Harriet Beecher Stowe

Uncle Tom's Cabin Harriet Beecher Stowe

"It's strange, now, but I never could beat this into people's heads. Now, there was Tom Loker, my old partner, down in Natchez; he was a clever fellow, Tom was, only the very devil with niggers, -on principle 't was, you see, for a better hearted feller never broke bread; 't was his system, sir. I used to talk to Tom. 'Why, Tom, ' I used to say, 'when your gals takes on and cry, what's the use o' crackin on' 'em over the head, and knockin' on 'em round? It's ridiculous, ' says I, 'and don't do no sort o' good. Why, I don't see no harm in their cryin', ' says I; 'it's natur, ' says I, 'and if natur can't blow off one way, it will another. Besides, Tom, ' says I, 'it jest spiles your gals; they get sickly, and down in the mouth; and sometimes they gets ugly, -particular yallow gals do, -and it's the devil and all gettin' on 'em broke in. Now, ' says I, 'why can't you kinder coax 'em up, and speak 'em fair? Depend on it, Tom, a little humanity, thrown in along, goes a heap further than all your jawin' and crackin'; and it pays better, ' says I, 'depend on 't.' But Tom couldn't get the hang on 't; and he spiled so many for me, that I had to break off with him, though he was a good-hearted fellow, and as fair a business hand as