“What is your name?” he enquired.

“Elsy, sir,” she replied.

“You say that you come from New Orleans,” he continued.

“Yes, sir,” she responded.

“What was your master’s name?” asked the doctor.

“His name is Mr. Alfred Wentworth,” the negro answered.

“Where is your master now?” he enquired, continuing his questions.

“Massa is a prisner in de Yankee army,” she replied.

“And what made you leave New Orleans?” was the next question.

“My missis was turned away from de city, and I runaway from dem Yankees and come here to look for her.”

“Have you not been able to find your mistress?” asked Dr. Humphries.

“No, sir.  Jest as I came here de city police took me up and put me in jail.”

“Excuse me,” interrupted the auctioneer, “but I must sell this girl at once.  Time is precious, so you must excuse me;” then turning to the crowd he continued:  “Here is the slave, gentlemen.  She is an intelligent looking negro, says she understands all that appertains to the duties of a house servant.  What will you bid for her?”

“Seven hundred dollars,” exclaimed a voice in the crowd.

“Thank you, sir; seven hundred dollars; going at seven hundred dollars.  Look at the girl, gentlemen, going at seven hundred dollars.  Can I get another bid?” exclaimed the auctioneer in the rapid voice peculiar to his class.

“Seven hundred and twenty-five,” was the next bid.

“Seven hundred and fifty,” Dr. Humphries cried out, having made up his mind to purchase her.

In a few minutes the slave was “knocked down” to the doctor for eleven hundred dollars, and after the proper form was gone through and the money paid, he ordered her to follow him, and retraced his steps homeward.

As our readers must have recognized already, Elsy was no other than the slave who was left at New Orleans by Mrs. Wentworth, and who declared that she would follow her mistress into the Confederate lines.  After making several ineffectual attempts she had succeeded in reaching Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, at which place she eluded the Federal pickets, and made her way to Jackson.  The first part of her journey being through the country she passed unnoticed, until on her arrival at Jackson she was stopped by the police, who demanded her papers.  Not having any she was confined in the county jail, and after due notice in the papers, calling for the owner to come and take her away, she was sold at auction according to law.  The girl was very much grieved at her failure to find her mistress, but being of a good disposition soon became contented with her lot.  Accordingly, when Dr. Humphries purchased her, she followed him home with a cheerful step.

On entering his house the doctor presented the negro to Emma.

“Here, Emma,” he observed, “is a girl I have bought for you to-day.”