Дванадцять років рабства

           IntothishousehebroughtEliza;and,onconditionofherlivingwithhim,sheandherchildrenweretobeemancipated. Sheresidedwithhimtherenineyears,withservantstoattenduponher,andprovidedwitheverycomfortandluxuryoflife. Emilywashischild! Finally,heryoungmistress,whohadalwaysremainedwithhermotheratthehomestead,marriedaMr.JacobBrooks. Atlength,forsomecause,(asIgatheredfromherrelation,)beyondBerry’scontrol,adivisionofhispropertywasmade. SheandherchildrenfelltotheshareofMr.Brooks. DuringthenineyearsshehadlivedwithBerry,inconsequenceofthepositionshewascompelledtooccupy,sheandEmilyhadbecometheobjectofMrs.Berryandherdaughter’shatredanddislike. Berryhimselfsherepresentedasamanofnaturallyakindheart,whoalwayspromisedherthatsheshouldhaveherfreedom,andwho,shehadnodoubt,wouldgrantittoherthen,ifitwereonlyinhispower. Assoonastheythuscameintothepossessionandcontrolofthedaughter,itbecameverymanifesttheywouldnotlivelongtogether. ThesightofElizaseemedtobeodioustoMrs.Brooks;neithercouldshebeartolookuponthechild,half-sister,andbeautifulasshewas! 

           Thedayshewasledintothepen,Brookshadbroughtherfromtheestateintothecity,underpretencethatthetimehadcomewhenherfreepapersweretobeexecuted,infulfillmentofhermaster’spromise. Elatedattheprospectofimmediateliberty,shedeckedherselfandlittleEmmyintheirbestapparel,andaccompaniedhimwithajoyfulheart. Ontheirarrivalinthecity,insteadofbeingbaptizedintothefamilyoffreemen,shewasdeliveredtothetraderBurch. Thepaperthatwasexecutedwasabillofsale. Thehopeofyearswasblastedinamoment. Fromtheheightofmostexultinghappinesstotheutmostdepthsofwretchedness,shehadthatdaydescended. Nowonderthatshewept,andfilledthepenwithwailingsandexpressionsofheart-rendingwoe.