Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-04-28
CHAPTER XXXV,

Each had arrived at the standard
price that he had fixed upon at first.
Therefore satisfaction beamed uDOn
each coutenance.
The seller was delighted. because he
had made an extra profit-knOwing
full well that the sum for which he
had sold his victim was so much clear
gain. in addition to that which he
would receive for abducting her.
And the purchaser was in raptures.
knowing that it TINS 5eautlrul girl had
been exposed upon the auction block
at New Orleans. she would have
brought at least three times the price
he had paid for her.
Ard not knowing that the last thing
on earth this trader captain would
have dared to do. would be to have ex-
posed this freedom lady. with a tongue
in her head, to a public sale in a popu-
lous city square!
So each had his private reasons for
being extremely veil pelased.
And so the poor young victim Of the
wicked traffic received some of the
benefits in the form of kind words.
She still stood, encircled by the sup
porting arms. and with her head re-
Ginning upon the gentle bosom of We
Eus.
"Well. my good girl-Zora I think
they call you-look up, let me see your
face again. since have purchased you
from this trader. Come, don't be sui
len! You will not find me hard mas
ter! Indeed. l am called really in
dulgent one by all who know me we'll!
fuf no Sf,11,
up"
The tone of voice was not unkind;
and, wishing to conciliate this new ar
bitter of her destiny. Astrea raised her
head, and fixed her eyes upon those Of
the purchaser with look so full Of
gentle dignity, profound sorrow and
earnest depreciation, that the man who
encountered it must have been obtuse
indeed, not TO have understood that it
was the expression of a refined, intel
lectual and religious gentlewoman.
But Barney RumfOrd was obtuse,
very obtuse! And so he very dirnly
perceived the meaning of this glance.
He spoke up cheeringly:
THAT is well! Oh, know it must
have been hard for you to leave your
native region of country, and harder
still to part from friends, perhaps
from parents! But cheer up! You
will find dearer friend than any one
you have lcst-in me, your master!
Lord! a mouth hence! wonder who
will be master and who will be slavev'
Astrea lowered her eyes and shud-
dered.
Come, cheer up! your duties will
be very light with me: no hard work,
not even house work; nothing to do but
to please your master and give orders
to the servants. Come, now, the boat
is waiting. Make up your bundle and
let us be off, or leave the bundle, if you
like. it does not matter. In three DAYS
/ will give you better outfit than you
ever had. or even ever saw in your
life
But Astrea had dropped her head
once more upon the bosom of Venus,
where it continued to rest.
"Ah. SOC" favorite fellow servant.
Well. I'm generous old dog, l am!
Observation-Disclosures, as the neighbors
say. So, if it pains you so much to be
separated, do not mind il l buy the
other one. too. Captain, are you will
ing to sell that black diamond? and. If
so, how much: Mind, don't say twice
as much as you mean to take, for you
perceive it is getting late, aud we have
no time for 'jewing,'" said Mr.. Rum.
ford.
Now it happened that the captain
particularly desired to dispose of his
sable stewardess; first. because he de
sired to supply her place with a white
woman: and, secondly. because he was
about to sail for England. So. after q
little consideration, the captain said:
This woman is not for sale; but, to
ob!jge an old customer, will let YOU
haze her; and for a moderate price
too: only sixteen hundred dollars"
"Bosh! you mean eight" said Mr.
Rumford.