Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-04-29
Jeffrey and DoPcas.

Most of our realers have heard and
read Of the recent great auction sale Of
some 400 slaves, at Savannah, of which
the n. Y. Tribune gave detailed account,
covering some five or six columns They
were sold generally in families. and one
man WAS GINNING enough 10 marry his
wife The day b,frc the sale, and thus pre-
ventel separation from his sweet heart,
though when nui on the auction stand they
We're subjected TO the jesting and cnarse re-
ma Ks of a slaveholding crowd. Jeffrey
AID Dorcas were not so fortunate, perhaps,
but rs the story IS trle one. we ask The
reader if he will sustain an institution which
brings with it such unpleasant things? I?
God ior5i The following is their story.
Jeffrey, cIattel No. 319. marked as
pnt up. Jeffrey being likely lad, the
competition was high. The first hid was
Sll00. ard he was finally sold Tor Sl,3l0.
jeffrey was sold alone; he had no incum-
hrance in the shape Of an old father or
mother, who must necessarily be sold with
him, nor had he any children, for j, frey
was not married. But jeffrey chattel No.
3l9. being human ir his affections, had
dal ed to ch irish love fer Dorcas, chatiel
M. 27S. and Dorca,. not having the fear
of her master before her eyes. had given
her heart to Jeffrey. Whether what fol-
lowed was a Just retribution on Jeffrey aud
Dorcas for daring to take such liberties
with their masters property as 20 exchange
hearts, or whether it only gees to prove
that with black as with white, the saying
holds, that the course of true love never
did run smooth" cannot nov be told. Ger
tain it is that these two lovers were not 10
realize the conSumma' ion of their hopes in
happy wedlock. Jeffrey and Dorcas had
told their l3ves, had exchanged their sim
pie VOWS and were beirothed. each to the
other as dear and each by the other as
fondly loved, as though their skins had
been of fairer color. And Who slmil say
that in the >ilht of heaven and all the ho-
ly angels. these two humble hearts were
not as closely wedd d as any Two OF the
prouder race that call tt, m their slaves?
BE that as il may. Jeffrey as sold. He
iind- ont his new master, and hat in hand.
the biz tears standing in his eyes, and his
voice II trembling with emotion, he stands be-
fore that master. and tells his simple story,
praying that his belrothrd mag lie bought
with him. Though his voice irembles,
there is no embarrassment in his manner
his fears have killed all the basllfuliess that
would naturally attend such a recital to a
stranger aud before un~ympalhizing wit
nessrs; he frels that he is pleading for the
Happiness of her he loves, as well as for his
own. and his tale is told in frank and man
ly way.
6 loves Dorcas, young mas'r, love her
well an true she Gays she loves me. and
know she does de good Lord knows
love her better thtn loves any one in de
wide world-iever eaa love another wo-
man half 50 well. Please bny Dorcas.
mas'r We're be COOL servants TO you
long as we live. We're be married right
soon. Young mas'r, and The chlllun will lie
healthy a d strong, maSr. and deJ'li be
god servants too. Please buy Dorca-,
youno masr."
J. frey then remembers that no loves
and hopes of his are 10 enter into The bar
gain ut all. but Ia the eafnesfness If his
low. h.. has f,reotsn to base his plea on
other ground I'LL now. whrn he beshiaks
him and continues, with his voice DOT ireua-