}
CHAPTER II.
MY EXPERIENCE WITH THE NEGROES AS SLAVES.--THEIR SUPERSTITIONS.--
A BEAUTIFUL FAIRY TALE.
The colored race, as I knew them, were generally kind to the white
children of their masters. Their sympathy was great in childish troubles.
They were our nurses around our sick beds. Their lullabyes soothed us
to sleep. Very frequently my nurse would hold me in her arms until
both of us would fall asleep, but she would still hold me secure. When
any of my misdoings came to the ears of my parents, and I was punished
their testimony would, as far as possible, shield me, and not until I would
try their patience out of all bounds would they tell my mother on me. I
never heard an infidel negro express his views, even if very wicked.
They had firm belief in God and a devil. I always liked their meetings,
their songs and shoutings. They always told me that no one could help
shouting. The first time I ever heard a white woman shout was in Northern
Texas, during the war. I did not wish the spirit to cause me to
jump up and clap my hands that way, for these impulses were not in my
carnal heart, so, for fear I should be compelled to do so, I held my dress
down tight to the seat on each side, to prevent such action. The negroes
are great readers of character; despise stingy people or those who were
afraid of them. These colored friends taught me the fear of God. The
first time I ever attended church, I rode behind on horseback, and
sat with them in the gallery.
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