Slave Life in Georgia - African American History

Slave Life in Georgia 83
24.03.2006
fried ham and eggs. "Thee need'nt be afraid of eating."
"I'm sure thee must be hungry," added the old gentleman, handing me a great
chunk of bread. "Eat away, and don't thee be afraid. We have plenty more in the
house."
But it was all of no use, and though an hour or even half an hour before, I had
felt that I could devour any thing, the smoking coffee, ham, eggs, and sausages,
and the nice white bread could not tempt me. For a good half hour this
continued: they pressing me to eat, and I quite unable to do so. At last I began,
and picked a bit now and then, receiving encouragement as my courage seemed
to increase. My appetite came with my courage, and then--oh! how I did eat!
I fear my readers may think I exaggerate when I tell them that "I ate straight on
for an entire hour, quite steady." I demolished all the ham and eggs and
sausages they placed before me, with their due accompaniment of bread, and
then a round of cold salt beef was brought up, from which I was helped
abundantly. I could not but notice the looks of my new friends. The old
gentleman would cough and wipe his eyes now and then,
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and the younger folks keep exchanging glances with one another. The old lady,
fearing I should do myself an injury, made several ineffectual attempts to draw
my attention off.
"Friend John Brown, we wish to talk with thee, as soon as thou can," she said;
"we want to hear all about thee."
"Yes, ma'am," I answered, without leaving off: "you can go on, ma'am; I can
talk and eat too."
I dare not say how long I might have gone on. I had not eaten a meal for so
long, that now it seemed as though I never could satisfy my craving. At last the
old lady said, decidedly:
"Friend, John Brown, thee must n't take it unkindly, but thee must n't eat any
more now. Thou can'st have some more in the day-time if thou like; but thou
wilt make thyself ill, if thou take more now."
And so I was obliged to give in.
A chapter from the Scriptures was read after breakfast, which, including my