the children are improving
three years have rolled round, and wrought great changes in the aspect of affairs. m'fadden was buried on his plantation, romescos was bailed by graspum, and took his trial at the sessions for manslaughter. it was scarcely worth while to trouble a respectable jury with the paltry case-and then, they were so frequent! we need scarcely tell the reader that he was honourably acquitted, and borne from the court amid great rejoicing. his crime was only that of murder in self-defence; and, as two tyrants had met, the successful had the advantage of public opinion, which in the slave world soars high above law. romescos being again on the world, making his cleverness known, we must beg the reader's indulgence, and request him to accompany us while we return to the children.
annette and nicholas are, and have been since the sale, the property of graspum. they develope in size and beauty-two qualities very essential in the man-market of our democratic world, the south. those beautiful features, intelligence, and reserve, are much admired as merchandise; for southern souls are not lifted above this grade of estimating coloured worth. annette's cherub face, soft blue eyes, clear complexion, and light auburn hair, add to the sweetness of a countenance that education and care might make brilliant; and yet, though reared on marston's plantation, with unrestricted indulgence, her childish heart seems an outpouring of native goodness. she speaks of her mother with the affection of one of maturer years; she grieves for her return, wonders why she is left alone, remembers how kind that mother spoke to her when she said good by, at the cell door. how sweet is the remembrance of a mother! how it lingers, sparkling as a dewdrop, in a child's memory. annette feels the affliction, but is too young to divine the cause thereof. she recalls the many happy plantation scenes; they are bright to her yet! she prattles about daddy bob, harry, aunt rachel, and old sue, now and then adding a solicitous question about marston. but she does not realise that he is her father; no, it was not her lot to bestow a daughter's affection upon him, and she is yet too young to comprehend the poison of slave power. her childlike simplicity affords a touching contrast to that melancholy injustice by which a fair creature with hopes and virtues after god's moulding, pure and holy, is made mere merchandise for the slave-market.
annette has learned to look upon nicholas as a brother; but, like herself, he is kept from those of his own colour by some, to him, unintelligible agency. strange reflections flit through her youthful imagination, as she embraces him with a sister's fondness. how oft she lays her little head upon his shoulder, encircles his neck with her fair arm, and braids his raven hair with her tiny fingers! she little thinks how fatal are those charms she bears bloomingly into womanhood.
but, if they alike increase in beauty as they increase in age, their dispositions are as unlike as two opposites can be moulded. nicholas has inherited that petulant will, unbending determination, and lurking love of avenging wrong, so peculiar to the indian race. to restlessness he adds distrust of those around him; and when displeased, is not easily reconciled. he is, however, tractable, and early evinced an aptitude for mechanical pursuits that would have done credit to maturer years. both have been at service, and during the period have created no small degree of admiration-annette for her promising personal appearance, nicholas for his precocious display of talent. both have earned their living; and now nicholas is arrived at an age when his genius attracts purchasers.
conspicuous among those who have been keeping an eye on the little fellow, is mr. jonathan grabguy, a master-builder, largely engaged in rearing dwellings. his father was a builder, and his mother used to help the workmen to make venetian blinds. fortune showered her smiles upon their energies, and brought them negro property in great abundance. of this property they made much; the father of the present mr. grabguy (who became a distinguished mayor of the city) viewing it peculiarly profitable to use up his niggers in five years. to this end he forced them to incessant toil, belabouring them with a weapon of raw hide, to which he gave the singular cognomen of "hell-fire." when extra punishment was-according to his policy-necessary to bring out the "digs," he would lock them up in his cage (a sort of grated sentry-box, large enough to retain the body in an upright position), and when the duration of this punishment was satisfactory to his feelings, he would administer a counter quantity of stings with his "hell-fire" wattle. indeed, the elder mr. grabguy, who afterwards became "his worship the mayor," was a wonderful disciplinarian, which very valuable traits of character his son retains in all their purity. his acts deserve more specific notice than we are at present able to give them, inasmuch as by them the safety of a state is frequently endangered, as we shall show in the climax.
our present mr. grabguy is a small man, somewhat slender of person, about five feet seven inches high, who usually dresses in the habiliments of a working man, and is remarkable for his quickness. his features are dark and undefinable, marked with that thoughtfulness which applies only to the getting of wordly goods. his face is narrow and careworn, with piercing brown eyes, high cheek bones, projecting nose and chin, low forehead, and greyish hair, which he parts in the centre. these form the strongest index to his stubborn character; nevertheless he hopes, ere long, to reach the same distinguished position held by his venerable father, who, peace to his ashes! is dead.
"now, good neighbour graspum," says our mr. grabguy, as he stands in graspum's warehouse examining a few prime fellows, "i've got a small amount to invest in stock, but i wants somethin' choice-say two or three prime uns, handy at tools. i wants somethin' what 'll make mechanics. then i wants to buy," he continues, deliberately, "a few smart young uns, what have heads with somethin' in 'um, that ye can bring up to larn things. white mechanics, you see, are so independent now-a-days, that you can't keep 'um under as you can niggers.
"i've bin thinkin' 'bout tryin' an experiment with nigger prentices; and, if it goes, we can dispense with white mechanics entirely. my word for it, they're only a great nuisance at best. when you put 'um to work with niggers they don't feel right, and they have notions that our society don't respect 'um because they must mix with the black rascals in following their trades; and this works its way into their feelings so, that the best on 'um from the north soon give themselves up to the worst dissipation. ah! our white mechanics are poor wretches; there isn't twenty in the city you can depend on to keep sober two days."
"well, sir," interrupts graspum, with an air of great importance, as, with serious countenance, he stands watching every change in mr. grabguy's face, at intervals taking a cursory survey of his merchandise, "can suit you to most anything in the line. you understand my mode of trade, perfectly?" he touches mr. grabguy on the arm, significantly, and waits the reply, which that gentleman makes with a bow. "well, if you do," he continues, "you know the means and markets i have at my command. can sell you young uns of any age, prime uns of various qualities-from field hands down to watch-makers, clergymen!" he always keeps a good supply on hand, and has the very best means of supply. so mr. grabguy makes a purchase of three prime men, whom he intends to transform into first-rate mechanics. he declares he will not be troubled hereafter with those very miserable white workmen he is constrained to import from the north. they are foolish enough to think they are just as good as any body, and can be gentlemen in their profession. they, poor fools! mistake the south in their love of happy new england and its society, as they call it.
having completed his bargain, he hesitates, as if there is something more he would like to have. "graspum!" he says, "what for trade? can we strike for that imp o' yours at mrs. tuttlewill's?" without waiting for graspum's reply, he adds-"that chap 's goin to make a tall bit of property one of these days!"
"ought to," rejoins graspum, stoically; "he's got right good stock in him." the man of business gives his head a knowing shake, and takes a fresh quid of tobacco. "give that 'sprout' a chance in the world, and he'll show his hand!" he adds.
"that's what i wants," intimates our tradesman. he has had his eye on the fellow, and knows he's got a head what 'll make the very best kind of a workman. but it will be necessary to take the stubborn out without injuring the "larning" part. mr. grabguy, with great unconcern, merely suggests these trifling matters for the better regulating of mr. graspum's price.
"can do that easy enough, if you only study the difference between a nigger's hide and head. can put welts on pretty strong, if you understand the difference a'tween the too," intimates our man of business, as he places his thumbs in his vest, and commences humming a tune. then he stops suddenly, and working his face into a very learned contortion, continues-"ye see, grabguy, a man has to study the human natur of a nigger just the same as he would a mule or a machine. in truth, grabguy, niggers are more like mules nor anything else, 'cause the brute 'll do everything but what ye wants him to do, afore he's subdued. you must break them when they are young. about ten or a dozen welts, sir, well laid on when ye first begin, and every time he don't toe the mark, will, in the course of a year, make him as submissive as a spaniel-it will! the virtue of submission is in the lash, it supples like seeds."
"about the stock, graspum: i don't quite agree with you about that,--i never believed in blood, ye know. as far as this imp goes, i have my doubts about the blood doin on him much good; seein' how it kind o' comes across my mind that there's some ingin in him. now, if my philosophy serves me right, ingin blood makes slave property want to run away (the speaker spreads himself with great nonchalance), the very worst fault."
"poh! poh!-isn't a bit o' that about him. that imp 's from marston's estate, can't scare up nothin so promisin' in the way of likely colour," graspum interposes, with great assurance of manner. "you didn't see the gal-did you?" he concludes.
"i reckon i've taken a squint at both on 'em! pretty fine and likely. from the same bankrupt concern, i s'pose?" mr. grabguy looks quite serious, and waits for a reply.
"yes-nothing less," graspum replies, measuredly. "but won't it make your eye water, neighbour grabguy, one of these days! bring a tall price among some of our young bucks, eh!" he gives neighbour grabguy a significant touch on the arm, and that gentleman turns his head and smiles. how quaintly modest!
"by the by, talking of marston, what has become of him? his affairs seem to have died out in the general levity which the number of such cases occasion. but i tell you what it is, graspum," (he whispers, accompanying the word with an insinuating look), "report implicates you in that affair."
"me?-me?-me, sir? god bless you! why, you really startle me. my honour is above the world's scandal. ah! if you only knew what i've done for that man, marston;--that cussed nephew of his came within a feather of effecting my ruin. and there he lies, stubborn as a door- plate, sweating out his obstinacy in gaol. lord bless your soul, i'm not to blame, you know!-i have done a world of things for him; but he won't be advised."
"his creditors think he has more money, and money being the upshot of all his troubles, interposes the point of difficulty in the present instance. i tell them he has no more money, but--i know not why--they doubt the fact the more, and refuse to release him, on the ground of my purchasing their claims at some ulterior period, as i did those two fi fas when the right of freedom was being contested in the children. but, you see, grabguy, i'm a man of standing; and no money would tempt me to have anything to do with another such case. it was by a mere quirk of law, and the friendship of so many eminent lawyers, that i secured that fifteen hundred dollars from m'carstrow for the gal what disappeared so mysteriously."
"graspum!" interrupts mr. grabguy, suddenly, accompanying his remark with a laugh, "you're a good bit of a lawyer when it comes to the cross-grained. you tell it all on one side, as lawyers do. i know the risk you run in buying the fi fas on which those children were attached!" mr. grabguy smiles, doubtingly, and shakes his head.
"there are liabilities in everything," graspum drawls out, measuredly. "pardon me, my friend, you never should found opinion on suspicion. more than a dozen times have i solicited marston to file his schedule, and take the benefit of the act. however, with all my advice and kindness to him, he will not move a finger towards his own release. like all our high-minded southerners, he is ready to maintain a sort of compound between dignity and distress, with which he will gratify his feelings. it's all pride, sir-pride!-you may depend upon it." (graspum lays his hands together, and affects wondrous charity). "i pity such men from the very bottom of my heart, because it always makes me feel bad when i think what they have been. creditors, sir, are very unrelenting; and seldom think that an honourable man would suffer the miseries of a prison rather than undergo the pain of being arraigned before an open court, for the exposition of his poverty. sensitiveness often founds the charge of wrong. the thing is much misunderstood; i know it, sir! yes, sir! my own feelings make me the best judge," continues graspum, with a most serious countenance. he feels he is a man of wonderful parts, much abused by public opinion, and, though always trying to promote public good, never credited for his many kind acts.
turning his head aside to relieve himself of a smile, mr. grabguy admits that he is quite an abused man; and, setting aside small matters, thinks it well to be guided by the good motto:--'retire from business with plenty of money.' it may not subdue tongues, but it will soften whispers. "money," mr. grabguy intimates, "upon the strength of his venerable father's experience, is a curious medium of overcoming the ditchwork of society. in fact," he assures graspum, "that with plenty of shiners you may be just such a man as you please; everybody will forget that you ever bought or sold a nigger, and ten chances to one if you do not find yourself sloped off into congress, before you have had time to study the process of getting there. but, enough of this, graspum;--let us turn to trade matters. what's the lowest shot ye'll take for that mellow mixture of ingin and aristocracy. send up and bring him down: let us hear the lowest dodge you'll let him slide at."
mr. grabguy evinces an off-handedness in trade that is quite equal to graspum's keen tact. but graspum has the faculty of preserving a disinterested appearance singularly at variance with his object.
a messenger is despatched, receipt in hand, for the boy nicholas. mrs. tuttlewell, a brusque body of some sixty years, and with thirteen in a family, having had three husbands (all gentlemen of the highest standing, and connected with first families), keeps a stylish boarding-house, exclusively for the aristocracy, common people not being competent to her style of living; and as nobody could ever say one word against the tuttlewell family, the present head of the tuttlewell house has become very fashionably distinguished. the messenger's arrival is made known to mrs. tuttlewell, who must duly consider the nature of the immediate demand. she had reason to expect the services of the children would have been at her command for some years to come. however, she must make the very best of it; they are graspum's property, and he can do what he pleases with them. she suggests, with great politeness, that the messenger take a seat in the lower veranda. her house is located in a most fashionable street, and none knew better than good lady tuttlewell herself the value of living up to a fashionable nicety; for, where slavery exists, it is a trade to live.
both children have been "waiting on table," and, on hearing the summons, repair to their cabin in the yard. mrs. tuttlewell, reconsidering her former decision, thinks the messenger better follow them, seeing that he is a nigger with kindly looks. "uncle!" says annette, looking up at the old negro, as he joins them: "don't you want me too?"
"no," returns the man, coolly shaking his head.
"i think they must be going to take us back to the old plantation, where daddy bob used to sing so. then i shall see mother-how i do want to see her!" she exclaims, her little heart bounding with ecstasy. three years or more have passed since she prattled on her mother's knee.
the negro recognizes the child's simplicity. "i on'e wants dat child; but da'h an't gwine t' lef ye out on da plantation, nohow!" he says.
"not going to take us home!" she says, with a sigh. nicholas moodily submits himself to be prepared, as annette, more vivacious, keeps interposing with various enquiries. she would like to know where they are going to take little nicholas; and when they will let her go and see daddy bob and mother? "now, you can take me; i know you can!" she says, looking up at the messenger, and taking his hand pertly.
"no-can't, little 'un! mus' lef' 'um fo'h nuder time. you isn't broder and sister-is ye?"
"no!" quickly replies the little girl, swinging his hand playfully; "but i want to go where he goes; i want to see mother when he does."
"well, den, little 'un (the negro sees he cannot overcome the child's simplicity by any other means), dis child will come fo'h 'um to-morrow-dat i will!"
"and you'll bring nicholas back-won't you?" she enquires, grasping the messenger more firmly by the hand.
"sartin! no mistake 'bout dat, little 'uman." at this she takes nicholas by the hand, and retires to their little room in the cabin. here, like one of older years, she washes him, and dresses him, and fusses over him.
he is merely a child for sale; so she combs his little locks, puts on his new osnaburgs, arranges his nice white collar about his neck, and makes him look so prim. and then she ties a piece of black ribbon about his neck, giving him the bright appearance of a school-boy on examination-day. the little girl's feelings seem as much elated as would be a mother's at the prospect of her child gaining a medal of distinction.
"now, nicholas!" she whispers, with touching simplicity, as she views him from head to foot with a smile of exultation on her face, "your mother never dressed you so neat. but i like you more and more, nicholas, because both our mothers are gone; and maybe we shall never see 'um again." and she kisses him fondly,--tells him not to stay long,--to tell her all he has seen and heard about mother, when he returns.
"i don't know, 'nette, but 'pears to me we ain't like other children-they don't have to be sold so often; and i don't seem to have any father."
"neither do i; but mrs. tuttlewell says i mustn't mind that, because there's thousands just like us. and then she says we ain't the same kind o' white folks that she is; she says we are white, but niggers for all that. i don't know how it is! i'm not like black folks, because i'm just as white as any white folks," she rejoins, placing her little arms round his neck and smoothing his hair with her left hand.
"i'll grow up, one o' these days."
"and so will i," she speaks, boldly.
"and i'm goin' to know where my mother's gone, and why i ain't as good as other folks' white children," he rejoins sullenly, shaking his head, and muttering away to himself. it is quite evident that the many singular stages through which he is passing, serve only to increase the stubborness of his nature. the only black distinguishable in his features are his eyes and hair; and, as he looks in the glass to confirm what he has said, annette takes him by the hand, tells him he must not mind, now; that if he is good he shall see franconia,--and mother, too, one of these days. he must not be pettish, she remarks, holding him by the hand like a sister whose heart glows with hope for a brother's welfare. she gives him in charge of the messenger, saying, "good by!" as she imprints a kiss on his cheek, its olive hues changing into deep crimson.
the negro answers her adieu with "good by, little dear! god bless 'um!" nay, the native goodness of his heart will not permit him to leave her thus. he turns round, takes her in his arms, kisses and kisses her fair cheek. it is the truth of an honest soul, expressed with tears glistening in his eyes. again taking nicholas by the hand, he hastens through the passage of mrs. tuttlewell's house where, on emerging into the street, he is accosted by that very fashionable lady, who desires to know if he has got the boy "all right!" being answered in the affirmative, she gives a very dignified-"glad of it," and desires her compliments to mr. graspum, who she hopes will extend the same special regards to his family, and retires to the quietude of her richly-furnished parlour.
the gentleman dealer and his customer are waiting in the man shambles, while the negro messenger with his boy article of trade plod their way along through the busy streets. the negro looks on his charge with a smile of congratulation. "mas'r 'll laugh all over 'e clothes when he sees ye-dat he will!" he says, with an air of exultation.
"i'd like to know where i'm goin' to afore i go much further," returns the boy, curtly, as he walks along, every few minutes asking unanswerable questions of the negro.
"lor, child!" returns the negro, with a significant smile, "take ye down to old massa what own 'um! fo'h true!"
"own me!" mutters the child, surlily. "how can they own me without owning my mother?--and i've no father."
"white man great 'losipher; he know so much, dat nigger don't know nofin," is the singularly significant answer.
"but god didn't make me for a nigger,--did he?"
"don' know how dat is, child. 'pears like old mas'r tink da' ain't no god; and what he sees in yander good book lef 'um do just as 'e mind to wid nigger. sometimes buckra sell nigger by de pound, just like 'e sell pig; and den 'e say 't was wid de lord's will."
"if mas'r lord be what buckra say he be, dis child don' want t'be 'quainted wid 'um," he coolly dilates, as if he foresees the mournful result of the child's bright endowments.
the negro tries to quiet the child's apprehensions by telling him he thinks "buckra, what's waiting down in da'h office, gwine t' buy 'um of old mas'r. know dat buckra he sharp feller. get e' eye on ye, and make up 'e mind what 'e gwine to give fo'h 'um, quicker!" says the negro.
graspum has invited his customer, mr. grabguy, into his more comfortable counting-room, where, as nicholas is led in, they may be found discussing the rights of the south, as guaranteed by the federal constitution. the south claim rights independent of the north; and those rights are to secede from the wrongs of the north whenever she takes into her head the very simple notion of carrying them out. graspum, a man of great experience, whose keen sense of justice is made keener by his sense of practical injustice,--thinks the democracy of the south was never fully understood, and that the most sure way of developing its great principles is by hanging every northerner, whose abolition mania is fast absorbing the liberties of the country at large.
"that's the feller!" says mr. grabguy, as the negro leads nicholas into his presence, and orders him to keep his hands down while the gentleman looks at him. "stubborn sticks out some, though, i reckon," mr. grabguy adds, rather enthusiastically. "absalom! isaac! joe! eh? what's your name?"
"he's a trump!" interposes graspum, rubbing his hands together, and giving his head a significant shake.
"nicholas, they call me, master," answers the boy, pettishly.
mr. grabguy takes him by the arms, feels his muscle with great care and caution, tries the elasticity of his body by lifting him from the floor by his two ears. this is too much, which the child announces with loud screams. "stuff! out and out," says mr. grabguy, patting him on the back, in a kind sort of way. at the same time he gives a look of satisfaction at graspum.
"everything a man wants, in that yaller skin," returns that methodical tradesman, with a gracious nod.
"black lightnin' eyes-long wiry black hair, a skin full of ingin devil, and a face full of stubborn," mr. grabguy discourses, as he contemplates the article before him.
"well, now, about the lowest figure for him?" he continues, again looking at graspum, and waiting his reply. that gentleman, drawing his right hand across his mouth, relieves it of the virtueless deposit, and supplies it with a fresh quid.
"sit down, neighbour grabguy," he says, placing a chair beside him. they both sit down; the negro attendant stands a few feet behind them: the boy may walk a line backward and forward. "say the word! you know i'll have a deal o' trouble afore breaking the feller in," grabguy exclaims, impatiently.
graspum is invoking his philosophy. he will gauge the point of value according to the coming prospect and mr. grabguy's wants. "well, now, seeing it's you, and taking the large amount of negro property i have sold to your distinguished father into consideration-i hope to sell forty thousand niggers yet, before i die-he should bring six hundred." graspum lays his left hand modestly on mr. grabguy's right arm, as that gentleman rather starts with surprise. "take the extraordinary qualities into consideration, my friend; he's got a head what's worth two hundred dollars more nor a common nigger,--that is, if you be going to turn it into knowledge profit. but that wasn't just what i was going to say" (graspum becomes profound, as he spreads himself back in his chair). "i was going to say, i'd let you-you mustn't whisper it, though-have him for five hundred and twenty; and he's as cheap at that as bull-dogs at five dollars."
grabguy shakes his head: he thinks the price rather beyond his mark. he, however, has no objection to chalking on the figure; and as both are good democrats, they will split the difference.
graspum, smiling, touches his customer significantly with his elbow. "i never do business after that model," he says. "speaking of bull-dogs, why, lord bless your soul, sam beals and me traded t'other day: i gin him a young five-year old nigger for his hound, and two hundred dollars to boot. can't go five hundred and twenty for that imp, nohow! could o' got a prime nigger for that, two years ago."
"wouldn't lower a fraction! he's extraordinary prime, and'll increase fifty dollars a year every year for ten years or more."
mr. grabguy can't help that: he is merely in search of an article capable of being turned into a mechanic, or professional man,--anything to suit the exigencies of a free country, in which such things are sold. and as it will require much time to get the article to a point where it'll be sure to turn the pennies back, perhaps he'd as well let it alone: so he turns the matter over in his head. and yet, there is a certain something about the "young imp" that really fascinates him; his keen eye, and deep sense of nigger natur' value, detect the wonderful promise the article holds forth.
"not one cent lower would i take for that chap. in fact, i almost feel like recanting now," says graspum, by way of breaking the monotony.
"well, i'll bid you good day," says the other, in return, affecting preparation to leave. he puts out his hand to graspum, and with a serious look desires to know if that be the lowest figure.
"fact! don't care 'bout selling at that. couldn't have a better investment than to keep him!"
mr. grabguy considers and reconsiders the matter over in his mind; paces up and down the floor several times, commences humming a tune, steps to the door, looks up and down the street, and says, "well, i'll be moving homeward, i will."
"like yer custom, that i do; but then, knowing what i can do with the fellow, i feels stiff about letting him go," interposes graspum, with great indifference, following to the door, with hands extended.
this is rather too insinuating for mr. grabguy. never did piece of property loom up so brightly, so physically and intellectually valuable. he will return to the table. taking his seat again, he draws forth a piece of paper, and with his pencil commences figuring upon it. he wants to get at the cost of free and slave labour, and the relative advantages of the one over the other. after a deal of multiplying and subtracting, he gives it up in despair. the fine proportions of the youth before him distract his very brain with contemplation. he won't bother another minute; figures are only confusions: so far as using them to compute the relative value of free and slave labour, they are enough to make one's head ache. "would ye like to go with me, boy? give ye enough to eat, but make ye toe the mark!" he looks at nicholas, and waits a reply.
"don't matter!" is the boy's answer. "seems as if nobody cared for me; and so i don't care for nobody."
"that's enough," he interrupts, turning to graspum: "there's a showing of grit in that, eh?"
"soon take it out," rejoins that methodical gentleman. "anyhow, i've a mind to try the fellow, graspum. i feel the risk i run; but i don't mind-it's neck or nothin here in the south! ye'll take a long note, s'pose? good, ye know!"
graspum motions his head and works his lips, half affirmatively.
"good as old gold, ye knows that," insinuates mr. grabguy.
"yes, but notes aint cash; and our banks are shut down as tight as steel traps. at all events make it bankable, and add the interest for six months. it's against my rules of business, though," returns graspum, with great financial emphasis.
after considerably more very nice exhibitions of business tact, it is agreed that mr. grabguy takes the "imp" at five hundred and twenty dollars, for which graspum accepts his note at six months, with interest. mr. grabguy's paper is good, and graspum considers it equal to cash, less the interest. the "imp" is now left in charge of the negro, while the two gentlemen retire to the private counting-room, where they will settle the preliminaries.
a grave-looking gentleman at a large desk is ordered to make the entry of sale; as the initiate of which he takes a ponderous ledger from the case, and, with great coolness, opens its large leaves. "nicholas, i think his name is?" he ejaculates, turning to graspum, who, unconcernedly, has resumed his seat in the great arm-chair.
"yes; but i suppose it must be nicholas grabguy, now," returns graspum, bowing to his book-keeper, and then turning to mr. grabguy.
"one minute, if you please!" rejoins that gentlemen, as the sedate book-keeper turns to his page of n's in the index. mr. grabguy will consider that very important point for a few seconds.
"better drop the marston, as things are. a good many high feeling connections of that family remain; and to continue the name might be to give pain." this, graspum says, he only puts out as a suggestion.
"enter him as you say, gentlemen," interposes the clerk, who will mend his pen while waiting their pleasure.
mr. grabguy runs his right hand several times across his forehead, and after a breathless pause, thinks it as well not to connect his distinguished name with that of the nigger,--not just at this moment! being his property, and associating with his business and people, that will naturally follow. "just enter him, and make out the bill of sale describing him as the boy nicholas," he adds.
"boy nicholas!" reiterates the book-keeper, and straight-way enters his name, amount fetched, to whom sold, and general description, on his files. in a few minutes more-graspum, in his chair of state, is regretting having sold so quick,--mr. grabguy is handed his bill of sale, duly made out. at the same time, that sedate official places the note for the amount into graspum's hands. graspum examines it minutely, while mr. grabguy surveys the bill of sale. "mr. benson, my clerk here, does these things up according to legal tenour; he, let me inform you, was brought up at the law business, and was rather celebrated once; but the profession won't pay a man of his ability," remarks graspum, with an "all right!" as he lays the note of hand down for mr. grabguy's signature.
mr. benson smiles in reply, and adjusts the very stiffly starched corners of his ponderous shirt collar, which he desires to keep well closed around his chin. "an honourable man, that's true, sir, can't live honestly by the law, now-a-days," he concludes, with measured sedateness. he will now get his bill-book, in which to make a record of the piece of paper taken in exchange for the human 'imp.'
"clap your name across the face!" demands graspum; and grabguy seizes a pen, and quickly consummates the bargain by inscribing his name, passing it to mr. benson, and, in return, receiving the bill of sale, which he places in his breast pocket. he will not trouble mr. benson any further; but, if he will supply a small piece of paper, mr. grabguy will very kindly give the imp an order, and send him to his workshop.
"will the gentleman be kind enough to help himself," says mr. benson, passing a quire upon the table at which mr. grabguy sits.
"i'll trim that chap into a first-rate mechanic," says mr. grabguy, as he writes,--"i have bought the bearer, nicholas, a promising chap, as you will see. take him into the shop and set him at something, if it is only turning the grindstone; as i hav'nt made up my mind exactly about what branch to set him at. he's got temper-you'll see that in a minute, and will want some breakin in, if i don't calklate 'rong." this mr. grabguy envelopes, and directs to his master mechanic. when all things are arranged to his satisfaction, nicholas is again brought into his presence, receives an admonition, is told what he may expect if he displays his bad temper, is presented with the note, and despatched, with sundry directions, to seek his way alone, to his late purchaser's workshop.
"come, boy! ain't you going to say 'good-by' to me 'afore you go? i hav'nt been a bad master to you," says graspum, putting out his hand.
"yes, master," mutters the child, turning about ere he reaches the door. he advances towards graspum, puts out his little hand; and in saying "good by, master," there is so much childish simplicity in his manner that it touches the tender chord embalmed within that iron frame. "be a good little fellow!" he says, his emotions rising. how strong are the workings of nature when brought in contact with unnatural laws! the monster who has made the child wretched--who has for ever blasted its hopes, shakes it by the hand, and says--"good by, little 'un!" as it leaves the door to seek the home of a new purchaser. how strange the thoughts invading that child's mind, as, a slave for life, it plods its way through the busy thoroughfares! forcibly the happy incidents of the past are recalled; they are touching reclections-sweets in the dark void of a slave's life; but to him no way-marks, to measure the happy home embalmed therein, are left.
