, 1862-05-17
Purchase and Sale of Infants in the New
York Baby Mart!


York Baby Mart!
There is an old saying " One half the world
does not know how the other half obtains live
lihood." and as the reader scans the annexed ad-
vertisements and as his mind sezes the aim and
object of the establishment which is thus brought
into public notice. by the assistance of one of the
New York dailies, he will admit tie truth of the
aphorism.
Children taken for adoption, and children
adopted out for homes. Three children, from
twenty months to one year old wanted at No.,
- street, New York;
So, come with me to No. =, - street, New
York Let us, together, visit the Baby Market
of Gotham. Do not start at the phantom. There
may be good even in the heart of buyer and
seller of white baby slaves There may be in
this white slave mart, the means of preventing
white baby murder The baby market of New
York cannot be much worse than the tanks which
supply Philadelphia with fresh water, and serve
as the tomb of five hundred babies in year =
Can it Let US see.
The house is respectable. Look small SER
want girl-keen, sharp, and agile, as a cat in tw-
light--opens the door to us.
please, gentlemen, walk into the parlor, till
Missus gets done spanking Napoleon"
All, you look at me with wonder and little
comic smile sadly plays with your philosophic
melancholy. Let us enter the parlor. There is
nothing to tell us that we are in a slave market
Nothing indicates the occupation of the owner of
these rosewood lounges-yet, the statue of Cupid,
painted black, which fills conspicuous station in
the parlor, suggests some strange reflections.
Hush women are taking leave of each other
Listen has the mother sold her child ?-or has
stranger purchased foundling9 No matter
The tones are kindly and gentle, indicating that
culture of the voice and manner which is obtained
only in good society," Heigho Pish, man why
do you sgh do you think the poor are the only
criminals?
The mistress of the establishment enters. She
is portly woman, of thirty or thereabouts hand
some, well dressed, keen eyed, unblushing and
resolute Has she saved herself from life of
immortality for a career of Kindness usefulness
and profitable philanthropyP That secret is not
for you or me-God must Judge
She speaks; rich voice, full of deep melody,
exercises over us the spell of authority.
"You are looking for baby, sir. Male or
female?
male"
coo ,,o,,r fooa IN tho ,o;rror 1,o,, aro rrro;ra
ting OF the chance of obtaining ''Dead Rabbit"
or the possibility of becoming the lawful owner of
one OF the Upper-TendOm."
Madame's eye is fixed on me, and I dare not
smile. exceptin polite Difference as the lady speaks
fyou want something very nice 1 think
have the very baby that will suit you Mary p
Enter Mary. Bring down Brooklyn Heights. :"
The lady reads our unuttered thought Brook
lyn Heights Mackbeth and Dunsinane ana
she answers them:
"You see, gentlemen, 1 have so many I'm
something suggested by, or associated with, their
history 1t saves confusion, and is aa easy way of
keeping the record. How many have l on hand ?
let me e-eighteen-eight males and ten fe-
males, of all ages between three weeks and twelve
months. Do I never have them youngerP Oh
yes, day old, if necessary. In fact, I sometimes
buy them, as the merchants say, to arrive"
"Do you ever tell their parentage p
At this question Madame looks perfect sphynx
of reticence.
"Oh, yes, they are all my own, because
bought them. The instant child enters that
door it loses father and mother and becomes my
property"
"Do parents ever come to reclaim children
when they are sold and away?'
Gentlemen, every occupation has its o6jec-
tons. and my own is not exempt and I have
neither time nor inclination to recount them now.
At this junoture faint cry from above stairs is
heard, and Mary approaches, bearing in triumph
Brooklyn Heights, small, rather fat baby, with
head wonderfully and fearfully made
"Now, there's baby for YOU"
But Brooklyn Heights is not altogether salts
factory to either you or me, and Madame desires
Mary to bring down JEFF. Davis