In the first gush of my happiness--the ceremony being completed, and the possession of my treasure certain--I had entirely forgotten my Kentucky friend, whom I had locked up, in confidential TETE-A-TETE with madam, my exemplary mother-in-law. He was a fellow with a strong dash of humor, and could not resist the impulse to amuse himself at the expense of the lady, by making an admirable scene of the proceeding. He began the business by stating that he had heard she had several negroes whom she wished to sell--that he was anxious to buy--he did not care how many, and would give the very best prices of any trader in the market. At his desire, all were summoned in attendance--some three or four in number, that she had to dispose of--all but the worthy Peter, who, under existing circumstances, was quite too necessary to my proceedings to be dispensed with. These were all carefully examined by the trader. They were asked their ages, their names, their qualities; whether they were willing to go to Kentucky, the paradise of the western Indian, and so forth--all those questions which, in ordinary cases, it is the custom of the purchaser to ask. They were, then dismissed, and the Kentuckian next discussed with the lady the subject of prices. But let the worthy fellow speak for himself:-- “I was so cursed anxious,” he said, “to know whether you had got off and in safety, for I was beginning to get monstrous tired of the old cat, that I jumped up every now and then to take a peep out of the front window. I made an excuse to spit on such occasions--though sometimes I forgot to do so--and then I would go back and begin again, with something about the bargain and the terms, and whether the negroes were honest, and sound, and all that. Well, though I looked out as often as I well could with civility, I saw nothing of you, and began to fear that something had happened to unsettle the whole plan; but, after a while, I saw Peter, with his mouth drawn back and hooked up into his ears, with his white teeth glimmering like so many slips of moonshine in a dark night, and I then concluded that all was as it should be. But seeing me look out so earnestly and often, the good lady at length said:-- “'I suppose, sir, your horses are in waiting. Perhaps you'd like to have a servant to mind them.' “'No, ma'am, I'm obliged to you; but I left the hotel on foot.' “'Yes, sir,' said she, 'but I thought it might be your horses seeing you so often look out.' “I could scarcely keep in my laughter. It did burst out into a sort of chuckle; and, as you were then safe--I knew THAT from Peter's jaws--I determined to have my own fun out of the old woman. So I said--pretty much in this sort of fashion, for I longed to worry her, and knew just how it could be done handsomest--I said:--