The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-17
plantation Life Before the war.

The younger people Of this generation are
in danger or forgetting how picturesque anu
even dramatic, was SOathefn plantation ne
before the war. On the cotton Plantations o.
Arkansas, Mississippi. Alabama. Georgia aha
South Carolina. the tobacco plantations OK
Virginia. Kentucky and tennessee. or tho
sugar plantations OF Louisiana. WAS lived
lire that whatever It's faults might have been.
for prodigality and careless ease. mas hardly
elsewhere had parallel.
In lrglnia plantation life. If not so luxuri-
ant "a farther south. showed some OF is most
attractive sides. The house of Virginia
planter often stood on a slight rise OF ground,
shaded by great grove OF magnolia and
pecan trees ana overl Oking the broad acres
OK tho plantation. while a pine forest or
range OF green hills shut out the distant
view.
ne house was rarely more than two stories
high If that, and was remarkable for us vide
verandas. high ceilings and large, airy rooms.
Ii often affected the Greek style Of archl;ec.
ture. having pOrtlco with tall wooden col
umns and WAS invariably painted white, with
green shutters. The chimney. usually OF
great size was built outside the wall to avoid
the heat. and aspaclous hall ran rom the 'front.'
door. which had a massive brass knocker on
it. straight thr ugh the centre OF the house to
q door Ut the back opening out on plot OF
ground around which the house. stables ana
numerous out buildings were grouped In the
shape or q crescent.
TN the walls hung faded portraits OF Eng
lish ancestors, and the furniture. though
scantv was OF solid old-fashlOned mahogany.
while the beds were so high thatit was neces-
sary 20 use a small stepladder TO get into one
There were few carpets, and the hOor was
either covered with mating or the planks lett
bare. for the Southerner did not pride him.
self SO much n his house es he did on his
hospitality and abundant good cheer.
Eat, Ao41fharn hou- % mad rpllars and con-
sequenty were built Oh high supports TO
keep out the damp. This made them look as
though they were on stills. unless. as was the
case with the more elegant, the space under
meath was shut of by lattice Work. when was
covered by all sorts of creeping vines honey
sucke wsteria. clematls, jasmine. while run
ming roses sometimes spread their beauty
over the entire side o the house.
The negroes quarters were usually log
cabins and around each WAS small patch or
ground which the slave was allowed 10 Guilt
vate tor his own use When visitors came 10
stay az the mansion they always made tour
of the quarters and every here received
respectful greeting rom the slaves VINO
greatly eniOyed having quality" come 20 see
them. This admiration for gentllity was uni
versal among the slaves. In one case nave
heard that m old negress belonging 70 my
great-grandfather made him promise that
only quality" should come 70 her funeral,
for which occasion she regularly saved a por-
ton of the money given her. 80 that sne
might be buried with the spendor behtting
such An arstOcrat.
ON a large plantation the quarters we're
often a considerable distance from the house,
and every morning the master would mount
his horse and ride over TO SEQ MS people ac-
companied by his overseer, with whom he
would arrange the work for the day
III ever any disturbance arose IN the quar-
ters the master would lay the matter before
some old uncle or auntie wnom the negroes
held IN great respect. and who possessed such
an influence over them thaJ peace anu order
would soon be restored.
The mistress also made her daily rounds adj
ministerine medicines and dellcacles 10 tho
sick and attending TO countless details pecu-
liar 10 her once. while every week she
measured ont wish her own hands the
amount OF bacon, Indian meal and other ra-
tious which were allowed 20 each family. As
the NEGROES are a very improyident race these
prov si0ns would often be gone before the
week was over But here the negroes genius
FOR stealing stood him IN good stead. and Ee
would always manage 20 purlOin enough from
the kitchen and chicken coop 70 suDslst on
TOR the remainder of the week.
As may be imagined. the kitchen before
meal time was a scene of dreadful Dandeno-
mum. Some fat Old Aunt Chloe. tue genius
loci or head cook. with Der red tnrbeR and
snow-white apron would be busting here
and there among her numerous pots and pans,
now giving directions about some important
dish. now smartly rapping tho wOolly head Of
some little pickaninny for some act OF care
lessness now sending one on message TO
tbe house. for the kitchen WAS
generally an Outbuidiug connected with
the main house by q covered walk, or bestOw-
inc with a benevolent smile a dainty m0rsel
ON some of her relations who swarmed every
where and got into every DOdy's way. till At last
she would lose patience, and, making alright
ful gesture with her wooden spoon. would
say. Hi now. yOus chilluns, jos GIT out o.
heah which command would he promptly
oheved for Aunt Chloe was AS much feared
in her domain IS the Great Mogul himself.
But do not let us pass by tho dear old
NANNY. whom the children loved almost AS
dearly rs their father and mother. Even after
the Southern boy had grown up and came
home from college On "a vacation ne never
failed 10 90 and kiss the nanny who had
rocked him 10 sleep when a child.
All articles of clothing had TO be maze on
the plantation, and the mistress generally had
several women sewing and cutting out gar
ments for the hands while she supervised
tneir distribution. The slaves had absolutely
no care and we're looked after like great chill
dren. but although under good masters they
were better cared for IN this way. still tho sys-
tenn WAS bad for both master and slave, Tor the
former grew proud and thought that work
was degrading. while the latter became 80
heIples3 that lac could not take care OF him
self and was az the mercy OF any stronger in
telect than his oWn.-DayidsOn ii. smith Ia
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