The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-04-09
The Great Slave Sale.

Dorcus" needs no comment II the reading
Of IL does not touch the heart, snd At the
same tine open the eyes 10 - least one Of
the wrongs Of slavery, no portrayal Of III,
evils Of that syrlem can produced such re-
suit;
"Jeirrey, thattel No 80, marked as a
prime cotton hand, aged 20 years. was put
up Jeffrey being q likely lad, the competi.
ton was high, The first bid was sl,lOO, aud
he was finally sold for $3.50, Jeffrey was
sold alonej he had no incumbrance Ia the
shape Of an pgod father or mother who must
necessarily be sold with him, nor had he any
children, for jeffrey was not married But
jeffrey ehattel No, $40, being human IN HE
affections had dared 20 cherish a love for
Doreas, chatlol No. 27s, and Dorcas, not
having the fear Of her mater before her eyes
had given her heart to Jeffrey Whether
what followed was jpst retribution on jeff
rcy and Dorcas for daring to take such liber-
ties with their masters property as to ex-
change hearts, or whether il only goes to
prove that with back as with white, the say
/ ing holds, thot the course of true love never
did run smooth cannot now be told. Ger
tain Il Il that these two lovers we're not 10
realize the contamination Of their hopes In
happy Hedlock. jeffrey aud Dorcas had told
their loves, had exchanged their simple VOWS
and we're betrothcd, each to the other as dear
and each by the other ns fondy loved, as
though their skins had been Of faircr color.
And who shall say that IN the sight Of heaven
and all the holy angels, these two humble
hearts were not us closely welded as any
two Of the prouder race that call them their
slaves
10 that as it may jeffrey was sold. lie
finds out his new master and hat in hand
the big tears stsutfing in his eyes aud hi.
voice trembling with emotion, he stands be-
fore that master and tells his simple story,
praying tha, his bctrolhcd may he bought
with him. Though his voice trcmblcs, there
is no embarrassment in his manners his
fears have killed all the bashfulncss tha,
would naturally attend such a recital to a
stranger, and before unsympathizing witness.
os he feels that he is pleading for the hap.
piness Of her he loves as we'll rs for his
own, and his tale is told in frank and mani,
way.
Il loves Dorcas, young mns'r loves ne,
wuii an truci she says she loves me- and |
know she does de good Lord knows loves
her better than l loves any one in de Wide !
word--ncvcr can love another woman half
so well. Please buy Dorcas, mas'r We're
be good saryauts TO you long as we live. |
We're be married right soon, young mas'r, |
and the ohllun wi be healthy and strong,
mas'r, and dcyllbe good snryants too. Please
buy Dorcas, young mos'r We loves each
other a kcop-do, really true. ma2'f.'
Jeffrey thcn remembers that no loygs and
hopes Of his are to enter into the bargain a,
all, but in the carncstncss of his love he has
forgotten to base his plea on other ground
till now, when lac b0thinks him and contin-
ucs, with his voice not trembling now save
with eagerncss to prove how worthy Of a
great many dollars is the maiden Of his
heart. 4
Young mas'r Dorcas prime woman--A !
woman, Sa. Tall gal, Sa, long arms, strong,
healthy, and can do heap of work in a day.
She is one Of the de best rice hands on de
Ihoic plantation, worth 5000 easy mas'r,
an iust.rate bargain at that
The man seems touched by Jcffrcy's last
remarks, and bids him fetch out his gal
and let's see what she looks like
Jeffrey goes into the long room, and pres
emily returns with Dorcas, looking very sad
and sc'f-Hosscssed, without particle of cu,-
barrOssment drthr trying position in which
she is placed. She makes the accustomed
courtesy, and stands meehly with her hands
claspcd across her bosom, awaiting the re-
suit. The buyer regards her with n critical
eye, and growls in low voice, that the gal
has good pints Then he goes on ton more
minute and careful examination Of her work
ing abilities. lie turns her round, makes
her stoop and walk and then takes off her
turbon to look at her head, that no wound
or disease be concealed by the gay handker-
chief he looks at her teeth and feels of her
arms, and at last announces himself pleased
with the result of his observations, whoreat
Jeffrey, who has stood near trembling with
eager hope, is overjoyed, and he smiles for
the first time. The buyer then crowns JEFF
rey's happiness by making promise that he
will buy her, if the price isn't run up too
high. And the two lovers step aside and
congratulate cacli other on their good for
tune But Dorcas is not to be sold till the
next day, and there are twenty-four long
hours Of fevcrish expectation.
Early next morning is Jeffrey alert, and
hat in hand, encouraged to unusual freedom
by the greatness of the stake for which he
plays, he addresses every buyer, and Of all
who will listen be bcgs the boon of word
to be spoken to his new master to cncour-
] age him to buy Dorcas. And all the long
morning he speaks in his homely way with
all who know him, that they will intercede
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