A raffle of ordinary character had been announced in the morning
papers,--we say ordinary, because it came within the ordinary
specification of trade, and violated neither statute law nor
municipal ordinance,--and the raffler, esteemed a great character in
the city, was no less celebrated for his taste in catering for the
amusement of his patrons. On this occasion, purporting to be a very
great one, the inducements held out were no less an incentive of
gambling propensities than an aim to serve licentious purposes. In a
word, it offered "all young connoisseurs of beauty a chance to
procure one of the finest-developed young wenches,--fair, bright,
perfectly brought up, young, chaste, and of most amiable
disposition, for a trifling sum." This was all straight in the way
of trade, in a free country; nobody should blush at it (some
maidens, reading the notice, might feel modestly inclined to),
because nobody could gainsay it. This is prize No. 1, prime-as set
down in the schedule-and the amount per toss being only a trifle,
persons in want of such prizes are respectfully informed of the fact
that only a few chances remain, which will command a premium before
candle-light. Prize No. 2 is a superior pony, of well-known
breed-here the pedigree is set forth; which advantage had not been
accorded to the human animal, lest certain members of the same stock
should blush-raised with great care and attention, and exactly
suited for a gentleman's jant or a lady's saddle-nag. Prize No. 3 is
a superior setter dog, who has also been well brought up, is from
good stock, is kind to children, who play with him when they please.
He knows niggers, is good to watch them, has been known to catch
runaways, to tear their shins wonderfully. Indeed, according to the
setting forth of the sagacious animal, he would seem to understand
slave-law quite well, and to be ready and willing to lend his aid
with dogs of a different species to enforce its provisions. The only
fault the brute has, if fault it may be called, is that he does not
understand the constitutionality of the fugitive slave law,--a law
destined to be exceedingly troublesome among a free people. Did the
sagacity of the animal thus extend to the sovereign law of the land
of the brave and free, he would bring a large price at the north,
where men are made to do what dogs most delight in at the south.
The first prize, as set forth, is valued at seven hundred dollars:
the magnanimous gentleman who caters thus generously for his patrons
states the delicate prize to be worth fifty or a hundred dollars
more, and will, with a little more developing, be worth a great deal
more money. Hence, he hopes his patrons will duly appreciate
enterprising liberality.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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