He was always
anxious that his slaves should appear well on the Sabbath, and
have an opportunity of hearing the word of God.
CHAPTER II
THE NEGRO SALE.
As might have been expected, the day of sale brought an usually
large number together to compete for the property to be sold.
Farmers, who make a business of raising slaves for the market,
were there, and slave-traders, who make a business of buying
human beings in the slave-raising States and taking them to the
far South, were also in attendance. Men and women, too, who wished
to purchase for their own use, had found their way to the slave
sale.
In the midst of the throne. was one who felt a deeper interest in
the result of the sale than any other of the bystanders. This was
young Linwood. True to his promise, he was there with a blank
bank-check in his pocket, awaiting with impatience to enter the
list as a bidder for the beautiful slave.
It was indeed a heart-rending scene to witness the lamentations of
these slaves, all of whom had grown up together on the old
homestead of Mr. Graves, and who had been treated with great
kindness by that gentleman, during his life. Now they were to be
separated, and form new relations and companions. Such is the
precarious condition of the slave. Even when with a good master,
there is no certainty of his happiness in the future.
The less valuable slaves were first placed upon the auction-block,
one after another, and sold to the highest bidder.
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