she was a cold, soulless thing, who declared that sooner than yield to be the abject wretch men sought to make her, she would die that only death.  She had but one life, and it were better to yield that up virtuously than die degraded.  Graspum, then, is the only safe channel in which to dispose of the like.  That functionary assures Mr. Blackmore Blackett that the girl is beautiful, delicate, and an exceedingly sweet creature yet! but that during the four months she has depreciated more than fifty per cent in value.  His remarks may be considered out of place, but they are none the less true, for it is ascertained, on private examination, that sundry stripes have been laid about her bare loins.  Gurdoin Choicewest declared to his mother that he never for once had laid violent hands on the obstinate wench; Mr. Blackmore Blackett stood ready to lay his hand on the Bible, and lift his eyes to heaven for proof of his innocence; but a record of the infliction, indelible of blood, remained there to tell its sad tale,—­to shame, if shame had aught in slavery whereon to make itself known.  Notwithstanding this bold denial, it is found that Mr. Blackmore Blackett did on two occasions strip her and secure her hands and feet to the bed-post, where he put on “about six at a time,” remarkably “gently.”  He admired her symmetrical form, her fine, white, soft, smooth skin-her voluptuous limbs, so beautifully and delicately developed; and then there was so much gushing sweetness, mingled with grief, in her face, as she cast her soft glances upon him, and implored him to end her existence, or save her such shame!  Such, he says, laconically, completely disarmed him, and he only switched her a few times.

“She’s not worth a dot more than a thousand dollars.  I couldn’t give it for her, because I couldn’t make it out on her.  The fact is, she’ll get a bad name by passing through so many hands-a deuced bad name!” says Graspum, whose commercial language is politically cold.  “And then there’s her broken wrist-doubtful! doubtful! doubtful! what I can do with her.  For a plantation she isn’t worth seven coppers, and sempstresses and housemaids of her kind are looked on suspiciously.  It’s only with great nicety of skill ye can work such property to advantage,” he continues, viewing her in one of Mr. Blackmore Blackett’s ante-rooms.

The upshot of the matter is, that Mr. Blackmore Blackett accepts the offer, and Graspum, having again taken the damaged property under his charge, sends it back to his pen.  As an offset for the broken wrist, she has three new dresses, two of which were presented by the younger Choicewest, and one by the generous Blackmore Blackett.