Ge nee

 

nt ee atten re

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128 UNCLE 10M’S CABIN; OR,

head, so much for arms, and hands, and legs, and then so much
tor education, learning, talent, honesty, religion. Bless me! there
would be a small charge on the last, I'm thinking. But come, Eva,”
he said; and taking the hand of his daughter, he stepped across
the boat, and carelessly putting the tip of his finger under Tom’s
chin, said, good-humouredly, “Look up, Tom, and see how you
like your new master.”

Tom looked up. It was not in nature to look in that gay,
young, handsome face, without a feeling of pleasure ; and Tom
felt the tears start in his eyes as he said, heartily, ‘God bless
you, mas'r !”

‘Well, I hope he will. What’s your name? Tom? Quite as
likely to do it for your asking as mine, from all accounts. Can
you drive horses, ‘Tom ¢”

“‘ T’ve been allays used to horses,” said Tom. ‘ Mas’r Shelby
raised heaps on ‘em.”

** Well, I think I shall put you in coachy, on condition that you
won't be drunk more than once a week, uvless in cases of emer-
gency, Tom.”

Tom looked surprised, and rather hurt, and said, “I uever
drink, mas’r.”

“I've heard that story before, Tom; but then we'll see. It
will be a special accommodation to all concerned if you don’t.
Never mind, my boy,” he added good-humouredly, seeing Tom
still looked grave; “I don’t doubt you mean to do well.”

“T sartin do, mas’r,” said Tom.

“‘ And you shall have good times,” said Eva. “ Papa is very
good to everybody, only he always will laugh at them.”

‘* Papa is much obliged to you for his recommendation,” said
St. Clare laughing, as ke turned on his heel and walked away.

CHAPTER XV.
ON TOM'S NEW MASTER, AND VARIOUS OTHER MATTERS.

Srvce the thread of our humble hero’s life has now become in-
terwoven with that of higher ones, it is necessary to give some
brief introduction to them.

Augustine St. Clare was the son of a wealthy planter in
Louisiana. The family had its origin in Canada. Of two bro-
thers, very similar in temperament and character, one had settled
on a flourishing farm in Vermont, and the other b:came an opu-
lent planter in Louisiana. The mother of. Augustine was a
Huguenot French lady whose family had emigrated to Louisiana
during the days of its early settlement. Augustine and another