Page:The Under-Ground Railroad.djvu/66

46 man, who paid the utmost attention to the conversation; when finished, he said, "How do you do Mr. Godwin, don't you know me?" He answered, that he did not. "Then you don't remember a man that lived by your neighbour Mr. ——————," continued he. When he specified the time, and some other particulars, he said he did recollect such a person. Well, answered the black man, "I am he, and I am Zeke's brother." The speculator enquired if he knew where his brother was. "O yes, Mr. Godwin, but I am sorry you have bought Zeke, you'll never make anything of him." "Why, what is the matter with Zeke?" "When such fellows as my brother come to Philadelphia, they get into bad company; they are afraid to be seen about in the day, and they go prowling about at night. I'm sorry you have bought Zeke, he is just such a character, though he is my brother." Mr. Godwin, thinking it was rather a bad case, said, "Suppose you buy Zeke!" "I should have to maintain him in the borgainbargain [sic]. Suppose, however, I should, what would you take for him?" The Trader asked 150 dollars, which the black man most decidedly refused to give, however he came down to 60 dollars. The black man went out, and soon returned with the money. Mr. Hopper, the Abolitionist, drew up the deed of purchase, and when duly signed, the black man said, "Zeke is free!" "Yes," said Mr. Godwin. The black man not believing the