demand.  Liza finally became equal to her task and accomplished it each day.  But the trouble and worry to me was when I had to assist the madam in warping—­getting the work ready for the weaver.  She would warp the thread herself and place it in the loom, then I would have to hand her the threads, as she put them through the hames.  For any failure in quickly comprehending or doing my work, I did not fail to receive the customary blow, or blows, from her hand.

Each piece of cloth contained forty yards, and this cloth was used in making clothes for the servants.  About half of the whole amount required was thus made at home; the remainder was bought, and as it was heavier it was used for winter clothing.  Each man was allowed for summer two pairs of pants and two shirts, but no coat.  The women had two dresses and two chemises each for summer.  For winter the men had each two pairs of pants, one coat, one hat and one pair of coarse shoes.  These shoes before being worn had to be greased with tallow, with a little tar in it.  It was always a happy time when the men got these winter goods—­it brought many a smile to their faces, though the supply was meager and the articles of the cheapest.  The women’s dresses for winter were made of the heavier wool-cloth used for the men.  They also had one pair of shoes each and a turban.  The women who could utilize old clothes, made for themselves what were called pantalets.  They had no stockings or undergarments to protect their limbs—­these were never given them.  The pantalets were made like a pant-leg, came just above the knee, and were caught and tied.  Sometimes they looked well and comfortable.  The men’s old pant-legs were sometimes used.

I remember once when Boss went to Memphis and brought back a bolt of gingham for turbans for the female slaves.  It was a red and yellow check, and the turbans made from it were only to be worn on Sunday.  The old women were so glad that they sang and prayed.  A little gift from the master was greatly appreciated by them.  I always came in for my share each year, but my clothes were somewhat different.  I wore pants made of Boss’s old ones, and all his old coats were utilized for me.  They rounded them off at the tail just a little and called them jackets.  My shoes were not brogans, but made of lighter leather, and made suitable for in the house.  I only worked on the farm in busy seasons, and did not have the regular wear of the farm hands.  On Monday morning it was a great sight to see all the hands marching to the field.  The cotton clothes worn by both men and women, and the turbans of the latter, were snowy white, as were the wool hats of the men—­all contrasted with the dark faces of the wearers in a strange and striking manner.

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Slave mothers—­care of the children.