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356 UNCLE TOM’S CABIN; OR,

A

“No, no; bury it with him. It’s all I can give you now, poor
Tom, and you shall have it.”

They laid him in; and the men shovelled away silently. They
banked it up, and laid green turf over it.

“You may go, boys,” said George, slipping a quarter into the
hand of each. They lingered about, however. |

«Tf young mas’r would please buy us—’’ said one.

“ We'd serve him so faithful!” said the other.

“Hard times here, mas'r!” said the first. “Do, mas’, buy
us, please!”

“T can't!—I can't,” said George, with difficulty, motioning
them off; “it’s impossible!”

The poor fellows looked dejected, and walked off in silence.

“ Witness, eternal God,” said George, kneeling on the grave
of his poor friend, “ oh, witness that, from this hour, I will do
en one man can to drive out this curse of slavery from my

1”

There is no monument to mark the last resting-place of our
friend. He needs none. His Lord knows where he lies, and he
will raise him up immortal, to appear with him when he shall
appear in his glory.

Pity him not! Such a life and death is not for pity. Not in
the riches of omnipotence is the chief glory of God, but in self-
denying, suffering love. And blessed are the men whom he calls
to fellowship with him, bearing their cross after him with patience.
Of such it is written, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they
shall be comforted.’’

————

CHAPTER XLII.
e AN AUTHENTIC GHOST STORY.

For some remarkable reason, ghostly legends were uncommonly
rife about this time among the servants on Legree’s place.

It was whisperingly asserted that footsteps, in the dead of night,
had been heard descending the garret-stairs, and patrolling the
house. In vain the doors of the upper entry had been locked ;
the ghost either carried a duplicate key in its pocket, or availed
itself of a ghost’s immemorial privilege of coming through the
keyhole, and promenaded as before, with a freedom that was
alarming.

Authorities were somewhat divided as to the outward form of
the spirit, owing to a custom quite prevalent among negroes—and,
for aught we know, among whites too—of invariably shutting the