The Kidnapped and the Ransomed Author:Kate E. R. Pickard Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER IV. THK TOBACCO FACTORY. After Levin and Peter had worked for four summers in the brickyard, their master hired them, with Alfred and Allison, to Mr.... more » George Norton, a tobacconist, who at that time carried on an extensive business in Lexington. They had been hired out before to different persons during the winter. Peter had, one winter, served as waiter, a cousin of his master, Mr. Sandford Kcene. This was his first introduction to house service, as well as his first experience, since he became a slave, of genuine kindness. Mrs. Keene was a noble-hearted lady, who delighted to promote the happiness of all around her, and Peter loved to serve her acceptably. But to this Mr. Norton they were hired for the whole year; and violent as was Master Nattie in his phrensied hours, and carefully as he avoided every indulgence towards them which might seem to recognize their humanity, they dreaded to exchange him for this new master, for of him report spake never kindly. Mr. George Norton—ah ! how grand he looked as he stood near the shop door conversing with his overseer ! His broad-brimmed hat seemed conscious of its elevated position, and his hair descending in a cue behind was stiff and stately. The very smoke from his cigar ascended with a consequential puff, and his cane thumped on the sidewalk in exact accordance with the great man's varying moods. It had a gentle tap to answer words of compliment, or salutations from the rich or beautiful. But when a breath of contradiction came, or any sable menial hesitated to obey his slightest wish, the expressive staff beat furiously upon the pavement, in token of the vengeance that should fall upon the offender's head. A fit foil to his pompous superior was the overseer, Mr. Kisich. Small and pale, awkward in his manner...« less