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Work Projects Administration

"Arkansas Narratives, Part 2"

You can't make no money that way. Yes--you make
it, but you can't get it.
I went to town at Pine Bluff. There I got to mixing concrete. I made
pretty good at it, too. I stayed on for some years. Then I came to Hot
Springs. My brother was along with me. We both worked and after work we
built a house. It took us four years. But it was a good house. It has
six rooms in it. It makes a good home. My brother had the deed. But his
widow says I can stay on. The folks what lives in the rest of the house
are good to me.
When I got to Hot Springs I worked mixing concrete. There was lots of
sidewalks being made along about that time. Then I scatter dirt all
around where the court house is now. Then I worked at both of the very
biggest hotels. I washed. I washed cream pitchers--the little ones with
corners that were hard to clean.
No, I ain't worked in three years. It hard to try to get along. Some
states, they pays good pensions. I can't be here long--don't look like I
can be here long. Seems as if they could take care of me for the few
days I'm going to be on this earth. Seems like they could.


Interviewer: Mrs. Carol Graham
Person interviewed: Millie Evans
Age:

[Illustration: Millie Evans]
Yo' say yo' is in'rested in the lives of the slaves? Well, Miss, I is
one of 'em.


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