I
have no remembrance that he ever gave us a blanket or any other article of
bedding, although it is considered a rule at the South that the master
shall furnish each of his slaves with one blanket a year. So that, both as
to food and clothing, I had in fact to support both my wife and the
children, while he claimed them as his property, and received all their
labor. She was house servant to Mr. Smith, sometimes cooked the food for
his family, and usually took it from the table, but her mistress was so
particular in giving it out to be cooked, or so watched it, that she
always knew whether it was all returned; and when the table was cleared
away, the stern old lady would sit by and see that every dish (except the
very little she would send into the kitchen) was put away, and then she
would turn the key upon it, so as to be sure her slaves should not die of
gluttony. This practice is common with some families in that region; but
with others it is not. It was not so in that of her less pious master, Mr.
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