The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-09-20
cOURTsHIP METHODS AMONG SLAVES
Luoicrous Results of an Effort to Initiate
the Whites.

Among the slaves there were regular
forms of courtship, and almost every
large plantation had an experienced old
slave who instructed young gallants in
the way in which they should 90 in the
delicate matter of winning the girls of
their choice. Uncle Gilbert" was the
shoemaker on plantation where there
were hundred slaves He was very
learned III the art o. courlship. and it
was TO his shop the slave lads went for
instruction. never had the honor of
being one OF the Old man pupils, being
too young when | knew him TO make
inquiry on the couriship line but
tracked many young men to Uncle Gil
bert's shop in the interest Of general
gossip.
The American slaves courtslrip words
and ioENs are the result Of his attempt
1T initiating tho gushiugly elegant man
ners and speech OF his master. Uncle
Gilbert rule OF cOurtship was that a
young man mus ties an prove Gal
bctor offerln' her his han Ef er gal
gives 4 man as good anscr rs he giTer
her question den she's all right in min.
FL she can look him squar in de face
when she talks To him den She Kin be
trusted: an eff her patches is on STRAIGHT
and her close c.ean den she is gwine
ter keep de house straight an Yer
brltches mended. Sich er CONAN is
wuth havin'."
Here is a sample Of courtship con-
yerSatiOn:
He-My dear kin miss has YOU any
objections to me drawing my cher to
yer side and revoiyin' de wheel of nv
conversation around de axle of Your
understandin'?
She-l has no objection to a gentle
man addressin' me in proper manner
kin sir.
He-My dear miss, the worl' is a howl
in wilderness full of devourinr animals.
and you has got to walk through hit
Has you made up yer min to walk
through hit by yerself, or wild some bold
wahyer?
She-Ier 'terrigation. kin sir shall
be answered in a ladylike manner. eff
you will prove to me dat it is not for er
form and er fashion dat you puts de
question.
He-Dear miss. would not so impose
on lady like you as to as her a ques-
ton for Il form an "A fashion. B'iieye
me, kin miss, dat | has pertickler OBJ
jck in ingagin' Yer in conversation dis
afternoon
She-Dear kin sir, l has llnowed many
gentleman to talk wild wise words and
natterin' looks, and at de same time he
may have a deceivin heart May as
yer, KIN gentleman, eff you has de full
right to address lady in a pertickler
manner?
He-l has kin miss | has seen
many sweet ladies. but has never up
to dis day an time lief de highway of a
single gentleman to foller desc beacon
lights. But now, kin miss, as looks
IN yer dark eyes, an sees yer homes
face, and hears yer kind voice, | mus
confess, dear lady, dat | would be Joyous
to come to Yer beck and call in any
time of danger.
She-Den, kin sir, | will reply in
anser to your terrigation in de fus place.
sence | think you is homes gentleman,
lat feels dat lady needs de pertec-
ton of a BOZ wahyer in dis worl'. where
iere's many viii animals and plenty o.
Danger
He-Deu. kin honored miss. will YOU
:ondescen, to encourage me to hope dat
might some glorious day in the future
walk by yer side as perleckter?
She-hin sir, eff you thinks you is a
BOZ wahyer | will condescend to let YOU
pass under my observation from dis day
on. an Ell you proves wuthy of a con-
adm lady's trus' some lady might be
glad to axcept your pertection-and dat
lady might be rae
This brings us to a point where the
.wo agree to become lovers. and as
owes language is not redHciblc TO writ
NC and repetition we will leave them.
-JoHrfedt0T 4Iiaertcga FOiG-L0re.