louisa picquet, the octoroon: or inside views of - Negro Artist

Louisa Picquet, the Octoroon 10
than he would if he'd a thought they were there. The door was open wide
enough for a person to come in.
"Then he order me, in a sort of commanding way (I don't want to tell what he
said), and told me to shut the door. At the same time he was kind a raising up
out of the bed; then I began to cry; but before I had time to shut the door, a
gentleman walk out of another room close by, picking his nails, and looking in
the room as he passed on. Then Mr. Cook turned it off very cute. He said, 'What
you stand there crying for, you dam' fool? Go 'long down stairs, and get me
some more salt.' Same time he had not taste his breakfast, to see whether he
want any salt, or not. That was to blind with that gentleman, because he see me
there crying, or heard me, or something. Then I was very glad to get out to get
the salt, but still I knew I should have to come back again, and it would not be
much better. Then I went down to get the salt, and Mrs. Bachelor caught my
looks, and spoke and said, 'Louisa, one of the boys will take that salt up, I want
you a minute.' Then I thought she was the best friend I had in the world. She had
such a nice way of turning off things. Then I didn't go up till that day, some
time. He did not come down, but call out of the window for me to bring him up
a pitcher of water. Then I brought the water up, and he want to know why I did
not come up with the salt. I told him the reason, that Mrs. Bachelor said she
wanted me, and sent it up by one of the boys. Then he said he wanted me to
understand that I belong to him, and not to Mrs. Bachelor--that when he called,
or wanted me, I was not to consult with Mrs. Bachelor, or any person else.
"Then he told me I must come up in his room that night; if
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I didn't he'd give me hell in the mornin'. Then I promised him I would, for I was
afraid to say any thing else. Then he forbid me sayin' any thing to Mrs. Bachelor
about what he said to me--you see there where he got me. Then I came to
conclusion he could not do any thing but whip me--he could not kill me for it;
an' I made up my mind to take the whippin'. So I didn't go that night.
"Then in the mornin' he want to know why I didn't come up, and I told him I
forget it. Then he said, I don't believe you forgot it; but if you forget that, I
won't forget what I told you. So he whip me, so that I won't forget another time.
Q.--"Well, how did he whip you?"
A.--"With the cowhide."
24.03.2006