Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1874-01-05
THE SOUTHERN BLACKS.
HOMES OF FREEDMEN IN THE RURAL RE-
aIoNs OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

W Ittlu liiC tAfSt SVuoitiVh VI piaue'
tion negroes, your correspondent saun
cred one morning to the quarter, on
fertile farm in Beaufort county. III
cabins were the same used before til
war. and afforded ordinary comfort.
vegetable garden, chicken coop, an
pig pen were attached to each hous,
The more prosperous had little log sta
bles for their mules.
The first house was occupied by
woman who come to the door with a
infant in her arms. and a brood of chill
drcn cllnging to her skirts. She an
swered my inquiries by saying that tn
caterpillars had severely injured he
crop. and all that was left was seizet
for her Indebtedness.
"Do you have all these children t.
support ?"
"Yes, sir; ceptin' when my oldes
son help me, but he got big family his
self"
"Where is your husband ?"
"Hi! Ny husband done lef me LONG
time fur nudder woman. He jis cum
yer fur dc chillen sometime"
You say your crop is gone, then
how do you live ?"
81 dunno. sir" she replied. looking
down as if embarrassed.
Can you get work ?"
'1se sick: | can't work now."
"How about this girl ?'' l said, point
ing to half-grown girl crouched on
the floor
Hester too youag fur work." was
the quick answer; then sullenly, II aim
er gwine ter gee my child ter nobody
fur stump her growf."
Leaving the grass widow | turned to
to the next house, where the presence of
a mule bespoke better condition of the
tenant. An old man and woman sur
rounded by grandchildren modestly ans
wered all questions:
"No, sir, nebber lef dis place. Ise
true to my old owners and dey is true to
me-"
You appear to be doing we'll ?"
"Oh, no, not so berry well you see
we all works, but we all eats, and dere
is heap OBJ mouths. Den desc lazy
varmint niggers is forcbber stealin' what
honest folks gedder Dem little pigs
now is all dey lef OBJ my big drove, I'd
have plenty, if dey would let me lone. -
"Do you make money?'
'I4a. sakes why l jis done pay fur
dat mule; now if l lib anodder year,
den will mex de money y!'
The third house was occupied by a
dignified old maumer, who seemed dis
inclined to disclose any facts relating
to her worldly estate. Her tidy house
and garden, the CRIB of corn, and other
signs of food bespoke comfortable pro-
vision.
The last house was occupied by a
strong young couple. The man was
surly and discontented, and regarded
his years operations as a failure. He
said he had worked hard and had moth
ing. His wife, who was busy storing
away pumpkins, said in clear soprano !:
Don't you mind Jim's talk he got nuf !
Jim aint satisfy kase he loss a trade
bout mule; Jim tink mnle is eb'ry
ting"
AN mule is eb'ry ting when a
man hab for to be mule hisself," said
jim, wagging his head toward his wife.
''Ise bound to hab mine mex year, sure. :"
''But you, at least, have corn and
clothing? ?"
90! yes, sir, got dat, shure," said
Jim, with show of white teeth and a
return of good humor. "It's a mighty
no count pusson what aint got dat, GER
tainly."
"How about the woman in the first
house who says she has nothing?''
well. you see." said Jim. looking
and speaking slowly, "dere is some pus-
sons what nebber habs nothin'.'
"But how does this family live on
nothing ?"
"Live?'' said Jim, laughing, but look
ing puzzled. why, like the crow. l
spec, sir :"
"How is that %
"well, jis dis way" and Jim begun
to look wise again you see when l
plant de corn de crow grabble 'em up;
dat's how, TO be shure."
'She steals, then %
"0h no. sir; no, SIR nebber say
dat, nebber sir, was the troubled and
earnest reply; 81 jis mean she gifts
along in kind OBJ scratchin' fashion,
SIR"
After assuring Jim bis meaning
should no4 be misreprcsented took my
departure. York .S,tn.