Cassels R. Tiedeman
Charleston, S. C.
Approx. 268 Words {Begin handwritten}390448{End handwritten}
(Verbatim Conversation)
Ophelia was asked what she thought of the present day young people of her race, and the times.
"De young colored gal ob today? O Lord! bear wid dem an' look an dey soul wid mercy. Dey done sold out to de debbul mos' befo' dey git here. De time is too fast for dem to ben' down on dey knee an' axe de Lord to he'p dem swim obber do ribber; dey jes' jump in careless lak an' aint t'ink 'bout any whirling pool dat suck em down. Dey aint care 'cause day all headed de same way, an' de debbul mek de watuh ripple so soft 'gin dey body, dey t'ink dis world a grand place to lib in. An' when dey go to chuch, (church) dat de time to roll de eye at any new buck what been dere. I aint say nuttin' 'bout dem buck. I aint got de speech what fit em. Dey hang on to de debbul lak de fedder hold to de tar. You aint loose em no time.
"It seem lak dis world is done spill in one ob dem whirling pool, dat de 'casion ob all dis confliction. (confusion) We is mobe (move) fast an' changeful dese day, an' de young gineration aint slack 'bout nuttin'. Dey hab no manners, day aint care how dey wuk an' dey aint know shame when dey meet em, an' us old timers what pray an' declare de Glory ob God is dere for de asking. Dey say, 'how you know dat, you aint see em.' Dey gib de debbul a run an' I speck 'e mos' whip to a nub." (a finish)
Source: Ophelia Jemison, Addison Court, Charleston, S. C.