The woman
it has pleased you to bring here for chastisement, I take it, is not
coarse of flesh; but is one of those unfortunates whom kindness
might reform, while the lash never fails to destroy. Why, then, not
consider her in the light of a friendless wretch, whom it were
better to save, than sink in shame? One word more and I am done"
(Blowers was about to cut short the conversation); "the extent of
the law being nothing less than twenty blows of the paddle, is most
severe punishment for a woman of fine flesh to withstand on her
naked loins. Nor, let me say-and here I speak from twelve years'
experience-can the lady-I beg pardon, the slave you bring me!-bear
these blows: no, my lips never spoke truer when I say she'll quiver
and sink in spasms ere the second blow is laid on." Here-some twenty
minutes having passed since the fair slave was led into the
punishment room-Blowers cut short the conversation which had failed
to thaw his resolution, by saying Broadman had bored his ears in
spinning out his long song, and if he were unwilling to fulfil the
duties of his office, such should be reported to the authorities,
who would not permit workhouse-keepers so to modify their ordnances
that black and white niggers have different punishments. "Nay, sir!"
says the honest man, with an air of earnestness, as he rises from
his seat; "follow me, and with the reality will I prove the truth of
my words." Here he proceeds to that place of torments, the
punishment-room, followed by Blowers; who says, with singular
indifference-"Can do the job in five minutes; then I'll leave her
with you for two, three, or four days or so.
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