by Monique Aiken

Created on: January 18, 2009   Last Updated: January 19, 2009

It was during the hot month of June. Abner sat under the big oak tree in the woods as he read "Uncle Tom's Cabin." "Abner you are doing really well with your reading and I'm very please with you because you understand what you are reading." "Thank you Ms. Harriett." said Abner. "Now remember what we talked about Abner. You are never to let my father or anyone else know that you can read. You know what they do to slaves who can read and write and the people who teach them." "Yes, Ms. Harriett." "I think we better leave now. I will meet you back here tomorrow around the same time." said Harriett.

Abner was around sixteen years old and lived on the Smith's plantation all of his life. He lived with his mother and two little sisters. Abner's father was sold off when Abner was a little boy.

"Momma do you ever think about freedom?" asked Abner. "What you say boy?" asked his mother as she slapped his face. "Don't you ever let me hear you talking about no freedom. Your daddy come talking that same crazy talk. He even talked about escaping and going North. Then he said he would send for us, buy our freedom was what he said. They caught him and whipped him and they sold him off. They sold my man. With tears rolling down her face she looked at Abner and said I can not loose another love one it would just kill me."

While Abner waited for his mother to prepare dinner he decided to go for a walk around the plantation. He spotted Fantoo. "Fantoo." yelled Abner. "What are you doing Fantoo?" asked Abner "Just sitting here." said Fantoo. "I heard your momma crying the other night is she alright?" ask Abner. "No" said Fantoo? "My brother Willie is going to be sold." "What?" asked Abner. "Mr. Smith has to sell some of the slaves. The crops did not do too well this time and he has to pay something called taxes. He does not have the money so he has too sell some of the slaves." Fantoo looked very sad as she talked about it. Abner's heart began to race. He ran back to his cabin. "Momma master Smith is going to sell some slaves." "Hush boy who told you that?" "Fantoo." said Abner. Abner's mother face sinked. She knew that Fantoo's mother worked in the big house and she knew everything that was going on around the plantation. She sat down and dropped her head and began to cry. "Don't cry momma maybe he will not sell us." said Abner.

Abner and his family got up at 5:30am and by 6:30am they were headed to the field. Abner left the field at 4:00pm. He went to the cabin. There he washed up

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