clotelle(有色女英雄)-第14节
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A few weeks after her arrival； Mrs。 French began to show to Isabella
that she was anything but a pleasant and agreeable mistress。 What social
virtues are possible in a society of which injustice is a primary
characteristic； in a society which is divided into two classes； masters and
slaves？ Every married woman at the South looks upon her husband as
unfaithful； and regards every negro woman as a rival。
Isabella had been with her new mistress but a short time when she was
ordered to cut off her long and beautiful hair。 The negro is naturally fond
of dress and outward display。 He who has short woolly hair combs and oils
it to death； he who has long hair would sooner have his teeth drawn than
to part with it。 But； however painful it was to Isabella； she was soon seen
with her hair cut short； and the sleeves of her dress altered to fit tight to
her arms。 Even with her hair short and with her ill…looking dress；
Isabella was still handsome。 Her life had been a secluded one； and though
now twenty…eight years of age； her beauty had only assumed a quieter tone。
The other servants only laughed at Isabella's misfortune in losing her
beautiful hair。
〃Miss 'Bell needn't strut so big； she got short nappy har's well's I；〃 said
Nell； with a broad grin that showed her teeth。
〃She tink she white when she cum here； wid dat long har ob hers；〃
replied Mill。
〃Yes；〃 continued Nell； 〃missus make her take down her wool； so she
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no put it up to…day。〃
The fairness of Isabella's complexion was regarded with envy by the
servants as well as by the mistress herself。 This is one of the hard features
of slavery。 To…day a woman is mistress of her own cottage； tomorrow
she is sold to one who aims to make her life as intolerable as possible。 And
let it be remembered that the house…servant has the best situation a slave
can occupy。
But the degradation and harsh treatment Isabella experienced in her
new home was nothing compared to the grief she underwent at being
separated from her dear child。 Taken from her with scarcely a moment's
warning； she knew not what had become of her。
This deep and heartfelt grief of Isabella was soon perceived by her
owners； and fearing that her refusal to take proper food would cause her
death； they resolved to sell her。 Mr。 French found no difficulty in
securing a purchaser for the quadroon woman； for such are usually the
most marketable kind of property。 Isabella was sold at private sale to a
young man for a housekeeper； but even he had missed his aim。
Mr。 Gordon； the new master； was a man of pleasure。 He was the
owner of a large sugar plantation； which he had left under the charge of an
overseer； and was now giving himself up to the pleasures of a city life。 At
first Mr。 Gordon sought to win Isabella's favor by flattery and presents；
knowing that whatever he gave her he could take from her again。 The poor
innocent creature dreaded every moment lest the scene should change。 At
every interview with Gordon she stoutly maintained that she had left a
husband in Virginia； and could never think of taking another。 In this she
considered that she was truthful； for she had ever regarded Henry as her
husband。 The gold watch and chain and other glittering presents which
Gordon gave to her were all kept unused。
In the same house with Isabella was a man…servant who had from time
to time hired himself from his master。 His name was William。 He could
feel for Isabella； for he； like her； had been separated from near and dear
relatives； and he often tried to console the poor woman。 One day Isabella
observed to him that her hair was growing out again。
〃Yes；〃 replied William； 〃you look a good deal like a man with your
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short hair。〃
〃Oh；〃 rejoined she； 〃I have often been told that I would make a better
looking man than woman； and if I had the money I might avail myself of it
to big farewell to this place。〃
In a moment afterwards； Isabella feared that she had said too much；
and laughingly observed； 〃I am always talking some nonsense； you must
not heed me。〃
William was a tall； full…blooded African； whose countenance beamed
with intelligence。 Being a mechanic； he had by industry earned more
money than he had paid to his owner for his time； and this he had laid
aside； with the hope that he might some day get enough to purchase his
freedom。 He had in his chest about a hundred and fifty dollars。 His was a
heart that felt for others； and he had again and again wiped the tears from
his eyes while listening to Isabella's story。
〃If she can get free with a little money； why not give her what I have？〃
thought he； and then resolved to do it。
An hour after； he entered the quadroon's room； and； laying the money
in her lap； said；
〃There； Miss Isabella； you said just now that if you had the means you
would leave this place。 There is money enough to take you to England；
where you will be free。 You are much fairer than many of the white
women of the South； and can easily pass for a free white woman。〃
At first Isabella thought it was a plan by which the negro wished to try
her fidelity to her owner； but she was soon convinced； by his earnest
manner and the deep feeling he manifested； that he was entirely sincere。
〃I will take the money；〃 said she； 〃only on one condition； and that is
that I effect your escape； as well as my own。〃
〃How can that be done？〃 he inquired； eagerly。
〃I will assume the disguise of a gentleman； and you that of a servant；
and we will thus take passage in a steamer to Cincinnati； and from thence
to Canada。〃
With full confidence in Isabella's judgment； William consented at once
to the proposition。 The clothes were purchased； everything was arranged；
and the next night； while Mr。 Gordon was on one of his sprees； Isabella；
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under the assumed name of Mr。 Smith； with William in attendance as a
servant； took passage for Cincinnati in the steamer Heroine。
With a pair of green glasses over her eyes； in addition to her other
disguise； Isabella made quite a gentlemanly appearance。 To avoid
conversation； however； she kept closely to her state…room； under the plea
of illness。
Meanwhile； William was playing his part well with the servants。 He
was loudly talking of his master's wealth； and nothing on the boat
appeared so good as in his master's fine mansion。
〃I don't like dese steamboats； no how；〃 said he； 〃I hope when massa
goes on anoder journey； he take de carriage and de hosses。〃
After a nine…days' passage； the Heroine landed at Cincinnati； and Mr。
Smith and his servant walked on shore。
〃William； you are now a free man； and can go on to Canada；〃 said
Isabella； 〃I shall go to Virginia； in search of my daughter。〃
This sudden announcement fell heavily upon William's ears； and with
tears he besought her not to jeopardize her liberty in such a manner； but
Isabella had made up her mind to rescue her child if possible。
Taking a boat for Wheeling； Isabella was soon on her way to her native
State。 Several months had elapsed since she left Richmond； and all her
thoughts were centred on the fate of her dear Clotelle。 It was with a
palpitating heart that this injured woman entered the stage…coach at
Wheeling and set out for Richmond。
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CHAPTER XV
THE ARREST
IT was late in the evening when the coach arrived at Richmond； and
Isabella once more alighted in her native city。 She had intended to seek
lodgings somewhere in the outskirts of
