The record-union., 1894-08-27
PLANTATION CoURTsHIP
The Art as Practiced According to
Uncle Gilbert's Method.


Among the slaves there were regular
forms of courtship, and almost every
large plantation had an experienced old
slave who instructed young gaIlants in
the way in which they should 60 in the
delicate matter Of winning the girls of
their choice. s'UncIe Gilbertv was the
shoemaker on plantation where there
were a hundred slaves. He was very
learned in the art of courtship, and it was
to his shop the slave lads went for in
struction. / never had the honor OF be-
ing one of the old mans pupils, being too
young when l knew him to make inquiry
along the courtship line, but | tracked
many young men to Uncle Gilberts shop
in the interest OF general gossip.
The American slaves courtship words
and forms are the result of his attempt at
initiating the gushingly elegant manners
and speech OF his master. Uncle Gill
bert's rule of courtship was that a
young man mus tes' an prove a gal
befo' otferin' her his ham. Eff er gal
gives a man as good anser as he
giver her question, den she is
all right in min'. Ef she can look him
suuar in de face when she talks to him,
den she can be trusted; an, eff her patches
is on straight am her close clean, den she
is gwine ter keep de house straight an
yer britches mended. Sich er CONAN is
wuth havin'."
Here is a sample OF courtship CONVEX
sation:
He-My dear kim miss, has you any
objections to me drawing my cher to yer
side aud revolvin' de wheel of my con-
versation around de axle of your under
standin'?
She-I has no objection to gentleman
addressin' me in a proper manner, kim
sir.
He-My dear miss, de worl' is howlin'
wilderness full of deyourin' animals, and
you has got TO walk through hit. Has
yer made up yer min to walk through
hit by yersef, or wild some bold wahyer?
She-Yer 'terrigation, kim sir, shall be
answered in ladylike manner, eff you
will prove to me dat it is not for er form
and er fashion dat you puts the question.
He-Dear miss, would not so impose
on lady like you as TO as her question
for form an fashion. B'leve me, kim
miss, dat has a pertickler objick in in
gagin' yer in conversation dis afternoon.
She-Dear kim sir, has knowed many
a gentleman to talk wild wise words an
fiatterin' looks, and at de same time he
may have a deceivin' heart. May | as
yer, kim gentleman, eff you has de full
right to address a lady in a pertickler
manner?
He-I has, kim miss. I has seen many
sweet ladies, but | has never up 70 dis
Qay an Time iol' ue highway OF single
gentleman to foller desc beacon lights.
But now, kim miss, as l looks in yer
dark eyes am sees yer homes face and
hears yer kind voice, / mus confess,
dear lady. dat l would be joyous to come
to yer beck and call in any time o. dam
ger.
She-Den, kim sir, 1 will reply in an
ser to your 'terrigation in de f1s place,
sence [ think you is homes gentleman,
dat l feels dat lady needs de perfection
oil bor wahyer in dis worP, where
dere's many wil' animals and plenty o.
danger.
He-Den, kim honored miss, will you
condescen' TO encourage me to hope dat /
might, some glorious day in de future,
walk by yer side as a perteckter?
She-Kin' sir, Ell you thinks you is a
boP wahyer / will condescend to let you
pass under my observation from dis day
on, an if you proves wuthy of confidin'
lady's trus', some lady might be glad TO
axcept yer pertection-an' dat lady mig ut
be me.
This brings us to the point whore the
two agree to become lovers, and as loves
language is not reducible TO writing and
repetition we will leave them.-Folk
Lore Journal.