Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-08-27
SELLING A WOMAN IN ENGLAYn :

SELLING A WOMAN IN ENGLAND.
! l-Perhaps SOME people may shake their heads
] i'm doubt at the scene AIN attem pting To- de.
! scribe. All can say in answer isl saw il;
7 and II was not the first time had looked on
, such scene. | know the law does not allow
! it. but saw it done, and am not the apologist,
either of the law or the people.
learned, upon inquiry. that jealousy was
the cause OF the present auction, as il always
is OF similar transactions. That Trough
Moey," in his green old age, had given "pit
wench' new gown, and other articles OF
dress, with fortnight "tcat," to marry him;
! that she had afterwards transferred her affec-
tions To young collier, upon which Moey
, became jealous and beat her; beating however,
did not cure love, but only awakened thoughts
OF vengeance. She watched her opportunity,
and finding her husband one night very drunk
she gently unstrapped and removed his wooden
leg and threshed him to her hearts content;
whereupon Moey, knowing perhaps that Glove
is strong as death" became tired of keeping a
! woman, the affections of whose Young and
, delicate heart were absorbed by another and
; adopted the present mode of procedure, as the
, only recognised legal method, with which he
was cognisant, OF transferring her to her adj
mirer.
"Laerdics and gentlemen" said Moey, upon
MS TUB, holding quart pot in one hand and
: the halter i'm the other, and winking with his
remaining eye. "Laerlies and gentlemen.
eres all yer good healths." He took a long
$ draught, then inverted the pot, to show il was
empty, and said Ah-h-h! About one hundred
and fifty Golfers laughed and said, .'thank
thee, Moey! and the same number of old wo-
men said "well done. old lad!' A young man,
$ who was evidently TO be the purchaser, sup
Piled the wife with ale, and she kept up run
+, ming fire OF short sentences with the women
; around. Notwithstanding this bravado, /
i could see her eyes were filled with tears; and
c her heart was beating fiercely. Her voice
& ialtered at last, and giving her child to the
II young man, she sat down on the tub, buried
&c her lace in her hands and wept bitterly. All
lie Laughing suddenly ceased; there was no more
l. Joking, but a clamor of abuse that would have
le overwhelmed Babel, the women, old and
Id young, poured upon Moey. 1t was very
y, contagious, that feeling of indignation, when
OF once raised, and the mems brows began to
'd contract, when the purchaser expectant said
IN III rather savage voice, Come now, old
v chap; let's "a done wi this foolery; 60 on"
o. "Laerlies and gentlemen" said Moey, "we
is all on us know how the matter stands; i,
Or Gonna be helped, SO we needn't be SO savage
III about it," Then certifying himself with
another drink, and winking hideously with
n his remaining eye, he continued; "Laerdies
} and gentlemen, | ak lafe to oppose to yer
notice very lonesome young CONAN an
q noice little baby, which Gather belongs to me
i or somebody else" Here was general laugh
i and good humor was gaining again the ascen-
l. dant.
IS "Hers good cratur," continued Moey,
h .'and goes pretty well in 'arness with little
r floggng. Her can cook sleeps head like a
J. Christian, and make as good broth as Lord
l. Dartmouth. Her can carry hundred and a
J, alt o Goals from the pit for three miles; her
i can sell 1t we'll and put it down her throat i'm
three minits.' general laugh of applause
l. followed this, and the grateful audience pressed
:, more drink on the orator
$ Hers as good morality Young 'ooman,"
d resumed the auctioneer, las the parson, and
e sings :" Babylon's Fallen, ""Wrostlin Jaercob,"
Il am "Backsiidin Jinners," at the ranters' chap
y ell, as good as jews harp. Her was brought
e up mailer, an can max alf thousand O. six
n penny nails in day, if yer can only get her
N TO it The woman herself did not wish to
IS abet her husband in dcceiving her purchaser,
/ presume, for here she suddenly looked up
h and exclaimed, "Why thee know'st thee
beest lying thief Moey" "Neer mind her,
y lads, said Mocy, ''ller'll make good wife, a
: regular goin' gin 'oss; and il any o. yer young
s iellers wants wife without the trouble o
counting, now's yer time; hers rale trump,
and very fond o young men," The lady her
: sell here expressed her opinion that he was ga
e lying, good-for nothing, black-guard scamp"
), Now, my lads continued Moey, roll up
and bid spirited; it's all right, accordin to law
; brought her through the turnpike, an paid
! the men; brought her with halter, an Ihad
her cried; so there's nothing TO pay, and the
r law constants all right: So if We gle me enough
e Tor the CONAN ] gle the young kid into the
h bargain Now gentlemen! who bids?-Goin,
= goin, goin, can't relay,--can't dwell on this
II lot, as the auctioneer says"
II The orator ceased, and great cheering" fol-
: lowed his speech. Eighteen pence" cried
1 a voice from the crowd. Eighteen pence,a
v repeated Moey, "only eighteen pence for a
}, fullgrown young CONAN! why you'd have TO
pay the parson seven and six for marrying yer
S and here'sa wife ready made to yer hands for
eighteen pence, ell who bids?"
II III gie thee half a crown, old rouge -un !"
G SAID the young man, who they all knew would
Il be the purchaser. IN tell thee wot, Jack"
;, said Moey, "lf thee't max it up three gallons
S o drink, hers thi0e; III ask thee nought for
g the babby, and the halter's worth quart
: Come, say six shillin!" After little chatter
K ing about the price, the young man agreed to
! pay Tor the three gallons of ale; which it was
c stipulated was to be had forthwith, and in
e which himself, his newly bought wife, and
/ one or two friends were to participate.
n The bargain being concluded, the halter
e was placed IN the young mans hand, and the
e young woman received the congratulations O,
n numerous dingy matrons; she wiped her ewes
y and smiled cheerfuly; her new husband i'm.
r pressed sharp barking kiss on her cheek. BY
d way OF ratitying the agreement; and amid
shouts and laughter the mob broke ND and
6 dispersed, the new wedding party going, |
y perceived, to my inn.--CoTr of The " Y