Our excellent friend has prepared this edition of his works for the purpose of redeeming from slavery a beloved brother, who has groaned for many years under the yoke of a hard master. Whoever would help Jesus, were he sick or in prison, may help him now in the person of these his little ones, his afflicted and suffering children. The work is commended to the kind offices of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
H. B. STOWE.
Andover, Mass., April 5, 1858.
[CONTENTS.]
| CHAPTER I. | |
| MY BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD. | [1] |
| Earliest memories.—Born in Maryland.—My father'sfirst appearance.—Attempted outrage on my mother.—Myfather's fight with an overseer.—One hundredstripes and his ear cut off.—Throws away his banjoand becomes morose.—Sold South. | |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| MY FIRST GREAT TRIAL. | [8] |
| Origin of my name.—A kind master.—He is drowned.—Mymother's prayers.—A slave auction.—Tornfrom my mother.—Severe sickness.—A cruel master.—Soldagain and restored to my mother. | |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| MY BOYHOOD AND YOUTH. | [16] |
| Early employment.—Slave-life.—Food, lodging,clothing.—Amusements.—Gleamsof sunshine.—Myknight-errantry.—Become an overseer and generalsuperintendent. | |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| MY CONVERSION. | [25] |
| A good man.—Hear a sermon for the first time.—Itseffects upon me.—Prayer and communion.—Its firstfruits. | |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| MAIMED FOR LIFE. | [31] |
| Taking care of my drunken master.—His fight with anoverseer.—Rescue him.—Am terribly beaten by theoverseer.—My master seeks redress at law, butfails.—Sufferings then and since.—Retain my post assuperintendent. | |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| A RESPONSIBLE JOURNEY. | [42] |
| My marriage.—Marriage of my master.—His ruin.—Comesto me for aid.—A great enterprise undertaken.—Longand successful journey.—Incidents by theway.—Struggle between inclination and duty.—Dutytriumphant. | |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| A NEW HOME. | [55] |
| Become a Methodist preacher.—My poor companionssold.—My agony.—Sent for again.—Interview witha kind Methodist preacher.—Visit free soil and beginmy struggle for freedom. | |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| RETURN TO MARYLAND. | [66] |
| Reception from my old master.—A slave again.—Appealto an old friend.—Buy my freedom.—Cheatedand betrayed.—Back to Kentucky, and a slave again. | |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| TAKEN SOUTH, AWAY FROM WIFE AND CHILDREN. | [79] |
| Start for New Orleans.—Study navigation on theMississippi.—The captain struck blind.—Find someof my old companions.—The lower depths. | |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION. | [86] |
| Sigh for death.—A murder in my heart.—The axeraised.—Conscience speaks and I am saved.—Godbe praised! | |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. | [93] |
| Offered for sale.—Examined by purchasers.—Pleadwith my young master in vain.—Man's extremity,God's opportunity.—Good for evil.—Return North.—Myincreased value.—Resolve to be a slave no longer. | |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| ESCAPE FROM BONDAGE. | [102] |
| Solitary Musings.—Preparations for flight.—A longgood-night to master.—A dark night on the river.—Nightjourneys in Indiana.—On the brink of starvation.—Akind woman.—A new style of drinking cup.—ReachCincinnati. | |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| JOURNEY TO CANADA. | [113] |
| Good Samaritans.—Alone in the wilderness.—Meetsome Indians.—Reach Sandusky.—Another friend.—Allaboard.—Buffalo.—A "free nigger."—Frenzyof joy on reaching Canada. | |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| NEW SCENES AND A NEW HOME. | [128] |
| A poor man in a strange land.—Begin to acquireproperty.—Resume preaching.—Boys go to school.—Whatgave me a desire to learn to read.—A day ofprayer in the woods. | |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| LIFE IN CANADA. | [138] |
| Condition of the blacks in Canada.—A tour ofexploration.—Appeal to the Legislature.—Improvements. | |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| CONDUCTING SLAVES TO CANADA. | [144] |
| Sympathy for the slaves.—James Lightfoot.—My firstmission to the South.—A Kentucky company offugitives.—Safe at home. | |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| SECOND JOURNEY ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. | [150] |
| A shower of stars.—Kentuckians.—A stratagem.—Aprovidence.—Conducted across the Miami River by acow.—Arrival at Cincinnati.—One of the party takenill.—We leave him to die.—Meet a "friend."—A poorwhite man.—A strange impression.—Once more in Canada. | |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| HOME AT DAWN. | [165] |
| Condition in Canada.—Efforts in behalf of mypeople.—Rev. Mr. Wilson.—A convention ofblacks.—Manual-labor school. | |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| LUMBERING OPERATIONS. | [173] |
| Industrial project.—Find some able friends inBoston.—Procure funds and construct a saw-mill.—Salesof lumber in Boston.—Incident in the Custom House. | |
| CHAPTER XX. | |
| VISIT TO ENGLAND. | [179] |
| Debt on the institution.—A new pecuniaryenterprise.—Letters of recommendation toEngland.—Personal difficulties.—Called animpostor.—Triumphant victory over these troubles. | |
| CHAPTER XXI. | |
| THE WORLD'S FAIR IN LONDON. | [187] |
| My contribution to the great exhibition.—Difficultywith the American superintendent.—Happy release.—Thegreat crowd.—A call from the Queen.—Medal awarded to me. | |
| CHAPTER XXII. | |
| VISITS TO THE RAGGED SCHOOLS. | [194] |
| Speech at Sunday School Anniversary.—Interview withLord Grey.—Interview with the Archbishop of Canterbury,and dinner with Lord John Russell, the great events ofmy life. | |
| CHAPTER XXIII. | |
| CLOSING UP MY LONDON AGENCY. | [203] |
| My narrative published.—Letter from home apprisingme of the sickness of my wife.—Departure fromLondon.—Arrival at home.—Meeting with my family.—Thegreat sorrow of my life, the death of my wife. | |
| CHAPTER XXIV. | |
| CLOSING CHAPTER. | [209] |
| Containing an accurate account of the past and presentcondition of the fugitive slaves in Canada, with someremarks on their future prospects. |
FATHER HENSON'S STORY