AWHISPERTOTHEREADER

Thereisnocharacter，howsoevergoodandfine，butitcanbedestroyedbyridicule，howsoeverpoorandwitless。

Observetheass，forinstance：hischaracterisaboutperfect，heisthechoicestspiritamongallthehumbleranimals，yetseewhatridiculehasbroughthimto。Insteadoffeelingcomplimentedwhenwearecalledanass，weareleftindoubt。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarApersonwhoisignorantoflegalmattersisalwaysliabletomakemistakeswhenhetriestophotographacourtscenewithhispen;

andsoIwasnotwillingtoletthelawchaptersinthisbookgotopresswithoutfirstsubjectingthemtorigidandexhaustingrevisionandcorrectionbyatrainedbarrister——ifthatiswhattheyarecalled。Thesechaptersareright，now，ineverydetail，fortheywererewrittenundertheimmediateeyeofWilliamHicks，whostudiedlawpartofawhileinsouthwestMissourithirty—fiveyearsagoandthencameoverheretoFlorenceforhishealthandisstillhelpingforexerciseandboardinMacaroniVermicelli’shorse—feedshed，whichisupthebackalleyasyouturnaroundthecorneroutofthePiazzadelDuomojustbeyondthehousewherethatstonethatDanteusedtositonsixhundredyearsagoisletintothewallwhenheletontobewatchingthembuildGiotto’scampanileandyetalwaysgottiredlookingasBeatricepassedalongonherwaytogetachunkofchestnutcaketodefendherselfwithincaseofaGhibellineoutbreakbeforeshegottoschool，atthesameoldstandwheretheysellthesameoldcaketothisdayanditisjustaslightandgoodasitwasthen，too，andthisisnotflattery，farfromit。

Hewasalittlerustyonhislaw，butherubbedupforthisbook，andthosetwoorthreelegalchaptersarerightandstraight，now。

Hetoldmesohimself。

GivenundermyhandthisseconddayofJanuary，1893，attheVillaViviani，villageofSettignano，threemilesbackofFlorence，onthehills——

thesamecertainlyaffordingthemostcharmingviewtobefoundonthisplanet，andwithitthemostdreamlikeandenchantingsunsetstobefoundinanyplanetoreveninanysolarsystem——andgiven，too，intheswellroomofthehouse，withthebustsofCerretanisenatorsandothergrandeesofthislinelookingapprovinglydownuponme，astheyusedtolookdownuponDante，andmutelyaskingmetoadoptthemintomyfamily，whichIdowithpleasure，formyremotestancestorsarebutspringchickenscomparedwiththeserobedandstatelyantiques，anditwillbeagreatandsatisfyingliftforme，thatsixhundredyearswill。

MarkTwain。

CHAPTER1

Pudd’nheadWinsHisNameTellthetruthortrump——butgetthetrick。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThesceneofthischronicleisthetownofDawson’sLanding，ontheMissourisideoftheMississippi，halfaday’sjourney，persteamboat，belowSt。Louis。

In1830itwasasnugcollectionofmodestone—andtwo—storyframedwellings，whosewhitewashedexteriorswerealmostconcealedfromsightbyclimbingtanglesofrosevines，honeysuckles，andmorningglories。Eachoftheseprettyhomeshadagardeninfrontfencedwithwhitepalingsandopulentlystockedwithhollyhocks，marigolds，touch—me—nots，prince’s—feathers，andotherold—fashionedflowers;

whileonthewindowsillsofthehousesstoodwoodenboxescontainingmossroseplantsandterra—cottapotsinwhichgrewabreedofgeraniumwhosespreadofintenselyredblossomsaccentedtheprevailingpinktintoftherose—cladhouse—frontlikeanexplosionofflame。Whentherewasroomontheledgeoutsideofthepotsandboxesforacat，thecatwasthere——

insunnyweather——stretchedatfulllength，asleepandblissful，withherfurrybellytothesunandapawcurvedoverhernose。

Thenthathousewascomplete，anditscontentmentandpeaceweremademanifesttotheworldbythissymbol，whosetestimonyisinfallible。

Ahomewithoutacat——andawell—fed，well—petted，andproperlyreveredcat——

maybeaperfecthome，perhaps，buthowcanitprovetitle？

Allalongthestreets，onbothsides，attheouteredgeofthebricksidewalks，stoodlocusttreeswithtrunksprotectedbywoodenboxing，andthesefurnishedshadeforsummerandasweetfragrancerinspring，whentheclustersofbudscameforth。Themainstreet，oneblockbackfromtheriver，andrunningparallelwithit，wasthesolebusinessstreet。Itwassixblockslong，andineachblocktwoorthreebrickstores，threestorieshigh，toweredaboveinterjectedbunchesoflittleframeshops。Swingingsignscreakedinthewindthestreet’swholelength。Thecandy—stripedpole，whichindicatesnobilityproudandancientalongthepalace—borderedcanalsofVenice，indicatedmerelythehumblebarbershopalongthemainstreetofDawson’sLanding。

Onachiefcornerstoodaloftyunpaintedpolewreathedfromtoptobottomwithtinpotsandpansandcups，thechieftinmonger’snoisynoticetotheworld（whenthewindblew）thathisshopwasonhandforbusinessatthatcorner。

Thehamlet’sfrontwaswashedbytheclearwatersofthegreatriver;

itsbodystretcheditselfrearwardupagentleincline;

itsmostrearwardborderfringeditselfoutandscattereditshousesaboutitsbaselineofthehills;thehillsrosehigh，enclosingthetowninahalf—mooncurve，clothedwithforestsfromfoottosummit。

Steamboatspassedupanddowneveryhourorso。ThosebelongingtothelittleCairolineandthelittleMemphislinealwaysstopped;

thebigOrleanslinersstoppedforhailsonly，ortolandpassengersorfreight;andthiswasthecasealsowiththegreatflotillaof"transients。"Theselattercameoutofadozenrivers——

theIllinois，theMissouri，theUpperMississippi，theOhio，theMonongahela，theTennessee，theRedRiver，theWhiteRiver，andsoon——andwereboundeverywhitherandstockedwitheveryimaginablecomfortornecessity，whichtheMississippi’scommunitiescouldwant，fromthefrostyFallsofSt。AnthonydownthroughnineclimatestotorridNewOrleans。

Dawson’sLandingwasaslaveholdingtown，witharich，slave—workedgrainandporkcountrybackofit。Thetownwassleepyandcomfortableandcontented。Itwasfiftyyearsold，andwasgrowingslowly——

veryslowly，infact，butstillitwasgrowing。

ThechiefcitizenwasYorkLeicesterDriscoll，aboutfortyyearsold，judgeofthecountycourt。HewasveryproudofhisoldVirginianancestry，andinhishospitalitiesandhisratherformalandstatelymanners，hekeptupitstraditions。Hewasfineandjustandgenerous。

Tobeagentleman——agentlemanwithoutstainorblemish——washisonlyreligion，andtoithewasalwaysfaithful。Hewasrespected，esteemed，andbelovedbyallofthecommunity。Hewaswelloff，andwasgraduallyaddingtohisstore。Heandhiswifewereverynearlyhappy，butnotquite，fortheyhadnochildren。Thelongingforthetreasureofachildhadgrownstrongerandstrongerastheyearsslippedaway，buttheblessingnevercame——andwasnevertocome。

Withthispairlivedthejudge’swidowedsister，Mrs。RachelPratt，andshealsowaschildless——childless，andsorrowfulforthatreason，andnottobecomforted。Thewomenweregoodandcommonplacepeople，anddidtheirduty，andhadtheirrewardinclearconsciencesandthecommunity’sapprobation。TheywerePresbyterians，thejudgewasafreethinker。

PembrokeHoward，lawyerandbachelor，agedalmostforty，wasanotheroldVirginiangrandeewithproveddescentfromtheFirstFamilies。

Hewasafine，majesticcreature，agentlemanaccordingtothenicestrequirementsoftheVirginiarule，adevotedPresbyterian，anauthorityonthe"code"，andamanalwayscourteouslyreadytostandupbeforeyouinthefieldifanyactorwordofhishadseemeddoubtfulorsuspicioustoyou，andexplainitwithanyweaponyoumightpreferfrombradawlstoartillery。

Hewasverypopularwiththepeople，andwasthejudge’sdearestfriend。

ThentherewasColonelCecilBurleighEssex，anotherF。F。V。

offormidablecaliber——however，withhimwehavenoconcern。

PercyNorthumberlandDriscoll，brothertothejudge，andyoungerthanhebyfiveyears，wasamarriedman，andhadhadchildrenaroundhishearthstone;buttheywereattackedindetailbymeasles，croup，andscarletfever，andthishadgiventhedoctorachancewithhiseffectiveantediluvianmethods;sothecradleswereempty。Hewasaprosperousman，withagoodheadforspeculations，andhisfortunewasgrowing。OnthefirstofFebruary，1830，twoboybabeswereborninhishouse;onetohim，onetooneofhisslavegirls，Roxanabyname。

Roxanawastwentyyearsold。Shewasupandaroundthesameday，withherhandsfull，forshewastendingbothbabes。

Mrs。PercyDriscolldiedwithintheweek。Roxyremainedinchargeofthechildren。Shehadherownway，forMr。Driscollsoonabsorbedhimselfinhisspeculationsandlefthertoherowndevices。

InthatsamemonthofFebruary，Dawson’sLandinggainedanewcitizen。

ThiswasMr。DavidWilson，ayoungfellowofScotchparentage。

HehadwanderedtothisremoteregionfromhisbirthplaceintheinterioroftheStateofNewYork，toseekhisfortune。Hewastwenty—fiveyearsold，collegebred，andhadfinishedapost—collegecourseinanEasternlawschoolacoupleofyearsbefore。

Hewasahomely，freckled，sandy—hairedyoungfellow，withanintelligentblueeyethathadfranknessandcomradeshipinitandacoverttwinkleofapleasantsort。Butforanunfortunateremarkofhis，hewouldnodoubthaveenteredatonceuponasuccessfulcareeratDawson’sLanding。

Buthemadehisfatalremarkthefirstdayhespentinthevillage，andit"gaged"him。Hehadjustmadetheacquaintanceofagroupofcitizenswhenaninvisibledogbegantoyelpandsnarlandhowlandmakehimselfverycomprehensivelydisagreeable，whereuponyoungWilsonsaid，muchasonewhoisthinkingaloud：

"IwishIownedhalfofthatdog。"

"Why？"somebodyasked。

"BecauseIwouldkillmyhalf。"

Thegroupsearchedhisfacewithcuriosity，withanxietyeven，butfoundnolightthere，noexpressionthattheycouldread。

Theyfellawayfromhimasfromsomethinguncanny，andwentintoprivacytodiscusshim。Onesaid：

"’Pearstobeafool。"

"’Pears？"saidanother。"_Is，_Ireckonyoubettersay。"

"Saidhewishedheowned_half_ofthedog，theidiot，"saidathird。

"Whatdidhereckonwouldbecomeoftheotherhalfifhekilledhishalf？

Doyoureckonhethoughtitwouldlive？"

"Why，hemusthavethoughtit，unlessheISthedownrightestfoolintheworld;becauseifhehadn’tthoughtit，hewouldhavewantedtoownthewholedog，knowingthatifhekilledhishalfandtheotherhalfdied，hewouldberesponsibleforthathalfjustthesameasifhehadkilledthathalfinsteadofhisown。Don’titlookthatwaytoyou，gents？"

"Yes，itdoes。Ifheownedonehalfofthegeneraldog，itwouldbeso;

ifheownedoneendofthedogandanotherpersonownedtheotherend，itwouldbeso，justthesame;particularlyinthefirstcase，becauseifyoukillonehalfofageneraldog，thereain’tanymanthatcantellwhosehalfitwas;butifheownedoneendofthedog，maybehecouldkillhisendofitand——"

"No，hecouldn’teither;hecouldn’tandnotberesponsibleiftheotherenddied，whichitwould。Inmyopinionthatmanain’tinhisrightmind。"

"Inmyopinionhehain’t_got_anymind。"

No。3said："Well，he’salummox，anyway。"

That’swhatheis;"saidNo。4。"He’salabrick——justaSimon—purelabrick，iftherewasone。"

"Yes，sir，he’sadamfool。That’sthewayIputhimup，"saidNo。5。

"Anybodycanthinkdifferentthatwantsto，butthosearemysentiments。"

"I’mwithyou，gentlemen，"saidNo。6。"Perfectjackass——yes，anditain’tgoingtoofartosayheisapudd’nhead。

Ifheain’tapudd’nhead，Iain’tnojudge，that’sall。"

Mr。Wilsonstoodelected。Theincidentwastoldalloverthetown，andgravelydiscussedbyeverybody。Withinaweekhehadlosthisfirstname;Pudd’nheadtookitsplace。Intimehecametobeliked，andwelllikedtoo;butbythattimethenicknamehadgotwellstuckon，anditstayed。Thatfirstday’sverdictmadehimafool，andhewasnotabletogetitsetaside，orevenmodified。Thenicknamesoonceasedtocarryanyharshorunfriendlyfeelingwithit，butithelditsplace，andwastocontinuetoholditsplacefortwentylongyears。

CHAPTER2

DriscollSparesHisSlavesAdamwasbuthuman——thisexplainsitall。Hedidnotwanttheapplefortheapple’ssake，hewanteditonlybecauseitwasforbidden。

Themistakewasinnotforbiddingtheserpent;thenhewouldhaveeatentheserpent。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarPudd’nheadWilsonhadatrifleofmoneywhenhearrived，andheboughtasmallhouseontheextremewesternvergeofthetown。

BetweenitandJudgeDriscoll’shousetherewasonlyagrassyyard，withapalingfencedividingthepropertiesinthemiddle。

Hehiredasmallofficedowninthetownandhungoutatinsignwiththesewordsonit：

DAVIDWILSON

ATTORNEYANDCOUNSELOR—AT—LAW

SURVEYING，CONVEYANCING，ETC。

Buthisdeadlyremarkhadruinedhischance——atleastinthelaw。

Noclientscame。Hetookdownhissign，afterawhile，andputituponhisownhousewiththelawfeaturesknockedoutofit。

Itofferedhisservicesnowinthehumblecapacitiesoflandsurveyorandexpertaccountant。Nowandthenhegotajobofsurveyingtodo，andnowandthenamerchantgothimtostraightenouthisbooks。

WithScotchpatienceandpluckheresolvedtolivedownhisreputationandworkhiswayintothelegalfieldyet。Poorfellow，hecouldforeseethatitwasgoingtotakehimsuchawearylongtimetodoit。

Hehadarichabundanceofidletime，butitneverhungheavyonhishands，forheinterestedhimselfineverynewthingthatwasbornintotheuniverseofideas，andstudiedit，andexperimenteduponitathishouse。

Oneofhispetfadswaspalmistry。Toanotheronehegavenoname，neitherwouldheexplaintoanybodywhatitspurposewas，butmerelysaiditwasanamusement。Infact，hehadfoundthathisfadsaddedtohisreputationasapudd’nhead;there，hewasgrowingcharyofbeingtoocommunicativeaboutthem。Thefadwithoutanamewasonewhichdealtwithpeople’sfingermarks。Hecarriedinhiscoatpocketashallowboxwithgroovesinit，andinthegroovesstripsofglassfiveincheslongandthreeincheswide。Alongtheloweredgeofeachstripwaspastedaslipofwhitepaper。Heaskedpeopletopasstheirhandsthroughtheirhair（thuscollectinguponthemathincoatingofthenaturaloil）andthenmakingathumb—markonaglassstrip，followingitwiththemarkoftheballofeachfingerinsuccession。Underthisrowoffaintgreaseprintshewouldwritearecordonthestripofwhitepaper——thus：

JOHNSMITH，righthand——

andaddthedayofthemonthandtheyear，thentakeSmith’slefthandonanotherglassstrip，andaddnameanddateandthewords"lefthand。"

Thestripswerenowreturnedtothegroovedbox，andtooktheirplaceamongwhatWilsoncalledhis"records。"

Heoftenstudiedhisrecords，examiningandporingoverthemwithabsorbinginterestuntilfarintothenight;butwhathefoundthere——

ifhefoundanything——herevealedtonoone。Sometimeshecopiedonpapertheinvolvedanddelicatepatternleftbytheballofthefinger，andthenvastlyenlargeditwithapantographsothathecouldexamineitswebofcurvinglineswitheaseandconvenience。

Oneswelteringafternoon——itwasthefirstdayofJuly，1830——

hewasatworkoverasetoftangledaccountbooksinhisworkroom，whichlookedwestwardoverastretchofvacantlots，whenaconversationoutsidedisturbedhim。Itwascarriedonityells，whichshowedthatthepeopleengagedinitwerenotclosetogether。

"Say，Roxy，howdoesyo’babycomeon？"Thisfromthedistantvoice。

"Fust—rate。Howdoes_you_comeon，Jasper？"Thisyellwasfromcloseby。

"Oh，I’smiddlin’;hain’tgotnoth’n’tocomplainof，I’sgwinetocomea—court’nyoubimeby，Roxy。"

"_You_is，youblackmudcat！Yah——yah——yah！Igotsomep’n’bettertododen’sociat’n’widniggersasblackasyouis。IsoleMissCooper’sNancydonegiveyoudemitten？"Roxyfollowedthissallywithanotherdischargeofcarefreelaughter。

"You’sjealous，Roxy，dat’swhat’sdematterwidyou，youhussy——yah——yah——yah！Dat’sdetimeIgotyou！"

"Oh，yes，_you_gotme，hain’tyou。’Clahtogoodnessifdatconceito’yo’nstrikesin，Jasper，itgwinetokillyousho’。Ifyoub’longedtome，I’dsellyoudownderiver’fo’yougittoofurgone。

FusttimeIrunsacrostyo’marster，I’sgwinetotellhimso。"

Thisidleandaimlessjabberwentonandon，bothpartiesenjoyingthefriendlyduelandeachwellsatisfiedwithhisownshareofthewitexchanged——forwittheyconsideredit。

Wilsonsteppedtothewindowtoobservethecombatants;hecouldnotworkwhiletheirchattercontinued。OverinthevacantlotswasJasper，young，coalblack，andofmagnificentbuild，sittingonawheelbarrowinthepeltingsun——atwork，supposably，whereashewasinfactonlypreparingforitbytakinganhour’srestbeforebeginning。InfrontofWilson’sporchstoodRoxy，withalocalhandmadebabywagon，inwhichsathertwocharges——oneateachendandfacingeachother。

FromRoxy’smannerofspeech，astrangerwouldhaveexpectedhertobeblack，butshewasnot。Onlyonesixteenthofherwasblack，andthatsixteenthdidnotshow。Shewasofmajesticformandstature，herattitudeswereimposingandstatuesque，andhergesturesandmovementsdistinguishedbyanobleandstatelygrace。Hercomplexionwasveryfair，withtherosyglowofvigoroushealthinhercheeks，herfacewasfullofcharacterandexpression，hereyeswerebrownandliquid，andshehadaheavysuitoffinesofthairwhichwasalsobrown，butthefactwasnotapparentbecauseherheadwasboundaboutwithacheckeredhandkerchiefandthehairwasconcealedunderit。Herfacewasshapely，intelligent，andcomely——evenbeautiful。Shehadaneasy，independentcarriage——whenshewasamongherowncaste——andahighand"sassy"way，withal;butofcourseshewasmeekandhumbleenoughwherewhitepeoplewere。

ToallintentsandpurposesRoxywasaswhiteasanybody，buttheonesixteenthofherwhichwasblackoutvotedtheotherfifteenpartsandmadeheraNegro。Shewasaslave，andsalableassuch。Herchildwasthirty—onepartswhite，andhe，too，wasaslave，andbyafictionoflawandcustomaNegro。Hehadblueeyesandflaxencurlslikehiswhitecomrade，buteventhefatherofthewhitechildwasabletotellthechildrenapart——littleashehadcommercewiththem——bytheirclothes;

forthewhitebabeworeruffledsoftmuslinandacoralnecklace，whiletheotherworemerelyacoarsetow—linenshirtwhichbarelyreachedtoitsknees，andnojewelry。

Thewhitechild’snamewasThomasaBecketDriscoll，theother’snamewasValetdeChambre：nosurname——slaveshadn’ttheprivilege。

Roxanahadheardthatphrasesomewhere，thefinesoundofithadpleasedherear，andasshehadsupposeditwasaname，sheloadeditontoherdarling。

Itsoongotshortedto"Chambers，"ofcourse。

WilsonknewRoxybysight，andwhentheduelofwitsbeguntoplayout，hesteppedoutsidetogatherinarecordortwo。Jasperwenttoworkenergetically，atonce，perceivingthathisleisurewasobserved。

Wilsoninspectedthechildrenandasked：

"Howoldarethey，Roxy？"

"Bofedesameage，sir——fivemonths。Bawndefusto’Feb’uary。"

"They’rehandsomelittlechaps。One’sjustashandsomeastheother，too。"

Adelightedsmileexposedthegirl’swhiteteeth，andshesaid：

"Blessyo’soul，MistoWilson，it’spow’fulniceo’youtosaydat，’ca’seoneof’emain’ton’yanigger。Mightyprimelittlenigger，_I_al’ayssays，butdat’s’ca’seit’smine，o’course。"

"Howdoyoutellthemapart，Roxy，whentheyhaven’tanyclotheson？"

Roxylaughedalaughproportionedtohersize，andsaid：

"Oh，_I_kintell’em’part，MistoWilson，butIbetMarsePercycouldn’t，nottosavehislife。"

Wilsonchattedalongforawhile，andpresentlygotRoxy’sfingerprintsforhiscollection——righthandandleft——onacoupleofhisglassstrips;

thenlabeledanddatedthem，andtookthe"records"ofbothchildren，andlabeledanddatedthemalso。

Twomonthslater，onthethirdofSeptember，hetookthistriooffingermarksagain。Helikedtohavea"series，"twoorthree"takings"

atintervalsduringtheperiodofchildhood，thesetobefollowedatintervalsofseveralyears。

Thenextday——thatistosay，onthefourthofSeptember——somethingoccurredwhichprofoundlyimpressedRoxana。Mr。Driscollmissedanothersmallsumofmoney——whichisawayofsayingthatthiswasnotanewthing，buthadhappenedbefore。Intruth，ithadhappenedthreetimesbefore。

Driscoll’spatiencewasexhausted。Hewasafairlyhumanemantowardslavesandotheranimals;hewasanexceedinglyhumanemantowardtheerringofhisownrace。Thefthecouldnotabide，andplainlytherewasathiefinhishouse。NecessarilythethiefmustbeoneofhisNegros。

Sharpmeasuresmustbetaken。Hecalledhisservantsbeforehim。

Therewerethreeofthese，besidesRoxy：aman，awoman，andaboytwelveyearsold。Theywerenotrelated。Mr。Driscollsaid：

"Youhaveallbeenwarnedbefore。Ithasdonenogood。ThistimeI

willteachyoualesson。Iwillsellthethief。Whichofyouistheguiltyone？"

Theyallshudderedatthethreat，forheretheyhadagoodhome，andanewonewaslikelytobeachangefortheworse。Thedenialwasgeneral。Nonehadstolenanything——notmoney，anyway——alittlesugar，orcake，orhoney，orsomethinglikethat，that"MarsePercywouldn’tmindormiss"butnotmoney——neveracentofmoney。Theywereeloquentintheirprotestations，butMr。Driscollwasnotmovedbythem。

Heansweredeachinturnwithastern"Namethethief！"

Thetruthwas，allwereguiltybutRoxana;shesuspectedthattheotherswereguilty，butshedidnotknowthemtobeso。Shewashorrifiedtothinkhownearshehadcometobeingguiltyherself;shehadbeensavedinthenickoftimebyarevivalinthecoloredMethodistChurch，afortnightbefore，atwhichtimeandplaceshe"gotreligion。"

Theverynextdayafterthatgraciousexperience，whileherchangeofstylewasfreshuponherandshewasvainofherpurifiedcondition，hermasterleftacoupledollarsunprotectedonhisdesk，andshehappeneduponthattemptationwhenshewaspolishingaroundwithadustrag。

Shelookedatthemoneyawhilewithasteadyrisingresentment，thensheburstoutwith：

"Dadblamedatrevival，Iwishtithad’a’be’nputofftilltomorrow！"

Thenshecoveredthetempterwithabook，andanothermemberofthekitchencabinetgotit。Shemadethissacrificeasamatterofreligiousetiquette;asathingnecessaryjustnow，butbynomeanstobewrestedintoaprecedent;no，aweekortwowouldlimberupherpiety，thenshewouldberationalagain，andthenexttwodollarsthatgotleftoutinthecoldwouldfindacomforter——andshecouldnamethecomforter。

Wasshebad？Wassheworsethanthegeneralrunofherrace？No。

Theyhadanunfairshowinthebattleoflife，andtheyhelditnosintotakemilitaryadvantageoftheenemy——inasmallway;inasmallway，butnotinalargeone。Theywouldsmouchprovisionsfromthepantrywhenevertheygotachance;orabrassthimble，oracakeofwax，oranemerybag，orapaperofneedles，orasilverspoon，oradollarbill，orsmallarticlesofclothing，oranyotherpropertyoflightvalue;

andsofarweretheyfromconsideringsuchreprisalssinful，thattheywouldgotochurchandshoutandpraytheloudestandsincerestwiththeirplunderintheirpockets。Afarmsmokehousehadtobekeptheavilypadlocked，oreventhecoloreddeaconhimselfcouldnotresistahamwhenProvidenceshowedhiminadream，orotherwise，wheresuchathinghunglonesome，andlongedforsomeonetolove。Butwithahundredhangingbeforehim，thedeaconwouldnottaketwo——thatis，onthesamenight。

OnfrostynightsthehumaneNegroprowlerwouldwarmtheendoftheplankandputitupunderthecoldclawsofchickensroostinginatree;

adrowsyhenwouldstepontothecomfortableboard，softlycluckinghergratitude，andtheprowlerwoulddumpherintohisbag，andlaterintohisstomach，perfectlysurethatintakingthistriflefromthemanwhodailyrobbedhimofaninestimabletreasure——hisliberty——hewasnotcommittinganysinthatGodwouldrememberagainsthimintheLastGreatDay。

"Namethethief！"

ForthefourthtimeMr。Driscollhadsaidit，andalwaysinthesamehardtone。Andnowheaddedthesewordsofawfulimport：

"Igiveyouoneminute。"Hetookouthiswatch。"Ifattheendofthattime，youhavenotconfessed，Iwillnotonlysellallfourofyou，BUT——IwillsellyouDOWNTHERIVER！"

Itwasequivalenttocondemningthemtohell！NoMissouriNegrodoubtedthis。Roxyreeledinhertracks，andthecolorvanishedoutofherface;theothersdroppedtotheirkneesasiftheyhadbeenshot;

tearsgushedfromtheireyes，theirsupplicatinghandswentup，andthreeanswerscameintheoneinstant。

"Idoneit！"

"Idoneit！"

"Idoneit！——havemercy，marster——Lordhavemercyonuspo’niggers！"

"Verygood，"saidthemaster，puttinguphiswatch，"Iwillsellyou_here_thoughyoudon’tdeserveit。Yououghttobesolddowntheriver。"

Theculpritsflungthemselvesprone，inanecstasyofgratitude，andkissedhisfeet，declaringthattheywouldneverforgethisgoodnessandneverceasetoprayforhimaslongastheylived。

Theyweresincere，forlikeagodhehadstretchedforthhismightyhandandclosedthegatesofhellagainstthem。Heknew，himself，thathehaddoneanobleandgraciousthing，andwasprivatelywellpleasedwithhismagnanimity;andthatnighthesettheincidentdowninhisdiary，sothathissonmightreaditinafteryears，andbetherebymovedtodeedsofgentlenessandhumanityhimself。

CHAPTER3

RoxyPlaysaShrewdTrickWhoeverhaslivedlongenoughtofindoutwhatlifeis，knowshowdeepadebtofgratitudeweowetoAdam，thefirstgreatbenefactorofourrace。Hebroughtdeathintotheworld。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarPercyDriscollsleptwellthenighthesavedhishouseminionsfromgoingdowntheriver，butnowinkofsleepvisitedRoxy’seyes。

Aprofoundterrorhadtakenpossessionofher。Herchildcouldgrowupandbesolddowntheriver！Thethoughtcrazedherwithhorror。

Ifshedozedandlostherselfforamoment，thenextmomentshewasonherfeetflyingtoherchild’scradletoseeifitwasstillthere。

Thenshewouldgatherittoherheartandpouroutherloveuponitinafrenzyofkisses，moaning，crying，andsaying，"Deysha’n’t，oh，dey_sha’nt’！’_——yo’po’mammywillkillyoufust！"

Once，whenshewastuckinghimbackinitscradleagain，theotherchildnestledinitssleepandattractedherattention。Shewentandstoodoveritalongtimecommuningwithherself。

"Whathasmypo’babydone，dathecouldn’thaveyo’luck？

Hehain’tdonenuth’n。Godwasgoodtoyou;whywarn’thegoodtohim？

Deycan’tsell_you_downderiver。Ihatesyo’pappy;hehain’tgotnoheart——forniggers，hehain’t，anyways。Ihateshim，enIcouldkillhim！"Shepausedawhile，thinking;thensheburstintowildsobbingsagain，andturnedaway，saying，"Oh，Igottokillmychile，deyain’tnoyutherway——killin’_him_wouldn’tsavedechilefumgoin’

downderiver。Oh，Igottodoit，yo’po’mammy’sgottokillyoutosaveyou，honey。"Shegatheredherbabytoherbosomnow，andbegantosmotheritwithcaresses。"Mammy’sgottokillyou——how_kin_Idoit！

Butyo’mammyain’tgwinetodesertyou——no，no，_dah_，don’tcry——

shegwine_wid_you，shegwinetokillherselftoo。Comealong，honey，comealongwidmammy;wegwinetojumpinderiver，dentroubleso’disworl’isallover——deydon’tsellpo’niggersdowntheriverover_yonder_。"

Shestaredtowardthedoor，crooningtothechildandhushingit;

midwayshestopped，suddenly。ShehadcaughtsightofhernewSundaygown——

acheapcurtain—calicothing，aconflagrationofgaudycolorsandfantasticfigures。Shesurveyeditwistfully，longingly。

"Hain’teverworeityet，"shesaid，"enit’sjustlovely。"

Thenshenoddedherheadinresponsetoapleasantidea，andadded，"No，Iain’tgwinetobefishedout，wideverybodylookin’atme，indismis’ableolelinsey—woolsey。"

Sheputdownthechildandmadethechange。Shelookedintheglassandwasastonishedatherbeauty。Sheresolvedtomakeherdeathtoiletperfect。

Shetookoffherhandkerchiefturbananddressedherglossywealthofhair"likewhitefolks";sheaddedsomeoddsandendsofratherluridribbonandasprayofatrociousartificialflowers;finallyshethrewoverhershouldersafluffythingcalleda"cloud"inthatday，whichwasofablazingredcomplexion。Thenshewasreadyforthetomb。

Shegatheredupherbabyoncemore;butwhenhereyefelluponitsmiserablyshortlittlegraytow—linenshirtandnotedthecontrastbetweenitspaupershabbinessandherownvolcaniceruptionofinfernalsplendors，hermother—heartwastouched，andshewasashamed。

"No，dollingmammyain’tgwinetotreatyouso。Deangelsisgwineto’mireyoujistasmuchasdeydoes’yomammy。Ain’tgwinetohave’emputt’ndeyhan’sup’fo’deyeyesensayin’toDavidandGoliahendemyutherprophets，’Datchileisdress’toindelicatefo’displace。’"

Bythistimeshehadstrippedofftheshirt。NowsheclothedthenakedlittlecreatureinoneofThomas`aBecket’ssnowy，longbabygowns，withitsbrightbluebowsanddaintyflummeryofruffles。

"Dah——nowyou’sfixed。"Sheproppedthechildinachairandstoodofftoinspectit。Straightwayhereyesbeguntowidenwithastonishmentandadmiration，andsheclappedherhandsandcriedout，"Why，itdobeatall！I_never_knowedyouwassolovely。

MarseTommyain’tabitputtier——notasinglebit。"

Shesteppedoverandglancedattheotherinfant;’sheflungaglancebackatherown;thenonemoreattheheirofthehouse。Nowastrangelightdawnedinhereyes，andinamomentshewaslostinthought。

Sheseemedinatrance;whenshecameoutofit，shemuttered，"WhenI’uza—washin’’emindetub，yistiddy，heownpappyaskedmewhichof’emwashis’n。"

Shebegantomovearoundlikeoneinadream。SheundressedThomas`aBecket，strippinghimofeverything，andputthetow—linenshirtonhim。Sheputhiscoralnecklaceonherownchild’sneck。

Thensheplacedthechildrensidebyside，andafterearnestinspectionshemuttered：

"Nowwhowouldb’lieveclo’escoulddodelikeo’dat？Dogmycatsifitain’tall_I_kindototellt’otherfumwhich，letalonehispappy。"

SheputhercubinTommy’selegantcradleandsaid：

"You’syoungMarse_Tom_fumdisout，enIgottopracticeandgitusedto’memberin’tocallyoudat，honey，orI’sgwinetomakeamistakesometimeengitusbofeintotrouble。Dah——nowyoulaystillendon’tfretnomo’，MarseTom。Oh，thankdelordinheaven，you’ssaved，you’ssaved！Deyain’tnomankineversellmammy’spo’littlehoneydownderivernow！"

Sheputtheheirofthehouseinherownchild’sunpaintedpinecradle，andsaid，contemplatingitsslumberingformuneasily：

"I’ssorryforyou，honey;I’ssorry，GodknowsIis——butwhat_kin_Ido，what_could_Ido？Yo’pappywouldsellhimtosomebody，sometime，endenhe’dgodownderiver，sho’，enIcouldn’t，couldn’t，_couldn’t_stan’it。"

Sheflungherselfonherbedandbegantothinkandtoss，tossandthink。

Byandbyshesatsuddenlyupright，foracomfortingthoughthadflownthroughherworriedmind——

"’Tain’tnosin——_white_folkshasdoneit！Itain’tnosin，glorytogoodnessitain’tnosin！_Dey’s_doneit——yes，endeywasdebiggestqualityindewholebilin’，too——_kings！"_

Shebegantomuse;shewastryingtogatheroutofhermemorythedimparticularsofsometaleshehadheardsometimeorother。

Atlastshesaid——

"NowI’sgotit;nowI’member。Itwasdatoleniggerpreacherdattoleit，detimehecomeoverherefumIllinoisenpreachedindeniggerchurch。Hesaiddeyain’tnobodykinsavehisownself——

can’tdoitbyfaith，can’tdoitbyworks，can’tdoitnowayatall。

Freegraceisde_on’y_way，endatdon’tcomefumnobodybutjis’deLord;

en_he_kingiveittoanybodyHeplease，saintorsinner——_he_don’tkyer。

Hedojis’asHe’samineter。Hes’lectoutanybodydatsuitHim，enputanotheroneinhisplace，andmakedefustonehappyforeverenleavet’otheronetoburnwidSatan。DepreachersaiditwasjistlikedeydoneinEnglan’onetime，longtimeago。Dequeenshelef’

herbabylayin’aroun’oneday，enwentoutcallin’;anone’odeniggersroun’boutdeplacedatwas’mos’white，shecomeinenseedechilelayin’aroun’，entuckenputherownchile’sclo’sondequeen’schile，enputdequeen’schile’sclo’esonherownchile，endenlef’herownchilelayin’aroun’，entuckentoteddequeen’schilehometodeniggerquarter，ennobodyeverfoun’itout，enherchilewasdekingbimeby，ensoledequeen’schiledownderiveronetimewhendeyhadtosettleupdeestate。Dah，now——depreachersaidithisownself，enitain’tnosin，’ca’sewhitefolksdoneit。

DEYdoneit——yes，DEYdoneit;ennoton’yjis’commonwhitefolksnuther，butdebiggestqualitydeyisindewholebilin’。_Oh_，I’s_so_gladI

’member’boutdat！"

Shegotlightheartedandhappy，andwenttothecradles，andspentwhatwasleftofthenight"practicing。"Shewouldgiveherownchildalightpatandsayhumbly，"Laystill，MarseTom，"thengivetherealTomapatandsaywithseverity，"Lay_still_，Chambers！Doesyouwantmetotakesomep’n_to_you？"

Assheprogressedwithherpractice，shewassurprisedtoseehowsteadilyandsurelytheawewhichhadkepthertonguereverentandhermannerhumbletowardheryoungmasterwastransferringitselftoherspeechandmannertowardtheusurper，andhowsimilarlyhandyshewasbecomingintransferringhermotherlycurtnessofspeechandperemptorinessofmannertotheunluckyheiroftheancienthouseofDriscoll。

Shetookoccasionalrestsfrompracticing，andabsorbedherselfincalculatingherchances。

"Dey’llselldeseniggerstodayfo’stealin’demoney，dendey’llbuysomemo’datdon’tnowdechillen——so_dat’s_allright。WhenItakesdechillenouttogitdeair，deminuteI’sroun’decornerI’sgwinetogaumdeymouthsallroun’widjam，dendeycan’t_nobody_noticedey’schanged。Yes，IgwineterdodattillI’ssafe，ifit’sayear。

"Deyain’tbutonemandatI’safeardof，endat’sdatPudd’nheadWilson。

Deycallshimapudd’nhead，ensayshe’safool。Mylan，datmanain’tnomo’fooldenIis！He’sdesmartes’manindistown，lessn’it’sJedgeDriscollormaybePemHoward。Blamedatman，heworriesmewiddemorneryglasseso’his’n;_I_b’lievehe’sawitch。

Butnemmine，I’sgwinetohappenaroun’dahoneo’desedaysenletondatIreckonhewantstoprintachillen’sfingersag’in;enifHE

don’tnoticedey’schanged，Ibounddeyain’tnobodygwinetonoticeit，endenI’ssafe，sho’。ButIreckonI’lltotealongahoss—shoetokeepoffdewitchwork。"

ThenewNegrosgaveRoxynotrouble，ofcourse。Themastergavehernone，foroneofhisspeculationswasinjeopardy，andhismindwassooccupiedthathehardlysawthechildrenwhenhelookedatthem，andallRoxyhadtodowastogetthembothintoagaleoflaughterwhenhecameabout;thentheirfacesweremainlycavitiesexposinggums，andhewasgoneagainbeforethespasmpassedandthelittlecreaturesresumedahumanaspect。

WithinafewdaysthefateofthespeculationbecamesodubiousthatMr。Percywentawaywithhisbrother，thejudge，toseewhatcouldbedonewithit。Itwasalandspeculationasusual，andithadgottencomplicatedwithalawsuit。Themenweregonesevenweeks。Beforetheygotback，RoxyhadpaidhervisittoWilson，andwassatisfied。

Wilsontookthefingerprints，labeledthemwiththenamesandwiththedate——

Octoberthefirst——putthemcarefullyaway，andcontinuedhischatwithRoxy，whoseemedveryanxiousthatheshouldadmirethegreatadvanceinfleshandbeautywhichthebabeshadmadesincehetooktheirfingerprintsamonthbefore。Hecomplimentedtheirimprovementtohercontentment;andastheywerewithoutanydisguiseofjamorotherstain，shetrembledallthewhileandwasmiserablyfrightenedlestatanymomenthe——

Buthedidn’t。Hediscoverednothing;andshewenthomejubilant，anddroppedallconcernaboutthematterpermanentlyoutofhermind。

CHAPTER4

TheWaysoftheChangelingsAdamandEvehadmanyadvantages，buttheprincipalonewas，thattheyescapedteething。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThereisthistroubleaboutspecialprovidences——namely，thereissooftenadoubtastowhichpartywasintendedtobethebeneficiary。

Inthecaseofthechildren，thebears，andtheprophet，thebearsgotmorerealsatisfactionoutoftheepisodethantheprophetdid，becausetheygotthechildren。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThishistorymusthenceforthaccommodateitselftothechangewhichRoxanahasconsummated，andcalltherealheir"Chambers"andtheusurpinglittleslave，"Thomas`aBecket"——shorteningthislatternameto"Tom，"fordailyuse，asthepeopleabouthimdid。

"Tom"wasabadbaby，fromtheverybeginningofhisusurpation。

Hewouldcryfornothing;hewouldburstintostormsofdevilishtemperwithoutnotice，andletgoscreamafterscreamandsquallaftersquall，thenclimaxthethingwith"holdinghisbreath"——

thatfrightfulspecialtyoftheteethingnursling，inthethroesofwhichthecreatureexhaustsitslungs，thenisconvulsedwithnoiselesssquirmingsandtwistingsandkickingsintheefforttogetitsbreath，whilethelipsturnblueandthemouthstandswideandrigid，offeringforinspectiononeweetoothsetinthelowerrimofahoopofredgums;andwhentheappallingstillnesshasendureduntiloneissurethelostbreathwillneverreturn，anursecomesflying，anddasheswaterinthechild’sface，and——presto！thelungsfill，andinstantlydischargeashriek，orayell，orahowlwhichburststhelisteningearandsurprisestheownerofitintosayingwordswhichwouldnotgowellwithahaloifhehadone。ThebabyTomwouldclawanybodywhocamewithinreachofhisnails，andpoundanybodyhecouldreachwithhisrattle。Hewouldscreamforwateruntilhegotit，andthenthrowcupandallonthefloorandscreamformore。

Hewasindulgedinallhiscaprices，howsoevertroublesomeandexasperatingtheymightbe;hewasallowedtoeatanythinghewanted，particularlythingsthatwouldgivehimthestomach—ache。

Whenhegottobeoldenoughtobegintotoddleaboutandsaybrokenwordsandgetanideaofwhathishandswerefor，hewasamoreconsummatepestthanever。Roxygotnorestwhilehewasawake。

Hewouldcallforanythingandeverythinghesaw，simplysaying，"Awntit！"（wantit），whichwasacommand。Whenitwasbrought，hesaidinafrenzy，andmotioningitawaywithhishands，"Don’tawntit！don’tawntit！"andthemomentitwasgonehesetupfranticyellsof"Awntit！awntit！"andRoxyhadtogivewingstoherheelstogetthatthingbacktohimagainbeforehecouldgettimetocarryouthisintentionofgoingintoconvulsionsaboutit。

Whathepreferredaboveallotherthingswasthetongs。

Thiswasbecausehis"father"hadforbiddenhimtohavethemlesthebreakwindowsandfurniturewiththem。ThemomentRoxy’sbackwasturnedhewouldtoddletothepresenceofthetongsandsay，"Likeit！"andcockhiseyetoonesideorseeifRoxywasobserved;

then，"Awntit！"andcockhiseyeagain;then，"Habit！"withanotherfurtiveglace;andfinally，"Takeit！"——andtheprizewashis。

Thenextmomenttheheavyimplementwasraisedaloft;thenext，therewasacrashandasquall，andthecatwasoffonthreelegstomeetanengagement;Roxywouldarrivejustasthelamporawindowwenttoirremediablesmash。

Tomgotallthepetting，Chambersgotnone。Tomgotallthedelicacies，Chambersgotmushandmilk，andclabberwithoutsugar。InconsequenceTomwasasicklychildandChamberswasn’t。Tomwas"fractious，"asRoxycalledit，andoverbearing;Chamberswasmeekanddocile。

Withallhersplendidcommonsenseandpracticaleverydayability，Roxywasadotingfoolofamother。Shewasthistowardherchild——

andshewasalsomorethanthis：bythefictioncreatedbyherself，hewasbecomehermaster;thenecessityofrecognizingthisrelationoutwardlyandofperfectingherselfintheformsrequiredtoexpresstherecognition，hadmovedhertosuchdiligenceandfaithfulnessinpracticingtheseformsthatthisexercisesoonconcreteditselfintohabit;

itbecameautomaticandunconscious;thenanaturalresultfollowed：

deceptionsintendedsolelyforothersgraduallygrewpracticallyintoself—deceptionsaswell;themockreverencebecamerealreverence，themockhomagerealhomage;thelittlecounterfeitriftofseparationbetweenimitation—slaveandimitation—masterwidenedandwidened，andbecameanabyss，andaveryrealone——andononesideofitstoodRoxy，thedupeofherowndeceptions，andontheotherstoodherchild，nolongerausurpertoher，butheracceptedandrecognizedmaster。Hewasherdarling，hermaster，andherdeityallinone，andinherworshipofhimsheforgotwhoshewasandwhathehadbeen。

InbabyhoodTomcuffedandbangedandscratchedChambersunrebuked，andChambersearlylearnedthatbetweenmeeklybearingitandresentingit，theadvantagealllaywiththeformerpolicy。

Thefewtimesthathispersecutionshadmovedhimbeyondcontrolandmadehimfightbackhadcosthimverydearatheadquarters;

notatthehandsofRoxy，forifsheeverwentbeyondscoldinghimsharplyfor"forgett’n’whohisyoungmarsterwas，"sheatleastneverextendedherpunishmentbeyondaboxontheear。

No，PercyDriscollwastheperson。HetoldChambersthatundernoprovocationwhateverwasheprivilegedtolifthishandagainsthislittlemaster。Chambersoversteppedthelinethreetimes，andgotthreesuchconvincingcaningsfromthemanwhowashisfatheranddidn’tknowit，thathetookTom’scrueltiesinallhumilityafterthat，andmadenomoreexperiments。

Outsidethehousethetwoboysweretogetherallthroughtheirboyhood。Chamberswasstrongbeyondhisyears，andagoodfighter;

strongbecausehewascoarselyfedandhardworkedaboutthehouse，andagoodfighterbecauseTomfurnishedhimplentyofpractice——

onwhiteboyswhomhehatedandwasafraidof。Chamberswashisconstantbodyguard，toandfromschool;hewaspresentontheplaygroundatrecesstoprotecthischarge。Hefoughthimselfintosuchaformidablereputation，byandby，thatTomcouldhavechangedclotheswithhim，and"riddeninpeace，"likeSirKayinLauncelot’sarmor。

Hewasgoodatgamesofskill，too。Tomstakedhimwithmarblestoplay"keeps"with，andthentookallthewinningsawayfromhim。

InthewinterseasonChamberswasonhand，inTom’sworn—outclothes，with"holy"redmittens，and"holy"shoes，andpants"holy"atthekneesandseat，todragasledupthehillforTom，warmlyclad，toridedownon;buthenevergotaridehimself。HebuiltsnowmenandsnowfortificationsunderTom’sdirections。HewasTom’spatienttargetwhenTomwantedtodosomesnowballing，butthetargetcouldn’tfireback。ChamberscarriedTom’sskatestotheriverandstrappedthemonhim，thetrottedaroundafterhimontheice，soastobeonhandwhenhewanted;buthewasn’teveraskedtotrytheskateshimself。

InsummerthepetpastimeoftheboysofDawson’sLandingwastostealapples，peaches，andmelonsfromthefarmer’sfruitwagons——

mainlyonaccountoftherisktheyranofgettingtheirheadslaidopenwiththebuttofthefarmer’swhip。Tomwasadistinguishedadeptatthesethefts——byproxy。Chambersdidhisstealing，andgotthepeachstones，applecores，andmelonrindsforhisshare。

TomalwaysmadeChambersgoinswimmingwithhim，andstaybyhimasaprotection。WhenTomhadhadenough，hewouldslipoutandtieknotsinChamber’sshirt，diptheknotsinthewaterandmakethemhardtoundo，thendresshimselfandsitbyandlaughwhilethenakedshiverertuggedatthestubbornknotswithhisteeth。

Tomdidhishumblecomradethesevariousillturnspartlyoutofnativeviciousness，andpartlybecausehehatedhimforhissuperioritiesofphysiqueandpluck，andforhismanifoldcleverness。

Tomcouldn’tdive，foritgavehimsplittingheadaches。

Chamberscoulddivewithoutinconvenience，andwasfondofdoingit。

Heexcitedsomuchadmiration，oneday，amongacrowdofwhiteboys，bythrowingbacksomersaultsfromthesternofacanoe，thatitweariesTom’sspirit，andatlastheshovedthecanoeunderneathChamberswhilehewasintheair——sohecamedownonhisheadinthecanoebottom;

andwhilehelayunconscious，severalofTom’sancientadversariessawthattheirlong—desiredopportunitywascome，andtheygavethefalseheirsuchadrubbingthatwithChamber’sbesthelphewashardlyabletodraghimselfhomeafterward。

Whentheboyswasfifteenandupward，Tomwas"showingoff"intheriveroneday，whenhewastakenwithacramp，andshoutedforhelp。

Itwasacommontrickwiththeboys——particularlyifastrangerwaspresent——topretendacrampandhowlforhelp;thenwhenthestrangercametearinghandoverhandtotherescue，thehowlerwouldgoonstrugglingandhowlingtillhewascloseathand，thenreplacethehowlwithasarcasticsmileandswimblandlyaway，whilethetownboysassailedthedupewithavolleyofjeersandlaughter。

Tomhadnevertriedthisjokeasyet，butwassupposedtobetryingitnow，sotheboysheldwarilyback;butChambersbelievedhismasterwasinearnest;therefore，heswamout，andarrivedintime，unfortunately，andsavedhislife。

Thiswasthelastfeather。Tomhadmanagedtoendureeverythingelse，buttohavetoremainpubliclyandpermanentlyundersuchanobligationasthistoanigger，andtothisniggerofallniggers——thiswastoomuch。

HeheapedinsultsuponChambersfor"pretending"tothinkhewasinearnestincallingforhelp，andsaidthatanybodybutablockheadedniggerwouldhaveknownhewasfunningandlefthimalone。

Tom’senemieswereinstrongforcehere，sotheycameoutwiththeiropinionsquitefreely。Thelaughedathim，andcalledhimcoward，liar，sneak，andothersortsofpetnames，andtoldhimtheymeanttocallChambersbyanewnameafterthis，andmakeitcommoninthetown——"TomDriscoll’sniggerpappy，"——tosignifythathehadhadasecondbirthintothislife，andthatChamberswastheauthorofhisnewbeing。Tomgrewfranticunderthesetaunts，andshouted：

"Knocktheirheadsoff，Chambers！Knocktheirheadsoff！

Whatdoyoustandtherewithyourhandsinyourpocketsfor？"

Chambersexpostulated，andsaid，"But，MarseTom，dey’stoomanyof’em——dey’s——"

"Doyouhearme？"

"Please，MarseTom，don’tmakeme！Dey’ssomanyof’emdat——"

Tomsprangathimanddrovehispocketknifeintohimtwoorthreetimesbeforetheboyscouldsnatchhimawayandgivethewoundedladachancetoescape。Hewasconsiderablyhurt，butnotseriously。

Ifthebladehadbeenalittlelonger，hiscareerwouldhaveendedthere。

TomhadlongagotaughtRoxy"herplace。"Ithadbeenmanyadaynowsinceshehadventuredacaressorafondlingepithetinhisquarter。

Suchthings，froma"nigger，"wererepulsivetohim，andshehadbeenwarnedtokeepherdistanceandrememberwhoshewas。Shesawherdarlinggraduallyceasefrombeingherson，shesawTHATdetailperishutterly;allthatwasleftwasmaster——master，pureandsimple，anditwasnotagentlemastership，either。Shesawherselfsinkfromthesublimeheightofmotherhoodtothesomberdepthsofunmodifiedslavery，theabyssofseparationbetweenherandherboywascomplete。

Shewasmerelyhischattelnow，hisconvenience，hisdog，hiscringingandhelplessslave，thehumbleandunresistingvictimofhiscapricioustemperandviciousnature。

Sometimesshecouldnotgotosleep，evenwhenwornoutwithfatigue，becauseherrageboiledsohighovertheday’sexperienceswithherboy。

Shewouldmumbleandmuttertoherself：

"HestruckmeenIwarn’tnowaytoblame——struckmeindeface，rightbeforefolks。Enhe’sal’ayscallin’meniggerwench，enhussy，enalldemmeannames，whenI’sdoin’deverybes’Ikin。

Oh，Lord，Idonesomuchforhim——Ilif’himawayuptowhatheis——

endisiswhatIgitforit。"

Sometimeswhensomeoutrageofpeculiaroffensivenessstunghertotheheart，shewouldplanschemesofvengeanceandrevelinthefanciedspectacleofhisexposuretotheworldasanimposterandaslave;

butinthemidstofthesejoysfearwouldstrikeher;shehadmadehimtoostrong;shecouldprovenothing，and——heavens，shemightgetsolddowntheriverforherpains！Soherschemesalwayswentfornothing，andshelaidthemasideinimpotentrageagainstthefates，andagainstherselfforplayingthefoolonthatfatalSeptemberdayinnotprovidingherselfwithawitnessforuseinthedaywhensuchathingmightbeneededfortheappeasingofhervengeance—hungryheart。

AndyetthemomentTomhappenedtobegoodtoher，andkind——

andthisoccurredeverynowandthen——allhersoreplaceswerehealed，andshewashappy;happyandproud，forthiswasherson，herniggerson，lordingitamongthewhitesandsecurelyavengingtheircrimesagainstherrace。

ThereweretwograndfuneralsinDawson’sLandingthatfall——thefallof1845。OnewasthatofColonelCecilBurleighEssex，theotherthatofPercyDriscoll。

OnhisdeathbedDriscollsetRoxyfreeanddeliveredhisidolizedostensiblesonsolemnlyintothekeepingofhisbrother，thejudge，andhiswife。Thosechildlesspeopleweregladtogethim。

Childlesspeoplearenotdifficulttoplease。

JudgeDriscollhadgoneprivatelytohisbrother，amonthbefore，andboughtChambers。HehadheardthatTomhadbeentryingtogethisfathertoselltheboydowntheriver，andhewantedtopreventthescandal——forpublicsentimentdidnotapproveofthatwayoftreatingfamilyservantsforlightcauseorfornocause。

PercyDriscollhadwornhimselfoutintryingtosavehisgreatspeculativelandedestate，andhaddiedwithoutsucceeding。

Hewashardlyinhisgravebeforetheboomcollapsedandlefthisenviedyoungdevilofanheirapauper。Butthatwasnothing;hisuncletoldhimheshouldbehisheirandhaveallhisfortunewhenhedied;

soTomwascomforted。

Roxyhadnohomenow;sosheresolvedtogoaroundandsaygood—bytoherfriendsandthenclearoutandseetheworld——thatistosay，shewouldgochambermaidingonasteamboat，thedarlingambitionofherraceandsex。

Herlastcallwasontheblackgiant，Jasper。ShefoundhimchoppingPudd’nheadWilson’swinterprovisionofwood。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读