Mrs. Rosebrook's Project
AT this juncture1 of the conversation, a sprightly2, well-dressed servant opens the parlour-door, announces missus! The deacon's good lady enters. She is a perfect pattern of neatness,--a finely-developed woman of more than ordinary height, with blonde features, and a countenance4 as full of cheerfulness as a bright May morning. She bows gracefully5; her soft eyes kindle6 with intelligence as she approaches Mr. Scranton, who rises with the coldness of an iceberg7.
"Be seated, Mr. Scranton," she says, with a voice so full of gentleness,--"be seated." Her form is well-rounded, her features exquisite8. Mr. Scranton views her seriously, as if he found something of great interest in that marble forehead, those fine features moulding a countenance full of soul, love, and sweetness. Her dress is of plain black brocade, made high at the neck, where it is secured with a small diamond pin, the front opening and disclosing a lace stomacher set with undressed pearls. Rufflets and diamond bracelets9, of chaste10 workmanship, clasp her wrists; while her light auburn hair, neatly11 laid in plain folds, and gathered into a plait on the back of her head, where it is delicately secured with gold and silver cord, forms a soft contrast. There is chasteness12 and simplicity13 combined to represent character, sense, and refinement14. She is the mother of the plantation15: old negroes call her mother, young ones clamour with joy when she visits their abodes16: her very soul is in their wants; they look to her for guidance. Their happiness is her pleasure, and by sharing the good fortune that has followed them she has fostered the energy of their negroes, formed them into families, encouraged their morality, impressed them with the necessity of preserving family relations. Against the stern mandates17 of the law, she has taught them to read the Bible, reading and explaining it to them herself. Indeed, she has risen above the law: she has taught the more tractable18 ones to write; she has supplied the younger with little story-books, attractive and containing good moral lessons. She rejoices over her system: it is honest, kind, generous,--it will serve the future, and is not unprofitable at present. It is different from that pursued by those who would, through the instrumentality of bad laws, enforce ignorance. Nay19, to her there is something abhorrent20 in using the Word of God as an excuse for the existence of slavery. Her system is practicable, enlightening first, and then enforcing that which gives encouragement to the inert21 faculties22 of our nature. Punishments were scarcely known upon her plantation; the lash23 never used. Old and young were made to feel themselves part and parcel of a family compact, to know they had an interest in the crop, to gather hopes for the future, to make home on the old plantation pleasant. There was something refreshing24 in the pride and protection evinced in the solicitation25 of this gentle creature for her negroes. In early life she had listened to their fables26, had mixed with them as children, had enjoyed their hours of play, had studied their sympathies, and entered with delight into the very soul of their jargon27 merriment. She felt their wants, and knew their grievances28; she had come forward to be their protector, their mother! "Why, Mr. Scranton," she exclaims, laughingly, in reply to that gentleman's remarks, as she interrupted the conversation between him and the deacon, "we would sooner suffer than sell one of our boys or girls-even if the worst came to the worst. I know the value of family ties; I know how to manage negroes. I would just as soon think of selling our Matilda, I would! If some of you good northern folks could only see how comfortable my negroes are!-"
"Oh, yes!" interrupts the deacon, "she takes it all out of my hands; I'm going to give her the reins29 altogether one of these days. She has got a nice way of touching30 a negro's feelings so that anything can be done with him: it tells largely at times." Mr. Scranton's face becomes more serious; he doesn't seem to understand this new "nigger philosophy." "Poor creatures!" the deacon continues, "how wonderful is the power of encouragement;-how much may be done if proper means are applied-"
"The trouble is in the means," Mr. Scranton interposes, scratching his head, as if ideas were scarce, and valuable for the distance they had to be transported.
Our good lady smiles. "I cannot help smiling, Mr. Scranton." She speaks softly. "There are two things I want done-done quickly: I want southern philosophers to consider, and I want southern ladies to act-to put on energy-to take less care of themselves and more of the poor negro!" She lays her hand gently upon Mr. Scranton's arm, her soft blue eyes staring him in the face. "When they do this," she continues, "all will be well. We can soon show the north how much can be done without their assistance. I don't believe in women's rights meetings,--not I; but I hold there should be some combination of southern ladies, to take the moral elevation31 of the slave into consideration,--to set about the work in good earnest, to see what can be done. It's a monster work; but monster evils can be removed if females will give their hands and hearts to the task. This separating families to serve the interests of traders in human beings must be stopped: females know the pains it inflicts32 on suffering wretches33; they are best suited to stop that heinous34 offence in the sight of God and man. They must rise to the work; they must devise means to stay the waste of fortune now progressing through dissipation; and, above all other things, they must rise up and drive these frightful35 slave-dealers from their doors."
Mr. Scranton admits there is something in all this, but suggests that it were better to let the future take care of itself; there's no knowing what the future may do; and to let those who come in it enjoy our labours "aint just the policy." He contends-willing to admit how much the ladies could do if they would-it would not be consistent with the times to put forth36 such experiments, especially when there is so much opposition37. "It wouldn't do!" he whispers.
The deacon here interrupts Mr. Scranton, by stepping to the door and ordering one of the servants to prepare refreshments39.
"'It must do! It won't do!' keeps us where we are, and where we are always complaining that we never have done. You know I speak frankly40, Mr. Scranton-women may say what they please;-and let me tell you, that when you do your duty it will do. Hard times never were harder than when everybody thought them hard. We must infuse principle into our poor people; we must make them earnest in agricultural pursuits; we must elevate the character of labour; we must encourage the mechanic, and give tone to his pursuits; and, more than all, we must arrest the spread of conventional nonsense, and develope our natural resources by establishing a system of paid labour, and removing the odium which attaches itself to those who pursue such avocations42 as the slave may be engaged in. My word for it, Mr. Scranton, there's where the trouble lies. Nature has been lavish43 in her good gifts to the south; but we must lend Nature a helping44 hand,--we must be the women of the south for the south's good; and we must break down those social barriers clogging45 our progress. Nature wants good government to go along with her, to be her handfellow in regeneration; but good government must give Nature her rights. This done, slavery will cease to spread its loathsome46 diseases through the body politic47, virtue48 will be protected and receive its rewards, and the buds of prosperity will be nourished with energy and ripen50 into greatness."
Mr. Scranton suggests that the nigger question was forced upon him, and thinks it better to change the conversation. Mr. Scranton was once in Congress, thinks a deal of his Congressional experience, and declares, with great seriousness, that the nigger question will come to something one of these days. "Ah! bless me, madam," he says, adjusting his arms, "you talk-very-like-a-statesman. Southerners better leave all this regenerating51 of slaves to you. But let me say, whatever you may see in perspective, it's mighty52 dangerous when you move such principles to practice. Mark me! you'll have to pull down the iron walls of the south, make planters of different minds, drive self out of mankind, and overthrow53 the northern speculator's cotton-bag love. You've got a great work before you, my dear madam,--a work that'll want an extended lease of your life-time. Remember how hard it is to convince man of the wrong of anything that's profitable. A paid system, even emancipation54, would have been a small affair in 1824 or 1827. Old niggers and prime fellows were then of little value; now it is different. You may see the obstacle to your project in the Nashville Convention or Georgia platform-"
"Nashville Convention, indeed!" exclaims Mrs. Rosebrook, her face infused with animation55, and a curl of disdain56 on her lip. "Such things! Mere57 happy illustrations of the folly58 of our political affairs. The one was an exotic do-nothing got up by Mister Wanting-to-say-something, who soon gets ashamed of his mission; the other was a mixture of political log-rolling, got up by those who wanted to tell the Union not to mind the Nashville Convention. What a pity they did not tell the Union to be patient with us! We must have no more Nashville Conventions; we must change Georgia platforms for individual enterprise,--southern conventions for moral regeneration. Give us these changes, and we shall show you what can be done without the aid of the north." Several servants in tidy dresses, their white aprons60 looking so clean, come bustling61 into the room and invite missus and her guest into an airy ante-room, where a table is bountifully spread with cake, fruit, fine old Madeira, and lemonade. Mr. Scranton bows and asks "the pleasure;" Mrs. Rosebrook acknowledgingly takes his arm, while the negroes bow and scrape as they enter the room. Mr. Scranton stands a few moments gazing at the set-out. "I hope Mr. Scranton will make himself quite at home," the good lady interposes. Everything was so exquisitely62 arranged, so set off with fresh-plucked flowers, as if some magic hand had just touched the whole.
"Now!" continued Mrs. Rosebrook, motioning her head as she points to the table: "you'll admit my negroes can do something? Poor helpless wretches, we say continually: perhaps they are worse when bad owners can make the world look upon them through northern prejudice. They are just like children; nobody gives them credit for being anything else; and yet they can do much for our good. It would trouble some persons to arrange a table so neatly; my boys did it all, you see!" And she exults63 over the efficiency of her negroes, who stand at her side acknowledging the compliment with broad grins. The deacon helps Mr. Scranton, who commences stowing away the sweetmeats with great gusto. "It is truly surprising what charming nigger property you have got. They don't seem a bit like niggers" he concludes deliberately64 taking a mouthful. Mrs. Rosebrook, pleased at the honest remark, reminds him that the deacon carries out her views most charmingly, that she studies negro character, and knows that by stimulating65 it with little things she promotes good. She studies character while the deacon studies politics. At the same time, she rather ironically reminds Mr. Scranton that the deacon is not guilty of reading any long-winded articles on "state rights and secession." "Not he!" she says, laughingly; "you don't catch him with such cast-iron material in his head. They call him pious-proof now and then, but he's progress all over."
Mr. Scranton, attentive66 to his appetite, draws a serious face, gives a side glance, begs a negro to supply his plate anew, and reckons he may soon make a new discovery in southern political economy. But he fears Mrs. Rosebrook's plan will make a mongrel, the specific nature of which it would be difficult to define in philosophy. Perhaps it will not be acceptable to the north as a thinking people, nor will it please the generosity67 of southern ladies.
"There is where the trouble lies!" exclaimed the deacon, who had until then yielded up the discussion to his good lady. "They look upon our system with distrust, as if it were something they could not understand."
"I move we don't say another word about it, but take our part quietly," says Mrs. Rosebrook, insinuating68 that Mr. Scranton had better be left to take his refreshment38 comfortably; that he is a little misanthropic69; that he must be cheered up. "Come, my boys"-directing her conversation to the negroes-"see that Mr. Scranton is cared for. And you must summon Daddy; tell him to get the carriage ready, to put on his best blue coat,--that we are going to take Mr. Scranton over the plantation, to show him how things can prosper49 when we ladies take a hand in the management." The negro leaves to execute the order: Mr. Scranton remains70 mute, now and then sipping71 his wine. He imagines himself in a small paradise, but "hadn't the least idea how it was made such a place by niggers." Why, they are just the smartest things in the shape of property that could be started up. Regular dandy niggers, dressed up to "shine so," they set him thinking there was something in his politics not just straight. And then, there was so much intelligence, so much politeness about the critters! Why, if it had not been for the doctrines72 he had so long held, he would have felt bashful at his want of ease and suavity,--things seldom taught in the New England village where our pro-slavery advocate was born and educated.
Presently servants are seen outside, running here and there, their eyes glistening74 with anxiety, as if preparing for a May-day festival. Old Dolly, the cook, shining with the importance of her profession, stands her greasy75 portions in the kitchen door, scolds away at old Dad, whose face smiles with good-nature as he fusses over the carriage, wipes it, rubs it, and brushes it, every now and then stopping to see if it will reflect his full black face. Little woolly-headed urchins76 are toddling77 round old Maum Dolly, pulling the folds of her frock, teasing for cakes and fritters. One, more expert in mischief78, has perched himself in an aperture79 over the door, substituting himself for the old black hat with which it is usually filled. Here, his face like a full moon in a cloud, he twists his moving fingers into the ingeniously-tied knot of Dolly's bandana, which he cunningly draws from her head. Ben and Loblolly, two minor80 sprats of the race, are seated in the centre of the yard, contending for the leaves of a picture-book, which, to appease81 their characteristic inquisitiveness82, they have dissected83. Daddy has the horses ready and the carriage waiting; and Uncle Bradshaw, the coachman, and C‘sar, the likely fellow, wait at the door with as much satisfaction expressed in their faces as if it were all for them. Missus is not to be outdone in expertness: a few minutes ago she was "snaring84" Mr. Scranton with his own philosophy; now she is ready to take her seat.
"Missus! I wants t' go down yander wid ye, I doe," says Daddy, approaching her with hand extended, and working his black face up into a broad grin as he detects Mr. Scranton's awkwardness in getting into the carriage.
"Certainly, Daddy, certainly: you shall go. Daddy knows how to get alongside of Aunt Rachel when he gets down on the plantation. He knows where to get a good cup of coffee and a waff." And she pats the old negro on the head as he clambers up on the box. "No, him aint dat. Daddy want t' go wid missus-ya'h, ya! dat him, tis. Missus want somebody down da'h what spry, so'e take care on 'em round de old plantation. Takes my missus to know what nigger is," says Daddy, taking off his cap, and bowing missus into the carriage.
"Not one word for mas'r, eh, Daddy?" rejoins the deacon, looking playfully at Daddy. "Why, Boss, you aint nofin whin missus about," returns Daddy, tauntingly86, as he buttons his grey coat, and tells Bradshaw to "go ahead!" Away they go, galloping87 over the plain, through the swamp, for the plantation,--that model experiment doubted by so many. Major Sprag, the politician, and Judge Snow, the statesman, had declared publicly it never would do any good. With them it was not practical,--it gave negroes too much liberty; and they declared the system must be kept within the narrowest sphere of law, or it would be destroyed for ever.
Onward88 the carriage bounded, and long before it reached the plantation gate was espied89 by the negroes, who came sallying forth from their white cabins, crying out at the top of their voices-"Missus comin'! Missus comin! Da'h missus-dat she! I know'd missus wa' comin' t' day!" and the music of their voices re-echoed through the arbour of oaks that lined the road. Their tongues seemed to have taken new impulse for the occasion. The dogs, at full run, came barking to the gate; old daddies and mammas, with faces "all over smiles," followed in the train. And they were dressed so tidily, looked so cheerful, and gave such expressions of their exuberant90 feelings, that Mr. Scranton seemed quite at a loss how to account for it. He had never before witnessed such a mingling91 of fondness for owners,--the welcome sounds of "God bless good missus!" They were at variance92 with the misanthropic ideas he had imbibed93 at the north. And then there was a regular retinue94 of the "small-fry property" bringing up the rear, with curious faces, and making the jargon more confounding with the music of their voices. They toddled96, screamed, and shouted, clustered around the gate, and before Daddy had time to dismount, had it wide open, and were contending for the palm of shaking missus by the hand "fust."
The carriage drives to the plantation house, followed by the train of moving darkness, flocking around it like as many devotees before an object of superstitious97 worship. Mas'r is only a secondary consideration, Missus is the angel of their thoughts; her kindness and perseverance98 in their behalf has softened99 their feelings--stimulated their energy. How touching is the fondness and tenderness of these degraded mortals! They love their benefactor100. And, too, there is a lesson in it worthy101 the statesman's consideration,--it shows a knowledge of right, and a deep sense of gratitude102 for kindness bestowed103. Mrs. Rosebrook alights from the carriage, receives their warm congratulations, and, turning to Mr. Scranton, touches him on the arm, and remarks:--"Now, here they are. Poor old bodies,"--taking them by the hand in rotation-just like as many children. "What do you think of them, Mr. Scranton? do you not find a softening104 sympathy creeping upon you? I forgot, though, your political responsibility! Ah! that is the point with statesmen. You feel a touch of conscience once in a while, but cannot speak for fear of the consequences." And she laughs heartily105 at Mr. Scranton, who draws his face into a very serious length. "Pest the niggers!" he says, as they gather at his feet, asking all sorts of importune106 questions.
"My good lady is a regular reformer, you see, Mr. Scranton," rejoins the deacon, as he follows that gentleman into the hall.
Mr. Scranton remarks, in reply, that such does not become caste, and two pompous-looking servants set upon him brushing the dirt from his clothes with great earnestness. The negroes understand Mr. Scranton at a glance; he is an amiable107 stoic108!
Mrs. Rosebrook disappears for a few minutes, and returns minus her bonnet109 and mantle110. She delights to have the old and the young around her,--to study their characters, to hear their stories, their grievances, and to relieve their wants. "These little black imps," she says, patting them on the head as they toddle95 around her, "They're just as full of interest as their shiny black skins are full of mischief;" and one after another, with hand extended, they seek a recognition; and she takes them in her arms, fondling them with the affection of a nurse.
"Here's Toby, too; the little cunning rascal111! He is as sleek112 as a mole113, a young coon," she ejaculates, stooping down and playfully working her fingers over Toby's crispy hair, as he sits upon the grass in front of the house, feasting on a huge sweet potato, with which he has so bedaubed his face that it looks like a mask with the terrific portrayed114 in the rolling of two immense white eyes. "And here is Nichol Garvio!" and she turns to another, pats him on the head, and shakes his hand. "We mean to make a great man of him, you see,--he has head enough to make a Congress man; who knows but that he'll get there when he grows up?"
"Congress, happily, is beyond niggers," replies Mr. Scranton, approving the lady: "Congress is pure yet!" Turning round, she recommends Mr. Scranton to put his northern prejudices in his pocket, where they will be safe when required for the purposes of the south. "A nigger 's a nigger all over the world," rejoins Mr. Scranton, significantly shrugging his shoulders and casting a doubtful glance at the young type.
"True! true!" she returns, giving Mr. Scranton a look of pity. "God give us sight to see! We praise our forefathers-honest praise!-but we forget what they did. They brought them here, poor wretches; decoyed them, deceived them,--and now we wish them back at the very time it would be impossible to live without them. How happy is the mind that believes a 'nigger' must be a nigger for ever and ever; and that we must do all in our power to keep him from being anything else!" And her soft blue eyes glowed with sympathy; it was the soul of a noble woman intent on doing good. She had stepped from the darkness of a political error into the airy height of light and love.
Daddy and Bradshaw had taken care of the horses; the deacon greeted his negroes as one by one they came to welcome him; and for each he had a kind word, a joke, a shake of the hand, or an enquiry about some missing member of a family. The scene presented an interesting picture-the interest, policy, and good faith between master and slave. No sooner were the horses cared for, than Daddy and Bradshaw started for the "cabins," to say welcome to the old folks, "a heap a' how de" to the gals115, and tell de boys, down yander, in de tater patch, dat Missus come. They must have their touching congratulations, interchange the news of the city for the gossip of the plantation, and drink the cup of tea Mamma makes for the occasion. Soon the plantation is all agog116; and the homely117, but neat cabins, swarm118 with negroes of all ages, bustling here and there, and making preparations for the evening supper, which Aunt Peggy, the cook, has been instructed to prepare in her very best style.
The deacon joins his good lady, and, with Mr. Scranton, they prepare to walk over and view the plantation. They are followed by a retinue of old and young property, giving vent41 to their thoughts in expressions of gratitude to Missus and Mas'r. A broad expanse of rural beauty stretches towards the west, soft and enchanting119. The sun is sinking into the curtains of a refulgent120 cloud; its crimson121 light casts a mellow122 shade over the broad landscape; the evening breeze is wafting123 coolly over the foliage124, a welcome relief to the scorching125 heat of mid-day; the balmy atmosphere breathes sweetness over the whole. To the north stands a clump126 of fine old oaks, high above the distant "bottom," reflecting in all their richness the warm tints127 of the setting sun. The leaves rustle128 as they pass along; long lines of cotton plants, with their healthy blossoms, brighten in the evening shade; the corn bends under its fruit; the potato field looks fresh and luxuriant, and negroes are gathering129 from the slip-beds supplies of market gardening. There is but one appearance among the workers-cheerfulness! They welcome Mas'r as he passes along; and again busily employ themselves, hoeing, weeding, and working at the roots of vines in search of destructive insects.
"My overseers are all black, every one! I would'nt have a white one; they are mostly tyrants," says the deacon, looking at his fields, exultingly130. "And my overseers plan out the very best mode of planting. They get through a heap of work, with a little kindness and a little management. Those two things do a deal, Sir! Five years ago, I projected this new system of managing negroes-or, rather my lady planned it,--she is a great manager, you see,--and I adopted it. You see how it has worked, Mr. Scranton." The deacon takes Mr. Scranton by the arm, pointing over the broad expanse of cultivated land, bending under the harvest. I make all my negroes marry when they have arrived at a specific age; I assure them I never will sell one unless he or she commits a heinous crime; and I never have. There is a great deal in keeping faith with a negro; he is of mankind, and moved by natural laws mentally and physically131, and feels deeply the want of what we rarely regard of much consequence-confidence in his master's word. Wife encourages their moral energy; I encourage their physical by filling their bellies132 with as much corn and bacon as they can eat; and then I give them five cents per day (the heads of families) to get those little necessaries which are so essential to their comfort and encouragement. I call it our paid-labour system; and I give them tasks, too, and when they have finished them I allow a small stipend133 for extra work. It's a small mite134 for a great end; and it's such an encouragement with them that I get about thirty per cent. more work done. And then I allow them to read just as much as they please-what do I care about law? I don't want to live where learning to read is dangerous to the State, I don't. Their learning to read never can destroy their affections for me and wife; and kindness to them will make them less dangerous in case of insurrection. It's not the education we've got to fear; our fears increase with the knowledge of our oppression. They know these things-they feel them; and if by educating them one can cultivate their confidence, had we not better do it with a view to contingencies135? Now, as the result of our system, we have promised to give all our negroes their freedom at the expiration136 of ten years, and send such as wish to go, to Liberia; but, I hold that they can do as much for us at home, work for us if properly encouraged, and be good free citizens, obedient to the laws of the State, serving the general good of a great country."
"Yes!" the good lady interposes; "I want to see those things carried out; they will yet work for the regeneration of their own race. Heaven will some day reward the hand that drags the cursed mantle from off poor Africa; and Africa herself will breathe a prayer to Heaven in grateful acknowledgment of the act that frees her from the stain of being the world's bonded137 warehouse138 for human flesh and blood."
The deacon interrupts,--suggests "that it were better to move practically; and that small streams may yet direct how a mountain may be removed. Our Union is a great monument of what a Republic may be,--a happy combination of life, freshness, and greatness, upon which the Old World looks with distrust. The people have founded its happiness-its greatness! God alone knows its destiny; crowned heads would not weep over its downfall! It were better each citizen felt his heart beating to the words-It is my country; cursed be the hand raised to sever59 its members!" The lady tells Mr. Scranton that their produce has increased every year; that last year they planted one hundred and twenty acres with cotton, ninety with corn, forty with sweet potatoes, as many more with slips and roots; and three acres of water-melons for the boys, which they may eat or sell. She assures him that by encouraging the pay system they get a double profit, besides preparing the way for something that must come.
"Come!" Mr. Scranton interrupts: "let the south be true to herself, and there's no fear of that. But I confess, deacon, there is something good as well as curious about your way of treating niggers." And Mr. Scranton shakes his head, as if the practicability yet remained the great obstacle in his mind. "Your niggers ain't every body's," he concludes.
"Try it, try it!" Mrs. Rosebrook rejoins: "Go home and propound139 something that will relieve us from fear-something that will prepare us for any crisis that may occur!"
It was six o'clock, the plantation bell struck, and the cry sounded "All hands quit work, and repair to supper!" Scarcely had the echoes resounded141 over the woods when the labourers were seen scampering142 for their cabins, in great glee. They jumped, danced, jostled one another, and sang the cheering melodies, "Sally put da' hoe cake down!" and "Down in Old Tennessee."
Reaching their cabins they gathered into a conclave143 around Daddy and Bradshaw, making the very air resound140 with their merry jargon. Such a happy meeting-such social congratulations, pouring forth of the heart's affections, warm and true,--it had never been before Mr. Scranton's fortune to witness. Indeed, when he listened to the ready flashes of dialogue accompanying their animation, and saw the strange contortions144 of their fresh, shining faces, he began to "reckon" there was something about niggers that might, by a process not yet discovered, be turned into something.
Old "Mammies" strive for the honour of having Daddy and Bradshaw sup at their cabins, taunting85 each other on the spareness of their meal. Fires are soon lit, the stew-pans brought into requisition, and the smoke, curling upward among a myriad145 of mosquitoes, is dispersing146 them like a band of unwelcome intruders; while the corn-mills rattle147 and rumble148, making the din3 and clatter149 more confounding. Daddy and Bradshaw being "aristocratic darkies from the city"-caste being tenaciously150 kept up among negroes-were, of course, recipients151 of the choicest delicacies152 the plantation afforded, not excepting fresh eggs poached, and possum. Bradshaw is particularly fond of ghost stories; and as old Maum Nancy deals largely in this article, as well as being the best believer in spectres on the plantation, he concludes to sup with her, in her hospitable153 cabin, when she will relate all that she has seen since she last saw him. Maum Nancy is as black as a crow, has a rich store of tales on hand; she will please the old man, more particularly when she tells him about the very bad ghost seen about the mansion154 for more than "three weeks of nights." He has got two sarpents' heads; Maum Nancy declares the statement true, for uncle Enoch "seen him,"-he is a grey ghost-and might a' knocked him over with his wattle, only he darn't lest he should reek155 his vengeance156 at some unexpected moment. And then he was the very worst kind of a ghost, for he stole all the chickens, not even leaving the feathers. They said he had a tail like the thing Mas'r Sluck whipped his "niggers" with. Bradshaw sups of Maum Nancy's best, listening to her stories with great concern. The story of the ghost with two heads startles him; his black picture, frame fills with excitement; he has never before heard that ghosts were guilty of predatory crimes. So enchained and excited is he with her story, that the party at the house having finished supper, have made preparations to leave for the city. A finger touches him on the shoulder; he startles, recognises Daddy, who is in search of him, and suddenly becomes conscious that his absence has caused great anxiety. Daddy has found him quietly eating Maum Nancy's cakes, while intently listening to the story about the ghost "what" steals all her chickens. He is quite unconcerned about Mas'r, Missus-anything but the ghost! He catches his cap, gives Nancy's hand a warm shake, says God bless 'em, hastens for the mansion, finds the carriage waiting at the door, for Mas'r and Missus, who take their seats as he arrives. Bradshaw mounts the box again, and away it rolls down the oak avenue. The happy party leave for home; the plantation people are turned out en masse to say good bye to Missus, and "hope Mas'r get safe home." Their greetings sound forth as the carriage disappears in the distance; fainter and fainter the good wish falls upon their ears. They are well on the road; Mr. Scranton, who sits at the side of the good lady, on the back seat, has not deigned157 to say a word: the evening grows dark, and his mind seems correspondingly gloomy. "I tell you, I feel so pleased, so overjoyed, and so happy when I visit the plantation, to see those poor creatures so happy and so full of fondness! It's worth all the riches to know that one is loved by the poor. Did you ever see such happiness, Mr. Scranton?" Mrs. Rosebrook enquires158, coolly.
"It requires a great deal of thinking, a great deal of caution, a great deal of political foresight159, before answering such questions. You'll pardon me, my dear madam, I know you will; I always speak square on questions, you know. It's hard to reconcile oneself to niggers being free."
"Ah! yes-it's very amiable to think; but how much more praiseworthy to act! If we southern ladies set ourselves about it we can do a great deal; we can save the poor creatures being sold, like cows and calves160, in this free country. We must save ourselves from the moral degradation161 that is upon us. What a pity Marston's friends did not make an effort to change his course! If they had he would not now be in the hands of that Graspum. We are surrounded by a world of temptation; and yet our planters yield to them; they think everything a certainty, forgetting that the moment they fall into Graspum's hands they are gone."
Mr. Scranton acknowledges he likes the look of things on the plantation, but suggests that it will be considered an innovation,--an innovation too dangerous to be considered. Innovations are dangerous with him,--unpopular, cannot amount to much practical good. He gives these insinuations merely as happy expressions of his own profound opinion. The carriage approaches the villa73, which, seen from the distance, seems sleeping in the calm of night. Mr. Scranton is like those among us who are always fearing, but never make an effort to remove the cause; they, too, are doggedly162 attached to political inconsistency, and, though at times led to see the evil, never can be made to acknowledge the wrong. They reach the garden gate; Mr. Scranton begs to be excused from entering the Villa,--takes a formal leave of his friend, and wends his way home, thinking. "There's something in it!" he says to himself, as he passes the old bridge that separates the city from the suburb. "It's not so much for the present as it is for the hereafter. Nobody thinks of repairing this old bridge, and yet it has been decaying under our eyes for years. Some day it will suddenly fall,--a dozen people will be precipitated163 into the water below, some killed; the city will then resound with lamentations; every body knows it must take place one of these days, everybody is to blame, but no special criminal can be found. There's something in the comparison!" he says, looking over the old railing into the water. And then his thoughts wandered to the plantation. There the germs of an enlightened policy were growing up; the purity of a noble woman's heart was spreading blessings164 among a downcast race, cultivating their minds, raising them up to do good for themselves, to reward the efforts of the benefactor. Her motto was:--Let us through simple means seek the elevation of a class of beings whose degradation has distracted the political wisdom of our happy country, from its conquest to the present day. "There's something in it," again mutters Mr. Scranton, as he enters his room, lights his taper165, and with his elbow resting on the table, his head supported in his hand, sits musing166 over the subject.
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1
juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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kindle
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| v.点燃，着火 | |
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iceberg
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| n.冰山，流冰，冷冰冰的人 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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chasteness
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| n.贞操，纯洁，简洁 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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mandates
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| 托管（mandate的第三人称单数形式） | |
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tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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abhorrent
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| adj.可恶的，可恨的，讨厌的 | |
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inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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solicitation
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| n.诱惑；揽货；恳切地要求；游说 | |
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fables
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| n.寓言( fable的名词复数 )；神话，传说 | |
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jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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reins
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| 感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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inflicts
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的第三人称单数 ) | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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heinous
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| adj.可憎的，十恶不赦的 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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refreshment
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| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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lavish
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| adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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45
clogging
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| 堵塞，闭合 | |
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46
loathsome
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| adj.讨厌的，令人厌恶的 | |
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politic
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| adj.有智虑的；精明的；v.从政 | |
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48
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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49
prosper
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| v.成功，兴隆，昌盛；使成功，使昌隆，繁荣 | |
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50
ripen
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| vt.使成熟；vi.成熟 | |
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51
regenerating
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| v.新生，再生( regenerate的现在分词 )；正反馈 | |
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52
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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53
overthrow
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| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
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54
emancipation
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| n.（从束缚、支配下）解放 | |
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55
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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56
disdain
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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57
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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58
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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59
sever
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| v.切开，割开；断绝，中断 | |
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60
aprons
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| 围裙( apron的名词复数 )； 停机坪，台口（舞台幕前的部份） | |
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61
bustling
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| adj.喧闹的 | |
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exquisitely
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| adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地 | |
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exults
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的第三人称单数 ) | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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65
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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66
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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68
insinuating
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| adj.曲意巴结的，暗示的v.暗示( insinuate的现在分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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69
misanthropic
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| adj.厌恶人类的，憎恶（或蔑视）世人的；愤世嫉俗 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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71
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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72
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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villa
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| n.别墅，城郊小屋 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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greasy
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| adj. 多脂的，油脂的 | |
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76
urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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77
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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78
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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81
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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82
inquisitiveness
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| 好奇，求知欲 | |
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83
dissected
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| adj.切开的，分割的，（叶子）多裂的v.解剖（动物等）( dissect的过去式和过去分词 )；仔细分析或研究 | |
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84
snaring
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| v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的现在分词 ) | |
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85
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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tauntingly
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| 嘲笑地，辱骂地； 嘲骂地 | |
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galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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88
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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variance
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| n.矛盾，不同 | |
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imbibed
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| v.吸收( imbibe的过去式和过去分词 )；喝；吸取；吸气 | |
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retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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toddle
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| v.（如小孩）蹒跚学步 | |
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toddled
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| v.（幼儿等）东倒西歪地走( toddle的过去式和过去分词 )；蹒跚行走；溜达；散步 | |
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97
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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98
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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99
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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100
benefactor
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| n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人 | |
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101
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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102
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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103
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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104
softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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105
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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importune
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| v.强求；不断请求 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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108
stoic
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| n.坚忍克己之人，禁欲主义者 | |
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109
bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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110
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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111
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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112
sleek
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| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
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113
mole
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| n.胎块；痣；克分子 | |
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114
portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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115
gals
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| abbr.gallons （复数）加仑（液量单位）n.女孩，少女( gal的名词复数 ) | |
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116
agog
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| adj.兴奋的，有强烈兴趣的； adv.渴望地 | |
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117
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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118
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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119
enchanting
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| a.讨人喜欢的 | |
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120
refulgent
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| adj.辉煌的，灿烂的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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122
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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123
wafting
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的现在分词 ) | |
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124
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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126
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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127
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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128
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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131
physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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132
bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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mite
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| n.极小的东西；小铜币 | |
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contingencies
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| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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bonded
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| n.有担保的，保税的，粘合的 | |
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138
warehouse
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| n.仓库；vt.存入仓库 | |
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propound
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| v.提出 | |
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resound
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| v.回响 | |
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141
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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142
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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contortions
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| n.扭歪，弯曲；扭曲，弄歪，歪曲( contortion的名词复数 ) | |
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myriad
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| adj.无数的；n.无数，极大数量 | |
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dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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rumble
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| n.隆隆声；吵嚷；v.隆隆响；低沉地说 | |
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149
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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recipients
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| adj.接受的；受领的；容纳的；愿意接受的n.收件人；接受者；受领者；接受器 | |
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delicacies
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| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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reek
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| v.发出臭气；n.恶臭 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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deigned
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| v.屈尊，俯就( deign的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enquires
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| 打听( enquire的第三人称单数 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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calves
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| n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子，腓；腿肚子( calf的名词复数 )；牛犊；腓；小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 )；（冰川）崩解；生（小牛等），产（犊）；使（冰川）崩解 | |
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161
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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doggedly
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| adv.顽强地，固执地 | |
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precipitated
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| v.（突如其来地）使发生( precipitate的过去式和过去分词 )；促成；猛然摔下；使沉淀 | |
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164
blessings
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| n.（上帝的）祝福( blessing的名词复数 )；好事；福分；因祸得福 | |
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165
taper
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| n.小蜡烛，尖细，渐弱；adj.尖细的；v.逐渐变小 | |
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166
musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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