New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-01
NetuUork DAILY Gaibnare
The Southerners at Home No. VII.
From the Journal Of Northern Traveller on Horseback.
CENTRAL MISSIS sIPPI.


The night after leaving Mr.. WatsOns was kindly
received by tradesman who took me, after closing
his shop 10 his mothers house, log cabin, but more
comfortable than many more prctentlous residences
at which passed a night on this journey. For the
first time in many months tea offered me- 1t was
black tea, sweetened with honey which was stirred
with the tea into the boiling water, as it stood in
the kettle over the fire, by the old lady herself,
whose especial luxury it seemed to be. She asked
me if folks ever drank tea at the North, and when
| spoke Of green tea she said she had never heard
of that kind of tea before. There were number OF
slaves, but the young man looked after my horse
himself There was q good assortment of books
and newspapers at this house, and the people were
quite intelligent and very amiable.
The next day, passed number Of small Indian
farms, very badly cutvated-the corn nearly sub
merged in weeds. The soil poorer than before, and
poor people more frequent. About ten plantations
or negro-cutivated farms in twenty miles. planter,
at whose comfortable house called some time after
sunset, said it was not convenient for him to &C.
commodate me, and was obliged to ride till it was
quite dark The next house | came to was one OF
the comInonest sort Of cabins. had passed twenty
like it during the day, and thought would take
the opportunity to get an interior knowledge OF
them. 1t was raining and neary9 O'Clock. The
door of the cabin was open, and rode up and con-
yerred with the occupant as he stood within. de
said that he was not in the habit Of taking in trav-
mind to put up with common fare, he didn't care.
Grateful, dsmounted and took the seat he bad Va
Gated by the fire, while he led away my horse to an
open shed in the rear.
The house was all comprised in a single room, g
by % feet in area, and open to the roof above.
There was large fireplace at one end and door
on each side-no windows at all. Two bedsteads, a
spinning wheel, packingcase which served as
bureau, cupboard made with ak, two or three
deer-skn seated chairs Connecticut clock and
large poster of Jayne's patent medicines constituted
all the visible furniture either useful or ornamental
in purpose. A little girl Immediately, without hay.
ing had any directions to do So got frying pan and
a chunk Of bacon from the cupboard aud, cutting
slices from the latter, set it frying for my supper.
The woman of the house sat sukily in chair tipped
up against the logs, splitting occasionally at the fire.
bnt took no notice of me, barely nOdding when
sauted her. A stout baby lay crying on the floor.
I ou.ted it and amused it with my watch till the
LITTLE GIRL having made "cotiee" and put piece OF
cornh broad ON the table with the Bacon took charge
oft.
| boped the woman was not very III.
"Got the headache right bad, she answered;
"haye the headache heap, l do; knew should
have il tonight Been cuttn brushes IN tue
cotton this afternoons; knew twOuld bnng on my
headaches; told him so when begun"
As soon as had finished my supper and lea Juae,
the little gIr put the fragments and the dishes III
the cupboard, showed the table into corner ana
dragged a quantity of quilts from one OF the ped
steads, which she spread upon the floor aud pres
emily crawled among them out of sight for the mght-
The woman picked up the child, whlsh she sand was
TWENTY-FIVE months Old and nursed it--retaklns hcr
old position. The non sat with mo by the f's, ma
bach toward Der. The BABY lavina ialen hstep