The Slave-Auction (continued)—­“A Fine Young Woman”—­A Man and his Wife—­Jim, the Blacksmith—­A Family—­A Ploughboy—­Cornelia—­Another Jim—­Tom, the House-Boy—­Edmund—­Tom, and “his reserved rights”—­A Carriage Driver—­Margaret and her Child.

Yes, she was a “fine young woman,” about 23 years of age, neatly dressed, not black, but slightly coloured.  The auctioneer was a sleek-looking fellow, with a face that indicated frequent and familiar intercourse with the brandy-bottle.  He stood upon a platform, about four feet high.  Behind him was a table, at which a clerk sat to record the sales.  High above was a semi-circular board, on which were written in large letters “Beard, Calhoun, and Co.”  In front, standing upon a chair, exposed to the gaze of a crowd of men, stood the “fine young woman.”  She had an air of dignity even in that degrading position.  Around were twenty or thirty more of the sable race, waiting their turn.

“440 dollars only offered,” continued the coarse and heartless auctioneer; “450, thank you; 460, 460 dollars only offered for this excellent young woman—­470 only, 470—­480, 480 dollars only offered—­490—­500 dollars offered—­going for 500 dollars—­once, going for 500 dollars—­503 dollars—­going for 503 dollars—­going—­once —­twice—­gone for 503 dollars.  She is yours, sir,” pointing to the highest bidder.  She stepped down, and disappeared in the custody of her new proprietor.

A man and his wife, both black, were now put up.  They were made to ascend the platform.  “Now, how much for this man and his wife?  Who makes an offer?  What say you for the pair? 550 dollars offered—­560 dollars only; 560 dollars,” &c., &c., till some one bidding 600 dollars—­he added, “Really, gentlemen, it is throwing the people away—­going for 600 dollars; going—­once—­twice—­gone for 600 dollars.  They are yours, sir.”

Jim, a blacksmith, about 30 years of age, was the next.  He stood on the chair in front.  “Now, who bids for Jim?  He is an excellent blacksmith; can work on a plantation, and make his own tools; in fact, can turn his hand to anything.  The title is good,”—­(Is it, indeed? breathed I,)—­“and he is guaranteed free from all the vices and maladies provided against by law.  Who bids for him? 600 dollars bid for him —­625 dollars—­650 dollars,” and so on to 780. “’Pon my soul, gentlemen, this is throwing the man away; he is well worth 1,200 dollars of anybody’s money; 790 dollars only offered for him—­going for 790 dollars;—­going—­once—­twice—­gone for 790 dollars.”

The next “lot” was a family, consisting of the husband, a man slightly coloured, about 30 years of age, the wife about 25, quite black, and reminding me forcibly of an excellent woman in my own congregation, a little girl about 4 years of age, and a child in the arms.  They were told to mount the platform.  As they obeyed, I was attracted by a little incident, which had well nigh caused my feelings to betray me.  Never shall I forget it.