The times., 1899-02-19
AN OLD SLAVE MOTHER.
She bought Her Daughters Free
dom and Her own.


New Orleans. Feb. 1s.-Aunt Charlotte
is beginning to appreciate the hardships of
emancipation Seventy years ago she was
a care-free little pickaninny, rolling on the
grass in one of the cotton States. Chance
found her later paying her mistress for
her time In the old town of Baton Rouge.
1t was the custom forty years back to per-
nit slaves living in towns and cities who
worked at trade to pay for their own
time and keeping. stipulated amount
was agreed upon between owner and own
ed, and any money the negro made over
and above went, without lien, TO him or
her as the sex might be. Many slaves
thus bought their own liberty, and looked
with contempt and scorn upon the freed
man was acquired manumission through
fayoritism or caprice.
Aunt Charlotte, in those days, was in
great demand as blanchiseuse. At time
when women wore ten or twenty petit
coats. and the luxurious Southerner chang
ed his duck suits two or three times a day,
up early and down late, many an extra
gold piece went into the stout woolen
stockings hidden among the rafters, after
her mistress had been paid. Money for
eggs and chickens. honey and cakes of
wax, garden truck and pretty printed pats
I'll there scarcely seemed in the smoke
stained cabin, hiding places enough.
The great sorrow of her life was that
Melissa, her daughter, belonged TO cruel
master. Not whipping did Melissa get
that this tender hearted mother did not
share the same pain. 1t would take at
least 1000 TO buy Melissa, and in the de-
clining state of their own fortunes Char
lotte's master and mistress did not see
obtained.
Charlotte began TO age under the anxiety,
until her most ardent supporter had 10
admit her work was not what it used to
be" At the end of each month, when
Charlotte deposited her earnings, it was
noticed that Mrs. Deb went oftener
to an armoir drawer, whose key she kept
close watch upon. One day, when fiercer
onset had been made than usual, Charlotte,
in a frenzy, rushed into her mistress
presence. 1t was no longer TO be borne.
Melissa was in bed from her injuries.
Shed have that beasts bowdacious hearts
blood. Yes, she would, If she had to
Quietly her mistress unlocked the cum
brous armoir, and before Charlotte's eyes
dwelling with storm and rage dropped a
bag OF gold into her lap. See, Aunt
Charlotte. Let Us buy Melissa. / have
$500 you yourself have paid me, but where
in Heavens name is the rest TO come
FROM"
Fore God, Miss, done got II! Nnat
you sposen old Charlotte's been drivin'
for all these years? She's got a natchel
mothers heart inside her, ef she is a mig
ger But ef you amt the bestis mistess
God Almighty ever Civ old black
ooman," And on the strength OF this
companion traffic in flesh and blood Char
lotte and her mistress straightway fell INTO
each others arms.
Major Deb undertook 10 cohduct tne
purchase, but Melissa's owner was oostl-
nate, and would not accede' Inc price was
run up TO $1,000 shorty alteT' severely
maltreating an Old ana taithtui negro Inc
neighborhood met ana lhlofme" lhe man
Tor his own good ne must IeaVe Ihe 9.dIe'
Such brutality couid not exist III Il law
abiding community
There was no alternative but TO Sell out.
His effects were auctIoned, and the negro
slaves went 10 better masters Melissa
was knocked down to Major Deli Tor
81 600, and Charlotte, after accepting her
own freedom, paid for Melissa 500 into
her mistress hand.
Some years after the war, mother and
daughter drifted TO New Orleans, where
Charlotte still took in fine washing. Age
and infirmity had some upon her; room
ers were found unfaithful and did not pay
their rent. and after all Charlotte's sacri-
fees. Melissa proved an migrate and left
her mother Nothing remains of her for