THE SLAVE WITH A HEART OF GOLD

I so sad I cry out to the Lord "LORD watch over my baby boy Sam. (TEARS) He was snatched from my arms at the auction where I was bought by Master Willam SR for 800 dollars. Master SR says to me that I will be tending to baby Jr at the plantation. He loaded me in the wagon with the others we just shackled hands and feet. After several hours the wagon begins motion. We finally leave the auction as we depart I can't help but think of the pools of my baby boy's eyes. Tears begin to fill my eyes. My heart aches and I know I may never see my boy again.

Soon after we arrive at the plantation. Master and his companions started unchaining our shackles when master finally got to my chains, I am unchained and follow master's orders swiftly. He says to me my new name Cele and that's what I shall answer to. I say yes master SR sir. From that second I knew I was Cele and Nette was dead. Mistress approaches and directs me to come with her. Swiftly I do as I am told.'' You will be house help .'' You will be Jr's wet nurse. '' You will keep the rooms tidy'', and you will be in charge of the baby care, you will nurse him regularly .'' Also, she tells me if he cries that she will whip me. "DO YOU UNDERSTAND" she asked. Yes ma'am I answered quickly.

Time goes by and I do my job and when I'm done, I just work and work and I never stop working seem like. I got whipped a few times because the baby was crying but I survived though. When Junior turns 5 years he stops nursing and mistress move me from nursery to kitchen. I cook, clean, knit, wash clothes anything mistress sees fit. Mistress asks me to sing to her often. She likes the song "His eye is on the sparrow'' and I delight in singing. Out of all my work, this is the easiest so I just sang my heart out.

Years go by and mistress received word that Junior had passed. Oh, how sad that day was. William JR had died from heart failure. He was only 17 years old. For a long time sorrow dawned in and the masters stop having company over for dinner. They hardly talked to each other at the table just uncomfortable silence.

Life went on and it has been about 4 years since master Jr had passed and the house received word that 46 slaves are gone. Harriet Tubman a former slave had come and helped them get away. Master SR turned pale in the face and fell out. He had a heart attack and died right there on the spot. Mistress was devastated. She lost hope and begin to get sick. She had given me and the other house help our declarations of freedom. The other slaves took theirs. I on the other hand didn't. I knew mistress needed help and I just didn't feel right leaving her like that. I tried to convince the other slaves to stay for me as long as they could. I was looked at as stupid, and out of the seven of us, only 3 stayed.

Mistress stayed in bed in the dark. So everyday I would go to her room put on the light, help her bathe and dress. I just would sing and It seems like she begins to get worse. One day she says to me to hand her the little black notebook up off of her dresser. She says to me to take it and say it's for me. Then she tells me to send for a doctor. She says she having trouble breathing. I do as I am told. That night doctor arrives he and I witnessed the mistress taking her last breaths she asked him to read the contents of the notebook to me.

Enclosed my declaration of freedom, the plantation deed, and 20,000 cash.

(TEARS)

Wow, my heart is overjoyed.