Humans Auctioned

A great gnarled auction block from which men and women are still annually knocked down stands in the market place of the ancient city of St. Etienne.

Last week, when the lusty auctioneer began his hawking there were few bidders present. Teeming and jostling, however were the ranks of neat farm wenches and strong peasant youths, all eager to be auctioned.

Loud, prolonged hawking showed that not more than 2,500 francs ($100) could be realized for a wench, however buxom, and not over 3,750 francs ($150) was bid for any youth, however strong. Shamed were more than two score of young women for whom the auctioneer could not raise a single bid. Crestfallen and sullen were a score of youths.

As each human was knocked down, all present were called to witness that he or she had agreed to labor for one or more years in return for the sum bid, plus board & keep and one new set of outer garments. Since French peasants omit day underwear and often night garments as well, the wage scale of auction bidding was deemed adequate.