The Republican., 1900-12-27
NUMBER ~.
Maryland NegrOs In Slave Times,

Ole Mars an Ole Miss" By Ed
mund X. Goldsborough, NJ. d. Ma
tional Publishing Company, Wash
ington.
Dr. Goldsborough dedicates his
book to the typical Eastern Shore
of-Maryiand darkies, some of whom
had erligion 'longed to the Baptis'
Chu'ch an was monstus pius;' and
others who danced, sang, played the
banjo, tiddled, fished and frolicked in
talbot county, befo de wah.' g" OF
them he says: Their smiling. shin
ing happy faces can be fully appre-
clated only by those who played with
them, heard them sing, preach and
play and had among them 1nammies. -
The negro of anti-bellum days will
soon be only a memory. Few of his
characteristics seem to have been in
heriterited by the generation which
has grown up since the Civil War.
The BLACK NANNY who loved her
masters children as well as her own,
if not better; the butler, a Chester
field in manners; the house servants.
who were almost part of the family
the plantation negro with his unfail-
ing humor, unique philosophy and
superstltlons-these are types which
are already nearly extinct. 1t is of
such that DR.. Goldsborough writes in
this volume of sketches-a volume
which gives faithful and delightful
destinations of the Maryland negro
in the days of slavery.
Dr. Goldsborough is very successful
In the use of the negro dialect. Pre-
tentlous writer's have tried it and fail
ed utterly, accomplishing nothing but
the mystification of their readers.
DIR. Goldsborough employs it with a
skill which the reader quickly appre-
clates. The negros he portrays are
not mere creations of his fancy, but
are types which existed in every part
OF the South before the emancipation
of the race from slavery. tParson
Phil Demby" was an adept in break
ing colts and steers, had remarka-
bic memory and the best coon dogs
on the plantation. Uncle Reubin
Whey was an oracle among his race
was sensible, truthful and pious.
Damon Dandridge," body servant
to Rev. William Pinckney, hada bow
which would have charmed Bean
Bummel. "Hezekiah Sprouts, a
famous fiddler, would rather hunt
coons than talk in the debating socie
ty. 'Juba Viney' was distinguished
as fine singer and leader of hymns.
Deacon Rasmus Jasper Jemes" was
wise III his own conceit, pompous
dandy darkey, addicted to preaching.
stephen Demby" was a devoted SER
want and "Ole Mars had de gre'tes'
confluence in his 'rasity.n A most en-
tertalning darkey was John Poney.n
who took hold of his wool when he
made a bow. There were the free
negros, jerry and Caesar Butler. verv
credulous and superstitious; aunt
Phlllis,' the gentle, sweet-tempered,
intelligent cook; Becky Williams
faithful nurse; Nanny" as good
as gold; Uncle David" who loved
his mule, and Nancy Young" for
tune-teller.
The negros of DR.. Goldsborough's
sketches lived at or near Otwell an
estate OF 1900 acres on the Eastern
Shore OF Maryland. They had been
environed for generations with cul
ture, refinement, kindness and Christ
ian teaching. They were full of music.
contentment and happiness. THE
venom of the carpet-bagger and poll
ticlan had not stung them.'' 1t is
pleasant to read of such types of the
race, to know that there was so much
loyalty and affection in the relations
between master and man. The hu
NOR of the plantation negro, his home
spun philosophy and his capacity for
romancing are finely delinedted in
DIR. Goldsborough's book 1t is col
lection of sketches, not story, but
that does not detract from it's interest
1t will prove entertaining not only to
readers who lived under the old reg
lme, but to the generation which has
come up since slavery ceased to exist.
DIR. Goldsborough is to be commend
ed for preserving for future genera
tions these slaye types of the good
old days "Befo' de Wah.n