The servants, at first, were dazed with the splendor of the new house, and laughed and chuckled to themselves a good deal about mars’ fine house, and really seemed pleased; for, strange to say, the slaves of rich people always rejoiced in that fact.  A servant owned by a man in moderate circumstances was hooted at by rich men’s slaves.  It was common for them to say:  “Oh! don’t mind that darkey, he belongs to po’r white trash.”  So, as I said, our slaves rejoiced in master’s good luck.  Each of the women servants wore a new, gay colored turban, which was tied differently from that of the ordinary servant, in some fancy knot.  Their frocks and aprons were new, and really the servants themselves looked new.  My outfit was a new cloth suit, and my aprons for wearing when waiting on the table were of snowy white linen, the style being copied from that of the New York waiters.  I felt big, for I never knew what a white bosom shirt was before; and even though the grief at the separation from my dear mother was almost unbearable at times, and my sense of loneliness in having no relative near me often made me sad, there was consolation, if not compensation, in this little change.  I had known no comforts, and had been so cowed and broken in spirits, by cruel lashings, that I really felt light-hearted at this improvement in my personal appearance, although it was merely for the gratification of my master’s pride; and I thought I would do all I could to please Boss.

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The adornment of the grounds.

For some time before all the appointments of the new home were completed, a great number of mechanics and workmen, besides our own servants, were employed; and there was much bustle and stir about the premises.  Considerable out-door work was yet to be done—­fences to be made, gardens and orchards to be arranged and planted, and the grounds about the house to be laid out and adorned with shrubbery and flower beds.  When this work was finally accomplished, the grounds were indeed beautiful.  The walks were graveled, and led through a profusion of shrubbery and flower beds.  There was almost every variety of roses; while, scattered over the grounds, there were spruce, pine and juniper trees, and some rare varieties, seldom seen in this northern climate.  Around the grounds was set a cedar hedge, and, in time, the place became noted for the beauty of its shrubbery; the roses especially were marvelous in the richness and variety of their colors, their fragrance and the luxuriousness of their growth.  People who have never traveled in the South have little idea of the richness and profusion of its flowers, especially of its roses.  Among the climbing plants, which adorned the house, the most beautiful and fragrant was the African honeysuckle—­its odor was indeed delightful.

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The garden.