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 friends , that I made up my mind , with God 's help , never to own another slave , if it were possible to free him . I resolved that nobody , through my fault , should ever run the risk of being parted from his dear ones , and of dying far from them , as he died . ` So , when you rejoice in your freedom , remember that you owe it to dear old Uncle Tom , and pay it back in kindness to his wife and children .
Think of your freedom every time you see Uncle XXXXX 's Cabin ; and let it help you to try to live as he did , and be as honest and faithful and Christian as he was . '
George Missis Shelby Tom kindness mas month morning need paper