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promised her that he would become her purchaser； and make her free and
her own mistress。
Mr。 Graves had long been considered not only an excellent and upright
citizen of the first standing among the whites； but even the slaves regarded
him as one of the kindest of masters。 Having inherited his slaves with the
rest of his property； he became possessed of them without any consultation
or wish of his own。 He would neither buy nor sell slaves； and was
exceedingly careful； in letting them out； that they did not find oppressive
and tyrannical masters。 No slave speculator ever dared to cross the
threshold of this planter of the Old Dominion。 He was a constant
attendant upon religious worship； and was noted for his general
benevolence。 The American Bible Society； the American Tract Society；
and the cause of the Foreign Missions； found in him a liberal friend。 He
was always anxious that his slaves should appear well on the Sabbath； and
have an opportunity of hearing the word of God。
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CHAPTER II
THE NEGRO SALE
AS might have been expected； the day of sale brought an unusually
large number together to compete for the property to be sold。 Farmers；
who make a business of raising slaves for the market； were there； and
slave…traders； who make a business of buying human beings in the slave…
raising States and taking them to the far South； were also in attendance。
Men and women； too； who wished to purchase for their own use； had
found their way to the slave sale。
In the midst of the throng was one who felt a deeper interest in the
result of the sale than any other of the bystanders。 This was young
Linwood。 True to his promise； he was there with a blank bank…check in
his pocket； awaiting with impatience to enter the list as a bidder for the
beautiful slave。
It was indeed a heart…rending scene to witness the lamentations of
these slaves； all of whom had grown up together on the old homestead of
Mr。 Graves； and who had been treated with great kindness by that
gentleman； during his life。 Now they were to be separated； and form new
relations and companions。 Such is the precarious condition of the slave。
Even when with a good master； there is not certainty of his happiness in
the future。
The less valuable slaves were first placed upon the auction…block； one
after another； and sold to the highest bidder。 Husbands and wives were
separated with a degree of indifference that is unknown in any other
relation in life。 Brothers and sisters were torn from each other； and
mothers saw their children for the last time on earth。
It was late in the day； and when the greatest number of persons were
thought to be present； when Agnes and her daughters were brought out to
the place of sale。 The mother was first put upon the auction…block； and
sold to a noted negro trader named Jennings。 Marion was next ordered to
ascend the stand； which she did with a trembling step； and was sold for
1200。
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All eyes were now turned on Isabella； as she was led forward by the
auctioneer。 The appearance of the handsome quadroon caused a deep
sensation among the crowd。 There she stood； with a skin as fair as most
white women； her features as beautifully regular as any of her sex of pure
Anglo…Saxon blood； her long black hair done up in the neatest manner； her
form tall and graceful； and her whole appearance indicating one superior
to her condition。
The auctioneer commenced by saying that Miss Isabella was fit to
deck the drawing…room of the finest mansion in Virginia。
〃How much； gentlemen； for this real Albino！fit fancy…girl for any one！
She enjoys good health； and has a sweet temper。 How much do you
say？〃
〃Five hundred dollars。〃
〃Only five hundred for such a girl as this？ Gentlemen； she is worth a
deal more than that sum。 You certainly do not know the value of the
article you are bidding on。 Here； gentlemen； I hold in my hand a paper
certifying that she has a good moral character。〃
〃Seven hundred。〃
〃Ah； gentlemen； that is something life。 This paper also states that she
is very intelligent。〃
〃Eight hundred。〃
〃She was first sprinkled； then immersed； and is now warranted to be a
devoted Christian； and perfectly trustworthy。〃
〃Nine hundred dollars。〃
〃Nine hundred and fifty。〃
〃One thousand。〃
〃Eleven hundred。〃
Here the bidding came to a dead stand。 The auctioneer stopped；
looked around； and began in a rough manner to relate some anecdote
connected with the sale of slaves； which he said had come under his own
observation。
At this juncture the scene was indeed a most striking one。 The
laughing； joking； swearing； smoking； spitting； and talking； kept up a
continual hum and confusion among the crowd； while the slave…girl stood
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with tearful eyes； looking alternately at her mother and sister and toward
the young man whom she hoped would become her purchaser。
〃The chastity of this girl；〃 now continued the auctioneer； 〃is pure。
She has never been from under her mother's care。 She is virtuous； and as
gentle as a dove。〃
The bids here took a fresh start； and went on until 1800 was reached。
The auctioneer once more resorted to his jokes； and concluded by assuring
the company that Isabella was not only pious； but that she could make an
excellent prayer。
〃Nineteen hundred dollars。〃 〃Two thousand。〃
This was the last bid； and the quadroon girl was struck off； and became
the property of Henry Linwood。
This was a Virginia slave…auction； at which the bones； sinews； blood；
and nerves of a young girl of eighteen were sold for 500； her moral
character for 200； her superior intellect for 100； the benefits supposed to
accrue from her having been sprinkled and immersed； together with a
warranty of he