The sun., 1873-12-26
IHE SOIIHERN BLACkS.
Howe. OF Freedmen In the Kurai Region. OF
~ouih Carolina,

~outh tarolinn,
Corrc.roudcn,e Of lLe sun.
ButrFoRr, :. g., Dec. 5.-Wishng to
learn the exact condition 81 plantation ne.roes,
your correspondent sauntercd one morning to
the quarter" on fertile farm in Beauf rt
county. The cabins were the same used before
the war, and afforded ordinary comfor, A
vegetable garden, a chicken coop, and pig-aen
were attached TO each house. The more pros
porous had little log stables for their mules
The first house was occupied by woman who
came to the door with All infant IN her arms and
brood of children clinging to her -kirts. She
answered my inquiries 10y saying that the cater
pillars had severely injured her crop, and all
that : left was seized for her Indebtedness.
Do YOU have all these children to support =
ives, sir; ceutn' when my oldest son help
me, hut lac eo' big family hi,seil.'
Where Is your husbaudf'
"Ii. My husband done lef me long time fur
nudder woman. lie j. cum Yer lur de chilen
YOU say your crop is gone, then how do you
llvcf"
IL dunno, slr," she replied, looking down as Il
embarrassed.
"ttu YOU gct work 20
"l-e sick ; / can't Nuih now
"liuw about thi~ girlt | said, pointing 10 u
hail grown sirl ctourned on the huor.
"Hr-trr too young fur work,' was the quick
m, yullr ter nobody fur stump her growf.
Leaving the grass widow turned To- the next
house, where the presence of a mule bespoke a
better condition of the tenant An old man
and woman surrounded los grandchildren mod
cstly answered All uuc~tpn~t
SO, sir, | ntbber lei dis place. lse true to
my Old owners and dey Is true 20 me-
" You appear to be doing wcllf"
"Oh, nu, not 50 berry well YOU see We all
works, cut We an eats, and dere Is a heap ob
months. Den desc lazy Narm,nt nlggers Is for
/ tI.I,r steal n what honest folks ctdtler Dem
little pi.;, now is all deS lcf ob my big drove. Id
have plenty, plenty If deg would let me lone
" DO you make money -
la, sfke.' why Ji- done pay fur dat mule
now II lib anodder year, den will mex de
1hethrd house was occupied by digniHed
! old maumer, VIII" seemed di~inclined TO dis
close any facts relating to her wordlv estate.
Her t,dy house and garden, the crib OF corn, and
! other signs OF food bespoke comfortable pro-
| vision.
The last house was occupied bv a strong
| young couple. The man WAS surly and di-cOn-
| tented, ana regarded his years operations AS a
| failure. lie said he had worked hard and had
| nothing. Ills wife. who was busy storing away
| pumpkins, said in a clear soprano: "Don't you
! mind lim's talk he got nutl Jim nint sutify
! kase re loss trade bout mules jim tink u
''An' a mule j, ehry ting when a man hab for
| 10 te mule ui--elf,' said Jim, wagging his head
! toward his wife, "Ise bound 10 hab mine mex
"But YOU, at least, have corn anil clothngI"
| go! yes, sir, got dat -hure, said Jim, with
! show of white teeth and return OF good
| humnr. us mighty no count pusson what
| aiut got dat, cert.ngly."
How aGonI the Tomon in the first house
"well, you see" said Jim, looking very wise
and speaking SLOWLY "deie Is some pussons
" Hut how does this family live on nothingY"
| Liver said Jim, laughing, but looking puz
| Zled. "Why, like the crow, / spec, sir!'
How Is thWt'
well lis dis way" and Jim begun TO lool
wise again; you see when plant de corn d,
CROW granhle EN- up. dat's how, to be shure."
"She steals, tnenf'
"Oh no, -ir; no, slrl ! nehber say dat, neb
/ her SIR WAS the troubled and earnest reply
" / ils mean she gts along in a Kind Oh scratchin
fashion, SIR
After assuring Jim his meaning should not b.
misrepresent ed took my departur~