The sale of the Hawkins property by the Sheriff had followed, and the Hawkins hearts been torn to see Uncle Dan'l and his wife pass from the auction-block into the hands of a negro trader and depart for the remote South to be seen no more by the family.

It had seemed like seeing their own flesh and blood sold into banishment.
Washington was greatly pleased with the Sellers mansion.

It was a two-story-and-a-half brick, and much more stylish than any of its neighbors.

He was borne to the family sitting room in triumph by the swarm of little Sellerses, the parents following with their arms about each other's waists.
The whole family were poorly and cheaply dressed; and the clothing, although neat and clean, showed many evidences of having seen long service.

The Colonel's "stovepipe" hat was napless and shiny with much polishing, but nevertheless it had an almost convincing expression about it of having been just purchased new.