-2-‘	~.	15


when n~r ~ told her goodbye, why Mother Hulsie cried and cried, and said, ‘I just can‘t let you go, Elizabeth, but go on peacefully, and maybe some day ~ ou c an come back and se e me .

	AS the story came word after word, big tears dropped on the thin black hands, and she reached for her tobacco can and pipe. The ~ can was missing, so I offered to ~et it for her, for I was anxious for one peep into “Auntie‘s“ little house, but I couldn‘t find the can, so after moans and sighs, she got to her feet and found her favorite Granger Twist. After settling again in her chair, and when her pipe was at its best, “Auntie“ continuéd, “Oh, honey, it was awful You see I never been nowhere and I was scairt so I hung onto my manmiy. The soldiers took us to ce~np that night, ~nd after staying there several days, we went on to Springfield, Missouri, and it was right at fifty-‘ two years ago that I caine here. I was married to Fuller, my first hi sband and had s even chilluns . He he Iped me rai s e them that 1 ived and, after he died, I married Williams and had two chilluns, but he it t help me rais e my chi hun s . Why ‚ honey ‚ I rai s ed my chi 3. luns and fly chilluns‘ chilluns, and even one great-‘grandchild now. Why, I always been a slave. I worked for all the early white families in this here town that needed help.“

	I asked WAuntieft if she were ever sold on the block, and she answered, “Law sakes, honey, I must tell you. ~ No, I never was sold, but nuthin‘ but the Dear Blessed Lawd saved me. You see Massa Sid had gone away for a few days, and his boys was takin‘ care of things, when some nigger traders came and wafited to buy some niggers, and they picked ön i~r grandrnezmny and me. How old was I? Well, I reckon