The Children Are Sold

The Doctor came back from New York, of course without accomplishing his purpose. He had expended considerable money, and was rather disheartened. My brother and the children had now been in jail two months, and that also was some expense. My friends thought it was a favorable time to work on his discouraged feelings. Mr. Sands sent a speculator to offer him nine hundred dollars for my brother William, and eight hundred for the two children. These were high prices, as slaves were then selling; but the offer was rejected. If it had been merely a question of money, the doctor would have sold any boy of Benny’s age for two hundred dollars; but he could not bear to give up the power of revenge. But he was hard pressed for money, and he revolved the matter in his mind. He knew that if he could keep Ellen till she was fifteen, he could sell her for a high price; but I presume he reflected that she might die, or might be stolen away. At all events, he came to the conclusion that he had better accept the slave-trader’s offer. Meeting him in the street, he inquired when he would leave town. “To-day, at ten o’clock,” he replied. “Ah, do you go so soon?” said the doctor; “I have been reflecting upon your proposition, and I have concluded to let you have the three negroes if you will say nineteen hundred dollars.” After some parley, the trader agreed to his terms. He wanted the bill of sale drawn up and signed immediately, as he had a great deal to attend to during the short time he remained in town. The doctor went to the jail and told William he would take him back into his service if he would promise to behave himself; but he replied that he would rather be sold. “And you shall be sold, you ungrateful rascal!” exclaimed the doctor. In less than an hour the money was paid, the papers were signed, sealed, and delivered, and my brother and children were in the hands of the trader.

The Doctor came back from New York, of course without achieving his purpose. He had spent a considerable amount of money and was rather discouraged. My brother and the children had now been in jail for two months, which also cost him money. My friends thought it was a good time to take advantage of his discouragement. Mr. Sands sent a slave trader to offer him nine hundred dollars for my brother William and eight hundred for the two children. These were high prices for enslaved people at the time, but the doctor rejected the offer. If it had been only a question of money, he would have sold any boy Benny’s age for two hundred dollars. But he could not bear to give up his power to take revenge. The doctor was short of money, though, and he thought the matter over. He knew that if he could keep Ellen until she was fifteen, he could sell her for a high price. But I suppose he also considered that she might die or be stolen away. In any case, he decided he had better accept the slave trader’s offer. When he met the trader in the street, he asked when he was leaving town. “Today, at ten o’clock,” he replied. “Ah, are you leaving so soon?” said the doctor. “I have been thinking about your offer. I have decided to let you have the three negroes if you will pay nineteen hundred dollars.” After some bargaining, the trader agreed to his terms. He wanted the bill of sale written and signed immediately. He had a great deal to do during the short time he had left in town. The doctor went to the jail and told William he would take him back into his service if he promised to behave himself. But William replied that he would rather be sold. “And you shall be sold, you ungrateful rascal!” exclaimed the doctor. In less than an hour, the money was paid, the papers were signed, sealed, and delivered, and my brother and children were in the trader’s hands.

It was a hurried transaction; and after it was over, the doctor’s characteristic caution returned. He went back to the speculator, and said, “Sir, I have come to lay you under obligations of a thousand dollars not to sell any of those negroes in this state.” “You come too late,” replied the trader; “our bargain is closed.” He had, in fact, already sold them to Mr. Sands, but he did not mention it. The doctor required him to put irons on “that rascal, Bill,” and to pass through the back streets when he took his gang out of town. The trader was privately instructed to concede to his wishes. My good old aunt went to the jail to bid the children good by, supposing them to be the speculator’s property, and that she should never see them again. As she held Benny in her lap, he said, “Aunt Nancy, I want to show you something.” He led her to the door and showed her a long row of marks, saying, “Uncle Will taught me to count. I have made a mark for every day I have been here, and it is sixty days. It is a long time; and the speculator is going to take me and Ellen away. He’s a bad man. It’s wrong for him to take grandmother’s children. I want to go to my mother.”

The deal was made quickly. Afterward, the doctor’s usual caution returned. He went back to the speculator and said, “Sir, I have come to require a thousand dollar bond from you. You must promise not to sell any of those enslaved people in this state.” “You’re too late,” the trader replied. “Our deal is closed.” He had already sold them to Mr. Sands, but he did not say so. The doctor told him to put irons on “that rascal, Bill.” He also told him to take the group through the back streets when he led them out of town. The trader was privately instructed to do as the doctor wished. My good old aunt went to the jail to say goodbye to the children. She believed they belonged to the speculator and that she would never see them again. As she held Benny in her lap, he said, “Aunt Nancy, I want to show you something.” He led her to the door and showed her a long row of marks. He said, “Uncle Will taught me to count. I made a mark for every day I’ve been here, and it’s sixty days. That’s a long time, and the speculator is going to take Ellen and me away. He’s a bad man. It’s wrong for him to take grandmother’s children. I want to go to my mother.”

My grandmother was told that the children would be restored to her, but she was requested to act as if they were really to be sent away. Accordingly, she made up a bundle of clothes and went to the jail. When she arrived, she found William handcuffed among the gang, and the children in the trader’s cart. The scene seemed too much like reality. She was afraid there might have been some deception or mistake. She fainted, and was carried home.

My grandmother was told that the children would be returned to her. But she was asked to act as if they were really being sent away. So she packed a bundle of clothes and went to the jail. When she arrived, she found William handcuffed among the group and the children in the trader’s cart. The scene seemed too much like the real thing. She feared there might have been some deception or mistake. She fainted and was carried home.

When the wagon stopped at the hotel, several gentlemen came out and proposed to purchase William, but the trader refused their offers, without stating that he was already sold. And now came the trying hour for that drove of human beings, driven away like cattle, to be sold they knew not where. Husbands were torn from wives, parents from children, never to look upon each other again this side the grave. There was wringing of hands and cries of despair.

When the wagon stopped at the hotel, several gentlemen came out and offered to buy William. The trader refused their offers without telling them that William had already been sold. Now came the terrible moment for that group of human beings. They were driven away like cattle to be sold, though they did not know where. Husbands were torn from wives, and parents from children. They would never see each other again in this life. People wrung their hands and cried out in despair.

Dr. Flint had the supreme satisfaction of seeing the wagon leave town, and Mrs. Flint had the gratification of supposing that my children were going “as far as wind and water would carry them.” According to agreement, my uncle followed the wagon some miles, until they came to an old farm house. There the trader took the irons from William, and as he did so, he said, “You are a damned clever fellow. I should like to own you myself. Them gentlemen that wanted to buy you said you was a bright, honest chap, and I must git you a good home. I guess your old master will swear to-morrow, and call himself an old fool for selling the children. I reckon he’ll never git their mammy back agin. I expect she’s made tracks for the north. Good by, old boy. Remember, I have done you a good turn. You must thank me by coaxing all the pretty gals to go with me next fall. That’s going to be my last trip. This trading in niggers is a bad business for a fellow that’s got any heart. Move on, you fellows!” And the gang went on, God alone knows where.

Dr. Flint had the great satisfaction of watching the wagon leave town. Mrs. Flint was pleased to think that my children were going “as far as wind and water would carry them.” As agreed, my uncle followed the wagon for several miles, until they reached an old farmhouse. There the trader removed William’s shackles. As he did, he said, “You’re a damn clever fellow. I’d like to own you myself. Those gentlemen who wanted to buy you said you were a bright, honest chap. They said I had to find you a good home. I guess your old master will swear tomorrow and call himself an old fool for selling the children. I reckon he’ll never get their mother back. I expect she’s headed north. Goodbye, old boy. Remember, I’ve done you a good turn. You must thank me by coaxing all the pretty girls to go with me next fall. That will be my last trip. Trading in niggers is bad business for a fellow who has any heart. Move on, you fellows!” And the gang went on, God alone knows where.

Much as I despise and detest the class of slave-traders, whom I regard as the vilest wretches on earth, I must do this man the justice to say that he seemed to have some feeling. He took a fancy to William in the jail, and wanted to buy him. When he heard the story of my children, he was willing to aid them in getting out of Dr. Flint’s power, even without charging the customary fee.

I despise and detest slave traders. I consider them the most vile people on earth. But I must give this man credit for seeming to have some compassion. He grew fond of William in jail and wanted to buy him. When he heard the story of my children, he was willing to help free them from Dr. Flint’s power. He was even willing to do so without charging the usual fee.

My uncle procured a wagon and carried William and the children back to town. Great was the joy in my grandmother’s house! The curtains were closed, and the candles lighted. The happy grandmother cuddled the little ones to her bosom. They hugged her, and kissed her, and clapped their hands, and shouted. She knelt down and poured forth one of her heartfelt prayers of thanksgiving to God. The father was present for a while; and though such a “parental relation” as existed between him and my children takes slight hold of the hearts or consciences of slaveholders, it must be that he experienced some moments of pure joy in witnessing the happiness he had imparted.

My uncle got a wagon and took William and the children back to town. There was great joy in my grandmother’s house! The curtains were closed, and the candles were lit. The happy grandmother cuddled the little ones against her chest. They hugged and kissed her, clapped their hands, and shouted. She knelt down and offered one of her heartfelt prayers of thanks to God. The father was there for a while. A “parental relation” like the one between him and my children has little hold on slaveholders’ hearts or consciences. Even so, he must have felt some moments of pure joy as he watched the happiness he had brought about.

I had no share in the rejoicings of that evening. The events of the day had not come to my knowledge. And now I will tell you something that happened to me; though you will, perhaps, think it illustrates the superstition of slaves. I sat in my usual place on the floor near the window, where I could hear much that was said in the street without being seen. The family had retired for the night, and all was still. I sat there thinking of my children, when I heard a low strain of music. A band of serenaders were under the window, playing “Home, sweet home.” I listened till the sounds did not seem like music, but like the moaning of children. It seemed as if my heart would burst. I rose from my sitting posture, and knelt. A streak of moonlight was on the floor before me, and in the midst of it appeared the forms of my two children. They vanished; but I had seen them distinctly. Some will call it a dream, others a vision. I know not how to account for it, but it made a strong impression on my mind, and I felt certain something had happened to my little ones.

I took no part in the celebrations that evening. I did not know what had happened that day. Now I will tell you something that happened to me, though you may think it shows how superstitious enslaved people were. I sat in my usual place on the floor near the window. From there, I could hear much of what people said in the street without being seen. The family had gone to bed, and everything was quiet. I sat there thinking about my children when I heard soft music. A group of serenaders stood under the window, playing “Home, sweet home.” As I listened, the sounds no longer seemed like music, but like children moaning. I felt as if my heart would burst. I rose from where I sat and knelt. A streak of moonlight fell on the floor before me, and in its midst, I saw the forms of my two children. They vanished, but I had seen them clearly. Some will call it a dream, others a vision. I cannot explain it, but it left a strong impression on me. I felt certain something had happened to my little ones.

I had not seen Betty since morning. Now I heard her softly turning the key. As soon as she entered, I clung to her, and begged her to let me know whether my children were dead, or whether they were sold; for I had seen their spirits in my room, and I was sure something had happened to them. “Lor, chile,” said she, putting her arms round me, “you’s got de high-sterics. I’ll sleep wid you to-night, ’cause you’ll make a noise, and ruin missis. Something has stirred you up mightily. When you is done cryin, I’ll talk wid you. De chillern is well, and mighty happy. I seed ’em myself. Does dat satisfy you? Dar, chile, be still! Somebody vill hear you.” I tried to obey her. She lay down, and was soon sound asleep; but no sleep would come to my eyelids.

I had not seen Betty since morning. Now I heard her quietly turning the key. As soon as she came in, I clung to her. I begged her to tell me whether my children were dead or had been sold. I had seen their spirits in my room, and I was sure something had happened to them. “Lord, child,” she said, putting her arms around me, “you’re hysterical. I’ll sleep with you tonight because you’ll make noise and ruin the mistress. Something has upset you terribly. When you’re done crying, I’ll talk with you. The children are well and very happy. I saw them myself. Does that satisfy you? There, child, be quiet! Somebody will hear you.” I tried to obey her. She lay down and soon fell sound asleep, but I could not sleep.

At dawn, Betty was up and off to the kitchen. The hours passed on, and the vision of the night kept constantly recurring to my thoughts. After a while I heard the voices of two women in the entry. In one of them I recognized the housemaid. The other said to her, “Did you know Linda Brent’s children was sold to the speculator yesterday. They say ole massa Flint was mighty glad to see ’em drove out of town; but they say they’ve come back agin. I ’spect it’s all their daddy’s doings. They say he’s bought William too. Lor! how it will take hold of ole massa Flint! I’m going roun’ to aunt Marthy’s to see ’bout it.”

At dawn, Betty got up and went to the kitchen. As the hours passed, the vision from the night kept coming back to me. After a while, I heard two women talking in the entryway. I recognized one voice as the housemaid’s. The other woman said to her, “Did you know Linda Brent’s children were sold to the slave trader yesterday? They say old master Flint was mighty glad to see them driven out of town. But they say the children have come back. I expect their father is behind it all. They say he’s bought William too. Lord! How that will upset old master Flint! I’m going around to Aunt Marthy’s to find out about it.”

I bit my lips till the blood came to keep from crying out. Were my children with their grandmother, or had the speculator carried them off? The suspense was dreadful. Would Betty never come, and tell me the truth about it? At last she came, and I eagerly repeated what I had overheard. Her face was one broad, bright smile. “Lor, you foolish ting!” said she. “I’se gwine to tell you all ’bout it. De gals is eating thar breakfast, and missus tole me to let her tell you; but, poor creeter! t’aint right to keep you waitin’, and I’se gwine to tell you. Brudder, chillern, all is bought by de daddy! I’se laugh more dan nuff, tinking ’bout ole massa Flint. Lor, how he vill swar! He’s got ketched dis time, any how; but I must be getting out o’ dis, or dem gals vill come and ketch me.”

I bit my lips until they bled to keep from crying out. Were my children with their grandmother, or had the slave trader carried them off? The suspense was dreadful. Would Betty never come and tell me the truth? At last she came, and I eagerly repeated what I had overheard. Her face lit up with a broad smile. “Oh, you foolish thing!” she said. “I’m going to tell you all about it. The girls are eating breakfast, and missus told me to let her tell you. But, poor thing! It isn’t right to keep you waiting, so I’m going to tell you. Your brother and children, all of them, were bought by their father! I’ve laughed more than enough thinking about old master Flint. Lord, how he will swear! He’s been caught this time, anyway. But I must get out of here, or those girls will come and catch me.”

Betty went off laughing; and I said to myself, “Can it be true that my children are free? I have not suffered for them in vain. Thank God!”

Betty went away laughing, and I said to myself, “Can it be true that my children are free? I have not suffered for them for nothing. Thank God!”

Great surprise was expressed when it was known that my children had returned to their grandmother’s. The news spread through the town, and many a kind word was bestowed on the little ones.

People were very surprised to learn that my children had returned to their grandmother’s home. The news spread through the town, and many people spoke kindly of the little ones.

Dr. Flint went to my grandmother’s to ascertain who was the owner of my children, and she informed him. “I expected as much,” said he. “I am glad to hear it. I have had news from Linda lately, and I shall soon have her. You need never expect to see her free. She shall be my slave as long as I live, and when I am dead she shall be the slave of my children. If I ever find out that you or Phillip had anything to do with her running off I’ll kill him. And if I meet William in the street, and he presumes to look at me, I’ll flog him within an inch of his life. Keep those brats out of my sight!”

Dr. Flint went to my grandmother’s house to find out who owned my children, and she told him. “That’s what I expected,” he said. “I’m glad to hear it. I’ve heard news of Linda lately, and I’ll have her soon. Don’t ever expect to see her free. She’ll be my slave as long as I live. When I die, she’ll be my children’s slave. If I ever find out that you or Phillip had anything to do with her running away, I’ll kill him. And if I meet William in the street and he dares to look at me, I’ll whip him within an inch of his life. Keep those brats out of my sight!”

As he turned to leave, my grandmother said something to remind him of his own doings. He looked back upon her, as if he would have been glad to strike her to the ground.

As he turned to leave, my grandmother said something to remind him of what he had done. He looked back at her as if he would have gladly knocked her to the ground.

I had my season of joy and thanksgiving. It was the first time since my childhood that I had experienced any real happiness. I heard of the old doctor’s threats, but they no longer had the same power to trouble me. The darkest cloud that hung over my life had rolled away. Whatever slavery might do to me, it could not shackle my children. If I fell a sacrifice, my little ones were saved. It was well for me that my simple heart believed all that had been promised for their welfare. It is always better to trust than to doubt.

I had a time of joy and gratitude. It was the first time I had been truly happy since childhood. I heard about the old doctor’s threats, but they no longer troubled me as much. The darkest cloud over my life had lifted. Whatever slavery might do to me, it could not put my children in chains. If I was sacrificed, my little ones were saved. It was good for me that my trusting heart believed all the promises made for their well-being. It is always better to trust than to doubt.