The House of Montague. A novel

Chapter I

Shows how Mr. Dean,a slave auctioneer, has a queer customer, and goes to inspect a doubtful article, wliich, if sound, might prove a good bargain — likewise the introduction of two other very queer customers. " If you please, madam, will you take a seat ? " said a very showily dressed man (an auctioneer) to a lady who had entered his office, evidently in a state of deep agitation. This the lady did, and then, after coughing once or twice, she, in a husky voice, said, — " Your name is Mr. Dean ? " "Yes, madam." " Do you buy and sell slaves . " " Yes, madam." " I have a " here she was going to say " man to seU," but recollecting that the word. " man" might betray her, she said, "a boy of about thirty years of age to dispose of, and, likewise, a boy of" — here the lady tightened her hands and trembled — " about one year."

" Will you have a glass of water 1 " This he offered — he saw she was agitated. " The weather is dreadfully warm." " It is, indeed, fearfuUy hot, sir," — this word " hot " nearly betrayed her — " and these slaves have given me so much trouble." " Then you are right in selUng them. Now, madam, do you wish me to buy them, or to sell them on commission ? " " I would rather sell them at once," she replied, "my object being more to get rid of them than to make a profit." " Are they far from here ?" "At the Washington Hotel." " I should like," he said, " to see them before I purchase. I will send for a carriage." " I would rather," she said, " you bought them from my descrip tion." Here the auctioneer looked surprised. This the lady noticed, and somewhat hastily added, " If he was to think " — here was another word showing she was no American ; she should have said guess — " I was about to sell him, there might be a scene."

B " I understand, madam," he replied, " you wish the thing to be done very quiet? " " Yes," said the lady ; and so deeply was she agitated, she almost gasped for breath. " Now, madam, if you wiU only leave this affair to me entirely, I promise you that no one in this good city of New Orleans shall be any the wiser that a sale has taken place." " That, sir, is what I wish." " Then, if you please, give me your name and address, a description of the slaves, and where I may see them — this I can do without letting my business be known, and in a short time return and teU you the highest dollar I can give. If accepted by you there wiU be an end to your trouble." The lady briefly said, " I wiU do so." The auctioneer dipped his pen in the ink, and paused for her to speak. " My name is Clara McClosky, and I reside on Pear Street, Natchez, State of Mississippi."

" Yes, madam ; have you any one here you can give as a reference ? " " No ; I am not known here," she replied. " Now, if you please, give me a description of these boys. By-the bye, have you the bill of sale showing from whom you purchased them ? " " No ; I have not preserved it. The child is the offspring of the elder slave, and is a mulatto ; the father is darker." " Very good, madam." Here the auctioneer elevated his eyebrows, and bit his under-lip ; he evidently thought there was something very mysterious in this affair — -this description showing that the mother was whiter than the father. "Are there any marks upon the person of either ? ' ' was the next question. Had the lady not been so closely veUed, the auctioneer might have seen that, for a moment, her face was the colour of scarlet.

" None," she answered hastily, " that I am aware of." " By what names are they known 1 " " The elder is known as Ned ; the younger has no name. They are at the present time in the waiting-room of the Washington Hotel." The auctioneer did not ask any more questions, but resolved to go and see them ; he well knew how to manage these little affairs ; so, turning to the lady, he said, — " WiU you stay, madam, tiU I return ? I shall not be very long." She said she would, and the auctioneer left the office, being as much puzzled with this affair as the lady was agitated. " Clara McClosky," he muttered, " it seems to me that I have heard that name before, but I cannot remember where. There is something very mysterious about her ; but I wUl know before long. I am not going to buy a pig in a bag. Oh, here we are," and as he so muttered he entered the hotel.

The place he evidently knew weU, for he walked directly to the men's waiting-room, which was on the ground floor, and entered. Seated upon a chair, with a sleeping chUd upon his knees, was the negro that the lady had referred to. The auctioneer gave a glance round the otherwise empty room, as if looking for some one, hardly letting his eyes rest upon the negro, but taking a good look for all that, then walked across the room to the window close to the man, and glanced keenly at the child. Pausing at the window, he stood humming a tune, thinking after this manner, — " Pretty child — make a good fancy article. Cannot understand it yet. Don't look like a New Orleans or Mississippi nigger. If he's sound — and he looks so — I might give fifteen or sixteen hundred doUars for him, and about fifteen or twenty dollars for the youngster.

But I must ask a few questions first. In this I must be careful, for he seems a shrewd fellow." " WeU, boy," he began, " have two gentlemen been in here lately ? " The negro looked at the auctioneer with rather a good-tempered but puzzled air, and thought to himself, " Perhaps the gentleman thinks I'm a slave ; but no matter. : I shall soon be in the free states, so I will humour him, and answer his question." So, in very good English , he answered, " No one, sir, but yourself, has been in here since my mistress went out." " And who is your mistress 1 " " An — hem " Here he almost made a woeful blunder as far as the lady was concerned ; but recoUecting himseU in time, said, " A Mississippi lady, from Nar — Nar " " You mean Natchez ? " said his questioner. " Yes, sir ; that's it," and then smded in a playful manner, as much as to say, " I shaU forget my story if I don't mind."

Then, glancing at Mr. Dean, he said, " How came you to guess Natchez ? " " Oh, what you was about to say sounded like it ; but what is your mistress's name ? " " Name, sir ? Why " Here he seemed once more at a loss ; but suddenly recollecting, said, " Oh, McClosky, sir." At this there was something in the auctioneer's manner which plainly said, " It seems to me the pair of you are lying ; but if I once get hold of you, my boy, I wiU send you where you wiU not get back very easy. Once in Master Richard Hanley's keeping, and you wiU be safe enough." From this it would appear our auctioneer had his doubts about this affair. He had heard of slaves being run off with their own consent, and sold to a new master, either to spite the old one, or for a share in the profits ; but this did not seem like a case of that sort, or why did the lady wish the business of the sale to be transacted out of the negro's sight ?

It looked more as if the negro was being led into a trap. " How long," asked Mr. Dean, " have you been Mrs. McClosky's servant ? " Here the man, in a haU-serious, half-comic manner, began to count upon his fingers, and said, " Two years and a month." " Did she buy you in Natchez ? Is she Scotch or Irish ? " " Yah, yah, yah ! " laughed the man, " you do ask a lot of questions, but I wUl say yes to all that. There," he added, " now you have woke my little boy," and the negro got up and went into the street. Mr. Dean watched him as he got up and walked, and said to himself, " By Jove, he is a strong fellow — looks sound in every limb. I will buy them — she will sell them cheap. A mystery somewhere, but no matter. Now, let me see, I don't pay the money down though till he's in my power ; " thinking which, he passed out, and on the opposite side of the street saw a man whom he well knew to be a trader in slaves.

" Hanley," he said, touching that personage on the shoulder, " you are the very man I wish to see." " Oh, what's up ? " was the reply. " Do you see that nigger leading the little one by the hand across there by the Washington Hotel ? " " Well," said Hanley. " What will you give for them ? " asked Mr. Dean. " Let me go and speak to him." " No. no," said the other. " He wUl suspect. But teU me, at a rough guess, what you think he is worth 1 " " Well, I say sixteen or eighteen hundred dollars ; and the young one, oh, not much — about twenty doUars." " Well," said Mr. Dean, " I am going to buy them. Come to my office." " Well, the truth is, Mr. Dean, I am going down to the boat landing to effect an insurance upon some goods I have shipped on board tho Maitha Washington, bound for St. Louis. When I have done that I will call on you ; " and the two parted, Mr. Dean to his office, and the other to the insurance office.

As Hanley was on his way, he met a dark Mexican-looking man, when the foUowing hurried conversation took place : — " Have you shipped everything ? " asked Hanley. " Yes. Have you effected the insurance ? " enquired the man ; " she sails in an hour or two." " I am on my way to do so, and," continued Hanley, "are you sure that faUure is impossible ? " " Quite," returned the other. " And you," said Hanley, " are going on board ? " "Yes." " And where is it to take place 1 " " Between here and Natchez," was the reply. " Are you in want of money now ? " " No ; when I return will do." " Then," said Hanley, " adieu, as I must be quick," and the two parted.

Chapter II

.1 little assistance required, likewise a pair of handcuffs — Qualms of conscience overcome, and, Mrs. McClosky sells into slavery Ned and his child — An unexpected visit and nearly exposure. We will now foUow Mr. Dean. That gentleman had hardly left Hanley's company ere he met a man of the name of Walton, who was jailor of the city prison. " You are the man I wanted to see," said Mr. Dean. " Indeed ! and what can I do for you, Mr. Dean 1 " " I want four good, strong feUows at once,' ' was the reply. " You know what sort. Send them and a pair of handcuffs to my office, and be quick, please." " Very well, sir. It's a runaway case, I suppose ? " " Well, yes," said Mr. Dean ; " and I want you to mind him for a day or two." " Very well, sir." " That wiU do then, Mr. Walton. But don't forget the handcuffs ; " and they separated.

When Mr. Dean entered his office the lady was still seated as when he left ; but when she saw him she appeared to tremble more than ever, like one who had committed a crime and feared detection, and the piercing glance which she fixed upon the auctioneer as he came in — intending no doubt to read his thoughts in his countenance — would have convinced that man, could he have seen it through the thick veil she wore, that she had committed some crime and feared discovery ; but he only saw she was restless and agitated, so, in a business-like manner, he thus addressed her, — "I have seen the slaves, madam," said he, "and I will give " here he paused, and added, " Will you take a thousand dollars 1 " "I will," she replied. " Very weU, madam. Do you think I shaU have any trouble with him ? " " I do, if he suspects your design."

" Then how do you propose for me to act 1 " said Mr. Dean. " What do you wish to do with him ? " she asked. " Well, madam, if I can once get him inside the city prison I shall not care." The lady made no reply ; she seemed to be lost in thought. At this moment four strong men entered, armed with heavy walk ing-sticks, pistols in their pockets, and a pair of handcuffs. " Now, madam, if you please, these men will assist us. Suppose we go to him, and tell him to follow you, and you foUow one of these men ; I and the others will walk behind." To this proposal the lady seemed to hesitate. " Cannot you," she asked, " secure him yourselves ? " "Yes, madam," said Mr. Dean, " certainly, if you wish it. I wiU make out the bill of sale, and these gentlemen can witness it." This was done, and the paper laid before her to sign.

She did it ; but what her feelings were no pen can describe, yet, most strange to say, her hand did not tremble. No ; every nerve seemed braced to that one act. She well knew this must be done ; for months she had thought of it ; she knew there was no other remedy ; therefore, with a degree of calmness that surprised herself, she signed the biU of sale, but she did not read it. Mr. Dean then placed another before her. " Another ? What is this 1 " she asked. " The bUl of sale, madam, for the child." She held for a moment the pen in her hand, and glanced round the office ; and in that look every person and article became so fixed upon her memory it was never effaced. The four men with large sticks in their hands, whose eyes were fixed upon her ; the auctioneer, who rested his elbow upon his desk, and played with his watch-chain ; the waste-paper basket ; even a broom in one corner ; the table, the chairs — these last, she noticed, the back legs stood out in a long, slop ing manner ; a w ooden pail, with water and a lump of ice in it, and a tumbler by its side.

She saw all this, and more. She saw the paper before her ; she knew what, she had to do ; but, from the moment the pen left the ink, she felt spell-bound ; every nerve seemed paralysed ; there, too, seemed to be a ringing in her ears, and a feeling of horror, like a nightmare, came upon her ; yet it was only for a few moments — to her it seemed an age. The men thought she was but reading the paper, but who can tell ? Was it some warning spirit that stayed her too ready hand, that she might reflect, who held, as 'twere, a glass be fore her inmost soul, that she might see her own deformity . It might have been, but she saw it not. She felt its influence, but could not repent. Had she not travelled many weary miles by day and night to do that which was before her ? To do — yes, and it must be done.

Then, with a firm hand, she commenced to write ; but, ah, she is not signing the right name ; but quick, and the ink is smeared from the paper, and then she signs her name — Clara McClosky. " Thank you, madam," said Mr. Dean ; " but I am sorry to say I have not sufficient money with me ; but if you can wait a few minutes while I step to the bank, I shall not be long." " I wiU wait," she repUed. " Thank you," said the other, and he and his assistants left the office. Clara McClosky was once more alone Through the half-glass door she saw a negro sweeping the shop ; she heard the clock tick, as she thought, strangely loud ; then she remembered that she must be on board the Martha Washington at a certain hour, otherwise she would lose her passage-money, which was paid to Natchez. True, she had heard that steamboats never left at the time advertised ; stiU she was restless, and every sound made her start like the guilty thing she was.

Presently she hears a voice ask the negro if Mr. Dean was in. " God of heaven ; " she gasps, "whose voice is that ? It must be Richard's," and hastdy drawing her veU closely over her face, she raised her head, so that she could see over the curtains of the half glass door, and there, in conversation with the negro, she saw one the sight of whom made her tremble as U she stood before her judge — a face she had not seen for seven years. " Where, where can I go ? Where can I fly . " she exclaimed. But there was no escape — no outlet. If he once entered that room, death — and death alone — could save her from the terrible disgrace and exposure that must take place. She was spared this — and ah, what a relief it was to hear this man say to the negro, — " Tell Mr. Dean I wiU be back in an hour," and in answer she heard the negro say, — " Yes, Massa Hanley ; I sure an' teU him." "Hanley, Hanley," she repeated, as the man left Mr. Dean's place of business. " I shall remember that name."

Chapter III

Fathers should be careful who nurse their children — A fight for libeity ending in a prison cell. Let us see how Mr. Dean succeeds in the arrest of this slave he has purchased. Generally slaves are bought and sold without fuss or ceremony. Sometimes mothers scream when their children are taken from them ; but how fares it with this man and child ? They are tired with their walk, and have re-entered the hotel ; the man is seated, and evidently is preparing for a journey. Occasionlly he whispers words of endearment to the child, and says he shall see mother soon ; and yet a shade of sadness passes over his dark brow, as he says the word mother — plainly there is something wrong. Is she dead ? No ; for he says baby shaU see mother soon. Just then Mr. Dean entered the room ; the men remained outside.

" Ah, boy, still here ? " " Yes, sir ; only a little while longer." "Oh, how is that?" " Going up the river, sir, to Natchez.'' " Ah, yes," was the reply ; " shouldn't wonder. That's a nice boy, upon my word," continued the auctioneer ; and, stooping, he patted the child's cheek. " Yes, sir," said the man, with a father's pride, " he is." "And so fat ? " continued Mr. Dean ; " let me lift him a moment, and see how heavy he is." The slave — for such he now was — placed the child in the auctioneer's arms, saying as he did so, " He is a fine fellow." " He is, indeed," was the reply. " Hem ! " This was a signal, for the next moment four men entered the room. The negro heard and noticed the signal ; and, as the men came in, their looks convinced him there was something wrong, but what, he could not imagine, so stood looking on in amazement.

The auctioneer did not speak, he only stepped back to prevent the child being hurt in the ensuing scuffle ; and the men, who well knew what they had to do, coolly stepped up, two on each side, and one of them, in a dry manner, remarked, — " My boy, we want you." " Me ! me ! gentlemen ? What for ? What have I done 1 Surely there is some mistake ! " " Not the least, we assure you ; so come along quietly, or we shaU compel you." "Stop! stop! " shouted the poor slave, as he saw the auctioneer leaving the room with his child — and he made a spring towards him as he spoke, but it was of no avail, for the next moment he was strug gling in the grasp of the four men, who, being used to this kind of thing, were more than a match for one man. Still, he was not easily subdued — it was all they could do— but presently they had him down, and the four were kneeling upon him.

" Gently, gently," said the principal, " or you will injure him. Bend his arm a little more — that's it," and the handcuffs were on. During the latter part of the struggle several people, both men and women, had looked in at the door, but only did so through curiosity, for no sooner were the handcuffs on than they, considering the sport was over, went their way, laughing and wondering what sort of nigger he could be who would dare to struggle with one white man, let alone four. " Now, my boy," said the leader, " are you going quietly, or not ? " "Tell me," gasped the man, as he lay panting on the floor, " where he has taken my child, and why you treat me in this manner?" " Now, don't make a fool of yourself," returned the other, " that gentleman has bought your child, and you as weU ; you both are his slaves."

" Me ! me ! my chUd ? " he cried. There was one wail of mortal agony, and the strong man was insen sible. So heart-rending was the cry it caused numbers to rush to the room, imagining someone was being murdered. " It's nothing, gentlemen — nothing whatever ; only this boy rather troublesome," replied the leader. " He'll come to, directly." and with that the crowd again dispersed. " Throw a little water over his face," he continued," and, as I don't want any more of this, well, gag him, and one of you fetch a buggy." This was done, and by the time the latter arrived, the poor victim had recovered, but looked the picture of despair. " Now, boy," said one of them, " are you better ? " The poor feUow only looked at his captors, and then at his hand cuffed hands. Speak he could not — the gag prevented him.

" Now, you see," continued the man, " what comes of being a bad boy. Now get up and come with us." The poor feUow did not move at first, so they lifted him on his feet, one of the men remarking, — " I would give him one for that, but I don't want to injure him." He was then forced into the buggy, which was driven at a walking pace by the driver, the four men following, walking two on each side. Soon the poor fellow arrived at the city prison, into which he was taken, and thrust into a cell. The gag was then removed from his mouth by Mr. Walton, who, without knowing why, felt some pity for him. All then left the cell and the door was locked. Poor Ned then buried his face in his manacled hands and sobbed as though his heart would break.

Chapter IV

Mr. Dean turns nurse, the baby is called Handy, aud Mrs. McClosky receives the by far best portion of her reward, and goes on board the Martha Washington — Ned and Mr. Walton compare accounts, and Mr. Walton is very much troubled thereat, and resolves to keep his eye upon Handy, who is soon fated, to change masters — Hanley receives his property and starts for home, but, upon arriving, Ned is not to be found. When Mr. Dean left the waiting-room of the Washington Hotel with the child, he went into a street caUed Rue Conti, at the bottom of which is the steamboat landing, and left the little chUd in the care of a negress, whUe he went to the bank for the money. " What name, Massa Dean, you call him ? " enquired the woman. " Oh, any name," was the reply, " that comes handy." The woman gave a " Yah, yah, yah !

" and declared he should be called " Handy." . Very weU," said Mr. Dean, as he left the place. Handy was, perhaps, as good a name as any. What's in a name ? Well, not much, that's certain. There are swarms of slaves of that name, many of whom have suffered far more than the little mulatto we have seen sold and bought. It was the fate of Handy to change masters more than once, but for the present we must leave him. In due time Mr. Dean again entered his office, in fact before the slave he had bought reached the prison. c " I am sorry, madam, I have kept you waiting so long," he said. " Have you succeeded ? " she asked, nervously. " Yes, madam," he replied, "and not much trouble; you see we know how to manage these things," and, as he spoke, he commenced to count the money upon the table. She took the money, trembling as she did so, said, " Good morning, sir," and left the office.

Mr. Dean gazed after her for some moments through the window — in fact as long as she was in sight, then combing his fingers through his hair, he exclaimed,— " By heavens, there's a mystery in this affair I should like to fathom. At any rate, I have made a good bargain." That same afternoon the lady went to the Washington Hotel, paid a bill that was owing, then opened some boxes that belonged to her — she was evidently searching for something, but which she could not find — they were certain important papers. On discovering her loss she sat like one bewildered. " What shall I do ?" she at length sighed ; if he has them aU I have done is to no purpose. I must, indeed, be away quick." An hour later and she had left New Orleans on board the Martha Washington. That same afternoon two persons were in earnest conversation in side the city prison — one was the poor slave, Ned, and the other the jaUor, Mr. Walton.

What the wretched slave told Mr. Walton we shaU not at present relate : suffice it to say he told him things so strange — so unnatural, yet so true — placing in his hands the proofs of his assertions, that that gentleman's mind was fiUed with horror. After hearing his startling story Mr. Walton removed the handcuffs, saying,— " My poor feUow, I wiU take these off, and for the present wiU say good-bye." As he left the ceU the poor fellow said ; " You wiU, I trust, see justice done me ?" Mr. Walton stammered out something about doing all he could for him and departed, not forgetting to lock the door. " Oh, dear ; oh, dear ; " he muttered, as he gained the fresh air of the prison yard, " what an escape I have had from that woman. Is it possible ? She who could throw her arms round my neck — express love in the wild, impassioned language she did to me — and it seems but yesterday — to prove such a monster, to commit such a crime — death is not bad enough for her.

Now what shall I do ? Let me think. God of heaven, I know not what to do — proclaim all I have heard and have her arrested ? I dare not ; Edwards would shoot me. No, my lUe would not be worth an hour's purchase ; and if Edwards did not Hanley would. Besides, black as the crime is, certain as it is that the vengeance of the law would fall upon her, yet the very officers who put it in force would, with masked faces and under cover of night, assassi nate me. No, I dare do nothing, poor fellow. WeU, he's a slave, and death alone can emancipate him. It would be far wiser for me to (that is, if I had the money) buy him, and put him on some outwardbound vessel, and so give him his freedom that way, but I have not means, so I cannot. There is one I could apply to, but as I am a citizen of the United States, perhaps, as far as I am concerned, he would not heed me — him he might.