The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-09
SOUTHERN DARKIES
FUN ON THE PLANTATION.

of his chair, while he gently tapped to-
gether the trips of his fingers. 1--WE
Yankees" said he thoughtfully, and
with pause at almost every sentence
1--WE Yankees have but meagre concep-
ton Of the negro character, the real
plantation negro-a fact did not admit
forty years ago Otway-or, as every
body called him, Ot-Rainsford and /
were room. mate at Harvard He was
fine fellow to look at, and very tne
fellow to be with-full of life, overflow
ing with fun, wild; not so much because
he was full, ,blooded Southerner, as be-
cause he was an orphan with his fortune
in his own hands. Most young men,
North or South, will be wild who have
plenty of money, which, not having
earned, they do not know how to value.
One night, with a yawn, he threw down
his book and stretched himself on the
bee. / stood with my back to the fire,
looking at him. Presently said, so
you are going home for the holidays,
>OtY"
"'S Yes-Christmas on the plantation
They say your negroes are to have
their freedom at your death. Is dot sho ?
as the Dutchman says"
"Dot is sho," replied OF with another
yawn.
"'I wonder you are not afraid to go
among them, said 1.
{" He laughed with genuine amuse-
ment, and L asked if any other white
person would be on the plantation
GO The overseer,' said OF. But sup
pose you go with me, old fellow ?"
"' But suppose the negroes make
away with me too ?"
"' Well, you will be no great loss that
u cam see, replied my companion, and,
adopting his view of the subject, went
with him home.
Arrived at the plantation, we had
the house all to ourselves, for his next
OF kin was a married sister who lived in
the adjoining State, but we had as many
chambermaids and dining-room servants
and servants of every other age, sex and
cauiNg, as though OF had been a
lWtriarch.
"' The third morning after our arrival
we were lettering over the breakfast
table, each of us with newspaper in
his hand. Plantation negroes were
more of a curiosity to me than to OF, so
he was giving his entire attention to his
paper, while mine was divided. First
appeared Aunt Fanny the ideal South
ern cook, shining black, ponderous, jol-
ly except when on duty; every hair con-
fined by gorgeous turban; her broad
hips encircled by huge cotton apron.
The bill of fare was always made out by
herself-and a most excellent bill it was
but she came every day to inquire if
her young master desired any change
in the menu.
This morning, however, l observed
her entrance with surprise, because we
were not more than half through break
fast, and she stood silently out of range
of OTIS eye. Next appeared one of the
housemaids, who asked in loud, apollo
getic whisper if anybody had seed her
broom" No one appeared to have seen
it, and she took up her station near the
cook. Petrarch, head-writer, stood with
his eye on the door, and none of his
subordinates budged from their places,
though the supply of buckwheat cakes
was exhausted.
"'Go git some cakes whispered
Cicero.
"' You go yo'se'f, returned Jim.
"Ot was still reading, and observed
neither the omission not the whisper
ing.
Soon appeared another housemaid to
look for her broom. Misery loves COM
pany so, not finding what she sought,
Housemaid No. . planted herself by the
side of No. l. Then appeared the coach
man, who always came to receive orders
for the day. He seemed content to
await his masters leisure, and stood in
dignifed silence, waving, however, the
prominence due to his position, for he
stationed himself in the rear of the cook.
Next came one of the hostlers, L sup
pose in search of the coachman. A few
moments after appeared another woman
servant-Housemaid No. apparently
for she made various feints toward the
sideboard, peeping under it, dashing
round it and muttering unintelligibly
something about her duster.'
''This attracted OTIS attention, and he
glanced over his shoulder at the group