Please do not copy the diary entries. They belong to the author, I would not be sharing any of them if I did not purposefully comment and respond to almost every other sentence. And FYI really dark stuff coming has already started up. Unless you use it as a model to write your own example of annotation or a challenging writing prompt to follow NEVER COPY IT EVER. I will never put this book in stores or on another website either. This is a solo Wattpad story only and only exists for the convenience of those who wish to catch onto several writing skills and practiced them, Skylights, when they have no resources to use and accessibly provide themselves off line. I don't want any money for it and I don't want popularity for it. It is just a simple gift to less fortunate than me and to me them being able to read this is satisfying enough. It is enough for me that readers will want to read it.
You, however, may quote whatever annotations I have stated that you find make a very good lesson and point I will allow that. I quote people all the time. And I will be listing several quotes from the story in these chapters to come up later because they are really good to quote, my friends.
44: 66th diary entry annotated.
Third Sunday in June
Uncle Heb left early this mornin', takin' the Missus to visit the Ambrose Plantation. (14 words)
They'll be gone all day. (5 words, a temporary relief of pressure for Big House Slaves while they do their work later.)
Rufus talked on Jonah. (4 words)
I liked that story, but I think it would be scary livin' in the belly of a big fish for three days and nights. (24 words, that is how so many people make a big stink about Great White Sharks and it is worse because of stupid media news chunks half of them are made up story rumors. Biologists will tell you so, Skylights.)
"We might find ourselves in the belly of a big fish at any time — but we must not be afraid. (20 words) (Every angel that showed up in the New Testament books also began their speeches with "Do Not Be Afraid.")
We must stay strong. (4 words)
Our faith will turn sour on the fish's stomach and it will have to deliver us — free us . . .
Let us pray." (21 words)
I got on to Rufus's Bible stories today. (8 words)
All the weeks he been leadin' us in service, he been tellin' us two stories in one. (17 words)
His stories are 'bout Bible times, but they is 'bout our times, too. (13 words)
Jonah in the belly of a big fish, Daniel and the lions, and David and the giant is like us bein' in slavery, facin' the mas'ers. (26 words)
But God delivered Daniel, David, and Jonah and he'll deliver us one day. (13 words, totally true, Clotee, truthfully true to a T.)
Rufus can't say all that right out or Mas' Henley will make us stop havin' service. (16 words, Rufus trusted God do to his work in the most subtle hidden in plain sight ways through the vessel of Rufus and God did do just that here.)
But Rufus tells us that in other ways. (8 words, with God there are multiple ways to tell and get his message through with out every single line of verse in the Bible being spoken in one single service but to see that side of God you have to trust and believe in him or you'll always stay very blind to the beautiful truths left unseen unscratched and untouched by inhumane humanity.
I didn't understand the stories at first, but now I do. (11 words, this is the way all kids first introduced to the Bible for their very first time always look at it; it is to be expected kids don't know much better than to assume the stories in the ancient book are just stories but they are much more than that when the right teacher has come along to lay out the misunderstandings that kids my have in the simplest levelest way of understanding them, Skylights.)
For the first time, I said "Amen" and know why I was sayin' it. (14 words, it feels good to know why you finally say something.)
45: 67th diary entry annotated.
Monday
I went to the stables to visit Hince for a few minutes and to take a closer look at Dancer. (20 words)
The horse is every bit as fine as Hince said — not like any other. (14 words, Hince is quite good at making sure his horse descriptions are always very accurate.)
It would take a good rider like Hince to hold him steady though. (13 words)
"A sure winner!" Hince say real proud-like. (7 words, glad he does love all the stallions he is allowed to ride as a joke that's is pretty important.)
"And he's mine," said William comin' through the door, dressed to ride. "Saddle him up." (15 words in the last three sentences, why do all little boys have to get into such recklessness, huh?)
William has been ridin' since he could straddle a horse. (10 words)
But anybody can see that Dancer is too much horse for him. (12 words)
"William," said Hince, patient-like. (4 words, being a good teacher a good teacher is patient, and it makes a leader worthy of commanding respect of others and because Hince is patient he does get through to William on this day and the eager reckless boy listens to him here today.)
"Dancer is not ready for you yet. (7 words)
Let me work with him a little 'fore you take him out." (12 words)
The boy whined and fretted, but at last, he went on and rode Diamond. (14 words, better to be unhappy for a while than to be sorry you might fall and gain a broken back when hitting the cold hard ground when falling off a horse out of your saddle.)
Still there was somethin' in the boy's voice that let us know he was bent, bound, and sure to ride Dancer. (21 words)
46: 68th diary entry annotated.
Last week in June
There won't be any more lessons until after the 4th of July. (12 words, not surprising no kid concentrates on lessons when holidays are just around the corner ever honestly.)
I hate holidays. (3 days, I betcha you would; those who never work a day in their life never hate anything until they get cut off from their family's money, comfort and company, dear Skylights.)
Every day there is somethin' for us to do. (9 words)
We're either cleanin' the house, fixin' the meals, servin' the meals, cleanin' up after the meals. (16 words. That is a lot of running back and forth to do in the Big House)
No sooner than we're finished, it's time to start all over again. (12 words)
When guests come, it's double work. (6 words)
We have to tote hot water for the guest's baths, empty the water after the baths, and don't forget cleanin' chamber pots and makin' beds at first light in the mornin'. (31 words)
That's why I hate holidays. (5 words, I believe you.)
47: 69th diary entry annotated.
Friday, July 1
Today, Spicy and I were scrubbin' floors, gettin' ready for the 4th, but movin' like inch worms creepin' along. (19 words)
All of a sudden, Hince hopped up on the window sill from the porch side. (15 words)
Almost scared us to death. (5 words, boys love to spook girls in U. S American stories but in real life I have seen none of it myself here in the two states and towns where I have actually lived.)
"Okay, girls, why you movin' so slow?
Get busy." (9 words. The girls already knew he would be teasing them again sometime soon and so.....)
"When did we get a new mas'er?" Spicy said, bein' sassy. (11 words, Spicy instantly teased him back at the next moment, Skylights.)
"I'd be a poor mas'er to own the two of you," he said with that devilish look in his eyes. (20 words, devilish sometimes means sneaky or daring and not anything to actually do with hell or demons or Satan at all.)
"Clotee, you aine big as a chickadee. (7 words, eurgh, I don't think that compliment was the best one.)
So, I wouldn't sell you." (5 words)
He turned to Spicy. (4 words)
"And you there, gal, with the dark eyes. (8 words, I really need to look up the origins of the word "gal" I want to know how long it has really been around.)
I wouldn't sell you either!" (5 words)
Then he added, "I'd just keep you for myself." (9 words, Complete confirmation that Hince loves Spicy back as she loves him.)
I could feel Spicy bein' happy, even though she held her head down. (13 words)
"You like my brother-friend, don't you?" (6 words.) I asked Spicy when Hince was gone. (7 words)
"He's not so bad," she say, and went back to scrubbin' the floors. (13 words, a comment to show she became tolerant of having Hince around and his teasing and forgiven him for making jokes about her fake slave name she hated so much for so long.)
This time she was a-movin' along faster, and hummin'. (9 words)
48: 70th diary entry annotated.
July 2
Hince brought Spicy a handful of flowers this mornin'. (9 words)
He shoved them at her from the kitchen door. (9 words)
He aine never done nothin' like that 'fore. (8 words, Every boy no matter how hard they think they won't get into romance age they always will because all boys will grow into a needed romance to mellow out their sufferings of general ongoings of life. And Hince had his just meet him, Skylights.)
"For you," he said. (4 words)
'Fore Spicy could answer, he ducked away and was gone. (10 words)
He missed seein' the big grin that lit up her whole face. (12 words, being chosen to be a courted one will cheer you up no matter how much work there has to be done even when you're a slave.)
Aunt Tee just shook her head and poured some water in a cup and handed it to Spicy for the flowers. (21 words)
We both been teasin' her all day, 'bout bein' courted. (10 words, not surprised people can't help it most of the time about teasing the ones that start courting each other, Skylights.)
49: 71st diary entry annotated.
July 4th
Sunday rest was canceled for everybody. (6 words) Too much work to do to get ready for the 4th. (11 words, that would be annoying; more annoying than just having to clean your room.) I'm so tired. (3 words)
We got our regular work to do and some more — I don't know what day it was. (17 words)
I was up all night yesterday, workin' in the kitchen with Aunt Tee. (13 words, you'd probably be tired of the bubbling pots and sizzling fires and the normally pleasant smells of the kitchen if you have to cook all through the night in it, Skylightd.)
Aggie and Wook came to help. (6 words, at least they are blessed to have willing extra helpful set of two hands each.)
Missy sees after the baby and helped out, too, when he was asleep. (13 words, at least she's not lazy like most Mean girls tend to be stereotyped as, Skylights.)
I did all the fetchin' — runnin' from the springhouse to the smoke-house, to the Big House, to the house garden, to the barn and back. (25 words)
"Get me this" and "Get me that." I am writin' this late at night. (14 words)
Ready to crawl into a hole and sleep, but I cain't. (11 words, that is one of the reason slavery feels like prison, Clotee just gave us a description right here.)
Now it's time to start cleanin' up. (7 words)
50: 72nd diary entry annotated.
July 6
Things are finally gettin' back to normal. (7 words) It will take me days to write 'bout all that happened on the 4th. (14 words, I can believe that actually honestly.)
Guests started comin' to Belmont early Monday mornin', campin' out on the grounds. (13 words, that must give you an idea of how big the Virginia homestead yard actually was.)
Miz Lilly's daughter Clarissa and family were the first to arrive. (11 words)
Clarissa's husband is Mr. Richard Davies, a lawyer with a fine firm in the city. (15 words, she made a decent time of man, lawyers get such bad raps both back then and today.)
He's full of seriousness and she's a ball of nerves. (10 words, as they say Opposites do attract, but I say they will attract.)
I like her though. (4 words)
Maybe it's 'cause she's like a scared rabbit, 'bout ready to run for cover. (14 words)
Not at all like her mama. (6 words)
I can't say much for Miz Clarissa's two sons.
Richard, Jr., and Wilbur, who are close to the same age as William, keep somethin' goin' all the time. (28 words, it is way more awkward for a uncle and nephews to be the exact same age compared to Henry in Once Upon Time being older than his Uncle.)
When William gets with them, they spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. (8 words) Trouble. (1 word)
Soon as Richard and Wilbur set first foot out of the carriage, William came tearin' out of the house like it was on fire. (24 words, kids always run around at a holiday event and no one ever warns them that running around with Sparkles could possibly burn them by their indirect spark exposures.)
Then all three of them began runnin' through the house, screamin' and yellin', out the back door, leapin' over the hedges, trampin' in the flower beds. (26 words, kids always do think the most prettiest places are the best place to trample on even today unfortunately.)
Their mama just looked on like it's as natural as the risin' sun. (13 words, in my current church the new Moms there have better control over their kids when teaching them not to run in the sanctuary compared to the past Moms when we originally came into the church.)
Nobody 'spects better of 'em, so they act that way. (10 words.)
By mid-mornin' on the 4th, many more guests had come. (9 words.)
Mas' Henley tried to be real gentleman-like, greetin' people, welcomin' them, shakin' hands. (13 words, it is hard to be polite and gentlemanly when every white person already made up their point of view about them; Henley has more trouble from other people not just some of his slaves. So I do actually pity him.)
But no matter how much he tries to look the part of a real gentleman, he's still seen as a gambler who got lucky enough to marry a woman with money. (31 words, poor dude; at least he tries.)
Miz Lilly, on the other hand, was like a fly, flutterin' 'bout in that ugly green dress. (17 words)
She was lightin' just long enough to say a few words then off to another guest. (16 words)
At times like these it's hard to see her slappin' us or yellin' at us till the veins in her neck bulge out like she'd been doin' all mornin'. (29 words) My face is still stingin' where she slapped me for walkin' too slow. (13 words)
Walkin' too slow. (3 words)
I was so tired I was glad to be walkin' at all. (12 words, the reason Miz Lilly is a little worst than husband is because she not only hits her slaves but son with her own physical angry hand sometimes.
Master Henley always had something in his hand to channel his anger. And in the Bible God says do not correct someone in anger.)
Everybody ate like dogs, gobblin' up pots of smoked ham and beans, fresh greens, smothered chicken, gravy, and rice, and all kinds of pies and cakes. (26 words)
Nobody ever thought 'bout how hard we'd all had to work to fix it. (14 words)
They just ate. (3 words)
On full stomachs, Mas' Henley didn't have no more sense than to call everybody together to hear Cleophus Tucker, the man who Mas' Henley wanted people to vote for. (29 words)
Mr. Tucker's talk was full of too many words, but people were nice 'bout pretendin' to listen. (17 words, most politicians always use too many words in their campaign speeches even today.)
I was half asleep, until I heard the word abolitionist, then I listened real close. (15 words, yeah curiosity will wake you up indeed, Skylights, even if you're really tired.)
"I, for one, am tired of abolitionists tellin' me what I should do with my slaves. (16 words)
I'm tired of lawless meddlers comin' into our communities and spiritin' away our nigras on this so-called Underground Railroad." (19 words)
It felt good to know these words, but I still didn't get a full understandin' of what they meant. (19 words)
51: 73rd diary entry annotated.
July 7
Pickin' up from yesterday. . . (4 words)
Hince was set to ride Dancer against a horse named Wind Away, brought up from Atlanta, that was supposed to be the fastest horse on four feet. (27 words, Deep South white people always thought they were always going to be the best at everything and have everything handed to them on a silver plater especially the slave masters in the Deep South States. Their overconfidence was their downfall in the Civil War.)
Just 'bout everybody bet on the Atlanta mount. (8 words)
I overheared Mas' Henley whisper to Hince, "You'd better ride him to win, boy, or else." (16 words)
Hince laughed in a devil-may-care way and spurred Dancer onto the field. (12 words)
"Come on, Hince," I shouted, knowin' that if he lost, he'd have Mas' Henley to reckon with. (17 words, cheer him on, sweet sister-friend of his, Clotee!)
All the folks from the Quarters was pullin' for him to win, includin' Missy. (14 words)
Aunt Tee screamed so, she plum lost her voice. (9 words shouting will do that to your mouth make it ache and feel course so that you no longer have a wish to speak for the rest of the night, Skylights.)
But it was Spicy — Spicy who out-shouted us all! (9 words, not surprised she outshouted all the slaves, Skylights, because she is in deep, true compassionate love with Hince.)
I wasn't the only one to notice it either. (9 words)
I caught Missy givin' Spicy a mean, mean look. (9 words)
Hince didn't need our cheerin', 'cause he won with room to spare. (12 words)
Mas' Henley carried on so, braggin' and all, folks started findin' excuses to leave. (14 words, bragging for yourself will lose you people who trust you to give them credit; but boasting for the Lord Almighty will draw lost people to you.)
In the far away I just heard the sound of a train. (12 words, I wonder what the first runaway group ever reaction was when they found out that The Underground Railroad was no train at all, Skylights. I'm certain we'll never really know.)
I wonder is it on the Underground Railroad. (8 words)
I could see in my head slaves on the train headin' for the Philadelphia, the New York, and the Boston. (20 words, she knows what a train is so she can imagine it so well, Skylights.)
The picture made me smile. (5 words, regardless of whether it was the truth, good imaginations have the power to keep you smiling.)
One day I want to ride that train. (8 words)
52: 74th diary entry annotated.
July 10
Clarissa and the boys have been here since the 4th. (10 words)
They go home today. (4 words, be relieved to see the nephews go home, but truly honestly, I think she'll miss Clarissa.)
Nobody will be unhappy to see the backs of their heads. (11 words)
While I served breakfast to William and his nephews, I heard William talkin' 'bout ridin' Dancer by himself. (18 words)
"When you ride up in front of our house in Richmond, then we'll believe he's your horse," said Richard. (19 words, leave to young unwise children to come up with the riskiest most dangerous dare for someone like another unwise child; these kinds of kids happen to be worst than verbal bullies in the school. Words may be powerful, but they have a timed effect that can only do so much damage in the times they are allowed to be spoken, Skylights.)
I hope William is not goin' to be silly enough to ride Dancer that far by himself. (17 words, silly boys will do anything that does them just for the sake of attention and praise which William never gets here on Belmont Plantation because his mom adamantly hates him she didn't raise him with love and so he has no sense of the consequences of lack of caution and restraint.)
Should I tell Miz Lilly, so maybe she'll speak to him 'bout it? (13 words, at least try to her especially if she might not believe you.)
53: 75th diary entry annotated.
Second Monday in July
All of the guests are gone home now. (8 words)
We spent the mornin' straightenin' up the guest rooms. (9 words) It's sick hot, but no matter, I have to weed the house garden. (13 words) The hat Hince gave me really helps. (7 words, that's always my Dad wears an overly broad hate to any County Fair we ever go to, Skylights.) I hardly ever take it off. (6 words)
Somethin' was eatin' up my tomato vines. (7 words)
Uncle Heb say put tobacco juice on the leaves. (9 words, really old man, asking a child to be okay with handle strong tobacco? That's not right.)
I'd seen him use it before on his roses. (9 words)
So I bit off a piece of tobacco and chewed it to make the juice. (15 words.)
Lord, I swallowed some. (4 words)
My head started swimmin', and my stomeck heaved up everythin' I had eaten for breakfast — two days ago. (18 words, never chew tobacco straight off the leaves it will make you quite sick if you don't have a strong tolerant stomach; I can't believe Heb thought it was okay for her to do that when he knows her stomach can get pretty queasy after all, what a stupid man!)
I've never been so sick in my whole life. (9 words. I'd believe that.)
Thought for a minute, I was dyin'. (8 words, finally an end to the string of 9 word sentences, this paragraph felt like it was being dragged along, honestly.)
How can anybody chew tobacco? (5 words, people who are desperate, I guess, be glad you aren't of them.)
I won't ever again. (4 words, smart decision.)
The worms can have the tomatoes. (6 words, if I was there beside you Clotee I would have said spread cooking flour on the tomato vines that would keep the detrimental pests away even when it rains because when flour gets it with water it becomes quite gluey.)
54: 76th diary entry annotated.
Tuesday
I saw William down at the stables. (6 words)
He was talkin' to some of the hands. (8 words)
I thought maybe I should tell Miz Lilly what I overheared. (11 words)
"I think he may try to ride Dancer over to Richmond," I told her. (14 words, the strongest and braves thing to do is speak the truth when the risky thing they are about to do even if they person you are warning won't believe you because you are a slave of theirs. Clotee is a strong and brave independent smart young lady. You got the warning through the ball's in the other people's court. You've done the most of shat God says that can be done through Jesus' mouth in the Gospel the words, "Let Those Who Have Heard Let Them Hear!"
"Don't be foolish, Clotee. William wouldn't try to do a dangerous thing like that." (14 words)
She made me brush her hair before she sent me away.(11 words)
Maybe she's right. (3 words)
But somehow I don't think so. (6 words, always trust your gut in a case like this it is a gift of intuition and insight from God way beyond the heavens.)