31.07.2013 Views

SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

"I know the very night old missis told us we was free* Called all us<br />

slaves up there together. Told us we was just as free as she was. I always<br />

will remember that*<br />

n I stayed there till we got through the crop* Then I went to Paris,<br />

Texas and portered in a little hotel there* Then I went wagonin*—haulin*<br />

stuff.<br />

"They used to whip me in slavery times when they got ready* Need it?<br />

Well, they said I did* Hurt my feelin f s and hurt my hide too, but they<br />

raised me to do whatever they said*<br />

"This younger generation ain't no good—they ain't raised up like I<br />

was. I^hings is a whole lot different than they used to be. The folks ain't<br />

prayin* to God like they used to. Ain't livin 1 right*<br />

"I had two brothers killed in time <strong>of</strong> the War. That's what the old<br />

people told me after I come back from Texas.<br />

tf Yes f m, I've had plenty to eat all my life—up until now; I ain f t got<br />

so much now*<br />

W I keep the rheumatism pretty much all the time but I ain't never been<br />

down sick so I couldn't help myself*<br />

"I'm tellin' you just what I know and ^hat I don't know I couldn't tell<br />

you. Good-bye.* 1<br />

2 - 2k

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!