"In here, wid de rest of 'em," he said, as he opened the door of a large shed-room, where I found some ten or twelve negroes, women and men, ranged round on stools and chairs, all neatly dressed, some of them looking very happy, others with down-cast, sorrow-stricken countenances. One bright, gold-colored man, with long, silky black hair, and raven eyes, full of subdued power, stood leaning his elbow against the mantel. His melancholy face and pensive attitude struck a responsive feeling, and I turned with a sisterly sentiment toward him. I have always been of a taciturn disposition, shunning company; but this man impressed me so favorably, he seemed the very counterpart of myself, that I forgot my usual reserve, and, after a few moments' investigation of my companions, the faces of most of whom were unpleasant to me, I approached him and inquired-- "Have you been long here?" "Only a few days," he answered, as he lifted his mournful eyes towards mine, and I could see from their misty light, that they were dimmed by tears. "Are you sold?" I asked. "Oh yes," and he shuddered terribly. I did not venture to say more; but stood looking at him, when, suddenly he turned to me, saying, "I know that you are sold." "Yes," I replied, with that strong sort of courage that characterized me. "You take it calmly," he said; "have you no friends?" "You do not talk like one familiar with slavery, to speak of a slave's having friends." "True, true; but I have--oh, God!--a wife and children, and from them I was cruelly torn, and--and--and I saw my poor wife knocked flat upon the floor, and because I had the manhood to say that it was wrong, they tied me up and slashed me. All this is right, because my skin is darker than theirs." What a fearful groan he gave, as he struck his breast violently. "The bitterness of all this I too have tasted, and my only wonder is, that I can live on. My heart will not break." "Mine has long since broken; but this body will not die. My poor children! I would that they were dead with their poor slave-mother." "Why did your master sell you?" "Because he wanted _to buy a piano for his daughter_," and his lip curled. To gratify the taste of _his_ child, that white man had separated a father from his children, had recklessly sundered the holiest ties, and broken the most solemn and loving domestic attachments; and to such heathenism the public gave its hearty approval, because his complexion was a shade or so darker than Caucasians. Oh, Church of Christ! where is thy warning voice? Is not this a matter, upon the injustice of which thy great voice should pronounce a malison? "My name is Charles, what is yours?" "Ann." "Well, Ann," he resumed, "I like your face; you are the only one I've seen in this pen that I was willing to talk with. You have just come. Tell me why were you sold?" In a few concise words I told him my story. He seemed touched with sympathy.