CHAPTERI
THESLAVE’SSOCIALCIRCLE。
WITHthegrowingpopulationintheSouthernStates,theincreaseofmulattoeshasbeenverygreat。Societydoesnotfrownuponthemanwhositswithhishalf-whitechilduponhiskneewhilstthemotherstands,aslave,behindhischair。InnearlyallthecitiesandtownsoftheSlaveStates,therealnegro,orclearblack,doesnotamounttomorethanoneinfouroftheslavepopulation。Thisfactisofitselfthebestevidenceofthedegradedandimmoralconditionoftherelationofmasterandslave。ThroughouttheSouthernStates,thereisaclassofslaveswho,inmostofthetowns,arepermittedtohiretheirtimefromtheirowners,andwhoarealwaysexpectedtopayahighprice。Thisclassisthemulattowomen,distinguishedfortheirfascinatingbeauty。Thehandsomestoftheseusuallypaythegreatestamountfortheirtime。Manyofthesewomenarethefavoritesofmenofpropertyandstanding,whofurnishthemwiththemeansofcompensatingtheirowners,andnotafewaredressedinthemostextravagantmanner。
Whenwetakeintoconsiderationthefactthatnosafeguardisthrownaroundvirtue,andnoinducementheldouttoslave-womentobepureandchaste,wewillnotbesurprisedwhentoldthatimmoralityandvicepervadethecitiesandtownsoftheSouthtoanextentunknownintheNorthernStates。Indeed,manyoftheslave-womenhavenohigheraspirationthanthatofbecomingthefinely-dressedmistressofsomewhiteman。Atnegroballsandparties,thisclassofwomenusuallymakethemostsplendidappearance,andareeagerlysoughtafterinthedance,ortoentertaininthedrawing-roomoratthetable。
Afewyearsago,amongthemanyslave-womeninRichmond,Virginia,whohiredtheirtimeoftheirmasters,wasAgnes,amulattoownedbyJohnGraves,Esq。,andwhomightbeheardboastingthatshewasthedaughterofanAmericanSenator。Althoughnearlyfortyyearsofageatthetimeofwhichwewrite,Agneswasstillexceedinglyhandsome。Morethanhalfwhite,withlongblackhairanddeepblueeyes,noonefeltlikedisputingwithherwhensheurgedherclaimtoherrelationshipwiththeAnglo-Saxon。
Inheryoungerdays,Agneshadbeenahousekeeperforayoungslaveholder,andinsustainingthisrelationhadbecomethemotheroftwodaughters。Afterbeingcastasidebythisyoungman,theslave-womanbetookherselftothebusinessofalaundress,andwasconsideredtobethemosttastefulwomaninRichmondathervocation。
IsabellaandMarion,thetwodaughtersofAgnes,residedwiththeirmother,andgaveherwhataidtheycouldinherbusiness。Themother,however,wasverychoiceofherdaughters,andwouldallowthemtoperformnolaborthatwouldmilitateagainsttheirlady-likeappearance。Agnesearlyresolvedtobringupherdaughtersasladies,asshetermedit。
Asthegirlsgrewolder,themotherhadtopayastipulatedpriceforthempermonth。Hernotorietyasalaundressofthefirstclassenabledhertoputanextrachargeuponthelinenthatpassedthroughherhands;andalthoughsheimposedlittleornoworkuponherdaughters,shewasenabledtoliveincomparativeluxuryandhaveherdaughtersdressedtoattractattention,especiallyatthenegroballsandparties。
Althoughtheterm\"negroball\"isappliedtothesegatherings,yetalargeportionofthemenwhoattendthemarewhites。NegroballsandpartiesintheSouthernStates,especiallyinthecitiesandtowns,areusuallymadeupofquadroonwomen,afewnegromen,andanynumberofwhitegentlemen。Thesearegatheringsofthemostdemocraticcharacter。Bankers,merchants,lawyers,doctors,andtheirclerksandstudents,alltakepartinthesesocialassembliesupontermsofperfectequality。Thefatherandsonnotunfrequentlymeetanddancealikeatanegroball。
ItwasatoneofthesepartiesthatHenryLinwood,thesonofawealthyandretiredgentlemanofRichmond,wasfirstintroducedtoIsabella,theoldestdaughterofAgnes。TheyoungmanhadjustreturnedfromHarvardCollege,wherehehadspentthepreviousfiveyears。Isabellawasinhereighteenthyear,andwasadmittedbyallwhoknewhertobethehandsomestgirl,coloredorwhite,inthecity。Onthisoccasion,shewasattiredinasky-bluesilkdress,withdeepblacklaceflounces,andberthaofthesame。Onherwell-mouldedarmssheworemassivegoldbracelets,whileherrichblackhairwasarrangedatthebackinbroadbasketplaits,ornamentedwithpearls,andthefrontintheFrenchstyle(alaImperatrice),whichsuitedherclassicfacetoperfection。
Marionwasscarcelylessrichlydressedthanhersister。
HenryLinwoodpaidgreatattentiontoIsabellawhichwaslookeduponwithgratificationbyhermother,andbecameamatterofgeneralconversationwithallpresent。Ofcourse,theyoungmanescortedthebeautifulquadroonhomethatevening,andbecamethefavoritevisitoratthehouseofAgnes。ItwasonabeautifulmoonlightnightinthemonthofAugustwhenallwhoresideintropicalclimatesareeagerlygraspingforabreathoffreshair,thatHenryLinwoodwasinthegardenwhichsurroundedAgnes’
cottage,withtheyoungquadroonbyhisside。Hedrewfromhispocketanewspaperwetfromthepress,andreadthefollowingadvertisement:——
NOTICE。——Seventy-ninenegroeswillbeofferedforsaleonMonday,September10,at12o’clock,beingtheentirestockofthelateJohnGravesinanexcellentcondition,andallwarrantedagainstthecommonvices。Amongthemareseveralmechanics,able-bodiedfield-hands,plough-boys,andwomenwithchildren,someofthemveryprolific,affordingarareopportunityforanyonewhowishestoraiseastrongandhealthylotofservantsfortheirownuse。
Alsoseveralmulattogirlsofrarepersonalqualities,——twooftheseverysuperior。
AmongtheaboveslavesadvertisedforsalewereAgnesandhertwodaughters。EreyoungLinwoodleftthequadroonthatevening,hepromisedherthathewouldbecomeherpurchaser,andmakeherfreeandherownmistress。
Mr。Graveshadlongbeenconsiderednotonlyanexcellentanduprightcitizenofthefirststandingamongthewhites,buteventheslavesregardedhimasoneofthekindestofmasters。Havinginheritedhisslaveswiththerestofhisproperty,hebecamepossessedofthemwithoutanyconsultationorwishofhisown。Hewouldneitherbuynorsellslaves,andwasexceedinglycareful,inlettingthemout,thattheydidnotfindoppressiveandtyrannicalmasters。NoslavespeculatoreverdaredtocrossthethresholdofthisplanteroftheOldDominion。Hewasaconstantattendantuponreligiousworship,andwasnotedforhisgeneralbenevolence。TheAmericanBibleSociety,theAmericanTractSociety,andthecauseofForeignMissions,foundinhimaliberalfriend。HewasalwaysanxiousthathisslavesshouldappearwellontheSabbath,andhaveanopportunityofhearingthewordofGod。
CHAPTERII
THENEGROSALE。
Asmighthavebeenexpected,thedayofsalebroughtanusuallylargenumbertogethertocompeteforthepropertytobesold。
Farmers,whomakeabusinessofraisingslavesforthemarket,werethere,andslave-traders,whomakeabusinessofbuyinghumanbeingsintheslave-raisingStatesandtakingthemtothefarSouth,werealsoinattendance。Menandwomen,too,whowishedtopurchasefortheirownuse,hadfoundtheirwaytotheslavesale。
Inthemidstofthethrone。wasonewhofeltadeeperinterestintheresultofthesalethananyotherofthebystanders。ThiswasyoungLinwood。Truetohispromise,hewastherewithablankbank-checkinhispocket,awaitingwithimpatiencetoenterthelistasabidderforthebeautifulslave。
Itwasindeedaheart-rendingscenetowitnessthelamentationsoftheseslaves,allofwhomhadgrownuptogetherontheoldhomesteadofMr。Graves,andwhohadbeentreatedwithgreatkindnessbythatgentleman,duringhislife。Nowtheyweretobeseparated,andformnewrelationsandcompanions。Suchistheprecariousconditionoftheslave。Evenwhenwithagoodmaster,thereisnocertaintyofhishappinessinthefuture。
Thelessvaluableslaveswerefirstplacedupontheauction-block,oneafteranother,andsoldtothehighestbidder。Husbandsandwiveswereseparatedwithadegreeofindifferencethatisunknowninanyotherrelationinlife。Brothersandsistersweretomfromeachother,andmotherssawtheirchildrenforthelasttimeonearth。
Itwaslateintheday,andwhenthegreatestnumberofpersonswerethoughttobepresent,whenAgnesandherdaughterswerebroughtouttotheplaceofsale。Themotherwasfirstputupontheauction-block,andsoldtoanotednegrotradernamedJennings。Marionwasnextorderedtoascendthestand,whichshedidwithatremblingstep,andwassoldfor$1200。
AlleyeswerenowturnedonIsabella,asshewasledforwardbytheauctioneer。Theappearanceofthehandsomequadrooncausedadeepsensationamongthecrowd。Thereshestood,withaskinasfairasmostwhitewomen,herfeaturesasbeautifullyregularasanyofhersexofpureAnglo-Saxonblood,herlongblackhairdoneupintheneatestmanner,herformtallandgraceful,andherwholeappearanceindicatingonesuperiortohercondition。
TheauctioneercommencedbysayingthatMissIsabellawasfittodeckthedrawing-roomofthefinestmansioninVirginia。
\"Howmuch,gentlemen,forthisrealAlbino!——fitfancy-girlforanyone!Sheenjoysgoodhealth,andhasasweettemper。Howmuchdoyousay?\"
\"Fivehundreddollars。\"
\"Onlyfivehundredforsuchagirlasthis?Gentlemen,sheisworthadealmorethanthatsum。Youcertainlydonotknowthevalueofthearticleyouarebiddingon。Here,gentlemen,Iholdinmyhandapapercertifyingthatshehasagoodmoralcharacter。\"
\"Sevenhundred。\"
\"Ah,gentlemen,thatissomethinglike。Thispaperalsostatesthatsheisveryintelligent。\"
\"Eighthundred。\"
\"Shewasfirstsprinkled,thenimmersed,andisnowwarrantedtobeadevotedChristian,andperfectlytrustworthy。\"
\"Ninehundreddollars。\"
\"Ninehundredandfifty。\"
\"Onethousand。\"
\"Elevenhundred。\"
Herethebiddingcametoadeadstand。Theauctioneerstopped,lookedaround,andbeganinaroughmannertorelatesomeanecdoteconnectedwiththesaleofslaves,whichhesaidhadcomeunderhisownobservation。
Atthisjuncturethescenewasindeedamoststrikingone。Thelaughing,joking,swearing,smoking,spitting,andtalking,keptupacontinualhumandconfusionamongthecrowd,whiletheslave-girlstoodwithtearfuleyes,lookingalternatelyathermotherandsisterandtowardtheyoungmanwhomshehopedwouldbecomeherpurchaser。
\"Thechastityofthisgirl,\"nowcontinuedtheauctioneer,\"ispure。Shehasneverbeenfromunderhermother’scare。Sheisvirtuous,andasgentleasadove。\"
Thebidsheretookafreshstart,andwentonuntil$1800wasreached。Theauctioneeroncemoreresortedtohisjokes,andconcludedbyassuringthecompanythatIsabellawasnotonlypious,butthatshecouldmakeanexcellentprayer。
\"Nineteenhundreddollars。\"
\"Twothousand。\"
Thiswasthelastbid,andthequadroongirlwasstruckoff,andbecamethepropertyofHenryLinwood。
ThiswasaVirginiaslave-auction,atwhichthebones,sinews,blood,andnervesofayounggirlofeighteenweresoldfor$500;
hermoralcharacterfor$200;hersuperiorintellectfor$100;thebenefitssupposedtoaccruefromherhavingbeensprinkledandimmersed,togetherwithawarrantyofherdevotedChristianity,for$300;herabilitytomakeagoodprayerfor$200;andherchastityfor$700more。This,too,inacitythrongedwithchurches,whosetallspireslooklikesomanysignalspointingto。
heaven,butwhoseministerspreachthatslaveryaGod-ordainedinstitution!
Theslaveswerespeedilyseparated,andtakenalongbytheirrespectivemasters。Jennings,theslave-speculator,whohadpurchasedAgnesandherdaughterMarion,withseveraloftheotherslaves,tookthemtothecountyprison,whereheusuallykepthishumancattleafterpurchasingthem,previoustostartingfortheNewOrleansmarket。
LinwoodhadalreadyprovidedaplaceforIsabella,towhichshewastaken。Themosttryingmomentforherwaswhenshetookleaveofhermotherandsister。The\"Good-by\"oftheslaveisunlikethatofanyotherclassinthecommunity。Itisindeedafarewellforever。Withtearsstreamingdowntheircheeks,theyembracedandcommandedeachothertoGod,whoisnorespecterofpersons,andbeforewhommasterandslavemustonedayappear。
CHAPTERIII
THESLAVESPECULATOR。
DICKJenningstheslave-speculator,wasoneofthefewNorthernmen,whogototheSouthandthrowasidetheirhonestmodeofobtainingalivingandresorttotradinginhumanbeings。Amorerepulsivelookingpersoncouldscarcelybefoundinanycommunityofbadlookingmen。Tall,leanandlank,withhighcheek-bones,facemuchpittedwiththesmall-pox,grayeyeswithredeyebrows,andsandywhiskers,heindeedstoodalonewithoutmateorfellowinlooks。Jenningspridedhimselfuponwhathecalledhisgoodnessofheartandwasalwaysspeakingofhishumanity。AsmanyoftheslaveswhomheintendedtakingtotheNewOrleansmarkethadbeenraisedinRichmond,andhadrelationsthere,hedeterminedtoleavethecityearlyinthemorning,soasnottowitnessanyofthescenessocommonthedepartureofaslave-gangtothefarSouth。Inthis,hewasmostsuccessful;fornotevenIsabella,whohadcalledattheprisonseveraltimestoseehermotherandsister,wasawareofthetimethattheyweretoleave。
Theslave-traderstartedatearlydawn,andwasbeyondtheconfinesofthecitylongbeforethecitizenswereoutoftheirbeds。Asaslaveregardsalifeonthesugar,cotton,orriceplantationasevenworsethandeath,theyareeveronthewatchforanopportunitytoescape。Thetrader,awareofthis,secureshisvictimsinchainsbeforehesetsoutonhisjourney。Onthisoccasion,Jenningshadthemenchainedinpairs,whilethewomenwereallowedtogounfastened,butwerecloselywatched。
Afteramarchofeightdays,thecompanyarrivedonthebanksoftheOhioRiver,wheretheytookasteamerfortheplaceoftheirdestination。JenningshadalreadyadvertisedintheNewOrleanspapers,thathewouldbetherewithaprimelotofable-bodiedslaves,menandwomen,fitforfield-service,withafewextraonescalculatedforhouseservants,——allbetweentheagesoffifteenandtwenty-fiveyears;butlikemostmenwhomakeabusinessofspeculatinginhumanbeings,heoftenboughtmanywhowerefaradvancedinyears,andwouldtrytopassthemoffforfiveorsixyearsyoungerthantheywere。Fewpersonscanarriveatanythingapproachingtherealageofthenegro,bymereobservation,unlesstheyarewellacquaintedwiththerace。
Therefore,theslave-traderfrequentlycarriedoutthedeceptionwithperfectimpunity。
AfterthesteamerhadleftthewharfandwasfairlyoutonthebosomofthebroadMississippi,thespeculatorcalledhisservantPompeytohim;andinstructedhimastogettingthenegroesreadyformarket。Amongthefortyslavesthatthetraderhadonthisoccasion,weresomewhoseappearanceindicatedthattheyhadseensomeyearsandhadgonethroughconsiderableservice。Theirgrayhairandwhiskersatoncepronouncedthemtobeabovetheagessetdowninthetrader’sadvertisement。PompeyhadlongbeenwithJennings,andunderstoodhisbusinesswell,andifhedidnottakedelightinthedischargeofhisduty,hediditatleastwithadegreeofalacrity,sothathemightreceivetheapprobationofhismaster。
Pomp,ashewasusuallycalledbythetrader,wasofrealnegroblood,andwouldoftensay,whenalludingtohimself,\"Disniggeramnocounterfeit,heisdeginuineartikle。Dischileisnoneofyourhaf-and-haf,dereisnobogusabouthim。\"
Pompeywasoflowstature,roundface,and,likemostofhisrace,hadasetofteeth,which,forwhitenessandbeauty,couldnotbesurpassed;hiseyeswerelarge,lipsthick,andhairshortandwoolly。PompeyhadbeenwithJenningssolong,andhadseensomuchofbuyingandsellingofhisfellow-creatures,thatheappearedperfectlyindifferenttotheheart-rendingsceneswhichdailyoccurredinhispresence。Suchistheforceofhabit:——
\"Viceisamonsterofsuchfrightfulmien,Thattobehated,needsbuttobeseen;
Butseentoooft,familiarwithItsface,Wefirstendure,thenpity,thenembrace。\"
Itwasontheseconddayofthesteamer’svoyage,thatPompeyselectedfiveoftheoldestslaves,tookthemintoaroombythemselves,andcommencedpreparingthemforthemarket。
\"Now,\"saidhe,addressinghimselftothecompany,\"IisdechapdatistogetyoureadyfordeOrleansmarket,sodatyouwillbringmarseragoodprice。Howoldisyou?\"addressinghimselftoamannotlessthanforty。
\"IfIlivetoseenextsweet-potato-diggingtime,Ishallbeeitherfortyorforty-five,Idon’tknowwhich。\"
\"Datmaybe,\"repliedPompey;\"butnowyouisonlythirtyyearsold,——dat’swhatmarsersaysyouistobe。\"
\"IknowIismoredendat,\"respondedtheman。
\"Ican’thelpnuffin’aboutdat,\"returnedPompey;\"butwhenyougetintodemarketandanyoneaxyouhowoldyouis,andyoutellumyouisfortyorforty-five,marserwilltieyouupandcutyoualltopieces。Butifyoutellurndatyouisonlythirty,denhewon’t。Nowrememberdatyouisthirtyyearsoldandnomore。\"
\"Wellden,IguessIwillonlybethirtywhendeyaxme。\"
\"What’syourname?\"saidPompey,addressinghimselftoanother。
\"Jeems。\"
\"Oh!UncleJim,isit?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Denyoumusthaveallthemgraywhiskersshavedoff,andalldemgrayhairspluckedoutofyourhead。\"ThiswasallsaidbyPompeyinamannerwhichshowedthatheknowwhathewasabout。
\"Howoldisyou?\"askedPompeyofatall,strong-lookingman。
\"What’syourname?\"
\"Iamtwenty-nineyearsold,andmynameisTobias,buttheycallsmeToby。\"
\"Well,Toby,orMr。Tobias,ifdatwillsuityoubetter,youarenowtwenty-threeyearsold;dat’sall,——doyouunderstanddat?\"
\"Yes,\"repliedToby。
Pompeynowgavethemalltounderstandhowoldtheyweretobewhenaskedbypersonswhowerelikelytopurchase,andthenwentandreportedtohismasterthattheoldboyswereallright。
\"Besure,\"saidJennings,\"thattheniggersdon’tforgetwhatyouhavetaughtthem,forourluckthistimeinthemarketdependsupontheirappearance。Ifanyofthemhavesomanygrayhairsthatyoucannotpluckthemout,taketheblackingandbrush,andgoatthem。\"
CHAPTERIV
THEBOAT-RACE。
ATeighto’clock,ontheeveningofthethirddayofthepassage,thelightsofanothersteamerweresooninthedistance,andapparentlycomingupveryfast。ThiswasthesignalforageneralcommotiononboardthePatriot,andeverythingindicatedthatasteamboat-racewasathand。NothingcanexceedtheexcitementattendantupontheracingofsteamersontheMississippi。
BythetimetheboatshadreachedMemphistheyweresidebyside,andeachexertingitselftogetinadvanceoftheother。Thenightwasclear,themoonshiningbrightly,andtheboatssoneartoeachotherthatthepassengerswerewithinspeakingdistance。OnboardthePatriotthefiremenwereusingoil,lard,butter,andevenbacon,withwoodyforthepurposeofraisingthesteamtoitshighestpitch。Theblazemingledwiththeblacksmokethatissuedfromthepipesoftheotherboat,whichshowedthatshealsowasburningsomethingmorecombustiblethanwood。
Thefiremenofbothboats,whowereslaves,weresingingsongssuchascanonlybeheardonboardaSouthernsteamer。Theboatsnowcameabreastofeachother,andnearerandnearer,untiltheywerelockedsothatmencouldpassfromonetotheother。Thewildestexcitementprevailedamongthemenemployedonthesteamers,inwhichthepassengersfreelyparticipated。
ThePatriotnowstoppedtotakeinpassengers,butstillnosteamwaspermittedtoescape。Onthestartingoftheboatagain,coldwaterwasforcedintotheboilersbythefeed-pumps,and,asmighthavebeenexpected。oneoftheboilersexplodedwithterrificforce,carryingawaytheboiler-deckandtearingtopiecesmuchofthemachinery。Onedensefogofsteamfilledeverypartofthevessel,whileshrieks,groans,andcrieswereheardoneveryside。
Menwererunninghitherandthitherlookingfortheirwives,andwomenworeflyingaboutinthewildestconfusionseekingfortheirhusbands。Dismayappearedoneverycountenance。
Thesaloonsandcabinssoonlookedmorelikehospitalsthananythingelse;butbythistimethePatriothaddriftedtotheshore,andtheothersteamerhadcomealongsidetorenderassistancetothedisabledboat。Thekilledandwounded(nineteeninnumber)wereputonshore,andthePatriot,takenintowbytheWashington,wasoncemoreonherjourney。
Itwashalf-pasttwelve,andthepassengers,insteadofretiringtotheirberths,oncemoreassembledatthegambling-tables。Thepracticeofgamblingonthewesternwatershaslongbeenasourceofannoyancetothemoremoralpersonswhotravelonourgreatrivers。ThousandsofdollarsoftenchangeownersduringapassagefromSt。LouisorLouisvilletoNewOrleans,onaMississippisteamer。Manymenarecompletelyruinedonsuchoccasions,andduelsareoftentheconsequence。
\"Gocallmyboy,steward,\"saidMr。Jones,ashetookhiscardsonebyonefromthetable。
Inafewminutesafine-looking,bright-eyedmulattoboy,apparentlyaboutsixteenyearsofage,wasstandingbyhismaster’ssideatthetable。
\"Iambroke,allbutmyboy,\"saidJones,asheranhisfingersthroughhiscards;\"butheisworthathousanddollars,andIwillbetthehalfofhim。\"
\"Iwillcallyou,\"saidThompson,ashelaidfivehundreddollarsatthefeetoftheboy,whowasstanding,onthetable,andatthesametimethrowingdownhiscardsbeforehisadversary。
\"Youhavebeatenme,\"saidJones;andaroaroflaughterfollowedfromtheothergentlemanaspoorJoesteppeddownfromthetable。
\"Well,IsupposeIoweyouhalfthenigger,\"saidThompson,ashetookholdofJoeandbeganexamininghislimbs。
\"Yes,\"repliedJones,\"heishalfyours。Letmehavefivehundreddollars,andIwillgiveyouabillofsaleoftheboy。\"
\"Gobacktoyourbed,\"saidThompsontohischattel,\"andrememberthatyounowbelongtome。\"
Thepoorslavewipedthetearsfromhiseyes,as,inobedience,heturnedtoleavethetable。
\"Myfathergavemethatboy,\"saidJones,ashetookthemoney,\"andIhope,Mr。Thompson,thatyouwillallowmetoredeemhim。\"
\"Mostcertainly,Sir,\"repliedThompson。\"Wheneveryouhandoverthecoolthousandthenegroisyours。\"
Nextmorning,asthepassengerswereassemblinginthecabinandondeckandwhiletheslaveswererunningaboutwaitingonorlookingfortheirmasters,poorJoewasseenenteringhisnewmaster’sstateroom,bootsinhand。
\"Whodoyoubelongto?\"inquiredagentlemanofanoldnegro,whopassedalongleadingafineNewfoundlanddogwhichhehadbeenfeeding。
\"WhenIwenttosleeplas’night,\"repliedtheslave,\"I’longedtoMassaCarr;buthebingamblin’allnightan’Idon’tknowwhoI
’longstodismornin’。\"
Suchistheuncertaintyofaslave’slife。Hegoestobedatnightthepamperedservantofhisyoungmaster,withwhomhehasplayedinchildhood,andwhowouldnotseehisslaveabusedunderanyconsideration,andgetsupinthemorningthepropertyofamanwhomhehasneverbeforeseen。
Tobeholdfiveorsixtablesinthesaloonofasteamer,withhalfadozenmenplayingcardsateach,withmoney,pistols,andbowie-knivesspreadinsplendidconfusionbeforethem,isanordinarythingontheMississippiRiver。
CHAPTERV
THEYOUNGMOTHER。
Onthefourthmorning,thePatriotlandedatGrandGulf,abeautifultownontheleftbankoftheMississippi。AmongthenumerouspassengerswhocameonboardatRodneywasanotherslave-trader,withninehumanchattelswhichhewasconveyingtotheSouthernmarket。Thepassengers,bothladiesandgentlemen,werestartledatseeingamongthenewlotofslavesawomansowhiteasnottobedistinguishablefromtheotherwhitewomenonboard。ShehadinherarmsachildsowhitethatnoonewouldsupposeadropofAfricanbloodflowedthroughitsblueveins。
Noonecouldbeholdthatmotherwithherhelplessbabe,withoutfeelingthatGodwouldpunishtheoppressor。Thereshesat,withanexpressiveandintellectualforehead,andacountenancefullofdignityandheroism,herdarkgoldenlocksrolledbackfromheralmostsnow-whiteforeheadandfloatingoverherswellingbosom。
Thetearsthatstoodinhermildblueeyesshowedthatshewasbroodingoversorrowsandwrongsthatfilledherbleedingheart。
Theheartsofthepassers-bygrewsofter,whilegazinguponthatyoungmotherasshepressedsweetkissesonthesad,smilinglipsoftheinfantthatlayinherlap。Thesmall,dimpledhandsoftheinnocentcreaturewereslylyhidinthewarmbosomonwhichthelittleonenestled。ThebloodofsomeproudSoutherner,nodoubt,flowedthroughtheveinsofthatchild。
WhentheboatarrivedatNatches,arathergood-looking,genteel-appearingmancameonboardtopurchaseaservant。ThisindividualintroducedhimselftoJenningsastheRev。JamesWilson。Theslave-traderconductedthepreachertothedeck-cabin,wherehekepthisslaves,andthemanofGod,afterhavingsomequestionsanswered,selectedAgnesastheonebestsuitedtohisservice。
ItseemedasifpoorMarion’sheartwouldbreakwhenshefoundthatshewastobeseparatedfromhermother。Thepreacher,however,appearedtobebutlittlemovedbytheirsorrow,andtookhisnewly-purchasedvictimonshore。Agnesbeggedhimtobuyherdaughter,butherefused,onthegroundthathehadnouseforher。
Duringtheremainderofthepassage,Marionweptbitterly。
Afteraranofafewhours,theboatstoppedatBatonRouge,whereanadditionalnumberofpassengersweretakenonboard,amongwhomwereanumberofpersonswhohadbeenattendingtheracesatthatplace。Gamblinganddrinkingwerenowtheorderoftheday。
Thenextmorning,atteno’clock,theboatarrivedatNewOrleanswherethepassengerswenttotheirhotelsandhomes,andthenegroestotheslave-pens。
Lizzie,thewhiteslave-mother,ofwhomwehavealreadyspoken,createdasmuchofasensationbythefairnessofhercomplexionandthealabasterwhitenessofherchild,whenbeingconveyedonshoreatNewOrleans,asshehaddonewhenbroughtonboardatGrandGulf。EveryonethatsawherfeltthatslaveryintheSouthernStateswasnotconfinedtothenegro。Manyhadbeentaughttothinkthatslaverywasabenefitratherthananinjury,andthosewhowerenotopposedtotheinstitutionbefore,nowfeltthatifwhitesweretobecomeitsvictims,itwastimeatleastthatsomesecurityshouldbethrownaroundtheAnglo-Saxontogavehimfromthisservileanddegradedposition。
CHAPTERVI
THESLAVE-MARKET。
NOTfarfromCanalStreet,inthecityofNewOrleans,standsalargetwo-story,flatbuilding,surroundedbyastonewallsometwelvefeethigh,thetopofwhichiscoveredwithbitsofglass,andsoconstructedastopreventeventhepossibilityofanyone’spassingoveritwithoutsustaininggreatinjury。Manyoftheroomsinthisbuildingresemblethecellsofaprison,andinasmallapartmentnearthe\"office\"aretobeseenanynumberofironcollars,hobbles,handcuffs,thumbscrews,cowhides,chains,gags,andyokes。
Aback-yard,enclosedbyahighwall,lookssomethingliketheplaygroundattachedtooneofourlargeNewEnglandschools,inwhicharerowsofbenchesandswings。Attachedtothebackpremisesisagood-sizedkitchen,where,atthetimeofwhichwewrite,twooldnegresseswereatwork,stewing,boiling,andbaking,andoccasionallywipingtheperspirationfromtheirfurrowedandswarthybrows。
Theslave-trader,Jennings,onhisarrivalatNewOrleans,tookuphisquartersherewithhisgangofhumancattle,andthemorningafter,at10o’clock,theywereexhibitedforsale。FirstofallcamethebeautifulMarion,whosepalecountenanceanddejectedlooktoldhowmanysadhoursshehadpassedsincepartingwithhermotheratNatchez。There,too,wasapoorwomanwhohadbeenseparatedfromherhusband;andanotherwoman,whoselooksandmannerswereexpressiveofdeepanguish,satbyherside。Therewas\"UncleJeems,\"withhiswhiskersoff,hisfaceshavenclean,andthegrayhairspluckedoutreadytobesoldfortenyearsyoungerthanhewas。Tobywasalsothere,withhisfaceshavenandgreased,readyforinspection。
Theexaminationcommenced,andwascarriedoninsuchamannerastoshockthefeelingsofanyonenotentirelydevoidofthemilkofhumankindness。
\"Whatareyouwipingyoureyesfor?\"inquiredafat,red-facedman,withawhitehatsetononesideofhisheadandacigarinhismouth,ofawomanwhosatononeofthebenches。
\"BecauseIleftmymanbehind。\"
\"Oh,ifIbuyyou,Iwillfurnishyouwithabettermanthanyouleft。I’vegotlotsofyoungbucksonmyfarm。\"
\"Idon’twantandneverwillhaveanotherman,\"repliedthewoman。
\"What’syourname?\"askedamaninastrawhatofatallnegrowhostoodwithhisarmsfoldedacrosshisbreast,leaningagainstthewall。
\"MynameisAaron,sar。\"
\"Howoldareyou?\"
\"Twenty-five。\"
\"Wherewereyouraised?\"
\"InoleVirginny,sar。\"
\"Howmanymenhaveownedyou?\"
\"Four。\"
\"Doyouenjoygoodhealth?\"
\"Yes,sar。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyourfirstowner?\"
\"Twentyyears。\"
\"Didyoueverrunaway?\"
\"No,sar。\"
\"Didyoueverstrikeyourmaster?\"
\"No,sar。\"
\"Wereyoueverwhippedmuch?\"
\"No,sar;Is’poseIdidn’tdeserveit,sar。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyoursecondmaster?\"
\"Tenyears,sar。\"
\"Haveyouagoodappetite?\"
\"Yes,sar。\"
\"Canyoueatyourallowance?\"
\"Yes,sar,——whenIcangetit。\"
\"WherewereyouemployedinVirginia?\"
\"Iworkeddetobackerfiel’。\"
\"Inthetobaccofield,eh?\"
\"Yes,sar。\"
\"Howolddidyousayyouwas?\"
\"Twenty-five,sar,nex’sweet-’tater-diggin’time。\"
\"Iamacotton-planter,andifIbuyyou,youwillhavetoworkinthecotton-field。Mymenpickonehundredandfiftypoundsaday,andthewomenonehundredandfortypounds;andthosewhofailtoperformtheirtaskreceivefivestripesforeachpoundthatiswanting。Now,doyouthinkyoucouldkeepupwiththerestofthehands?\"
\"I’don’tknowsarbutI’specsI’dhaveto。\"
\"Howlongdidyoulivewithyourthirdmaster?\"
\"Threeyears,sar。\"
\"Why,thatmakesyouthirty-three。Ithoughtyoutoldmeyouwereonlytwenty-five?\"
Aaronnowlookedfirstattheplanter,thenatthetrader,andseemedperfectlybewildered。HehadforgottenthelessongivenhimbyPompeyrelativetohisage;andtheplanter’scircuitousquestions——doubtlesstofindouttheslave’srealage——hadthrownthenegrooffhisguard。
\"Imustseeyourback,soastoknowhowmuchyouhavebeenwhipped,beforeIthinkofbuying。\"
Pompey,whohadbeenstandingbyduringtheexamination,thoughtthathisserviceswerenowrequired,and,steppingforthwithadegreeofofficiousness,saidtoAaron,——
\"Don’tyouheardegemmantellyouhewantsto’zaminyou。Cum,unharnessyo’seff,oleboy,anddon’tbestandin’dar。\"
Aaronwassoonexamined,andpronounced\"sound;\"yettheconflictingstatementabouthisagewasnotsatisfactory。
FortunatelyforMarion,shewassparedthepainofundergoingsuchanexamination。Mr。Cardney,atellerinoneofthebanks,hadjustbeenmarried,andwantedamaid-servantforhiswife,and,passingthroughthemarketintheearlypartoftheday,waspleasedwiththeyoungslave’sappearance,andhisdwellingthequadroonfoundamuchbetterhomethanoftenfallstothelotofaslavesoldintheNewOrleansmarket。
CHAPTERVII
THESLAVE-HOLDINGPARSON。
THERev。JamesWilsonwasanativeoftheStateofConnecticutwherehewaseducatedfortheministryintheMethodistpersuasion。HisfatherwasastrictfollowerofJohnWesley,andsparednopainsinhisson’seducation,withthehopethathewouldonedaybeasrenownedastheleaderofhissect。JameshadscarcelyfinishedhiseducationatNewHaven,whenhewasinvitedbyanuncle,thenonavisittohisfather,tospendafewmonthsatNatchezinMississippi。YoungWilsonacceptedhisuncle’sinvitation,andaccompaniedhimtotheSouth。FewYoungmen,andespeciallyclergymen,goingfreshfromcollegetotheSouth,butarelookeduponasgeniusesinasmallway,andwhoarenotinvitedtoallthepartiesintheneighborhood。Mr。Wilsonwasnotanexceptiontothisrule。Thesocietyintowhichhewasthrown,onhisarrivalatNatchez,wastoobrilliantforhimnottobecaptivatedbyit,and,asmighthavebeenexpected,hesucceededincaptivatingaplantationwithseventyslavesifnottheheartoftheladytowhomitbelonged。
Addedtothis,hebecameapopularpreacher,andhadalargecongregationwithasnugsalary。Likeotherplanters,Mr。WilsonconfidedthecareofhisfarmtoNedHuckelby,anoverseerofhighreputationinhisway。
ThePoplarFarm,asitwas。called,wassituatedinabeautifulvalley,ninemilesfromNatchez,andneartheMississippiRiver。
Theonceunshornfaceofnaturehadgivenway,andthefarmnowblossomedwithasplendidharvest。Theneatcottagestoodinagrove,whereLombardypoplarslifttheirtopsalmosttoproptheskies,wherethewillow,locustandhorse-chestnuttreesspreadforththeirbranches,andflowersneverceasedtoblossom。
Thiswastheparson’scountryresidence,wherethefamilyspentonlytwomonthsduringtheyear。Histownresidencewasafinevilla,seatedonthebrowofahillattheedgeofthecity。
ItwasinthekitchenofthishousethatAgnesfoundhernewhome。
Mr。Wilsonwaseveryinchademocrat,andearlyresolvedthat\"hispeople,\"ashecalledhisslavesshouldbewell-fedandnotover-worked,andthereforelaiddownthelawandgospeltotheoverseeraswellastotheslaves。\"Itismywish,\"saidhetoMr。
Carlingham,anoldschool-fellowwhowasspendingafewdayswithhim,——\"ItismywishthatanewsystembeadoptedontheplantationsinthisState。IbelievethatthesonsofHamshouldhavethegospel,andIintendthatmineshallhaveit。Thegospeliscalculatedtomakemankindbetterandnoneshouldbewithoutit。\"
\"Whatsayyou,\"saidCarlingham,\"abouttherightofmantohisliberty?\"
\"Now,Carlingham,youhavebeguntoharpagainaboutmen’srights。
IreallywishthatyoucouldseethismatterasIdo。\"’
\"IregretthatIcannotseeeyetoeyewithyou,\"saidCarlingham。
\"IamadiscipleofRousseau,andhaveforyearsmadetherightsof。manmystudy,andImustconfesstoyouthatIseenodifferencebetweenwhiteandblack,asitregardsliberty。\"
\"Now,mydearCarlingham,wouldyoureallyhavethenegroesenjoythesamerightsasourselves?\"
\"Iwouldmostcertainly。LookatourgreatDeclarationofIndependence!lookevenattheConstitutionofourownConnecticutandseewhatissaidintheseaboutliberty。\"
\"Iregardallthistalkaboutrightsasmerehumbug。TheBibleisolderthantheDeclarationofIndependence,andthereItakemystand。\"
Alongdiscussionfollowed,inwhichbothgentlemenputforththeirpeculiarideaswithmuchwarmthoffeeling。
Duringthisconversation,therewasanotherpersonintheroom,seatedbythewindow,who,althoughatwork,embroideringafinecollar,paidminuteattentiontowhatwassaid。ThiswasGeorgiana,theonlydaughteroftheparson,whohadbutjustreturnedfromConnecticut,whereshehadfinishedhereducation。
ShehadhadtheopportunityofcontrastingthespiritofChristianityandlibertyinNewEnglandwiththatofslaveryinhernativeState,andhadlearnedtofeeldeeplyfortheinjurednegro。Georgianawasinhernineteenthyear,andhadbeenmuchbenefitedbyherresidenceoffiveyearsattheNorth。Herformwastallandgraceful,herfeaturesregularandwell-defined,andhercomplexionwasilluminatedbythefreshnessofyouth,beauty,andhealth。
Thedaughterdifferedfromboththefatherandvisitoruponthesubjectwhichtheyhadbeendiscussing;andassoonasanopportunityoffered,shegaveitasheropinionthattheBiblewasboththebulwarkofChristianityandofliberty。Withasmileshesaid,——
\"Ofcourse,papawilloverlookmydifferencewithhim,foralthoughIamanativeoftheSouth,IambyeducationandsympathyaNortherner。\"Mr。Wilsonlaughed,appearingratherpleasedthanotherwiseatthemannerinwhichhisdaughterhadexpressedherself。FromthisGeorgianatookcourageandcontinued,——
’\"Thoushaltlovethyneighborasthyself。’ThissinglepassageofScriptureshouldcauseustohaverespectfortherightsoftheslave。TrueChristianloveisofanenlargedanddisinterestednature。ItlovesallwholovetheLordJesusChristinsincerity,withoutregardtocolororcondition。\"
\"Georgiana,mydear,youareanabolitionist,——yourtalkisfanaticism!\"saidMr。Wilson,inratherasharptone;butthesubduedlookofthegirlandthepresenceofCarlinghamcausedhimtosoftenhislanguage。
Mr。Wilsonhavinglosthiswifebyconsumption,andGeorgianabeinghisonlychild,helovedhertoodearlytosaymore,evenifhefeltdisposed。AsilencefollowedthisexhortationfromtheyoungChristian,butherremarkshaddoneanoblework。Thefather’sheartwastouched,andthesceptic,forthefirsttime,wasviewingChristianityinitstruelight。
CHAPTERVIII
ANIGHTINTHEPARSON’SKITCHEN。
BESIDESAgnes,whomMr。Wilsonhadpurchasedfromtheslave-trader,Jennings,hekeptanumberofhouse-servants。ThechiefoneofthesewasSam,whomustberegardedassecondonlytotheparsonhimself。Ifadinner-partywasincontemplation,oranycompanywastobeinvited,afterallthearrangementshadbeentalkedoverbytheministerandhisdaughter。Samwassuretobeconsultedon,thesubjectby\"MissGeorgy,\"asMissWilsonwascalledbyalltheservants。Iffurniture,crockery,oranythingwastobepurchased,Samfeltthathehadbeenslightedifhisopinionwasnotasked。
Astothemarketing,hediditall。Hesatattheheadoftheservants’tableinthekitchen,andwasmasteroftheceremonies。
Asinglelookfromhimwasenoughtosilenceanyconversationornoiseamongtheservantsinthekitchenorinanyotherpartofthepremises。
ThereisintheSouthernStatesagreatamountofprejudiceinregardtocolor,evenamongthenegroesthemselves。Thenearerthenegroormulattoapproachestothewhite,themoreheseemstofeelhissuperiorityoverthoseofadarkerhue。Thisisnodoubttheresultoftheprejudicethatexistsonthepartofthewhitesagainstboththemulattoesandtheblacks。
SamwasoriginallyfromKentucky,andthroughtheinstrumentalityofoneofhisyoungmasters,whomhehadtotaketoschool,hehadlearnedtoreadsoastobewellunderstood,and,owingtothatfact,wasconsideredaprodigy,notonlyamonghisownmaster’sslaves,butalsoamongthoseofthetownwhoknewhim。Samhadagreatwishtofollowinthefootstepsofhismasterandbeapoet,andwasthereforeoftenheardsingingdoggerelsofhisowncomposition。
ButtherewasonedrawbacktoSam,andthatwashiscolor。Hewasoneoftheblackestofhisrace。Thisheevidentlyregardedasagreatmisfortune;butheendeavoredtomakeupforitindress。
Mr。Wilsonkepthishouseservantswelldressed,andasforSam,hewasseldomseenexceptinaruffledshirt。Indeed,thewasherwomanfearedhimmorethananyoneelseinthehouse。
Agneshadbeeninauguratedchiefofthekitchendepartment,andhadageneralsupervisionofthehouseholdaffairs。Alfred,thecoachman,Peter,andHettymadeuptheremainderofthehouse-servants。Besidesthese,Mr。Wilsonownedeightslaveswhoweremasons。Theseworkedinthecity。Beingmechanics,theywereletouttogreateradvantagethantokeepthemonthefarm。
EverySundayevening,Mr。Wilson’sservants,includingthebricklayers,assembledinthekitchen,wheretheeventsoftheweekwerefullydiscussedandcommentedupon。ItwasonaSundayevening,inthemonthofJune,thattherewasapartyatMr。
Wilson’shouse,and,accordingtocustomintheSouthernStates,theladieshadtheirmaidservantswiththem。Teahadbeenservedin\"thehouse,\"andtheservants,includingthestrangers,hadtakentheirseatsatthetableinthekitchen。Sam,beinga\"singlegentleman,\"wasunusuallyattentivetotheladiesonthisoccasion。Heseldomletadaypasswithoutspendinganhourortwoincombingandbrushinghis\"har。\"Hehadanideathatfreshbutterwasbetterforhishairthananyotherkindofgrease,andthereforeonchurningdayshalfapoundofbutterhadalwaystobetakenoutbeforeitwassalted。Whenhewishedtoappeartogreatadvantage,hewouldgreasehisfacetomakeit\"shiny。\"Therefore,ontheeveningoftheparty,whenalltheservantswereatthetable,Samcutabigfigure。Therehesat,withhiswoolwellcombedandbuttered,facenicelygreased,andhisrufflesextendingfiveorsixinchesfromhisbosom。Theparsoninhisdrawing-roomdidnotmakeamoreimposingappearancethandidhisservantonthisoccasion。
\"IisbinhadmyfortunetolelastSundaynight,\"saidSam,whilehelpingoneofthegirls。
\"Indeed!\"criedhalfadozenvoices。
\"Yes,\"continuedhe;\"AuntWinnytolemeI’stohabdeprettiestyallahgalindetown,anddatI’stobefree!\"
AlleyeswereimmediatelyturnedtowardSallyJohnson,whowasseatednearSam。
\"I’specsIseesomebodyblushatdatremark,\"saidAlfred。
\"Passdempancakesan’’lassesupdisway,Mr。Alf,andnoneobyoursinuwashunshere,\"rejoinedSam。
\"Datremindsme,\"said-Agnes,\"datDorcasSimpsonisgwinetogitmarried。\"
\"Whoto,Iwanttoknow?\"inquiredPeter。
\"TooneofMr。Darby’sfield-hands,\"answeredAgnes。
\"Ishouldtinkdatgalwouldn’tfrowherseffawayindatarway,\"
saidSally;\"She’sgoodlookin’’noughtogitahouse-servant,andnothabtoputupwidafield-nigger。\"
\"Yes,\"saidSam,\"dat’sawerryunsensibleremarkobyourn,MissSally。Iadmiresyourjudgmentwerrymuch,I’suresyou。Dar’splentyobsusceptiblean’well-dressedhouse-serbantsdatagalobherlookscangitwidouttakin’upwiddemcommondarkies。\"
Theevening’sentertainmentconcludedbySamrelatingalittleofhisownexperiencewhilewithhisfirstmaster,inoldKentucky。
Thismasterwasadoctor,and。hadalargepracticeamonghisneighbors,doctoringbothmastersandslaves。WhenSamwasaboutfifteenyearsold,hismastersethimtogrindingupointmentandmakingpills。Astheyoungstudentgrewolderandbecamemorepractisedinhisprofession,hisserviceswereofmoreimportancetothedoctor。Thephysicianhavingagoodbusiness,andalargenumberofhispatientsbeingslaves,——themostofwhomhadtocallonthedoctorwhenill,——heputSamtobleeding,pullingteeth,andadministeringmedicinetotheslaves。Samsoonacquiredthenameamongtheslavesofthe\"BlackDoctor。\"Withthisappellationhewasdelighted;andnoregularphysiciancouldhaveputonmoreairsthandidtheblackdoctorwhenhisserviceswererequired。Inbleeding,hemusthavemorebandages,andwouldrubandsmackthearmmorethanthedoctorwouldhavethoughtof。
Samwasonceseentakingoutatoothforoneofhispatients,andnothingappearedmoreamusing。Hegotthepoorfellowdownonhisback,andthengettingastrideofhischest,heappliedtheturnkeysandpulledawayfordearlife。Unfortunately,hehadgotholdofthewrongtooth,andthepoormanscreamedasloudashecould;butitwastonopurpose,forSamhadhimfast,andafteraprettyseveretussleoutcamethesoundgrinder。Theyoungdoctornowsawhismistake,butconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthatasthewrongtoothwasoutoftheway,therewasmoreroomtogetattherightone。
Bleedingandadoseofcalomelwerealwaysconsideredindispensablebythe\"oldboss,\"andasamatterofcourse,Samfollowedinhisfootsteps。
Ononeoccasiontheolddoctorwasillhimself,soastobeunabletoattendtohispatients。Aslave,withpassinhand,calledtoreceivemedicaladvice,andthemastertoldSamtoexaminehimandseewhathewanted。Thisdelightedhimbeyondmeasure,foralthoughhehadbeenactinghispartinthewayofgivingoutmedicineasthemasterorderedit,hehadneverbeencalleduponbythelattertoexamineapatient,andthisseemedtoconvincehimafterallthathewasnoshamdoctor。Asmighthavebeenexpected,hecutararefigureinhisfirstexamination。Placinghimselfdirectlyoppositehispatient,andfoldinghisarmsacrosshisbreast,lookingveryknowingly,hebegan,——
\"What’sdematterwidyou?\"
\"Iissick。\"
\"Whereisyousick?\"
\"Here,\"repliedtheman,puttinghishanduponhisstomach。
\"Putoutyourtongue,\"continuedthedoctor。
Themanranouthistongueatfulllength。
\"Letmefeelyourpulse;\"atthesametimetakinghispatient’shandinhis,andplacinghisfingersuponhispulse,hesaid,——
\"Ah!yourcaseisabadone;efIdon’tdosomethingforyou,anddatprettyquick,you’llbeagonecoonsanddat’ssartin。\"
Atthisthemanappearedfrightened,andinquiredwhatwasthematterwithhim,inanswertowhichSamsaid,\"Idonetolddatyourcaseisabadone,anddat’senuff。\"
OnSam’sreturningtohismaster’sbedside,thelattersaid,\"Well,Sam,whatdoyouthinkisthematterwithhim?\"
\"Hisstomachisoutoborder,sar,\"hereplied。
\"Whatdoyouthinkhadbetterbedoneforhim?\"
\"ItinkI’dbetterbleedhimandgibhimadoseobcalomel,\"
returnedSam。
So,tothelatter’sgratification,themasterlethimhavehisownway。
Ononeoccasion,whenmakingpillsandointment,Sammadeagreatmistake。Hegotthepreparationsforbothmixedtogether,sothathecouldnotlegitimatelymakeeither。Butfearingthatifhethrewthestuffaway,hismasterwouldfloghim,andbeingafraidtoinformhissuperiorofthemistake,heresolvedtomakethewholebatchofpillandointmentstuffintopills。Hewellknewthatthepowderoverthepillswouldhidetheinside,andthefactthatmostpersonsshuttheireyeswhentakingsuchmedicineledtheyoungdoctortofeelthatallwouldberightintheend。
ThereforeSammadehispills,boxedthemup,putonthelabels,andplacedtheminaconspicuouspositionononeoftheshelves。
Samfeltadegreeofanxietyabouthispills,however。Itwasastrangemixture,andhewasnotcertainwhetheritwouldkillorcure;buthewaswillingthatitshouldbetried。Atlasttheyoungdoctorhadhisvanitygratified。Col。Tallen,oneofDr。
Saxondale’spatients,droveuponemorning,andSamasusualranouttothegatetoholdthecolonel’shorse。
\"Callyourmaster,\"saidthecolonel;\"Iwillnotgetout。\"
Thedoctorwassoonbesidethecarriage,andinquiredaboutthehealthofhispatient。Afteralittleconsultation,thedoctorreturnedtohisoffice,tookdownaboxofSam’snewpills,andreturnedtothecarriage。
\"Taketwooftheseeverymorningandnight,\"saidthedoctor,\"andifyoudon’tfeelrelieved,doublethedose。\"
\"Goodgracious,\"exclaimedSaminanundertone,whenheheardhismastertellthecolonelhowtotakethepills。
ItwasseveraldaysbeforeSamcouldlearntheresultofhisnewmedicine。Oneafternoon,aboutafortnightafterthecolonel’svisitSamsawhismaster’spatientridinguptothegateonhorseback。Thedoctorhappenedtobeintheyard,andmetthecolonelandsaid,——
\"Howareyounow?\"
\"Iamentirelyrecovered,\"repliedthepatient。\"Thosepillsofyoursputmeonmyfeetthenextday。\"
\"Iknewtheywould,\"rejoinedthedoctor。
Samwasnearenoughtoheartheconversation,andwasdelightedbeyonddescription。Thenegroimmediatelyranintothekitchen,amongsthiscompanions,andcommenceddancing。
\"Whatdematterwidyou?\"inquiredthecook。
\"Iisdegreatestdoctorindiscountry,\"repliedSam。\"Efyouevergetsick,callonme。Nomatterwhatailsyou,Iisdemandatcancureyouinnotime。Ifyoudohabdebackache,derheumaties,deheadache,decollermorbus,fits,eranytingelse,Samisdegentlemandatcanputyouonyourfeetwidhispills。\"
Foralongtimeafter,Samdidlittleelsethanboastofhisskillasadoctor。
Wehavesaidthattheblackdoctorwasfullofwitandgoodsense。Indeed,inthatrespect,hehadscarcelyanequalintheneighborhood。Althoughhismasterresidedsomelittledistanceoutofthecity,Samwasalwaysthefirstmaninallthenegroballsandpartiesintown。Whenhismastercouldgivehimapass,hewent,andwhenhedidnotgivehimone,hewouldstealawayafterhismasterhadretired,andruntheriskofbeingtakenupbythenight-watch。Ofcourse,themasterneverknewanythingoftheabsenceoftheservantatnightwithoutpermission。Asthenegroesatthesepartiestriedtoexceleachotherinthewayofdress,Samwasoftenatalosstomakethatappearancethathisheartdesired,buthisreadywiteverhelpedhiminthis。Whenhismasterhadretiredtobedatnight,itwasthedutyofSamtoputoutthelights,andtakeoutwithhimhismaster’sclothesandboots,andleavethemintheofficeuntilmorning,andthenblacktheboots,brushtheclothes,andreturnthemtohismaster’sroom。
Havingresolvedtoattendadress-ballonenight,withouthismaster’spermission,andbeingperplexedforsuitablegarments,Samdeterminedtotakehismaster’s。So,dressinghimselfinthedoctor’sclotheseventohisbootsandhat,offthenegrostartedforthecity。Beingwellacquaintedwiththeusualwalkofthepatrolshefoundnodifficultyinkeepingoutoftheirway。Asmighthavebeenexpected,Samwasthegreatgunwiththeladiesthatnight。
Thenextmorning,Samwasbackhomelongbeforehismaster’stimeforrising,andtheclotheswereputintheiraccustomedplace。
ForalongtimeSamhadnodifficultyinattiringhimselfforparties;buttheoldproverbthat\"Itisalonglanethathasnoturning,\"wasverifiedinthenegro’scase。Onestormynight,whentherainwasdescendingintorrents,thedoctorheardarapathisdoor。Itwascustomarywithhim,whencalledupatnighttovisitapatient,toringforSam。Butthistime,theservantwasnowheretobefound。Thedoctorstruckalightandlookedforclothes;theytoo,weregone。——Itwastwelveo’clock,andthedoctor’sclothes,hat,boots,andevenhiswatch,werenowheretobefound。Herewasaprettydilemmaforadoctortobein。Itwassometimebeforethephysiciancouldfithimselfoutsoastomikethevisit。Atlast,however,hestartedwithoneofthefarm-horses,forSamhadtakenthedoctor’sbestsaddle-horse。Thedoctorfeltsurethatthe,negrohadrobbedhim,andwasonhiswaytoCanada;butinthishewasmistaken。Samhadgonetothecitytoattendaball,andhaddeckedhimselfoutinhismaster’sbestsuit。Thephysicianreturnedbeforemorning,andagainretiredtobedbutwithlittlehopeofsleep,forhisthoughtswerewithhisservantandhorse。Atsixo’clock,inwalkedSamwithhismaster’sclothes,andthebootsneatlyblacked。Thewatchwasplacedontheshelf,andthehatinitsplace。Samhadnotmetanyoftheservants,andwasthereforeentirelyignorantofwhathadoccurredduringhisabsence。
\"Whathaveyoubeenabout,sir,andwherewasyoulastnightwhenI
wascalled?\"saidthedoctor。
\"Idon’tknow,sir。I’sposeIwasasleep,\"repliedSam。
Butthedoctorwasnottobesoeasilysatisfied,afterhavingbeenputtosomuchtroubleinhuntingupanothersuitwithouttheaidofSam。Afterbreakfast,Samwastakenintothebarn,tiedup,andseverelyfloggedwiththecat,whichbroughtfromhimthetruthconcerninghisabsencethepreviousnight。Thisforeverputanendtohisfineappearanceatthenegroparties。Hadnotthedoctorbeenoneofthemostindulgentofmasters,hewouldnothaveescapedwithmerelyaseverewhipping。
Asamatterofcourse,SamhadtorelatetohiscompanionsthateveninginMr。Wilson’skitchenallhisadventuresasaphysicianwhilewithhisoldmaster。
CHAPTERIX
THEMANOFHONOR。
AUGUSTINECARDINAY,thepurchaserofMarion,wasfromtheGreenMountainsofVermont,andhisfeelingswereopposedtotheholdingofslaves;buthisyoungwifepersuadedhiminintotheideathatitwasnoworsetoownaslavethantohireoneandpaythemoneytoanother。HenceitwasthathehadbeeninducedtopurchaseMarion。
AdolphusMorton,ayoungphysicianfromthesameState,andwhohadjustcommencedthepracticeofhisprofessioninNewOrleans,wasboardingwithCardinaywhenMarionwasbroughthome。TheyoungphysicianhadbeeninNewOrleansbutaveryfewweeks,andhadseenbutlittleofslavery。Inhisownmountain-home,hehadbeentaughtthattheslavesoftheSouthernStateswerenegroes,andifnotfromthecoastofAfrica,thedescendantsofthosewhohadbeenimported。Hewasunpreparedtobeholdwithcomposureabeautifulwhitegirlofsixteeninthedegradedpositionofachattelslave。
ThebloodchilledinhisyoungheartasheheardCardinaytellhow,bybanteringwiththetrader,hehadboughthertwohundreddollarslessthanhefirstasked。Hisverylooksshowedthatshehadthedeepestsympathiesofhisheart。
MarionhadbeenbroughtupbyhermothertolookafterthedomesticconcernsofhercottageinVirginia,andwellknewhowtoperformthedutiesimposeduponher。Mrs。Cardinaywasmuchpleasedwithhernewservant,andoftenmentionedhergoodqualitiesinthepresenceofMr。Morton。