 | Uncle Tom's Cabin |  |
SCENE II
The flat represents the lake. The rays of the setting sun tinge the waters with gold.
A large tree. Beneath this a grassy bank, on which Eva and Tom are seated side by
side. Eva has a Bible open on her lap. Music.
Read dat passage again, please, Miss Eva?
EVA:
(Reading.)
“And I saw a sea of glass, mingled with fire.” (Stopping sud-
denly and pointing to lake.)
Tom, there it is!
TOM:
What, Miss Eva?
EVA:
Don't you see there? There's a “sea of glass mingled with fire.”
TOM:
True enough, Miss Eva. (Sings.)
I'd fly away to Canaan's shore;
Bright angels should convey me home,
To the New Jerusalem.
[Description: 916EAF. Page 105.]
Where do you suppose New Jerusalem is, Uncle Tom?
TOM:
Oh, up in the clouds, Miss Eva.
EVA:
Then I think I see it. 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:
(Sings.)
That taste the glories there;
They are all robed in spotless white,
And conquering palms they bear.
EVA:
Uncle Tom, I've seen them.
TOM:
To be sure you have; you are one of them yourself. You are the brightest
spirit I ever saw.
EVA:
They come to me sometimes in my sleep—those spirits bright—
And conquering palms they bear.
Uncle Tom, I'm going there.
TOM:
Where, Miss Eva?
EVA:
((Pointing to the sky.)
I'm going there, to the spirits bright, Tom; I'm go-
ing before long.
TOM:
It's jest no use tryin' to keep Miss Eva here; I've allays said so. She's
got the Lord's mark in her forehead. She wasn't never like a child that's to
live—there was always something deep in her eyes. (Rises and comes forward.
Eva also comes forward, leaving Bible on bank.)
(Enter St. Clare.)
Ah! my little pussy, you look as blooming as a rose! You are
better now-a-days, are you not?
EVA:
Papa, I've had things I wanted to say to you a great while. I want
to say them now, before I get weaker.
ST. CLARE:
Nay, this is an idle fear, Eva; you know you grow stronger every
day.
EVA:
It's all no use, papa, to keep it to myself any longer. The time is com-
ing that I am going to leave you, I am going, and never to come back.
ST. CLARE:
Oh, now, my dear little Eva! you've got nervous and low
spirited; you mustn't indulge such gloomy thoughts.
EVA:
No, papa, don't deceive yourself, I am not any better; I know it
perfectly well, and I am going before long. I am not nervous—I am not low
spirited. If it were not for you, papa, and my friends, I should be perfectly hap-
py. I want to go—I long to go!
ST. CLARE:
Why, dear child, what has made your poor little heart so sad?
You have everything to make you happy that could be given you.
EVA:
I had rather be in heaven! There are a great many things here that
makes me sad—that seem dreadful to me; I had rather be there; but I don't
want to leave you—it almost breaks my heart!
ST. CLARE:
What makes you sad, and what seems dreadful, Eva?
EVA:
I feel sad for our poor people; they love me dearly, and they are all
good and kind to me. I wish, papa, they were all free!
ST. CLARE:
Why, Eva, child, don't you think they are well enough off now?
[Description: 916EAF. Page 106.]
(Not heeding the question.)
Papa, isn't there a way to have slaves made
free? When I am dead, papa, then you will think of me and do it for my sake?
ST. CLARE:
When you are dead, Eva? Oh, child, don't talk to me so. You
are all I have on earth!
EVA:
Papa, these poor creatures love their children as much as you do me.
Tom loves his children. Oh, do something for them!
ST. CLARE:
There, there, darling; only don't distress yourself, and don't
talk of dying, and I will do anything you wish.
EVA:
And promise me, dear father, that Tom shall have his freedom as soon
as—(Hesitating.)
—I am gone!
ST. CLARE:
Yes, dear, I will do anything in the world—anything you could
ask me to. There, Tom, take her to her chamber, this evening air is too chill for
her. (Music. Kisses her. Tom takes Eva in his arms, and exits. Gazing mournful-
ly after Eva.)
Has there ever been a child like Eva? Yes, there has been; but their
names are always on grave-stones, and their sweet smiles, their heavenly eyes,
their singular words and ways, are among the buried treasures of yearning
hearts. It is as if heaven had an especial band of angels, whose office it is to so-
journ for a season here, and endear to them the wayward human heart, that
they might bear it upward with them in their homeward flight. When you see
that deep, spiritual light in the eye when the little soul reveals itself in words
sweeter and wiser than the ordinary words of children, hope not to retain that
child; for the seal of heaven is on it, and the light of immortality looks out from
its eyes! (Music. Exit.)
| Uncle Tom's Cabin | |