The scorching sun had the desired effect; for in less than a
fortnight, Clotelle could scarcely have been recognized as the
same child. Often was she seen to weep, and heard to call on her
mother.
Mrs. Miller, when at church on Sabbath, usually, on warm days, took
Nancy, one of her servants, in her pew, and this girl had to fan
her mistress during service. Unaccustomed to such a soft and
pleasant seat, the servant would very soon become sleepy and begin
to nod. Sometimes she would go fast asleep, which annoyed the
mistress exceedingly. But Mrs. Miller had nimble fingers, and on
them sharp nails, and, with an energetic pinch upon the bare arms
of the poor girl, she would arouse the daughter of Africa from her
pleasant dreams. But there was no one of Mrs. Miller's servants
who received as much punishment as old Uncle Tony.
Fond of her greenhouse, and often in the garden, she was ever at
the gardener's heels. Uncle Tony was very religious, and, whenever
his mistress flogged him, he invariably gave her a religious
exhortation. Although unable to read, he, nevertheless, had on his
tongue's end portions of Scripture which he could use at any
moment. In one end of the greenhouse was Uncle Tony's sleeping
room, and those who happened in that vicinity, between nine and
ten at night, could hear the old man offering up his thanksgiving
to God for his protection during the day. Uncle Tony, however,
took great pride, when he thought that any of the whites were
within hearing, to dwell, in his prayer, on his own goodness and
the unfitness of others to die.
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