This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...in quest of "runaway property" the right to seize upon the same. The two white men were most brutal-looking fellows, and we were taught to regard all traders in human commodity as brutes. There were masters in Kentucky who never bought or sold a negro, and these constituted the real aristocracy of the commonwealth. In ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...in quest of "runaway property" the right to seize upon the same. The two white men were most brutal-looking fellows, and we were taught to regard all traders in human commodity as brutes. There were masters in Kentucky who never bought or sold a negro, and these constituted the real aristocracy of the commonwealth. In a manner that did not smack pleasantly of politeness, one of the men, who introduced himself as Mr. Croft, requested food and lodging for the night. "Thes.e bucks ran away from the Colonel night before last; and, as the main drove is to come along not far from here, I 'lowed we'd rest here and to-morrow mornin' cut across the county and head 'em off. My partner, here, is Mr. Vance." It was evident that they had gathered no hint as to the abolition principles of the professor; and I expected him to rage, in a smothered way at least, but was surprised to see him smile upon the ruffians and their three-linked chain of black flesh. Beneath our house was a cellar walled with stone and lighted by only one small window not more than a foot square. With alacrity he flung up the cellar door, this believer in the brotherhood of man, and told Mr. Croft that he might with safety therein immure his rebellious charge. Nor did Mrs. Emory protest when thus her house was to be made a prison. Nan began to whimper, seeing the blood where the handcuffs had chafed the poor wretches; but the professor scolded her, and she shut the outward gates of her sympathy. Of course I had been reared in the belief that the negro was incapable of intense suffering; wise men had written to prove that he was an animal and had no soul; and some of them, and indeed some white men, I am still persuaded, have none. But the sight of those mute monsters, whose ragge...
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