Incidents in the life of a slave girl.: Written by herself. Edited by L. Maria Child.

264 Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl.
XXXV.
PREJUDICE AGAINST COLOR.
IT was a relief to my mind to see preparations for
leaving the city. We went to Albany in the steamboat
Knickerbocker. When the gong sounded for tea, Mrs.
Bruce said,. " Lihda, it is late, and you and baby had
better come to the table with me." I replied, "I know
it is time baby had her supper, but I had rather not go
with you, if you please. I am afraid of being insulted."
" 0 no, not if you are with me," she said. I saw several white nurses go with their ladies, and I ventured
to do the same. We were at the extreme end of the
table. I was no sooner seated, than a gruff voice said,
"Get up! You know you are not allowed to sit here."
I looked up, and, to my astonishment and indignation,
saw that the speaker was a colored man. If his office
required him to enforce the by-laws of the boat, he
might, at least, have done it politely. I replied, "I
shall not get up, unless the captain comes and takes
me up." No cup of tea was offered me, but Mrs.
Bruce handed me hers and called for another. I looked
to see whether the other nurses were treated in a similar manner. They were all properly waited on.
Next morning, when we stopped at Troy for breakfast, every body was making a rush for the table.
Mrs. Bruce said, " Take my arm, Linda, and we'll go
in together." The landlord heard her, and said,
"Madam, will you allow your nurse and baby to take