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WEAVING--CLOTHES OF THE SLAVES.

One woman did the weaving and it was her task to weave from nine to ten
yards a day. Aunt Liza was our weaver and she was taught the work by the
madam. At first she did not get on so well with it and many times I have
seen the madam jump at her, pinch and choke her because she was dull in
understanding how to do it. The madam made the unreasonable demand that
she should do the full task at first, and because she failed she was
punished, as was the custom in all cases of failure, no matter how
unreasonable the 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