SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

Ain't nothin 1 hut these graduates teachin 1 now, young graduates that don*t
know nothin 1 but runnin 1 about. When I come along, the carpet-baggers were
teaching and they knew their business* Mrs* Stephens went to Fisk and
finished there* Mrs. Spight graduated from Union High School. We had all
white teachers at firsts Miss Sarah Henley used to teach with old ex-
slaves where the Bethel A. M. E. Church is now* There wasn f t no church
there then—just a little shanty. I was just five years old* My mother
used to take me there and leave me, but she taught me herself at home. She
taught me just like I see you teach your kids*
n Boys don f t do nothing but play now* They had to hustle then* They
can f t do nothing now. They have this departmental system now* They didn't
have it then* The different temperaments ruin children* They used to
review, how they don f t. They change text-books so fast the old ones can f t
be sold* 11
Interviewer's Comment
7/arren Taylor holds recommendations from a number of prominent people
referring to his excellent character, high morals, unusual intelligence,
wide information, industry, thrift, honesty, and trustworthiness* Some of
the names occur in the interview* The letters arid documents proving his
long service and good record were brought out during the interview and
biven to me to read*
tions*
He has an unusual memory and penetrating insight into condi-
7- 1379