New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-05
THE OLD-TTME VIRGINN NEGRO
EXPERIENCES or a sUITOR on HIS FIRST
VISIT TO THE PLANTATION.
From Forest and Stream.


VISIT TO THE PLANTATION. Z.
From Forest and Stream.
There are few oid-fashioned darkies left IN
the South. both biz and little.
The best specimens are 10 be found way
down South IN Georgy and in "Old Virginia.
They live on the plantations lying ba X ia the
interior a distance from towns and railroads.
These facts learned some few years ago. when
the handsome matrOn who now Sis across the
table from me talking Sanscrit 10 future Presi-
dent was an occasional resident on a panta-
ton Of large value in Southeastern Virginia, SIX
miles from town and three miles from the rail
road. which had been in The family for genera
tons.
My first visit 10 her country home was fraught
with many pleasures aside from the delight "
baskng in the sunshine Of her smiles. The
plantation comprised a thousand acres al cult
waited and forest land, surrounded by much mat
had not been cultivated since the civil War.
and made an ideal place for enjoying field sports.
as game was most abundant
The negroes were the real old-timers. many Of
them having lived all their lives on that or
neighboTing plantations. as had their ancestors
before them. proudly bearing the names of many
+. +. ". My advent had neccssitated prepara-
tons that had put the darkies on notice. and
they had questioned a little. surmised much.
and finally concluded thus. Mis- Lady's young
man is comm from tn" city 10 visit US all" No
one visits exclusively the family in the big
house" on plantation where the od-time
darkes are found, and he comes To grief who
attempts H.
Nv nighrN ana fOUnN want ng lS the NFfflci
returned by the loyal attaches against the
visitor who. like the frog. "a-woong gues." Ia
boring under the delusion that ms suit Is won Or
lost IN the pariJT. ana needs only to he pressed
there. Every darky ON the place that could be-
spared from ms % her work was pcepng around
one sid" or he other 0f The house when The car
rage that had been sent to meet me- OF the
station droV. up To- the front gate.
Th.y made no effort nj cDnccalmcnt. but
simply wen, through what they consider the
proper form On such bco asiOns. standing far
hill lt..sr
make an effort to hide behind he angles Of the
porch corners Of The bay windows Or convenient
shrubhery.
southern born and knowing ny audience |
stlflencd up like drum nor and STROBE up tho
walk with - near the air Of "cOnqueriug
hero" as could command. feeling sorry that my
silk hat was not my head where IT would
have made me almost an dssIr d success. in
stead of in my hat box.
Uncle Ben the driver Of the carriage. came
IN for almost as much attention a my IT. as
ne struggled along IN the rear with a hcavy
load runp0esd Df my baggage gun ana shell
boxes. his profound dignity eXaEeeration of
ms own 70 have shown by word Or sign any
know edge of the fact that the crowd of servant $
were watching and audby critcising M would
have benin their opinion-a serious breach ~
.tlGlIsfte and woul1 have resulted IN grave
doubts Of my being real quality So with
bold hut discreet looks 10 the right ana left.
mounted the broad front steps struck the old
fashioned knocker and turned To dis miss Unc
Zen. who had followed and placed ny bagga@0
Or the pOrrn. TIE old ashioncd cOachman docs
nos enter the house " here there are mouse ser
wants. hut stops al the entrance. II. indeed. De
leaves his team N all. which ne only does with
those 10 whom he wishes 10 pay MAJ ked atten-
ton.
A. ho backed down the stems. Rowing his
thanks. AND showing ut uninlSta.,ahlr signs thai
my e"nuiucn"ss was firmly established in his
iniud. "a. door opened and my fair hostess vel
coined me % The Fins
Within twenty -four hours Of my arrival was
acquainted with an of the "hoys' and girls
and .sncl-s" and "aunties." As they are there
classified on the place. AN Of the mare DARK 80
being boys until they reach the stag ni uncle
and an ~ the females girls until age ana diS
nifty pat them ~ the class Of aunt"s
All of the field hands learned my nam at once
and never failed 20 snow their worries 10 the r--
hottest nioiar as tn-y bowed and pulled at ih"i
Old hats when We met The oracle II IN" he
house on The plantation is the cook Sh" m0ulds
ana forms me opinions Of the other servants
and Influences ~ a greater or lesser degree lhi'
u the family she serves.
She is nearly always aunty. and IS az
gressi,e bigotrd. uucJmprpmis lnc KIND. iaith-
ful ana Efficient A dear ola paradox, alternate
lv beloved and feared hy tn. entire household
knew nor welt and respected ner Accordingly
and always sought AN opportunity 10 ptupittlr
her as soon a. possible after my arrival al iht
various hospitabo Southern homes IT had p'ri
my happy lot 10 visit