THE American slave’s life was a desert of suffering certainly, but in it there were oases whose shades and springs yielded comforts whose delights were all the keener for their infrequency.

     He had his holidays and his social seasons, and there were hours when, his day’s task done, he poured his story of admiration and love into the ears of some dusky maiden whose presence brought to him a joy as sweet, perhaps sweeter, than that which his smart young master felt in the society of the free woman whom he loved and honored.

     The slave girl had to be won as surely as did her fair young mistress, and her black fellow in slavery who aspired to her hand had to prove his worthiness to receive it.

     Instances were not a few where the black knight laid down his life in defence of the honor of his lady-love, but of course milder proofs of worthiness were the rule.

     Among the slaves there were regular forms of “courtship,” and almost every large plantation had an experienced old slave who instructed young gallants in the way in which they should go in the delicate matter of winning the girls of their choice.

     I have distinct recollection of “Uncle Gilbert,” a bald, little, dark man, who carried his spectacles on his forehead the most of the time.

     “Uncle Gilbert” was the shoemaker on a plantation where there were a hundred slaves, whose good young master, “Pete,” allowed them to receive company Sundays and some evenings in the week from all the surrounding neighborhood.

     What gay times there were on that plantation in the days befo’ de wah!

     ”Uncle Gilbert” was very learned in the art of “courtship,” and it was to his shop the slave lads went for instruction in “courtship’s words and ways.”

     The old man had served a half dozen masters, had won and buried as many wives, and had travelled much. It was therefore conceded by the people of all the neighborhood that nobody thereabouts was a greater authority on wooing than he.

     “Uncle Gilbert” held the very generally accepted opinion that courtin’ is a mighty ticklish bizness,” and that be who would “git a gal wuth havin’ mus’ know how to talk fur her.”

     I never had the honor of being one of “the old man’s” pupils, being too young when I knew him to make inquiry along the courtship

line, but I tracked many young men to Uncle Gilbert’s shop in the interest of general gossip.

     The courtship idea, of course, belongs to people of every clime and race. People only differ in expressing it.

     The American slave’s courtship words and forms are the result of his attempt at imitating the gushingly elegant manners and speech of his master.

     Uncle Gilbert’s rule of courtship was that a “young man mus’ tes’ an’ prove a gal befo’ offerin’ her his han’. Ef er gal gives a man as good anser as he gives her queston, den she is all right in min-’. Ef she can look him squar in de face when she talks to him, den she kin be trusted; and of her patches is on straight, an’ her close clean, den she is gwine ter keep de house straight and yer britches mended. Sich er ooman is wuth havin-’.”

     He. My dear kin’ miss, has you any objections tome drawing my cher to yer side, and revolvin’ de wheel of my conversation around de axle of your understandin’?

     She. I has no objection to a gentleman addressin’ me in a proper manner, kin’ sir.

     He. My dear miss, de worl’ is a howlin’ wilderness full of devourin’ animals, and you has got to walk through hit. Has you made up yer min’ to walk through hit by yersef, or wid some bol’ wahyer?

     She. Yer ’terrigation, kin’ sir, shall be answered in a ladylike manner, of you will prove to me dat it is not for er form and er fashion dat you puts de question.

     He. Dear miss, I would not so impose on a lady like you as to as’ her a question for a form an’ a fashion. B’lieve me, kin’ miss, dat I has a pertickler objick in ingagin’ yer in conversation dis afternoon.

     She. Dear kin’ sir, I has knowed many a gentleman to talk wid wise words and flatterin’ looks, and at de same time he may have a deceivin’ heart. May I as’ yer, kin’ gentleman, of you has de full right to address a lady in a pertickler manner?

     He. I has, kin’ miss. I has seen many sweet ladies, but I has never up to dis day an’ time lef’ de highway of a single gentleman to foller dese beacon lights. But now, kin’ miss, as I looks in yer dark eyes, and sees yer hones’ face, and hears yer kind voice, I mus’ confess, dear lady, dat I would be joyous to come to yer beck and call in any time of danger.

     She. Den, kin’ sir, I will reply in anser to your ’terrigation in de fus place, sence I think you is a hones’ gentleman, dat I feels dat a

lady needs de perfection of a bol’ wahyer in dis worl’ where dere’s many wil’ animals and plenty of danger.

     He. Den, kin’ honored miss, will you condescen’ to encourage me to hope dat I might, some glorious day in de future, walk by yer side as a perteckter?

     She. Kin’ sir, of you thinks you is a bol’ warrior I will condescend to let you pass under my observation from dis day on, an’ of you proves wuthy of a confidin’ ladies’ trus’, some lady might be glad to axcept yer perfection — and dot lady might be me.

     This brings us to the point where the two agree to become lovers, and as love’s language is not reducible to writing and repetition we will leave them, hoping that when all has been arranged that we shall be among the many white and black guests who will assemble to give congratulations and to partake of the big supper which “ole mistis” and “ole marster” will surely give in celebration of the event here foreshadowed.