what's right in der hands?" and Chloe
laughed again.

"I don't understand you, Chloe," said Mrs. Shelby, nothing doubting,
from her knowledge of Chloe's manner, that she had heard every word of
the conversation that had passed between her and her husband.

"Why, laws me, Missis!" said Chloe, laughing again, "other folks hires
out der niggers and makes money on 'em! Don't keep sich a tribe eatin
'em out of house and home."

"Well, Chloe, who do you propose that we should hire out?"

"Laws! I an't a proposin nothin; only Sam he said der was one of dese
yer _perfectioners_, dey calls 'em, in Louisville, said he wanted a good
hand at cake and pastry; and said he'd give four dollars a week to one,
he did."

"Well, Chloe."

"Well, laws, I 's a thinkin, Missis, it's time Sally was put along to
be doin' something. Sally 's been under my care, now, dis some time, and
she does most as well as me, considerin; and if Missis would only let
me go, I would help fetch up de money. I an't afraid to put my cake, nor
pies nother, 'long side no _perfectioner's_.

"Confectioner's, Chloe."

"Law sakes, Missis! 'tan't no odds;--words is so curis, can't never get
'em right!"

"But, Chloe, do you want to leave your children?"

"Laws, Missis! de boys is big enough to do day's works; dey does well
enough; and Sally, she'll take de baby,--she's such a peart young un,
she won't take no lookin arter."

"Louisville is a good way off."

"Law sakes! who's afeard?--it's down river, somer near my old man,
perhaps?" said Chloe, speaking the last in the tone of a question, and
looking at Mrs. Shelby.

"No, Chloe; it's many a hundred miles off," said Mrs. Shelby.

Chloe's countenance fell.

"Never mind; your going there shall bring you nearer, Chloe. Yes, you
may go; and your wages shall every cent of them be laid aside for your
husband's redemption."

As when a bright sunbeam turns a dark cloud to silver, so Chloe's dark
face brightened immediately,--it really shone.

"Laws! if Missis isn't too good! I was thinking of dat ar very thing;
cause I shouldn't need no clothes, nor shoes, nor nothin,--I could save
every cent. How many weeks is der in a year, Missis?"

"Fifty-two," said Mrs. Shelby.

"Laws! now, dere is? and four dollars for each on em. Why, how much 'd
dat ar be?"

"Two hundred and eight dollars," said Mrs. Shelby.

"Why-e!" said Chloe, with an accent of surprise and delight; "and how
long would it take me to work it