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。
