in wiping out standing advertisements for the sales of slaves. I saw a
number of these whitewashed signs. In some cases the paint was too
thin to hide them. "Slaves, horses, mules, cattle, plantation utensils
sold on reasonable terms." They knew these advertisements were not
agreeable to Northern eyes. But I fear the covering of many of these
hearts was as frail as the thin whitewashing over these
advertisements.

On the Ralston plantation we visited families, gave tickets, and
directed them to meet us at the place and hour appointed. Hundreds in
squalid wretchedness were supplied. The following day, in the
afternoon, all orphan children were to meet us. One hundred and
twenty-two ragged children came. We placed them in two rows, the boys
on one side and the girls on the other. Selecting each an assistant,
we commenced measuring and distributing, keeping them all standing in
their respective places until we had given every one something, but
yet too little to meet their necessary wants. There were at that time
twenty-seven teachers and missionaries in the city representing nine
States. Six day-schools and three night-schools were established by
them. Two other schools were taught by colored teachers; one of these
was a slave woman, who had taught a midnight school for years. It was
opened at eleven or twelve o'clock at night, and closed at two o'clock
A. M. Every window and door was carefully closed to prevent discovery.
In that little school hundreds of slaves learned to read and write a
legible hand. After toiling all day for their masters they crept
stealthily into this back alley, each with a bundle of pitch-pine
splinters for lights. Milla Granson, the teacher, learned to read and
write from the children of her indulgent master in her old Kentucky
home. Her number of scholars was twelve at a time, and when she had
taught these to read and write she dismissed them, and again took her