Дванадцять років рабства
Chapter 1
Besidesgivingusaneducationsurpassingthatordinarilybestoweduponchildreninourcondition,heacquired,byhisdiligenceandeconomy,asufficientpropertyqualificationtoentitlehimtotherightofsuffrage. Hewasaccustomedtospeaktousofhisearlylife; andalthoughatalltimescherishingthewarmestemotionsofkindness,andevenofaffectiontowardsthefamily,inwhosehousehehadbeenabondsman,heneverthelesscomprehendedthesystemofSlavery,anddweltwithsorrowonthedegradationofhisrace. Heendeavoredtoimbueourmindswithsentimentsofmorality,andtoteachustoplaceourtrustandconfidenceinHimwhoregardsthehumblestaswellasthehighestofhiscreatures. Howoftensincethattimehastherecollectionofhispaternalcounselsoccurredtome,whilelyinginaslavehutinthedistantandsicklyregionsofLouisiana,smartingwiththeundeservedwoundswhichaninhumanmasterhadinflicted,andlongingonlyforthegravewhichhadcoveredhim,toshieldmealsofromthelashoftheoppressor. Inthechurch-yardatSandyHill,anhumblestonemarksthespotwherehereposes,afterhavingworthilyperformedthedutiesappertainingtothelowlyspherewhereinGodhadappointedhimtowalk.
UptothisperiodIhadbeenprincipallyengagedwithmyfatherinthelaborsofthefarm. Theleisurehoursallowedmeweregenerallyeitheremployedovermybooks,orplayingontheviolin—anamusementwhichwastherulingpassionofmyyouth. Ithasalsobeenthesourceofconsolationsince,affordingpleasuretothesimplebeingswithwhommylotwascast,andbeguilingmyownthoughts,formanyhours,fromthepainfulcontemplationofmyfate.
