That is the way mama tole me
it was at freedom! It was a long time I kept wondering what is freedom?
I took to noticing what they said it was in slavery times and I caught
on. I found out times had changed just b'fore I got into this world.
"Some things seem all right and some don't. Times seem good now but wait
till dis winter. Folks will go cold and hungry again. Some folks good
and some worse than in times b'fore."
Interviewer's Comment
Gets a pension check.
Interviewer: Miss Irene Robertson
Person interviewed: Fanny Finney, Brinkley, Arkansas
Age: 74 plus
"I was born in Marshall County, Mississippi. Born during slavery. I
b'long to Master John Rook. He died during the Civil War. Miss Patsy
Rook raised me. I put on her shoes, made up her bed, fetched her water
and kindling wood.
"My parents named Catherine and Humphrey Rook. They had three children.
"When Master John Rook died they divided us. They give me to Rodie
Briggs. John and Lizzie was Master John's other two children. He had
three children too same as ma. My young master was a ball player. I'd
hear them talk. Ma was a good house girl. They thought we'd all be like
'er. When I was three years old, I was the baby.
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