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

bling now, save with eagerness 10 prove
how worthy If grea, many dollars is The
maiden of his heart. s se.
Young mas'r, Dorcas pri ne woman-a
No. woman, Sa. Tallgal, Sa, long ums,
strong. healthy, aud can do heap d work
in day. She is one of de best rice hands
on de whole plantation, worth ST, 200 easy
mss'r, an fustate bargain at that"
The man seems touched by Jeffrey's last
remarks, and bids him fitch out his gal,
and let's see what she looks like
Jeffrey goes into the long room, and
presently returns with Dorcas. looking
very sad and self-possessed. without par
ticle Of embarrassment at the trying posi-
ton in which she is placed. She makes
the accustomed courtesy, and stands meek
ly with her hands clasped across her bos-
ON, awaiting the result. The buyer re-
CARDS her with a critical eye, and growls
in low voice, that the '.gal has good pints.e
Then he es on to a more minute and
careful examination of her working abili
lies. He turns her round, makes her sioop
and walk, and then takes off her turban to
look at her head, that no wound or disease
be concealed by the gay handkerchief he
looks at her teeth aud feels Of her arms.
and at last announces himself pleased with
the result of his observations, whereat JET
frev, who has stood near trembling with
eager hope, is now overjoyed and he smiles
tor the first time. The buyer then crowns
,Irfrry's happiness by making promise
that he will buyer her, if the price isn't run
up too high. And the two lovers step aside
and congratulate each other on their good
! fortune. But Dorcas is not to be sold till
! next day. and there are twenty -four long
hours Of feverish expectat on.
Early next murning is Jeffrey alert, and
| hat in hand, encouraged to unusual freedom
| by the greatness of the stake 1or which he
| plays, he addresses every buyer, and of all
who will listen be begs the boon of a word
to be spoken to his new master to encour-
age him to buy Dorcas. And all the long
morning he speaks in his homely way with
| all who know hi a, that they will intercede
| TO save his sweetheart from being sold
away from him forever. No one has the
heart TO deny a word of premise and en-
enlargement TO the poor fellow, and joy
Gus with so much kindness, his hopes and
| spirits gradually rise until he feels almost
that his wish will he accomplished. Dor
Gus too, smiling, for is not Jeffreys hap
pin $ her own?
At last ccmes the trying moment, and
Dorcas comes upon the stand.
But now a most unexpected feature in
4 the drama is for the first time uhmasked !;
! Doreas Is not 10 be sold alone. but with a
4 family 81 four olhsrs. knllaef ,lasnaay slas-
trey looks to his master, who shakes isls
/ head TO buy Dorcss alone, lie has 10 use
for The resi- of the family. jeffrey reads
/ his doom ia his masters look and turns
away, The tears streaming down his honest
face.
SO Dorcas is sold, and her toilng life is
to be spent in The cotton-felds of South
Carolina, while Jeffrey goes 10 the rice
plantation Of the great swamp.
And Tomorrow, Jeffrey and Dorcas are
to say taeir fearful farewell, and 90 their
separate ways in life TO meet no more as
mortal being~.
In another hour see Dorcas in the long
room, sitting motionless as statue, with
her head covered with shawl. And | see
Jeffrey, who goes TO his new master, pulls
off his hat, and says, Else very much
obliged, mas'r, TO you for trying to help me.
| knows you would have done it if you
eould--thank you, mas'r-thank you--but
--.ils--berry- here the poor
fellow breaks down entirely. and walks
away, covering his face with his battered
hat, and sobbing like a very child.
lie is suon surrounded 10y a group Of his
colored friends who with an instructive del
icacy most unlocked for stand quiet and
with uncovered heads about him."