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Show ' 142 CIIRISTINE. keen eye sought the form of her new master. With a sudden impulse she threw herself at his feet, ex· claiming, " 0 master, master, do buy my mother too P' The man gazed for a m"oment on the beautiful face upturned to hi.s, with a look which made the lashes droop over her pleading eyes, and tapping her cheek with his finger, he said, "What I coaxing so early, my pretty one? No, no ; it will not do ; I have no use for the old woman." "Oh, master, she is not old. Do buy my mother, master!" "Here 1s a prize for you, gentlemen," broke in the harsh tones of the auctioneer. " There is the best housekeeper and cook in all Virginia. Who bids for h"er? $300 did you say, sir? $325-thanks, gentle· men, but I cannot sell this woman for a song. She is an excellent seamstress. $400-$450-$500-I am glad to see you are warming up a little, gentlemen,but she is worth more money than that. Look at her I What a form I what an eye! what arms !-there is muscle for you, gentlemen. Upon my honor she is the flower of the lot,-a dark·colored rose,-black, but. comely; and her baby goes with her. $550, did I I ..... ,,,., CIIRISTINE. 143 hear you say, sir? Will no one give more than $550 for such a woruan and baby ?" "rruc baby is of no account," said Mr. St. Laurent; "she would sell better without it. If I buy her, I shall give away the little encumbrance." The poor slave· mother heard him, and strained her baby to her bosom, as if she would say, " You shall never take him from me." ~'he boy looked into her face, and smiled a sweet baby smile, and put his little arms about her neck, and laid his cheek on hers. One would have thought he understood wliat was passing in her heart, and strove to comfort her. "$575-$600 -$650,"-and Chri.stine and her baby boy became the property of Mr. St. Laurent. " I would not have bought the woman," said he, turning to an acquaintance, " but for the girl's impor· tunity. I feared she would have the sulks if I didn't, and I want to keep her good·natured. I shall give tl1c mother as a wedding·present to my daughter. But anybody may have the child, who will take him off my hands?" '(I will take him, sir, and thank you too," said a little, sharp·looking, bustling man, stepping briskly up, and bowing to Mr. St. Laurent. |
