AP Success - AP US History: Memoir of Life in the South

In the “quarters,” as the negro cabins were called, there was usually a band, which played at night for the “white folks” to dance... Negroes are always fond of music... Our nurses we always called “Mammy,” and it was not considered good manners to address any old negro man or woman otherwise than as “uncle” or “aunt,” adding the name whatever that might be – the surname was always the master’s. We were taught to treat them with respect... There was such a kindly feeling on both sides between the owners and their slaves – inherited kindly feelings... Many were descendants of those who had served in the same family for generations... My maid, Virginia... was a very handsome young mulatto to whom I was especially attached... How great the pride the negroes felt in the wealth and importance of their owners, and interest indeed in all of their affairs... Indeed, ours was a gay and free-from-care life... An innocent and ideal life!