University of Virginia Library

SCENE II

Street in New Orleans. Enter George Shelby.

GEORGE:

At length my mission of mercy is nearly finished, I have reached
my journey's end. I have now but to find the house of Mr. St. Clare, re-purchase
old Uncle Tom, and convey him back to his wife and children, in old Kentucky.
Some one approaches; he may, perhaps, be able to give me the information I re-
quire. I will accost him. (Enter Marks.)
Pray, sir, can you tell me where Mr. St.
Clare dwells?


MARKS:

Where I don't hink you'll be in a hurry to seek him.


GEORGE:

And where is that?


MARKS:

In the grave!


GEORGE:

Stay, sir! you may be able to give me some information concern-
ing Mr. St. Clare.


MARKS:

I beg pardon, sir, I am a lawyer; I can't afford to give anything


GEORGE:

But you would have no objections to selling it?


MARKS:

Not the slightest.


GEORGE:

What do you value it at?


MARKS:

Well, say five dollars, that's reasonable.


GEORGE:

There they are. (Gives money.)
Now answer me to the best of your
ability. Has the death of St. Clare caused his slaves to be sold?


MARKS:

It has.


GEORGE:

How were they sold?


MARKS:

At auction—they went dirt cheap.


GEORGE:

How were they bought—all in one lot?


MARKS:

No, they went to different bidders.


GEORGE:

Was you present at the sale?


MARKS:

I was.


GEORGE:

Do you remember seeing a negro among them called Tom?


MARKS:

What, Uncle Tom?


GEORGE:

The same—who bought him?


MARKS:

A Mr. Legree.


GEORGE:

Where is his plantation?


MARKS:

Up in Louisiana, on the Red River; but a man never could find it,
unless he had been there before.


GEORGE:

Who could I get to direct me there?


MARKS:

Well, stranger, I don't know of any one just at present 'cept


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illustration [Description: 916EAF. Page 127.]
myself, could find it for you; it's such an out-of-the-way sort of hole; and if you
are a mind to come down handsomely, why, I'll do it.


GEORGE:

The reward shall be ample.


MARKS:

Enough said, stranger; let's take the steamboat at once. (Exeunt.)