The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-01-12
PLANTATION SKETCHES.
How the Oolored People Enjoyed Their
First Taste Of Freedom.

flrSJ Taste OF freedom,
When first honorcd the state OF
Florida with my presence some twelve
years AGO, the negro was Il constant
source Vf amusement 10 me, says "a
writer in Tire DcfroH Free Press. His
ways were 50 different, his actions so
ehildlike and bland his idea Of freedom
80 extraordinary, his ignorance so
grotesquc and appalling, that it was
better than Il circus TO watch him in
lis goings to and fro, Freedom made
striking revolution in the colorcd
race socially; they tried at once to drop
all their former catch-words Of iamlli-
arity, and adopted the most eNtravagant
aud elaborate forms Of courtesy.
Among themselves II was lady y
and gentlemen, MIR. and Mrs,
and all the ceremonies and genuilexions
in use among the former slavcholdin@
aristbcracy were at once adopted as
their own, without any regard to the
eternal fitness of things.
Twas riding through the streets of
Tallahassee one beautiful morning
with ex-Unitcd States Senator Conovcr,
who was then state treasurer aud
owner of fine plantation Il few miles
from town, when Il scene occurred that
has never faded from my memory.
IL had somehow became town talk
shat DIR. Conover was looking out for
hands to assist him in wasting seed on
his plantation. and when we got oppo-
site the postoflce we were halted by an
old colorcd auntin with: ''Oh, Dir.
Conover. Oh, DR., Conovcr. stop a
minute, please, sah''
BY her side was Il most dilapldatcd
specimen of colorcd humanity in state
Of looped and Widowed raggcdness.
In fact, any respectable western corn
field scarecrow would have Indignantly
refused TO exchange garments with him
without heavy boot. The old auntie
had him by the hand, and as we drew
up to the sidewalk she said; CDR.
Conovcr, / done heerd We wanted to
get some gentlemen to wuk on yer
place, and | done sent for dish yer
gentleman to come to town sos ye
could get him." After n little con-
versation the contract was made and
the gentleman went out TO the planta-
ton to pick cotton and steal corn with
The rest of the gentlemen.
The negroes, male and female, were
passonately fond OF fine clothing
and finery of every description, and
would invest all the money they could
earn in articles of personal adornment.
was told by one of the city millincrs
that the finest and most expensive bon
nets she brought TO the city were pur-
chased by the negro women. The
white ladies were satisfied to dress
more in consOnancc with the reduced
state of their finances. but her
colorcd sister was content. If she had
a gorgeous hcad-gear, to let the rest OF
her graceful person 90 arraycd in pie
bcian calico A lot of colorcd ladies
congregated mt somc street corner
would exhibit dazzling assortment of
ribbons, laccs, feathers, and bright
eolors. With them freedom meant to
step ut once from the monotony OF the
eottoniicld TO the dressing-room of the
petted darlings of society and fashion,
and a foot apparently eighteen inches
in length would often coyly peep out
from beneath u brilliant blue silk
dress.
One Sunday morning | was riding
out on the road toward Bellair, when ]
met gentleman of the colorcd persua-
sion on his way 10 church.
He was clothed in glossy dress suit
of black such rs the Hebrew children
love TO pass off on the unsophisticatcd
African rs genuine broadcloth, and
fitting like the paper on the wall"
His neck was encircled by Cal
Wagner collar and flaming crimson
scarf, high silk hat crowned his noble
brow. and to cap the climax, he was
barefooted.
His money had evidently given out
before he got to his feet but this occa-
stoned him not the slightest embar-
rassment, and he strobe along the road
in digniiied composure, true child of
freedom.
The strong point of the negro has
been his religion, and one of their old
fashioned revivals is calculated to fully
discourage the devil and all his imps.
After usual evening service the pastor
leaves his pulpit, and, surrounded by
his staff, prepares to battle with the
evil one. The mourners crowd around
the altar, praying, grooming, and
shrieking; higher and higher rises the
singing and exhorting, the bodies of
sinners sway in rhythm with the music,
hands are patted and feet stamp the
floor. Suddenly there is wild shrek,
and one Of the female mourners leaps
into the circle, all her sins are washed
away. and she is so violently happy
that she wants to go right straight up to
heaven. Some fall as if in a trance,
the voice OF the exhorter takes on a
sterner tone, and the excitement be-