"I will buy you, Peter, on one condition."

"Wha's dat, Mas' Ned?"

"That you serve me faithfully on trial, for five days, without

letting anybody know who you serve--that you carry my messages

without letting anybody hear them except that person to whom you

are sent--and, if I give you a note to carry, that you carry it

safely, not only without suffering anybody to see the note but the

one to whom I send it, but without suffering anybody to know or

suspect that you've got such a thing as a note about you."

The fellow was all promises; and I penned a billet to Julia which,

in few words, briefly prepared her to expect my attendance at her

house at three in the afternoon of the very day when her nuptials

were contemplated. I then proceeded to a friend--Kingsley--the friend

who had served me in the meeting with Perkins; a bold, dashing,

frank fellow, who loved nothing better than a frolic which worried

one of the parties; and who, I well knew, would relish nothing more

than to baffle Perkins in a love affair, as we had already done in

one of strife. To him I unfolded my plan and craved his assistance,

which was promised instantly. My female friend, the relative of

Julia, whose assistance had been already given us, and whose quarrel

with Mrs. Clifford in consequence, had spiced her determination to

annoy her still further whenever occasion offered, was advised of

our plans; and William Edgerton readily undertook what seemed to

be the most innocent part of all, to procure a priest to officiate

for us, at the house of the lady in question, and at the appointed

time.

My new retainer, Peter, brought me due intelligence of the delivery

of the note, in secret, to Julia, and a verbal answer from her

made me sanguine of success. The day came, and the hour; and in

obedience to our plan, my friend, Kingsley, proceeded boldly to the

dwelling of Mrs. Clifford, just as that lady had taken her seat at

the dinner-table, requesting to see and speak with her on business

of importance. The interview was vouchsafed him, though not until

the worthy lady had instructed the servant to say that she was

just then at the dinner-table, and would be glad if the gentleman

would call again.

But the gentleman regretted that he could not call again. He was

from Kentucky, desirous of buying slaves, and must leave town the

next morning for the west. The mention of his, occupation, as Mrs.

Clifford had slaves to sell, was sufficient to persuade her to lay

down the knife and fork with promptness; and the servant was bade

to show the Kentucky gentleman, into the parlor. Our arrangement

was, that, with the departure of the lady from the table Julia should

leave it also--descend the stairs, and meet me at the entrance.




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