The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-07-27
PLANTATION COURTsHIP.
The Art as Practised According to Uncle
 Giibcrt's Method.

The Art as Practised According to Uncle Giibert's Method.
 From tho Journal of American Folk -Lore.l Among the slaves there were regular forms of courtship, and almost every large plantation had an experienced old slave who instructed young gal lants in the way in which they should go in the delicate matter of winning the girls of their choice. Uncle Gil- bert" was the shoemaker on a planta- ton where there were a hundred slaves. He was very learned in the art of courtship, and 1t was to his shop the slave lads went for instruction. 1 new CT had the honor of being one of the old mans pupils. being too young when I knew him to make inquiry along the courtship line, but I tracked many young men to Uncle Gilbert's 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 Gilbert's rule of courtship was that ''young man mus tes' an prove a gal befo' offerin' her his han Elf or gal gives a man as good anser as he gives her queston, den she Is all right in min. Elf she can look him squar in de face when she talks to him, den she kin be trusted; an ef her patches is on straight an her close clean. den she Is gwine ter keep de house straight an yer britches mended. Sich CT ooman Is wuth havin'."
 Here is a sample of a courtship con- versation.
 He-My dear kin miss, has you any objections to my drawing my cher to yer side, and revolvin' de wheel of my conversation around de axle of your understandin'?
 She-I has no objection to gentle man addressin' me in proper man. ner, kin sir.
 He-My dear miss, de worr is howl in wilderness full of devourin' animals. and you has got to walk through hlt Has you made up yer min to walk through hit yersef, or wid some bold wahyer?
 She-Yer 'terrigation, kin sir. shall be answered in a ladylike manner. ef you will prove to me dat 1t is not for a form and CT fashion dat you puts de question.
 He-Dear miss, would not impose on lady like you as to as' her g. question for form an fashion. B'lieve me, kin miss, dat has a pertickler objick in engagin' yer in conversation dis af- ternoon. .'' '.''".'
 She-Dear kim sir, has knowed many a gentleman to talk wid wise words and fiatterin' looks, and at de same time he may have a deceivin' heart. MayI as' yer, kin gentleman. eff you has de full right to address a lady in pertiokler manner?
 He-I has, kin miss. has seen many sweet ladies, but has never up to dis day an time lef' the highway of a single gentleman to foller desc beac- on lights. But now, kin miss, as looks in yer dark eyes, an sees yer hones' face, and hears yer kin 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, Twill reply in an- ser to your 'terrigation in de fus place, sence I think you is homes gentle man, dat l feels dat a lady needs de perfection of bor wahyer in dis worl' where dere's many wir animals and plenty O danger. .,r.
 He-Den, kin honored miss, will you condescen' to encourage me to hope dat I might, some glorious day in de future, walk by yer side as perteckter?
 She-Kin' sir, ef you thinks you is bol wahyer will condescend to let you pass under my observation from dis day on. an ef you proves wuthy of a confidin' lady's trus', some lady might be glad to axcept yer perfection and dat lady might be me.
 This brings us to the point where the two agree to become lovers. and as loves language is not reducible to writ ing and repetition we will leave them.