 | Uncle Tom's Cabin |  |
SCENE III
The Tavern by the River. Table and chairs. Jug and glasses on table. On flat is a
printed placard, headed: “Four Hundred Dollars Reward—Runaway—George
Harris!” Phineas is discovered, seated at table.
So yer I am; and a pretty business I've undertook to do. Find the hus-
band of the gal that crossed the river on the ice two or three days ago. Ruth
said I must do it, and I'll be teetotally chawed up if I don't do it. I see they've of-
fered a reward for him, dead or alive. How in creation am I to find the varmint?
He isn't likely to go round looking natural, with a full description of his hide and
figure staring him in the face. (Enter Mr. Wilson.)
I say, stranger, how are ye?
[Description: 916EAF. Page 093.]
(Rises and comes forward.)
Well, I reckon.
PHINEAS:
Any news? (Takes out plug and knife.)
WILSON:
Not that I know of.
PHINEAS:
(Cutting a piece of tobacco and offering it.)
Chaw?
WILSON:
No, thank ye—it don't agree with me.
PHINEAS:
Don't, eh? (Putting it in his own mouth.)
I never felt any the
worse for it.
WILSON:
(Sees placard.)
What's that?
PHINEAS:
Nigger advertised. (Advances towards it and spits on it.)
There's my
mind upon that.
WILSON:
Why, now, stranger, what's that for?
PHINEAS:
I'd do it all the same to the writer of that ar paper, if he was here.
Any man that owns a boy like that, and can't find any better way of treating
him, than branding him on the hand with the letter H, as that paper states,
deserves to lose him. Such papers as this ar' a shame to old Kaintuck! that's
my mind right out, if anybody wants to know.
WILSON:
Well, now, that's a fact.
PHINEAS:
I used to have a gang of boys, sir—that was before I fell in love—
and I just told em:—“Boys,” says I, “run now! Dig! put! jest when you want to.
I never shall come to look after you!” That's the way I kept mine. Let 'em know
they are free to run any time, and it jest stops their wanting to. It stands to
reason it should. Treat 'em like men, and you'll have men's work.
WILSON:
I think you are altogether right, friend, and this man described
here is a fine fellow—no mistake about that. He worked for me some half dozen
years in my bagging factory, and he was my best hand, sir. He is an ingenious
fellow, too; he invented a machine for the cleaning of hemp—a really valuable
affair; it's gone into use in several factories. His master holds the patent of it.
PHINEAS:
I'll warrant ye; holds it, and makes money out of it, and then
turns round and brands the boy in his right hand! If I had a fair chance, I'd
mark him, I reckon, so that he'd carry it one while!
(Enter George Harris, disguised.)
(Speaking as he enters.)
Jim, see to the trunks. (Sees Wilson.)
Ah!
Mr. Wilson here?
WILSON:
Bless my soul, can it be?
GEORGE:
(Advances and grasps his hand.)
Mr. Wilson, I see you remember me
Mr. Butler, of Oaklands. Shelby county.
WILSON:
Ye—yes—yes—sir.
PHINEAS:
Holloa! there's a screw loose here somewhere. That old
gentlemen seems to be struck into a pretty considerable heap of astonishment.
May I be teetotally chawed up! if I don't believe that's the identical man I'm
arter. (Crosses to George.)
How are ye, George Harris?
GEORGE:
(Starting back and thrusting his hands into his breast.)
You know me?
PHINEAS:
Ha, ha, ha! I rather conclude I do; but don't get riled, I an't a
bloodhound in disguise.
GEORGE:
How did you discover me?
PHINEAS:
By a teetotal smart guess. You're the very man I want to see. Do
you know I was sent after you?
[Description: 916EAF. Page 094.]
Ah! by my master?
PHINEAS:
No; by your wife.
GEORGE:
My wife! Where is she?
PHINEAS:
She's stopping with a Quaker family over on the Ohio side.
GEORGE:
Then she is safe?
PHINEAS:
Teetotally!
GEORGE:
Conduct me to her.
PHINEAS:
Just wait a brace of shakes and I'll do it. I've got to go and get the
boat ready. 'Twon't take me but a minute—make yourself comfortable till I get
back. Chaw me up! but this is what I call doing things in short order. (Exit.)
WILSON:
George!
GEORGE:
Yes, George!
WILSON:
I couldn't have thought it!
GEORGE:
I am pretty well disguised, I fancy; you see I don't answer to the
advertisment at all.
WILSON:
George, this is a dangerous game you are playing; I could not have
advised you to it.
GEORGE:
I can do it on my own responsibility.
WILSON:
Well, George, I suppose you're running away—leaving your
lawful master, George, (I don't wonder at it)
at the same time, I'm sorry,
George, yes, decidedly. I think I must say that it's my duty to tell you so.
GEORGE:
Why are you sorry, sir?
WILSON:
Why to see you, as it were, setting yourself in opposition to the
laws of your country.
GEORGE:
My country! What country have I, but the grave? And I would to
heaven that I was laid there!
WILSON:
George, you've got a hard master, in fact he is—well, he conducts
himself reprehensibly—I can't pretend to defend him. I'm sorry for you, now;
it's a bad case—very bad; but we must all submit to the indications of pro-
vidence. George, don't you see?
GEORGE:
I wonder, Mr. Wilson, if the Indians should come and take you a
prisoner away from your wife and children, and want to keep you all your life
hoeing corn for them, if you'd think it your duty to abide in the condition in
which you were called? I rather imagine that you'd think the first stray horse
you could find an indication of providence, shouldn't you?
WILSON:
Really, George, putting the case in that somewhat peculiar light—
I don't know—under those circumstances—but what I might. But it seems to me
you are running an awful risk. You can't hope to carry it out. If you're taken it
will be worse with you than ever; they'll only abuse you, and half kill you, and
sell you down river.
GEORGE:
Mr. Wilson, I know all this. I do run a risk, but—(Throws open coat
and shows pistols and knife in his belt.)
There! I'm ready for them. Down South
I never will go! no, if it comes to that, I can earn myself at least six feet of free
soil—the first and last I shall ever own in Kentucky!
WILSON:
Why, George, this state of mind is awful—it's getting really
desperate. I'm concerned. Going to break the laws of your country?
GEORGE:
My country again! Sir, I haven't any country any more than I
have any father. I don't want anything of your country, except to be left
alone—to go peaceably out of it; but if any man tries to stop me, let him take
care, for I am desperate. I'll fight for my liberty, to the last breath I breathe!
[Description: 916EAF. Page 095.]
WILSON:
(Walking up and down and fanning his face with a large yellow silk
handkerchief.)
Blast 'em all! Haven't I always said so—the infernal old cusses!
Bless me! I hope I an't swearing now! Well, go ahead, George, go ahead. But be
careful, my boy; don't shoot anybody, unless—well, you'd better not shoot—at
least I wouldn't hit anybody, you know.
GEORGE:
Only in self-defense.
WILSON:
Well, well. (Fumbling in his pocket.)
I suppose, perhaps, I an't
following my judgment—hang it, I won't follow my judgment. So here,
George. (Takes out a pocket-book and offers George a roll of bills.)
GEORGE:
No, my kind, good sir, you've done a great deal for me, and this
might get you into trouble. I have money enough, I hope, to take me as far as I
need it.
WILSON:
No but you must, George. Money is a great help everywhere,
can't have too much, if you get it honestly. Take it, do take it, now do, my boy!
GEORGE:
(Taking the money.)
On condition, sir, that I may repay it at some
future time, I will.
WILSON:
And now, George, how long are you going to travel in this way?
Not long or far I hope? It's well carried on, but too bold.
GEORGE:
Mr. Wilson, it is so bold, and this tavern is so near, that they will never
think of it; they will look for me on ahead, and you yourself wouldn't know me.
WILSON:
But the mark on your hand?
GEORGE:
(Draws off his glove and shows scar.)
That is a parting mark of Mr.
Harris' regard. Looks interesting, doesn't it? (Puts on glove again.)
WILSON:
I declare, my very blood runs cold when I think of it—your condi-
tion and your risks!
GEORGE:
Mine has run cold a good many years; at present, it's about up to
the boiling point.
WILSON:
George, something has brought you out wonderfully. You hold up
your head, and move and speak like another man.
GEORGE:
(Proudly.)
Because I'm a freeman! Yes, sir; I've said “master” for
the last time to any man. I'm free!
WILSON:
Take care! You are not sure; you may be taken.
GEORGE:
All men are free and equal in the grave, if it comes to that, Mr.
Wilson.
(Enter Phineas.)
PHINEAS:
Them's my sentiment, to a teetotal atom, and I don't care who
knows it! Neighbor, the boat is ready, and the sooner we make tracks the better.
I've seen some mysterious strangers lurking about these diggings, so we'd better
put.
GEORGE:
Farewell, Mr. Wilson, and heaven reward you for the many
kindnesses you have shown the poor fugitive!
WILSON:
(Grasping his hand.)
Your're a brave fellow, George. I wish in my
heart you were safe through, though—that's what I do.
PHINEAS:
And ain't I the man of all creation to put him through, stranger?
Chaw me up if I don't take him to his dear little wife, in the smallest possible
quantity of time. Come, neighbor, let's vamose.
GEORGE:
Farewell, Mr. Wilson.
[Description: 916EAF. Page 096.]
My best wishes go with you, George. (Exit.)
PHINEAS:
You're a trump, old Slow-and-Easy.
GEORGE:
(Looking off.)
Look! look!
PHINEAS:
Consarn their picters, here they come! We can't get out of the
house without their seeing us. We're teetotally treed!
GEORGE:
Let us fight our way through them!
PHINEAS:
No, that won't do; there are too many of them for a fair
fight—we should be chawed up in no time. (Looks round and sees trap door.)
Holloa! here's a cellar door. Just you step down here a few minutes, while I
parley with them. (Lifts trap.)
GEORGE:
I am resolved to perish sooner than surrender! (Goes down trap.)
PHINEAS:
That's your sort! (Closes trap and stands on it.)
Here they are!
(Enter Haley, Marks, Loker and three Men.)
Say, stranger, you haven't seen a runaway darkey about these
parts, eh?
PHINEAS:
What kind of a darkey?
HALEY:
A mulatto chap, almost as light-complexioned as a white man.
PHINEAS:
Was he a pretty good-looking chap?
HALEY:
Yes.
PHINEAS:
Kind of tall?
HALEY:
Yes.
PHINEAS:
With brown hair?
HALEY:
Yes.
PHINEAS:
And dark eyes?
HALEY:
Yes.
PHINEAS:
Pretty well dressed?
HALEY:
Yes.
PHINEAS:
Scar on his right hand?
HALEY:
Yes, yes.
PHINEAS:
Well, I ain't seen him.
HALEY:
Oh, bother! Come, boys, let's search the house. (Exeunt.)
PHINEAS:
(Raises trap.)
Now, then, neighbor George. (George enters up trap.)
Now's the time to cut your lucky.
GEORGE:
Follow me, Phineas. (Exit.)
PHINEAS:
In a brace of shakes.(Is closing trap as Haley, Marks, Loker, etc., re-
enter.)
HALEY:
Ah! he's down in the cellar. Follow me, boys! (Thrusts Phineas aside,
and rushes down trap, followed by the others. Phineas closes trap and stands on
it.)
PHINEAS:
Chaw me up! but I've got 'em all in a trap. (Knocking below.)
Be
quiet, you pesky varmints! (Knocking.)
They're getting mighty oneasy. (Knock-
ing.)
Will you be quiet, you savagerous critters! (The trap is forced open. Haley
and Marks appear. Phineas seizes a chair and stands over trap—picture.)
Down
with you or I'll smash you into apple-fritters! (Tableau—closed in.)
| Uncle Tom's Cabin | |