Двенадцать лет рабства

           Mymasteroftenreceivedletters,sometimesfromadistanceoftenmiles,requestinghimtosendmetoplayataballorfestivalofthewhites. Hereceivedhiscompensation,andusuallyIalsoreturnedwithmanypicayunesjinglinginmypockets—theextracontributionsofthosetowhosedelightIhadadministered. InthismannerIbecamemoreacquaintedthanIotherwisewould,upanddownthebayou. TheyoungmenandmaidensofHolmesvillealwaysknewtherewastobeajollificationsomewhere,wheneverPlattEppswasseenpassingthroughthetownwithhisfiddleinhishand. "Whereareyougoingnow,Platt?"and"Whatiscomingoffto-night,Platt?" wouldbeinterrogatoriesissuingfromeverydoorandwindow,andmanyatimewhentherewasnospecialhurry,yieldingtopressingimportunities,Plattwoulddrawhisbow,andsittingastridehismule,perhaps,discoursemusicallytoacrowdofdelightedchildren,gatheredaroundhiminthestreet. 

           Alas!haditnotbeenformybelovedviolin,IscarcelycanconceivehowIcouldhaveenduredthelongyearsofbondage. Itintroducedmetogreathouses—relievedmeofmanydays’laborinthefield—suppliedmewithconveniencesformycabin—withpipesandtobacco,andextrapairsofshoes,andoftentimesledmeawayfromthepresenceofahardmaster,towitnessscenesofjollityandmirth. Itwasmycompanion—thefriendofmybosom—triumphingloudlywhenIwasjoyful,andutteringitssoft,melodiousconsolationswhenIwassad.