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"Mum Liddie", the widow of old "Uncle Abram" Floyd who was for years a faithful sexton of the Lawtonville Baptist Church is now living in a destitute cabin in the country three miles northwest of Estill, S. C.
"Don know nuthin' 'bout slavery time. Knows that if'n my white people was heah today I wouldn't be punish like dis heah. I hungry an' I cold. Got nuthin'. Jes have to swallow me spittle. Oh, my Lord! Got no beddin'. You kin go in de house an' see fur yourself. Oh, my Lord!
Although the day was damp and a chilling wind was blowing, "Mum Liddie" was restlessly walking back and forth with the help of a large stick. Occasionally she would stop and rub her hands together and pant for breath. Her breathing was hard, accompanied by a convulsive swelling of the neck and chest; her speech, difficult.
"I looks to de east an' I looks to de west, an' all I kin see is Jesus. I got no chillun - or if'n I is dey don't do nuthin'! Two little grands. Dey over yonder at de schoolhouse.
"Miss Annie" brung me a little wood. But I cain't make no fire --- Oh, my Lord. To be punish like dis! Ain't no use for you to make it, an' if'n you was to, I'd fall in it. Oh, my Lord! You see how I is fix. Soon as recess come I call me grand - raise me arms for dem to come. 'Twont be long now till recess. 'Twont be long!
"My white folks was "Miss Bessie Martin - her an' Mr. Edmund Martin. Dey never would have punish us like dis. Had everything
Keep us like pets! Oh, my Lord! My rheumatism so bad --- no stocking, an' me shoes 'bout to fall off'n me. No undershirt. Jes dis old coat. You see how I fix. Oh, my Lord!
