The rest of our story is soon told. George Shelby, interested, as any other young man might be, by the romance of the incident, no less than by feelings of humanity, was at the pains to send to Cassy the bill of sale of Eliza; whose date and name all corresponded with her own knowledge of facts, and felt no doubt upon her mind as to the identity of her child. It remained now only for her to trace out the path of the fugitives1.
Madame de Thoux and she, thus drawn3 together by the singular coincidence of their fortunes, proceeded immediately to Canada, and began a tour of inquiry4 among the stations, where the numerous dugitives from slavery are located. At Amherstberg they found the missionary5 with whom George and Eliza had taken shelter, on their first arrival in Canada; and through him were enabled to trace the family to Montreal.
George and Eliza had now been five years free. George had found constant occupation in the shop of a worthy6 machinist, where he had been earning a competent support for his family, which, in the mean time, had been increased by the addition of another daughter.
Little Harry7--a fine bright boy--had been put to a good school, and was making rapid proficiency8 in knowledge.
The worthy pastor9 of the station, in Amherstberg, where George had first landed, was so much interested in the statements of Madame de Thoux and Cassy, that he yielded to the solicitations of the former, to accompany them to Montreal, in their search,--she bearing all the expense of the expedition.
The scene now changes to a small, neat tenement10, in the outskirts11 of Montreal; the time, evening. A cheerful fire blazes on the hearth12; 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 zeal13 for self-improvement, which led him to steal the much coveted14 arts of reading and writing, amid all the toil15 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 toddling16 up to her father, and trying to pull the book out of his hand, and install herself on his knee as a substitute.
"O, 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 contented17 and happy as woman need be.
"Harry, my boy, how did you come on in that sum, today?" says George, as he laid his land 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 goes and opens it. The delighted--"Why! this you?"--calls up her husband; and the good pastor of Amherstberg is welcomed. There are two more women with him, and Eliza asks them to sit down.
Now, if the truth must be told, the honest pastor had arranged a little programme, according to which this affair was to develop itself; and, on the way up, all had very cautiously and prudently18 exhorted19 each other not to let things out, except according to previous arrangement.
What was the good man's consternation20, therefore, just as he had motioned to the ladies to be seated, and was taking out his pocket-handkerchief to wipe his mouth, so as to proceed to his introductory speech in good order, when Madame de Thoux upset the whole plan, by throwing her arms around George's neck, and letting all out at once, by saying, "O, George! don't you know me? I'm your sister Emily."
Cassy had seated herself more composedly, and would have carried on her part very well, had not little Eliza suddenly appeared before her in exact shape and form, every outline and curl, just as her daughter was when she saw her last. The little thing peered up in her face; and Cassy caught her up in her arms, pressed her to her bosom21, saying, what, at the moment she really believed, "Darling, I'm your mother!"
In fact, it was a troublesome matter to do up exactly in proper order; but the good pastor, at last, succeeded in getting everybody quiet, and delivering the speech with which he had intended to open the exercises; and in which, at last, he succeeded so well, that his whole audience were sobbing22 about him in a manner that ought to satisfy any orator23, ancient or modern.
They knelt together, and the good man prayed,--for there are some feelings so agitated24 and tumultuous, that they can find rest only by being poured into the bosom of Almighty25 love,--and then, rising up, the new-found family embraced each other, with a holy trust in Him, who from such peril27 and dangers, and by such unknown ways, had brought them together.
The note-book of a missionary, among the Canadian fugitives, contains truth stranger than fiction. How can it be otherwise, when a system prevails which whirls families and scatters28 their members, as the wind whirls and scatters the leaves of autumn? These shores of refuge, like the eternal shore, often unite again, in glad communion, hearts that for long years have mourned each other as lost. And affecting beyond expression is the earnestness with which every new arrival among them is met, if, perchance, it may bring tidings of mother, sister, child or wife, still lost to view in the shadows of slavery.
Deeds of heroism29 are wrought30 here more than those of romance, when defying torture, and braving death itself, the fugitive2 voluntarily threads his way back to the terrors and perils31 of that dark land, that he may bring out his sister, or mother, or wife.
One young man, of whom a missionary has told us, twice re-captured, and suffering shameful32 stripes for his heroism, had escaped again; and, in a letter which we heard read, tells his friends that he is going back a third time, that he may, at last, bring away his sister. My good sir, is this man a hero, or a criminal? Would not you do as much for your sister? nd can you blame him?
But, to return to our friends, whom we left wiping their eyes, and recovering themselves from too great and sudden a joy. They are now seated around the social board, and are getting decidedly companionable; only that Cassy, who keeps little Eliza on her lap, occasionally squeezes the little thing, in a manner that rather astonishes her, and obstinately34 refuses to have her mouth stuffed with cake to the extent the little one desires,--alleging, what the child rather wonders at, that she has got something better than cake, and doesn't want it.
And, indeed, in two or three days, such a change has passed over Cassy, that our readers would scarcely know her. The despairing, haggard expression of her face had given way to one of gentle trust. She seemed to sink, at once, into the bosom of the family, and take the little ones into her heart, as something for which it long had waited. Indeed, her love seemed to flow more naturally to the little Eliza than to her own daughter; for she was the exact image and body of the child whom she had lost. The little one was a flowery bond between mother and daughter, through whom grew up acquaintanceship and affection. Eliza's steady, consistent piety35, regulated by the constant reading of the sacred word, made her a proper guide for the shattered and wearied mind of her mother. Cassy yielded at once, and with her whole soul, to every good influence, and became a devout36 and tender Christian37.
After a day or two, Madame de Thoux told her brother more particularly of her affairs. The death of her husband had left her an ample fortune, which she generously offered to share with the family. When she asked George what way she could best apply it for him, he answered, "Give me an education, Emily; that has always been my heart's desire. Then, I can do all the rest."
On mature deliberation, it was decided33 that the whole family should go, for some years, to France; whither they sailed, carrying Emmeline with them.
The good looks of the latter won the affection of the first mate of the vessel38; and, shortly after entering the port, she became his wife.
George remained four years at a French university, and, applying himself with an unintermitted zeal, obtained a very thorough education.
Political troubles in France, at last, led the family again to seek an asylum39 in this country.
George's feelings and views, as an educated man, may be best expressed in a letter to one of his friends.
"I feel somewhat at a loss, as to my future course. True, as you have said to me, I might mingle40 in the circles of the whites, in this country, my shade of color is so slight, and that of my wife and family scarce perceptible. Well, perhaps, on sufferance, I might. But, to tell you the truth, I have no wish to.
"My sympathies are not for my father's race, but for my mother's. To him I was no more than a fine dog or horse: to my poor heart-broken mother I was a _child_; and, though I never saw her, after the cruel sale that separated us, till she died, yet I _know_ she always loved me dearly. I know it by my own heart. When I think of all she suffered, of my own early sufferings, of the distresses41 and struggles of my heroic wife, of my sister, sold in the New Orleans slave-market,--though I hope to have no unchristian sentiments, yet I may be excused for saying, I have no wish to pass for an American, or to identify myself with them.
"It is with the oppressed, enslaved African race that I cast in my lot; and, if I wished anything, I would wish myself two shades darker, rather than one lighter42.
"The desire and yearning43 of my soul is for an African _nationality_. I want a people that shall have a tangible44, separate existence of its own; and where am I to look for it? Not in Hayti; for in Hayti they had nothing to start with. A stream cannot rise above its fountain. The race that formed the character of the Haytiens was a worn-out, effeminate one; and, of course, the subject race will be centuries in rising to anything.
"Where, then, shall I look? On the shores of Africa I see a republic,--a republic formed of picked men, who, by energy and self-educating force, have, in many cases, individually, raised themselves above a condition of slavery. Having gone through a preparatory stage of feebleness, this republic has, at last, become an acknowledged nation on the face of the earth,--acknowledged by both France and England. There it is my wish to go, and find myself a people.
"I am aware, now, that I shall have you all against me; but, before you strike, hear me. During my stay in France, I have followed up, with intense interest, the history of my people in America. I have noted45 the struggle between abolitionist and colonizationist, and have received some impressions, as a distant spectator, which could never have occurred to me as a participator.
"I grant that this Liberia may have subserved all sorts of purposes, by being played off, in the hands of our oppressors, against us. Doubtless the scheme may have been used, in unjustifiable ways, as a means of retarding46 our emancipation47. But the question to me is, Is there not a God above all man's schemes? May He not have over-ruled their designs, and founded for us a nation by them?
"In these days, a nation is born in a day. A nation starts, now, with all the great problems of republican life and civilization wrought out to its hand;--it has not to discover, but only to apply. Let us, then, all take hold together, with all our might, and see what we can do with this new enterprise, and the whole splendid continent of Africa opens before us and our children. _Our nation_ shall roll the tide of civilization and Christianity along its shores, and plant there mighty26 republics, that, growing with the rapidity of tropical vegetation, shall be for all coming ages.
"Do you say that I am deserting my enslaved brethren? I think not. If I forget them one hour, one moment of my life, so may God forget me! But, what can I do for them, here? Can I break their chains? No, not as an individual; but, let me go and form part of a nation, which shall have a voice in the councils of nations, and then we can speak. A nation has a right to argue, remonstrate48, implore49, and present the cause of its race,--which an individual has not.
"If Europe ever becomes a grand council of free nations,--as I trust in God it will,--if, there, serfdom, and all unjust and oppressive social inequalities, are done away; and if they, as France and England have done, acknowledge our position,--then, in the great congress of nations, we will make our appeal, and present the cause of our enslaved and suffering race; and it cannot be that free, enlightened America will not then desire to wipe from her escutcheon that bar sinister50 which disgraces her among nations, and is as truly a curse to her as to the enslaved.
"But, you will tell me, our race have equal rights to mingle in the American republic as the Irishman, the German, the Swede. Granted, they have. We _ought_ to be free to meet and mingle,--to rise by our individual worth, without any consideration of caste or color; and they who deny us this right are false to their own professed51 principles of human equality. We ought, in particular, to be allowed _here_. We have _more_ than the rights of common men;--we have the claim of an injured race for reparation. But, then, _I do not want it_; I want a country, a nation, of my own. I think that the African race has peculiarities52, yet to be unfolded in the light of civilization and Christianity, which, if not the same with those of the Anglo-Saxon, may prove to be, morally, of even a higher type.
"Do the Anglo-Saxon race has been intrusted the destinies of the world, during its pioneer period of struggle and conflict. To that mission its stern, inflexible53, energetic elements, were well adapted; but, as a Christian, I look for another era to arise. On its borders I trust we stand; and the throes that now convulse the nations are, to my hope, but the birth-pangs of an hour of universal peace and brotherhood54.
"I trust that the development of Africa is to be essentially55 a Christian one. If not a dominant56 and commanding race, they are, at least, an affectionate, magnanimous, and forgiving one. Having been called in the furnace of injustice57 and oppression, they have need to bind58 closer to their hearts that sublime59 doctrine60 of love and forgiveness, through which alone they are to conquer, which it is to be their mission to spread over the continent of Africa.
"In myself, I confess, I am feeble for this,--full half the blood in my veins61 is the hot and hasty Saxon; but I have an eloquent62 preacher of the Gospel ever by my side, in the person of my beautiful wife. When I wander, her gentler spirit ever restores me, and keeps before my eyes the Christian calling and mission of our race. As a Christian patriot63, as a teacher of Christianity, I go to _my country_,--my chosen, my glorious Africa!--and to her, in my heart, I sometimes apply those splendid words of prophecy: `Whereas thou hast been forsaken64 and hated, so that no man went through thee; _I_ will make thee an eternal excellence65, a joy of many generations!'
"You will call me an enthusiast66: you will tell me that I have not well considered what I am undertaking67. But I have considered, and counted the cost. I go to _Liberia_, not as an Elysium of romance, but as to _a field of work_. I expect to work with both hands,--to work _hard_; to work against all sorts of difficulties and discouragements; and to work till I die. This is what I go for; and in this I am quite sure I shall not be disappointed.
"Whatever you may think of my determination, do not divorce me from your confidence; and think that, in whatever I do, I act with a heart wholly given to my people. "GEORGE HARRIS."
George, with his wife, children, sister and mother, embarked68 for Africa, some few weeks after. If we are not mistaken, the world will yet hear from him there.
Of our other characters we have nothing very particular to write, except a word relating to Miss Ophelia and Topsy, and a farewell chapter, which we shall dedicate to George Shelby.
Miss Ophelia took Topsy home to Vermont with her, much to the surprise of the grave deliberative body whom a New Englander recognizes under the term "_Our folks_." "Our folks," at first, thought it an odd and unnecessary addition to their well-trained domestic establishment; but, so thoroughly69 efficient was Miss Ophelia in her conscientious70 endeavor to do her duty by her eleve, that the child rapidly grew in grace and in favor with the family and neighborhood. At the age of womanhood, she was, by her own request, baptized, and became a member of the Christian church in the place; and showed so much intelligence, activity and zeal, and desire to do good in the world, that she was at last recommended, and approved as a missionary to one of the stations in Africa; and we have heard that the same activity and ingenuity71 which, when a child, made her so multiform and restless in her developments, is now employed, in a safer and wholesomer manner, in teaching the children of her own country.
P.S.--It will be a satisfaction to some mother, also, to state, that some inquiries72, which were set on foot by Madame de Thoux, have resulted recently in the discovery of Cassy's son. Being a young man of energy, he had escaped, some years before his mother, and been received and educated by friends of the oppressed in the north. He will soon follow his family to Africa.
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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pastor
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| n.牧师，牧人 | |
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tenement
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| n.公寓；房屋 | |
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outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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hearth
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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toddling
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| v.（幼儿等）东倒西歪地走( toddle的现在分词 )；蹒跚行走；溜达；散步 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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exhorted
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| v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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consternation
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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scatters
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| v.（使）散开， （使）分散，驱散( scatter的第三人称单数 )；撒 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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shameful
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| adj.可耻的，不道德的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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devout
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| adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness) | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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distresses
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| n.悲痛( distress的名词复数 )；痛苦；贫困；危险 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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retarding
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| 使减速( retard的现在分词 )； 妨碍； 阻止； 推迟 | |
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emancipation
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| n.（从束缚、支配下）解放 | |
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remonstrate
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| v.抗议，规劝 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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essentially
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| adv.本质上，实质上，基本上 | |
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dominant
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| adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因 | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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enthusiast
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| n.热心人，热衷者 | |
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67
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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70
conscientious
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| adj.审慎正直的，认真的，本着良心的 | |
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ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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