The "chu'ch membahs" had their little differences of opinion. Of course they might differ on such minor points as "immersion" and "sprinklin'," "open" or "close" communion; but when it came to such grave matters as "singin' uv reel chunes," or "sassin' uv ole pussons," Baptists and Methodists met on common ground, and stood firm. Nor did our Mammies and Aunties neglect our manners. To say "yes" or "no" to any person, white or black, older than ourselves was considered very rude; it must always be "yes, mam," "no, mam;" "yes, sir," "no, sir;" and those expressions are still, and I hope ever will be, characteristic of Southerners. The child-life that I have portrayed is over now; for no hireling can ever be to the children what their Mammies were, and the strong tie between the negroes and "marster's chil'en" is broken forever. So, hoping that my book (which claims no literary merit) will serve to amuse the little folks, and give them an insight into a childhood peculiar to the South in her palmy days, without further preface I send out my volume of Plantation Child-life. Louise-Clarke Pyrnelle. Columbus, Ga. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. Diddie, Dumps, And Tot 13 II. Christmas On The Old Plantation 29 III. Mammy's Story 44 IV. Old Billy 50 V. Diddie's Book 67 VI. Uncle Snake-bit Bob's Sunday-school 82 VII. Poor Ann 92 VIII. Uncle Bob's Proposition 106 IX. Aunt Edy's Story 111 X. Plantation Games 119 XI. Diddie In Trouble 128 XII. How The Woodpecker's Head And The Robin's Breast Came To Be Red 140 XIII. A Plantation Meeting, And Uncle Daniel's Sermon 152 XIV. Diddie And Dumps Go Visiting 166 XV. The Fourth Of July 182 XVI. "'Struck'n uv de Chil'en" 199 XVII. What Became Of Them 212 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE Evening Devotions Frontispiece. Sanitary Measures 19 Playing "Injuns" 39 "Ole Billy" 59 "The Tar Baby" 79 "My Min', Hit's Made Up" 103 "Yer'll all Be Havin' De Croup Next" 135 "Well, My Invice Is Dis" 147