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.
99: 120th diary entry annotated.
Monday, October 11, 1859
After breakfast, I slipped into Mr. Harms' bedroom. (8 words)
Standing in the side window, I got a clear view of the woods and especially the tree where my diary and Spicy's Bible were hidden. (25 words, wow! He was warning you.) Thanks be there were no other bedroom windows at that end of the house. (14 words, yes, you got so blessed honestly.)
What is going on? Mr. Harms knows my secret for sure. (11 words) He must have seen Spicy and me at the tree when she showed me her Bible. (16 words) But why didn't he tell Miz Lilly or Mas' Henley? (10 words, because he doesn't want to tell them period about anything that he really is there for.)
I'm beginning to think there is more to this strange man than any of us really knows. (17 words, I believe it is way more than you could guess at first glance he only seems like a simple man.)
Later that same night
My suspections are right. (4 words)
Mr. Harms is not who he seems to be. (9 words, indeed)
When I went to move my diary from the hollow of the tree, there was a note fixed to it. (20 words, oh?!!
I know you can read and write.
Please be careful, I will talk to you soon.
(16 words, in message up above, and a very soft and kindly warning, Skylights.)
The note was signed "H" for Harms. (7 words)
I hid my diary under my dress and hurried to find Spicy. (12 words, yep now's the time to tell your friends who you know won't spill your secrets to your masters.) I didn't want to put her in the heat of things, but she already was. (15 words, yep Spicy deserves the warning after being such a good friend.) It broke my heart to tell her that Mr. Harms had found her Bible. (14 words, truthfully my heart would act the same way if I had real life friends around but I don't.)
But it hurt even worser for Spicy to think I'd tattled on her. (13 words, yep the hardest thing is telling truth to some of those who will not believe you first.)
Even when I showed her how easy it was for him to see us through his window, she still didn't b'lieve me. (22 words)
"If that's true, then why didn't he tell Mas' Henley?" (10 words)
I had no choice at that point but to 'fess everything. (11 words, better to confess the full truth to a true best friend than to a complete fake friend, Skylights.)
I took a deep breath and showed her my diary and the note Mr. Harms had left. (17 words)
Spicy took me straight to Aunt Tee. (6 words, Spicy was doing the right thing bringing this back to Aunt, something other than the Earthly will of Master was being stirred not just in Clotee but revealed in Mr. Harms' actions outside the watchful eye of the Master & Mistress too also.)
100: 121st diary entry annotated.
Daybreak Sunday, October 16, 1859
The roosters just crowed. (4 words)
Thank God it's Sunday and not a full workday. (9 words, indeed.) Aunt Tee, Spicy and me sat up all night talking. (10 words) There are no secrets between us now. (7 words, betcha that is a huge burden off our main characters' shoulders.) I'm glad in a way. (5 words)
In fact, I am writing in my diary right here in Aunt Tee's cabin. (14 words)
At first, she was 'gainst my learning — but she say now that she was just scared — didn't want me beaten or sold away. (23 words, I still blame the fact that she blames herself for giving into human fears that was too much sternness for only just a fearful reaction.)
"I will not stand in the way of what might be the Lord's work being done through you chile."
She even said for me to hide my papers in her cabin. (31 words, true, once the Lord's work has been begun in anyone nobody can stop its affect not even your elders as much as they really want too. The ideas and impact of a preacher will linger and echo in the ears of those he taught even when he gets caught or martyred.) My diary will be safe with her. (7 words)
I worry that I've made life unsure for Aunt Tee and Spicy. (12 words)
If they get caught with my papers, we could all be in sinking sand. (14 words, but because you've chosen to believe in God the ground will not turn to sinking sand for you, he will keep you on safe and solid rocks."
Maybe Mr. Harms will be able to help.(8 words) But who is he, really? (5 words, that is the real deal question isn't it for all of us reading this?)
I got some ideas, but I dare not put voice to them yet. (13 words)
Later
Aunt Tee and Spicy don't think I should trust Mr. Harms all the way. (14 words, if he wasn't trustworthy he wouldn't have told Clotee about his window nor left that obvious note nailed to the tree.) But he hasn't done nothing to make me not trust him. (11 words, also true.)
I have looked at the one-eyed man's picture over and over. (11 words) He don't look at all like Mr. Harms, but for after all that's been happening, I think Mr. Harms might know the one-eyed man. (24 words, I think your guess from your gut intuition is more correct than you realize.)
Mr. Harms isn't from the Philadelphia, the New York, or the Boston. (12 words, of course a Virginian man can be an abolitionist our first was Thomas Jefferson and he lived in Virginia. He was the one who made the first try to help get rid of slavery, Skylights.) He's from Virginia. (3 words)
Can a southern mas'er be an abolitionist? (7 words) Mr. Harms said in his note that he would speak to me. (12 words) Maybe I'll get answers to some of these questions then. (10 words)
101: 122nd diary entry annotated.
Monday, October 17, 1859
"Will you teach me to write my name?" Spicy asked. (10 words, it is something so simple to teach.) I've never really thought about teaching anybody else how to write. (11 words, I don't blame you've been so scared about being caught up in getting caught you never had time to think about teaching others to write, but now God is calling you to take up this challenge too.) I've always been the one learning. (6 words)
I used the poker to write letters in the ashes. (10 words, you can also use scratching something in dirt as a private form of communication many people can instantly get the message.) Spicy and Aunt Tee looked on with wondering eyes. (9 words, wondering is a fancy substitute for amazed here so amazed eyes which would have made the sentences sound like it fell abruptly short.)
For the first time I been able to share my secret with somebody. (13 words, God will set you up for the right time and make sure you have the right times and moments to spread the affect of your deeds in a good way.)
I love seeing them smiling at the letters that makes up their names. (13 words, you wanted to cheer up your Aunt God said now it is time, now is the time to do that.)
I feel warm and good inside. (6 words)
What good is knowing if I cain't never use it to do some good. (14 words, absolutely the best part of knowing is that you are able to share, I share my love of God through Wattpad because I don't have anywhere else to do it. I prefer to share what I understand with those who can and are able to listen, I feel more validated this way thanks to God. This is also the same way I treat my hair if you want to cut your hair and it's nice good long hair donate it to Cancer kid organizations like I have done for years. I hate cutting my hair unless I know it will do go in other parts of the world otherwise there is too many scraps of hair for the birds to use in their nests. Wild animals will usually set hair aside and then eat only the meat beyond their mwal's carcass.)
Spicy made an S. (4 words)
And Aunt Tee made a T. (10 words)
We've had our first lesson. (11 words)
102: 123rd diary entry annotated.
Tuesday, October 18, 1859
Mr. Harms knows that I know that he knows I can read and write. (14 words, be patient the answer and the time for him to explain will come to meet you, Clotee.)
But he has not said a word to me about it. (11 words, he doesn't want to be overheard by the Master of the Plantation.) Treats me the same as always. (6 words, he's trying not to come of as suspicious by staying so silent.)
When will he speak to me? (6 words)
Meanwhile, Miz Lilly aine back yet, so our housework is not as hard, but Mas' Henley's been around all week in his study. (23 words)
I couldn't get ink out. (5 words, God always gives another way to make sure things get done his way the problem is most of us refuse to recognize they're even right in front of us at all, pay attention to that reasoning because a faith believer in this story doesn't recognize the sign of God working in Mr. Harms. Yes, I'm talking about Rufus.)
But Aunt Tee helped me make a mixture of charcoal ash and blackberry wine. (14 words, clever.)
It makes a good ink until I can do better. (That's rather cool way to make ink don't you think? Writing down on parchment in the liquid of wine as your own new amazing ink.)
103: 124th diary entry annotated.
Wednesday, October 19, 1859
The days are getting shorter, and it's cool in the mornings during study time. (14 words, winter's on its way then.) Today Mr. Harms changed the study time to early afternoon when it is still hot enough to need a fanner. (20 words, he still remembers you need to be a fanner at the lesson time.) I would say thank you, but I dare not. (9 words, this is where I'd flop I hate not being polite and grateful for gifts like this.)
He say he will speak to me, so I got to wait. (12 words, yes patience is always the first key to good things.)
104: 125th diary entry annotated.
Sunday, October 2, 1859
Mas' went to fetch Miz Lilly from Richmond. (8 words) We had the whole day to ourselves again. (8 words) Trouble is, William wanted to come wanted to the meeting. (10 words, going to a service may change William's attitude for the better of you all.) Mr. Harms thought it was a good idea. (8 words)
'Course, we didn't, but what could we say? (8 words, God says let the children come to him and he will bless them and he did bless this poor child of white parents; he did open William's eyes so strongly and we will see signs of it soon.) At the meeting, Rufus talked about the three boys in the fiery furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, Abedego. (16 words.)
Then Rufus sang a song. We all joined in. (9 words in the last sentences)
I looked over at William and Mr. Harms and they were singing and clapping their hands, too. (17 words, that is something Master Henley does during the meetings he just sits there silently unless he has to argue with his wife about something. This proves Mr. Harms does believe in God and he is a good person within context of this story and is giving a direct sign from God that Rufus should have noticed but he didn't ever notice period.)
My God's a good God. It is so.
I woke up this morning and by God's pure grace I go.
Yes, God is a great God, this I know.
We shared a table the way we always do after service. (11 words, we used to do that back in Ohio but now everyone in my house have their own strict schedules.) Mr. Harms took William back to the house in his rolling chair. (12 words) I stayed to be with Wook for a little while longer. (11 words, makes sense you wanted to catch on her, she is your 2nd best friend and proves distance and time cannot break a good best friend relationship too.) All the smile is gone out of her eyes. (9 words) I rubbed her feet, because they were so swollen. (9 words, such a kind best thing to do without asking for permission. It is what best friends do look for a wrong and try to make it right as it could be, Skylights.)
That's when she broke down and cried, saying she hated her husband, Lee. (13 words, why?!)
He had got a pass to visit, but came just to say he didn't love her. (16 words, yuck that is one foolish way to degrade an unconfident girl, should've stayed home and kept your mouth shut, honestly Lee, it's better not to say any mean things at all and even Clotee knows that when she interacts with Missy she never says a single mean thing out loud to the nasty bully of a slave girl, Skylights.)
Lee wants to marry somebody else. (6 words)
105: 126th diary entry annotated.
Monday, October 24, 1859
Miz Lilly is home. Lord have mercy. (7 words, Clotee constantly leans to pleading for the Lord's help in this diary book yet once again.)
Mas' and Hince left the same day for races in Charleston. (11 words, South Carolina is and was A Deep South State; North Carolina where I live thankfully like Virginia was not a deep South State.)
We all been busy washing and ironing her travel clothes — scrubbing, scrubbing.
Nothing suits her. (15 words) And she aine stopped going on about how filthy the house is. (12 words, Miz Lilly is by this point I'd say a Germ-phobic person honestly, this type of endless complaining gets too annoying really fast.)
106: 127th diary entry annotated.
Tuesday, October 25, 1859
I caught Miz Lilly in her room at a good time, and asked her if I could stay with Aunt Tee in the Quarters 'stead of the kitchen. (28 words)
I knew just how to get what I wanted out of her. (12 words) I say to her, "Miz Lilly, I was thinking if you let me stay with Aunt Tee down in the Quarters, I can watch and know if somebody's talking runaway talk." (31 words, this is a lie Clotee only does once, Miz Lilly never searches for the truth of the statement.)
She studied on that notion. (5 words)
"You've never told me one thing about anybody. Why now, Clotee?" (11 words)
I had to think fast and talk straight. (8 words)
"I figure if I help you, then you'll give me nice things like you do Missy." (16 words)
That fooled her good! (4 words)
She let me stay in Aunt Tee's cabin, but I still got to work with Eva Mae in the kitchen and help Missy with the housework. (26 words)
It's a little bit like the way it used to be — Aunt Tee and Spicy and me talking all hours of the night. (23 words) Now, I'll be able to write more often and not cause suspection. (12 words)
It's no where near as warm or as nice as the kitchen. (12 words, true but the kitchen is also a more terrifying place than a home should ever feel) When I write H-O-M-E, I see it here in the cabin. (10 words I love the update translation in that last sentence from her first description of home awhile back being metaphorically for the pleasant kitchen but here she says "'Home, I see it here in the cabin.'" Home aine a place — it's a feeling of being loved and wanted. (12 words, that's what a home should always feel like 24-7 that's the feeling of a true home and the hint of what the real renewed world would feel like, Skylights.)
Wherever Aunt Tee and Spicy are that's home to me. (10 words, absolutely true.)
107: 128th diary entry annotated.
Friday, October 28, 1859
Been working all week. (4 words)
Today is the first time I've had a minute to write. (11 words, not surprised.)
Most nights I just fall asleep on my pallet, next to Spicy. (12 words, really not surprised at all, honestly.)
We all too tired to talk, but it's so good being back together again under the same roof — even though it leaks. (22 words, best friends help the dampness dry up quickly through comfort.)
108: 129th diary entry annotated.
Saturday, October 29, 1859
Aunt Tee has found a way to be useful again. (10 words) She made herself a job. (5 words, there is always something to do that can move even one person their guilt for themselves, God has finally opened Aunt Tee to the true impactful job she can do within the quarters because it was the skill she had in the kitchen of the big house. Talents and potential shouldn't ever be wasted use them when God tells you to start using them.) All the hands in the Quarters work so hard, they be too tired to cook in the evening. (18 words)
So, she's done started cooking for everybody. (7 words, amazing thoughtfulness there is nothing like it to pull you out of a heavy deep slump.) Whatever the folk can rake together, they bring it to Aunt Tee. (12 words)
She adds it together to make a bigger pot. (9 words. Colonists out West have days set aside for Community Pot Feast where every house does the same thing.) They come home in the evening to a big pot. (10 words)
Today they had rabbit stew, wild turnips, and ho cakes fixed by the best cook in Virginia. (17 words, everything and anything will taste great when you have a cook who loves to cook her own food.)
After last meal same day
I picked up pieces of talk at dinner. (8 words)
Mr. Harms was telling Miz Lilly about the Bible he'd found, but he said he found it down by the river. (21 words, he didn't say the true location where he actually found it, readers.)
"Yes, Eva Mae told me you'd found a Bible and that you were trying to say it belonged to her or Clotee. (22 words) Why would you think it belonged to one of the slaves and not a member of the Big House?" (19 words, reasonable question for the Mistress to ask.)
"Slaves steal so badly," said Mr. Harms. (7 words, it does happen some slaves do steal books even books as important as the Bible too. It's not the lamest excuse I ever heard to this date. But we Clotee returns the books she borrows.)
"When anything is missing or lost, I always begin with the house slaves. (13 words) They are the ones most likely guilty." (7 words)
Mr. Harms was sounding like a mas'er. (7 words, he was developing a facade in front of his employers so they would trust him to stay, while never giving innocent slaves away, Skylights.)
But when I looked closer, the Bible he showed Miz Lilly wasn't Spicy's at all. (15 words, he purposefully hid Spicy's bible somewhere safer for the time being and didn't show it to those who owned the actual plantation home.)
Mr. Harms was helping Spicy and me, but at the same time finding favor with Miz Lilly. (17 words, such a clever man he has always been, Skylights.) I felt myself smile inside. (5 words, your gut intuition saved yourself well.)
Then Mr. Harms asked if Miz Lilly knew that William has some feeling in his toes? (16 words) She didn't know — she never takes time to know about such things. (12 words, such as never searching for truth behind all the lies she's been told lately.) Mr. Harms asked if he could use hot water treatments on William's legs. (13 words, water is known to help stimulate the body when it suddenly falls asleep the cure isn't s stretch.)
Say he'd learned the treatment from a doctor over in Washington. (11 words)
"Only if Dr. Lamb says it is all right." (9 words)
Then, he asked for Missy to help him with the treatments. (11 words)
"No," said Miz Lilly, "Missy is attending to me.
Use Clotee." (11 words, he can play her like a fiddle and she'd never guess she'd been such a fool to not be more cautious ever.)
Mr. Harms knew just how to charm Miz Lilly. (9 words) If he had asked for me, she never would have let me help. (13 words, how did he know that? I think God told him Clotee was one of Miz Lilly's favorites who worked in the Big House truthfully, when in doubt of where a blessing does come from I always give God the praise for the unexpected things that happen in my life on a daily basis.)
What is Mr. Harms up to? (6 words, truly indeed, what is he really up too after all this time actually?
109: 130th diary entry annotated.
Monday, October 31, 1859
It's shoe-wearing time again. (4 words) I hate putting on William's old hard shoes. (8 words, you won't be wearing them for long little do you know.) Eva Mae, Missy and me just about harvested everything from the house garden and preserved, pickled or dried it. (19 words, phew that's a lot of bending over!) The collards are ready to be picked but Aunt Tee say wait til' the frost hits them first. (18 words, what does that do I wonder?) This is my favorite time of year, when the summer heat gives way to fall coolness. (16 words, the heat is so awful here in North Carolina in July September is usually the coolest month of the year where I live where you can be outside and actually enjoy the beauty of the world around you.)
I can finally get a good sleep. (I have my best sleeps in the month of September living here in North Carolina.)
110: 131st diary entry annotated.
Wednesday, November 2, 1859
Hince and Mas' Henley came back home winners. (8 words, nothing bad today will come from Master Henley because he is too happy about his winnings more than anything else, Skylights.)
They also had a fine new horse, a beauty named Canterbury's Watch. (12 words, that's such a weird name. If you think Dog Names can get so weird I think you'll find horse racer names even weirder than the weirdest dog name.)
He's not as spirited as Dancer, but Hince says he's a strong runner — steady. (14 words, probably a good idea not to get too spirited off a horse for a while because of the temptation it gave William.) Hince calls him "Can," because he "can run." (8 words, such a funny but reasonable nickname.)
Miz Lilly came out on the porch, took one look at the horse, stepped back inside and slammed the door. (20 words, she still is not over what happened to William last time.)
It was good to have Hince home. (7 words, I betcha it was.)
Although he spends most of his time with the horses, I miss hearing him laughing and how the sound floats up to the kitchen from the stables. (27 words, laughter is an amazing medicine.) I told him I was staying in Aunt Tee's cabin down in the Quarters, but I still work up in the kitchen and Big House. (25 words)
"I'm glad you with Aunt Tee," he said. (8 words) "Somebody to see after her." (5 words, he is still such a sweetly concerned boy.)
Then Hince s'prised me with a piece of red satin ribbon. (11 words, he got her a gift while on his trip.)
It was as grand as anything Miz Lilly owned. (9 words, it is grand because it was gifted from friendship love not betrayal.)
And it was all mine. (5 words)
Didn't have to slip and play with it. (8 words)
Hince say he had bought it with money he won, betting on himself. (13 words)
"I was going to wait until the Big Times to give it to you, but I couldn't wait. (18 words, honestly he should have waited to gift it to avoid what is coming next actually not far around the corner. There is a similar instance in Barbie Mariposa and The Fairy Princess should have waited to trust Mariposa with a Crystalite when it wouldn't be revealed so publicly and avoid Mariposa's embarrassment among the Crystal Fairies honestly. When you get an instinct to wait you should always wait even if it applies to gifts to others that you love more than others to avoid making others envious.) How do you like it?" (5 words)
The word came straight from my heart and burst out of my mouth. (13 words, that was a truthful remark a remark of gratitude coming out of Clotee's heart.)
"Beautiful!" Whenever I write B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, I will see my red ribbon. (11 words)
It makes me feel pretty and like I want to dance and dance. (13 words, objects are not what make you pretty they do enhance your outside prettiness though.)