Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-28
Chapter Nxlv-(Cont,nuedo

II Know 1t, Venus. 1 have heard II
all through the little window. Do not
weep. l will trust in God" answered
AStrea.'
But I must part wild you. and neb.
Der see you again! nebberw blubbered
the affectiOnate creature, who, in the
isolated companionship Of her long
voyage, had become deeply attached to
the captive.
"Poor Venus! constant partings from
those to whom you have become at
tached seems to be your only earthly
destiny"
Yes, hO2ey! Lord knows it's de
trufe: I'm jes' like tree: always be-
in pulled up and planted some'eres
else, and nsbber lowed to stay long
enough to take root
";'oor woman. You must look for
ward. then. to that better land in
which. once planted, you will grow and
flourish forever; that land where part
ings shall be no more.' said Astrea,
gently drawing the poor black head
down upon her bosom.
Now, chile, l must fix your hair,
and range your dress. and take you
up. nice and pretty. else dere'll he de
berry debbil to pay wild Marse Cap'n
and me arter you're gone said We
nus. lifting her head.
Astrea took off her net and let her
long hair fall.
Venus carefully combcd and dressed
it, and replaced the net, and then took
from drawer a pretty dress Of white
brilliantine. which she begged the lady
to put on.
II,
possibly got here? They brought none
with me. that is certain" said Astrea,
curiosity making itself felt in the midst
OF her dreadful strait. even as the
lighter emotions sometimes pass over
the surface of the deepest passions.
Hi, chile! how l know? All sorts
Cap'n told me to look in dis drawer,
and take out dis dress and put on you,
replied Venus, carefully fastening the
bodice.
Are you going to be all day making
up your minds to come ON deck. you
girls down there" called the voice of
the captain from the head of the stairs.
Come on, chile! come up! don't
woke dem debbils; cause if you do it
Will be all de WIS for you" exclaimed
Venus, in q nervo is tremor.
They Welt on deck and walked on
toward the stern. where the captain
and the purchaser stood in cOnversa-
ton. The purchaser was q large. stout
old man. dressed in a silt of light
gray cloth. and broad-bri!nmed. light
gray felt hat. His hair and whiskers
We're gray. his features We're inflamed
Il f.,l vi l.. Il md
watery. AS if from the effects of habit
ual dissipation. The expression of his
face was good-natured rather than 9TH
erwise.
Astrea had taken all this in at one
frightened glance, and then stood be-
fore her WOuiG-te master with bowed
Cheeks, that only added grace and
brilliancy to her beauty. Venus stood
behind, with her apron IT her eyes.
The seller and buyer did not hesitate
to comment freely on the human COM
modify before t.2r own face.
This is the s;s!. Now what do you
think Of her!' asked the captain.
''HuMph!' said the other, who. like
all purchasers. would like to have de-
prec;ated the goods in order to get a
Ao"CA p41SC. 'C!''fE. u 1lACAN NcuCu
enough! but Size looks as sullen as the
deuce. Now i rather dislike sullen
women: 1 consider sullenness about
acquainted With. And besides, this
.moromania OF which you speak! The
more 1 think Of it the more objection
able it seens:' said the man. who,
however could not conceal his real adj
miro finyo nf q Mt FIJI f,,ro 1,n
fore him. His eyes roved with greedy
covetousness over her graceful form.
Astrea hung ner head and crimsoned
under their scrutiny.
The eyes of the captain followed,
halt-laughingly. those of the purchas-
CT. WHO pres entity said:
well. name your price for this
girl!
What will you give me?' inquired
the captain.
Il never set a price upon other peo-
pies gCCds.' answered the purchaser,
who was clearly afraid of offering too
much.
Hem! you had better make me an
offer before take her to New Orleans,
and set her up on an auction block,
where you would find many competit-
oio. Aou MN" NClS wei HOW sharp
the competition would be for the pos
session Of this girl!' said the captain,
maliciousIy.
At these dreadful words, threatening
degradation of which. even in her
most despairing hours, she had never
dreamed, tie bushes that dyed AS
treas cheeks faded suddenly away;
she became as pale as DEATH
Poor Venus. seeing this. and fearing
that she was about to sink to the floor,
put her arms around her waist and
supported her. Astrea's head sunk up.
on the negro woman's friendly bosom
She had been anxious to be taken to
the city, where she might see people
to whom she could ex!lain her real
social position. and make her appeal
for justice; but oh! not 10 the shame.
full auction block: not to the degrading
gaze Of the public! not to the insulting
competition of the licentious. The
burning stake rather than that.
Don't you see that you're frigbten
ing the poor wench to death with your
talk of auction blocks? These girls
that are brought from Maryland have
never been used to them as our wench