithful creature!- been your faithful servant from a boy! O Mr. Shelby!- and you have promised him his freedom, too,- you and I have spoken to him a hundred times of it. Well, I can believe anything now,- I can believe now that you could sell little Harry, poor Eliza’s only child!” said Mrs. Shelby, in a tone between grief and indignation. “Well, since you must know all, it is so. I have agreed to sell Tom and Harry both; and I don’t know why I am to be rated, as if I were a monster, for doing what every one does every day.” “But why, of all others, choose these?” said Mrs. Shelby. “Why sell them, of all on the place, if you must sell at all?” “Because they will bring the highest sum of any,- that’s why. I could choose another, if you say so. The fellow made me a high bid on Eliza, if that would suit you any better,” said Mr. Shelby. “The wretch!” said Mrs. Shelby, vehemently. “Well, I didn’t listen to it, a moment,- out of regard to your feelings, I wouldn’t;- so give me some credit.” “My dear,” said Mrs. Shelby, recollecting herself, “forgive me. I have been hasty. I was surprised, and entirely unprepared for this;- but surely you will allow me to intercede for these poor creatures. Tom is a noble-hearted, faithful fellow, if he is black. I do believe, Mr. Shelby, that if he were put to it, he would lay down his life for you.” |
