The vender makes a few side-motions with his thumbs, winks to
several of his customers, and gives a significant nod, as the
gentlemen in black pass out of the insulting establishment. "Well,
gentlemen, I'm sorry if I've offended anybody; but there's a
deep-rooted principle in what I've said, nor do I think it christian
for the clergy to clear out in that shape. However, God bless 'em;
let 'em go on their way rejoicing. Here's the boy-he turns and puts
his hand kindly on Harry's shoulder-and his wench, and his young
uns,--a minister and family, put down in the invoice as genuine
prime. Our worthy sheriff's a good judge of deacons-the sheriff-high
functionary-acknowledges the compliment by respectfully nodding-and
my opinion is that the boy'll make a good bishop yet: he only wants
an apron and a fair showing." He touches Harry under the chin,
laughing heartily the while.
"Yes, master," replies Harry-he has little of the negro
accent-quieting his feelings; "what I larn is all from the Bible,
while master slept. Sell my old woman and little ones with me; my
heart is in their welfare-"
"Don't trifle with the poor fellow's feelings; put him up and sell
him to the best advantage. There's nobody here that wants a preacher
and family. It's only depreciating the value of the property to sell
it in the lot," says Graspum, in a firm voice. He has been standing
as unmoved as a stoic, seeing nothing but property in the wretch of
a clergyman, whose natural affections, pictured in his imploring
looks, might have touched some tender chord of his feelings.
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