Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/13

Rh of places. I could dwell for pages upon this theme; but the steam is up, I am seated upon the deck of the "David Marshall," and to the cloud-enveloped city and its heart-lighted homes I must bid farewell, and wend my way down the beautiful Ohio. Lovely river! how I turn to thee, as to an old, pleasant friend, upon whose bosom I have laughed and wept, thinking my joys and sorrows over and over again. Our boat proceeded slowly, in consequence of the floating ice, and at Wheeling we were obliged to cast anchor for days and days. Here, though the passengers resorted to many means for beguiling the hours, the time dragged, and the morning of our departure was one of joy to all on board. The weather had softened, and earth and sky were clad with a serenity I can not describe. The ice floated thinly upon the waters, and the boatmen sang cheerily as we glided over the moonlit and sunlit waves. Buoyant and happy were the hearts of all upon the deck and in the cabin. The outward and the homeward-bound seemed equally excited by some bright hope. The number of our passengers had increased. Among the new ones was a negro trader, whose name was W.; he had with him a number of unfortunate beings in chains and shackles. They were destined for the Southern market, and were all confined, with the exception of one—a good-looking, well-formed girl, for whom he had obtained a cabin passage, and who was treated better than her unfortunate companions. Why? Because the trader doomed her to ignominy. He knew he would be paid for his trouble and expense. She had beauty enough to arouse the base lust of some Southern buyer. I objected to sit at table with her—not through any