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ACT I SCENE II
- A Dining Room
—Tables and chairs C.—Desert, wine &c., on table.—SHELBY and HALEY discovered at table.

Shel.

That is the way I should arrange the matter.

Hal.

I can't make trade that way—I positively can't, Mr. Shelby. [Drinks.

Shel.

Why, the fact is, Haley, Tom is an uncommon fellow! He is certainly worth that sum anywhere—steady, honest, capable, manages my whole farm like a clock!

Hal.

You mean honest, as niggers go. [Fills glass.

Shel.

No; I mean, really, Tom is a good, steady, sensible, pious fellow. He got religion at a camp-meeting, four years ago, and I believe he really did get it. I've trusted him since then, with everything I have—money, house, horses, and let him come and go round the country, and I always found him true and square in everything.

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Hal.

Some folks don't believe there is pious niggers, Shelby, but I do. I had a fellow, now, in this yer last lot I took to Orleans—'twas as good as a meetin' now, really, to hear that critter pray; and he was quite gentle and quiet like. He fetched me a good sum, too, for I bought him cheap of a man that was 'bliged to sell out, so I realized six hundred on him. Yes, I consider religion a valeyable thing in a 🤬, when it's the genuine article and no mistake.

Shel.

Well, Tom's got the real article, if ever a fellow had. Why last fall I let him go to Cincinnati alone, to do business for me and bring home five hundred dollars. “Tom,” says I to him, “I trust you, because I think you are a Christian—I know you wouldn't cheat.” Tom comes back sure enough, I knew he would. Some low fellows, they say, said to him—“Tom, why don't you make tracks for Canada?” “Ah, master trusted me, and I couldn't,” was his answer. They told me all about it. I am sorry to part with Tom, I must say. You ought to let him cover the whole balance of the debt and you would, Haley, if you had any conscience.

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Hal.

Well, I've got just as much conscience as any man in business can afford to keep, just a little, you know, to swear by, as twere; and then I'm ready to do anything in reason to 'blige friends, but this yer, you see, is a leetle too hard on a fellow—a leetle too hard! [Fills glass again.

Shel.

Well, then, Haley, how will you trade?

Hal.

Well, haven't you a boy or a girl that you could throw in with Tom?

Shel.

Hum! none that I could well spare; to tell the truth, it's only hard necessity makes me willing to sell at all. I don't like parting with any of my hands, that's a fact.

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HARRY runs in R.H.

Hulloa! Jim Crow! [Throws a bunch of raisins towards him.] Pick that up now!

[HARRY does so.

Hal.

Bravo, little 'un! [Throws an orange, which HARRY catches. He sings and dances around the stage.] Hurrah! Bravo! What a young 'un! That chap's a case, I'll promise. Tell you what, Shelby, fling in that chap, and I'll settle the business. Come, now, if that ain't doing the thing up about the rightest!

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[ELIZA enters R.H.. Starts on beholding HALEY, and gazes fearfully at HARRY, who runs and clings to her dress, showing the orange, etc.]

Shel.

Well, Eliza?

Eliza.

I was looking for Harry, please, sir.

Shel.

Well, take him away, then.

[ELIZA grasps the child eagerly in her arms, and casting another glance of apprehension at HALEY, exits hastily.]

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Hal.

By Jupiter! there's an article, now. You might make your fortune on that ar gal in Orleans any day. I've seen over a thousand in my day, paid down for gals not a bit handsomer.

Shel.

I don't want to make my fortune on her. Another glass of wine. [Fills the glasses.

Hal.

[Drinks and smacks his lips.] Capital wine—first chop. Come, how will you trade about the gal? What shall I say for her? What'll you take?

Shel.

Mr. Haley, she is not to be sold. My wife wouldn't part with her for her weight in gold.

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Hal.

Ay, ay! women always say such things, 'cause they hain't no sort of calculation. Just show 'em how many watches, feathers and trinkets one's weight in gold would buy, and that alters the case, I reckon.

Shel.

I tell you, Haley, this must not be spoken of—I say no, and I mean no.

Hal.

Well, you'll let me have the boy tho'; you must own that I have come down pretty handsomely for him.

Shel.

What on earth can you want with the child?

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Hal.

Why, I've got a friend that's going into this yer branch of the business—wants to buy up handsome boys to raise for the market. Well, what do you say?

Shel.

I'll think the matter over and talk with my wife.

Hal.

Oh, certainly, by all means; but I'm in a 🤬 of a hurry and shall want to know as soon as possible, what I may depend on.

[Rises and puts on his overcoat, which hangs on a chair.—Takes hat and whip.

Shel.

Well, call up this evening, between six and seven, and you shall have my answer.

Hal.

All right. Take care of yourself, old boy! [Exit L.H.

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Shel.

If anybody had ever told me that I should sell Tom to those rascally traders, I should never have believed it. Now it must come for aught I see, and Eliza's child too. So much for being in debt, heigho! The fellow sees his advantage and means to push it. [Exit R. H.]