Quickened by the savory food,
Uncle Tom, from cynic terseness,
Fell into a happier mood.
"I was overseer in slave time,
And a mean un, so dey say,
Strapped Ma' Ann so much, ha! ha!
She married me to git away.

"In dem times we done some _talkin'_,
But this _writin'_ business--shaw!
I have seen de time, I tell ye,
I could talk a lady so
She would pull her fan to pieces
Barely answering 'Yes' or 'No.'"

* * * * *

Then I talked while he sat silent,
Gave a lecture broad and deep;
Hark! what sounds from the dim corner?
Ah! my host has fallen asleep.
Asleep! And his slumber is that of contentment,
Dreaming and smiling o'er memories fond.
Asleep! And he slumbers in ignorance blissful
Of the great busy world his cabin beyond.

How small is the light that illumines his pathway,
And his noonday how like to the darkness of night;
Yet he keeps in the beam directing his footsteps,
So must his intent be accounted for right.