ward in the world. This description alludes that his ostentation hides
vulgarity beneath. Purchased Uncle Tom, Shelby's loyal servant since childhood; and a
five-year-old named Harry: a beautiful and talented child who sings, dances, and mimes.
Mr. Shelby regrets taking Harry from his mother Eliza; while also, regrets betraying
Tom's faithfulness and trust. Eliza overhears Mrs. Shelby, a very religious woman,
protesting her husband's decision; and decides to flee the plantation with her son.
George Harris, Eliza's husband from a neighboring plantation, who has already left for
Canada, using the "underground railroad"; a secret network of people who usher runaway
slaves to freedom in the North. George is fleeing from his jealous master; who learned
about George's success of inventing a machine at a hemp cleaning factory. His master
took him back to his plantation and put him to the most menial farm work. Haley
searched in vain for Eliza; but for her, she is spurred on by fear of losing her child and
reaches the river quickly. Amazingly, she crosses the river by jumping from one ice flow
to the next. Upon reaching the shore in Ohio, Mr. Symmes, a man who has observed her
brave feat, listened to her story. Fortunately, he hates slave traders and thus took Eliza
and Harry to the house of Senator Bird, where they received food and lodging. Ironically,
Bird just voted for a bill prohibiting aid to fugitive slaves; but the Senator being very
moved by Eliza's story, changes his convictions and takes the runaways to a Quaker
settlement; where they stay with the Halliday family. Coincidentally, Eliza's husband
George has sought refuge in this very community, and the young family was united. The
Quakers help the family board a ship for Canada before Haley's hired slave hunter, Loker
and Marks, can capture them. Haley later returned to collect...