SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

Tom Robinson 8 gg
\\ It was awful hard going after the war. But I got
me a place had to share-crop for a year or two. But I
worked hard and saved all I could* Pretty soon I had me
enough that I could rent. I always raised the usual things
cotton and oorn. and potatoes and a little truck and that sort
of ;-hing always raised enough to eat for us and the stock
and then some cotton for a cash crop*
My first wife, well it was kind of funny I I wasn't
more than 19. She had 11 children, some of them was older
than I was* No ma'am it wasn't so hard on me. They was all
old enough to take care of themselves* I lived with that
woman for 17 years. Then she died*
I been married five times* Three of my children are
living* One's here— -that's Dave. Then there's one in
Texarkana and there's one in Kansas Gity* Two of my children's
dead. The youngest died just afeout last year* 111 my wives
are dead*
\ilmost every day I cones up to sit here and watch the
children. It does me good to see 'em. Makes me feel good all
ov r to think about all the fine chance they has to get a good
education, sonny, you hear me ? You pay attention too, sonny*
I'm watching you— -you and all the other little boys* You mind
ffie. You learn all you can* You ought to be so thankful you
allowed to learn that you work hard* You mind me, sonny* When
you're grown up, you'll know what I'm talking about and-know
I'itt right* Run along , sonny* No use hanging around the school
yard too long*" 1