clotelle(有色女英雄)-第40章
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Greenville hotel negroes。 She saw from their very looks that she had their
undivided sympathies。 One of the servants overheard the rebels in a
conversation; in which it was determined to send Clotelle to the county
town; for safe keeping in the jail; the following day; and this fact was
communicated to the unfortunate woman。 The slave woman who gave
the information told her that she could escape if she desired。
Having already been robbed of every thing except the apparel upon her
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person and some money she had concealed about her; she at once signified
to the black woman her wish to get out of the reach of her persecutors。 The
old worn…out clock in the narrow dining hall had struck one; a cold rain
was patting upon the roof; and the women watchers; one after another; had
fallen asleep; and even the snuff…dippers; whose dirty practice creates a
nervousness that keeps them awake longer than any other class; had
yielded to the demands of Morpheus; when Aggy; the colored servant;
stealthily entered the room; beckoned to Clotelle; and both left in silence。
Cautiously and softly the black woman led the way; followed by the
〃Angel of Mercy;〃 till; after passing down through the cellar with the
water covering the floor; they emerged into the back yard。 Two horses
had been provided。 Clotelle mounted one; and a black man the other; the
latter leading the way。 Both dashed off at a rapid pace; through a
drenching storm; with such a pall…like darkness that they could not see
each other。 After an hour's ride the negro halted; and informed Clotelle
that he must leave her; and return with the horses; but that she was with
friends。 He then gave a whistle; and for a moment held his breath。 Just as
the faithful black was about to repeat the signal; he heard the response;
and in a moment the lady alighted; and with dripping garments; limbs
chilled to numbness; followed her new guide to a place of concealment;
near the village of Taitsville。
〃You is jes as wet as a drownded rat;〃 said the mulatto woman; who
met Clotelle as she entered the negro's cabin。
〃Yes;〃 replied the latter; 〃this is a stormy night for one to be out。〃
〃Yes mam; dese is hard times for eberybody dat 'bleves in de Union。 I
'spose deys cotched your husband; an' put him in de army; ain't dey?〃
〃No: my husband died at Port Hudson; fighting for the Union;〃 said
Clotelle。
〃Oh; mam; dats de place whar de black people fight de rebels so;
wasn't it?〃 remarked Dinah; for such was her name。
〃Yes; that was the place;〃 replied the former。 〃I see that your husband
has lost one of his hands: did he lose it in the war?〃
〃Oh no; missus;〃 said Dinah。 〃When dey was taken all de men; black
an white; to put in de army; dey cotched my ole man too; and took him
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long wid 'em。 So you see; he said he'd die afore he'd shoot at de Yanks。 So
you see; missus; Jimmy jes took and lay his left han' on a log; and chop it
off wid de hatchet。 Den; you see; dey let him go; an' he come home。 You
see; missus; my Jimmy is a free man: he was born free; an' he bought me;
an' pay fifteen hundred dollars for me。〃
It was true that Jim had purchased his wife; nor had he forgotten the
fact; as was shown a day or two after; while in conversation with her。 The
woman; like many of her sex; was an inveterate scold; and Jim had but one
way to govern her tongue。 〃Shet your mouf; madam; an' hole your
tongue;〃 said Jim; after his wife had scolded and sputtered away for some
minutes。 〃Shet your mouf dis minit; I say: you shan't stan' dar; an' talk
ter me in dat way。 I bought you; an' paid my money fer you; an〃 I ain't a
gwine ter let you sase me in dat way。 Shet your mouf dis minit: ef you
don't I'll sell you; 'fore God I will。 Shet up; I say; or I'll sell you。〃 This
had the desired effect; and settled Dinah for the day。
After a week spent in this place of concealment; Jim conveyed Clotelle
to Leaksville; Mississippi; through the Federal lines; and from thence she
proceeded to New Orleans。
The Rebellion was now drawing to a close。 The valley of the
Mississippi was in full possession of the Federal government。 Sherman
was on his raid; and Grant was hemming in Lee。 Everywhere the condition
of the freedmen attracted the attention of the friends of humanity; and no
one felt more keenly their wants than Clotelle; and to their education and
welfare she resolved to devote the remainder of her life; and for this
purpose went to the State of Mississippi; and opened a school for the
freedmen; hired teachers; paying them out of her own purse。 In the
summer of 1866; the Poplar Farm; on which she had once lived as a slave;
was confiscated and sold by Government authority; and was purchased by
Clotelle; upon which she established a Freedmen's School; and where at
this writing; now June; 1867;resides the 〃Angel of Mercy。〃
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