Milford chronicle., 1930-10-17
Reporters

but they always bring a good price
whether they're intelligent or not"
The northerner thinks this over
a moment. Where do you go to get
your slaves?" you don't have to go
far" is the answer. Some people
will trade with you. just traded in
a boy for a woman to help clean the
house, but l had TO pay seven dol
lars extra because the boy was so
small. Then, right now, on the
other side of the river, a farm own
er has gone bankrupt. All his slaves
have to be sold at auction next
week. l think I'll step over and see
what kind of stock he's been keep
ing" sold at auction" says the
guest as if he cannot comprehend
it. Yes, to the highest bidder. The
sale will be right on his farm. l |
like that colored lad, Harry, he had |
over there, but if l buy him l don't |
want his mother and sisters, too
that's why the owner went bank
rupt He tried to keep the families |
all together. When he'd buy one
he'd buy the rest of the family so
they'd be more contented. You see
how it pays"
Chloe comes in from the kitchen
to clear away the table. The Master
rises and says, 1T you wish to fin
ish this conversation, come into the
parlor." The guest looks surprised,
but rises also. AS they enter the
parlor they see that a roaring fire
has been made, so they pull their
chairs close to it. I'VE never talk
in front of the darkies," says the
Master ut might make them dis
contented."
The Mistress comes into the room
now and lights the tallOw candles.
You must not talk late tonight"
she says gently, eff our guest must /
cave early tomorrow" AS she pulls t
her chair to a table and starts to [
sew, conversation is again resumed.
You call your slaves cattle, do c
'ou not teach them to read and G
yrite?" "Sir?" says the land owner, T
ncreduously, IF they learned to b
cad and write they would no long d
# be property" There is complete t.
ilence for a moment then, as if k
nxious to change the subject the p
uest says, "If a man dies around a
ere, what happens to his slaves?"
Oh, he can will them just like any s.
ther property, of course. Five of s.
nine were willed to me by my un- u
lie not so long ago. But if the man T
caves no will, they are sold out at N
n auction sale to the highest bid W
er." W
Here a young slave brings in a
'ay with wine and refreshments on II
. AS he leaves the guest says, M
They tell me most southerners Fl
ave their means of punishment in o'
lie cellars. Do you?" eff you mean pC
lngeons, l certainly do have them, Ell
ut all l have to do is threaten to pC
ck the darkies up in the cellar, tn
Id they knuckle down in a hurry. o.
guess they have been used often ia
lOugh, but is isn't necessary any on
ore" The guest shakes his head on
Id smiles. can't say slave trade VII
,peals to me-" he says. "Why, sir, an
e slaves in Milford are happier by tn
r then those who have to work in of
e cotton and rice Corn and wheat
ID fax are much easier to work in th'
ID the niggers don't know any da
ing else, so they are used to it by un
W." KIN
The Mistress arises and says, EN-
'On't you think we'd better retire =
W, don't hear the slaves .,inging
y longer" The three arise and
Mistress follows them up the
.irs with candle in each hand.
)ut in the yard an old negro is
nding in the door of his cabin
king at the stars. Although his
IS are not closed his attitude is at
of prayer. Through half open ed
he is murmuring and his words che
'ress all the blind, trusting LCpe -.
a negro. God knows best" lie bo ns'S
athes, God knows best" The 10 20;
on rides high in the sky. The -, a -
mt wind, caressing the old mans a. 1e
r and beard whispers back on %
IS, God knows best" @ - y