The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-04

Their miseries have lived In song ana
story seldom outside.
They were an army OF bright-turoaneG
women, gentle and kind. Men strong
limbed and willing, drawing generous
crops from generous lands.
The stately coachman was trusty to
take young mistress over tedious dis
tances managing his horses with the ca
dence Of his tones, showing OF their speed
with a keen lash when a rival was near.
Generally bowling along comfortably,
taking sweet woos between times.
The dining-room servant was despotic
in his domain; deferential TO his superiors,
careful, neat, noiseless. There were
score of pickaninnies with willing black,
bare feet ready to trot from barn TO the
'eret-house." from the big gate TO
the stable; in winter comfortable In gay
sIinsev-woolsey;" in summer, with limbs,
untrammelled as their souls, they sported,
I'm a single yellow cotton shirt, on the
river banks, or in the orchards where
the fruit hung ripest.
The beginning Of a day on a great
plantation was like the manoeuyres or a
drilled squadron.
In and out Of vast corn-felds, among
sleek kline. scraping the 'shoe-sole' In
earnest polishing, pushing the dry-Tubbing
brush. grooming over the up and down
churn-dasher; everywhere was task
for somebody, and somebody to do 1t.
Things had no shape for saving labor.
The well was on one side of the yard
the kitchen on the other; the smoke-house
far distant, the dairy nestled I'm shady
spot, near running water, and Bood
step from the cow-pens.
s,oJo ffnarauQp Such distances
gave waiting hands employment, and an
idea OF magnihcence 10 an establishment.
No battercskes could cool which were
trotted in by feet so swift they were
like sable flashes.
a negros head is shaped to tote water,
and the distance from well to mansion
gavs her time for meditation. The gay
turbaned milk-maid sauntering from the
"cuppen" to the dairy, with a foaming
"pigGin" on her head, was a study for
an artist.
I can but think the negro slave was
hnppv. Hear the drowsy melody the
GRADER makes, rising ana falllnB Win the
swing OF his blade.
The stalwart fellow sings out the meas
ure of his corn:
zone mi mu;
Score me two;
Score me three;
Score me four;
Tally, fve'
II was a symphony I'm a quaint setting.
There was no stint Of hospitality or
amusement. Royal fox-hounds, jolly
general musters." "nsh fries" parties,
"Y,eddlngs" and "Cbristmases' joined
hands the year around.
Company generally spent the day or
STAYED all night. I heard Of one friend
who came to spend the day and re-
NAMED forty-ive years.
When a friend called she was asked
TO take off her things" IL she de-
ciined I'm a wink, James or John would
whlsk in cake and bounce, blackberry
lam and bread and butter.
Limited accommodations were not
known.
Houses stretched for the occasion.
Pallets were not desplsed, and the
Office would always hold as many men
~ could squeeze in the door
Silver and china had been brought out
on so many occasions that we could
scarcely wonder to see the doors OF the
quaint cupboards open at will, and the
old blue "centon" arranged itself after
the fashion OF a century.
Customs lasted.
There was no fimsy questioning Of
what 10 do with your knife and fork
when your plate went TO be hlled. Sons
took UP their fathers ways and pre-
served them. Nobody was watching 10
see what other people were going 10 do.
friend me- old Captain 3. on the
street OF big city:
''Why don't you set some good clothes?"
he asked.
Nobody knows me here" the captain
said
The friend visited Gloucester.
Same old clothes" he remarked jok-
ingly.
Everybody knows ne here" said the
captain.
Family pride was immense. an heir
loom OF an ancestor was bequesthed as
of priceless value.
The demonstration OF society was Sc
we're as 10 social intercourse. = fisher
man preferred 10 deliver his fish az the
gate; yet If he was IN trouble he came
10 the counsellor" for aid and advice.
In the marshes where the water front
was shabby, village Of people clustered.
10 whom in winter and summer the va
ter's wealth was merchandise.
Guinea Was a study and Is a wonder.
Fifty years ago IT'S barefoot populace
ran wildly al the sound Of carriage
wheels. screaming: run. little wheel!
big wheel VIII eaten Ne. now ~ Is
beautiful garden spot, titled by good
farmers.
The negroes We're grotesque aristocrats.
stood Oh Cappahoosic pier.
The first morning sunlight Redeemed the
broad river.
There was a rustic IN tina waiting crowd.
turned and saw an ancient negro. He
wore an old time spike tail coat; (the
waist line marked by brass buttons,
touched his shoulders). a buff waistcoat,
and sadly curtailed trousers.
The negro. who was about 20 trundle
freish. on board inquired
iii. name o. Cord man! Whar you
cum fum?"
"Out O my sight You low hound"
old Jack replied with scorn. ''Po' folks
nigsers amt got no brecdn'. ] cum fun
de quality. Mr.. Warner Taliaferro is my
master"
Later I drove in ear shot OF che Wild
singing OF negro revival.
little way from the church stood a
negro woman with a generous giith. She
was hob-nobbing with a friend who
seemed to have forgotten her. You
don't know me?' She asked. II am the
reverend Miss Matilda Carter. daughter