Then George sat down beside Aunt Chloe , and took her hand . He talked gently to her , telling her of Uncle Tom 's last loving messages . So she was comforted a little . One morning , about a month after this , George Shelby called all his servants together , telling them he had something to say to them . They wondered what it could be , and were very much surprised when he appeared , carrying a bundle of papers in his hand . They were still more astonished when he gave a paper to each one , and told them all that they were free . With sobs and tears and shouts they pressed round him , thanking and blessing him . But some of them came with anxious faces , begging him to take their free papers back again , and not to send them away . ` We do n't want to be any freer than we are , ' they said . ` We have always had all we wanted . ' ` We do n't want to leave the old place , and young mas ' r and Missis , and the rest . ' -LSB- Illustration -RSB- ` My good friends , ' said George , when he could get silence , ` there will be no need for you to leave me . We want quite as many servants as we did before . But now you are free men and free women . I shall pay you wages for your work , and if I die , or get into debt , you ca n't be taken away to be sold . That is all the difference . I want you all to stay with me , for I want to teach you how to live as free men and women ought . ' ` One thing more , ' added George , when the cheering and rejoicing had died away a little . ` You all remember our good old Uncle Tom . You have heard how he died , and how he sent his love to you all .
It was on his grave , my XXXXX , that I made up my mind , with God 's help , never to own another slave , if it were possible to free him .
friends hand messages paper papers r tears thing women work