CHAPTER XLII
An Authentic Ghost Story part2
Cassy's health wasmuch better. She sat upon the guards, came to the table, and was remarked uponin the boat as a lady that must have been very handsome.
From the momentthat George got the first glimpse of her face, he was troubled with one ofthose fleeting and indefinite likenesses, which almost every body can remember,and has been, at times, perplexed with. He could not keep himself from lookingat her, and watching her perpetually. At table, or sitting at her state-roomdoor, still she would encounter the young man's eyes fixed on her, and politelywithdrawn, when she showed, by her countenance, that she was sensible to theobservation.
Cassy becameuneasy. She began to think that he suspected something; and finally resolved tothrow herself entirely on his generosity, and intrusted him with her wholehistory.
George was heartilydisposed to sympathize with any one who had escaped from Legree's plantation,—a place that he couldnot remember or speak of with patience,—and, with thecourageous disregard of consequences which is characteristic of his age andstate, he assured her that he would do all in his power to protect and bringthem through.
The next state-roomto Cassy's was occupied by a French lady, named De Thoux, who was accompaniedby a fine little daughter, a child of some twelve summers.
This lady, havinggathered, from George's conversation, that he was from Kentucky, seemedevidently disposed to cultivate his acquaintance; in which design she wasseconded by the graces of her little girl, who was about as pretty a playthingas ever diverted the weariness of a fortnight's trip on a steamboat.
George's chair wasoften placed at her state-room door; and Cassy, as she sat upon the guards,could hear their conversation.
Madame de Thoux wasvery minute in her inquiries as to Kentucky, where she said she had resided ina former period of her life. George discovered, to his surprise, that herformer residence must have been in his own vicinity; and her inquiries showed aknowledge of people and things in his vicinity, that was perfectly surprisingto him.
"Do youknow," said Madame de Thoux to him, one day, "of any man, in yourneighborhood, of the name of Harris?"
"There is anold fellow, of that name, lives not far from my father's place," saidGeorge. "We never have had much intercourse with him, though."
"He is a largeslave-owner, I believe," said Madame de Thoux, with a manner which seemedto betray more interest than she was exactly willing to show.
"He is,"said George, looking rather surprised at her manner.
"Did you everknow of his having—perhaps,you may have heard of his having a mulatto boy, named George?"
"O, certainly,—George Harris,—I know him well; he married a servant of my mother's, but hasescaped, now, to Canada."
"He has?"said Madame de Thoux, quickly. "Thank God!"
George looked asurprised inquiry, but said nothing.
Madame de Thouxleaned her head on her hand, and burst into tears.
"He is mybrother," she said.
"Madame!"said George, with a strong accent of surprise.
"Yes,"said Madame de Thoux, lifting her head, proudly, and wiping her tears,"Mr. Shelby, George Harris is my brother!"
"I amperfectly astonished," said George, pushing back his chair a pace or two,and looking at Madame de Thoux.
"I was sold tothe South when he was a boy," said she. "I was bought by a good andgenerous man. He took me with him to the West Indies, set me free, and marriedme. It is but lately that he died; and I was going up to Kentucky, to see if Icould find and redeem my brother."
"I heard himspeak of a sister Emily, that was sold South," said George.
"Yes, indeed!I am the one," said Madame de Thoux;—"tell me what sort of a—"
"A very fineyoung man," said George, "notwithstanding the curse of slavery thatlay on him. He sustained a first rate character, both for intelligence andprinciple. I know, you see," he said; "because he married in ourfamily."
"What sort ofa girl?" said Madame de Thoux, eagerly.
"Atreasure," said George; "a beautiful, intelligent, amiable girl. Verypious. My mother had brought her up, and trained her as carefully, almost, as adaughter. She could read and write, embroider and sew, beautifully; and was abeautiful singer."
"Was she bornin your house?" said Madame de Thoux.
"No. Fatherbought her once, in one of his trips to New Orleans, and brought her up as apresent to mother. She was about eight or nine years old, then. Father wouldnever tell mother what he gave for her; but, the other day, in looking over hisold papers, we came across the bill of sale. He paid an extravagant sum forher, to be sure. I suppose, on account of her extraordinary beauty."
George sat with hisback to Cassy, and did not see the absorbed expression of her countenance, ashe was giving these details.
At this point inthe story, she touched his arm, and, with a face perfectly white with interest,said, "Do you know the names of the people he bought her of?"
"A man of thename of Simmons, I think, was the principal in the transaction. At least, Ithink that was the name on the bill of sale."
"O, myGod!" said Cassy, and fell insensible on the floor of the cabin.
George was wideawake now, and so was Madame de Thoux. Though neither of them could conjecturewhat was the cause of Cassy's fainting, still they made all the tumult which isproper in such cases;—Georgeupsetting a wash-pitcher, and breaking two tumblers, in the warmth of hishumanity; and various ladies in the cabin, hearing that somebody had fainted,crowded the state-room door, and kept out all the air they possibly could, sothat, on the whole, everything was done that could be expected.
Poor Cassy! whenshe recovered, turned her face to the wall, and wept and sobbed like a child,—perhaps, mother, youcan tell what she was thinking of! Perhaps you cannot,—butshe felt as sure, in that hour, that God had had mercy on her, and that sheshould see her daughter,—as she did, months afterwards,—when—but we anticipate.
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