"When de Yankees come to Alabama," he recalled, "Ol' Master tol' de niggers to hitch up all de wagons an' load all de food an' sech on 'em. Us had 'bout forty acres of swamp land, so us hid de stuff dere.
"'Fore long I seed a long string of black an' white horses, wid mules behin' dem. Dey had packs on dey back. In de packs was grub de Yankees had tuk off'en de white peoples."
"Did you enjoy the old slavery days, Uncle?"
"Yes, chile, dey was good days. Some of de white peoples was bad to de niggers, but my Ol' Master warn't dat kind. Dat de reason he would let all de niggers sit aroun' whilst he was a singin'; an' he could sing."
Uncle Frederick putters about his tiny home in Opelika, managing to grow a profusion of flowers and vegetables despite his bent back. He was hoeing in his garden when the interviewer came upon him, but he eagerly laid down the hoe when told what he sought.
"Uncle, I want to talk with you about the old times."
"Lordy me, chile," he beamed, his eyes twinkling, "you done foun' de raght nigger!"
[Delia Garlic]
Interview with Delia Garlic
—Margaret Fowler, Fruithurst, Alabama
DEM DAYS WAS HELL