Clotelle; or The Colored Heroine | Page 4

at the back in broad
basket plaits, ornamented with pearls, and the front in the French style
(*a la Imperatrice*), which suited her classic face to perfection.
Marion was scarcely less richly dressed than her sister.
Henry Linwood paid great attention to Isabella, which was looked upon
with gratification by her mother, and became a matter of general
conversation with all present. Of course, the young man escorted the
beautiful quadroon home that evening, and became the favorite visitor
at the house of Agnes.
It was on a beautiful moonlight night in the month of August, when all
who reside in tropical climates are eagerly gasping for a breath of fresh
air, that Henry Linwood was in the garden which surrounded Agnes'
cottage, with the young quadroon at his side. He drew from his pocket
a newspaper wet from the press, and read the following
advertisement:--
NOTICE.--Seventy-nine negroes will be offered for sale on Monday,
September 10, at 12 o'clock, being the entire stock of the late John
Graves. The negroes are in excellent condition, and all warranted
against the common vices. Among them are several mechanics,

able-bodied field-hands, plough-boys, and women with children, some
of them very prolific, affording a rare opportunity for any one who
wishes to raise a strong and healthy lot of servants for their own use.
Also several mulatto girls of rare personal qualities,-- two of these very
superior.
Among the above slaves advertised for sale were Agnes and her two
daughters. Ere young Linwood left the quadroon that evening, he
promised her that he would become her purchaser, and make her free
and her own mistress.
Mr. Graves had long been considered not only an excellent and upright
citizen of the first standing among the whites, but even the slaves
regarded him as one of the kindest of masters. Having inherited his
slaves with the rest of his property, he became possessed of them
without any consultation or wish of his own. He would neither buy nor
sell slaves, and was exceedingly careful, in letting them out, that they
did not find oppressive and tyrannical masters. No slave speculator ever
dared to cross the threshold of this planter of the Old Dominion. He
was a constant attendant upon religious worship, and was noted for his
general benevolence. The American Bible Society, the American Tract
Society, and the cause of the Foreign Missions, found in him a liberal
friend. 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 unusually
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 throng 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 not 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. Husbands and wives were
separated with a degree of indifference that is unknown in any other
relation in life. Brothers and sisters were torn from each other, and
mothers saw their children for the last time on earth.
It was late in the day, and when the greatest number of persons were
thought to be present, when Agnes and her daughters were brought out
to the place of sale. The mother was first put upon the auction-block,
and sold to a noted negro trader named Jennings. Marion was next
ordered to ascend the stand, which she did with a trembling step, and
was sold for $1200.
All eyes were now turned on Isabella, as she was led forward by the
auctioneer. The appearance of the handsome quadroon caused a deep
sensation among the crowd.