on my
collecting
tours, and
reflected
that every
brutal,
disgusting,
mean,
low-lived
fellow I
met, was
allowed by
our laws
to become
absolute
despot of
as many
men, women
and
children,
as he
could
cheat,
steal, or
gamble
money
enough to
buy, –
when I
have seen
such men
in actual
ownership
of
helpless
children,
of young
girls and
women, – I
have been
ready to
curse my
country,
to curse
the human
race!”
“Augustine!
Augustine!”
said Miss
Ophelia,
