in the regular service of some white person, or former owner, who shall
be held responsible for the conduct of said negro. But said employer
or former owner may permit said negro to hire his own time by special
permission in writing, which permission shall not extend over seven days
at any one time. Any negro violating the provisions of this section shall
be fined five dollars for each offence, or in default of the payment
thereof shall be forced to work five days on the public road, or suffer
corporeal punishment as hereinafter provided.