The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-10-13
Life on a Southern Plantation.

A correspondent of the New York
Tribune gives the following vivid de
scription of the southern slave:
Down SOUTH, July 20, 1853.
have recently been in a neighboF-
hood where a bugle call at twilight
can be heard by 1903 negroes in theis
cabins, while twenty-five would include
all the whites for miles around; yet
not door is locked at night; | mean
of course, in the dwellings of the whites
so tranquil are their slumbers in the
midst Of their servants. In warm wea.
ther it is the custom in the country tc
leave the windows and doors all open
at night, excepting the pantry. The
negro understands that eatables are
not included in the commandment
"Thou shalt not steal ;" and therefore
appropriates all in that line he can lay
hands upon.
Their taste for good things is graft
fed at this season by grand banquet
on almost every plantation. This is
given by the master in honor of "lay-
ing up the crop" as it is Called. e.
running over it with the ploughs for
the last lime-and as a celebration OF
the 4th of July.
Take the following as a sample: 1t
was barbecue given by one of my
friends 10 his servants on the. 4th.
There were present about hundred
white invited guests and his own slaves
only-some two or three hundred in
number. The tables were spread IN
der the shade of fine grove. and were
loaded with all the delicacieS of the
season, served precisely alike for white
and black, except in the matters of sill
yer forks and the costlier wines. Friend
ship prevailed on all hands during the
repast, after which the band-for they
had an admirable one composed of
I" field hands s"-was ordered. Taking
its place between the two parties, part
ners were chosen, and off they started
on the grass in the delightful old coun-
try dances. A merrier party you ne
yer saw. In the evening came a grand
display of fire works. The entertain
ment cost the owner several hundred
dollars, besides meats, vegetables, &C.,
of his own raising. The frolic was not
only nominally given to the slaves, but
they were treated by the whites in snch
a way as to make assurance on that
point doubly sure.
Riding through the country, you here
and there descrya whitewashed ham
let half hidden among the trees, which
the practiced eye knows to be "quar-
ter" If the day be a pleasant one,
you see before the door of the largest
house-which in its interior arrange
ment serves the double purpose of nur-
sery and hospital troop of urchins
themselves after the manner
OF such, under the eye of an aged wo-
man. She nurses and cooks for the
children while their parents are aield.
Often there are several of these super
numeraries engaged in friendly chat
beneath the shade, while wreaths of
smoke curl up from their oft replenish-
ed pipes. Lounging about the spot, or
rolling upon their beds within, are such
convalescing patients as may be on the
sick list. Every planter and overseer
has TO be sort of quack doctor. able
to prescribe IN all ordinary cases. The
chief difficulty in sickness is in the
matter OF diet. Graham would never
make converts among this people, for
a negro cannot see how little some
thing to eat should hurt body. They
will stuff, sick or well, and all hands
IN the quarter connive in evading the
requisitions of dietelics, shrewdly judg-
ing II man don't eat he will die
Not long since "boy"-i. e. man
thirty years old-was recovering from
severe illness. and while yet very
weak, was enjoined by his master to
observe strict regimen for few days,
with the assurance of being then en-
tirely we'll Of course he promised i'm
plicit obedience. But before long he
was seized with violent cramps, and
collapse was ensuing, when the over
seer, sort Of Thompsonian quack,
poured lobeIia down, and 10, up came
nearly halfpeck of "corn field peas"
for him by one of his nurses,
under the impression that the poor
hing needed little nourishment.-
The boys life was saved, but large
1umber fall victims to the inordinate
cravings of appetite and the firm per-
'uasions that dieting is worse than
ieath.
A little after the "crack of dayu YOU
will hear the overseer's horn, calling
Ill hands up. Presently the force is
grouped according to their
work, and off they start
Fhe cooks at home prepare their meals
which are dispatched in the fields by
art can hour OF two by sun " they
re called off to a shed-erected for
he purpose in every feld-and here,
mid much laughing and talking,
breakfast is taken. Two hours, some
lines three, or even more, are given for |
est in "the heat of the day,n and by |
undown they are marching home. |
supper. they prefer to prepare, each |
or himself. This meal often extends |
ar into the night; for notwithstanding
legroes love sleep, they love eating |
nd froic better, and will often do with |
N incredibly small amount of the for-