) "No objection t' yer sellin' the gal to deacons and
elders,--even to old Elder Pemberton Praiseworthy, who's always
singing, 'I know that my Redeemer cometh!' But the statutes give me
just as good a right to buy her, as any first-class deacon. I knows
law, and got lots o' lawyer friends."
"The issue is painful enough, without any interposition from you, my
friend," rejoins the vender, interrupting Romescos in his
conversation. After a few minutes pause, during which time he has
been watching the faces of his customers, he adds: "Perhaps, seeing
how well mated they are, gentlemen will not let them be separated.
They have been raised together."
"Certainly!" again interrupts Romescos, "it would be a pity to
separate them, 'cos it might touch somebody's heart."
"Ah, that comes from Romescos; we may judge of its motive as we
please," rejoins the man of feeling, taking Annette by the arm and
leading her to the extreme edge of the stand. "Make us a bid,
gentlemen, for the pair. I can see in the looks of my customers that
nobody will be so hard-hearted as to separate them. What do you
offer? say it! Start them; don't be bashful, gentlemen!"
"Rather cool for a hard-faced nigger-seller! Well, squire, say four
hundred dollars and the treats,--that is, sposin' ye don't double my
bid cos I isn't a deacon. Wants the boy t' make a general on when he
grows up; don't want the gal at all. Let the deacon here (he points
to the man who was seen whispering to Graspum) have her, if he
wants.
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