200 



loaded with future engagements. Sully then re- 

 quested that I would send his son to learn some 

 other trade (a tailor's, for instance) at Savannah la 

 Mar, as had been frequently done in former times; 

 but this, also, I was obliged to refuse. I told him, 

 that formerly a master could pay for the apprentice- 

 ship of a clever negro boy, and, instead of em- 

 ploying him afterwards on the estate, could content 

 himself with being repaid by a share of the profits ; 

 but that, since The Abolition had made it impossible 

 for the proprietor of an estate to supply the place 

 of one negro by the purchase of another, it would 

 be unjust to his companions to suffer any one in- 

 particular to be withdrawn from service ; as in that 

 case two hundred and ninety-nine would have to 

 do the work, which was now performed by three 

 hundred \ and, therefore, I could allow my negroes 

 to apply themselves to no trades but such as re- 

 lated to the business of the property, such as car- 

 penters, coopers, smiths, &c. " All true, massa," 

 said Sully ; " all fair and just ; and, to be sure, a 

 tailor or a saddler would be of no great use towards 



your planting and getting in your crop ; nor " 



He hesitated for a moment, and then added, with 

 a look of doubt, and in a lower voice, — " Nor — 

 nor a fiddler either, I suppose, massa?" I began 

 to laugh. " No, indeed, Sully ; nor a fiddler 

 either ! " It seems the lad, who is about sixteen, 

 very thoughtless, and un tantino stupid, has a 

 passion for playing the fiddle, and, among other 



