" Several voices chime in to affirm what Enoch says.
"Ah, very good. Few planters in that district give their negroes
bacon; and an all corn-fed nigger won't last two years on a sugar
plantation," remarks one of the gentlemen dealers, as he smokes his
cigar with great nonchalance.
While these quaint appendancies of the trade are proceeding,
Romescos and Graspum make their appearance. They have come to
forestall opinion, to make a few side-winded remarks. They are ready
to enter upon the disgusting business of examining property more
carefully, more scrupulously, more in private. The honourable
sheriff again joins the party. He orders that every accommodation be
afforded the gentlemen in their examinations of the property. Men,
women, and children-sorrowing property-are made to stand erect; to
gesticulate their arms; to expand their chests, to jump about like
jackals, and to perform sundry antics pleasing to the gentlemen
lookers-on. This is all very free, very democratic, very gentlemanly
in the way of trade,--very necessary to test the ingredient of the
valuable square inches of the property. What matters all this! the
honourable sheriff holds it no dishonour; modest gentlemen never
blush at it; the coarse dealer makes it his study,--he trades in
human nature; the happy democrat thinks it should have a
co-fellowship with southern hospitality-so long and loudly boasted.
Those little necessary displays over, the honourable sheriff invites
his distinguished friends to "have a cigar round;" having satisfied
their taste in gymnastarising the property.
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