Mary Thacher Higginson, Thomas Wentworth Higginson: the story of his life

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“Fat and sleek as Harry Clay's,” said my conductor, patting one on the head patriarchally.

Most of them had small paper fans, which they used violently. This little article of comfort looked very odd, amid such squalid raggedness as most of them showed. One was cooking, two or three washing, and two playing euchre with a filthy pack of cards. The sun shone down intensely hot (it was noon) in the little brick yard, and they sat, lounged, or lay about, only the children seeming lively.

I talked a little with them, and they answered, some quietly, some with that mixture of obsequiousness and impudence so common among slaves. Mr. Thompson answered all questions very readily. The ‘Negroes’ or “Niggers,” he said (seldom employing the Virginia phrases ‘servants’ or “people” ), came mostly from Missouri or Virginia, and were with him but a little while. “Buy when I can and sell when I can, that's my way; and never ask no questions, only in the way of trade. At this season, get a good many from travellers.”

On inquiry, he explained this mystery by adding that it was not uncommon for families visiting Northern watering-places to bring with them a likely boy or girl, and sell them to pay the expenses of the jaunt! This is a feature of the patriarchal institution which I think has escaped Mrs. Stowe. Hereafter I shall never see a Southern heiress at Newport without fancying I read on her ball-dress the names of the “likely boy or girl” who was sold for it. “As for yonder Sambo and Dinah” (I meditated), “no doubt, young Bulford Dashaway, Esq., is at this moment ”