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while I waited anxiously to know the secret. Then, throwing his head back ‚ he came forth with great empha8is-“ ~hy ‚ he was what

we called ‚ Big Nigger‘ . Then we both 1aughed.~Unc1e Dave what
t! ~ FI

were the duties of your mother as a slave? ~t~Every slave had his

task, and my mother was cook for the tamfly and the weaver. All of the clothing was made on the plantation froza cotton and wool.. The cotton was carded, spun and woven into cloth and died. Like~ wise, woolen garments was made troia the wool clipped from the sheep raised tor this purpose. All these garments were made right on the plantation.

„ Uncle Dam what did you do when you were a little slave? ‚

~ Well ‚ there was a whole drove of us little niggers . We had ~ lots o~‘ chickens ‚ cattle ‚ hogs ‚ sheep ‚ etc • I had to help get up the eggs, drive cattle, open gates, go on errands for Marster, and Marster most always took me on trips with hlm,letting me ride in the toot ot his buggy. I was his favorite little pet nigger.“
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You must have been the Little Big Nigger, Uncle Dave.~E was always pushing an investigation, so when Marse Mappin take me on trips with him that was my tavorite time to ask questions. I remember one hot August dey we were driving along, and I had already asked numerous questions, and Marse had already told me to shut up. I remained quiet for a time ‚ but the temptation was too great ‚ and while Marse was wiping the perspiration oft his bald head, I said, ‚ Meister ‚ raay I ask you one more question1 ~Yes ‚ what is it David?‘ ~ I! a fly should light on your head wouldn‘t he sup up and break his neck?‘ When Marster shouted ~~hut up~ I did shut up. He used to tell his wife, Miss flizabeth,‘~ou know Elizabeth, my little nigger ‚ Dave ‚ drives me nearly crazy asking questions about the stars ‚ moon ‚ sun ‚ and eve rything .~