And this class of girls also claim the privilege, as a matter of right,
when one arrives at the age of puberty, from twelve to fourteen, if not
previously engaged by the master, to look for a man such as she may
fancy, and engage herself to be his bed companion. And in this relation
she remains with him for a specified sum per month, which she pays
to her master. The amount paid these girls is usually from twelve to
twenty dollars a month. If they are genteel and beautiful, and combine
all the perfections in form and features that can be presented in a
female, they will command a price accordingly. And thus in proportion
as their qualities and charms are regarded, will they be considered
valuable, and their price in market is in that proportion. They have
their points of ambition, and pride of situation, and assume an air of
aristocracy according to the rank and station of the man with whom they
live, as much as any other class in society. To be the paramour and bed
companion of some man of great wealth, or lawyer, or professional man,
or some popular and distinguished _gentleman_, gives them a condition
and standing that is enviable indeed to those of the same class, who
are living with men of less means and lower standing in society. And
this makes a circle of the “upper ten thousand,” as clearly marked
as among the white aristocracy. These girls are usually educated and
instructed by their masters in a certain way, for the express purpose
of producing all the attractions and charms that can be presented in
a female, whose value is much increased by a greater combination of
all that is beautiful and lovely in woman. It is very frequent that
these girls are engaged while children for bed companions, as soon
as they shall arrive at the age of puberty, by some wealthy man, and
not unfrequently will some disgusting drunken old bloat meet with
a beautiful Quadroon child, and engage her of her master for a bed
companion, as soon as she becomes of proper age, and the price which
he agrees to pay is of no consideration with him. Her loveliness and
charms, even in the purity and simplicity of innocent childhood, have
aroused the impulses of his beastly nature, and have her he will at any
price. And this outrage is too horrid for contemplation, for they are
thus forced into a situation where they pass their days in the greatest
misery and grief that can be imagined. Girls of this class also are
often purchased by men expressly for bed companions; not only when they
are children, but when they are of mature age.