He will
further remind them (smiling and fretting his hands, as if to show
the number of diamond rings he can afford to wear), that the
property has been well raised, is well known, and ranges from the
brightest and most interesting, to the commonest black field hand.
"Yes, gentlemen," he adds, "by the fortune of this unfortunate sale
we can accommodate you with anything in the line of negro property.
We can sell you a Church and a preacher-a dance-house and a
fiddler-a cook and an oyster-shop. Anything! All sold for no fault;
and warranted as sound as a roach. The honourable sheriff will gives
titles-that functionary being present signifies his willingness-and
every man purchasing is expected to have his shiners ready, so that
he can plunk down cash in ten days. I need not recount the
circumstances under which this property is offered for sale; it is
enough to say that it is offered; but, let me say, gentlemen, to
enlarge upon it would be painful to my feelings. I will merely read
the schedule, and, after selling the people, put up the oxen, mules,
and farming utensils." Mr. Forshou, with easy contentment, takes up
the list and reads at the top of his voice. The names of heads of
families are announced one by one; they answer the call promptly. He
continues till he reaches Annette and Nicholas, and here he pauses
for a few moments, turning from the paper to them, as if he one
minute saw them on the paper and the next on the floor. "Here,
gentlemen," he ejaculates, in a half guttural voice-something he
could not account for touched his conscience at the moment-holding
the paper nearer his eye-glass, "there is two bits of property
bordering on the sublime.
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