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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2306-h.zip b/2306-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..604ed7e --- /dev/null +++ b/2306-h.zip diff --git a/2306-h/2306-h.htm b/2306-h/2306-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..770a2f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/2306-h/2306-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8432 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" name="linkgenerator" /> + <title> + Uncle Remus, By Joel Chandler + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent25 { margin-left: 25%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent35 { margin-left: 35%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 100%; margin-left: 10%;} +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Remus, by Joel Chandler Harris + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Uncle Remus + +Author: Joel Chandler Harris + +Release Date: August, 2000 [EBook #2306] +[This file of edition 11 was first posted on June 16, 2003] +Last Updated: December 7, 2018 + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE REMUS *** + +Etext produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + UNCLE REMUS:<br /><br /> HIS SONGS AND HIS SAYINGS + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Joel Chandler Harris + </h2> + <hr /> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PREF"> PREFACE AND DEDICATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> INTRODUCTION </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> <b>LEGENDS OF THE OLD PLANTATION</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> I. UNCLE REMUS INITIATES THE LITTLE BOY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> II. THE WONDERFUL TAR BABY STORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> III. WHY MR. POSSUM LOVES PEACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> IV. HOW MR. RABBIT WAS TOO SHARP FOR MR. FOX + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> V. THE STORY OF THE DELUGE AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> VI. MR. RABBIT GROSSLY DECEIVES MR. FOX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> VII. MR. FOX IS AGAIN VICTIMIZED </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> VIII. MR. FOX IS "OUTDONE" BY MR. BUZZARD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> IX. MISS COW FALLS A VICTIM TO MR. RABBIT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> X. MR. TERRAPIN APPEARS UPON THE SCENE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> XI. MR. WOLF MAKES A FAILURE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> XII. MR. FOX TACKLES OLD MAN TARRYPIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> XIII. THE AWFUL FATE OF MR. WOLF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> XIV. MR. FOX AND THE DECEITFUL FROGS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> XV. MR. FOX GOES A-HUNTING, BUT MR. RABBIT BAGS + THE GAME </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> XVI. OLD MR. RABBIT, HE'S A GOOD FISHERMAN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> XVII. MR. RABBIT NIBBLES UP THE BUTTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> XVIII. MR. RABBIT FINDS HIS MATCH AT LAST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> XIX. THE FATE OF MR. JACK SPARROW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> XX. HOW MR. RABBIT SAVED HIS MEAT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> XXI. MR. RABBIT MEETS HIS MATCH AGAIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> XXII. A STORY ABOUT THE LITTLE RABBITS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> XXIII. MR. RABBIT AND MR. BEAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> XXIV. MR. BEAR CATCHES OLD MR. BULL-FROG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> XXV. HOW MR. RABBIT LOST HIS FINE BUSHY TAIL + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> XXVI. MR. TERRAPIN SHOWS HIS STRENGTH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> XXVII. WHY MR. POSSUM HAS NO HAIR ON HIS TAIL + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> XXVIII. THE END OF MR. BEAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> XXIX. MR. FOX GETS INTO SERIOUS BUSINESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> XXX. HOW MR. RABBIT SUCCEEDED IN RAISING A DUST + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> XXXI. A PLANTATION WITCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> XXXII. "JACKY-MY-LANTERN" *1 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> XXXIII. WHY THE NEGRO IS BLACK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> XXXIV. THE SAD FATE OF MR. FOX </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> <b>PLANTATION PROVERBS</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> <b>HIS SONGS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> I. REVIVAL HYMN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> II. CAMP-MEETING SONG * </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> III. CORN-SHUCKING SONG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> IV. THE PLOUGH-HANDS' SONG (JASPER COUNTY—1860.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> V. CHRISTMAS PLAY-SONG (MYRICK PLACE, PUTNAM + COUNTY 1858.) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> VI. PLANTATION PLAY-SONG (PUTNAM COUNTY—1856.) + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> VII. TRANSCRIPTIONS *1 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> 1. A PLANTATION CHANT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> 2.A PLANTATION SERENADE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> VIII. THE BIG BETHEL CHURCH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0050"> IX. TIME GOES BY TURNS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> <b>A STORY OF THE WAR</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> <b>HIS SAYINGS</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> I. JEEMS ROBER'SON'S LAST ILLNESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0054"> II. UNCLE REMUS'S CHURCH EXPERIENCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0055"> III. UNCLE REMUS AND THE SAVANNAH DARKEY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> IV. TURNIP SALAD AS A TEXT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> V. A CONFESSION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0058"> VI. UNCLE REMUS WITH THE TOOTHACHE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0059"> VII. THE PHONOGRAPH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0060"> VIII. RACE IMPROVEMENT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0061"> IX. IN THE ROLE OF A TARTAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0062"> X. A CASE OF MEASLES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0063"> XI. THE EMIGRANTS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0064"> XII. AS A MURDERER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0065"> XIII. HIS PRACTICAL VIEW OF THINGS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0066"> XIV. THAT DECEITFUL JUG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0067"> XV. THE FLORIDA WATERMELON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0068"> XVI. UNCLE REMUS PREACHES TO A CONVERT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0069"> XVII. AS TO EDUCATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0070"> XVIII. A TEMPERANCE REFORMER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0071"> XIX. AS A WEATHER PROPHET </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0072"> XX. THE OLD MAN'S TROUBLES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0073"> XXI. THE FOURTH OF JULY </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PREF" id="link2H_PREF"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PREFACE AND DEDICATION + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE NEW EDITION + </h3> + <p> + To Arthur Barbette Frost: + </p> + <h3> + DEAR FROST: + </h3> + <p> + I am expected to supply a preface for this new edition of my first book—to + advance from behind the curtain, as it were, and make a fresh bow to the + public that has dealt with Uncle Remus in so gentle and generous a + fashion. For this event the lights are to be rekindled, and I am expected + to respond in some formal way to an encore that marks the fifteenth + anniversary of the book. There have been other editions—how many I + do not remember—but this is to be an entirely new one, except as to + the matter: new type, new pictures, and new binding. + </p> + <p> + But, as frequently happens on such occasions, I am at a loss for a word. I + seem to see before me the smiling faces of thousands of children—some + young and fresh, and some wearing the friendly marks of age, but all + children at heart—and not an unfriendly face among them. And out of + the confusion, and while I am trying hard to speak the right word, I seem + to hear a voice lifted above the rest, saying "You have made some of us + happy." And so I feel my heart fluttering and my lips trembling, and I + have to how silently and him away, and hurry back into the obscurity that + fits me best. + </p> + <p> + Phantoms! Children of dreams! True, my dear Frost; but if you could see + the thousands of letters that have come to me from far and near, and all + fresh from the hearts and hands of children, and from men and women who + have not forgotten how to be children, you would not wonder at the dream. + And such a dream can do no harm. Insubstantial though it may be, I would + not at this hour exchange it for all the fame won by my mightier brethren + of the pen—whom I most humbly salute. + </p> + <p> + Measured by the material developments that have compressed years of + experience into the space of a day, thus increasing the possibilities of + life, if not its beauty, fifteen years constitute the old age of a book. + Such a survival might almost be said to be due to a tiny sluice of green + sap under the gray bark. where it lies in the matter of this book, or what + its source if, indeed, it be really there—is more of a mystery to my + middle age than it was to my prime. + </p> + <p> + But it would be no mystery at all if this new edition were to be more + popular than the old one. Do you know why? Because you have taken it under + your hand and made it yours. Because you have breathed the breath of life + into these amiable brethren of wood and field. Because, by a stroke here + and a touch there, you have conveyed into their quaint antics the + illumination of your own inimitable humor, which is as true to our sun and + soil as it is to the spirit and essence of the matter set forth. + </p> + <p> + The book was mine, but now you have made it yours, both sap and pith. Take + it, therefore, my dear Frost, and believe me, faithfully yours, + </p> + <p> + Joel Chandler Harris + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INTRODUCTION + </h2> + <p> + I am advised by my publishers that this book is to be included in their + catalogue of humorous publications, and this friendly warning gives me an + opportunity to say that however humorous it may be in effect, its + intention is perfectly serious; and, even if it were otherwise, it seems + to me that a volume written wholly in dialect must have its solemn, not to + say melancholy, features. With respect to the Folk-Lore scenes, my purpose + has been to preserve the legends themselves in their original simplicity, + and to wed them permanently to the quaint dialect—if, indeed, it can + be called a dialect—through the medium of which they have become a + part of the domestic history of every Southern family; and I have + endeavored to give to the whole a genuine flavor of the old plantation. + </p> + <p> + Each legend has its variants, but in every instance I have retained that + particular version which seemed to me to be the most characteristic, and + have given it without embellishment and without exaggeration. + </p> + <p> + The dialect, it will be observed, is wholly different from that of the + Hon. Pompey Smash and his literary descendants, and different also from + the intolerable misrepresentations of the minstrel stage, but it is at + least phonetically genuine. Nevertheless, if the language of Uncle Remus + fails to give vivid hints of the really poetic imagination of the negro; + if it fails to embody the quaint and homely humor which was his most + prominent characteristic; if it does not suggest a certain picturesque + sensitiveness—a curious exaltation of mind and temperament not to be + defined by words—then I have reproduced the form of the dialect + merely, and not the essence, and my attempt may be accounted a failure. At + any rate, I trust I have been successful in presenting what must be, at + least to a large portion of American readers, a new and by no means + unattractive phase of negro character—a phase which may be + considered a curiously sympathetic supplement to Mrs. Stowe's wonderful + defense of slavery as it existed in the South. Mrs. Stowe, let me hasten + to say, attacked the possibilities of slavery with all the eloquence of + genius; but the same genius painted the portrait of the Southern + slave-owner, and defended him. + </p> + <p> + A number of the plantation legends originally appeared in the columns of a + daily newspaper—The Atlanta Constitution and in that shape they + attracted the attention of various gentlemen who were kind enough to + suggest that they would prove to be valuable contributions to + myth-literature. It is but fair to say that ethnological considerations + formed no part of the undertaking which has resulted in the publication of + this volume. Professor J. W. Powell, of the Smithsonian Institution, who + is engaged in an investigation of the mythology of the North American + Indians, informs me that some of Uncle Remus's stories appear in a number + of different languages, and in various modified forms, among the Indians; + and he is of the opinion that they are borrowed by the negroes from the + red-men. But this, to say the least, is extremely doubtful, since another + investigator (Mr. Herbert H. Smith, author of Brazil and the Amazons) has + met with some of these stories among tribes of South American Indians, and + one in particular he has traced to India, and as far east as Siam. Mr. + Smith has been kind enough to send me the proof-sheets of his chapter on + The Myths and Folk-Lore of the Amazonian Indians, in which he reproduces + some of the stories which he gathered while exploring the Amazons. + </p> + <p> + In the first of his series, a tortoise falls from a tree upon the head of + a jaguar and kills him; in one of Uncle Remus's stories, the terrapin + falls from a shelf in Miss Meadows's house and stuns the fox, so that the + latter fails to catch the rabbit. In the next, a jaguar catches a tortoise + by the hind-leg as he is disappearing in his hole; but the tortoise + convinces him he is holding a root, and so escapes; Uncle Remus tells how + the fox endeavored to drown the terrapin, but turned him loose because the + terrapin declared his tail to be only a stump-root. Mr. Smith also gives + the story of how the tortoise outran the deer, which is identical as to + incident with Uncle Remus's story of how Brer Tarrypin outran Brer Rabbit. + Then there is the story of how the tortoise pretended that he was stronger + than the tapir. He tells the latter he can drag him into the sea, but the + tapir retorts that he will pull the tortoise into the forest and kill him + besides. The tortoise thereupon gets a vine-stem, ties one end around the + body of the tapir, and goes to the sea, where he ties the other end to the + tail of a whale. He then goes into the wood, midway between them both, and + gives the vine a shake as a signal for the pulling to begin. The struggle + between the whale and tapir goes on until each thinks the tortoise is the + strongest of animals. Compare this with the story of the terrapin's + contest with the bear, in which Miss Meadows's bed-cord is used instead of + a vine-stem. One of the most characteristic of Uncle Remus's stories is + that in which the rabbit proves to Miss Meadows and the girls that the fox + is his riding-horse. This is almost identical with a story quoted by Mr. + Smith, where the jaguar is about to marry the deer's daughter. The cotia—a + species of rodent—is also in love with her, and he tells the deer + that he can make a riding-horse of the jaguar. + </p> + <p> + "Well," says the deer, "if you can make the jaguar carry you, you shall + have my daughter." Thereupon the story proceeds pretty much as Uncle Remus + tells it of the fox and rabbit. The cotia finally jumps from the jaguar + and takes refuge in a hole, where an owl is set to watch him, but he + flings sand in the owl's eyes and escapes. In another story given by Mr. + Smith, the cotia is very thirsty, and, seeing a man coming with a jar on + his head, lies down in the road in front of him, and repeats this until + the man puts down his jar to go back after all the dead cotias he has + seen. This is almost identical with Uncle Remus's story of how the rabbit + robbed the fox of his game. In a story from Upper Egypt, a fox lies down + in the road in front of a man who is carrying fowls to market, and finally + succeeds in securing them. + </p> + <p> + This similarity extends to almost every story quoted by Mr. Smith, and + some are so nearly identical as to point unmistakably to a common origin; + but when and where? when did the negro or the North American Indian ever + come in contact with the tribes of South America? Upon this point the + author of Brazil and the Amazons, who is engaged in making a critical and + comparative study of these myth-stories, writes: + </p> + <p> + "I am not prepared to form a theory about these stories. There can be no + doubt that some of them, found among the negroes and the Indians, had a + common origin. The most natural solution would be to suppose that they + originated in Africa, and were carried to South America by the negro + slaves. They are certainly found among the Red Negroes; but, unfortunately + for the African theory, it is equally certain that they are told by savage + Indians of the Amazons Valley, away up on the Tapajos, Red Negro, and + Tapura. These Indians hardly ever see a negro, and their languages are + very distinct from the broken Portuguese spoken by the slaves. The form of + the stories, as recounted in the Tupi and Mundurucu' languages, seems to + show that they were originally formed in those languages or have long been + adopted in them. + </p> + <p> + "It is interesting to find a story from Upper Egypt (that of the fox who + pretended to be dead) identical with an Amazonian story, and strongly + resembling one found by you among the negroes. Vambagen, the Brazilian + historian (now Visconde de Rio Branco), tried to prove a relationship + between the ancient Egyptians, or other Turanian stock, and the Tupi + Indians. His theory rested on rather a slender basis, yet it must be + confessed that he had one or two strong points. Do the resemblances + between old and New World stories point to a similar conclusion? It would + be hard to say with the material that we now have. + </p> + <p> + "One thing is certain. The animal stories told by the negroes in our + Southern States and in Brazil were brought by them from Africa. Whether + they originated there, or with the Arabs, or Egyptians, or with yet more + ancient nations, must still be an open question. Whether the Indians got + them from the negroes or from some earlier source is equally uncertain. We + have seen enough to know that a very interesting line of investigation has + been opened." + </p> + <p> + Professor Hartt, in his Amazonian Tortoise Myths, quotes a story from the + Riverside Magazine of November, 1868, which will be recognized as a + variant of one given by Uncle Remus. I venture to append it here, with + some necessary verbal and phonetic alterations, in order to give the + reader an idea of the difference between the dialect of the cotton + plantations, as used by Uncle Remus, and the lingo in vogue on the rice + plantations and Sea Islands of the South Atlantic States: + </p> + <p> + "One time B'er Deer an' B'er Cooter (Terrapin) was courtin', and de lady + did bin lub B'er Deer mo' so dan B'er Cooter. She did bin lub B'er Cooter, + but she lub B'er Deer de morest. So de young lady say to B'er Deer and + B'er Cooter bofe dat dey mus' hab a ten-mile race, an de one dat beats, + she will go marry him. + </p> + <p> + "So B'er Cooter say to B'er Deer: 'You has got mo longer legs dan I has, + but I will run you. You run ten mile on land, and I will run ten mile on + de water!' + </p> + <p> + "So B'er Cooter went an' git nine er his fam'ly, an' put one at ebery + mile-pos', and he hisse'f, what was to run wid B'er Deer, he was right in + front of de young lady's do', in de broom-grass. + </p> + <p> + "Dat mornin' at nine o'clock, B'er Deer he did met B'er Cooter at de fus + mile-pos', wey dey was to start fum. So he call: 'Well, B'er Cooter, is + you ready? Co long!' As he git on to de nex' mile-pos', he say: 'B'er + Cooter!' B'er Cooter say: 'Hullo!' B'er Deer say: 'You dere?' B'er Cooter + say: 'Yes, B'er Deer, I dere too.' + </p> + <p> + "Nex' mile-pos' he jump, B'er Deer say: 'Hullo, B'er Cooter!' B'er Cooter + say: 'Hullo, B'er Deer! you dere too?' B'er Deer say: 'Ki! it look like + you gwine fer tie me; it look like we gwine fer de gal tie!' + </p> + <p> + "W'en he git to de nine-mile pos' he tought he git dere fus, 'cause he mek + two jump; so he holler: 'B'er Cooter!' B'er Cooter answer: 'You dere too?' + B'er Deer say: 'It look like you gwine tie me.' B'er Cooter say: 'Go long, + B'er Deer. I git dere in due season time,' which he does, and wins de + race." + </p> + <p> + The story of the Rabbit and the Fox, as told by the Southern negroes, is + artistically dramatic in this: it progresses in an orderly way from a + beginning to a well-defined conclusion, and is full of striking episodes + that suggest the culmination. It seems to me to be to a certain extent + allegorical, albeit such an interpretation may be unreasonable. At least + it is a fable thoroughly characteristic of the negro; and it needs no + scientific investigation to show why he selects as his hero the weakest + and most harmless of all animals, and brings him out victorious in + contests with the bear, the wolf, and the fox. It is not virtue that + triumphs, but helplessness; it is not malice, but mischievousness. It + would be presumptuous in me to offer an opinion as to the origin of these + curious myth-stories; but, if ethnologists should discover that they did + not originate with the African, the proof to that effect should be + accompanied with a good deal of persuasive eloquence. + </p> + <p> + Curiously enough, I have found few negroes who will acknowledge to a + stranger that they know anything of these legends; and yet to relate one + of the stories is the surest road to their confidence and esteem. In this + way, and in this way only, I have been enabled to collect and verify the + folklore included in this volume. There is an anecdote about the Irishman + and the rabbit which a number of negroes have told to me with great + unction, and which is both funny and characteristic, though I will not + undertake to say that it has its origin with the blacks. One day an + Irishman who had heard people talking about "mares' nests" was going along + the big road—it is always the big road in contradistinction to + neighborhood paths and by-paths, called in the vernacular "nigh-cuts"—when + he came to a pumpkin—patch. The Irishman had never seen any of this + fruit before, and he at once concluded that he had discovered a veritable + mare's nest. Making the most of his opportunity, he gathered one of the + pumpkins in his arms and went on his way. A pumpkin is an exceedingly + awkward thing to carry, and the Irishman had not gone far before he made a + misstep, and stumbled. The pumpkin fell to the ground, rolled down the + hill into a "brush—heap," and, striking against a stump, was broken. + The story continues in the dialect: "W'en de punkin roll in de bresh—heap, + out jump a rabbit; en soon's de I'shmuns see dat, he take atter de rabbit + en holler: 'Kworp, colty! kworp, colty!' but de rabbit, he des flew." The + point of this is obvious. + </p> + <p> + As to the songs, the reader is warned that it will be found difficult to + make them conform to the ordinary rules of versification, nor is it + intended that they should so conform. They are written, and are intended + to be read, solely with reference to the regular and invariable recurrence + of the caesura, as, for instance, the first stanza of the Revival Hymn: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"Oh, whar / shill we go / w'en de great / day comes + Wid de blow / in' er de trumpits / en de bang / in' er de + drums / + How man / y po' sin / ners'll be kotch'd / out late + En fine / no latch ter de gold / en gate /" +</pre> + <p> + In other words, the songs depend for their melody and rhythm upon the + musical quality of time, and not upon long or short, accented or + unaccented syllables. I am persuaded that this fact led Mr. Sidney Lanier, + who is thoroughly familiar with the metrical peculiarities of negro songs, + into the exhaustive investigation which has resulted in the publication of + his scholarly treatise on The Science of English Verse. + </p> + <p> + The difference between the dialect of the legends and that of the + character—sketches, slight as it is, marks the modifications which + the speech of the negro has undergone even where education has played in + deed, save in the no part reforming it. Indeed, save in the remote country + districts, the dialect of the legends has nearly disappeared. I am + perfectly well aware that the character sketches are without permanent + interest, but they are embodied here for the purpose of presenting a phase + of negro character wholly distinct from that which I have endeavored to + preserve in the legends. Only in this shape, and with all the local + allusions, would it be possible to adequately represent the shrewd + observations, the curious retorts, the homely thrusts, the quaint + comments, and the humorous philosophy of the race of which Uncle Remus is + the type. + </p> + <p> + If the reader not familiar with plantation life will imagine that the myth—stories + of Uncle Remus are told night after night to a little boy by an old negro + who appears to be venerable enough to have lived during the period which + he describes—who has nothing but pleasant memories of the discipline + of slavery—and who has all the prejudices of caste and pride of + family that were the natural results of the system; if the reader can + imagine all this, he will find little difficulty in appreciating and + sympathizing with the air of affectionate superiority which Uncle Remus + assumes as he proceeds to unfold the mysteries of plantation lore to a + little child who is the product of that practical reconstruction which has + been going on to some extent since the war in spite of the politicians. + Uncle Remus describes that reconstruction in his Story of the War, and I + may as well add here for the benefit of the curious that that story is + almost literally true. + </p> + <h3> + J. C. H. + </h3> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + CONTENTS + + LEGENDS OF THE OLD PLANTATION + + I. Uncle Remus initiates the Little Boy + II. The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story + III. Why Mr. Possum loves Peace + IV. How Mr. Rabbit was too sharp for Mr. Fox + V. The Story of the Deluge, and how it came about + VI. Mr. Rabbit grossly deceives Mr. Fox + VII. Mr. Fox is again victimized + VIII. Mr. Fox is "outdone" by Mr. Buzzard + IX. Miss Cow falls a Victim to Mr. Rabbit + X. Mr. Terrapin appears upon the Scene + XI. Mr. Wolf makes a Failure + XII. Mr. Fox tackles Old Man Tarrypin + XIII. The Awful Fate of Mr. Wolf + XIV. Mr. Fox and the Deceitful Frogs + XV. Mr. Fox goes a-hunting, but Mr. Rabbit bags the Game + XVI. Old Mr. Rabbit, he's a Good Fisherman + XVII. Mr. Rabbit nibbles up the Butter + XVIII. Mr. Rabbit finds his Match at last + XIX. The Fate of Mr. Jack Sparrow + XX. How Mr. Rabbit saved his Meat + XXI. Mr. Rabbit meets his Match again + XXII. A Story about the Little Rabbits + XXIII. Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Bear + XXIV. Mr. Bear catches Old Mr. Bull-Frog + XXV. How Mr. Rabbit lost his Fine Bushy Tail + XXVI. Mr. Terrapin shows his Strength + XXVII Why Mr. Possum has no Hair on his Tail + XXVIII. The End of Mr. Bear + XXIX. Mr. Fox gets into Serious Business + XXX. How Mr. Rabbit succeeded in raising a Dust. + XXXI. A Plantation Witch + XXXII. "Jacky-my-Lantern" + XXXIII. Why the Negro is Black + XXXIV. The Sad Fate of Mr. Fox + + Plantation Proverbs + + His Songs + + I. Revival Hymn + II. Camp-Meeting Song + III. Corn-Shucking Song + IV. The Plough-hands Song + V. Christmas Play-Song + VI. Plantation Play-Song + VII. Transcriptions: + 1. A Plantation Chant + 2. A Plantation Serenade + VIII. De Big Bethel Church + IX. Time goes by Turns + + A Story of the War + + His Sayings + I. Jeems Rober'son's Last Illness + II. Uncle Remus's Church Experience + III. Uncle Remus and the Savannah Darkey + IV. Turnip Salad as a Text + V. A Confession + VI. Uncle Remus with the Toothache + VII. The Phonograph + VIII. Race Improvement + IX. In the Role of a Tartar + X. A Case of Measles + XI. The Emigrants + XII. As a Murderer + XIII. His Practical View of Things + XIV. That Deceitful Jug + XV. The Florida Watermelon + XVI. Uncle Remus preaches to a Convert + XVII. As to Education + XVIII. A Temperance Reformer + XIX. As a Weather Prophet + XX. The Old Man's Troubles + XXI. The Fourth of July +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LEGENDS OF THE OLD PLANTATION + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. UNCLE REMUS INITIATES THE LITTLE BOY + </h2> + <p> + One evening recently, the lady whom Uncle Remus calls "Miss Sally" missed + her little seven-year-old. Making search for him through the house and + through the yard, she heard the sound of voices in the old man's cabin, + and, looking through the window, saw the child sitting by Uncle Remus. His + head rested against the old man's arm, and he was gazing with an + expression of the most intense interest into the rough, weather-beaten + face, that beamed so kindly upon him. This is what "Miss Sally" heard: + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby, one day, atter Brer Fox bin doin' all dat he could fer ter ketch + Brer Rabbit, en Brer Rabbit bein doin' all he could fer ter keep 'im fum + it, Brer Fox say to hisse'f dat he'd put up a game on Brer Rabbit, en he + ain't mo'n got de wuds out'n his mouf twel Brer Rabbit came a lopin' up de + big road, lookin' des ez plump, en ez fat, en ez sassy ez a Moggin hoss in + a barley-patch. + </p> + <p> + "'Hol' on dar, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I ain't got time, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, sorter mendin' his + licks. + </p> + <p> + "'I wanter have some confab wid you, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'All right, Brer Fox, but you better holler fum whar you stan'. I'm + monstus full er fleas dis mawnin',' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I seed Brer B'ar yistdiddy, 'sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en he sorter rake me + over de coals kaze you en me ain't make frens en live naberly, en I tole + 'im dat I'd see you.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit scratch one year wid his off hinefoot sorter jub'usly, en + den he ups en sez, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'All a settin', Brer Fox. Spose'n you drap roun' ter-morrer en take + dinner wid me. We ain't got no great doin's at our house, but I speck de + ole 'oman en de chilluns kin sorter scramble roun' en git up sump'n fer + ter stay yo' stummick.' + </p> + <p> + "'I'm 'gree'ble, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Den I'll 'pen' on you,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Nex' day, Mr. Rabbit an' Miss Rabbit got up soom, 'fo' day, en raided on + a gyarden like Miss Sally's out dar, en got some cabbiges, en some roas'n—years, + en some sparrer-grass, en dey fix up a smashin' dinner. Bimeby one er de + little Rabbits, playin' out in de back-yard, come runnin' in hollerin', + 'Oh, ma! oh, ma! I seed Mr. Fox a comin'!' En den Brer Rabbit he tuck de + chilluns by der years en make um set down, en den him and Miss Rabbit + sorter dally roun' waitin' for Brer Fox. En dey keep on waitin' for Brer + Fox. En dey keep on waitin', but no Brer Fox ain't come. Atter 'while Brer + Rabbit goes to de do', easy like, en peep out, en dar, stickin' fum behime + de cornder, wuz de tip-een' er Brer Fox tail. Den Brer Rabbit shot de do' + en sot down, en put his paws behime his years en begin fer ter sing: + </p> + <p> + "'De place wharbouts you spill de grease, Right dar you er boun' ter + slide, An' whar you fin' a bunch er ha'r, You'll sholy fine de hide.' + </p> + <p> + "Nex' day, Brer Fox sont word by Mr. Mink, en skuze hisse'f kaze he wuz + too sick fer ter come, en he ax Brer Rabbit fer ter come en take dinner + wid him, en Brer Rabbit say he wuz 'gree'ble. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby, w'en de shadders wuz at der shortes', Brer Rabbit he sorter brush + up en sa'nter down ter Brer Fox's house, en w'en he got dar, he hear + somebody groanin', en he look in de do' an dar he see Brer Fox settin' up + in a rockin'-cheer all wrop up wid flannil, en he look mighty weak. Brer + Rabbit look all roun', he did, but he ain't see no dinner. De dish-pan wuz + settin' on de table, en close by wuz a kyarvin' knife. + </p> + <p> + "'Look like you gwineter have chicken fer dinner, Brer Fox,' sez Brer + Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Yes, Brer Rabbit, dey er nice, en fresh, en tender, 'sez Brer Fox, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit sorter pull his mustarsh, en say: 'You ain't got no + calamus root, is you, Brer Fox? I done got so now dat I can't eat no + chicken 'ceppin she's seasoned up wid calamus root.' En wid dat Brer + Rabbit lipt out er de do' and dodge 'mong the bushes, en sot dar watchin' + for Brer Fox; en he ain't watch long, nudder, kaze Brer Fox flung off de + flannil en crope out er de house en got whar he could cloze in on Brer + Rabbit, en bimeby Brer Rabbit holler out: 'Oh, Brer Fox! I'll des put yo' + calamus root out yer on dish yer stump. Better come git it while hit's + fresh,' and wid dat Brer Rabbit gallop off home. En Brer Fox ain't never + kotch 'im yit, en w'at's mo', honey, he ain't gwineter." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. THE WONDERFUL TAR BABY STORY + </h2> + <p> + "Didn't the fox never catch the rabbit, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy + the next evening. + </p> + <p> + "He come mighty nigh it, honey, sho's you born—Brer Fox did. One day + atter Brer Rabbit fool 'im wid dat calamus root, Brer Fox went ter wuk en + got 'im some tar, en mix it wid some turkentime, en fix up a contrapshun + w'at he call a Tar-Baby, en he tuck dish yer Tar-Baby en he sot 'er in de + big road, en den he lay off in de bushes fer to see what de news wuz gwine + ter be. En he didn't hatter wait long, nudder, kaze bimeby here come Brer + Rabbit pacin' down de road—lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity—dez + ez sassy ez a jay-bird. Brer Fox, he lay low. Brer Rabbit come prancin' + 'long twel he spy de Tar-Baby, en den he fotch up on his behime legs like + he wuz 'stonished. De Tar Baby, she sot dar, she did, en Brer Fox, he lay + low. + </p> + <p> + "'Mawnin'!' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee—'nice wedder dis mawnin',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Tar-Baby ain't sayin' nuthin', en Brer Fox he lay low. + </p> + <p> + "'How duz yo' sym'tums seem ter segashuate?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox, he wink his eye slow, en lay low, en de Tar-Baby, she ain't + sayin' nuthin'. + </p> + <p> + "'How you come on, den? Is you deaf?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Kaze if you + is, I kin holler louder,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + </p> + <p> + "'You er stuck up, dat's w'at you is,' says Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I'm + gwine ter kyore you, dat's w'at I'm a gwine ter do,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox, he sorter chuckle in his stummick, he did, but Tar- Baby ain't + sayin' nothin'. + </p> + <p> + "'I'm gwine ter larn you how ter talk ter 'spectubble folks ef hit's de + las' ack,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Ef you don't take off dat hat en tell + me howdy, I'm gwine ter bus' you wide open,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit keep on axin' 'im, en de Tar-Baby, she keep on sayin' + nothin', twel present'y Brer Rabbit draw back wid his fis', he did, en + blip he tuck 'er side er de head. Right dar's whar he broke his merlasses + jug. His fis' stuck, en he can't pull loose. De tar hilt 'im. But + Tar-Baby, she stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you don't lemme loose, I'll knock you agin,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, + en wid dat he fotch 'er a wipe wid de udder han', en dat stuck. Tar-Baby, + she ain't sayin' nuthin', en Brer Fox, he lay low. + </p> + <p> + "'Tu'n me loose, fo' I kick de natchul stuffin' outen you,' sez Brer + Rabbit, sezee, but de Tar-Baby, she ain't sayin' nuthin'. She des hilt on, + en de Brer Rabbit lose de use er his feet in de same way. Brer Fox, he lay + low. Den Brer Rabbit squall out dat ef de Tar-Baby don't tu'n 'im loose he + butt 'er cranksided. En den he butted, en his head got stuck. Den Brer + Fox, he sa'ntered fort', lookin' dez ez innercent ez wunner yo' mammy's + mockin'- birds. + </p> + <p> + "Howdy, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'You look sorter stuck up dis + mawnin',' sezee, en den he rolled on de groun', en laft en laft twel he + couldn't laff no mo'. 'I speck you'll take dinner wid me dis time, Brer + Rabbit. I done laid in some calamus root, en I ain't gwineter take no + skuse,' sez Brer Fox, sezee." + </p> + <p> + Here Uncle Remus paused, and drew a two-pound yam out of the ashes. + </p> + <p> + "Did the fox eat the rabbit?" asked the little boy to whom the story had + been told. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's all de fur de tale goes," replied the old man. "He mout, an den + agin he moutent. Some say Judge B'ar come 'long en loosed 'im—some + say he didn't. I hear Miss Sally callin'. You better run 'long." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. WHY MR. POSSUM LOVES PEACE + </h2> + <p> + "ONE night," said Uncle Remus—taking Miss Sally's little boy on his + knee, and stroking the child's hair thoughtfully and caressingly—"one + night Brer Possum call by fer Brer Coon, 'cordin' ter 'greement, en atter + gobblin' up a dish er fried greens en smokin' a seegyar, dey rambled fort' + fer ter see how de ballance er de settlement wuz gittin' long. Brer Coon, + he wuz one er deze yer natchul pacers, en he racked 'long same ez Mars + John's bay pony, en Brer Possum he went in a han'-gallup; en dey got over + heap er groun, mon. Brer Possum, he got his belly full er 'simmons, en + Brer Coon, he scoop up a 'bunnunce er frogs en tadpoles. Dey amble long, + dey did, des ez sociable ez a basket er kittens, twel bimeby dey hear Mr. + Dog talkin' ter hisse'f way off in de woods. + </p> + <p> + "'Spozen he runs up on us, Brer Possum, w'at you gwineter do?' sez Brer + Coon, sezee. Brer Possum sorter laugh 'round de cornders un his mouf. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, ef he come, Brer Coon, I'm gwineter stan' by you,' sez Brer Possum. + 'W'at you gwineter do?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Who? me?' sez Brer Coon. 'Ef he run up onter me, I lay I give 'im one + twis',' sezee." + </p> + <p> + "Did the dog come?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Go 'way, honey!" responded the old man, in an impressive tone. "Go way! + Mr. Dog, he come en he come a zoonin'. En he ain't wait fer ter say howdy, + nudder. He des sail inter de two un um. De ve'y fus pas he make Brer + Possum fetch a grin fum year ter year, en keel over like he wuz dead. Den + Mr. Dog, he sail inter Brer Coon, en right dar's whar he drap his money + purse, kaze Brer Coon wuz cut out fer dat kinder bizness, en he fa'rly + wipe up de face er de yeth wid 'im. You better b'leeve dat w'en Mr. Dog + got a chance to make hisse'f skase he tuck it, en w'at der wuz lef' un him + went skaddlin' thoo de woods like hit wuz shot outen a muskit. En Brer + Coon, he sorter lick his cloze inter shape en rack off, en Brer Possum, he + lay dar like he wuz dead, twel bimeby he raise up sorter keerful like, en + w'en he fine de coas' cle'r he scramble up en scamper off like sumpin' was + atter 'im." + </p> + <p> + Here Uncle Remus paused long enough to pick up a live coal of fire in his + fingers, transfer it to the palm of his hand, and thence to his clay pipe, + which he had been filling—a proceeding that was viewed by the little + boy with undisguised admiration. The old man then proceeded: + </p> + <p> + "Nex' time Brer Possum met Brer Coon, Brer Coon 'fuse ter 'spon' ter his + howdy, en dis make Brer Possum feel mighty bad, seein' ez how dey useter + make so many 'scurshuns tergedder. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at make you hol' yo' head so high, Brer Coon?' sez Brer Possum, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I ain't runnin' wid cowerds deze days,' sez Brer Coon. 'W'en I wants you + I'll sen' fer you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Possum git mighty mad. + </p> + <p> + "'Who's enny cowerd?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'You is,' sez Brer Coon, 'dat's who. I ain't soshatin' wid dem w'at lays + down on de groun' en plays dead w'en dar's a free fight gwine on,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Possum grin en laugh fit to kill hisse'f. "'Lor', Brer Coon, you + don't speck I done dat kaze I wuz 'feared, duz you?' sezee. 'W'y I want no + mo 'feared dan you is dis minnit. W'at wuz dey fer ter be skeered un?' + sezee. 'I know'd you'd git away wid Mr. Dog ef I didn't, en I des lay dar + watchin' you shake him, waitin' fer ter put in w'en de time come,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Coon tu'n up his nose. + </p> + <p> + "'Dat's a mighty likely tale,' sezee, 'w'en Mr. Dog ain't mo'n tech you + 'fo' you keel over, en lay dar stiff,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Dat's des w'at I wuz gwineter tell you 'bout; sez Brer Possum, sezee. 'I + want no mo' skeer'd dan you is right now, en' I wuz fixin' fer ter give + Mr. Dog a sample er my jaw,' sezee, 'but I'm de most ticklish chap w'at + you ever laid eyes on, en no sooner did Mr. Dog put his nose down yer + 'mong my ribs dan I got ter laughin', en I laughed twel I ain't had no use + er my lim's,' sezee, 'en it's a mussy unto Mr. Dog dat I wuz ticklish, + kaze a little mo' en I'd e't 'im up,' sezee. 'I don't mine fightin', Brer + Coon, no mo' dan you duz,' sezee, 'but I declar' ter grashus ef I kin + stan' ticklin'. Git me in a row whar dey ain't no ticklin' 'lowed, en I'm + your man, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "En down ter dis day"—continued Uncle Remus, watching the smoke from + his pipe curl upward over the little boy's head—"down ter dis day, + Brer Possum's bound ter s'render w'en you tech him in de short ribs, en + he'll laugh ef he knows he's gwineter be smashed fer it." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. HOW MR. RABBIT WAS TOO SHARP FOR MR. FOX + </h2> + <p> + "UNCLE REMUS," said the little boy one evening, when he had found the old + man with little or nothing to do, "did the fox kill and eat the rabbit + when he caught him with the Tar-Baby?" + </p> + <p> + "Law, honey, ain't I tell you 'bout dat?" replied the old darkey, + chuckling slyly. "I 'clar ter grashus I ought er tole you dat, but old man + Nod wuz ridin' on my eyeleds 'twel a leetle mo'n I'd a dis'member'd my own + name, en den on to dat here come yo mammy hollerin' atter you. + </p> + <p> + "W'at I tell you w'en I fus' begin? I tole you Brer Rabbit wuz a monstus + soon creetur; leas'ways dat's w'at I laid out fer ter tell you. Well, den, + honey, don't you go en make no udder calkalashuns, kaze in dem days Brer + Rabbit en his fambly wuz at de head er de gang w'en enny racket wuz on + han', en dar dey stayed. 'Fo' you begins fer ter wipe yo' eyes 'bout Brer + Rabbit, you wait en see whar'bouts Brer Rabbit gwineter fetch up at. But + dat's needer yer ner dar. + </p> + <p> + "W'en Brer Fox fine Brer Rabbit mixt up wid de Tar-Baby, he feel mighty + good, en he roll on de groun' en laff. Bimeby he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Well, I speck I got you dis time, Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'maybe I ain't, + but I speck I is. You been runnin' roun' here sassin' atter me a mighty + long time, but I speck you done come ter de een' er de row. You bin + cuttin' up yo' capers en bouncin''roun' in dis neighberhood ontwel you + come ter b'leeve yo'se'f de boss er de whole gang. En den you er allers + somers whar you got no bizness,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'Who ax you fer ter + come en strike up a 'quaintance wid dish yer Tar-Baby? En who stuck you up + dar whar you iz? Nobody in de roun' worl'. You des tuck en jam yo'se'f on + dat Tar-Baby widout waitin' fer enny invite,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, en dar + you is, en dar you'll stay twel I fixes up a bresh-pile and fires her up, + kaze I'm gwineter bobby-cue you dis day, sho,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit talk mighty 'umble. + </p> + <p> + "'I don't keer w'at you do wid me, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'so you don't fling + me in dat brier-patch. Roas' me, Brer Fox' sezee, 'but don't fling me in + dat brierpatch,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Hit's so much trouble fer ter kindle a fier,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'dat + I speck I'll hatter hang you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Hang me des ez high as you please, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, + 'but do fer de Lord's sake don't fling me in dat brier- patch,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I ain't got no string,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en now I speck I'll hatter + drown you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Drown me des ez deep ez you please, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, + 'but do don't fling me in dat brier-patch,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Dey ain't no water nigh,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en now I speck I'll + hatter skin you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Skin me, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'snatch out my eyeballs, + t'ar out my years by de roots, en cut off my legs,' sezee, 'but do please, + Brer Fox, don't fling me in dat brier- patch,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se Brer Fox wanter hurt Brer Rabbit bad ez he kin, so he cotch 'im by + de behime legs en slung 'im right in de middle er de brier-patch. Dar wuz + a considerbul flutter whar Brer Rabbit struck de bushes, en Brer Fox + sorter hang 'roun' fer ter see w'at wuz gwineter happen. Bimeby he hear + somebody call 'im, en way up de hill he see Brer Rabbit settin' + crosslegged on a chinkapin log koamin' de pitch outen his har wid a chip. + Den Brer Fox know dat he bin swop off mighty bad. Brer Rabbit wuz bleedzed + fer ter fling back some er his sass, en he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Bred en bawn in a brier-patch, Brer Fox—bred en bawn in a + brier-patch!' en wid dat he skip out des ez lively ez a cricket in de + embers." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. THE STORY OF THE DELUGE AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT + </h2> + <p> + "ONE time," said Uncle Remus—adjusting his spectacles so as to be + able to see how to thread a large darning-needle with which he was + patching his coat—"one time, way back yander, 'fo' you wuz bomed, + honey, en 'fo' Mars John er Miss Sally wuz bomed—way back yander + 'fo' enny un us wuz bomed, de animils en de creeturs sorter 'lecshuneer + roun' 'mong deyselves, twel at las' dey 'greed fer ter have a 'sembly. In + dem days," continued the old man, observing a look of incredulity on the + little boy's face, "in dem days creeturs had lots mo' sense dan dey got + now; let 'lone dat, dey had sense same like folks. Hit was tech en go wid + um, too, mon, en w'en dey make up der mines w'at hatter be done, 'twant + mo'n menshun'd 'fo, hit wuz done. Well, dey 'lected dat dey hatter hol' er + 'sembly fer ter sorter straighten out marters en hear de complaints, en + w'en de day come dey wuz on han'. De Lion, he wuz dar, kase he wuz de + king, en he hatter be der. De Rhynossyhoss, he wuz dar, en de Elephant, he + wuz dar, en de Cammils, en de Cows, en plum' down ter de Crawfishes, dey + wuz dar. Dey wuz all dar. En w'en de Lion shuck his mane, en tuck his seat + in de big cheer, den de sesshun begun fer ter commence. + </p> + <p> + "What did they do, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "I can't skacely call to mine 'zackly w'at dey did do, but dey spoke + speeches, en hollered, en cusst, en flung der langwidge 'roun' des like + w'en yo' daddy wuz gwineter run fer de legislater en got lef'. Howsomever, + dey 'ranged der 'fairs, en splained der bizness. Bimeby, w'ile dey wuz + 'sputin' 'longer one er nudder, de Elephant trompled on one er de + Crawfishes. Co'se w'en dat creetur put his foot down, w'atsumever's under + dar wuz boun' fer ter be squshed, en dey wa'n't nuff er dat Crawfish lef' + fer ter tell dat he'd bin dar. + </p> + <p> + "Dis make de udder Crawfishes mighty mad, en dey sorter swarmed tergedder + en draw'd up a kinder peramble wid some wharfo'es in it, en read her out + in de 'sembly. But, bless grashus! sech a racket wuz a gwine on dat nobody + ain't hear it, 'ceppin' maybe de Mud Turkle en de Spring Lizzud, en dere + enfloons wuz pow'ful lackin'. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby, w'iles de Nunicorn wuz 'sputin' wid de Lion, en w'ile de Hyener + wuz a laughin' ter hisse'f, de Elephant squshed anudder one er de + Crawfishes, en a little mo'n he'd er ruint de Mud Turkle. Den de + Crawfishes, w'at dey wuz lef' un um, swarmed tergedder en draw'd up + anudder peramble wid sum mo' wharfo'es; but dey might ez well er sung Ole + Dan Tucker ter a harrycane. De udder creeturs wuz too busy wid der fussin' + fer ter 'spon' unto de Crawfishes. So dar dey wuz, de Crawfishes, en dey + didn't know w'at minnit wuz gwineter be de nex'; en dey kep' on gittin + madder en madder en skeerder en skeerder, twel bimeby dey gun de wink ter + de Mud Turkle en de Spring Lizzud, en den dey bo'd little holes in de + groun' en went down outer sight." + </p> + <p> + "Who did, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "De Crawfishes, honey. Dey bo'd inter de groun' en kep' on bo'in twel dey + onloost de fountains er de yeth; en de waters squirt out, en riz higher en + higher twel de hills wuz kivvered, en de creeturs wuz all drownded; en all + bekaze dey let on 'mong deyselves dat dey wuz bigger dan de Crawfishes." + </p> + <p> + Then the old man blew the ashes from a smoking yam, and proceeded to + remove the peeling. + </p> + <p> + "Where was the ark, Uncle Remus?" the little boy inquired, presently. + </p> + <p> + "W'ich ark's dat?" asked the old man, in a tone of well-feigned curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "Noah's ark," replied the child. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you pester wid ole man Noah, honey. I boun' he tuck keer er dat + ark. Dat's w'at he wuz dar fer, en dat's w'at he done. Leas'ways, dat's + w'at dey tells me. But don't you bodder longer dat ark, 'ceppin' your + mammy fetches it up. Dey mout er bin two deloojes, en den agin dey + moutent. Ef dey wuz enny ark in dish yer w'at de Crawfishes brung on, I + ain't heern tell un it, en w'en dey ain't no arks 'roun', I ain't got no + time fer ter make um en put um in dar. Hit's gittin' yo' bedtime, honey." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. MR. RABBIT GROSSLY DECEIVES MR. FOX + </h2> + <p> + ONE evening when the little boy, whose nights with Uncle Remus were as + entertaining as those Arabian ones of blessed memory, had finished supper + and hurried out to sit with his venerable patron, he found the old man in + great glee. Indeed, Uncle Remus was talking and laughing to himself at + such a rate that the little boy was afraid he had company. The truth is, + Uncle Remus had heard the child coming, and, when the rosy-cheeked chap + put his head in at the door, was engaged in a monologue, the burden of + which seemed to be— + </p> + <p> + "Ole Molly Har', W'at you doin' dar, Settin' in de cornder Smokin' yo' + seegyar?" + </p> + <p> + As a matter of course this vague allusion reminded the little boy of the + fact that the wicked Fox was still in pursuit of the Rabbit, and he + immediately put his curiosity in the shape of a question. + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Remus, did the Rabbit have to go clean away when he got loose from + the Tar-Baby?" + </p> + <p> + "Bless gracious, honey, dat he didn't. Who? Him? You dunno nuthin' 'tall + 'bout Brer Rabbit ef dat's de way you puttin' 'im down. W'at he gwine 'way + fer? He moughter stayed sorter close twel de pitch rub off'n his ha'r, but + tweren't menny days 'fo' he wuz lopin' up en down de neighborhood same ez + ever, en I dunno ef he weren't mo' sassier dan befo'. + </p> + <p> + "Seem like dat de tale 'bout how he got mixt up wid de Tar-Baby got 'roun' + 'mongst de nabers. Leas'ways, Miss Meadows en de gals got win' un' it, en + de nex' time Brer Rabbit paid um a visit Miss Meadows tackled 'im 'bout + it, en de gals sot up a monstus gigglement. Brer Rabbit, he sot up des ez + cool ez a cowcumber, he did, en let em run on. + </p> + <p> + "Who was Miss Meadows, Uncle Remus?" inquired the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Don't ax me, honey. She wuz in de tale, Miss Meadows en de gals wuz, en + de tale I give you like hi't wer' gun ter me. Brer Rabbit, he sot dar, he + did, sorter lam' like, en den bimeby he cross his legs, he did, and wink + his eye slow, en up and say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Ladies, Brer Fox wuz my daddy's ridin'-hoss fer thirty year; maybe mo', + but thirty year dat I knows un,' sezee; en den he paid um his 'specks, en + tip his beaver, en march off, he did, des ez stiff en ez stuck up ez a + fire-stick. + </p> + <p> + "Nex' day, Brer Fox cum a callin', and w'en he gun fer ter laugh 'bout + Brer Rabbit, Miss Meadows en de gals, dey ups en tells 'im 'bout w'at Brer + Rabbit Say. Den Brer Fox grit his tushes sho' nuff, he did, en he look + mighty dumpy, but w'en he riz fer ter go he up en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Ladies, I ain't 'sputin' w'at you say, but I'll make Brer Rabbit chaw up + his words en spit um out right yer whar you kin see 'im,' sezee, en wid + dat off Brer Fox put. + </p> + <p> + "En w'en he got in de big road, he shuck de dew off'n his tail, en made a + straight shoot fer Brer Rabbit's house. W'en he got dar, Brer Rabbit wuz + spectin' un 'im, en de do' wuz shet fas'. Brer Fox knock. Nobody ain't + ans'er. Brer Fox knock. Nobody ans'er. Den he knock agin—blam! blam! + Den Brer Rabbit holler out mighty weak: 'Is dat you, Brer Fox? I want you + ter run en fetch de doctor. Dat bait er pusly w'at I e't dis mawnin' is + gittin' 'way wid me. Do, please, Brer Fox, run quick,' sez Brer Rabbit, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I come atter you, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'Dar's gwineter be + a party up at Miss Meadows's,' sezee. 'All de gals 'll be dere, en I + prommus' dat I'd fetch you. De gals, dey 'lowed dat hit wouldn't be no + party 'ceppin' I fotch you,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit say he wuz too sick, en Brer Fox say he wuzzent, en dar + dey had it up and down, 'sputin' en contendin'. Brer Rabbit say he can't + walk. Brer Fox say he tote 'im. Brer Rabbit say how? Brer Fox say in his + arms. Brer Rabbit say he drap 'im. Brer Fox 'low he won't. Bimeby Brer + Rabbit say he go ef Brer Fox tote 'im on his back. Brer Fox say he would. + Brer Rabbit say he can't ride widout a saddle. Brer Fox say he git de + saddle. Brer Rabbit say he can't set in saddle less he have bridle fer ter + hol' by. Brer Fox say he git de bridle. Brer Rabbit say he can't ride + widout bline bridle, kaze Brer Fox be shyin' at stumps long de road, en + fling 'im off. Brer Fox say he git bline bridle. Den Brer Rabbit say he + go. Den Brer Fox say he ride Brer Rabbit mos' up ter Miss Meadows's, en + den he could git down en walk de balance er de way. Brer Rabbit 'greed, en + den Brer Fox lipt out atter de saddle en de bridle. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se Brer Rabbit know de game dat Brer Fox wuz fixin' fer ter play, en + he 'termin' fer ter outdo 'im, en by de time he koam his ha'r en twis' his + mustarsh, en sorter rig up, yer come Brer Fox, saddle en bridle on, en + lookin' ez peart ez a circus pony. He trot up ter de do' en stan' dar + pawin' de ground en chompin' de bit same like sho 'nuff hoss, en Brer + Rabbit he mount, he did, en dey amble off. Brer Fox can't see behime wid + de bline bridle on, but bimeby he feel Brer Rabbit raise one er his foots. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Short'nin' de lef stir'p, Brer Fox,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby Brer Rabbit raise up de udder foot. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Pullin' down my pants, Brer Fox,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "All de time, bless grashus, honey, Brer Rabbit wer' puttin' on his + spurrers, en w'en dey got close to Miss Meadows's, whar Brer Rabbit wuz to + git off, en Brer Fox made a motion fer ter stan' still, Brer Rabbit slap + de spurrers into Brer Fox flanks, en you better b'leeve he got over + groun'. W'en dey got ter de house, Miss Meadows en all de gals wuz settin' + on de peazzer, en stidder stoppin' at de gate, Brer Rabbit rid on by, he + did, en den come gallopin' down de road en up ter de hoss-rack, w'ich he + hitch Brer Fox at, en den he santer inter de house, he did, en shake han's + wid de gals, en set dar, smokin' his seegyar same ez a town man. Bimeby he + draw in a long puff, en den let hit out in a cloud, en squar hisse'f back + en holler out, he did: + </p> + <p> + "'Ladies, ain't I done tell you Brer Fox wuz de ridin'-hoss fer our + fambly? He sorter losin' his gait now, but I speck I kin fetch 'im all + right in a mont' er so,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "En den Brer Rabbit sorter grin, he did, en de gals giggle, en Miss + Meadows, she praise up de pony, en dar wuz Brer Fox hitch fas' ter de + rack, en couldn't he'p hisse'f." + </p> + <p> + "Is that all, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy as the old man paused. + </p> + <p> + "Dat ain't all, honey, but 'twon't do fer ter give out too much cloff fer + ter cut one pa'r pants," replied the old man sententiously. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. MR. FOX IS AGAIN VICTIMIZED + </h2> + <p> + WHEN "Miss Sally's" little boy went to Uncle Remus the next night to hear + the conclusion of the adventure in which the Rabbit made a riding-horse of + the Fox to the great enjoyment and gratification of Miss Meadows and the + girls, he found the old man in a bad humor. + </p> + <p> + "I ain't tellin' no tales ter bad chilluns," said Uncle Remus curtly. + </p> + <p> + "But, Uncle Remus, I ain't bad," said the little boy plaintively. + </p> + <p> + "Who dat chunkin' dem chickens dis mawnin? Who dat knockin' out fokes's + eyes wid dat Yallerbammer sling des 'fo' dinner? Who dat sickin' dat + pinter puppy atter my pig? Who dat scatterin' my ingun sets? Who dat + flingin' rocks on top er my house, w'ich a little mo' en one un em would + er drap spang on my head?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, Uncle Remus, I didn't go to do it. I won't do so any more. + Please, Uncle Remus, if you will tell me, I'll run to the house and bring + you some tea-cakes." + </p> + <p> + "Seein' um's better'n hearin' tell un um, replied the old man, the + severity of his countenance relaxing somewhat; but the little boy darted + out, and in a few minutes came running back with his pockets full and his + hands full. + </p> + <p> + "I lay yo' mammy 'll 'spishun dat de rats' stummicks is widenin' in dis + neighborhood w'en she come fer ter count up 'er cakes," said Uncle Remus, + with a chuckle. "Deze," he continued, dividing the cakes into two equal + parts—"dese I'll tackle now, en dese I'll lay by fer Sunday. + </p> + <p> + "Lemme see. I mos' dis'member wharbouts Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit wuz." + </p> + <p> + "The rabbit rode the fox to Miss Meadows's, and hitched him to the + horse-rack," said the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "W'y co'se he did," said Uncle Remus. "C'ose he did. Well, Brer Rabbit rid + Brer Fox up, he did, en tied 'im to de rack, en den sot out in de peazzer + wid de gals a smokin' er his seegyar wid mo' proudness dan w'at you mos' + ever see. Dey talk, en dey sing, en dey play on de peanner, de gals did, + twel bimeby hit come time fer Brer Rabbit fer to be gwine, en he tell um + all good-by, en strut out to de hoss-rack same's ef he wuz de king er de + patter- rollers,*1 en den he mount Brer Fox en ride off. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox ain't sayin' nuthin' 'tall. He des rack off, he did, en keep his + mouf shet, en Brer Rabbit know'd der wuz bizness cookin' up fer him, en he + feel monstus skittish. Brer Fox amble on twel he git in de long lane, + outer sight er Miss Meadows's house, en den he tu'n loose, he did. He rip + en he ra'r, en he cuss, en he swar; he snort en he cavort." + </p> + <p> + "What was he doing that for, Uncle Remus?" the little boy inquired. + </p> + <p> + "He wuz tryin' fer ter fling Brer Rabbit off'n his back, bless yo' soul! + But he des might ez well er rastle wid his own shadder. Every time he hump + hisse'f Brer Rabbit slap de spurrers in 'im, en dar dey had it, up en + down. Brer Fox fa'rly to' up de groun' he did, en he jump so high en he + jump so quick dat he mighty nigh snatch his own tail off. Dey kep' on + gwine on dis way twel bimeby Brer Fox lay down en roll over, he did, en + dis sorter onsettle Brer Rabbit, but by de time Brer Fox got back on his + footses agin, Brer Rabbit wuz gwine thoo de underbresh mo' samer dan a + race-hoss. Brer Fox he lit out atter 'im, he did, en he push Brer Rabbit + so close dat it wuz 'bout all he could do fer ter git in a holler tree. + Hole too little fer Brer Fox fer ter git in, en he hatter lay down en res + en gedder his mine tergedder. + </p> + <p> + "While he wuz layin' dar, Mr. Buzzard come floppin' 'long, en seein' Brer + Fox stretch out on de groun', he lit en view de premusses. Den Mr. Buzzard + sorter shake his wing, en put his head on one side, en say to hisse'f + like, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox dead, en I so sorry,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'No I ain't dead, nudder,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'I got ole man Rabbit + pent up in yer,' sezee, 'en I'm a gwine ter git 'im dis time ef it take + twel Chris'mus,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den, atter some mo' palaver, Brer Fox make a bargain dat Mr. Buzzard wuz + ter watch de hole, en keep Brer Rabbit dar wiles Brer Fox went atter his + axe. Den Brer Fox, he lope off, he did, en Mr. Buzzard, he tuck up his + stan' at de hole. Bimeby, w'en all git still, Brer Rabbit sorter scramble + down close ter de hole, he did, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox! Oh! Brer Fox!' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox done gone, en nobody say nuthin'. Den Brer Rabbit squall out + like he wuz mad; sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'You needn't talk less you wanter,' sezee; 'I knows you er dar, en I + ain't keerin',' sezee. 'I des wanter tell you dat I wish mighty bad Brer + Tukkey Buzzard wuz here,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Mr. Buzzard try ter talk like Brer Fox: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you want wid Mr. Buzzard?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, nuthin' in 'tickler, 'cep' dere's de fattes' gray squir'l in yer dat + ever I see,' sezee, 'en ef Brer Tukkey Buzzard wuz 'roun' he'd be mighty + glad fer ter git 'im,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How Mr. Buzzard gwine ter git 'im?' sez de Buzzard, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Well, dar's a little hole roun' on de udder side er de tree,' sez Brer + Rabbit, sezee, 'en ef Brer Tukkey Buzzard wuz here so he could take up his + stan' dar,' sezee, 'I'd drive dat squir'l out,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Drive 'im out, den,' sez Mr. Buzzard, sezee, 'en I'll see dat Brer + Tukkey Buzzard gits 'im,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit kick up a racket, like he wer' drivin' sumpin' out, en + Mr. Buzzard he rush 'roun' fer ter ketch de squir'l, en Brer Rabbit, he + dash out, he did, en he des fly fer home." + </p> + <p> + At this point Uncle Remus took one of the teacakes, held his head back, + opened his mouth, dropped the cake in with a sudden motion, looked at the + little boy with an expression of astonishment, and then closed his eyes, + and begun to chew, mumbling as an accompaniment the plaintive tune of + "Don't you Grieve atter Me." + </p> + <p> + The seance was over; but, before the little boy went into the "big house," + Uncle Remus laid his rough hand tenderly on the child's shoulder, and + remarked, in a confidential tone: + </p> + <p> + "Honey, you mus' git up soon Chris'mus mawnin' en open de do'; kase I'm + gwineter bounce in on Marse John en Miss Sally, en holler 'Chris'mus gif'' + des like I useter endurin' de farmin' days fo' de war, w'en ole Miss wuz + 'live. I bound' dey don't fergit de ole nigger, nudder. W'en you hear me + callin' de pigs, honey, you des hop up en onfassen de do'. I lay I'll give + Marse John one er dese yer 'sprize parties." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +*1 Patrols. In the country districts, order was kept on the + plantations at night by the knowledge that they were liable + to be visited at any moment by the patrols. Hence a song + current among the negroes, the chorus of which was: + + "Run, nigger, run; patter-roller ketch you— + Run, nigger, run; hit's almos' day." +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. MR. FOX IS "OUTDONE" BY MR. BUZZARD + </h2> + <p> + "EF I don't run inter no mistakes," remarked Uncle Remus, as the little + boy came tripping in to see him after supper, "Mr. Tukkey Buzzard wuz + gyardin' de holler whar Brer Rabbit went in at, en w'ich he come out un." + </p> + <p> + The silence of the little boy verified the old man's recollection. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Mr. Buzzard, he feel mighty lonesome, he did, but he done prommust + Brer Fox dat he'd stay, en he 'termin' fer ter sorter hang 'roun' en jine + in de joke. En he ain't hatter wait long, nudder, kase bimeby yer come + Brer Fox gallopin' thoo de woods wid his axe on his shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "'How you speck Brer Rabbit gittin' on, Brer Buzzard?' sez Brer Fox, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, he in dar,' sez Brer Buzzard, sezee. 'He mighty still, dough. I + speck he takin' a nap,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Den I'm des in time fer ter wake im up, sez Brer Fox, sezee. En wid dat + he fling off his coat, en spit in his han's, en grab de axe. Den he draw + back en come down on de tree—pow! En eve'y time he come down wid de + axe—pow!—Mr. Buzzard, he step high, he did, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, he in dar, Brer Fox. He in dar, sho.' + </p> + <p> + "En eve'y time a chip ud fly off, Mr. Buzzard, he'd jump, en dodge, en + hol' his head sideways, he would, en holler: + </p> + <p> + "'He in dar, Brer Fox. I done heerd 'im. He in dar, sho.' + </p> + <p> + "En Brer Fox, he lammed away at dat holler tree, he did, like a man + maulin' rails, twel bimeby, atter he done got de tree mos' cut thoo, he + stop fer ter ketch his bref, en he seed Mr. Buzzard laughin' behime his + back, he did, en right den en dar, widout gwine enny fudder, Brer Fox, he + smelt a rat. But Mr. Buzzard, he keep on holler'n: + </p> + <p> + "'He in dar, Brer Fox. He in dar, sho. I done seed 'im.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Fox, he make like he peepin' up de holler, en he say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Run yer, Brer Buzzard, en look ef dis ain't Brer Rabbit's foot hanging + down yer.' + </p> + <p> + "En Mr. Buzzard, he come steppin' up, he did, same ez ef he wer treddin' + on kurkle-burs, en he stick his head in de hole; en no sooner did he done + dat dan Brer Fox grab 'im. Mr. Buzzard flap his wings, en scramble 'roun' + right smartually, he did, but 'twant no use. Brer Fox had de 'vantage er + de grip, he did, en he hilt 'im right down ter de groun'. Den Mr. Buzzard + squall out, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Lemme 'lone, Brer Fox. Tu'n me loose,' sezee; 'Brer Rabbit 'll git out. + You er gittin' close at 'im,' sezee, 'en leb'm mo' licks'll fetch 'im,' + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I'm nigher ter you, Brer Buzzard,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'dan I'll be ter + Brer Rabbit dis day,' sezee. 'W'at you fool me fer?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lemme lone, Brer Fox,' sez Mr. Buzzard, sezee; my ole 'oman waitin' fer + me. Brer Rabbit in dar,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Dar's a bunch er his fur on dat black-be'y bush,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, + 'en dat ain't de way he come,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Mr. Buzzard up'n tell Brer Fox how 'twuz, en he 'low'd, Mr. Buzzard + did, dat Brer Rabbit wuz de lowdownest w'atsizname w'at he ever run up + wid. Den Brer Fox say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Dat's needer here ner dar, Brer Buzzard,' sezee. 'I lef' you yer fer ter + watch dish yere hole, en I lef' Brer Rabbit in dar. I comes back en I + fines you at de 'ole en Brer Rabbit ain't in dar,' sezee. 'I'm gwineter + make you pay fer't. I done bin tampered wid twel plum' down ter de sap + sucker'll set on a log en sassy me. I'm gwineter fling you in a bresh-heap + en burn you up,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you fling me on der fier, Brer Fox, I'll fly 'way,' sez Mr. Buzzard, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Well, den, I'll settle yo' hash right now,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, en wid + dat he grab Mr. Buzzard by de tail, he did, en make fer ter dash 'im 'gin + de groun', but des 'bout dat time de tail fedders come out, en Mr. Buzzard + sail off like one er dese yer berloons; en ez he riz, he holler back: + </p> + <p> + "'You gimme good start, Brer Fox,' sezee, en Brer Fox sot dar en watch 'im + fly outer sight." + </p> + <p> + "But what became of the Rabbit, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you pester longer Brer Rabbit, honey, en don't you fret 'bout 'im. + You'll year whar he went en how he come out. Dish yer col' snap rastles + wid my bones, now," continued the old man, putting on his hat and picking + up his walking-stick. "Hit rastles wid me monstus, en I gotter rack 'roun' + en see if I kin run up agin some Chris'mus leavin's." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. MISS COW FALLS A VICTIM TO MR. RABBIT + </h2> + <p> + "UNCLE REMUS," said the little boy, "what became of the Rabbit after he + fooled the Buzzard, and got out of the hollow tree?" + </p> + <p> + "Who? Brer Rabbit? Bless yo' soul, honey, Brer Rabbit went skippin' long + home, he did, des ez sassy ez a jay-bird at a sparrer's nes'. He went + gallopin' 'long, he did, but he feel mighty fired out, en stiff in his + jints, en he wuz mighty nigh dead for sumpin fer ter drink, en bimeby, + w'en he got mos' home, he spied ole Miss Cow feedin' roun' in a fiel', he + did, en he 'termin' fer ter try his han' wid 'er. Brer Rabbit know mighty + well dat Miss Cow won't give 'im no milk, kaze she done 'fuse 'im mo'n + once, en w'en his ole 'oman wuz sick, at dat. But never mind dat. Brer + Rabbit sorter dance up long side er de fence, he did, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Howdy, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'W'y, howdy, Brer Rabbit,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'How you fine yo'se'f deze days, Sis Cow?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I'm sorter toler'ble, Brer Rabbit; how you come on?' sez Miss Cow, sez + she. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, I'm des toler'ble myse'f, Sis Cow; sorter linger'n' twix' a bauk en + a break-down,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How yo' fokes, Brer Rabbit?' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'Dey er des middlin', Sis Cow; how Brer Bull gittin' on?' sez Brer + Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Sorter so-so,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'Dey er some mighty nice 'simmons up dis tree, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, + sezee, 'en I'd like mighty well fer ter have some un um,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How you gwineter git um, Brer Rabbit?' sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'I 'lowed maybe dat I might ax you fer ter butt 'gin de tree, en shake + some down, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "C'ose Miss Cow don't wanter diskommerdate Brer Rabbit, en she march up + ter de 'simmon tree, she did, en hit it a rap wid 'er horns—blam! + Now, den," continued Uncle Remus, tearing off the comer of a plug of + tobacco and cramming it into his mouth—"now, den, dem 'simmons wuz + green ez grass, en na'er one never drap. Den Miss Cow butt de tree—blim! + Na'er 'simmon drap. Den Miss Cow sorter back off little, en run agin de + tree—blip! No 'simmons never drap. Den Miss Cow back off little + fudder, she did, en hi'st her tail on 'er back, en come agin de tree, + kerblam! en she come so fas', en she come so hard, twel one 'er her horns + went spang thoo de tree, en dar she wuz. She can't go forerds, en she + can't go backerds. Dis zackly w'at Brer Rabbit waitin' fer, en he no + sooner seed ole Miss Cow all fas'en'd up dan he jump up, he did, en cut de + pidjin-wing. + </p> + <p> + "'Come he'p me out, Brer Rabbit,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'I can't clime, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'but I'll run'n tell + Brer Bull,' sezee; en wid dat Brer Rabbit put out fer home, en 'twan't + long 'fo here he come wid his ole 'oman en all his chilluns, en de las' + one er de fambly wuz totin' a pail. De big uns had big pails, en de little + uns had little pails. En dey all s'roundid ole Miss Cow, dey did, en you + hear me, honey, dey milk't 'er dry. De ole uns milk't en de young uns + milk't, en den w'en dey done got nuff, Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'I wish you mighty well, Sis Cow. I 'low'd, bein's how dat you'd hatter + sorter camp out all night dat I'd better come en swaje yo' bag,' sezee." + </p> + <p> + "Do which, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Go long, honey! Swaje 'er bag. W'en cows don't git milk't, der bag + swells, en you k'n hear um a moanin' en a beller'n des like dey wuz + gittin' hurtid. Dat's w'at Brer Rabbit done. He 'sembled his fambly, he + did, en he swaje ole Miss Cow's bag. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Cow, she stood dar, she did, en she study en study, en strive fer + ter break loose, but de horn done bin jam in de tree so tight dat twuz way + 'fo day in de mornin' 'fo' she loose it. Anyhow hit wuz endurin' er de + night, en atter she git loose she sorter graze 'roun', she did, fer ter + jestify 'er stummuck she low'd, ole Miss Cow did, dat Brer Rabbit be + hoppin' long dat way fer ter see how she gittin' on, en she tuck'n lay er + trap fer 'im; en des 'bout sunrise w'at'd ole Miss Cow do but march up ter + de 'simmon tree en stick er horn back in de hole? But, bless yo' soul, + honey, w'ile she wuz croppin' de grass she tuck one mou'ful too menny, + kaze w'en she hitch on ter de 'simmon tree agin, Brer Rabbit wuz settin' + in de fence cornder a watchin' un 'er. Den Brer Rabbit he say ter hisse'f: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo,' sezee, 'w'at dis yer gwine on now? Hol' yo' hosses, Sis Cow, twel + you hear me comin',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "En den he crope off down de fence, Brer Rabbit did, en bimeby here he + come—lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity—des a sailin' down de + big road. + </p> + <p> + "'Mornin', Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'bow you come on dis + mornin'?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Po'ly, Brer Rabbit, poly,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. 'I ain't had no res' + all night,' sez she. 'I can't pull loose,' sez she, 'but ef you'll come en + ketch holt er my tail, Brer Rabbit,' sez she, 'I reckin may be I kin fetch + my horn out,' sez she. Den Brer Rabbit, he come up little closer, but he + ain't gittin' too close. + </p> + <p> + "'I speck I'm nigh nuff, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'I'm a mighty + puny man, en I might git trompled,' sezee. 'You do de pullin', Sis Cow,' + sezee, en I'll do de gruntin,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Miss Cow, she pull out 'er horn, she did, en tuck atter Brer Rabbit, + en down de big road dey had it, Brer Rabbit wid his years laid back, en + Miss Cow wid 'er head down en 'er tail curl. Brer Rabbit kep' on gainin', + en bimeby he dart in a brier-patch, en by de time Miss Cow come long he + had his head stickin' out, en his eyes look big ez Miss Sally's chany + sassers. + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Sis Cow! whar you gwine?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Howdy, Brer Big-Eyes,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. 'Is you seed Brer Rabbit + go by?' + </p> + <p> + "'He des dis minit pass,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en he look mighty + sick,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "En wid dat, Miss Cow tuck down de road like de dogs wuz atter er, en Brer + Rabbit, he des lay down dar in de brier-patch en roll en laugh twel his + sides hurtid 'im. He bleedzd ter laff. Fox atter 'im, Buzzard atter 'im, + en Cow atter 'im, en dey ain't kotch 'im yet." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X. MR. TERRAPIN APPEARS UPON THE SCENE + </h2> + <p> + "MISS SALLY'S" little boy again occupying the anxious position of auditor, + Uncle Remus took the shovel and "put de noses er de chunks tergedder," as + he expressed it, and then began: + </p> + <p> + "One day, atter Sis Cow done run pas' 'er own shadder tryin' fer ter ketch + 'im. Brer Rabbit tuck'n 'low dat he wuz gwineter drap in en see Miss + Meadows en de gals, en he got out his piece er lookin'-glass en primp up, + he did, en sot out. Gwine canterin' long de road, who should Brer Rabbit + run up wid but ole Brer Tarrypin—de same ole one-en-sixpunce. Brer + Rabbit stop, he did, en rap on de roof er Brer Tarrypin house." + </p> + <p> + "On the roof of his house, Uncle Remus?" interrupted the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se honey, Brer Tarrypin kyar his house wid 'im. Rain er shine, hot er + col', strike up wid ole Brer Tarrypin w'en you will en w'ilst you may, en + whar you fine 'im, dar you'll fine his shanty. Hit's des like I tell you. + So den! Brer Rabbit he rap on de roof er Brer Tarrypin's house, he did, en + ax wuz he in, en Brer Tarrypin 'low dat he wuz, en den Brer Rabbit, he ax + 'im howdy, en den Brer Tarrypin he likewise 'spon' howdy, en den Brer + Rabbit he say whar wuz Brer Tarrypin gwine, en Brer Tarrypin, he say w'ich + he wern't gwine nowhar skasely. Den Brer Rabbit 'low he wuz on his way fer + ter see Miss Meadows en de gals, en he ax Brer Tarrypin ef he won't jine + in en go long, en Brer Tarrypin 'spon' he don't keer ef he do, en den dey + sot out. Dey had plenty er time fer confabbin' 'long de way, but bimeby + dey got dar, en Miss Meadows en de gals dey come ter de do', dey did, en + ax um in, en in dey went. + </p> + <p> + "W'en dey got in, Brer Tarrypin wuz so flat-footed dat he wuz too low on + de flo', en he wern't high nuff in a cheer, but while dey wuz all + scrambling' 'roun' tryin' fer ter git Brer Tarrypin a cheer, Brer Rabbit, + he pick 'im up en put 'im on de shelf whar de water-bucket sot, en ole + Brer Tarrypin, he lay back up dar, he did, des es proud ez a nigger wid a + cook possum. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se de talk fell on Brer Fox, en Miss Meadows en de gals make a great + 'miration 'bout w'at a gaily ridin'-hoss Brer Fox wuz, en dey make lots er + fun, en laugh en giggle same like gals duz deze days. Brer Rabbit, he sot + dar in de cheer smokin' his seegyar, en he sorter cle'r up his th'oat, en + say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "I'd er rid 'im over dis mawnin', ladies,' sezee, but I rid 'im so hard + yistiddy dat he went lame in de off fo' leg, en I speck I'll hatter swop + 'im off yit,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Tarrypin, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Well, ef you gwineter sell 'im, Brer Rabbit,' sezee, 'sell him some'rs + out'n dis naberhood, kase he done bin yer too long now,' sezee. 'No + longer'n day 'fo' yistiddy,' sezee, 'Brer Fox pass me on de road, en + whatter you reckin he say?' sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Law, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Miss Meadows, sez she, 'you don't mean ter say + he cusst?' sez she, en den de gals hilt der fans up 'fo' der faces. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, no, ma'am,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'he didn't cusst, but he + holler out—"Heyo, Stinkin' Jim!"' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, my! You hear dat, gals?' sez Miss Meadows, sez she; 'Brer Fox call + Brer Tarrypin Stinkin' Jim,' sez she, en den Miss Meadows en de gals make + great wonderment how Brer Fox kin talk dat a way 'bout nice man like Brer + Tarrypin. + </p> + <p> + "But bless grashus, honey! w'ilst all dis gwine on, Brer Fox wuz stannin' + at de back do' wid one year at de cat-hole lissenin'. Eave-drappers don't + hear no good er deyse'f, en de way Brer Fox wuz 'bused dat day wuz a + caution. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby Brer Fox stick his head in de do', en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Good evenin', fokes, I wish you mighty well,' sezee, en wid dat he make + a dash for Brer Rabbit, but Miss Meadows en de gals dey holler en squall, + dey did, en Brer Tarrypin he got ter scramblin' roun' up dar on de shelf, + en off he come, en blip he tuck Brer Fox on de back er de head. Dis sorter + stunted Brer Fox, en w'en he gedder his 'membunce de mos' he seed wuz a + pot er greens turnt over in de fireplace, en a broke cheer. Brer Rabbit + wuz gone, en Brer Tarrypin wuz gone, en Miss Meadows en de gals wuz gone. + </p> + <p> + "Where did the Rabbit go, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, after a + pause. + </p> + <p> + "Bless yo' soul, honey! Brer Rabbit he skint up de chimbly—dat's + w'at turnt de pot er greens over. Brer Tarrypin, he crope under de bed, he + did, en got behime de cloze-chist, en Miss Meadows en de gals, dey run out + in de yard. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox, he sorter look roun' en feel or de back er his head, whar Brer + Tarrypin lit, but he don't see no sine er Brer Rabbit. But de smoke en de + ashes gwine up de chimbly got de best er Brer Rabbit, en bimeby he sneeze—huckychow! + </p> + <p> + "'Aha!' sez Brer Fox, sezee; 'you er dar, is you?' sezee. 'Well, I'm + gwineter smoke you out, ef it takes a mont'. You er mine dis time,' sezee. + Brer Rabbit ain't Sayin' nuthin'. + </p> + <p> + "'Ain't you comin' down?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. Brer Rabbit ain't sayin' + nuthin'. Den Brer Fox, he went out atter some wood, he did, en w'en he + come back he hear Brer Rabbit laughin'. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you laughin' at, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Can't tell you, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Better tell, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't nuthin' but a box er money somebody done gone en lef' up yer in + de chink er de chimbly,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Don't b'leeve you,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Look up en see,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, en w'en Brer Fox look up, Brer + Rabbit spit his eyes full er terbacker joose, he did, en Brer Fox, he make + a break fer de branch, en Brer Rabbit he come down en tole de ladies + good-by. + </p> + <p> + "'How you git 'im off, Brer Rabbit?' sez Miss Meadows, sez she. + </p> + <p> + "'Who? me?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'w'y I des tuck en tole 'im dat ef he + didn't go 'long home en stop playin' his pranks on spectubble fokes, dat + I'd take 'im out and th'ash 'im,' sezee." + </p> + <p> + "And what became of the Terrapin?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well den!" exclaimed the old man, "chilluns can't speck ter know all + 'bout eve'ything 'fo' dey git some res'. Dem eyelids er yone wanter be + propped wid straws dis minnit." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI. MR. WOLF MAKES A FAILURE + </h2> + <p> + "I LAY yo' ma got comp'ny," said Uncle Remus, as the little boy entered + the old man's door with a huge piece of mince-pie in his hand, 'en ef she + ain't got comp'ny, den she done gone en drap de cubberd key som'ers whar + you done run up wid it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I saw the pie lying there, Uncle Remus, and I just thought I'd + fetch it out to you." + </p> + <p> + "Tooby sho, honey," replied the old man, regarding the child with + admiration. "Tooby sho, honey; dat changes marters. Chris'mus doin's is + outer date, en dey ain't got no bizness layin' roun' loose. Dish yer pie," + Uncle Remus continued, holding it up and measuring it with an experienced + eye, "will gimme strenk fer ter persoo on atter Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit en + de udder creeturs w'at dey roped in 'long wid um." + </p> + <p> + Here the old man paused, and proceeded to demolish the pie—a feat + accomplished in a very short time. Then he wiped the crumbs from his beard + and began: + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox feel so bad, en he git so mad 'bout Brer Rabbit, dat he dunner + w'at ter do, en he look mighty down-hearted. Bimeby, one day wiles he wuz + gwine 'long de road, old Brer Wolf come up wid 'im. W'en dey done howdyin' + en axin' atter one nudder's fambly connexshun, Brer Wolf, he 'low, he did, + dat der wuz sump'n wrong wid Brer Fox, en Brer Fox, he 'low'd der wern't, + en he went on en laugh en make great terdo kaze Brer Wolf look like he + spishun sump'n. But Brer Wolf, he got mighty long head, en he sorter + broach 'bout Brer Rabbit's kyar'ns on, kaze de way dat Brer Rabbit 'ceive + Brer Fox done got ter be de talk er de naberhood. Den Brer Fox en Brer + Wolf dey sorter palavered on, dey did, twel bimeby Brer Wolf he up'n say + dat he done got plan fix fer ter trap Brer Rabbit. Den Brer Fox say how. + Den Brer Wolf up'n tell 'im dat de way fer ter git de drap on Brer Rabbit + wuz ter git 'im in Brer Fox house. Brer Fox dun know Brer Rabbit uv ole, + en he know dat sorter game done wo' ter a frazzle, but Brer Wolf, he talk + mighty 'swadin'. + </p> + <p> + "'How you gwine git 'im dar?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Fool 'im dar,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Who gwine do de foolin'?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I'll do de foolin',' sez Brer Wolf, sezee, 'ef you'll do de gamin',' + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How you gwine do it?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'You run 'long home, en git on de bed, en make like you dead, en don't + you say nothin' twel Brer Rabbit come en put his han's onter you,' sez + Brer Wolf, sezee, 'en ef we don't git 'im fer supper, Joe's dead en Sal's + a widder,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Dis look like mighty nice game, en Brer Fox 'greed. So den he amble off + home, en Brer Wolf, he march off ter Brer Rabbit house. W'en he got dar, + hit look like nobody at home, but Brer Wolf he walk up en knock on de do'—blam! + blam! Nobody come. Den he lam aloose en knock 'gin—blim! blim! + </p> + <p> + "'Who dar?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Fr'en',' sez Brer Wolf. + </p> + <p> + "'Too menny fr'en's spiles de dinner,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'w'ich un's + dis?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I fetch bad news, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Bad news is soon tole,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "By dis time Brer Rabbit done come ter de do', wid his head tied up in a + red hankcher. + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox died dis mornin',' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Whar yo' mo'nin' gown, Brer Wolf?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Gwine atter it now,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. 'I des call by fer ter bring + de news. I went down ter Brer Fox house little bit 'go, en dar I foun' 'im + stiff,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Wolf lope off. Brer Rabbit sot down en scratch his head, he did, + en bimeby he say ter hisse'f dat he b'leeve he sorter drap 'roun' by Brer + Fox house fer ter see how de lan' lay. No sooner said'n done. Up he jump, + en out he went. W'en Brer Rabbit got close ter Brer Fox house, all look + lonesome. Den he went up nigher. Nobody stirrin'. Den he look in, en dar + lay Brer Fox stretch out on de bed des es big ez life. Den Brer Rabbit + make like he talkin' to hisse'f. + </p> + <p> + "'Nobody 'roun' fer ter look atter Brer Fox—not even Brer Tukkey + Buzzard ain't come ter de funer'l,' sezee. 'I hope Brer Fox ain't dead, + but I speck he is,' sezee. 'Even down ter Brer Wolf done gone en lef' 'im. + Hit's de busy season wid me, but I'll set up wid 'im. He seem like he + dead, yit he mayn't be,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'W'en a man go ter see + dead fokes, dead fokes allers raises up der behime leg en hollers, wahoo!' + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox he stay still. Den Brer Rabbit he talk little louder: + </p> + <p> + "'Mighty funny. Brer Fox look like he dead, yit he don't do like he dead. + Dead fokes hists der behime leg en hollers wahoo! w'en a man come ter see + um, sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Sho' nuff, Brer Fox lif' up his foot en holler wahoo! en Brer Rabbit he + tear out de house like de dogs wuz atter 'im. Brer Wolf mighty smart, but + nex' time you hear fum 'im, honey, he'll be in trouble. You des hol' yo' + breff'n wait." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII. MR. FOX TACKLES OLD MAN TARRYPIN + </h2> + <p> + "ONE day," said Uncle Remus, sharpening his knife on the palm of his hand—"one + day Brer Fox strike up wid Brer Tarrypin right in de middle er de big + road. Brer Tarrypin done heerd 'im comin', en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he'd + sorter keep one eye open; but Brer Fox wuz monstus perlite, en he open up + de confab, he did, like he ain't see Brer Tarrypin sence de las' freshit. + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Brer Tarrypin, whar you bin dis long-come-short?' sez Brer Fox, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lounjun 'roun', Brer Fox, lounjun 'roun',' sez Brer Tarrypin. + </p> + <p> + "'You don't look sprucy like you did, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lounjun 'roun' en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den de talk sorter run on like dis: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at ail you, Brer Tarrypin? Yo' eye look mighty red,' sez Brer Fox, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is. You ain't bin lounjun 'roun' + en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Bofe eyes red, en you look like you mighty weak, Brer Tarrypin,' sez + Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at ail you now, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Tuck a walk de udder day, en man come long en sot de fiel' a-fier. Lor', + Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How you git out de fier, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Sot en tuck it, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. 'Sot en tuck it, en + de smoke sif' in my eye, en de fier scorch my back,' sez Brer Tarrypin, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Likewise hit bu'n yo' tail off,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, no, dar's de tail, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, en wid dat + he oncurl his tail fum under de shell, en no sooner did he do dat dan Brer + Fox grab it, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, yes, Brer Tarrypin! Oh, yes! En so you er de man w'at lam me on de + head at Miss Meadows's is you? You er in wid Brer Rabbit, is you? Well, + I'm gwineter out you.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Tarrypin beg en beg, but 'twan't no use. Brer Fox done been fool so + much dat he look like he termin' fer ter have Brer Tarrypin haslett. Den + Brer Tarrypin beg Brer Fox not fer ter drown 'im, but Brer Fox ain't + makin' no prommus, en den he beg Brer Fox fer ter bu'n' 'im, kase he done + useter fier, but Brer Fox don't say nuthin'. Bimeby Brer Fox drag Brer + Tarrypin off little ways b'low de spring-'ouse, en souze him under de + water. Den Brer Tarrypin begin fer ter holler: + </p> + <p> + "'Tu'n loose dat stump root en ketch holt er me—tu'n loose dat stump + root en ketch holt er me.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox he holler back: + </p> + <p> + "'I ain't got holt er no stump root, en I is got holt er you.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Tarrypin he keep on holler'n: + </p> + <p> + "'Ketch holt er me—I'm a drownin'—I'm a drownin'—tu'n + loose de stump root en ketch holt er me.' + </p> + <p> + "Sho nuff, Brer Fox tu'n loose de tail, en Brer Tarrypin, he went down ter + de bottom—kerblunkity-blink!" + </p> + <p> + No typographical combination or description could do justice to the + guttural sonorousness—the peculiar intonation—which Uncle + Remus imparted to this combination. It was so peculiar, indeed, that the + little boy asked: + </p> + <p> + "How did he go to the bottom, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Kerblunkity-blink!" + </p> + <p> + "Was he drowned, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Who? Ole man Tarrypin? Is you drowndid w'en yo' ma tucks you in de bed?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, no," replied the little boy, dubiously. + </p> + <p> + "Ole man Tarrypin 'wuz at home I tell you, honey. Kerblinkity- blunk!" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII. THE AWFUL FATE OF MR. WOLF + </h2> + <p> + UNCLE REMUS was half-soling one of his shoes, and his Miss Sally's little + boy had been handling his awls, his hammers, and his knives to such an + extent that the old man was compelled to assume a threatening attitude; + but peace reigned again, and the little boy perched himself on a chair, + watching Uncle Remus driving in pegs. + </p> + <p> + "Folks w'at's allers pesterin' people, en bodderin' 'longer dat w'at ain't + der'n, don't never come ter no good een'. Dar wuz Brer Wolf; stidder + mindin' un his own bizness, he hatter take en go in pardnerships wid Brer + Fox, en dey want skacely a minnit in de day dat he want atter Brer Rabbit, + en he kep' on en kep' on twel fus' news you knowed he got kotch up wid—en + he got kotch up wid monstus bad." + </p> + <p> + "Goodness, Uncle Remus! I thought the Wolf let the Rabbit alone, after he + tried to fool him about the Fox being dead." + </p> + <p> + "Better lemme tell dish yer my way. Bimeby hit'll be yo' bed time, en Miss + Sally'll be a hollerin' atter you, en you'll be a whimplin' roun', en den + Mars John'll fetch up de re'r wid dat ar strop w'at I made fer im." + </p> + <p> + The child laughed, and playfully shook his fist in the simple, serious + face of the venerable old darkey, but said no more. Uncle Remus waited + awhile to be sure there was to be no other demonstration, and then + proceeded: + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit ain't see no peace w'atsumever. He can't leave home 'cep' + Brer Wolf 'ud make a raid en tote off some er de fambly. Brer Rabbit b'ilt + 'im a straw house, en hit wuz tored down; den he made a house out'n + pine-tops, en dat went de same way; den he made 'im a bark house, en dat + wuz raided on, en eve'y time he los' a house he los' one er his chilluns. + Las' Brer Rabbit got mad, he did, en cusst, en den he went off, he did, en + got some kyarpinters, en dey b'ilt 'im a plank house wid rock foundashuns. + Atter dat he could have some peace en quietness. He could go out en pass + de time er day 'wid his neighbors, en come back en set by de fier, en + smoke his pipe, en read de newspapers same like enny man w'at got a + fambly. He made a hole, he did, in de cellar whar de little Rabbits could + hide out w'en dar wuz much uv a racket in de neighborhood, en de latch er + de front do' kotch on de inside. Brer Wolf, he see how de lan' lay, he + did, en he lay low. De little Rabbits was mighty skittish, but hit got so + dat col' chills ain't run up Brer Rabbit's back no mo' w'en he heerd Brer + Wolf go gallopin' by. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby, one day w'en Brer Rabbit wuz fixin' fer ter call on Miss Coon, he + heerd a monstrus fuss en clatter up de big road, en 'mos' 'fo' he could + fix his years fer ter lissen, Brer Wolf run in de do'. De little Rabbits + dey went inter dere hole in de cellar, dey did, like blowin' out a cannle. + Brer Wolf Wuz far'ly kivver'd wid mud, en mighty nigh outer win'. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, do pray save me, Brer Rabbit!' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. 'Do please, + Brer Rabbit! de dogs is atter me, en dey 'll t'ar me up. Don't you year um + comin'? Oh, do please save me, Brer Rabbit! Hide me some'rs whar de dogs + won't git me.' + </p> + <p> + "No quicker sed dan done. + </p> + <p> + "'Jump in dat big chist dar, Brer Wolf,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'jump in + dar en make yo'se'f at home.' + </p> + <p> + "In jump Brer Wolf, down come the led, en inter de hasp went de hook, en + dar Mr. Wolf wuz. Den Brer Rabbit went ter de lookin'- glass, he did, en + wink at hisse'f, en den he draw'd de rockin'- cheer in front er de fier, + he did, en tuck a big chaw terbacker." + </p> + <p> + "Tobacco, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, incredulously. + </p> + <p> + "Rabbit terbacker, honey. You know dis yer life ev'lastin' w'at Miss Sally + puts 'mong de cloze in de trunk; well, dat's rabbit terbacker. Den Brer + Rabbit sot dar long time, he did, turnin' his mine over en wukken his + thinkin' masheen. Bimeby he got up, en sorter stir 'roun'. Den Brer Wolf + open up: + </p> + <p> + "'Is de dogs all gone, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'Seem like I hear one un um smellin' roun' de chimbly-cornder des now.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit git de kittle en fill it full er water, en put it on de + fier. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'I'm fixin fer ter make you a nice cup er tea, Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit went ter de cubberd en git de gimlet, en commence for ter + bo' little holes in de chist-lid. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'I'm bo'in' little holes so you kin get bref, Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit went out en git some mo' wood, en fling it on de fier. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'I'm a chunkin' up de fier so you won't git col', Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit went down inter de cellar en fotch out all his chilluns. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'I'm a tellin' my chilluns w'at a nice man you is, Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "En de chilluns, dey had ter put der han's on der moufs fer ter keep fum + laffin'. Den Brer Rabbit he got de kittle en commenced fer to po' de hot + water on de chist-lid. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at dat I hear, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'You hear de win' a blowin', Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "Den de water begin fer ter sif' thoo. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at dat I feel, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'You feels de fleas a bitin', Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "'Dey er bitin' mighty hard, Brer Rabbit.' + </p> + <p> + "'Tu'n over on de udder side, Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "'W'at dat I feel now, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'Still you feels de fleas, Brer Wolf.' + </p> + <p> + "'Dey er eatin' me up, Brer Rabbit,' en dem wuz de las words er Brer Wolf, + kase de scaldin' water done de bizness. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit call in his neighbors, he did, en dey hilt a reg'lar + juberlee; en ef you go ter Brer Rabbit's house right now, I dunno but w'at + you'll fine Brer Wolfs hide hangin' in de back- po'ch, en all bekaze he + wuz so bizzy wid udder fo'kses doin's." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIV. MR. FOX AND THE DECEITFUL FROGS + </h2> + <p> + WHEN the little boy ran in to see Uncle Remus the night after he had told + him of the awful fate of Brer Wolf, the only response to his greeting was: + </p> + <p> + "I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!" + </p> + <p> + No explanation could convey an adequate idea of the intonation and + pronunciation which Uncle Remus brought to bear upon this wonderful word. + Those who can recall to mind the peculiar gurgling, jerking, liquid sound + made by pouring water from a large jug, or the sound produced by throwing + several stones in rapid succession into a pond of deep water, may be able + to form a very faint idea of the sound, but it can not be reproduced in + print. The little boy was astonished. + </p> + <p> + "What did you say, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! I-doom-er-ker-kum mer-ker!" + </p> + <p> + "What is that?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's Tarrypin talk, dat is. Bless yo' soul, honey," continued the old + man, brightening up, "w'en you git ole ez me—w'en you see w'at I + sees, en year w'at I years—de creeturs dat you can't talk wid'll be + mighty skase—dey will dat. W'y, der's er old gray rat w'at uses + 'bout yer, en time atter time he comes out w'en you all done gone ter bed + en sets up dar in de cornder en dozes, en me en him talks by de 'our; en + w'at dat old rat dunno ain't down in de spellin' book. Des now, w'en you + run in and broke me up, I wuz fetchin' into my mine w'at Brer Tarrypin say + ter Brer Fox w'en he turn 'im loose in de branch." + </p> + <p> + "What did he say, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat w'at he said—I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! Brer Tarrypin wuz at de + bottom er de pon', en he talk back, he did, in bubbles—I- + doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! Brer Fox, he ain't sayin' nuthin', but Brer + Bull-Frog, settin' on de bank, he hear Brer Tarrypin, he did, en he holler + back: + </p> + <p> + "Jug-er-rum-kum-dum! Jug-er-rum-kum-dum!' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Frog holler out: 'Knee-deep! Knee-deep!' + </p> + <p> + "Den ole Brer Bull-Frog, he holler back: 'Don'-you-ber-lieve-'im! + Don't-you-ber-lieve-'im!' + </p> + <p> + "Den de bubbles come up fum Brer Tarrypin: 'I-doom-er-ker-kum- mer-ker!' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Frog sing out: 'Wade in! Wade in!' + </p> + <p> + "Den ole Brer Bull-Frog talk thoo his ho'seness: 'Dar-you'll- + fine-yo'-brudder! Dar-you'll-fine-yo'-brudder!' + </p> + <p> + "Sho nuff, Brer Fox look over de bank, he did, en dar wuz n'er Fox lookin' + at 'im outer de water. Den he retch out fer ter shake han's, en in he + went, heels over head, en Brer Tarrypin bubble out: + </p> + <p> + "'I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!"' + </p> + <p> + "Was the Fox drowned, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "He weren't zackly drowndid, honey," replied the old man, With an air of + cautious reserve. "He did manage fer ter scramble out, but a little mo' en + de Mud Turkle would er got 'im, en den he'd er bin made hash un worl' + widout een'." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XV. MR. FOX GOES A-HUNTING, BUT MR. RABBIT BAGS THE GAME + </h2> + <p> + "ATTER Brer Fox hear 'bout how Brer Rabbit done Brer Wolf," said Uncle + Remus, scratching his head with the point of his awl, 'he 'low, he did, + dat he better not be so brash, en he sorter let Brer Rabbit 'lone. Dey wuz + all time seein' one nudder, en 'bunnunce er times Brer Fox could er nab + Brer Rabbit, but eve'y time he got de chance, his mine 'ud sorter rezume + 'bout Brer Wolf, en he let Brer Rabbit 'lone. Bimeby dey 'gun ter git + kinder familious wid wunner nudder like dey useter, en it got so Brer + Fox'd call on Brer Rabbit, en dey'd set up en smoke der pipes, dey would, + like no ha'sh feelin's 'd ever rested 'twixt um. + </p> + <p> + "Las', one day Brer Fox come 'long all rig out, en ax Brer Rabbit fer ter + go huntin' wid 'im, but Brer Rabbit, he sorter feel lazy, en he tell Brer + Fox dat he got some udder fish fer ter fry. Brer Fox feel mighty sorry, he + did, but he say he bleeve he try his han' enny how, en off he put. He wuz + gone all day, en he had a monstus streak er luck, Brer Fox did, en he + bagged a sight er game. Bimeby, to'rds de shank er de evenin', Brer Rabbit + sorter stretch hisse'f, he did, en 'low hit's mos' time fer Brer Fox fer + ter git 'long home. Den Brer Rabbit, he went'n mounted a stump fer ter see + ef he could year Brer Fox comin'. He ain't bin dar long, twel sho' enuff, + yer come Brer Fox thoo de woods, singing like a nigger at a frolic. Brer + Rabbit, he lipt down off'n de stump, he did, en lay down in de road en + make like he dead. Brer Fox he come 'long, he did, en see Brer Rabbit + layin' dar. He tu'n 'im over, he did, en 'zamine 'im, en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Dish yer rabbit dead. He look like he bin dead long time. He dead, but + he mighty fat. He de fattes' rabbit w'at I ever see, but he bin dead too + long. I feard ter take 'im home,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit ain't sayin' nuthin'. Brer Fox, he sorter lick his chops, but + he went on en lef' Brer Rabbit layin' in de road. Dreckly he wuz outer + sight, Brer Rabbit, he jump up, he did, en run roun' thoo de Woods en git + befo Brer Fox agin. Brer Fox, he come up, en dar lay Brer Rabbit, + periently col' en stiff. Brer Fox, he look at Brer Rabbit, en he sorter + study. Atter while he onslung his game-bag, en say ter hisse'f, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Deze yer rabbits gwine ter was'e. I'll des 'bout leave my game yer, en + I'll go back'n git dat udder rabbit, en I'll make fokes b'leeve dat I'm + ole man Hunter fum Huntsville,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "En wid dat he drapt his game en loped back up de road atter de udder + rabbit, en w'en he got outer sight, ole Brer Rabbit, he snatch up Brer Fox + game en put out fer home. Nex' time he see Brer Fox he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'What you kill de udder day, Brer Fox?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Fox, he sorter koam his flank wid his tongue, en holler back: + </p> + <p> + "'I kotch a han'ful er hard sense, Brer Rabbit,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den ole Brer Rabbit, he laff, he did, en up en 'spon', sezee: 'Ef I'd a + know'd you wuz atter dat, Brer Fox, I'd a loant you some er mine,' sezee." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVI. OLD MR. RABBIT, HE'S A GOOD FISHERMAN + </h2> + <p> + "BRER RABBIT en Brer Fox wuz like some chilluns w'at I knows un," said + Uncle Remus, regarding the little boy, who had come to hear another story, + with an affectation of great solemnity. "Bofe un um wuz allers atter + wunner nudder, a prankin' en a pesterin' 'roun', but Brer Rabbit did had + some peace, kaze Brer Fox done got skittish 'bout puttin' de clamps on + Brer Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + "One day, w'en Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Coon, en Brer B'ar, en a + whole lot un um wuz clearin' up a new groun' fer ter plant a roas'n'-year + patch, de sun gun ter git sorter hot, en Brer Rabbit he got tired; but he + didn't let on, kaze he fear'd de balance un um'd call 'im lazy, en he keep + on totin' off trash en pilin' up bresh, twel bimeby he holler out dat he + gotter brier in his han', en den he take'n slip off, en hunt fer cool + place fer ter res'. Atter w'ile he come crosst a well wid a bucket hangin' + in it. + </p> + <p> + "'Dat look cool,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en cool I speck she is. I'll + des 'bout git in dar en take a nap,' en wid dat in he jump, he did, en he + ain't no sooner fix hisse'f dan de bucket 'gun ter go down." + </p> + <p> + "Wasn't the Rabbit scared, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Honey, dey ain't been no wusser skeer'd beas' sence de worl' begin dan + dish yer same Brer Rabbit. He fa'rly had a agur. He know whar he cum fum, + but he dunner whar he gwine. Dreckly he feel de bucket hit de water, en + dar she sot, but Brer Rabbit he keep mighty still, kaze he dunner w'at + minnit gwineter be de nex'. He des lay dar en shuck en shiver. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox allers got one eye on Brer Rabbit, en w'en he slip off fum de + new groun', Brer Fox he sneak atter 'im. He know Brer Rabbit wuz atter + some projick er nudder, en he tuck'n crope off, he did, en watch 'im. Brer + Fox see Brer Rabbit come to de well en stop, en den he see 'im jump in de + bucket, en den, lo en behol's, he see 'im go down outer sight. Brer Fox + wuz de mos' 'stonish Fox dat you ever laid eyes on. He sot off dar in de + bushes en study en study, but he don't make no head ner tails ter dis + kinder bizness. Den he say ter hisse'f, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Well, ef dis don't bang my times,' sezee, 'den Joe's dead en Sal's a + widder. Right down dar in dat well Brer Rabbit keep his money hid, en ef + 'tain't dat den he done gone en 'skiver'd a gole-mine, en ef 'tain't dat, + den I'm a gwineter see w'at's in dar,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox crope up little nigher, he did, en lissen, but he don't year no + fuss, en he keep on gittin' nigher, en yit he don't year nuthin'. Bimeby + he git up close en peep down, but he don't see nuthin' en he don't year + nuthin'. All dis time Brer Rabbit mighty nigh skeer'd outen his skin, en + he fear'd fer ter move kaze de bucket might keel over en spill him out in + de water. W'ile he sayin' his pra'rs over like a train er kyars runnin', + ole Brer Fox holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! Who you wizzitin' down dar?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Who? Me? Oh, I'm des a fishin', Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'I + des say ter myse'f dat I'd sorter sprize you all wid a mess er fishes fer + dinner, en so here I is, en dar's de fishes. I'm a fishin' fer suckers, + Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Is dey many un um down dar, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Lots un um, Brer Fox; scoze en scoze un um. De water is natchully 'live + wid um. Come down en he'p me haul um in, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'How I gwineter git down, Brer Rabbit?' + </p> + <p> + "'Jump inter de bucket, Brer Fox. Hit'll fetch you down all safe en + soun'.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit talk so happy en talk so sweet dat Brer Fox he jump in de + bucket, he did, en, ez he went down, co'se his weight pull Brer Rabbit up. + W'en dey pass one nudder on de half-way growl', Brer Rabbit he sing out: + </p> + <p> + "'Good-by, Brer Fox, take keer yo' cloze, Fer dis is de way de worl' goes; + Some goes up en some goes down, You'll git ter de bottom all safe en + soun'.' *1 + </p> + <p> + "W'en Brer Rabbit got out, he gallop off en tole de fokes w'at de well + blong ter dat Brer Fox wuz down in dar muddyin' up de drinkin' water, en + den he gallop back ter de well, en holler down ter Brer Fox: + </p> + <p> + "'Ye come a man wid a great big gun—W'en he haul you up, you jump en + run."' + </p> + <p> + "What then, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, as the old man paused. + </p> + <p> + "In des 'bout half 'n hour, honey, bofe un um wuz back in de new groun' + wukkin' des like dey never heer'd er no well, ceppin' dat eve'y now'n den + Brer Rabbit'd bust out in er laff, en old Brer Fox, he'd git a spell er de + dry grins." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +*1 As a Northern friend suggests that this story may be somewhat + obscure, it may be as well to state that the well is supposed + to be supplied with a rope over a wheel, or pulley, with a + bucket at each end. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVII. MR. RABBIT NIBBLES UP THE BUTTER + </h2> + <p> + '"DE animils en de creeturs," said Uncle Remus, shaking his coffee around + in the bottom of his tin-cup, in order to gather up all the sugar, 'dey + kep' on gittin' mo' en mo' familious wid wunner nudder, twel bimeby, + 'twan't long 'fo' Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Possum got ter sorter + bunchin' der perwishuns tergedder in de same shanty. Atter w'ile de roof + sorter 'gun ter leak, en one day Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Possum, + 'semble fer ter see ef dey can't kinder patch her up. Dey had a big day's + work in front un um, en dey fotch der dinner wid um. Dey lump de vittles + up in one pile, en de butter w'at Brer Fox brung, dey goes en puts in de + spring-'ouse fer ter keep cool, en den dey went ter wuk, en 'twan't long + 'fo' Brer Rabbit's stummuck 'gun ter sorter growl en pester 'im. Dat + butter er Brer Fox sot heavy on his mine, en his mouf water eve'y time he + 'member 'bout it. Present'y he say ter hisse'f dat he bleedzd ter have a + nip at dat butter, en den he lay his plans, he did. Fus' news you know, + w'ile dey wuz all wukkin' long, Brer Rabbit raise his head quick en fling + his years forerd en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Here I is. W'at you want wid me?' en off he put like sump'n wuz atter + 'im. + </p> + <p> + "He sallied 'roun', ole Brer Rabbit did, en atter he make sho dat nobody + ain't foller'n un 'im, inter de spring-'ouse he bounces, en dar he stays + twel he git a bait er butter. Den he santer on back en go to wuk. + </p> + <p> + "'Whar you bin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I hear my chilluns callin' me,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I hatter go + see w'at dey want. My ole 'oman done gone en tuck mighty sick,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Dey wuk on twel bimeby de butter tas'e so good dat ole Brer Rabbit want + some mo'. Den he raise up his head, he did, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo! Hol' on! I'm a comin'!' en off he put. + </p> + <p> + "Dis time he stay right smart w'ile, en w'en he git back Brer Fox ax him + whar he bin. + </p> + <p> + "'I been ter see my ole 'oman, en she's a sinkin',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Dreckly Brer Rabbit hear um callin' 'im ag'in en off he goes, en dis + time, bless yo' soul, he gits de butter out so clean dat he kin see + hisse'f in de bottom er de bucket. He scrape it clean en lick it dry, en + den he go back ter wuk lookin' mo' samer dan a nigger w'at de + patter-rollers bin had holt un. + </p> + <p> + "'How's yo' ole 'oman dis time?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I'm oblije ter you, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'but I'm fear'd + she's done gone by now,' en dat sorter make Brer Fox en Brer Possum feel + in mo'nin' wid Brer Rabbit. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby, w'en dinner-time come, dey all got out der vittles, but Brer + Rabbit keep on lookin' lonesome, en Brer Fox en Brer Possum dey sorter + rustle roun' fer ter see ef dey can't make Brer Rabbit feel sorter + splimmy." + </p> + <p> + "What is that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Sorter splimmy-splammy, honey—sorter like he in a crowd—sorter + like his ole 'oman ain't dead ez she mout be. You know how fokes duz w'en + dey gits whar people's a moanin'." + </p> + <p> + The little boy didn't know, fortunately for him, and Uncle Remus went on: + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox en Brer Possum rustle roun', dey did, gittin out de vittles, en + bimeby Brer Fox, he say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Possum, you run down ter de spring en fetch de butter, en I'll sail + 'roun' yer en set de table,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Possum, he lope off atter de butter, en dreckly here he come lopin' + back wid his years a trimblin' en his tongue a hangin' out. Brer Fox, he + holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at de matter now, Brer Possum?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'You all better run yer, fokes,' sez Brer Possum, sezee. 'De las' drap er + dat butter done gone!' + </p> + <p> + "'Whar she gone?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Look like she dry up,' sez Brer Possum, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Rabbit, he look sorter sollum, he did, en he up'n say, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I speck dat butter melt in somebody mouf,' sezee. Den dey went down ter + de spring wid Brer Possum, en sho nuff de butter done gone. W'iles dey wuz + sputin' over de wunderment, Brer Rabbit say he see tracks all 'roun' dar, + en he p'int out dat ef dey'll all go ter sleep, he kin ketch de chap w'at + stole de butter. Den dey all lie down en Brer Fox en Brer Possum dey soon + drapt off ter sleep, but Brer Rabbit he stay 'wake, en w'en de time come + he raise up easy en smear Brer Possum mouf wid de butter on his paws, en + den he run off en nibble up de bes' er de dinner w'at dey lef' layin' out, + en den he come back en wake up Brer Fox, en show 'im de butter on Brer + Possum mouf. Den dey wake up Brer Possum, en tell 'im 'bout it, but c'ose + Brer Possum 'ny it ter de las'. Brer Fox, dough, he's a kinder lawyer, en + he argafy dis way—dat Brer Possum wuz de fus one at de butter, en de + fus one fer ter miss it, en mo'n dat, dar hang de signs on his mouf. Brer + Possum see dat dey got 'im jammed up in a cornder, en den he up en say dat + de way fer ter ketch de man w'at stole de butter is ter b'il' a big + bresh-heap en set her afier, en all han's try ter jump over, en de one + w'at fall in, den he de chap w'at stole de butter. Brer Rabbit en Brer Fox + dey is bofe 'gree, dey did, en dey whirl in en b'il' de breshheap, en dey + b'il' her high en dey b'il' her wide, en den dey totch her off. W'en she + got ter blazin' up good, Brer Rabbit, he tuck de fus turn. He sorter step + back, en look 'roun' en giggle, en over he went mo' samer dan a bird + flyin'. Den come Brer Fox. He got back little fudder, en spit on his + han's, en lit out en made de jump, en he come so nigh gittin' in dat de + een' er his tail kotch afier. Ain't you never see no fox, honey?" inquired + Uncle Remus, in a tone that implied both conciliation and information. + </p> + <p> + The little boy thought probably he had, but he wouldn't commit himself. + </p> + <p> + "Well, den," continued the old man, "nex' time you see one un um, you look + right close en see ef de een' er his tail ain't w'ite. Hit's des like I + tell you. Dey b'ars de skyar er dat bresh-heap down ter dis day. Dey er + marked—dat's w'at dey is—dey er marked." + </p> + <p> + "And what about Brother Possum?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Ole Brer Possum, he tuck a runnin' start, he did, en he come lumberin' + 'long, en he lit—kerblam!—right in de middle er de fier, en + dat wuz de las' er ole Brer Possum." + </p> + <p> + "But, Uncle Remus, Brother Possum didn't steal the butter after all," said + the little boy, who was not at all satisfied with such summary injustice. + </p> + <p> + "Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz, honey. In dis worl', lots er fokes is + gotter suffer fer udder fokes sins. Look like hit's mighty wrong; but + hit's des dat away. Tribbalashun seem like she's a waitin' roun' de + cornder fer ter ketch one en all un us, honey." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVIII. MR. RABBIT FINDS HIS MATCH AT LAST + </h2> + <p> + "HIT look like ter me dat I let on de udder night dat in dem days w'en de + creeturs wuz santer'n 'roun' same like fokes, none un um wuz brash nuff + fer ter ketch up wid Brer Rabbit," remarked Uncle Remus, reflectively. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," replied the little boy, "that's what you said." + </p> + <p> + "Well, den," continued the old man with unction, "dar's whar my 'membunce + gin out, kaze Brer Rabbit did git kotched up wid, en hit cool 'im off like + po'in' spring water on one er deze yer biggity fices." + </p> + <p> + "How was that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "One day w'en Brer Rabbit wuz gwine lippity-clippitin' down de road, he + meet up wid ole Brer Tarrypin, en atter dey pass de time er day wid wunner + nudder, Brer Rabbit, he 'low dat he wuz much 'blije ter Brer Tarrypin fer + de han' he tuck in de rumpus dat day down at Miss Meadows's." + </p> + <p> + "When he dropped off of the water-shelf on the Fox's head," suggested the + little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's de same time, honey. Den Brer Tarrypin 'low dat Brer Fox run mighty + fas' dat day, but dat ef he'd er bin atter 'im stidder Brer Rabbit, he'd + er kotch 'im. Brer Rabbit say he could er kotch 'im hisse'f but he didn't + keer 'bout leavin' de ladies. Dey keep on talkin', dey did, twel bimeby + dey gotter 'sputin' 'bout w'ich wuz de swif'es'. Brer Rabbit, he say he + kin outrun Brer Tarrypin, en Brer Tarrypin, he des vow dat he kin outrun + Brer Rabbit. Up en down dey had it, twel fus news you know Brer Tarrypin + say he got a fifty-dollar bill in de chink er de chimbly at home, en dat + bill done tole 'im dat he could beat Brer Rabbit in a fa'r race. Den Brer + Rabbit say he got a fifty-dollar bill w'at say dat he kin leave Brer + Tarrypin so fur behime, dat he could sow barley ez he went long en hit 'ud + be ripe nuff fer ter cut by de time Brer Tarrypin pass dat way. + </p> + <p> + "Enny how dey make de bet en put up de money, en old Brer Tukkey Buzzard, + he wuz summonzd fer ter be de jedge, en de stakeholder; en 'twan't long + 'fo' all de 'rangements wuz made. De race wuz a five-mile heat, en de + groun' wuz medjud off, en at de een' er eve'y mile a pos' wuz stuck up. + Brer Rabbit wuz ter run down de big road, en Brer Tarrypin, he say he'd + gallup thoo de woods. Fokes tole 'im he could git long faster in de road, + but ole Brer Tarrypin, he know w'at he doin'. Miss Meadows en de gals en + mos' all de nabers got win' er de fun, en wen de day wuz sot dey 'termin' + fer ter be on han'. Brer Rabbit he train hisse'f eve'y day, en he skip + over de groun' des ez gayly ez a June cricket. Ole Brer Tarrypin, he lay + low in de swamp. He had a wife en th'ee chilluns, old Brer Tarrypin did, + en dey wuz all de ve'y spit en image er de ole man. Ennybody w'at know one + fum de udder gotter take a spy-glass, en den dey er li'ble fer ter git + fooled. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's de way marters stan' twel de day er de race, en on dat day, ole + Brer Tarrypin, en his ole 'oman, en his th'ee chilluns, dey got up 'fo' + sun-up, en went ter de place. De ole 'oman, she tuck 'er stan' nigh de + fus' mile-pos', she did, en de chilluns nigh de udders, up ter de las', en + dar old Brer Tarrypin, he tuck his stan'. Bimeby, here come de fokes: + Jedge Buzzard, he come, en Miss Meadows en de gals, dey come, en den yer + come Brer Rabbit wid ribbons tied 'roun' his neck en streamin' fum his + years. De fokes all went ter de udder een' er de track fer ter see how dey + come out. W'en de time come Jedge Buzzard strut 'roun' en pull out his + watch, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Gents, is you ready?' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit, he say 'yes,' en old Miss Tarrypin holler 'go' fum de aidge + er de woods. Brer Rabbit, he lit out on de race, en old Miss Tarrypin, she + put out for home. Jedge Buzzard, he riz en skimmed long fer ter see dat de + race wuz runned fa'r. W'en Brer Rabbit got ter de fus' mile-pos' wunner de + Tarrypin chilluns crawl out de woods, he did, en make fer de place. Brer + Rabbit, he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Whar is you, Brer Tarrypin?' + </p> + <p> + "'Yer I come a bulgin',' sez de Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit so glad he's ahead dat he put out harder dan ever, en de + Tarrypin, he make fer home. W'en he come ter de nex' pos', nudder Tarrypin + crawl out er de woods. + </p> + <p> + "'Whar is you, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Yer I come a bilin',' sez de Tarrypin, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit, he lit out, he did, en come ter nex' pos', en dar wuz de + Tarrypin. Den he come ter nex', en dar wuz de Tarrypin. Den he had one mo' + mile fer ter run, en he feel like he gittin' bellust. Bimeby, ole Brer + Tarrypin look way off down de road en he see Jedge Buzzard sailin' long en + he know hit's time fer 'im fer ter be up. So he scramble outen de woods, + en roll 'cross de ditch, en shuffle thoo de crowd er folks en git ter de + mile-pos' en crawl behime it. Bimeby, fus' news you know, yer come Brer + Rabbit. He look 'roun' en he don't see Brer Tarrypin, en den he squall + out: + </p> + <p> + "'Gimme de money, Brer Buzzard, Gimme de money!' + </p> + <p> + "Den Miss Meadows en de gals, dey holler and laff fit ter kill deyse'f, en + ole Brer Tarrypin, he raise up fum behime de pos' en sez, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you'll gimme time fer ter ketch my breff, gents en ladies, one en + all, I speck I'll finger dat money myse'f,' sezee, en sho nuff, Brer + Tarrypin tie de pu's 'roun' his neck en skaddle*1 off home." + </p> + <p> + "But, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, dolefully, "that was cheating." + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, honey. De creeturs 'gun ter cheat, en den fokes tuck it up, en hit + keep on spreadin'. Hit mighty ketchin', en you mine yo' eye, honey, dat + somebody don't cheat you 'fo' yo' ha'r git gray ez de ole nigger's." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +*1 It may he interesting to note here that in all probability the + word "skedaddle," about which there was some controversy during + the war, came from the Virginia negro's use of "skaddle," which + is a corruption of "scatter." The matter, however, is hardly + worth referring to. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIX. THE FATE OF MR. JACK SPARROW + </h2> + <p> + "You'll tromple on dat bark twel hit won't be fitten fer ter fling 'way, + let 'lone make hoss-collars out'n," said Uncle Remus, as the little boy + came running into his cabin out of the rain. All over the floor long + strips of "wahoo" bark were spread, and these the old man was weaving into + horse-collars. + </p> + <p> + "I'll sit down, Uncle Remus," said the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, you better, honey," responded the old man, "kaze I 'spizes fer + ter have my wahoo trompled on. Ef 'twuz shucks, now, hit mout be diffunt, + but I'm a gittin' too ole fer ter be projickin' 'longer shuck collars." + </p> + <p> + For a few minutes the old man went on with his work, but with a solemn air + altogether unusual. Once or twice he sighed deeply, and the sighs ended in + a prolonged groan, that seemed to the little boy to be the result of the + most unspeakable mental agony. He knew by experience that he had done + something which failed to meet the approval of Uncle Remus, and he tried + to remember what it was, so as to frame an excuse; but his memory failed + him. He could think of nothing he had done calculated to stir Uncle + Remus's grief. He was not exactly seized with remorse, but he was very + uneasy. Presently Uncle Remus looked at him in a sad and hopeless way and + asked: + </p> + <p> + "W'at dat long rigmarole you bin tellin' Miss Sally 'bout yo' little brer + dis mawnin?" + </p> + <p> + "Which, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, blushing guiltily. + </p> + <p> + "Dat des w'at I'm a axin' un you now. I hear Miss Sally say she's a + gwineter stripe his jacket, en den I knowed you bin tellin' on 'im." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Uncle Remus, he was pulling up your onions, and then he went and + flung a rock at me, said the child, plaintively. + </p> + <p> + "Lemme tell you dis," said the old man, laying down the section of + horse-collar he had been plaiting, and looking hard at the little boy—"lemme + tell you dis der ain't no way fer ter make tattlers en tailb'arers turn + out good. No, dey ain't. I bin mixin' up wid fokes now gwine on eighty + year, en I ain't seed no tattler come ter no good een'. Dat I ain't. En ef + ole man M'thoozlum wuz livin' clean twel yit, he'd up'n tell you de same. + Sho ez you er settin' dar. You 'member w'at 'come er de bird w'at went + tattlin' 'roun' 'bout Brer Rabbit?" + </p> + <p> + The little boy didn't remember, but he was very anxious to know, and he + also wanted to know what kind of a bird it was that so disgraced itself. + </p> + <p> + "Hit wuz wunner dese yer uppity little Jack Sparrers, I speck," said the + old man; "dey wuz allers bodder'n' longer udder fokes's bizness, en dey + keeps at it down ter dis day—peckin' yer, en pickin' dar, en + scratchin' out yander. One day, atter he bin fool by ole Brer Tarrypin, + Brer Rabbit wuz settin' down in de woods studyin' how he wuz gwineter git + even. He feel mighty lonesome, en he feel mighty mad, Brer Rabbit did. + Tain't put down in de tale, but I speck he cusst en r'ar'd 'roun' + considerbul. Leas'ways, he wuz settin' out dar by hisse'f, en dar he sot, + en study en study, twel bimeby he jump up en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Well, dog-gone my cats ef I can't gallop 'roun' ole Brer Fox, en I'm + gwineter do it. I'll show Miss Meadows en de gals dat I'm de boss er Brer + Fox,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Jack Sparrer up in de tree, he hear Brer Rabbit, he did, en he sing out: + </p> + <p> + "'I'm gwine tell Brer Fox! I'm gwine tell Brer Fox! + Chick-a-biddy-win'-a-blowin'-acuns-fallin'! I'm gwine tell Brer Fox!"' + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus accompanied the speech of the bird with a peculiar whistling + sound in his throat, that was a marvelous imitation of a sparrow's chirp, + and the little boy clapped his hands with delight, and insisted on a + repetition. + </p> + <p> + "Dis kinder tarrify Brer Rabbit, en he skasely know w'at he gwine do; but + bimeby he study ter hisse'f dat de man w'at see Brer Fox fus wuz boun' ter + have de inturn, en den he go hoppin' off to'rds home. He didn't got fur + w'en who should he meet but Brer Fox, en den Brer Rabbit, he open up: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at dis twix' you en me, Brer Fox?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'I hear + tell you gwine ter sen' me ter 'struckshun, en nab my fambly, en 'stroy my + shanty,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Den Brer Fox he git mighty mad. 'Who bin tellin' you all dis?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit make like he didn't want ter tell, but Brer Fox he 'sist en + 'sist, twel at las' Brer Rabbit he up en tell Brer Fox dat he hear Jack + Sparrer say all dis. + </p> + <p> + "'Co'se,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'w'en Brer Jack Sparrer tell me dat I + flew up, I did, en I use some langwidge w'ich I'm mighty glad dey weren't + no ladies 'round' nowhars so dey could hear me go on, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox he sorter gap, he did, en say he speck he better be sa'nter'n + on. But, bless yo' soul, honey, Brer Fox ain't sa'nter fur, 'fo' Jack + Sparrer flipp down on a 'simmon-bush by de side er de road, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox!—Brer Fox!' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox he des sorter canter long, he did, en make like he don't hear + 'im. Den Jack Sparrer up'n sing out agin: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox! Hol' on, Brer Fox! I got some news fer you. Wait + Brer Fox! Hit'll 'stonish you.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox he make like he don't see Jack Sparrer, ner needer do he hear + 'im, but bimeby he lay down by de road, en sorter stretch hisse'f like he + fixin' fer ter nap. De tattlin' Jack Sparrer he flew'd 'long, en keep on + callin' Brer Fox, but Brer Fox, he ain't sayin' nuthin'. Den little Jack + Sparrer, he hop down on de groun' en flutter 'roun' 'mongst de trash. Dis + sorter 'track Brer Fox 'tenshun, en he look at de tattlin' bird, en de + bird he keep on callin': + </p> + <p> + "'I got sump'n fer ter tell you, Brer Fox.' + </p> + <p> + "'Git on my tail, little Jack Sparrer,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'kaze I'm + de'f in one year, en I can't hear out'n de udder. Git on my tail,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den de little bird he up'n hop on Brer Fox's tail. + </p> + <p> + "'Git on my back, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in one year en I + can't hear out'n de udder.' + </p> + <p> + "Den de little bird hop on his back. + </p> + <p> + "'Hop on my head, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in bofe years.' + </p> + <p> + "Up hop de little bird. + </p> + <p> + "'Hop on my toof, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in one year en I + can't hear out'n de udder.' + </p> + <p> + "De tattlin' little bird hop on Brer Fox's toof, en den—" + </p> + <p> + Here Uncle Remus paused, opened wide his mouth and closed it again in a + way that told the whole story. *1 + </p> + <p> + "Did the Fox eat the bird all—all up?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Jedge B'ar come long nex' day," replied Uncle Remus, "en he fine some + fedders, en fum dat word went roun' dat ole man Squinch Owl done kotch + nudder watzizname." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +*1 An Atlanta friend heard this story in Florida, but an + alligator was substituted for the fox, and a little boy for + the rabbit. There is another version in which the impertinent + gosling goes to tell the fox something her mother has said, + and is caught; and there may be other versions. I have adhered + to the middle Georgia version, which is characteristic enough. + It may be well to state that there are different versions of + all the stories—the shrewd narrators of the mythology of the + old plantation adapting themselves with ready tact to the + years, tastes, and expectations of their juvenile audiences. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XX. HOW MR. RABBIT SAVED HIS MEAT + </h2> + <p> + "ONE time," said Uncle Remus, whetting his knife slowly and thoughtfully + on the palm of his hand, and gazing reflectively in the fire—"one + time Brer Wolf—" + </p> + <p> + "Why, Uncle Remus!" the little boy broke in, "I thought you said the + Rabbit scalded the Wolf to death a long time ago." + </p> + <p> + The old man was fairly caught and he knew it; but this made little + difference to him. A frown gathered on his usually serene brow as he + turned his gaze upon the child—a frown in which both scorn and + indignation were visible. Then all at once he seemed to regain control of + himself. The frown was chased away by a look of Christian resignation. + </p> + <p> + "Dar now! W'at I tell you?" he exclaimed as if addressing a witness + concealed under the bed. "Ain't I done tole you so? Bless grashus! ef + chilluns ain't gittin' so dey knows mo'n ole fokes, en dey'll 'spute + longer you en 'spute longer you, ceppin' der ma call um, w'ich I speck + 'twon't be long 'fo' she will, en den Ill set yere by de chimbly-cornder + en git some peace er mine. W'en ole Miss wuz livin'," continued the old + man, still addressing some imaginary person, 'hit 'uz mo'n enny her + chilluns 'ud dast ter do ter come 'sputin' longer me, en Mars John'll tell + you de same enny day you ax 'im." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Uncle Remus, you know you said the Rabbit poured hot water on the + Wolf and killed him," said the little boy. + </p> + <p> + The old man pretended not to hear. He was engaged in searching among some + scraps of leather under his chair, and kept on talking to the imaginary + person. Finally, he found and drew forth a nicely plaited whip-thong with + a red snapper all waxed and knotted. + </p> + <p> + "I wuz fixin' up a w'ip fer a little chap," he continued, with a sigh, + "but, bless grashus! 'fo' I kin git 'er done de little chap done grow'd up + twel he know mo'n I duz." + </p> + <p> + The child's eyes filled with tears and his lips began to quiver, but he + said nothing; whereupon Uncle Remus immediately melted. + </p> + <p> + "I 'clar' to goodness," he said, reaching out and taking the little boy + tenderly by the hand, "ef you ain't de ve'y spit en image er ole Miss w'en + I brung 'er de las' news er de war. Hit's des like skeerin' up a ghos' + w'at you ain't fear'd un." + </p> + <p> + Then there was a pause, the old man patting the little child's hand + caressingly. + </p> + <p> + "You ain't mad, is you, honey?" Uncle Remus asked finally, "kaze ef you + is, I'm gwine out yere en butt my head 'gin de do' jam'." + </p> + <p> + But the little boy wasn't mad. Uncle Remus had conquered him and he had + conquered Uncle Remus in pretty much the same way before. But it was some + time before Uncle Remus would go on with the story. He had to be coaxed. + At last, however, he settled himself back in the chair and began: + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, honey, hit mout er bin ole Brer Wolf, er hit mout er bin er n'er + Brer Wolf; it mout er bin 'fo' he got kotch up wid, er it mout er bin + atterwards. Ez de tale wer gun to me des dat away I gin it unter you. One + time Brer Wolf wuz comm' long home fum a fishin' frolic. He s'anter long + de road, he did, wid his string er fish 'cross his shoulder, w'en fus' + news you know ole Miss Pa'tridge, she hop outer de bushes en flutter long + right at Brer Wolf nose. Brer Wolf he say ter hisse'f dat ole Miss + Pa'tridge tryin' fer ter toll 'im 'way fum her nes', en wid dat he lay his + fish down en put out inter de bushes whar ole Miss Pa'tridge come fum, en + 'bout dat time Brer Rabbit, he happen long. Dar wuz de fishes, en dar wuz + Brer Rabbit, en w'en dat de case w'at you speck a sorter innerpen'ent man + like Brer Rabbit gwine do? I kin tell you dis, dat dem fishes ain't stay + whar Brer Wolf put um at, en w'en Brer Wolf come back dey wuz gone. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Wolf, he sot down en scratch his head, he did, en study en study, en + den hit sorter rush inter his mine dat Brer Rabbit bin 'long dar, en den + Brer Wolf, he put out fer Brer Rabbit house, en w'en he git dar he hail + 'im. Brer Rabbit, he dunno nuthin' tall 'bout no fishes. Brer Wolf he up'n + say he bleedzd ter bleeve Brer Rabbit got dem fishes. Brer Rabbit 'ny it + up en down, but Brer Wolf stan' to it dat Brer Rabbit got dem fishes. Brer + Rabbit, he say dat if Brer Wolf b'leeve he got de fishes, den he give Brer + Wolf lief fer ter kill de bes' cow he got. Brer Wolf, he tuck Brer Rabbit + at his word, en go off ter de pastur' en drive up de cattle en kill Brer + Rabbit bes' cow. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit, he hate mighty bad fer ter lose his cow, but he lay his + plans, en he tell his chilluns dat he gwineter have dat beef yit. Brer + Wolf, he bin tuck up by de patter-rollers 'fo' now, en he mighty skeer'd + un um, en fus news you know, yer come Brer Rabbit hollerin' en tellin' + Brer Wolf dat de patter-rollers comin'. + </p> + <p> + "'You run en hide, Brer Wolf,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I'll stay yer + en take keer er de cow twel you gits back,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Soon's Brer Wolf hear talk er de patter-rollers, he scramble off inter de + underbrush like he bin shot out'n a gun. En he wa'n't mo'n gone 'fo' Brer + Rabbit, he whirl in en skunt de cow en salt de hide down, en den he tuck'n + cut up de kyarkiss en stow it 'way in de smoke-'ouse, en den he tuck'n + stick de een' er de cow-tail in de groun'. Atter he gone en done all dis, + den Brer Rabbit he squall out fer Brer Wolf: + </p> + <p> + "'Run yer, Brer Wolf! Run yer! Yo' cow gwine in de groun'! Run yer!' + </p> + <p> + "W'en ole Brer Wolf got dar, w'ich he come er scootin', dar wuz Brer + Rabbit hol'in' on ter de cow-tail, fer ter keep it fum gwine in de groun'. + Brer Wolf, he kotch holt, en dey 'gin a pull er two en up come de tail. + Den Brer Rabbit, he wink his off eye en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Dar! de tail done pull out en de cow gone,' sezee. But Brer Wolf he + wern't de man fer ter give it up dat away, en he got 'im a spade, en a + pick-axe, en a shovel, en he dig en dig fer dat cow twel diggin' wuz pas' + all endu'unce, en ole Brer Rabbit he sot up dar in his front po'ch en + smoke his seegyar. Eve'y time ole Brer Wolf stuck de pick-axe in de clay, + Brer Rabbit, he giggle ter his chilluns: + </p> + <p> + "'He diggy, diggy, diggy, but no meat dar! He diggy, diggy, diggy, but no + meat dar!' + </p> + <p> + "Kase all de time de cow wuz layin' pile up in his smoke-'ouse, en him en + his chilluns wuz eatin' fried beef an inguns eve'y time dey mouf water. + </p> + <p> + "Now den, honey, you take dis yer w'ip," continued the old man, twining + the leather thong around the little boy's neck, "en scamper up ter de big + 'ouse en tell Miss Sally fer ter gin you some un it de nex' time she fine + yo' tracks in de sugar-bar'l." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXI. MR. RABBIT MEETS HIS MATCH AGAIN + </h2> + <p> + "DERE wuz nudder man dat sorter play it sharp on Brer Rabbit," said Uncle + Remus, as, by some mysterious process, he twisted a hog's bristle into the + end of a piece of thread—an operation which the little boy watched + with great interest. "In dem days," continued the old man, "de creeturs + kyar'd on marters same ez fokes. Dey went inter fahmin', en I speck ef de + troof wuz ter come out, dey kep' sto', en had der camp-meetin' times en + der bobbycues w'en de wedder wuz 'greeble." + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus evidently thought that the little boy wouldn't like to hear of + any further discomfiture of Brer Rabbit, who had come to be a sort of + hero, and he was not mistaken. + </p> + <p> + "I thought the Terrapin was the only one that fooled the Rabbit," said the + little boy, dismally. + </p> + <p> + "Hit's des like I tell you, honey. Dey ain't no smart man, 'cep' w'at + dey's a smarter. Ef ole Brer Rabbit hadn't er got kotch up wid, de nabers + 'ud er took 'im for a ha'nt, en in dem times dey bu'nt witches 'fo' you + could squinch yo' eyeballs. Dey did dat." + </p> + <p> + "Who fooled the Rabbit this time?" the little boy asked. + </p> + <p> + When Uncle Remus had the bristle "sot" in the thread, he proceeded with + the story: + </p> + <p> + "One time Brer Rabbit en ole Brer Buzzard 'cluded dey'd sorter go shares, + en crap tergedder. Hit wuz a mighty good year, en de truck tu'n out + monstus well, but bimeby, w'en de time come fer dividjun, hit come ter + light dat ole Brer Buzzard ain't got nuthin'. De crap wuz all gone, en dey + want nuthin' dar fer ter show fer it. Brer Rabbit, he make like he in a + wuss fix'n Brer Buzzard, en he mope 'roun', he did, like he fear'd dey + gwineter sell 'im out. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Buzzard, he ain't sayin' nuthin', but he keep up a monstus thinkin', + en one day he come 'long en holler en tell Brer Rabbit dat he done fine + rich gol'-mine des 'cross de river. + </p> + <p> + "'You come en go longer me, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Tukkey Buzzard, sezee. + 'Ill scratch en you kin grabble, en 'tween de two un us we'll make short + wuk er dat gol'-mine,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit, he wuz high up fer de job, but he study en study, he did, + how he gwineter git 'cross de water, kaze ev'y time he git his foot wet + all de fambly kotch col'. Den he up'n ax Brer Buzzard how he gwine do, en + Brer Buzzard he up'n say dat he kyar Brer Rabbit 'cross, en wid dat ole + Brer Buzzard, he squot down, he did, en spread his wings, en Brer Rabbit, + he mounted, en up dey riz." There was a pause. + </p> + <p> + "What did the Buzzard do then?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Dey riz," continued Uncle Remus, "en w'en dey lit, dey lit in de top er + de highest sorter pine, en de pine w'at dey lit in wuz growin' on er ilun, + en de ilun wuz in de middle er de river, wid de deep water runnin' all + 'roun'. Dey ain't mo'n lit 'fo' Brer Rabbit, he know w'ich way de win' 'uz + blowin', en by de time ole Brer Buzzard got hisse'f balance on a lim', + Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'W'iles we er res'n here, Brer Buzzard, en bein's you bin so good, I got + sump'n fer ter tell you,' sezee. 'I got a gol'-mine er my own, one w'at I + make myse'f, en I speck we better go back ter mine 'fo' we bodder 'longer + yone,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den ole Brer Buzzard, he laff, he did, twel he shake, en Brer Rabbit, he + sing out: + </p> + <p> + "'Hol' on, Brer Buzzard! Don't flop yo' wings w'en you laff, kaze den if + you duz, sump'n 'ill drap fum up yer, en my gol'-mine won't do you no + good, en needer will yone do me no good.' + </p> + <p> + "But 'fo' dey got down fum dar, Brer Rabbit done tole all 'bout de crap, + en he hatter prommus fer ter 'vide fa'r en squar. So Brer Buzzard, he kyar + 'im back, en Brer Rabbit he walk weak in de knees a mont' atterwuds." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0025" id="link2H_4_0025"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXII. A STORY ABOUT THE LITTLE RABBITS + </h2> + <p> + "FIN' um whar you will en w'en you may," remarked Uncle Remus with + emphasis, "good chilluns allers gits tuck keer on. Dar wuz Brer Rabbit's + chilluns; dey minded der daddy en mammy fum day's een' ter day's een'. + W'en ole man Rabbit say scoot,' dey scooted, en w'en ole Miss Rabbit say + 'scat,' dey scatted. Dey did dat. En dey kep der cloze clean, en dey ain't + had no smut on der nose nudder." + </p> + <p> + Involuntarily the hand of the little boy went up to his face, and he + scrubbed the end of his nose with his coat-sleeve. + </p> + <p> + "Dey wuz good chilluns," continued the old man, heartily, "en ef dey + hadn't er bin, der wuz one time w'en dey wouldn't er bin no little rabbits—na'er + one. Dat's w'at." + </p> + <p> + "What time was that, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked. + </p> + <p> + "De time w'en Brer Fox drapt in at Brer Rabbit house, en didn't foun' + nobody dar ceppin' de little Rabbits. Ole Brer Rabbit, he wuz off some'rs + raiding on a collard patch, en ole Miss Rabbit she wuz tendin' on a + quiltin' in de naberhood, en wiles de little Rabbits wuz playin' + hidin'-switch, in drapt Brer Fox. De little Rabbits wuz so fat dat dey + fa'rly make his mouf water, but he 'member 'bout Brer Wolf, en he skeer'd + fer ter gobble urn up ceppin' he got some skuse. De little Rabbits, dey + mighty skittish, en dey sorter huddle deyse'f up tergedder en watch Brer + Fox motions. Brer Fox, he sot dar en study w'at sorter skuse he gwineter + make up. Bimeby he see a great big stalk er sugar-cane stan'in' up in de + cornder, en he cle'r up his th'oat en talk biggity: + </p> + <p> + "'Yer! you young Rabs dar, sail 'roun' yer en broke me a piece er dat + sweetnin'-tree,' sezee, en den he koff. + </p> + <p> + "De little Rabbits, dey got out de sugar-cane, dey did, en dey rastle wid + it, en sweat over it, but twan't no use. Dey couldn't broke it. Brer Fox, + he make like he ain't watchin', but he keep on holler'n: + </p> + <p> + "'Hurry up dar, Rabs! I'm a waitin' on you.' + </p> + <p> + "En de little Rabbits, dey hustle 'roun' en rastle wid it, but they + couldn't broke it. Bimeby dey hear little bird singin' on top er de house, + en de song w'at de little bird sing wuz dish yer. + </p> + <p> + "'Take yo' toofies en gnyaw it, Take yo' toofies en saw it, Saw it en yoke + it, En den you kin broke it.' + </p> + <p> + "Den de little Rabbits, dey git mighty glad, en dey gnyawed de cane mos' + 'fo' 'ole Brer Fox could git his legs oncrosst, en w'en dey kyard 'im de + cane, Brer Fox, he sot dar en study how he gwineter make some mo' skuse + fer nabbin' un um, en bimeby he git up en git down de sifter w'at wuz + hangin' on de wall, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Come yer, Rabs! Take dish yer sifter, en run down't de spring en fetch + me some fresh water.' + </p> + <p> + "De little Rabbits, dey run down't de spring, en try ter dip up de water + wid de sifter, but co'se hit all run out, en hit keep on runnin' out, twel + bimeby de little Rabbits sot down en 'gun ter cry. Den de little bird + settin' up in de tree he begin fer ter sing, en dish yer's de song w'at he + sing: + </p> + <p> + "'Sifter hol' water same ez a tray, Ef you fill it wid moss en dob it wid + clay; De Fox git madder de longer you stay— Fill it wid moss en dob + it wid clay.' + </p> + <p> + "Up dey jump, de little Rabbits did, en dey fix de sifter so 'twon't leak, + en den dey kyar de water ter ole Brer Fox. Den Brer Fox he git mighty mad, + en p'int out a great big stick er wood, en tell de little Rabbits fer ter + put dat on de fier. De little chaps dey got 'roun' de wood, dey did, en + dey lif' at it so hard twel dey could see der own sins, but de wood ain't + budge. Den dey hear de little bird singin', en dish yer's de song w'at he + sing: + </p> + <p> + "'Spit in yo' han's en tug it en toll it, En git behime it, en push it, en + pole it; Spit in yo' han's en r'ar back en roll it.' + </p> + <p> + "En des 'bout de time dey got de wood on de fier, der daddy, he come + skippin' in, en de little bird, he flew'd away. Brer Fox, he seed his game + wuz up, en 'twan't long 'fo' he make his skuse en start fer ter go. + </p> + <p> + "'You better Stay en take a snack wid me, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, + sezee. 'Sence Brer Wolf done quite comin' en settin' up wid me, I gittin' + so I feels right lonesome dese long nights,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "But Brer Fox, he button up his coat-collar tight en des put out fer home. + En dat w'at you better do, honey, kaze I see Miss Sally's shadder sailin' + backerds en forerds 'fo' de winder, en de fus' news you know she'll be + spectin' un you." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIII. MR. RABBIT AND MR. BEAR + </h2> + <p> + "DAR wuz one season" said Uncle Remus, pulling thoughtfully at his + whiskers, "w'en Brer Fox say to hisse'f dat he speck he better whirl in en + plant a goober-patch, en in dem days, mon, hit wuz tech en go. De wud + wern't mo'n out'n his mouf 'fo' de groun' 'uz brok'd up en de goobers 'uz + planted. Ole Brer Rabbit, he sot off en watch de motions, he did, en he + sorter shet one eye en sing to his chilluns: + </p> + <p> + "'Ti-yi! Tungalee! I eat um pea, I pick um pea. Hit grow in de groun', hit + grow so free; Ti-yi! dem goober pea.' + </p> + <p> + "Sho' 'nuff w'en de goobers 'gun ter ripen up, eve'y time Brer Fox go down + ter his patch, he fine whar somebody bin grabblin' 'mongst de vines, en he + git mighty mad. He sorter speck who de somebody is, but ole Brer Rabbit he + cover his tracks so cute dat Brer Fox dunner how ter ketch 'im. Bimeby, + one day Brer Fox take a walk all roun' de groun'-pea patch, en 'twan't + long 'fo' he fine a crack in de fence whar de rail done bin rub right + smoove, en right dar he sot 'im a trap. He tuck'n ben' down a hick'ry + saplin', growin' in de fence-cornder, en tie one een' un a plow- line on + de top, en in de udder een' he fix a loop-knot, en dat he fasten wid a + trigger right in de crack. Nex' mawnin' w'en ole Brer Rabbit come slippin' + 'long en crope thoo de crack, de loop-knot kotch 'im behime de fo'legs, en + de saplin' flew'd up, en dar he wuz 'twix' de heavens en de yeth. Dar he + swung, en he fear'd he gwineter fall, en he fear'd he wer'n't gwineter + fall. W'ile he wuz a fixin' up a tale fer Brer Fox, he hear a lumberin' + down de road, en present'y yer cum ole Brer B'ar amblin' 'long fum whar he + bin takin' a bee-tree. Brer Rabbit, he hail 'im: + </p> + <p> + "'Howdy, Brer B'ar!' + </p> + <p> + "Brer B'ar, he look 'roun en bimeby he see Brer Rabbit swingin' fum de + saplin', en he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! How you come on dis mawnin'?' + </p> + <p> + "'Much oblije, I'm middlin', Brer B'ar,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer B'ar, he ax Brer Rabbit w'at he doin' up dar in de elements, en + Brer Rabbit, he up'n say he makin' dollar minnit. Brer B'ar, he say how. + Brer Rabbit say he keepin' crows out'n Brer Fox's groun' pea patch, en den + he ax Brer B'ar ef he don't wanter make dollar minnit, kaze he got big + fambly er chilluns fer to take keer un, en den he make sech nice + skeercrow. Brer B'ar 'low dat he take de job, en den Brer Rabbit show 'im + how ter ben' down de saplin', en 'twan't long 'fo' Brer B'ar wuz swingin' + up dar in Brer Rabbit's place. Den Brer Rabbit, he put out fer Brer Fox + house, en w'en he got dar he sing out: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox! Come out yer, Brer Fox, en I'll show you de man + w'at bin stealin' yo' goobers.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox, he grab up his walkin'-stick, en bofe un um went runnin' back + down ter der goober-patch, en w'en dey got dar, sho 'nuff, dar wuz ole + Brer B'ar. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, yes! you er kotch, is you?' sez Brer Fox, en 'fo' Brer B'ar could + 'splain, Brer Rabbit he jump up en down, en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Hit 'im in de mouf, Brer Fox; hit 'im in do mouf'; en Brer Fox, he draw + back wid de walkin' cane, en blip he tuck 'im, en eve'y time Brer B'ar'd + try ter 'splain, Brer Fox'd shower down on him. + </p> + <p> + "W'iles all dis 'uz gwine on, Brer Rabbit, he slip off en git in a + mud-hole en des lef' his eyes stickin' out, kaze he know'd dat Brer B'ar'd + be a comin' atter 'im. Sho 'nuff, bimeby here come Brer B'ar down de road, + en w'en he git ter de mud-hole, he say: + </p> + <p> + "'Howdy, Brer Frog; is you seed Brer Rabbit go by yer?' + </p> + <p> + "'He des gone by,' sez Brer Rabbit, en ole man B'ar tuck off down de road + like a skeer'd mule, en Brer Rabbit, he come out en dry hisse'f in de sun, + en go home ter his fambly same ez enny udder man. + </p> + <p> + "The Bear didn't catch the Rabbit, then?" inquired the little boy, + sleepily. + </p> + <p> + "Jump up fum dar, honey!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, by way of reply. "I ain't + got no time fer ter be settin' yer proppin' yo' eyeleds open." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIV. MR. BEAR CATCHES OLD MR. BULL-FROG + </h2> + <p> + "WELL, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, counting to see if he hadn't + lost a marble somewhere, "the Bear didn't catch the Rabbit after all, did + he?" + </p> + <p> + "Now you talkin', honey," replied the old man, his earnest face breaking + up into little eddies of smiles—"now you talkin' sho. 'Tain't bin + proned inter no Brer B'ar fer ter kotch Brer Rabbit. Hit sorter like + settin' a mule fer ter trap a hummin'-bird. But Brer B'ar, he tuck'n got + hisse'f inter some mo' trubble, w'ich it look like it mighty easy. Ef + folks could make der livin' longer gittin' inter trubble," continued the + old man, looking curiously at the little boy, "ole Miss Favers wouldn't be + bodder'n yo' ma fer ter borry a cup full er sugar eve'y now en den; en it + look like ter me dat I knows a nigger dat wouldn't be squattin' 'roun' yer + makin' dese yer fish-baskits." + </p> + <p> + "How did the Bear get into more trouble, Uncle Remus?" asked the little + boy. + </p> + <p> + "Natchul, honey. Brer B'ar, he tuck a notion dat ole Brer Bull-frog wuz de + man w'at fool 'im, en he say dat he'd come up wid 'im ef 'twuz a year + atterwuds. But 'twan't no year, an 'twan't no mont', en mo'n dat, hit + wa'n't skasely a week, w'en bimeby one day Brer B'ar wuz gwine home fum de + takin' un a bee-tree, en lo en behol's, who should he see but ole Brer + Bull-frog settin' out on de aidge er de mud-muddle fas' 'sleep! Brer B'ar + drap his axe, he did, en crope up, en retch out wid his paw, en scoop ole + Brer Bull-frog in des dis away." Here the old man used his hand + ladle-fashion, by way of illustration. "He scoop 'im in, en dar he wuz. + W'en Brer B'ar got his clampers on 'im good, he sot down en talk at 'im. + </p> + <p> + "'Howdy, Brer Bull-frog, howdy! En how yo fambly? I hope dey er well, Brer + Bull-frog, kaze dis day you got some bizness wid me w'at'll las' you a + mighty long time.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Bull-frog, he dunner w'at ter say. He dunner w'at's up, en he don't + say nuthin'. Ole Brer B'ar he keep runnin' on: + </p> + <p> + "'You er de man w'at tuck en fool me 'bout Brer Rabbit t'er day. You had + yo' fun, Brer Bull-frog, en now I'll git mine.' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Bull-frog, he gin ter git skeer'd, he did, en he up'n say: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at I bin doin', Brer B'ar? How I bin foolin' you?' + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer B'ar laff, en make like he dunno, but he keep on talkin'. + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, no, Brer Bull-frog! You ain't de man w'at stick yo' head up out'n de + water en tell me Brer Rabbit done gone on by. Oh, no! you ain't de man. I + boun' you ain't. 'Bout dat time, you wuz at home with yo' fambly, whar you + allers is. I dunner whar you wuz, but I knows whar you is, Brer Bull-frog, + en hit's you en me fer it. Atter de sun goes down dis day you don't fool + no mo' folks gwine 'long dis road.' + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, Brer Bull-frog dunner w'at Brer B'ar drivin' at, but he know + sump'n hatter be done, en dat mighty soon, kaze Brer B'ar 'gun to snap his + jaws tergedder en foam at de mouf, en Brer Bull-frog holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! Lemme off dis time, en I won't never do so no mo'. + Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! do lemme off dis time, en I'll show you de fattes' + bee-tree in de woods.' + </p> + <p> + "Ole Brer B'ar, he chomp his toofies en foam at de mouf. Brer Bull-frog he + des up'n squall: + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! I won't never do so no mo'! Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! + Lemme off dis time!' + </p> + <p> + "But ole Brer B'ar say he gwineter make way wid 'im, en den he sot en + study, ole Brer B'ar did, how he gwineter squench Brer Bull-frog. He know + he can't drown 'im, en he ain't got no fier fer ter bu'n 'im, en he git + mighty pestered. Bimeby ole Brer Bull-frog, he sorter stop his cryin' en + his boo-hooin', en he up'n say: + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you gwineter kill me, Brer B'ar, kyar me ter dat big flat rock out + dar on de aidge er de mill-pon', whar I kin see my fambly, en atter I see + um, den you kin take you axe en sqush me.' + </p> + <p> + "Dis look so fa'r and squar' dat Brer B'ar he 'gree, en he take ole Brer + Bull-frog by wunner his behime legs, en sling his axe on his shoulder, en + off he put fer de big flat rock. When he git dar he lay Brer Bullfrog down + on de rock, en Brer Bull-frog make like he lookin' 'roun' fer his folks. + Den Brer B'ar, he draw long breff en pick up his axe. Den he spit in his + han's en draw back en come down on de rock—pow!" + </p> + <p> + "'Did he kill the Frog, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, as the old man + paused to scoop up a thimbleful of glowing embers in his pipe. + </p> + <p> + "'Deed, en dat he didn't, honey. 'Twix' de time w'en Brer B'ar raise up + wid his axe en w'en he come down wid it, ole Brer Bull-frog he lipt up en + dove down in de mill-pon', kerblink- kerblunk! En w'en he riz way out in + de pon' he riz a singin', en dish yer's de song w'at he sing: + </p> + <p> + "'Ingle-go-jang, my joy, my joy- Ingle-go-jang, my joy! I'm right at home, + my joy, my joy- Ingle-go-jang, my joy!'" + </p> + <p> + "That's a mighty funny song," said the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Funny now, I speck," said the old man, "but 'tweren't funny in dem days, + en 'twouldn't be funny now ef folks know'd much 'bout de Bull-frog + langwidge ez dey useter. Dat's w'at." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXV. HOW MR. RABBIT LOST HIS FINE BUSHY TAIL + </h2> + <p> + "ONE time," said Uncle Remus, sighing heavily and settling himself back in + his seat with an air of melancholy resignation— "one time Brer + Rabbit wuz gwine 'long down de road shakin' his big bushy tail, en feelin' + des ez scrumpshus ez a bee-martin wid a fresh bug." Here the old man + paused and glanced at the little boy, but it was evident that the + youngster had become so accustomed to the marvelous developments of Uncle + Remus's stories, that the extraordinary statement made no unusual + impression upon him. Therefore the old man began again, and this time in a + louder and more insinuating tone: + </p> + <p> + "One time ole man Rabbit, he wuz gwine 'long down de road shakin' his + long, bushy tail, en feelin' mighty biggity." + </p> + <p> + This was effective. + </p> + <p> + "Great goodness, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the little boy in open-eyed + wonder, "everybody knows that rabbits haven't got long, bushy tails." + </p> + <p> + The old man shifted his position in his chair and allowed his venerable + head to drop forward until his whole appearance was suggestive of the + deepest dejection; and this was intensified by a groan that seemed to be + the result of great mental agony. Finally he spoke, but not as addressing + himself to the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "I notices dat dem fokes w'at makes a great 'miration 'bout w'at dey knows + is des de fokes w'ich you can't put no 'pennunce in w'en de 'cashun come + up. Yer one un um now, en he done come en excuse me er 'lowin dat rabbits + is got long, bushy tails, w'ich goodness knows ef I'd a dremp' it, I'd a + whirl in en on-dremp it." + </p> + <p> + "Well, but Uncle Remus, you said rabbits had long, bushy tails," replied + the little boy. "Now you know you did." + </p> + <p> + "Ef I ain't fergit it off'n my mine, I say dat ole Brer Rabbit wuz gwine + down de big road shakin' his long, bushy tail. Dat w'at I say, en dat I + stan's by." + </p> + <p> + The little boy looked puzzled, but he didn't say anything. After a while + the old man continued: + </p> + <p> + "Now, den, ef dat's 'greed ter, I'm gwine on, en ef tain't 'greed ter, den + I'm gwineter pick up my cane en look atter my own intrust. I got wuk + lyin''roun' yer dat's des natchully gittin' moldy." + </p> + <p> + The little boy still remained quiet, and Uncle Remus proceeded: + </p> + <p> + "One day Brer Rabbit wuz gwine down de road shakin' his long, bushy tail, + w'en who should he strike up wid but ole Brer Fox gwine amblin' long wid a + big string er fish! W'en dey pass de time er day wid wunner nudder, Brer + Rabbit, he open up de confab, he did, en he ax Brer Fox whar he git dat + nice string er fish, en Brer Fox, he up'n 'spon' dat he kotch um, en Brer + Rabbit, he say whar'bouts, en Brer Fox, he say down at de babtizin' creek, + en Brer Rabbit he ax how, kaze in dem days dey wuz monstus fon' er + minners, en Brer Fox, he sot down on a log, he did, en he up'n tell Brer + Rabbit dat all he gotter do fer ter git er big mess er minners is ter go + ter de creek atter sundown, en drap his tail in de water en set dar twel + day-light, en den draw up a whole armful er fishes, en dem w'at he don't + want, he kin fling back. + </p> + <p> + "Right dar's whar Brer Rabbit drap his watermillion, kaze he tuck'n sot + out dat night en went a fishin'. De wedder wuz sorter col', en Brer + Rabbit, he got 'im a bottle er dram en put out fer de creek, en w'en he + git dar he pick out a good place, en he sorter squot down, he did, en let + his tail hang in de water. He sot dar, en he sot dar, en he drunk his + dram, en he think he gwineter freeze, but bimeby day come, en dar he wuz. + He make a pull, en he feel like he comin' in two, en he fetch nudder jerk, + en lo en beholes, whar wuz his tail?" + </p> + <p> + There was a long pause. + </p> + <p> + "Did it come off, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, presently. + </p> + <p> + "She did dat!" replied the old man with unction. "She did dat, and dat + w'at make all deze yer bob-tail rabbits w'at you see hoppin' en skaddlin' + thoo de woods." + </p> + <p> + "Are they all that way just because the old Rabbit lost his tail in the + creek?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's it, honey," replied the old man. "Dat's w'at dey tells me. Look + like dey er bleedzd ter take atter der pa." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVI. MR. TERRAPIN SHOWS HIS STRENGTH + </h2> + <p> + "BRER TARRYPIN wuz de out'nes' man," said Uncle Remus, rubbing his hands + together contemplatively, and chuckling to himself in a very significant + manner; "he wuz de out'nes' man er de whole gang. He wuz dat." + </p> + <p> + The little boy sat perfectly quiet, betraying no impatience when Uncle + Remus paused to hunt, first in one pocket and then in another, for enough + crumbs of tobacco to replenish his pipe. Presently the old man proceeded: + </p> + <p> + "One night Miss Meadows en de gals dey gun a candy-pullin', en so many er + de nabers come in 'sponse ter de invite dat dey hatter put de 'lasses in + de wash pot en b'il' de fier in de yard. Brer B'ar, he holp*1 Miss Meadows + bring de wood, Brer Fox, he men' de fier, Brer Wolf, he kep' de dogs off, + Brer Rabbit, he grease de bottom er de plates fer ter keep de candy fum + stickin', en Brer Tarrypin, he klum up in a cheer, en say he'd watch en + see dat de 'lasses didn't bile over. Dey wuz all dere, en dey wern't + cuttin' up no didos, nudder, kaze Miss Meadows, she done put her foot + down, she did, en say dat w'en dey come ter her place dey hatter hang up a + flag er truce at de front gate en 'bide by it. + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, w'iles dey wuz all a settin' dar en de 'lasses wuz a bilin' en + a blubberin', dey got ter runnin' on talkin' mighty biggity. Brer Rabbit, + he say he de swiffes'; but Brer Tarrypin, he rock long in de cheer en + watch de 'lasses. Brer Fox, he say he de sharpes', but Brer Tarrypin he + rock long. Brer Wolf, he say he de mos' suvvigus, but Brer Tarrypin, he + rock en he rock long. Brer B'ar, he say he de mos' stronges', but Brer + Tarrypin he rock, en he keep on rockin'. Bimeby he sorter shet one eye, en + say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Hit look like 'periently dat de ole hardshell ain't nowhars 'longside er + dis crowd, yit yer I is, en I'm de same man w'at show Brer Rabbit dat he + ain't de swiffes'; en I'm de same man w'at kin show Brer B'ar dat he ain't + de stronges',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den dey all laff en holler, kaze it look like Brer B'ar mo' stronger dan + a steer. Bimeby, Miss Meadows, she up'n ax, she did, how he gwine do it. + </p> + <p> + "'Gimme a good strong rope,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'en lemme git in er + puddle er water, en den let Brer B'ar see ef he kin pull me out,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den dey all laff 'gin, en Brer B'ar, he ups en sez, sezee: 'We ain't got + no rope,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'No,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'en needer is you got de strenk,' sezee, + en den Brer Tarrypin, he rock en rock long, en watch de 'lasses a bilin' + en a blubberin'. + </p> + <p> + "Atter w'ile Miss Meadows, she up en say, she did, dat she'd take'n loan + de young men her bed-cord, en w'iles de candy wuz a coolin' in de plates, + dey could all go ter de branch en see Brer Tarrypin kyar out his projick. + Brer Tarrypin," continued Uncle Remus, in a tone at once confidential and + argumentative, "weren't much bigger'n de pa'm er my han', en it look + mighty funny fer ter year 'im braggin' 'bout how he kin out-pull Brer + B'ar. But dey got de bed-cord atter w'ile, en den dey all put out ter de + branch. W'en Brer Tarrypin fine de place he wanter, he tuck one een er de + bed-cord, en gun de yuther een' to Brer B'ar. + </p> + <p> + "'Now den, ladies en gents,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'you all go wid + Brer B'ar up dar in de woods en I'll stay yer, en w'en you year me holler, + den's de time fer Brer B'ar fer ter see ef he kin haul in de slack er de + rope. You all take keer er dat ar een',' sezee, 'en I'll take keer er dish + yer een',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den dey all put out en lef' Brer Tarrypin at de branch, en w'en dey got + good en gone, he dove down inter de water, he did, en tie de bed-cord hard + en fas' ter wunner deze yer big clay-roots, en den he riz up en gin a + whoop. + </p> + <p> + "Brer B'ar he wrop de bed-cord roun' his han,' en wink at de gals, en wid + dat he gin a big juk, but Brer Tarrypin ain't budge. Den he take bof han's + en gin a big pull, but, all de same, Brer Tarrypin ain't budge. Den he + tu'n 'roun', he did, en put de rope cross his shoulders en try ter walk + off wid Brer Tarrypin, but Brer Tarrypin look like he don't feel like + walkin'. Den Brer Wolf he put in en holp Brer B'ar pull, but des like he + didn't, en den dey all holp 'im, en, bless grashus! w'iles dey wuz all a + pullin', Brer Tarrypin, he holler, en ax um w'y dey don't take up de + slack. + </p> + <p> + "Den w'en Brer Tarrypin feel um quit pullin', he dove down, he did, en + ontie de rope, en by de time dey got ter de branch, Brer Tarrypin, he wuz + settin' in de aidge er de water des ez natchul ez de nex' un, en he up'n + say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Dat las' pull er yone wuz a mighty stiff un, en a leetle mo'n you'd er + had me,' sezee. 'You er monstus stout, Brer B'ar,' sezee, 'en you pulls + like a yoke er steers, but I sorter had de purchis on you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer B'ar, bein's his mouf 'gun ter water atter de sweetnin,' he up'n + say he speck de candy's ripe, en off dey put atter it!" + </p> + <p> + "It's a wonder," said the little boy, after a while, "that the rope didn't + break." + </p> + <p> + "Break who?" exclaimed Uncle Remus, with a touch of indignation in his + tone—"break who? In dem days, Miss Meadows's bed-cord would a hilt a + mule." + </p> + <p> + This put an end to whatever doubts the child might have entertained. + </p> + <p> + *1 Help; helped. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVII. WHY MR. POSSUM HAS NO HAIR ON HIS TAIL + </h2> + <p> + "HIT look like ter me," said Uncle Remus, frowning, as the little boy came + hopping and skipping into the old man's cabin, "dat I see a young un 'bout + yo' size playin' en makin' free wid dem ar chilluns er ole Miss Favers's + yistiddy, en w'en I seed dat, I drap my axe, en I come in yer en sot flat + down right whar you er settin' now, en I say ter myse'f dat it's 'bout + time fer ole Remus fer ter hang up en quit. Dat's des zackly w'at I say." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Uncle Remus, they called me," said the little boy, in a penitent + tone. 'They come and called me, and said they had a pistol and some powder + over there." + </p> + <p> + "Dar now!" exclaimed the old man, indignantly. "Dar now! w'at I bin + sayin'? Hit's des a born blessin' dat you wa'n't brung home on a litter + wid bofe eyeballs hangin' out en one year clean gone; dat's w'at 'tis. + Hit's des a born blessin'. Hit hope me up might'ly de udder day w'en I + hear Miss Sally layin' down de law 'bout you en dem Favers chillun, yit, + lo en behol's, de fus news I knows yer you is han'-in-glove wid um. Hit's + nuff fer ter fetch ole Miss right up out'n dat berryin'-groun' fum down + dar in Putmon County, en w'at yo' gran'ma wouldn't er stood me en yo' ma + ain't gwineter stan' nudder, en de nex time I hear 'bout sech a come off + ez dis, right den en dar I'm boun' ter lay de case 'fo' Miss Sally. Dem + Favers's wa'n't no 'count 'fo' de war, en dey wa'n't no 'count endurin' er + de war, en dey ain't no 'count atterwards, en w'iles my head's hot you + ain't gwineter go mixin' up yo'se'f wid de riff-raff er creashun." + </p> + <p> + The little boy made no further attempt to justify his conduct. He was a + very wise little boy, and he knew that, in Uncle Remus's eyes, he had been + guilty of a flagrant violation of the family code. Therefore, instead of + attempting to justify himself, he pleaded guilty, and promised that he + would never do so any more. After this there was a long period of silence, + broken only by the vigorous style in which Uncle Remus puffed away at his + pipe. This was the invariable result. Whenever the old man had occasion to + reprimand the little boy—and the occasions were frequent—he + would relapse into a dignified but stubborn silence. Presently the + youngster drew forth from his pocket a long piece of candle. The sharp + eyes of the old man saw it at once. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you come a tellin' me dat Miss Sally gun you dat," he exclaimed, + "kaze she didn't. En I lay you hatter be monstus sly 'fo' you gotter + chance fer ter snatch up dat piece er cannle." + </p> + <p> + "Well, Uncle Remus," the little boy explained, "it was lying there all by + itself, and I just thought I'd fetch it out to you. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's so, honey," said Uncle Remus, greatly mollified; "dat's so, kaze by + now some er dem yuther niggers 'ud er done had her lit up. Dey er mighty + biggity, dem house niggers is, but I notices dat dey don't let nuthin' + pass. Dey goes 'long wid der han's en der mouf open, en w'at one don't + ketch de tother one do." + </p> + <p> + There was another pause, and finally the little boy said: + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Remus, you know you promised to-day to tell me why the 'Possum has + no hair on his tail." + </p> + <p> + "Law, honey! ain't you done gone en fergot dat off'n yo' mine yit? Hit + look like ter me," continued the old man, leisurely refilling his pipe, + "dat she sorter run like dis: One time ole Brer Possum, he git so hungry, + he did, dat he bleedzd fer ter have a mess er 'simmons. He monstus lazy + man, old Brer Possum wuz, but bimeby his stummick 'gun ter growl en holler + at 'im so dat he des hatter rack 'roun' en hunt up sump'n; en w'iles he + wuz rackin' 'roun', who sh'd he run up wid but Brer Rabbit, en dey wuz + hail-fellers, kaze Brer Possum, he ain't bin bodder'n Brer Rabbit like dem + yuther creeturs. Dey sot down by de side er de big road, en dar dey jabber + en confab 'mong wunner nudder, twel bimeby old Brer Possum, he take 'n + tell Brer Rabbit dat he mos' pe'sh out, en Brer Rabbit, he lip up in de + a'r, he did, en smack his han's tergedder, en say dat he know right whar + Brer Possum kin git a bait er 'simmons. Den Brer Possum, he say whar, en + Brer Rabbit, he say w'ich 'twuz over at Brer B'ar's 'simmon orchard." + </p> + <p> + "Did the Bear have a 'simmon orchard, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, honey, kaze in dem days Brer B'ar wuz a bee-hunter. He make his + livin' findin' bee trees, en de way he fine um he plant 'im some + 'simmon-trees, w'ich de bees dey'd come ter suck de 'simmons en den ole + Brer B'ar he'd watch um whar dey'd go, en den he'd be mighty ap' fer ter + come up wid um. No matter 'bout dat, de 'simmon patch 'uz dar des like I + tell you, en ole Brer Possum mouf 'gun ter water soon's he year talk un + um, en mos' 'fo' Brer Rabbit done tellin' 'im de news, Brer Possum, he put + out, he did, en 'twa'n't long 'fo' he wuz perch up in de highes' tree in + Brer B'ar 'simmon patch. But Brer Rabbit, he done 'termin' fer ter see + some fun, en w'iles all dis 'uz gwine on, he run 'roun' ter Brer B'ar + house, en holler en tell 'im w'ich dey wuz somebody 'stroyin' un his + 'simmons, en Brer B'ar, he hustle off fer ter ketch 'im. + </p> + <p> + "Eve'y now en den Brer Possum think he year Brer B'ar comin', but he keep + on sayin', sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'I'll des git one 'simmon mo' en den I'll go; one 'simmon mo' en den I'll + go.' + </p> + <p> + "Las' he year Brer B'ar comm' sho nuff, but 'twuz de same ole chune—'One + 'simmon mo' en den I'll go'—en des 'bout dat time Brer B'ar busted + inter de patch, en gin de tree a shake, en Brer Possum, he drapt out + longer de yuther ripe 'simmons, but time he totch de groun' he got his + foots tergedder, en he lit out fer de fence same ez a race-hoss, en 'cross + dat patch him en Brer B'ar had it, en Brer B'ar gain' eve'y jump, twel + time Brer Possum make de fence Brer B'ar grab 'im by de tail, en Brer + Possum, he went out 'tween de rails en gin a powerful juk en pull his tail + out 'twix Brer B'ar tushes; en, lo en behol's, Brer B'ar hol' so tight en + Brer Possum pull so hard dat all de ha'r come off in Brer B'ar's mouf, + w'ich, ef Brer Rabbit hadn't er happen up wid a go'd er water, Brer B'ar + 'der got strankle. + </p> + <p> + "Fum dat day ter dis," said Uncle Remus, knocking the ashes carefully out + of his pipe, "Brer Possum ain't had no ha'r on his tail, en needer do his + chilluns." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXVIII. THE END OF MR. BEAR + </h2> + <p> + THE next time the little boy sought Uncle Remus out, he found the old man + unusually cheerful and good-humoured. His rheumatism had ceased to trouble + him, and he was even disposed to be boisterous. He was singing when the + little boy got near the cabin, and the child paused on the outside to + listen to the vigorous but mellow voice of the old man, as it rose and + fell with the burden of the curiously plaintive song—a senseless + affair so far as the words were concerned, but sung to a melody almost + thrilling in its sweetness: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +"Han' me down my walkin'-cane + (Hey my Lily! go down de road!), +Yo' true lover gone down de lane + (Hey my Lily! go down de road!)." +</pre> + <p> + The quick ear of Uncle Remus, however, had detected the presence of the + little boy, and he allowed his song to run into a recitation of nonsense, + of which the following, if it be rapidly spoken, will give a faint idea: + </p> + <p> + "Ole M'er Jackson, fines' confraction, fell down sta'rs fer to git + satisfaction; big Bill Fray, he rule de day, eve'ything he call fer come + one, two by three. Gwine 'long one day, met Johnny Huby, ax him grine nine + yards er steel fer me, tole me w'ich he couldn't; den I hist 'im over + Hickerson Dickerson's barn-doors; knock 'im ninety-nine miles under water, + w'en he rise, he rise in Pike straddle un a hanspike, en I lef' 'im dar + smokin' er de hornpipe, Juba reda seda breda. Aunt Kate at de gate; I want + to eat, she fry de meat en gimme skin, w'ich I fling it back agin. Juba!" + </p> + <p> + All this, rattled off at a rapid rate and with apparent seriousness, was + calculated to puzzle the little boy, and he slipped into his accustomed + seat with an expression of awed bewilderment upon his face. + </p> + <p> + "Hit's all des dat away, honey," continued the old man, with the air of + one who had just given an important piece of information. "En w'en you bin + cas'n shadders long ez de ole nigger, den you'll fine out who's w'ich, en + w'ich's who." + </p> + <p> + The little boy made no response. He was in thorough sympathy with all the + whims and humors of the old man, and his capacity for enjoying them was + large enough to include even those he could not understand. Uncle Remus + was finishing an axe-handle, and upon these occasions it was his custom to + allow the child to hold one end while he applied sand-paper to the other. + These relations were pretty soon established, to the mutual satisfaction + of the parties most interested, and the old man continued his remarks, but + this time not at random: + </p> + <p> + "W'en I see deze yer swell-head folks like dat 'oman w'at come en tell yo' + ma 'bout you chunkin' at her chilluns, w'ich yo' ma make Mars John strop + you, hit make my mine run back to ole Brer B'ar. Ole Brer B'ar, he got de + swell-headedness hisse'f, en ef der wuz enny swinkin', hit swunk too late + fer ter he'p ole Brer B'ar. Leas'ways dat's w'at dey tells me, en I ain't + never yearn it 'sputed." + </p> + <p> + "Was the Bear's head sure enough swelled, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Now you talkin', honey!" exclaimed the old man. + </p> + <p> + "Goodness! what made it swell?" + </p> + <p> + This was Uncle Remus's cue. Applying the sand-paper to the axe-helve with + gentle vigor, he began. + </p> + <p> + "One time when Brer Rabbit wuz gwine lopin' home fum a frolic w'at dey bin + havin' up at Miss Meadows's, who should he happin up wid but ole Brer + B'ar. Co'se, atter w'at done pass 'twix um dey wa'n't no good feelin's + 'tween Brer Rabbit en ole Brer B'ar, but Brer Rabbit, he wanter save his + manners, en so he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Brer B'ar! how you come on? I ain't seed you in a coon's age. How + all down at yo' house? How Miss Brune en Miss Brindle?" + </p> + <p> + "Who was that, Uncle Remus?" the little boy interrupted. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Brune en Miss Brindle? Miss Brune wuz Brer B'ar's ole 'oman, en Miss + Brindle wuz his gal. Dat w'at dey call um in dem days. So den Brer Rabbit, + he ax him howdy, he did, en Brer B'ar, he 'spon' dat he wuz mighty po'ly, + en dey amble 'long, dey did, sorter familious like, but Brer Rabbit, he + keep one eye on Brer B'ar, en Brer B'ar, he study how he gwine nab Brer + Rabbit. Las' Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer B'ar, I speck I got some bizness cut out fer you,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'What dat, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer B'ar, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'W'iles I wuz cleanin' up my new-groun' day 'fo' yistiddy,' sez Brer + Rabbit, sezee, 'I come 'cross wunner deze yer ole time bee- trees. Hit + start holler at de bottom, en stay holler plum der de top, en de honey's + des natchully oozin' out, en ef you'll drap yo' 'gagements en go longer + me,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'you'll git a bait dat'll las' you en yo' + fambly twel de middle er nex' mont',' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer B'ar say he much oblije en he bleeve he'll go long, en wid dat dey + put out fer Brer Rabbit's new-groun', w'ich 'twa'n't so mighty fur. + Leas'ways, dey got dar atter w'ile. Ole Brer B'ar, he 'low dat he kin + smell de honey. Brer Rabbit, he 'low dat he kin see de honey-koam. Brer + B'ar, he 'low dat he can hear de bees a zoonin'. Dey stan' 'roun' en talk + biggity, dey did, twel bimeby Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'You do de clim'in', Brer B'ar, en I'll do de rushin' 'roun'; you clim' + up ter de hole, en I'll take dis yer pine pole en shove de honey up whar + you kin git 'er,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Ole Brer B'ar, he spit on his han's en skint up de tree, en jam his head + in de hole, en sho nuff, Brer Rabbit, he grab de pine pole, en de way he + stir up dem bees wuz sinful—dat's w'at it wuz. Hit wuz sinful. En de + bees dey swawm'd on Brer B'ar's head, twel 'fo' he could take it out'n de + hole hit wuz done swell up bigger dan dat dinner-pot, en dar he swung, en + ole Brer Rabbit, he dance 'roun' en sing: + </p> + <p> + "Tree stan' high, but honey mighty sweet— Watch dem bees wid + stingers on der feet.' + </p> + <p> + "But dar ole Brer B'ar hung, en ef his head ain't swunk, I speck he + hangin' dar yit—dat w'at I speck." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXIX. MR. FOX GETS INTO SERIOUS BUSINESS + </h2> + <p> + "HIT turn out one time," said Uncle Remus, grinding some crumbs of tobacco + between the palms of his hands, preparatory to enjoying his usual smoke + after supper—"hit turn out one time dat Brer Rabbit make so free wid + de man's collard-patch dat de man he tuck'n sot a trap fer ole Brer + Rabbit." + </p> + <p> + "Which man was that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Des a man, honey. Dat's all. Dat's all I knows—des wunner dese yer + mans w'at you see trollopin 'roun' eve'y day. Nobody ain't never year w'at + his name is, en ef dey did dey kep' de news mighty close fum me. Ef dish + yer man is bleedzd fer ter have a name, den I'm done, kaze you'll hatter + go fudder dan me. Ef you bleedzd ter know mo' dan w'at I duz, den you'll + hatter hunt up some er deze yer niggers w'at's sprung up sence I commence + fer ter shed my ha'r." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I just thought, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, in a tone + remarkable for self-depreciation, "that the man had a name." + </p> + <p> + "Tooby sho," replied the old man, with unction, puffing away at his pipe. + "Co'se. Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz. Dish yer man mout a had a name, en + den ag'in he moutn't. He mont er bin name Slip-shot Sam, en he mouter bin + name ole One-eye Riley, w'ich ef 'twuz hit ain't bin handed roun' ter me. + But dish yer man, he in de tale, en w'at we gwine do wid 'im? Dat's de + p'int, kase w'en I git ter huntin' 'roun' 'mong my 'membunce atter dish + yer Mister W'atyoumaycollum's name, she ain't dar. Now den, le's des call + 'im Mr. Man en let 'im go at dat." + </p> + <p> + The silence of the little boy gave consent. + </p> + <p> + "One time," said Uncle Remus, carefully taking up the thread of the story + where it had been dropped, "hit turn out dat Brer Rabbit bin makin' so + free wid Mr. Man's greens en truck dat Mr. Man, he tuck'n sot a trap for + Brer Rabbit, en Brer Rabbit he so greedy dat he tuck'n walk right spang in + it, 'fo' he know hisse'f. Well, 'twa'n't long 'fo' yer come Mr. Man, + broozin' 'roun', en he ain't no sooner see ole Brer Rabbit dan he smack + his han's tergedder en holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'You er nice feller, you is! Yer you bin gobblin' up my green truck, en + now you tryin' ter tote off my trap. You er mighty nice chap—dat's + w'at you is! But now dat I got you, I'll des 'bout settle wid you fer de + ole en de new.' + </p> + <p> + "En wid dat, Mr. Man, he go off, he did, down in de bushes atter han'ful + er switches. Ole Brer Rabbit, he ain't sayin' nuthin', but he feelin' + mighty lonesome, en he sot dar lookin' like eve'y minnit wuz gwineter be + de nex'. En w'iles Mr. Man wuz off prepa'r'n his bresh-broom, who should + come p'radin' long but Brer Fox. Brer Fox make a great 'miration, he did, + 'bout de fix w'at he fin' Brer Rabbit in, but Brer Rabbit he make like he + fit ter kill hisse'f laffin', en he up'n tell Brer Fox, he did, dat Miss + Meadows's fokes want 'im ter go down ter der house in 'tennunce on a + weddin', en he 'low w'ich he couldn't, en dey 'low how he could, en den + bimeby dey take'n tie 'im dar w'iles dey go atter de preacher, so he be + dar' w'en dey come back. En mo'n dat, Brer Rabbit up'n tell Brer Fox dat + his chillun's mighty low wid de fever, en he bleedzd ter go atter some + pills fer'm, en he ax Brer Fox fer ter take his place en go down ter Miss + Meadows's en have nice time wid de gals. Brer Fox, he in fer dem kinder + pranks, en 'twa'n't no time 'fo' Brer Rabbit had ole Brer Fox harness up + dar in his place, en den he make like he got ter make 'as'e en git de + pills fer dem sick chilluns. Brer Rabbit wa'n't mo'n out er sight 'fo' yer + come Mr. Man wid a han'ful er hick'ries, but w'en he see Brer Fox tied up + dar, he look like he 'stonished. + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo!' sez Mr. Man, sezee, 'you done change color, en you done got + bigger, en yo' tail done grow out. W'at kin' er w'atzyname is you, + ennyhow?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox, he stay still, en Mr. Man, he talk on: + </p> + <p> + "'Hit's mighty big luck,' sezee, 'ef w'en I ketch de chap w'at nibble my + greens, likewise I ketch de feller w'at gnyaw my goose,' sezee, en wid dat + he let inter Brer Fox wid de hick'ries, en de way he play rap-jacket wuz a + caution ter de naberhood. Brer Fox, he juk en he jump, en he squeal en he + squall, but Mr. Man, he shower down on 'im, he did, like fightin' a red + was'nes'." + </p> + <p> + The little boy laughed, and Uncle Remus supplemented this indorsement of + his descriptive powers with a most infectious chuckle. + </p> + <p> + "'Bimeby," continued the old man, "de switches, dey got frazzle out, en + Mr. Man, he put out atter mo', en w'en he done got fa'rly outer yearin', + Brer Rabbit, he show'd up, he did, kaze he des bin hidin' out in de bushes + lis'nin' at de racket, en he 'low hit mighty funny dat Miss Meadows ain't + come 'long, kaze he done bin down ter de doctor house, en dat's fudder dan + de preacher, yit. Brer Rabbit make like he hurr'in' on home, but Brer Fox, + he open up, he did, en he say: + </p> + <p> + "'I thank you fer ter tu'n me loose, Brer Rabbit, en I'll be 'blije,' + sezee, ''caze you done tie me up so tight dat it make my head swim, en I + don't speck I'd las' fer ter git ter Miss Meadows's,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Rabbit, he sot down sorter keerless like, en begin fer ter scratch + one year like a man studyin' 'bout sump'n. + </p> + <p> + "'Dat's so, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'you duz look sorter stove up. Look like + sump'n bin onkoamin' yo' ha'rs,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox ain't sayin' nothin', but Brer Rabbit, he keep on talkin': + </p> + <p> + "'Dey ain't no bad feelin's 'twix' us, is dey, Brer Fox? Kaze ef dey is, I + ain't got no time fer ter be tarryin' 'roun' yer.' + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox say w'ich he don't have no onfrennelness, en wid dat Brer Rabbit + cut Brer Fox loose des in time fer ter hear Mr. Man w'isserlin up his + dogs, en one went one way en de udder went nudder." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXX. HOW MR. RABBIT SUCCEEDED IN RAISING A DUST + </h2> + <p> + "IN dem times," said Uncle Remus, gazing admiringly at himself in a + fragment of looking-glass, "Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Coon, en dem + yuther creeturs go co'tin' en sparklin' 'roun' de naberhood mo' samer dan + folks. 'Twan't no 'Lemme a hoss,' ner 'Fetch me my buggy,' but dey des + up'n lit out en tote deyse'f. Dar's ole Brer Fox, he des wheel 'roun' en + fetch his flank one swipe wid 'is tongue en he'd be koam up; en Brer + Rabbit, he des spit on his han' en twis' it 'roun' 'mongst de roots er his + years en his ha'r'd be roach. Dey wuz dat flirtashus," continued the old + man, closing one eye at his image in the glass, "dat Miss Meadows en de + gals don't se no peace fum one week een' ter de udder. Chuseday wuz same + as Sunday, en Friday wuz same as Chuseday, en hit come down ter dat pass + dat w'en Miss Meadows 'ud have chicken-fixin's fer dinner, in 'ud drap + Brer Fox en Brer Possum, en w'en she'd have fried greens in 'ud pop ole + Brer Rabbit, twel las' Miss Meadows, she tuck'n tell de gals dat she be + dad-blame ef she gwineter keep no tavvum. So dey fix it up 'mong deyse'f, + Miss Meadows en de gals did, dat de nex' time de gents call dey'd gin um a + game. De gents, dey wuz a co'tin, but Miss Meadows, she don't wanter marry + none un um, en needer duz de gals, en likewise dey don't wanter have um + pester'n 'roun.' Las', one Chuseday, Miss Meadows, she tole um dat ef dey + come down ter her house de nex' Sat'day evenin', de whole caboodle on um + 'ud go down de road a piece, whar der wuz a big flint rock, en de man w'at + could take a sludge-hammer en knock de dus' out'n dat rock, he wuz de man + w'at 'ud git de pick er de gals. Dey all say dey gwine do it, but ole Brer + Rabbit, he crope off whar der wuz a cool place under some jimson weeds, en + dar he sot wukkin his mind how he gwineter git dus' out'n dat rock. + Bimeby, w'ile he wuz a settin' dar, up he jump en crack his heels + tergedder en sing out: + </p> + <p> + "'Make a bow ter de Buzzard en den ter de Crow, Takes a limber-toe gemmun + fer ter jump Jim Crow,' + </p> + <p> + "en wid dat he put out for Brer Coon house en borrer his slippers. W'en + Sat'day evenin' come, dey wuz all dere. Miss Meadows en de gals, dey wuz + dere; en Brer Coon, en Brer Fox, en Brer Possum, en Brer Tarrypin, dey wuz + dere." + </p> + <p> + "Where was the Rabbit?" the little boy asked. + </p> + <p> + "You kin put yo' 'pennunce in ole Brer Rabbit," the old man replied, with + a chuckle. "He wuz dere, but he shuffle up kinder late, kaze w'en Miss + Meadows en de balance on um done gone down ter de place, Brer Rabbit, he + crope 'roun' ter de ash-hopper, en fill Brer Coon's slippers full er + ashes, en den he tuck'n put um on en march off. He got dar atter 'w'ile, + en soon's Miss Meadows en de gals seed 'im, dey up'n giggle, en make a + great 'miration kaze Brer Rabbit got on slippers. Brer Fox, he so smart, + he holler out, he did, en say he lay Brer Rabbit got de groun'-eatch, but + Brer Rabbit, he sorter shet one eye, he did, en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'I bin so useter ridin' hoss-back, ez deze ladies knows, dat I'm gittin' + sorter tender-footed;' en dey don't hear much mo' fum Brer Fox dat day, + kaze he 'member how Brer Rabbit done bin en rid him; en hit 'uz des 'bout + much ez Miss Meadows en de gals could do fer ter keep der snickers fum + gittin' up a 'sturbance 'mong de congregashun. But, never mine dat, old + Brer Rabbit, he wuz dar, en he so brash dat leetle mo' en he'd er grab up + de sludge-hammer en er open up de racket 'fo' ennybody gun de word; but + Brer Fox, he shove Brer Rabbit out'n de way en pick up de sludge hisse'f. + Now den," continued the old man, with pretty much the air of one who had + been the master of similar ceremonies, "de progance wuz dish yer: Eve'y + gent wer ter have th'ee licks at de rock, en de gent w'at fetch de dus' he + were de one w'at gwineter take de pick er de gals. Ole Brer Fox, he grab + de sludge-hammer, he did, en he come down on de rock—blim! No dus' + ain't come. Den he draw back en down he come ag'in—blam! No dus' + ain't come. Den he spit in his han's, en give 'er a big swing en down she + come—kerblap! En yit no dus' ain't flew'd. + </p> + <p> + "Den Brer Possum he make triul, en Brer Coon, en all de balance un um + 'cep' Brer Tarrypin, en he 'low dat he got a crick in his neck. Den Brer + Rabbit, he grab holt er de sludge, en he lipt up in de a'r en come down on + de rock all at de same time—pow!—en de ashes, dey flew'd up + so, dey did, dat Brer Fox, he tuck'n had a sneezin' spell, en Miss Meadows + en de gals dey up'n koff. Th'ee times Brer Rabbit jump up en crack his + heels tergedder en come down wid de sludge-hammer—ker-blam!—en + eve'y time he jump up, he holler out: + </p> + <p> + "'Stan' fudder, ladies! Yer come de dus'!' en sho nuff, de dus' come. + </p> + <p> + "Leas'ways," continued Uncle Remus, "Brer Rabbit got one er de gals, en + dey had a weddin' en a big infa'r." + </p> + <p> + "Which of the girls did the Rabbit marry?" asked the little boy, + dubiously. + </p> + <p> + "I did year tell un 'er name," replied the old man, with a great + affectation of interest, "but look like I done gone en fergit it out'n my + mine. Ef I don't disremember," he continued, "hit wuz Miss Molly + Cottontail, en I speck we better let it go at dat." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXI. A PLANTATION WITCH + </h2> + <p> + The next time the little boy got permission to call upon Uncle Remus, the + old man was sitting in his door, with his elbows on his knees and his face + buried in his hands, and he appeared to be in great trouble. "What's the + matter, Uncle Remus?" the youngster asked. "Nuff de matter, honey—mo' + dan dey's enny kyo' fer. Ef dey ain't some quare gwines on 'roun' dis + place I ain't name Remus." + </p> + <p> + The serious tone of the old man caused the little boy to open his eyes. + The moon, just at its full, cast long, vague, wavering shadows in front of + the cabin. A colony of tree-frogs somewhere in the distance were treating + their neighbors to a serenade, but to the little boy it sounded like a + chorus of lost and long- forgotten whistlers. The sound was wherever the + imagination chose to locate it—to the right, to the left, in the + air, on the ground, far away or near at hand, but always dim and always + indistinct. Something in Uncle Remus's tone exactly fitted all these + surroundings, and the child nestled closer to the old man. + </p> + <p> + "Yasser," continued Uncle Remus, with an ominous sigh and mysterious shake + of the head, "ef dey ain't some quare gwines on in dish yer naberhood, den + I'm de ball-headest creetur 'twix' dis en nex' Jinawerry wuz a year 'go, + w'ich I knows I ain't. Dat's what." + </p> + <p> + "What is it, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "I know Mars John bin drivin' Cholly sorter hard ter-day, en I say ter + myse'f dat I'd drap 'round 'bout dus' en fling nudder year er corn in de + troff en kinder gin 'im a techin' up wid de kurrier-koam; en bless + grashus! I ain't bin in de lot mo'n a minnit 'fo' I seed sump'n wuz wrong + wid de hoss, and sho' nuff dar wuz his mane full er witch-stirrups." + </p> + <p> + "Full of what, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Full er witch-stirrups, honey. Ain't you seed no witch-stirrups? Well, + w'en you see two stran' er ha'r tied tergedder in a hoss's mane, dar you + see a witch-stirrup, en, mo'n dat, dat hoss done bin rid by um." + </p> + <p> + "Do you reckon they have been riding Charley?" inquired the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, honey. Tooby sho dey is. W'at else dey bin doin'?" + </p> + <p> + "Did you ever see a witch, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat ain't needer yer ner dar. W'en I see coon track in de branch, I know + de coon bin 'long dar." + </p> + <p> + The argument seemed unanswerable, and the little boy asked, in a + confidential tone: + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Remus, what are witches like?" + </p> + <p> + "Dey comes diffunt," responded the cautious old darkey. "Dey comes en dey + cunjus fokes. Squinch-owl holler eve'y time he see a witch, en w'en you + hear de dog howlin' in de middle er de night, one un um's mighty ap' ter + be prowlin' 'roun'. Cunjun fokes kin tell a witch de minnit dey lays der + eyes on it, but dem w'at ain't cunjun, hit's mighty hard ter tell w'en dey + see one, kaze dey might come in de 'pearunce un a cow en all kinder + creeturs. I ain't bin useter no cunjun myse'f, but I bin livin' long nuff + fer ter know w'en you meets up wid a big black cat in de middle er de + road, wid yaller eyeballs, dar's yo' witch fresh fum de Ole Boy. En, + fuddermo', I know dat 'tain't proned inter no dogs fer ter ketch de rabbit + w'at use in a berryin'-groun'. Dey er de mos' ongodlies' creeturs w'at you + ever laid eyes on," continued Uncle Remus, with unction. "Down dar in + Putmon County yo' Unk Jeems, he make like he gwineter ketch wunner dem dar + graveyard rabbits. Sho nuff, out he goes, en de dogs ain't no mo'n got ter + de place fo' up jump de old rabbit right 'mong um, en atter runnin''roun' + a time or two, she skip right up ter Mars Jeems, en Mars Jeems, he des put + de gun-bar'l right on 'er en lammed aloose. Hit tored up de groun' all + 'roun', en de dogs, dey rush up, but dey wa'n't no rabbit dar; but bimeby + Mars Jeems, he seed de dogs tuckin' der tails 'tween der legs, en he look + up, en dar wuz de rabbit caperin' 'roun' on a toom stone, en wid dat Mars + Jeems say he sorter feel like de time done come w'en yo' gran'ma was + 'specktin' un him home, en he call off de dogs en put out. But dem wuz + ha'nts. Witches is deze yer kinder fokes w'at kin drap der body en change + inter a cat en a wolf en all kinder creeturs." + </p> + <p> + "Papa says there ain't any witches," the little boy interrupted. + </p> + <p> + "Mars John ain't live long ez I is," said Uncle Remus, by way of comment. + "He ain't bin broozin' roun' all hours er de night en day. I know'd a + nigger w'ich his brer wuz a witch, kaze he up'n tole me how he tuck'n + kyo'd 'im; en he kyo'd 'im good, mon." + </p> + <p> + "How was that?" inquired the little boy. + </p> + <p> + "Hit seem like," continued Uncle Remus, "dat witch fokes is got a slit in + de back er de neck, en w'en dey wanter change derse'f, dey des pull de + hide over der head same ez if 'twuz a shut, en dar dey is." + </p> + <p> + "Do they get out of their skins?" asked the little boy, in an awed tone. + </p> + <p> + "Tooby sho, honey. You see yo' pa pull his shut off? Well, dat des 'zackly + de way dey duz. But dish yere nigger w'at I'm tellin' you 'bout, he kyo'd + his brer de ve'y fus pass he made at him. Hit got so dat fokes in de + settlement didn't have no peace. De chilluns 'ud wake up in de mawnins wid + der ha'r tangle up, en wid scratches on um like dey bin thoo a + brier-patch, twel bimeby one day de nigger he 'low dat he'd set up dat + night en keep one eye on his brer; en sho' nuff dat night, des ez de + chickens wuz crowin' fer twelve, up jump de brer and pull off his skin en + sail out'n de house in de shape un a bat, en w'at duz de nigger do but + grab up de hide, and turn it wrong-sudout'ards en sprinkle it wid salt. + Den he lay down en watch fer ter see w'at de news wuz gwineter be. Des + 'fo' day yer come a big black cat in de do', en de nigger git up, he did, + en druv her away. Bimeby, yer come a big black dog snuffin' roun', en de + nigger up wid a chunk en lammed 'im side er de head. Den a squinch-owl lit + on de koam er de house, en de nigger jam de shovel in de fier en make 'im + flew away. Las', yer come a great big black wolf wid his eyes shinin' like + fier coals, en he grab de hide and rush out. 'Twa'n't long 'fo' de nigger + year his brer holler'n en squallin', en he tuck a light, he did, en went + out, en dar wuz his brer des a waller'n on de groun' en squirmin' 'roun', + kaze de salt on de skin wuz stingin' wuss'n ef he had his britches lineded + wid yallerjackets. By nex' mawnin' he got so he could sorter shuffle long, + but he gun up cunjun, en ef dere wuz enny mo' witches in dat settlement + dey kep' mighty close, en dat nigger he ain't skunt hisse'f no mo' not + endurin' er my 'membunce." + </p> + <p> + The result of this was that Uncle Remus had to take the little boy by the + hand and go with him to the "big house," which the old man was not loath + to do; and, when the child went to bed, he lay awake a long time expecting + an unseemly visitation from some mysterious source. It soothed him, + however, to hear the strong, musical voice of his sable patron, not very + far away, tenderly contending with a lusty tune; and to this accompaniment + the little boy dropped asleep: + </p> + <p> + "Hit's eighteen hunder'd, forty-en-eight, Christ done made dat crooked way + straight— En I don't wanter stay here no longer; Hit's eighteen + hunder'd, forty-en-nine, Christ done turn dat water inter wine— En I + don't wanter stay here no longer." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXII. "JACKY-MY-LANTERN" *1 + </h2> + <p> + UPON his next visit to Uncle Remus, the little boy was exceedingly anxious + to know more about witches, but the old man prudently refrained from + exciting the youngster's imagination any further in that direction. Uncle + Remus had a board across his lap, and, armed with a mallet and a + shoe-knife, was engaged in making shoe-pegs. + </p> + <p> + "W'iles I wuz crossin' de branch des now," he said, endeavoring to change + the subject, "I come up wid a Jacky-my-lantern, en she wuz bu'nin' wuss'n + a bunch er lightnin'-bugs, mon. I know'd she wuz a fixin' fer ter lead me + inter dat quogmire down in de swamp, en I steer'd cle'r an' er. Yasser. I + did dat. You ain't never seed no Jacky-my-lanterns, is you, honey?" + </p> + <p> + The little boy never had, but he had heard of them, and he wanted to know + what they were, and thereupon Uncle Remus proceeded to tell him. + </p> + <p> + "One time," said the old darkey, transferring his spectacles from his nose + to the top of his head and leaning his elbows upon his peg-board, "dere + wuz a blacksmif man, en dish yer blacksmif man, he tuck'n stuck closer by + his dram dan he did by his bellus. Monday mawnin' he'd git on a spree, en + all dat week he'd be on a spree, en de nex' Monday mawnin' he'd take a + fresh start. Bimeby, one day, atter de blacksmif bin spreein''roun' en + cussin' might'ly, he hear a sorter rustlin' fuss at de do', en in walk de + Bad Man." + </p> + <p> + "Who, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked. + </p> + <p> + "De Bad Man, honey; de Ole Boy hisse'f right fresh from de ridjun w'at you + year Miss Sally readin' 'bout. He done hide his hawns, en his tail, en his + hoof, en he come dress up like w'ite fokes. He tuck off his hat en he bow, + en den he tell de blacksmif who he is, en dat he done come atter 'im. Den + de black-smif, he gun ter cry en beg, en he beg so hard en he cry so loud + dat de Bad Man say he make a trade wid 'im. At de een' er one year de + sperit er de blacksmif wuz to be his'n en endurin' er dat time de + blacksmif mus' put in his hottes' licks in de intruss er de Bad Man, en + den he put a spell on de cheer de blacksmif was settin' in, en on his + sludge-hammer. De man w'at sot in de cheer couldn't git up less'n de + blacksmif let 'im, en de man w'at pick up de sludge 'ud hatter keep on + knockin' wid it twel de blacksmif say quit; en den he gun 'im money + plenty, en off he put. + </p> + <p> + "De blacksmif, he sail in fer ter have his fun, en he have so much dat he + done clean forgot 'bout his contrack, but bimeby, one day he look down de + road, en dar he see de Bad Man comin', en den he know'd de year wuz out. + W'en de Bad Man got in de do', de blacksmif wuz poundin' 'way at a + hoss-shoe, but he wa'n't so bizzy dat he didn't ax 'im in. De Bad Man + sorter do like he ain't got no time fer ter tarry, but de blacksmif say he + got some little jobs dat he bleedzd ter finish up, en den he ax de Bad Man + fer ter set down a minnit; en de Bad Man, he tuck'n sot down, en he sot in + dat cheer w'at he done conju'd en, co'se, dar he wuz. Den de blacksmif, he + 'gun ter poke fun at de Bad Man, en he ax him don't he want a dram, en + won't he hitch his cheer up little nigher de fier, en de Bad Man, he beg + en he beg, but 'twan't doin' no good, kase de blacksmif 'low dat he + gwineter keep 'im dar twel he prommus dat he let 'im off one year mo', en, + sho nuff, de Bad Man prommus dat ef de black-smif let 'im up he give 'im a + n'er showin'. So den de blacksmif gun de wud, en de Bad Man sa'nter off + down de big road, settin' traps en layin' his progance fer ter ketch mo' + sinners. + </p> + <p> + "De nex' year hit pass same like t'er one. At de 'p'inted time yer come de + Ole Boy atter de blacksmif, but still de blacksmif had some jobs dat he + bleedzd ter finish up, en he ax de Bad Man fer ter take holt er de sludge + en he he'p 'im out; en de Bad Man, he 'low dat r'er'n be disperlite, he + don't keer ef he do hit 'er a biff er two; en wid dat he grab up de + sludge, en dar he wuz 'gin, kase he done conju'd de sludge so dat + whosomedever tuck 'er up can't put 'er down less'n de blacksmif say de + wud. Dey perlaver'd dar, dey did, twel bimeby de Bad Man he up'n let 'im + off n'er year. + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, dat year pass same ez t'er one. Mont' in en mont' out dat man + wuz rollin' in dram, en bimeby yer come de Bad Man. De blacksmif cry en he + holler, en he rip 'roun' en t'ar his ha'r, but hit des like he didn't, + kase de Bad Man grab 'im up en cram 'im in a bag en tote 'im off. W'iles + dey wuz gwine 'long dey come up wid a passel er fokes w'at wuz havin' + wanner deze yer fote er July bobbycues, en de Ole Boy, he 'low dat maybe + he kin git some mo' game, en w'at do he do but jine in wid um. He lines in + en he talk politics same like t'er fokes, twel bimeby dinnertime come + 'roun', en dey ax 'im up, w'ich 'greed wid his stummuck, en he pozzit his + bag underneed de table 'longside de udder bags w'at de hongry fokes'd + brung. + </p> + <p> + "No sooner did de blacksmif git back on de groun' dan he 'gun ter wuk his + way outer de bag. He crope out, he did, en den he tuck'n change de bag. He + tuck'n tuck a n'er bag en lay it down whar dish yer bag wuz, en den he + crope outer de crowd en lay low in de underbresh. + </p> + <p> + "Las', w'en de time come fer ter go, de Ole Boy up wid his bag en slung + her on his shoulder, en off he put fer de Bad Place. W'en he got dar he + tuck'n drap de bag off'n his back en call up de imps, en dey des come a + squallin' en a caperin', w'ich I speck dey mus' a bin hongry. Leas'ways + dey des swawm'd 'roun', hollerin' out: + </p> + <p> + "'Daddy, w'at you brung—daddy, w'at you brung?' + </p> + <p> + "So den dey open de bag, en lo en behol's, out jump a big bull- dog, en de + way he shuck dem little imps wuz a caution, en he kep' on gnyawin' un um + twel de Ole Boy open de gate en t'un 'im out." + </p> + <p> + "And what became of the blacksmith?" the little boy asked, as Uncle Remus + paused to snuff the candle with his fingers. + </p> + <p> + "I'm drivin' on 'roun', honey. Atter 'long time, de blacksmif he tuck'n + die, en w'en he go ter de Good Place de man at de gate dunner who he is, + en he can't squeeze in. Den he go down ter de Bad Place, en knock. De Ole + Boy, he look out, he did, en he know'd de blacksmif de minnit he laid eyes + on 'im; but he shake his head en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'You'll hatter skuze me, Brer Blacksmif, kase I dun had 'speunce 'longer + you. You'll hatter go some'rs else ef you wanter raise enny racket,' + sezee, en wid dat he shet do do'. + </p> + <p> + "En dey do say," continued Uncle Remus, with unction, "dat sense dat day + de blacksmif bin sorter huv'rin' 'roun' 'twix' de heavens en de ye'th, en + dark nights he shine out so fokes call 'im Jacky-my-lantern. Dat's w'at + dey tells me. Hit may be wrong er't maybe right, but dat's w'at I years." + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +*1 This story is popular on the coast and among the rice- + plantations, and, since the publication of some of the + animal-myths in the newspapers, I have received a version + of it from a planter in southwest Georgia; but it seems to + me to be an intruder among the genuine myth-stories of the + negroes. It is a trifle too elaborate. Nevertheless, it is + told upon the plantations with great gusto, and there are + several versions in circulation. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXIII. WHY THE NEGRO IS BLACK + </h2> + <p> + ONE night, while the little boy was watching Uncle Remus twisting and + waxing some shoe-thread, he made what appeared to him to be a very curious + discovery. He discovered that the palms of the old man's hands were as + white as his own, and the fact was such a source of wonder that he at last + made it the subject of remark. The response of Uncle Remus led to the + earnest recital of a piece of unwritten history that must prove + interesting to ethnologists. + </p> + <p> + "Tooby sho de pa'm er my han's w'ite, honey," he quietly remarked, "en, + w'en it come ter dat, dey wuz a time w'en all de w'ite folks 'uz black—blacker + dan me, kaze I done bin yer so long dat I bin sorter bleach out." + </p> + <p> + The little boy laughed. He thought Uncle Remus was making him the victim + of one of his jokes; but the youngster was never more mistaken. The old + man was serious. Nevertheless, he failed to rebuke the ill-timed mirth of + the child, appearing to be altogether engrossed in his work. After a + while, he resumed: + </p> + <p> + "Yasser. Fokes dunner w'at bin yit, let 'lone w'at gwinter be. Niggers is + niggers now, but de time wuz w'en we 'uz all niggers tergedder." + </p> + <p> + "When was that, Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Way back yander. In dem times we 'uz all un us black; we 'uz all niggers + tergedder, en 'cordin' ter all de 'counts w'at I years fokes 'uz gittin' + 'long 'bout ez well in dem days ez dey is now. But atter 'w'ile de news + come dat dere wuz a pon' er water some'rs in de naberhood, w'ich ef dey'd + git inter dey'd be wash off nice en w'ite, en den one un um, he fine de + place en make er splunge inter de pon', en come out w'ite ez a town gal. + En den, bless grashus! w'en de fokes seed it, dey make a break fer de + pon', en dem w'at wuz de soopless, dey got in fus' en dey come out w'ite; + en dem w'at wuz de nex' soopless, dey got in nex', en dey come out + merlatters; en dey wuz sech a crowd un um dat dey mighty nigh use de water + up, w'ich w'en dem yuthers come long, de morest dey could do wuz ter + paddle about wid der foots en dabble in it wid der han's. Dem wuz de + niggers, en down ter dis day dey ain't no w'ite 'bout a nigger 'ceppin de + pa'ms er der han's en de soles er der foot." + </p> + <p> + The little boy seemed to be very much interested in this new account of + the origin of races, and he made some further inquiries, which elicited + from Uncle Remus the following additional particulars: + </p> + <p> + "De Injun en de Chinee got ter be 'counted 'long er de merlatter. I ain't + seed no Chinee dat I knows un, but dey tells me dey er sorter 'twix' a + brown en a brindle. Dey er all merlatters." + </p> + <p> + "But mamma says the Chinese have straight hair," the little boy suggested. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, honey," the old man unhesitatingly responded, "dem w'at git ter de + pon' time nuff fer ter git der head in de water, de water hit onkink der + ha'r. Hit bleedzd ter be dat away." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXXIV. THE SAD FATE OF MR. FOX + </h2> + <p> + "Now, den," said Uncle Remus, with unusual gravity, as soon as the little + boy, by taking his seat, announced that he was ready for the evening's + entertainment to begin; "now, den, dish yer tale w'at I'm agwine ter gin + you is de las' row er stumps, sho. Dish yer's whar ole Brer Fox los' his + breff, en he ain't fine it no mo' down ter dis day." + </p> + <p> + "Did he kill himself, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, with a curious + air of concern. + </p> + <p> + "Hol' on dar, honey!" the old man exclaimed, with a great affectation of + alarm; "hol' on dar! Wait! Gimme room! I don't wanter tell you no story, + en ef you keep shovin' me forrerd, I mout git some er de facks mix up + 'mong deyse'f. You gotter gimme room en you gotter gimme time." + </p> + <p> + The little boy had no other premature questions to ask, and, after a + pause, Uncle Remus resumed: + </p> + <p> + "Well, den, one day Brer Rabbit go ter Brer Fox house, he did, en he put + up mighty po' mouf. He say his ole 'oman sick, en his chilluns col', en de + fier done gone out. Brer Fox, he feel bad 'bout dis, en he tuck'n s'ply + Brer Rabbit widder chunk er fier. Brer Rabbit see Brer Fox cookin' some + nice beef, en his mouf gun ter water, but he take de fier, he did, en he + put out to'rds home; but present'y yer he come back, en he say de fier + done gone out. Brer Fox 'low dat he want er invite to dinner, but he don't + say nuthin', en bimeby Brer Rabbit he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Brer Fox, whar you git so much nice beef?' sezee, en den Brer Fox he + up'n 'spon', sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'You come ter my house termorrer ef yo' fokes ain't too sick, en I kin + show you whar you kin git plenty beef mo' nicer dan dish yer,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Well, sho nuff, de nex' day fotch Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Der's a man down yander by Miss Meadows's w'at got heap er fine cattle, + en he gotter cow name Bookay,' sezee, 'en you des go en say Bookay, en + she'll open her mouf, en you kin jump in en git des as much meat ez you + kin tote,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Well, I'll go 'long,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en you kin jump fus' en + den I'll come follerin' atter,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Wid dat dey put out, en dey went promernadin' 'roun' 'mong de cattle, dey + did, twel bimeby dey struck up wid de one dey wuz atter. Brer Fox, he up, + he did, en holler Bookay, en de cow flung 'er mouf wide open. Sho nuff, in + dey jump, en w'en dey got dar, Brer Fox, he say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'You kin cut mos' ennywheres, Brer Rabbit, but don't cut 'roun' de + haslett,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Den Brer Rabbit, he holler back, he did: I'm a gitten me out a + roas'n-piece,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Roas'n, er bakin', er fryin',' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'don't git too nigh + de haslett,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Dey cut en dey kyarved, en dey kyarved en dey cut, en w'iles dey wuz + cuttin' en kyarvin', en slashin' 'way, Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n hacked inter + de haslett, en wid dat down fell de cow dead. + </p> + <p> + "'Now, den,' sez Brer Fox, 'we er gone, sho,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'W'at we gwine do?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'I'll git in de maul,' sez Brer Fox, 'en you'll jump in de gall,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Nex' mawnin' yer cum de man w'at de cow b'long ter, and he ax who kill + Bookay. Nobody don't say nuthin'. Den de man say he'll cut 'er open en + see, en den he whirl in, en twan't no time 'fo' he had 'er intruls spread + out. Brer Rabbit, he crope out'n de gall, en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Mister Man! Oh, Mister Man! I'll tell you who kill yo' cow. You look in + de maul, en dar you'll fine 'im,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Wid dat de man tuck a stick and lam down on de maul so hard dat he kill + Brer Fox stone-dead. W'en Brer Rabbit see Brer Fox wuz laid out fer good, + he make like he mighty sorry, en he up'n ax de man fer Brer Fox head. Man + say he ain't keerin', en den Brer Rabbit tuck'n brung it ter Brer Fox + house. Dar he see ole Miss Fox, en he tell 'er dat he done fotch her some + nice beef w'at 'er ole man sont 'er, but she ain't gotter look at it twel + she go ter eat it. + </p> + <p> + "Brer Fox son wuz name Tobe, en Brer Rabbit tell Tobe fer ter keep still + w'iles his mammy cook de nice beef w'at his daddy sont 'im. Tobe he wuz + mighty hongry, en he look in de pot he did w'iles de cookin' wuz gwine on, + en dar he see his daddy head, en wid dat he sot up a howl en tole his + mammy. Miss Fox, she git mighty mad w'en she fine she cookin' her ole man + head, en she call up de dogs, she did, en sickt em on Brer Rabbit; en ole + Miss Fox en Tobe en de dogs, dey push Brer Rabbit so close dat he hatter + take a holler tree. Miss Fox, she tell Tobe fer ter stay dar en mine Brer + Rabbit, w'ile she goes en git de ax, en w'en she gone, Brer Rabbit, he + tole Tobe ef he go ter de branch en git 'im a drink er water dat he'll gin + 'im a dollar. Tobe, he put out, he did, en bring some water in his hat, + but by de time he got back Brer Rabbit done out en gone. Ole Miss Fox, she + cut and cut twel down come de tree, but no Brer Rabbit dar. Den she lay de + blame on Tobe, en she say she gwineter lash 'im, en Tobe, he put out en + run, de ole 'oman atter 'im. Bimeby, he come up wid Brer Rabbit, en sot + down fer to tell 'im how 'twuz, en w'iles dey wuz a settin' dar, yer come + ole Miss Fox a slippin' up en grab um bofe. Den she tell um w'at she gwine + do. Brer Rabbit she gwineter kill, en Tobe she gwineter lam ef its de las' + ack. Den Brer Rabbit sez, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you please, ma'am, Miss Fox, lay me on de grinestone en groun off my + nose so I can't smell no mo' w'en I'm dead.' + </p> + <p> + "Miss Fox, she tuck dis ter be a good idee, en she fotch bofe un um ter de + grinestone, en set um up on it so dat she could groun' off Brer Rabbit + nose. Den Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Ef you please, ma'am, Miss Fox, Tobe he kin turn de handle w'iles you + goes atter some water fer ter wet de grinestone,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, soon'z Brer Rabbit see Miss Fox go atter de water, he jump down en + put out, en dis time he git clean away." + </p> + <p> + "And was that the last of the Rabbit, too, Uncle Remus?" the little boy + asked, with something like a sigh. + </p> + <p> + "Don't push me too close, honey," responded the old man; "don't shove me + up in no cornder. I don't wanter tell you no stories. Some say dat Brer + Rabbit's ole 'oman died fum eatin' some pizen- weed, en dat Brer Rabbit + married ole Miss Fox, en some say not. Some tells one tale en some tells + nudder; some say dat fum dat time forrerd de Rabbits en de Foxes make + fren's en stay so; some say dey kep on quollin'. Hit look like it mixt. + Let dem tell you w'at knows. Dat w'at I years you gits it straight like I + yeard it." + </p> + <p> + There was a long pause, which was finally broken by the old man: + </p> + <p> + "Hit's 'gin de rules fer you ter be noddin' yer, honey. Bimeby you'll drap + off en I'll hatter tote you up ter de big 'ouse. I hear dat baby cryin', + en bimeby Miss Sally'll fly up en be a holler'n atter you" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I wasn't asleep," the little boy replied. "I was just thinking." + </p> + <p> + "Well, dat's diffunt," said the old man. "Ef you'll clime up on my back," + he continued, speaking softly, "I speck I ain't too ole fer ter be yo' + hoss fum yer ter de house. Many en many's de time dat I toted yo' Unk + Jeems dat away, en Mars Jeems wuz heavier sot dan w'at you is." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PLANTATION PROVERBS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +BIG 'possum clime little tree. +Dem w'at eats kin say grace. +Ole man Know-All died las' year. +Better de gravy dan no grease 'tall. +Dram ain't good twel you git it. +Lazy fokes' stummucks don't git tired. +Rheumatiz don't he'p at de log-rollin'. +Mole don't see w'at his naber doin'. +Save de pacin' mar' fer Sunday. +Don't rain eve'y time de pig squeal. +Crow en corn can't grow in de same fiel'. +Tattlin' 'oman can't make de bread rise. +Rails split 'fo' bre'kfus'll season de dinner. +Dem w'at knows too much sleeps under de ash-hopper. +Ef you wanter see yo' own sins, clean up a new groun'. +Hog dunner w'ich part un 'im'll season de turnip salad. +Hit's a blessin' de w'ite sow don't shake de plum-tree. +Winter grape sour, whedder you kin reach 'im or not. +Mighty po' bee dat don't make mo' honey dan he want. +Kwishins on mule's foots done gone out er fashun. +Pigs dunno w'at a pen's fer. +Possum's tail good as a paw. +Dogs don't bite at de front gate. +Colt in de barley-patch kick high. +Jay-bird don't rob his own nes'. +Pullet can't roost too high for de owl. +Meat fried 'fo' day won't las' twel night. +Stump water won't kyo' de gripes. +De howlin' dog know w'at he sees. +Blin' hoss don't fall w'en he follers de bit. +Hongry nigger won't w'ar his maul out. +Don't fling away de empty wallet. +Black-snake know de way ter de hin nes'. +Looks won't do ter split rails wid. +Settin' hens don't hanker arter fresh aigs. +Tater-vine growin' w'ile you sleep. +Hit take two birds fer to make a nes'. +Ef you bleedzd ter eat dirt, eat clean dirt. +Tarrypin walk fast 'nuff fer to go visitin'. +Empty smoke-house makes de pullet holler. +W'en coon take water he fixin' fer ter fight. +Corn makes mo' at de mill dan it does in de crib. +Good luck say: "Op'n yo' mouf en shet yo' eyes." +Nigger dat gets hurt wukkin oughter show de skyars. +Fiddlin' nigger say hit's long ways ter de dance. +Rooster makes mo' racket dan de hin w'at lay de aig. +Meller mush-million hollers at you fum over de fence. +Nigger wid a pocket-hankcher better be looked atter. +Rain-crow don't sing no chune, but you k'n 'pen' on 'im. +One-eyed mule can't be handled on de bline side. +Moon may shine, but a lightered knot's mighty handy. +Licker talks mighty loud w'en it git loose fum de jug. +De proudness un a man don't count w'en his head's cold. +Hongry rooster don't cackle w'en he fine a wum. +Some niggers mighty smart, but dey can't drive de pidgins ter + roos'. +You may know de way, but better keep yo' eyes on de seven stairs. +All de buzzards in de settlement 'll come to de gray mule's + funer'l. +You k'n hide de fier, but w'at you gwine do wid de smoke? +Termorrow may be de carridge-driver's day for ploughin'. +Hit's a mighty deaf nigger dat don't year de dinner-ho'n. +Hit takes a bee fer ter git de sweetness out'n de hoar-houn' + blossom. +Ha'nts don't bodder longer hones' folks, but you better go 'roun' + de grave-yard. +De pig dat runs off wid de year er corn gits little mo' dan + de cob. +Sleepin' in de fence-cornder don't fetch Chrismus in de kitchen. +De spring-house may freeze, but de niggers 'll keep de shuck-pen + warm. +'Twix' de bug en de bee-martin 'tain't hard ter tell w'ich + gwineter git kotch. +Don't 'sput wid de squinch-owl. Jam de shovel in de fier. +You'd see mo' er de mink ef he know'd whar de yard dog sleeps. +Troubles is seasonin'. +'Simmons ain't good twel dey 'er fros'-bit. +Watch out w'en you'er gittin all you want. Fattenin' hogs ain't + in luck. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HIS SONGS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. REVIVAL HYMN + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + OH, whar shill we go w'en de great day comes, + Wid de blowin' er de trumpits en de bangin' er de drums? + How many po' sinners'll be kotched out late + En fin' no latch ter de golden gate? + No use fer ter wait twel termorrer! + De sun mus'n't set on yo' sorrer, + Sin's ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier- + Oh, Lord! fetch de mo'ners up higher! + + W'en de nashuns er de earf is a stan'in all aroun, + Who's a gwineter be choosen fer ter w'ar de glory-crown? + Who's a gwine fer ter stan' stiff-kneed en bol'. + En answer to der name at de callin' er de roll? + You better come now ef you comin'— + Ole Satun is loose en a bummin'— + De wheels er distruckshun is a hummin'— + Oh, come long, sinner, ef you comin'! + + De song er salvashun is a mighty sweet song, + En de Pairidise win' blow fur en blow strong, + En Aberham's bosom, hit's saft en hit's wide, + En right dar's de place whar de sinners oughter hide! + Oh, you nee'nter be a stoppin' en a lookin'; + Ef you fool wid ole Satun you'll git took in; + You'll hang on de aidge en get shook in, + Ef you keep on a stoppin' en a lookin'. + + De time is right now, en dish yer's de place— + Let de sun er salvashun shine squar' in yo' face; + Fight de battles er de Lord, fight soon en fight late, + En you'll allers fine a latch ter de golden gate. + No use fer ter wait twel termorrer, + De sun musn't set on yo' sorrer— + Sin's ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier, + Ax de Lord fer ter fetch you up higher! +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. CAMP-MEETING SONG * + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + OH, de worril is roun' en de worril is wide— + Lord! 'member deze chillun in de mornin'— + + Hit's a mighty long ways up de mountain side, + En dey ain't no place fer dem sinners fer ter hide, + En dey ain't no place whar sin kin abide, + W'en de Lord shill come in de mornin'! + Look up en look aroun', + Fling yo' burden on de groun', + Hit's a gittin' mighty close on ter mornin'! + Smoove away sin's frown— + Retch up en git de crown, + W'at de Lord will fetch in de mornin'! + + De han' er ridem'shun, hit's hilt out ter you— + Lord! 'member dem sinners in de mornin'! + Hit's a mighty pashent han', but de days is but few, + W'en Satun, he'll come a demandin' un his due, + En de stiff-neck sinners 'll be smotin' all fru- + Oh, you better git ready for de mornin'! + Look up en set yo' face + To'ds de green hills of grace + 'Fo' de sun rises up in de mornin'— + Oh, you better change yo' base, + Hits yo' soul's las' race + For de glory dat's a comin' in de mornin'! + + De farmer gits ready w'en de lan's all plowed + For ter sow dem seeds in de mornin' + De sperrit may be puny en de flesh may be proud, + But you better cut loose fum de scoffin' crowd, + En jine dose Christuns w'at's a cryin' out loud + Fer de Lord fer ter come in de mornin'! + Shout loud en shout long, + Let de eckoes ans'er strong, + W'en de sun rises up in de mornin'! + Oh, you allers will be wrong + Twel you choose ter belong + Ter de Marster w'at's a comin' in de mornin'! + + *In the days of slavery, the religious services held by the + negroes who accompanied their owners to the camp-meetings + were marvels of earnestness and devotion. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. CORN-SHUCKING SONG + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + OH, de fus' news you know de day'll be a breakin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango! *1) + An' de fier be a burnin' en' de ash-cake a bakin', + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + An' de ho'n 'll be a hollerin' en de boss 'll be a wakin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Better git up, nigger, en give yo'se'f a shakin'— + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + Oh, honey! w'en you see dem ripe stars a fallin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Oh, honey! w'en you year de rain-crow a callin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Oh, honey! w'en you year dat red calf a bawlin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Den de day time's a creepin' en a crawlin'— + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + For de los' ell en yard *2 is a huntin' for de mornin', + (Hi O! git long! go 'way!) + En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in— + (Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) + + Oh, honey! w'en you year dat tin horn a tootin' + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Oh, honey, w'en you year de squinch owl a hootin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Oh, honey! w'en you year dem little pigs a rootin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Right den she's a comin' a skippin' en a scootin'— + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + Oh, honey, w'en you year dat roan mule whicker— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + W'en you see Mister Moon turnin' pale en gittin' sicker— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Den hit's time for ter handle dat corn a little quicker— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Ef you wanter git a smell er old Marster's jug er licker— + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' + (Hi O! git long! go 'way!) + En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in— + (Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) + You niggers 'cross dar! you better stop your dancin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + No use for ter come a flingin' un yo' "sha'n'ts" in— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + No use for ter come a flingin' un yo' "can't's" in— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Kaze dey ain't no time for yo' pattin' nor yo' prancin'! + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + Mr. Rabbit see de Fox, en he sass um en jaws um— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Mr. Fox ketch de Rabbit, en he scratch um en he claws um— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + En he tar off de hide, en he chaws um en he gnyaws um— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Same like gal chawin' sweet gum en rozzum— + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' + (Hi O! git 'long! go 'way!) + En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in— + (Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) + + Oh, work on, boys! give doze shucks a mighty wringin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + 'Fo' de boss come aroun' a dangin' en a dingin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Git up en move aroun'! set dem big han's ter swingin'— + (Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) + Git up'n shout loud! let de w'ite folks year you singin'! + (Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + + For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' + (Hi O! git long! go 'way!) + En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in. + (Oh, go 'way Sindy Ann!) + + *1 So far as I know, "Bango" is a meaningless term, introduced + on account of its sonorous ruggedness. + *2 The sword and belt in the constellation of Orion. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. THE PLOUGH-HANDS' SONG (JASPER COUNTY—1860.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + NIGGER mighty happy w'en he layin' by co'n— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + Nigger mighty happy w'en he year de dinner-ho'n— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + En he mo' happy still w'en de night draws on— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + Dat sun's a slantin' des ez sho's you bo'n! + En it's rise up, Primus! fetch anudder yell: + Dat ole dun cow's des a shakin' up 'er bell, + En de frogs chunin' up 'fo' de jew done fell: + Good-night, Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well! + —Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well! + —I wish you mighty well! + + Do co'n 'll be ready 'g'inst dumplin' day— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + But nigger gotter watch, en stick, en stay— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + Same ez de bee-martin watchin' un de jay— + Dat sun's a slantin'; + Dat sun's a slantin' en a slippin' away! + Den it's rise up, Primus! en gin it turn strong; + De cow's gwine home wid der ding-dang-dong— + Sling in anudder tetch er de ole-time song: + Good-night, Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long! + —Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long! + —Don't stay long! +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. CHRISTMAS PLAY-SONG (MYRICK PLACE, PUTNAM COUNTY 1858.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hi my rinktum! Black gal sweet, + Same like goodies w'at de w'ite folks eat; + Ho my Riley! don't you take'n tell 'er name, + En den ef sumpin' happen you won't ketch de blame; + Hi my rinktum! better take'n hide yo' plum; + Joree don't holler eve'y time he fine a wum. + Den it's hi my rinktum! + Don't git no udder man; + En it's ho my Riley! + Fetch out Miss Dilsey Ann! + + Ho my Riley! Yaller gal fine; + She may be yone but she oughter be mine! + Hi my rinktum! Lemme git by, + En see w'at she mean by de cut er dat eye! + Ho my Riley! better shet dat do'— + De w'ite folks 'll bleeve we er t'arin up de flo'. + + Den it's ho my Riley! + Come a siftin' up ter me! + En it's hi my rinktum! + Dis de way ter twis' yo' knee! + + Hi my rinktum! Ain't de eas' gittin' red? + De squinch owl shiver like he wanter go ter bed; + Ho my Riley! but de gals en de boys, + Des now gittin' so dey kin sorter make a noise. + Hi my rinktum! let de yaller gal lone; + Niggers don't hanker arter sody in de pone. + Den it's hi my rinktum! + Better try anudder plan; + An' it's ho my Riley! + Trot out Miss Dilsey Ann! + + Ho my Riley! In de happy Chris'mus time + De niggers shake der cloze a huntin' for a dime. + Hi my rinktum! En den dey shake der feet, + En greaze derse'f wid de good ham meat. + Ho my Riley! dey eat en dey cram, + En bimeby ole Miss 'll be a sendin' out de dram. + Den it's ho my Riley! + You hear dat, Sam! + En it's hi my rinktum! + Be a sendin' out de dram! +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. PLANTATION PLAY-SONG (PUTNAM COUNTY—1856.) + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + HIT'S a gittin' mighty late, w'en de Guinny-hins squall, + En you better dance now, ef you gwineter dance a tall, + Fer by dis time termorrer night you can't hardly crawl, + Kaze you'll hatter take de hoe ag'in en likewise de maul— + Don't you hear dat bay colt a kickin' in his stall? + Stop yo' humpin' up yo' sho'lders do! + Dat'll never do! Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! + Hit takes a heap er scrougin' + For ter git you thoo— + Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! + + Ef you niggers don't watch, you'll sing anudder chune, + Fer de sun'll rise'n ketch you ef you don't be mighty soon; + En de stars is gittin' paler, en de ole gray coon + Is a settin' in de grape-vine a watchin' fer de moon. + W'en a feller comes a knockin' + Des holler—Oh, shoo! + Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! + Oh, swing dat yaller gal! + Do, boys, do! + Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! + + Oh, tu'n me loose! Lemme 'lone! Go way, now! + W'at you speck I come a dancin' fer ef I dunno how? + Deze de ve'y kinder footses w'at kicks up a row; + Can't you jump inter de middle en make yo' gal a bow? + Look at dat merlatter man + A follerin' up Sue; + Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! + De boys ain't a gwine + W'en you cry boo hoo— + Hop light, ladies, + Oh, Miss Loo! +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. TRANSCRIPTIONS *1 + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1. A PLANTATION CHANT + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-fo', + Christ done open dat He'v'mly do'— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-five, + Christ done made dat dead man alive— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + You ax me ter run home, + Little childun— + Run home, dat sun done roll— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-six, + Christ is got us a place done fix— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-sev'm + Christ done sot a table in Hev'm + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + You ax me ter run home, + Little childun— + Run home, dat sun done roll— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-eight, + Christ done make dat crooked way straight— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-nine, + Christ done tu'n dat water inter wine— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + You ax me ter run home, + Little childun— + Run home, dat sun done roll— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-ten, + Christ is de mo'ner's onliest fr'en'— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; + Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-lev'm, + Christ 'll be at de do' w'en we all git ter Hev'm— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + You ax me ter run home, + Little childun— + Run home, dat sun done roll— + An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + + *1 If these are adaptations from songs the negroes have caught + from the whites, their origin is very remote. I have + transcribed them literally, and I regard them as in the + highest degree characteristic. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 2.A PLANTATION SERENADE + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DE ole bee make de honey-comb, + De young bee make de honey, + De niggers make de cotton en co'n, + En de w'ite folks gits de money. + + De raccoon he's a cu'us man, + He never walk twel dark, + En nuthin' never 'sturbs his mine, + Twel he hear ole Bringer bark. + + De raccoon totes a bushy tail, + De 'possum totes no ha'r, + Mr. Rabbit, he come skippin' by, + He ain't got none ter spar'. + + Monday mornin' break er day, + W'ite folks got me gwine, + But Sat'dy night, w'en de sun goes down, + Dat yaller gal's in my mine. + + Fifteen poun' er meat a week, + W'isky for ter sell, + Oh, how can a young man stay at home, + Dem gals dey look so well? + + Met a 'possum in de road— + Bre' 'Possum, whar you gwine? + I thank my stars, I bless my life, + I'm a huntin' for de muscadine. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. THE BIG BETHEL CHURCH + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DE Big Bethel chu'ch! de Big Bethel chu'ch! + Done put ole Satun behine um; + Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu'ch, + De Big Bethel chu'ch will fine um! + + Hit's good ter be dere, en it's sweet ter be dere, + Wid de sisterin' all aroun' you— + A shakin' dem shackles er mussy en' love + Wharwid de Lord is boun' you. + + Hit's sweet ter be dere en lissen ter de hymns, + En hear dem mo'ners a shoutin'— + Dey done reach de place whar der ain't no room + Fer enny mo' weepin' en doubtin'. + + Hit's good ter be dere w'en de sinners all jine + Wid de brudderin in dere singin', + En it look like Gaberl gwine ter rack up en blow + En set dem heav'm bells ter ringin'! + + Oh, de Big Bethel chu'ch! de Big Bethel chu'ch, + Done put ole Satun behine am; + Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu'ch + De Big Bethel chu'ch will fine um! +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0050" id="link2H_4_0050"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. TIME GOES BY TURNS + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DAR'S a pow'ful rassle 'twix de Good en de Bad, + En de Bad's got de all—under holt; + En w'en de wuss come, she come i'on-clad, + En you hatter hol' yo' bref for de jolt. + + But des todes de las' Good gits de knee-lock, + En dey draps ter de groun'—ker flop! + Good had de inturn, en he stan' like a rock, + En he bleedzd for ter be on top. + + De dry wedder breaks wid a big thunder-clap, + For dey ain't no drout' w'at kin las', + But de seasons w'at whoops up de cotton crap, + Likewise dey freshens up de grass. + + De rain fall so saf' in de long dark night, + Twel you hatter hol' yo' han' for a sign, + But de drizzle w'at sets de tater-slips right + Is de makin' er de May-pop vine. + + In de mellerest groun' de clay root 'll ketch + En hol' ter de tongue er de plow, + En a pine-pole gate at de gyardin-patch + Never 'll keep out de ole brindle cow. + + One en all on us knows who's a pullin' at de bits + Like de lead-mule dat g'ides by de rein, + En yit, somehow or nudder, de bestest un us gits + Mighty sick er de tuggin' at de chain. + + Hump yo'se'f ter de load en fergit de distress, + En dem w'at stan's by ter scoff, + For de harder de pullin', de longer de res', + En de bigger de feed in de troff. +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A STORY OF THE WAR + </h2> + <p> + WHEN Miss Theodosia Huntingdon, of Burlington, Vermont, concluded to come + South in 1870, she was moved by three considerations. In the first place, + her brother, John Huntingdon, had become a citizen of Georgia—having + astonished his acquaintances by marrying a young lady, the male members of + whose family had achieved considerable distinction in the Confederate + army; in the second place, she was anxious to explore a region which she + almost unconsciously pictured to herself as remote and semi- barbarous; + and, in the third place, her friends had persuaded her that to some extent + she was an invalid. It was in vain that she argued with herself as to the + propriety of undertaking the journey alone and unprotected, and she + finally put an end to inward and outward doubts by informing herself and + her friends, including John Huntingdon, her brother, who was practicing + law in Atlanta, that she had decided to visit the South. + </p> + <p> + When, therefore, on the 12th of October, 1870—the date is duly + recorded in one of Miss Theodosia's letters—she alighted from the + cars in Atlanta, in the midst of a great crowd, she fully expected to find + her brother waiting to receive her. The bells of several locomotives were + ringing, a number of trains were moving in and out, and the porters and + baggage-men were screaming and bawling to such an extent that for several + moments Miss Huntingdon was considerably confused; so much so that she + paused in the hope that her brother would suddenly appear and rescue her + from the smoke, and dust, and din. At that moment some one touched her on + the arm, and she heard a strong, half-confident, half-apologetic voice + exclaim: + </p> + <p> + "Ain't dish yer Miss Doshy?" + </p> + <p> + Turning, Miss Theodosia saw at her side a tall, gray-haired negro. + Elaborating the incident afterward to her friends, she was pleased to say + that the appearance of the old man was somewhat picturesque. He stood + towering above her, his hat in one hand, a carriage-whip in the other, and + an expectant smile lighting up his rugged face. She remembered a name her + brother had often used in his letters, and, with a woman's tact, she held + out her hand, and said: + </p> + <p> + "Is this Uncle Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Law, Miss Doshy! how you know de ole nigger? I know'd you by de faver; + but how you know me?" And then, without waiting for a reply: "Miss Sally, + she sick in bed, en Mars John, he bleedzd ter go in de country, en dey + tuck'n sont me. I know'd you de minnit I laid eyes on you. Time I seed + you, I say ter myse'f, 'I lay dar's Miss Doshy,' en, sho nuff, dar you + wuz. You ain't gun up yo' checks, is you? Kaze I'll git de trunk sont up + by de 'spress waggin." + </p> + <p> + The next moment Uncle Remus was elbowing his way unceremoniously through + the crowd, and in a very short time, seated in the carriage driven by the + old man, Miss Huntingdon was whirling through the streets of Atlanta in + the direction of her brother's home. She took advantage of the opportunity + to study the old negro's face closely, her natural curiosity considerably + sharpened by a knowledge of the fact that Uncle Remus had played an + important part in her brother's history. The result of her observation + must have been satisfactory, for presently she laughed, and said: + </p> + <p> + "Uncle Remus, you haven't told me how you knew me in that great crowd." + </p> + <p> + The old man chuckled, and gave the horses a gentle rap with the whip. + </p> + <p> + "Who? Me! I know'd you by de faver. Dat boy er Mars John's is de ve'y spit + en immij un you. I'd a know'd you in New 'Leens, let lone down dar in de + kyar-shed." + </p> + <p> + This was Miss Theodosia's introduction to Uncle Remus. One Sunday + afternoon, a few weeks after her arrival, the family were assembled in the + piazza enjoying the mild weather. Mr. Huntingdon was reading a newspaper; + his wife was crooning softly as she rocked the baby to sleep; and the + little boy was endeavoring to show his Aunt Dosia the outlines of Kennesaw + Mountain through the purple haze that hung like a wonderfully fashioned + curtain in the sky and almost obliterated the horizon. While they were + thus engaged, Uncle Remus came around the corner of the house, talking to + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Dey er too lazy ter wuk," he was saying, "en dey specks hones' fokes fer + ter stan' up en s'port um. I'm gwine down ter Putmon County whar Mars + Jeems is—dat's w'at I'm agwine ter do." + </p> + <p> + "What's the matter now, Uncle Remus?" inquired Mr. Huntingdon, folding up + his newspaper. + </p> + <p> + "Nuthin' 'tall, Mars John, 'ceppin deze yer sunshine niggers. Dey begs my + terbacker, en borrys my tools, en steals my vittles, en hit's done come + ter dat pass dat I gotter pack up en go. I'm agwine down ter Putmon, dat's + w'at." + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus was accustomed to make this threat several times a day, but + upon this occasion it seemed to remind Mr. Huntingdon of something. + </p> + <p> + "Very well," he said, "I'll come around and help you pack up, but before + you go I want you to tell Sister here how you went to war and fought for + the Union.—Remus was a famous warrior," he continued, turning to + Miss Theodosia; "he volunteered for one day, and commanded an army of one. + You know the story, but you have never heard Remus's version." + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus shuffled around in an awkward, embarrassed way, scratched his + head, and looked uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + "Miss Doshy ain't got no time fer ter set dar an' year de ole nigger run + on." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, yes, I have, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the young lady; "plenty of + time." + </p> + <p> + The upshot of it was that, after many ridiculous protests, Uncle Remus sat + down on the steps, and proceeded to tell his story of the war. Miss + Theodosia listened with great interest, but throughout it all she observed—and + she was painfully conscious of the fact, as she afterward admitted—that + Uncle Remus spoke from the standpoint of a Southerner, and with the air of + one who expected his hearers to thoroughly sympathize with him. + </p> + <p> + "Co'se," said Uncle Remus, addressing himself to Miss Theodosia, "you + ain't bin to Putmon, en you dunner whar de Brad Slaughter place en Harmony + Grove is, but Mars John en Miss Sally, dey bin dar a time er two, en dey + knows how de lan' lays. Well, den, it 'uz right long in dere whar Mars + Jeems lived, en whar he live now. When de war come long he wuz livin' dere + longer Ole Miss en Miss Sally. Ole Miss 'uz his ma, en Miss Sally dar 'uz + his sister. De war come des like I tell you, en marters sorter rock along + same like dey allers did. Hit didn't strike me dat dey wuz enny war gwine + on, en ef I hadn't sorter miss de nabers, en seed fokes gwine outer de way + fer ter ax de news, I'd a 'lowed ter myse'f dat de war wuz 'way off 'mong + some yuther country. But all dis time de fuss wuz gwine on, en Mars Jeems, + he wuz des eatchin' fer ter put in. Ole Miss en Miss Sally, dey tuck on so + he didn't git off de fus' year, but bimeby news come down dat times wuz + gittin' putty hot, en Mars Jeems he got up, he did, en say he gotter go, + en go he did. He got a overseer fer ter look atter de place, en he went en + jined de army. En he 'uz a fighter, too, mon, Mars Jeems wuz. Many's en + many's de time," continued the old man, reflectively, "dat I hatter take'n + bresh dat boy on a counter his 'buzin' en beatin' dem yuther boys. He went + off dar fer ter fight, en he fit. Ole Miss useter call me up Sunday en + read w'at de papers say 'bout Mars Jeems, en it ho'p 'er up might'ly. I + kin see 'er des like it 'uz yistiddy. + </p> + <p> + "'Remus,' sez she, 'dish yer's w'at de papers say 'bout my baby,' en den + she'd read out twel she couldn't read fer cryin'. Hit went on dis way year + in en year out, en dem wuz lonesome times, sho's you bawn, Miss Doshy—lonesome + times, sho. Hit got hotter en hotter in de war, en lonesomer en mo' + lonesomer at home, en bimeby 'long come de conscrip' man, en he des + everlas'nly scoop up Mars Jeems's overseer. W'en dis come 'bout, ole Miss, + she sont atter me en say, sez she: + </p> + <p> + "'Remus, I ain't got nobody fer ter look arter de place but you,' sez she, + en den I up'n say, sez I: + </p> + <p> + "'Mistiss, you kin des 'pen' on de ole nigger.' + </p> + <p> + "I wuz ole den, Miss Doshy—let lone w'at I is now; en you better + b'leeve I bossed dem han's. I had dem niggers up en in de fiel' long 'fo' + day, en de way dey did wuk wuz a caution. Ef dey didn't earn der vittles + dat season den I ain't name Remus. But dey wuz tuk keer un. Dey had plenty + er cloze en plenty er grub, en dey wuz de fattes' niggers in de + settlement. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby one day, Ole Miss, she call me up en say de Yankees done gone en + tuck Atlanty—dish yer ve'y town; den present'y I year dey wuz a + marchin' on down todes Putmon, en, lo en behol's! one day, de fus news I + know'd, Mars Jeems he rid up wid a whole gang er men. He des stop long + nuff fer ter change hosses en snatch a mouffle er sump'n ter eat, but 'fo' + he rid off, he call me up en say, sez he: + </p> + <p> + "'Daddy'—all Ole Miss's chilluns call me daddy—'Daddy,' he + say, ''pears like dere's gwineter be mighty rough times 'roun' yer. De + Yankees, dey er done got ter Madison en Mounticellar, en 'twon't be many + days 'fo' dey er down yer. 'Tain't likely dey'll pester mother ner sister; + but, daddy, ef de wus come ter de wus, I speck you ter take keer un um,' + sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Den I say, sez I: 'How long you bin knowin' me, Mars Jeems?' sez I. + </p> + <p> + "'Sence I wuz a baby,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Well, den, Mars Jeems,' sez I, 'you know'd 'twa'nt no use fer ter ax me + ter take keer Ole Miss en Miss Sally.' + </p> + <p> + "Den he tuck'n squoze my han' en jump on de filly I bin savin' fer 'im, en + rid off. One time he tu'n roun' en look like he wanter say sump'n', but he + des waf' his han'—so—en gallop on. I know'd den dat trouble + wuz brewin'. Nigger dat knows he's gwineter git thumped kin sorter fix + hisse'f, en I tuck'n fix up like de war wuz gwineter come right in at de + front gate. I tuck'n got all de cattle en hosses tergedder en driv' um ter + de fo'-mile place, en I tuck all de corn en fodder en w'eat, en put um in + a crib out dar in de woods; en I bilt me a pen in de swamp, en dar I put + de hogs. Den, w'en I fix all dis, I put on my Sunday cloze en groun' my + axe. Two whole days I groun' dat axe. De grinestone wuz in sight er de + gate en close ter de big 'ouse, en dar I tuck my stan'. + </p> + <p> + "Bimeby one day, yer come de Yankees. Two un um come fus, en den de whole + face er de yeath swawm'd wid um. De fus glimpse I kotch un um, I tuck my + axe en march inter Ole Miss settin'-room. She done had de sidebo'd move in + dar, en I wish I may drap ef 'twuzn't fa'rly blazin' wid silver—silver + cups en silver sassers, silver plates en silver dishes, silver mugs en + silver pitchers. Look like ter me dey wuz fixin' fer a weddin'. Dar sot + Ole Miss des ez prim en ez proud ez ef she own de whole county. Dis kinder + ho'p me up, kaze I done seed Ole Miss look dat away once befo' w'en de + overseer struck me in de face wid a w'ip. I sot down by de fier wid my axe + tween my knees. Dar we sot w'iles de Yankees ransack de place. Miss Sally, + dar, she got sorter restless, but Ole Miss didn't skasely bat 'er eyes. + Bimeby, we hear steps on de peazzer, en yer come a couple er young fellers + wid strops on der shoulders, en der sodes a draggin' on de flo', en der + spurrers a rattlin'. I won't say I wuz skeer'd," said Uncle Remus, as + though endeavoring to recall something he failed to remember, "I won't say + I wuz skeer'd, kaze I wuzzent; but I wuz took'n wid a mighty funny feelin' + in de naberhood er de gizzard. Dey wuz mighty perlite, dem young chaps + wuz; but Ole Miss, she never tu'n 'er head, en Miss Sally, she look + straight at de fier. Bimeby one un um see me, en he say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Hello, ole man, w'at you doin' in yer?' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "'Well, boss,' sez I, 'I bin cuttin' some wood fer Ole Miss, en I des stop + fer ter worn my han's a little,' sez I. + </p> + <p> + "'Hit is col', dat's a fack,' sezee. + </p> + <p> + "Wid dat I got up en tuck my stan' behime Ole Miss en Miss Sally, en de + man w'at speak, he went up en worn his han's. Fus thing you know, he raise + up sudden, en say, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'W'at dat on yo' axe?' + </p> + <p> + "'Dat's de fier shinin' on it,' sez I. + </p> + <p> + "'Hit look like blood,' sezee, en den he laft. + </p> + <p> + "But, bless yo' soul, dat man wouldn't never laft dat day ef he'd know'd + de wukkins er Remus's mine. But dey didn't bodder nobody ner tech nuthin', + en bimeby dey put out. Well, de Yankees, dey kep' passin' all de mawnin' + en it look like ter me dey wuz a string un um ten mile long. Den dey + commence gittin' thinner en thinner, en den atter w'ile we hear + skummishin' in de naberhood er Armer's fe'y, en Ole Miss 'low how dat wuz + Wheeler's men makin' persoot. Mars Jeems wuz wid dem Wheeler fellers, en I + know'd ef dey wuz dat close I wa'n't doin' no good settin' 'roun' de house + toas'n my shins at de fier, so I des tuck Mars Jeems's rifle fum behime de + do' en put out ter look atter my stock. + </p> + <p> + "Seem like I ain't never see no raw day like dat, needer befo' ner sence. + Dey wa'n't no rain, but de wet des sifted down; mighty raw day. De leaves + on de groun' 'uz so wet dey don't make no fuss, en I got in de woods, en + w'enever I year de Yankees gwine by, I des stop in my tracks en let un + pass. I wuz stan'in' dat away in de aidge er de woods lookin' out cross a + clearin', w'en— piff!—out come a little bunch er blue smoke + fum de top er wunner dem big lonesome-lookin' pines, en den—pow! + </p> + <p> + "Sez I ter myse'f, sez I: 'Honey, you er right on my route, en I'll des + see w'at kinder bird you got roostin' in you,' en w'iles I wuz a lookin' + out bus' de smoke—piff! en den—bang! Wid dat I des drapt back + inter de woods, en sorter skeerted 'roun' so's ter git de tree 'twixt' me + en de road. I slid up putty close, en wadder you speck I see? Des ez sho's + you er settin' dar lissenin' dey wuz a live Yankee up dar in dat tree, en + he wuz a loadin' en a shootin' at de boys des ez cool es a cowcumber in de + jew, en he had his hoss hitch out in de bushes, kaze I year de creetur + tromplin' 'roun'. He had a spy-glass up dar, en w'iles I wuz a watchin' un + 'im, he raise 'er up en look thoo 'er, en den he lay 'er down en fix his + gun fer ter shoot. + </p> + <p> + "I had good eyes in dem days, ef I ain't got um now, en way up de big road + I see Mars Jeems a comm'. Hit wuz too fur fer ter see his face, but I + know'd 'im by de filly w'at I raise fer 'im, en she wuz a prancin' like a + school-gal. I know'd dat man wuz gwineter shoot Mars Jeems ef he could, en + dat wuz mo'n I could stan'. Many's en many's de time dat I nuss dat boy, + en hilt 'im in dese arms, en toted 'im on dis back, en w'en I see dat + Yankee lay dat gun 'cross a lim' en take aim at Mars Jeems I up wid my ole + rifle, en shet my eyes en let de man have all she had." + </p> + <p> + "Do you mean to say," exclaimed Miss Theodosia, indignantly, "that you + shot the Union soldier, when you knew he was fighting for your freedom?" + </p> + <p> + "Co'se, I know all about dat," responded Uncle Remus, "en it sorter made + col' chills run up my back; but w'en I see dat man take aim, en Mars Jeems + gwine home ter Ole Miss en Miss Sally, I des disremembered all 'bout + freedom en lammed aloose. En den atter dat, me en Miss Sally tuck en nuss + de man right straight along. He los' one arm in dat tree bizness, but me + en Miss Sally we nuss 'im en we nuss 'im twel he done got well. Des 'bout + dat time I quit nuss'n 'im, but Miss Sally she kep' on. She kep' on," + continued Uncle Remus, pointing to Mr. Huntingdon, "en now dar he is." + </p> + <p> + "But you cost him an arm," exclaimed Miss Theodosia. + </p> + <p> + "I gin 'im dem," said Uncle Remus, pointing to Mrs. Huntingdon, "en I gin + 'im deze"—holding up his own brawny arms. "En ef dem ain't nuff fer + enny man den I done los' de way." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HIS SAYINGS + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. JEEMS ROBER'SON'S LAST ILLNESS + </h2> + <p> + A Jonesboro negro, while waiting for the train to go out, met up with + Uncle Remus. After the usual "time of day" had been passed between the + two, the former inquired about an acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + "How's Jeems Rober'son?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + "Ain't you year 'bout Jim?" asked Uncle Remus. + </p> + <p> + "Dat I ain't," responded the other; "I ain't hear talk er Jem sence he cut + loose fum de chain-gang. Dat w'at make I ax. He ain't down wid de + biliousness, is he?" + </p> + <p> + "Not dat I knows un," responded Uncle Remus, gravely. "He ain't sick, an' + he ain't bin sick. He des tuck'n say he wuz gwineter ride dat ar roan mule + er Mars John's de udder Sunday, an' de mule, she up'n do like she got + nudder ingagement. I done bin fool wid dat mule befo', an' I tuck'n tole + Jim dat he better not git tangle up wid 'er; but Jim, he up'n 'low dat he + wuz a hoss- doctor, an' wid dat he ax me fer a chaw terbacker, en den he + got de bridle, en tuck'n kotch de mule en got on her—Well," + continued Uncle Remus, looking uneasily around, "I speck you better go git + yo' ticket. Dey tells me dish yer train goes a callyhootin'." + </p> + <p> + "Hol' on dar, Uncle Remus; you ain't tell me 'bout Jim," exclaimed the + Jonesboro negro. + </p> + <p> + "I done tell you all I knows, chile. Jim, he tuck'n light on de mule, an' + de mule she up'n hump 'erse'f, an den dey wuz a skuffle, an' w'en de dus' + blow 'way, dar lay de nigger on de groun', an' de mule she stood eatin' at + de troff wid wunner Jim's gallusses wrop 'roun' her behime-leg. Den + atterwuds, de ker'ner, he come 'roun', an' he tuck'n gin it out dat Jim + died sorter accidental like. Hit's des like I tell you: de nigger wern't + sick a minnit. So long! Bimeby you won't ketch yo' train. I got ter be + knockin' long." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. UNCLE REMUS'S CHURCH EXPERIENCE + </h2> + <p> + THE deacon of a colored church met Uncle Remus recently, and, after some + uninteresting remarks about the weather, asked: + </p> + <p> + "How dis you don't come down ter chu'ch no mo', Brer Remus? We er bin er + havin' some mighty 'freshen' times lately." + </p> + <p> + "Hit's bin a long time sence I bin down dar, Brer Rastus, an' hit'll be + longer. I done got my dose." + </p> + <p> + "You ain't done gone an' unjined, is you, Brer Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Not zackly, Brer Rastus. I des tuck'n draw'd out. De members 'uz a blame + sight too mutuel fer ter suit my doctrines." + </p> + <p> + "How wuz dat, Brer Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I tell you, Brer Rastus. W'en I went ter dat chu'ch, I went des ez + umbill ez de nex' one. I went dar fer ter sing, an' fer ter pray, an' fer + ter wushup, an' I mos' giner'lly allers had a stray shin-plarster w'ich de + ole 'oman say she want sont out dar ter dem cullud fokes 'cross de water. + Hit went on dis way twel bimeby, one day, de fus news I know'd der was a + row got up in de amen cornder. Brer Dick, he 'nounced dat dey wern't nuff + money in de box; an' Brer Sim said if dey wern't he speck Brer Dick know'd + whar it disappeared ter; an' den Brer Dick 'low'd dat he won't stan' no + 'probusness, an' wid dat he haul off an' tuck Brer Sim under de jaw—ker + blap!—an' den dey clinched an' drapped on de flo' an' fout under de + benches an' 'mong de wimmen. + </p> + <p> + "'Bout dat time Sis Tempy, she lipt up in de a'r, an' sing out dat she + done gone an tromple on de Ole Boy, an' she kep' on lippin' up an' + slingin' out 'er han's twel bimeby—blip!—she tuck Sis Becky in + de mouf, an' den Sis Becky riz an' fetch a grab at Sis Tempy, an' I 'clar' + ter grashus ef didn't 'pear ter me like she got a poun' er wool. Atter dat + de revivin' sorter het up like. Bofe un um had kin 'mong de mo'ners, an' + ef you ever see skufflin' an' scramblin' hit wuz den an' dar. Brer Jeems + Henry, he mounted Brer Plato an' rid 'im over de railin', an' den de + preacher he start down fum de pulpit, an' des ez he wuz skippin' onter de + platform a hym'-book kotch 'im in de bur er de year, an I be bless ef it + didn't soun' like a bung-shell'd busted. Des den, Brer Jesse, he riz up in + his seat, sorter keerless like, an' went down inter his britches atter his + razer, an' right den I know'd sho' nuff trubble wuz begun. Sis Dilsey, she + seed it herse'f, an' she tuck'n let off wunner dem hallyluyah hollers, an' + den I disremember w'at come ter pass. + </p> + <p> + "I'm gittin' sorter ole, Brer Rastus, an' it seem like de dus' sorter shet + out de pannyrammer. Fuddermo', my lim's got ter akin, mo' speshully w'en I + year Brer Sim an' Brer Dick a snortin' and a skufflin' under de benches + like ez dey wuz sorter makin' der way ter my pew. So I kinder hump myse'f + an' scramble out, and de fus man w'at I seed was a pleeceman, an' he had a + nigger 'rested, an' de fergiven name er dat nigger wuz Remus." + </p> + <p> + "He didn't 'res' you, did he, Brer Remus?" + </p> + <p> + "Hit's des like I tell you, Brer Rastus, an' I hatter git Mars John fer to + go inter my bon's fer me. Hit ain't no use fer ter sing out chu'ch ter me, + Brer Rastus. I done bin an' got my dose. W'en I goes ter war, I wanter + know w'at I'm a doin'. I don't wanter git hemmed up 'mong no wimmen and + preachers. I wants elbow-room, an I'm bleedzd ter have it. Des gimme + elbow-room." + </p> + <p> + "But, Brer Remus, you ain't—" + </p> + <p> + "I mout drap in, Brer Rastus, an' den ag'in I moutn't, but w'en you duz + see me santer in de do', wid my specs on, you k'n des say to de + congergashun, sorter familious like, 'Yer come ole man Remus wid his + hoss-pistol, an' ef dar's much uv a skuffle 'roun' yer dis evenin' you er + gwineter year fum 'im.' Dat's me, an' dat's what you kin tell um. So long! + Member me to Sis Abby." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. UNCLE REMUS AND THE SAVANNAH DARKEY + </h2> + <p> + THE notable difference existing between the negroes in the interior of the + cotton States and those on the seaboard—a difference that extends to + habits and opinions as well as to dialect—has given rise to certain + ineradicable prejudices which are quick to display themselves whenever an + opportunity offers. These prejudices were forcibly, as well as + ludicrously, illustrated in Atlanta recently. A gentleman from Savannah + had been spending the summer in the mountains of north Georgia, and found + it convenient to take along a body-servant. This body- servant was a very + fine specimen of the average coast negro— sleek, well-conditioned, + and consequential—disposed to regard with undisguised contempt + everything and everybody not indigenous to the rice-growing region—and + he paraded around the streets with quite a curious and critical air. + Espying Uncle Remus languidly sunning himself on a corner, the Savannah + darkey approached. + </p> + <p> + "Mornin', sah." + </p> + <p> + "I'm sorter up an' about," responded Uncle Remus, carelessly and calmly. + "How is you stannin' it?" + </p> + <p> + "Tanky you, my helt' mos' so-so. He mo' hot dun in de mountain. Seem so + lak man mus' git need*1 de shade. I enty fer see no rice-bud in dis + pa'ts." + </p> + <p> + "In dis w'ich?" inquired Uncle with a sudden affectation of interest. + </p> + <p> + "In dis pa'ts. In dis country. Da plenty in Sawanny." + </p> + <p> + "Plenty whar?" + </p> + <p> + "Da plenty in Sawanny. I enty fer see no crab an' no oscher; en swimp, he + no stay 'roun'. I lak some rice-bud now." + </p> + <p> + "You er talkin' 'bout deze yer sparrers, w'ich dey er all head, en 'lev'm + un makes one mouffle,*2 I speck," suggested Uncle Remus. "Well, dey er + yer," he continued, "but dis ain't no climate whar de rice-birds flies + inter yo' pockets en gits out de money an' makes de change derse'f; an' de + isters don't shuck off der shells en run over you on de street, an' no mo' + duz de s'imp hull derse'f an' drap in yo' mouf. But dey er yer, dough. De + scads 'll fetch um." + </p> + <p> + "Him po' country fer true," commented the Savannah negro; "he no like + Sawanny. Down da, we set need de shade an' eaty de rice-bud, an' de crab, + an' de swimp tree time de day; an' de buckra man drinky him wine, an' + smoky him seegyar all troo de night. Plenty fer eat an' not much fer wuk." + </p> + <p> + "Hit's mighty nice, I speck," responded Uncle Remus, gravely. "De nigger + dat ain't hope up 'longer high feedin' ain't got no grip. But up yer whar + fokes is gotter scramble 'roun' an' make der own livin', de vittles w'at's + kumerlated widout enny sweatin' mos' allers gener'ly b'longs ter some + yuther man by rights. One hoe- cake an' a rasher er middlin' meat las's me + fum Sunday ter Sunday, an' I'm in a mighty big streak er luck w'en I gits + dat." + </p> + <p> + The Savannah negro here gave utterance to a loud, contemptuous laugh, and + began to fumble somewhat ostentatiously with a big brass watch-chain. + </p> + <p> + "But I speck I struck up wid a payin' job las' Chuseday," continued Uncle + Remus, in a hopeful tone. + </p> + <p> + "Wey you gwan do?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm a waitin' on a culled gemmun fum Savannah—wunner deze yer + high livers you bin tellin' 'bout." + </p> + <p> + "How dat?" + </p> + <p> + "I loant 'im two dollars," responded Uncle Remus, grimly, "an' I'm a + waitin' on 'im fer de money. Hit's wunner deze yer jobs w'at las's a long + time." + </p> + <p> + The Savannah negro went off after his rice-birds, while Uncle Remus leaned + up against the wall and laughed until he was in imminent danger of falling + down from sheer exhaustion. + </p> + <p> + *1 Underneath. *2 Mouthful. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IV. TURNIP SALAD AS A TEXT + </h2> + <p> + As Uncle Remus was going down the street recently he was accosted by + several acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + "Heyo!" said one, "here comes Uncle Remus. He look like he gwine fer ter + set up a bo'din-house." + </p> + <p> + Several others bantered the old man, but he appeared to be in a good + humor. He was carrying a huge basket of vegetables. + </p> + <p> + "How many er you boys," said he, as he put his basket down, "is done a + han's turn dis day? En yit de week's done commence. I year talk er niggers + dat's got money in de bank, but I lay hit ain't none er you fellers. Whar + you speck you gwineter git yo' dinner, en how you speck you gwineter git + 'long?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, we sorter knocks 'roun' an' picks up a livin'," responded one. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at make I say w'at I duz," said Uncle Remus. "Fokes go 'bout in + de day-time an' makes a livin', an' you come 'long w'en dey er res'in' der + bones an' picks it up. I ain't no han' at figgers, but I lay I k'n count + up right yer in de san' en number up how menny days hit'll be 'fo' you 'er + cuppled on ter de chain- gang." + </p> + <p> + "De ole man's holler'n now sho'," said one of the listeners, gazing with + admiration on the venerable old darkey. + </p> + <p> + "I ain't takin' no chances 'bout vittles. Hit's proned inter me fum de fus + dat I got ter eat, en I knows dat I got fer ter grub for w'at I gits. + Hit's agin de mor'l law fer niggers fer ter eat w'en dey don't wuk, an' + w'en you see um 'pariently fattenin' on a'r, you k'n des bet dat + ruinashun's gwine on some'rs. I got mustard, en poke salid, en lam's + quarter in dat baskit, en me en my ole 'oman gwineter sample it. Ef enny + you boys git a invite you come, but ef you don't you better stay 'way. I + gotter muskit out dar w'at's used ter persidin' 'roun' whar dey's a + cripple nigger. Don't you fergit dat off'n yo' mine." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + V. A CONFESSION + </h2> + <p> + "W'AT'S dis yer I see, great big niggers gwine 'lopin' 'roun' town wid + cakes 'n pies fer ter sell?" asked Uncle Remus recently, in his most + scornful tone. + </p> + <p> + "That's what they are doing," responded a young man; "that's the way they + make a living." + </p> + <p> + "Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz—dat w'at keep me grum'lin' w'en I + goes in cullud fokes s'ciety. Some niggers ain't gwine ter wuk nohow, an' + hit's flingin' way time fer ter set enny chain-gang traps fer ter ketch + um." + </p> + <p> + "Well, now, here!" exclaimed the young man, in a dramatic tone, "what are + you giving us now? Isn't it just as honest and just as regular to sell + pies as it is to do any other kind of work?" + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't dat, boss:' said the old man, seeing that he was about to be + cornered; 'tain't dat. Hit's de nas'ness un it w'at gits me." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, get out!" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's me, boss, up an' down. Ef dere's ruinashun ennywhar in de known + wurril, she goes in de comp'ny uv a hongry nigger w'at's a totin' pies + 'roun.' Sometimes w'en I git kotch wid emptiness in de pit er de stummuck, + an' git ter fairly honin' arter sumpin' w'at got substance in it, den hit + look like unto me dat I kin stan' flat-footed an' make more cle'r money + eatin' pies dan I could if I wuz ter sell de las' one 'twixt dis an' + Chris'mus. An' de nigger w'at k'n trapes 'round wid pies and not git in no + alley-way an' sample um, den I'm bleedzd ter say dat nigger out- niggers + me an' my fambly. So dar now!" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0058" id="link2H_4_0058"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VI. UNCLE REMUS WITH THE TOOTHACHE + </h2> + <p> + WHEN Uncle Remus put in an appearance one morning recently, his friends + knew he had been in trouble. He had a red cotton handkerchief tied under + his chin, and the genial humor that usually makes his aged face its + dwelling-place had given way to an expression of grim melancholy. The + young men about the office were inclined to chaff him, but his look of + sullen resignation remained unchanged. + </p> + <p> + "What revival did you attend last night?" inquired one. + </p> + <p> + "What was the color of the mule that did the hammering?" asked another. + </p> + <p> + "I always told the old man that a suburban chicken coop would fall on + him," remarked some one. + </p> + <p> + "A strange pig has been squealing in his ear," suggested some one else. + </p> + <p> + But Uncle Remus remained impassive. He seemed to have lost all interest in + what was going on around him, and he sighed heavily as he seated himself + on the edge of the trash-box in front of the office. Finally some one + asked, in a sympathetic tone: + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter, old man? You look like you'd been through the mill." + </p> + <p> + "Now you 'er knockin'. I ain't bin thoo de mill sence day 'fo' yistiddy, + den dey ain't no mills in de lan'. Ef wunner deze yer scurshun trains had + runned over me I couldn't er bin wuss off. I bin trompin' 'roun' in de + lowgroun's now gwine on seventy-fi' year, but I ain't see no sich times ez + dat w'at I done spe'unst now. Boss, is enny er you all ever rastled wid de + toofache?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, hundreds of times! The toothache isn't anything." + </p> + <p> + "Den you des played 'roun' de aidges. You ain't had de kine w'at kotch me + on de underjaw. You mout a had a gum-bile, but you ain't bin boddered wid + de toofache. I wuz settin' up talkin' wid my ole 'oman, kinder puzzlin' + 'roun' fer ter see whar de nex' meal's vittles wuz a gwineter cum fum, an' + I feel a little ache sorter crawlin' 'long on my jaw-bone, kinder feelin' + his way. But de ache don't stay long. He sorter hankered 'roun' like, en + den crope back whar he come fum. Bimeby I feel 'im comin' agin, an' dis + time hit look like he come up closer—kinder skummishin' 'roun' fer + ter see how de lan' lay. Den he went off. Present'y I feel 'im comin', an' + dis time hit look like he kyar'd de news unto Mary, fer hit feel like der + wuz anudder wun wid 'im. Dey crep' up an' crep' 'roun', an, den dey crope + off. Bimeby dey come back, an' dis time dey come like dey wuzzent 'fear'd + er de s'roundin's, fer dey trot right up unto de toof, sorter 'zamine it + like, an' den trot all roun' it, like deze yer circuous hosses. I sot dar + mighty ca'm, but I 'spected dat sump'n' wuz gwine ter happ'n." + </p> + <p> + "And it happened, did it?" asked some one in the group surrounding the old + man. + </p> + <p> + "Boss, don't you fergit it," responded Uncle Remus, fervidly. "W'en dem + aches gallop back dey galloped fer ter stay, an' dey wuz so mixed up dat I + couldn't tell one fum de udder. All night long dey racked an' dey + galloped, an' w'en dey got tired er rackin' an' gallopin', dey all close + in on de ole toof an' thumped it an' gouged at it twel it 'peared unto me + dat dey had got de jaw-bone loosened up, an' wuz tryin' fer ter fetch it + up thoo de top er my head an' out at der back er my neck. An' dey got wuss + nex' day. Mars John, he seed I wuz 'stracted, an' he tole me fer ter go + roun' yere an' git sump'n' put on it, an' de drug man he 'lowed dat I + better have 'er draw'd, an' his wuds wuzzent more'n col' 'fo' wunner deze + yer watchyoumaycollums— wunner deze dentis' mens—had retched + fer it wid a pa'r er tongs w'at don't tu'n loose w'en dey ketches a holt. + Leas'ways dey didn't wid me. You oughter seed dat toof, boss. Hit wuz + wunner deze yer fo'-prong fellers. Ef she'd a grow'd wrong eend out'ard, + I'd a bin a bad nigger long arter I jin'd de chu'ch. You year'd my ho'n!" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0059" id="link2H_4_0059"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VII. THE PHONOGRAPH + </h2> + <p> + "UNC REMUS," asked a tall, awkward-looking negro, who was one of a crowd + surrounding the old man, "w'at's dish 'ere w'at dey calls de fonygraf—dish + yer inst'ument w'at kin holler 'roun' like little chillun in de back + yard?" + </p> + <p> + "I ain't seed um," said Uncle Remus, feeling in his pocket for a fresh + chew of tobacco. "I ain't seed um, but I year talk un um. Miss Sally wuz a + readin' in de papers las' Chuseday, an' she say dat's it's a mighty big + watchyoumaycollum." + </p> + <p> + "A mighty big w'ich?" asked one of the crowd. + </p> + <p> + "A mighty big w'atsizname," answered Uncle Remus, cautiously. "I wuzzent + up dar close to whar Miss Sarah wuz a readin', but I kinder geddered in + dat it wuz one er deze 'ere w'atzisnames w'at you hollers inter one year + an it comes out er de udder. Hit's mighty funny unter me how dese fokes + kin go an' prognosticate der eckoes inter one er deze yer i'on boxes, an' + dar hit'll stay on twel de man comes long an' tu'ns de handle an' let's de + fuss come pilin' out. Bimeby dey'll git ter makin' sho' nuff fokes, an' + den dere'll be a racket 'roun' here. Dey tells me dat it goes off like one + er deze yer torpedoes." + </p> + <p> + "You year dat, don't you?" said one or two of the younger negroes. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at dey tells me," continued Uncle Remus. "Dat's w'at dey sez. + Hit's one er deze yer kinder w'atzisnames w'at sasses back w'en you + hollers at it." + </p> + <p> + "W'at dey fix um fer, den?" asked one of the practical negroes. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at I wanter know," said Uncle Remus, contemplatively. "But dat's + w'at Miss Sally wuz a readin' in de paper. All you gotter do is ter holler + at de box, an' dar's yo' remarks. Dey goes in, an' dar dey er tooken and + dar dey hangs on twel you shakes de box, an' den dey draps out des ez + fresh ez deze yer fishes w'at you git fum Savannah, an' you ain't got time + fer ter look at dere gills, nudder." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0060" id="link2H_4_0060"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VIII. RACE IMPROVEMENT + </h2> + <p> + "Dere's a kind er limberness 'bout niggers dese days dat's mighty cu'us," + remarked Uncle Remus yesterday, as he deposited a pitcher of fresh water + upon the exchange table. "I notisses it in de alley-ways an on de + street-cornders. Dey er rackin' up, mon, deze yer cullud fokes is." + </p> + <p> + "What are you trying to give us now?" inquired one of the young men, in a + bilious tone. + </p> + <p> + "The old man's mind is wandering," said the society editor, smoothing the + wrinkles out of his lavender kids. + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus laughed. I speck I is a gittin' mo frailer dan I wuz 'fo' de + fahmin days wuz over, but I sees wid my eyes an' I years wid my year, same + ez enny er dese yer young bucks w'at goes a gallopin' roun' huntin' up + devilment, an' w'en I sees de limberness er dese yer cullud people, an' + w'en I sees how dey er dancin' up, den I gits sorter hopeful. Dey er + kinder ketchin' up wid me." + </p> + <p> + "How is that?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, dey er movin'," responded Uncle Remus. "Dey er sorter comin' 'roun'. + Dey er gittin' so dey bleeve dat dey ain't no better dan de w'ite fokes. + W'en freedom come out de niggers sorter got dere humps up, an' dey staid + dat way, twel bimeby dey begun fer ter git hongry, an' den dey begun fer + ter drap inter line right smartually; an' now," continued the old man, + emphatically, "dey er des ez palaverous ez dey wuz befo' de war. Dey er + gittin' on solid groun', mon." + </p> + <p> + "You think they are improving, then?" + </p> + <p> + "You er chawin' guv'nment now, boss. You slap de law onter a nigger a time + er two, an' larn 'im dat he's got fer to look after his own rashuns an' + keep out'n udder fokes's chick'n-coops, an' sorter coax 'im inter de idee + dat he's got ter feed 'is own chilluns, an' I be blessed ef you ain't got + 'im on risin' groun'. An', mo'n dat, w'en he gits holt er de fack dat a + nigger k'n have yaller fever same ez w'ite folks, you done got 'im on de + mo'ners' bench, an' den ef you come down strong on de p'int dat he oughter + stan' fas' by de fokes w'at hope him w'en he wuz in trouble de job's done. + W'en you does dat, ef you ain't got yo' han's on a new-made nigger, den my + name ain't Remus, an' ef dat name's bin changed I ain't seen her + abbertized." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0061" id="link2H_4_0061"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + IX. IN THE ROLE OF A TARTAR + </h2> + <p> + A CHARLESTON negro who was in Atlanta on the Fourth of July made a + mistake. He saw Uncle Remus edging his way through the crowd, and thought + he knew him. + </p> + <p> + "Howdy, Daddy Ben?" the stranger exclaimed. "I tink I nubber see you no + mo'. Wey you gwan? He hot fer true, ain't he?" + </p> + <p> + "Daddy who?" asked Uncle Remus, straightening himself up with dignity. + "W'ich?" + </p> + <p> + "I know you in Char'son, an' den in Sewanny. I spec I dun grow away from + 'membrance." + </p> + <p> + "You knowed me in Charlstun, and den in Savanny?" + </p> + <p> + "He been long time, ain't he, Daddy Ben?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at's a pesterin' un me. How much you reckon you know'd me?" + </p> + <p> + "He good while pas'; when I wer' pickaninny. He long time ago. Wey you + gwan, Daddy Ben?" + </p> + <p> + "W'at does you season your recollection wid fer ter make it hol' on so?" + inquired the old man. + </p> + <p> + "I dunno. He stick hese'f. I see you comin' 'long 'n I say 'Dey Daddy + Ben.' I tink I see you no mo', an' I shaky you by de han'. Wey you gwan? + Dey no place yer wey we git wine?" + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus stared at the strange darkey curiously for a moment, and then + he seized him by the arm. + </p> + <p> + "Come yer, son, whar dey ain't no folks an' lemme drap some Jawjy 'intment + in dem years er yone. You er mighty fur ways fum home, an' you wanter be a + lookin' out fer yo'se'f. Fus and fo'mus, you er thumpin' de wrong + watermillion. You er w'isslin' up de wrong chube. I ain't tromped roun' de + country much. I ain't bin to Charlstun an' needer is I tuck in Savanny; + but you couldn't rig up no game on me dat I wouldn't tumble on to it de + minit I laid my eyeballs on you. W'en hit come to dat I'm ole man Tumbler, + fum Tumblersville—I is dat. Hit takes one er deze yer full-blooded + w'ite men fur ter trap my jedgment. But w'en a nigger comes a jabberin' + 'roun' like he got a mouf full er rice straw, he ain't got no mo' chance + long side er me dan a sick sparrer wid a squinch-owl. You gutter travel + wid a circus 'fo' you gits away wid me. You better go long an' git yo' + kyarpet-sack and skip de town. You er de freshest nigger w'at I seen yit." + </p> + <p> + The Charleston negro passed on just as a police-man' came up. + </p> + <p> + "Boss, you see dat smart Ellick?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, what's the matter with him?" + </p> + <p> + "He's one er deze yer scurshun niggers from Charlstun. I seed you + a-stannin' over agin de cornder yander, an' ef dat nigger'd a draw'd his + monty kyards on me, I wuz a gwineter holler fer you. Would you er come, + boss?" + </p> + <p> + "Why, certainly, Uncle Remus." + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at I 'low'd. Little more'n he'd a bin aboard er de wrong waggin. + Dat's w'at he'd a bin." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0062" id="link2H_4_0062"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + X. A CASE OF MEASLES + </h2> + <p> + "YOU'VE been looking like you were rather under the weather for the past + week or two, Uncle Remus," said a gentleman to the old man. + </p> + <p> + "You'd be sorter puny, too, boss, if you'd er bin whar I bin." + </p> + <p> + "Where have you been?" + </p> + <p> + "Pear ter me like eve'ybody done year 'bout dat. Dey ain't no ole nigger + my age an' size dat's had no rattliner time dan I is." + </p> + <p> + "A kind of picnic?" + </p> + <p> + "Go long, boss! w'at you speck I be doin' sailin' 'roun' ter dese yer + cullud picnics? Much mo' an' I wouldn't make bread by wukkin' fer't, let + 'lone follerin' up a passel er boys an' gals all over keration. Boss, + ain't you year 'bout it, sho' 'nuff?" + </p> + <p> + "I haven't, really. What was the matter?" + </p> + <p> + "I got strucken wid a sickness, an' she hit de ole nigger a joe- darter + 'fo' she tu'n 'im loose." + </p> + <p> + "What kind of sickness?" + </p> + <p> + "Hit look sorter cu'ous, boss, but ole an' steddy ez I is, I tuck'n kotch + de meezles." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, get out! You are trying to get up a sensation." + </p> + <p> + "Hit's a natal fack, boss, I declar' ter grashus ef 'tain't. Dey sorter + come on wid a col', like—leas'ways dat's how I commence fer ter + suffer, an' den er koff got straddle er de col'—one dese yer koffs + w'at look like hit goes ter de foundash'n. I kep' on linger'n' 'roun' + sorter keepin' one eye on the rheumatiz an' de udder on de distemper, + twel, bimeby, I begin fer ter feel de trestle-wuk give way, an' den I des + know'd dat I wuz gwineter gitter racket. I slipt inter bed one Chuseday + night, an' I never slip out no mo' fer mighty nigh er mont'. + </p> + <p> + "Nex' mornin' de meezles 'd done kivered me, an' den ef I didn't git + dosted by de ole 'oman I'm a Chinee. She gimme back rashuns er sassafac + tea. I des natchully hankered an' got hongry atter water, an ev'y time I + sing out fer water I got b'ilin' hot sassafac tea. Hit got so dat w'en I + wake up in de mornin' de ole 'oman 'd des come long wid a kittle er tea + an' fill me up. Dey tells me 'roun' town dat chilluns don't git hurted wid + de meezles, w'ich ef dey don't I wanter be a baby de nex' time dey hits + dis place. All dis yer meezles bizness is bran'-new ter me. In ole times, + 'fo' de wah, I ain't heer tell er no seventy-fi'- year-ole nigger + grapplin' wid no meezles. Dey ain't ketchin' no mo', is dey, boss?" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, no—I suppose not." + </p> + <p> + "'Kase ef dey is, you k'n des put my name down wid de migrashun niggers." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0063" id="link2H_4_0063"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XI. THE EMIGRANTS + </h2> + <p> + WHEN Uncle Remus went down to the passenger depot one morning recently, + the first sight that caught his eye was an old negro man, a woman, and two + children sitting in the shade near the door of the baggage-room. One of + the children was very young, and the quartet was altogether ragged and + forlorn-looking. The sympathies of Uncle Remus were immediately aroused. + He approached the group by forced marches, and finally unburdened his + curiosity. + </p> + <p> + "Whar is you m'anderin' unter, pard?" + </p> + <p> + The old negro, who seemed to be rather suspicious, looked at Uncle Remus + coolly, and appeared to be considering whether he should make any reply. + Finally, however, he stretched himself and said: + </p> + <p> + "We er gwine down in de naberhoods er Tallypoosy, an we ain't makin' no + fuss 'bout it, nudder." + </p> + <p> + "I disremember," said Uncle Remus, thoughtfully, "whar Tallypoosy is." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, hit's out yan," replied the old man, motioning his head as if it was + just beyond the iron gates of the depot. "Hit's down in Alabam. When we + git dar, maybe well go on twel we gits ter Massasip." + </p> + <p> + "Is you got enny folks out dar?" inquired Uncle Remus. + </p> + <p> + "None dat I knows un." + </p> + <p> + "An' you er takin' dis 'oman an' deze chillun out dar whar dey dunno + nobody? Whar's yo' perwisions?" eying a chest with a rope around it. + </p> + <p> + "Dem's our bedcloze," the old negro explained, noticing the glance of + Uncle Remus. "All de vittles what we got we e't 'fo' we started." + </p> + <p> + "An' you speck ter retch dar safe an soun'? Whar's yo' ticket?" + </p> + <p> + "Ain't got none. De man say ez how dey'd pass us thoo. I gin a man a + fi'-dollar bill 'fo' I lef' Jonesboro, an' he sed dat settled it." + </p> + <p> + "Lemme tell you dis," said Uncle Remus, straightening up indignantly: "you + go an' rob somebody an' git on de chain-gang, an' let de 'oman scratch + 'roun' yer an' make 'er livin'; but don't you git on dem kyars—don't + you do it. Yo' bes' holt is de chain-gang. You kin make yo' livin' dar + w'en you can't make it no whars else. But don't you git on dem kyars. Ef + you do, you er gone nigger. Ef you ain't got no money fer ter walk back + wid, you better des b'il' yo' nes' right here. I'm a-talkin' wid de bark + on. I done seed deze yer Arkinsaw emmygrants come lopin' back, an' some un + 'em didn't have rags nuff on 'em fer ter hide dere nakidness. You leave + dat box right whar she is, an, let de 'oman take wun young un an you take + de udder wun, an' den you git in de middle er de big road an' pull out fer + de place whar you come fum. I'm preachin' now." + </p> + <p> + Those who watched say the quartet didn't take the cars. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0064" id="link2H_4_0064"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XII. AS A MURDERER + </h2> + <h3> + UNCLE Remus met a police officer recently. + </h3> + <p> + "You ain't hear talk er no dead nigger nowhar dis mawnin', is you, boss?" + asked the old man earnestly. + </p> + <p> + "No," replied the policeman, reflectively. "No, I believe not. Have you + heard of any?" + </p> + <p> + "'Pears unter me dat I come mighty nigh gittin' some news bout dat size, + an' dat's w'at I'm a huntin' fer. Bekaze ef dey er foun' a stray nigger + layin' 'roun' loose, wid 'is bref gone, den I wanter go home an' git my + brekfus' an' put on some clean cloze, an' 'liver myse'f up ter wunner deze + yer jestesses er de peace, an git a fa'r trial." + </p> + <p> + "Why, have you killed anybody?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at's I'm a 'quirin' inter now, but I wouldn't be sustonished ef I + ain't laid a nigger out some'rs on de subbubs. Hit's done got so it's agin + de law fer ter bus' loose an' kill a nigger, ain't it, boss?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I should say so. You don't mean to tell me that you have killed a + colored man, do you?" + </p> + <p> + "I speck I is, boss. I speck I done gone an' done it dis time, sho.' Hit's + bin sorter growin' on me, an' it come ter a head dis mawnin', 'less my + name ain't Remus, an' dat's w'at dey bin er callin' me sence I wuz ole er + 'nuff fer ter scratch myse'f wid my lef' han'." + </p> + <p> + "Well, if you've killed a man, you'll have some fun, sure enough. How was + it?" + </p> + <p> + "Hit wuz dis way, boss: I wuz layin' in my bed dis mawnin' sorter + ruminatin' 'roun', when de fus news I know'd I year a fus' 'mong de + chickens, an' den my brissels riz. I done had lots er trubble wid dem + chickens, an' w'en I years wun un um squall my ve'y shoes comes ontied. So + I des sorter riz up an' retch fer my ole muskit, and den I crope out er de + back do', an' w'atter you reckin I seed?" + </p> + <p> + "I couldn't say." + </p> + <p> + "I seed de biggest, blackest nigger dat you ever laid eyes on. He shined + like de paint on 'im was fresh. He hed done grabbed fo' er my forwardes' + pullets. I crope up nigh de do', an' hollered an' axed 'im how he wuz a + gittin' on, an' den he broke, an' ez he broke I jammed de gun in de small + er his back and banged aloose. He let a yell like forty yaller cats a + courtin', an' den he broke. You ain't seed no nigger hump hisse'f like dat + nigger. He tore down de well shelter and fo' pannils er fence, an' de + groun' look like wunner deze yer harrycanes had lit dar and fanned up de + yeath." + </p> + <p> + "Why, I thought you killed him?" + </p> + <p> + "He bleedzed ter be dead, boss. Ain't I put de gun right on 'im? Seem like + I feel 'im give way w'en she went off." + </p> + <p> + "Was the gun loaded?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at my ole 'oman say. She had de powder in dar, sho', but I + disremember wedder I put de buckshot in, er wedder I lef' um out. + Leas'ways, I'm gwineter call on wunner deze yer jestesses. So long, boss." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0065" id="link2H_4_0065"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIII. HIS PRACTICAL VIEW OF THINGS + </h2> + <p> + "BRER REMUS, is you heern tell er deze doin's out yer in de udder eend er + town?" asked a colored deacon of the church the other day. + </p> + <p> + "W'at doin's is dat, Brer Ab?" + </p> + <p> + "Deze yer signs an' wunders whar dat cullud lady died day 'fo' yistiddy. + Mighty quare goin's on out dar, Brer Remus, sho's you bawn." + </p> + <p> + "Sperrits?" inquired Uncle Remus, sententiously. + </p> + <p> + "Wuss'n dat, Brer Remus. Some say dat jedgment day ain't fur off, an' de + folks is flockin' 'roun' de house a hollerin' an' a- shoutin' des like dey + wuz in er revival. In de winder glass dar you kin see de flags a flyin', + an' Jacob's lather is dar, an' dar's writin' on de pane w'at no man can't + read—leas'wise dey ain't none read it yit." + </p> + <p> + "W'at kinder racket is dis you er givin' un me now, Brer Ab?" + </p> + <p> + "I done bin dar, Brer Remus; I done seed um wid bofe my eyes. Cullud lady + what wuz intranced done woke up an' say dey ain't much time fer ter tarry. + She say she meet er angel in de road, an' he p'inted straight fer de + mornin' star, an' tell her fer ter prepar'. Hit look mighty cu'us, Brer + Remus." + </p> + <p> + "Cum down ter dat, Brer Ab," said Uncle Remus, wiping his spectacles + carefully, and readjusting them—"cum down ter dat, an' dey ain't + nuthin' dat ain't cu'us. I ain't no spishus nigger myse'f, but I 'spizes + fer ter year dogs a howlin' an' squinch- owls havin' de agur out in de + woods, an' w'en a bull goes a bellerin' by de house den my bones git col' + an' my flesh commences fer ter creep; but w'en it comes ter deze yer sines + in de a'r an' deze yer sperrits in de woods, den I'm out—den I'm + done. I is, fer a fack. I bin livin' yer more'n seventy year, an' I year + talk er niggers seein' ghos'es all times er night an' all times er day, + but I ain't never seed none yit; an' deze yer flags an' Jacob's lathers, I + ain't seed dem, nudder." + </p> + <p> + "Dey er dar, Brer Remus." + </p> + <p> + "Hit's des like I tell you, Brer Ab. I ain't 'sputin' 'bout it, but I + ain't seed um, an' I don't take no chances deze days on dat w'at I don't + see, an' dat w'at I sees I got ter 'zamine mighty close. Lemme tell you + dis, Brer Ab: don't you let deze sines onsettle you. W'en old man Gabrile + toot his ho'n, he ain't gwineter hang no sine out in de winder-panes, an + when ole Fadder Jacob lets down dat lather er his'n you'll be mighty ap' + fer ter hear de racket. An' don't you bodder wid jedgment-day. Jedgment- + day is lierbul fer ter take keer un itse'f." + </p> + <p> + "Dat's so, Brer Remus." + </p> + <p> + "Hit's bleedzed ter be so, Brer Ab. Hit don't bodder me. Hit's done got so + now dat w'en I gotter pone er bread, an' a rasher er bacon, an' nuff + grease fer ter make gravy, I ain't keerin' much w'edder fokes sees ghos'es + er no." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0066" id="link2H_4_0066"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIV. THAT DECEITFUL JUG + </h2> + <p> + UNCLE REMUS was in good humor one evening recently when he dropped + casually into the editorial room of "The Constitution," as has been his + custom for the past year or two. He had a bag slung across his shoulder, + and in the bag was a jug. The presence of this humble but useful vessel in + Uncle Remus's bag was made the occasion for several suggestive jokes at + his expense by the members of the staff, but the old man's good humor was + proof against all insinuations. + </p> + <p> + "Dat ar jug's bin ter wah, mon. Hit's wunner deze yer ole timers. I got + dat jug down dar in Putmon County w'en Mars 'Lisha Ferryman wuz a young + man, an' now he's done growed up, an' got ole an' died, an' his chilluns + is growed up an' dey kin count dere gran'chilluns, an' yit dar's dat jug + des ez lively an' ez lierbul fer ter kick up devilment ez w'at she wuz + w'en she come fum de foundry." + </p> + <p> + "That's the trouble," said one of the young men. "That's the reason we'd + like to know what's in it now. + </p> + <p> + "Now you er gittin' on ma'shy groun'," replied Uncle Remus. "Dat's de + p'int. Dat's w'at make me say w'at I duz. I bin knowin' dat jug now gwine + on sixty-fi' year, an' de jug w'at's more seetful dan dat jug ain't on de + topside er de worrul. Dar she sets," continued the old man, gazing at it + reflectively, "dar she sets dez ez natchul ez er ambertype, an' yit whar's + de man w'at kin tell w'at kinder confab she's a gwineter carry on w'en dat + corn-cob is snatched outen 'er mouf? Dat jug is mighty seetful, mon." + </p> + <p> + "Well, it don't deceive any of us up here," remarked the agricultural + editor, dryly. "We've seen jugs before." + </p> + <p> + "I boun' you is, boss; I boun' you is. But you ain't seed no seetful jug + like dat. Dar she sets a bellyin' out an' lookin' mighty fat an' full, an' + yit she'd set dar a bellyin' out ef dere wuzzent nuthin' but win' under + dat stopper. You knows dat she ain't got no aigs in her, ner no bacon, ner + no grits, ner no termartusses, ner no shellotes, an' dat's 'bout all you + duz know. Dog my cats ef de seetfulness er dat jug don't git away wid me," + continued Uncle Remus, with a chuckle. "I wuz comm' 'cross de bridge des + now, an' Brer John Henry seed me wid de bag slung onter my back, an' de + jug in it, an' he ups an' sez, sezee: + </p> + <p> + "'Heyo, Brer Remus, ain't it gittin' late for watermillions?' + </p> + <p> + "Hit wuz de seetfulness er dat jug. If Brer John Henry know'd de color er + dat watermillion, I speck he'd snatch me up 'fo' de confunce. I 'clar' ter + grashus ef dat jug ain't a caution!" + </p> + <p> + "I suppose it's full of molasses now," remarked one of the young men, + sarcastically. + </p> + <p> + "Hear dat!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, triumphantly "hear dat! W'at I tell + you? I sed dat jug wuz seetful, an' I sticks to it. I bin knowin' dat—" + </p> + <p> + "What has it got in it?" broke in some one; "molasses, kerosene, or + train-oil?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I lay she's loaded, boss. I ain't shuk her up sence I drapt in, but + I lay she's loaded." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," said the agricultural editor, "and it's the meanest bug- juice in + town—regular sorghum skimmings." + </p> + <p> + "Dat's needer yer ner dar," responded Uncle Remus. "Po' fokes better be + fixin' up for Chris'mus now w'ile rashuns is cheap. Dat's me. W'en I year + Miss Sally gwine 'bout de house w'isslin' 'W'en I k'n read my titles cle'r—an' + w'en I see de martins swawmin' atter sundown—an' w'en I year de + peckerwoods confabbin' togedder dese moonshiny nights in my een er town—en + I knows de hot wedder's a breakin' up, an' I know it's 'bout time fer po' + fokes fer ter be rastlin' 'roun' and huntin' up dere rashuns. Dat's me, up + an down." + </p> + <p> + "Well, we are satisfied. Better go and hire a hall," remarked the sporting + editor, with a yawn. "If you are engaged in a talking match you have won + the money. Blanket him somebody, and take him to the stable." + </p> + <p> + "An' w'at's mo'," continued the old man, scorning to notice the + insinuation, "dough I year Miss Sally w'isslin', an' de peckerwoods a + chatterin', I ain't seein' none er deze yer loafin' niggers fixin' up fer + ter 'migrate. Dey kin holler Kansas all 'roun' de naberhood, but ceppin' a + man come 'long an' spell it wid greenbacks, he don't ketch none er deze + yer town niggers. You year me, dey ain't gwine." + </p> + <p> + "Stand him up on the table," said the Sporting editor; "give him room." + </p> + <p> + "Better go down yer ter de calaboose, an' git some news fer ter print," + said Uncle Remus, with a touch of irony in his tone. "Some new nigger + mighter broke inter jail." + </p> + <p> + "You say the darkeys are not going to emigrate this year?" inquired the + agricultural editor, who is interested in these things. + </p> + <p> + "Shoo! dat dey ain't! I done seed an' I knows." + </p> + <p> + "Well, how do you know?" + </p> + <p> + "How you tell w'en crow gwineter light? Niggers bin prom'nadin' by my + house all dis summer, holdin' dere heads high up an' de w'ites er dere + eyeballs shinin' in de sun. Dey wuz too bigitty fer ter look over de + gyardin' palm's. 'Long 'bout den de wedder wuz fetchin' de nat'al sperrits + er turkentime outen de pine-trees an' de groun' wuz fa'rly smokin' wid de + hotness. Now that it's gittin' sorter airish in de mornin's, dey don't + 'pear like de same niggers. Dey done got so dey'll look over in de yard, + an' nex' news you know dey'll be tryin' fer ter scrape up 'quaintence wid + de dog. W'en dey passes now dey looks at de chicken-coop an' at der + tater-patch. W'en you see niggers gittin' dat familious, you kin 'pen' on + dere campin' wid you de ballunce er de season. Day 'fo' yistiddy I kotch + one un um lookin' over de fence at my shoats, an' I sez, sez I: + </p> + <p> + "'Duz you wanter purchis dem hogs?' + </p> + <p> + "'Oh, no,' sezee, 'I wuz des lookin' at dere p'ints.' + </p> + <p> + "'Well, dey ain't p'intin' yo' way, sez I, 'an', fuddermo', ef you don't + bodder longer dem hogs dey ain't gwineter clime outer dat pen an' 'tack + you, nudder,'" sez I. + </p> + <p> + "An' I boun'," continued Uncle Remus, driving the corn-cob stopper a + little tighter in his deceitful jug and gathering up his bag—"an' I + boun' dat my ole muskit 'll go off 'tween me an' dat same nigger yit, an' + he'll be at de bad een', an' dis seetful jug'll 'fuse ter go ter de + funer'l." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0067" id="link2H_4_0067"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XV. THE FLORIDA WATERMELON + </h2> + <p> + "LOOK yer, boy," said Uncle Remus yesterday, Stopping near the railroad + crossing on Whitehall Street, and gazing ferociously at a small colored + youth; "look yer, boy, Ill lay you out flat ef you come flingin' yo' + watermillion rimes under my foot—you watch ef I don't. You k'n play + yo' pranks on deze yer w'ite fokes, but w'en you come a cuttin' up yo' + capers roun me you 'll lan' right in de middle uv er spell er sickness—now + you mine w'at I tell you. An' I ain't gwine fer ter put up wid none er yo' + sassness nudder—let 'lone flingin' watermillion rimes whar I kin git + mixt up wid um. I done had nuff watermillions yistiddy an' de day befo'." + </p> + <p> + "How was that, Uncle Remus?" asked a gentleman standing near. + </p> + <p> + "Hit wuz sorter like dis, boss. Las' Chuseday, Mars John he fotch home two + er deze yer Flurridy watermillions, an him an' Miss Sally sot down fer ter + eat um. Mars John an' Miss Sally ain't got nuthin' dat's too good fer me, + an' de fus news I know'd Miss Sally wuz a hollerin' fer Remus. I done + smelt de watermillion on de a'r, an' I ain't got no better sense dan fer + ter go w'en I years w'ite fokes a-hollerin'—I larnt dat w'en I + wa'n't so high. Leas'ways I galloped up ter de back po'ch, an' dar sot de + watermillions dez ez natchul ez ef dey'd er bin raised on de ole Spivey + place in Putmon County. Den Miss Sally, she cut me off er slishe—wunner + deze yer ongodly slishes, big ez yo' hat, an' I sot down on de steps an' + wrop myse'f roun' de whole blessid chunk, 'cep'in' de rime." Uncle Remus + paused and laid his hand upon his stomach as if feeling for something. + </p> + <p> + "Well, old man, what then?" + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at I'm a gittin' at, boss," said Uncle Remus, smiling a feeble + smile. "I santered roun' 'bout er half nour, an den I begin fer ter feel + sorter squeemish—sorter like I done bin an, swoller'd 'bout fo' + poun's off'n de ruff een' uv er scantlin'. Look like ter me dat I wuz + gwineter be sick, an' den hit look like I wuzzent. Bimeby a little pain + showed 'is head an' sorter m'andered roun' like he wuz a lookin' fer a + good place fer ter ketch holt, an' den a great big pain jump up an' take + atter de little one an' chase 'im 'roun' an' 'roun,' an' he mus' er kotch + 'im, kaze bimeby de big pain retch down an' grab dis yer lef' leg—so—an' + haul 'im up, an' den he retch down an grab de udder one an' pull him up, + an' den de wah begun, sho nuff. Fer mighty nigh fo' hours dey kep' up dat + racket, an' des ez soon ez a little pain 'ud jump up de big un 'ud light + onter it an' gobble it up, an' den de big un 'ud go sailin' roun' huntin' + fer mo'. Some fokes is mighty cu'us, dough. Nex' mornin' I hear Miss Sally + a laughin', an' singin' an' a w'isslin' des like dey want no watermillions + raise in Flurridy. But somebody better pen dis yer nigger boy up w'en I'm + on de town—I kin tell you dat." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0068" id="link2H_4_0068"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVI. UNCLE REMUS PREACHES TO A CONVERT + </h2> + <p> + "DEY tells me you done jine de chu'ch," said Uncle Remus to Pegleg + Charley. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, sir," responded Charley, gravely, "dat's so." + </p> + <p> + "Well, I'm mighty glad er dat," remarked Uncle Remus, with unction. "It's + 'bout time dat I wuz spectin' fer ter hear un you in de chain-gang, an', + stidder dat, hit's de chu'ch. Well, dey ain't no tellin' deze days whar a + nigger's gwineter lan'." + </p> + <p> + "Yes," responded Charley, straightening himself up and speaking in a + dignified tone, "yes, I'm fixin' to do better. I'm preparin' fer to shake + worldliness. I'm done quit so'shatin' wid deze w'ite town boys. Dey've + been a goin' back on me too rapidly here lately, an' now I'm a goin' back + on dem." + </p> + <p> + "Well, ef you done had de speunce un it, I'm mighty glad. Ef you got + 'lijjun, you better hol' on to it 'twel de las' day in de mornin'. Hit's + mighty good fer ter kyar' 'roun' wid you in de day time an' likewise in de + night time. Hit'll pay you mo' dan politics, an' ef you stan's up like you + oughter, hit'll las' longer dan a bone-fellum. But you wanter have one er + deze yer ole-time grips, an' you des gotter shet yo' eyes an' swing on + like wunner deze yer bull-tarrier dogs." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I'm goin' to stick, Uncle Remus. You kin put your money on dat. Deze + town boys can't play no more uv dere games on me. I'm fixed. Can't you + lend me a dime, Uncle Remus, to buy me a pie? I'm dat hongry dat my + stomach is gittin' ready to go in mo'nin." + </p> + <p> + Uncle Remus eyed Charley curiously a moment, while the latter looked + quietly at his timber toe. Finally, the old man sighed and spoke: + </p> + <p> + "How long is you bin in de chu'ch, son?" + </p> + <p> + "Mighty near a week," replied Charley. + </p> + <p> + "Well, lemme tell you dis, now, 'fo' you go enny fudder. You ain't bin in + dar long nuff fer ter go 'roun' takin' up conterbutions. Wait ontwell you + gits sorter seasoned like, an' den I'll hunt 'roun' in my cloze an' see ef + I can't run out a thrip er two fer you. But don't you levy taxes too + early." + </p> + <p> + Charley laughed, and said he would let the old man off if he would treat + to a watermelon. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0069" id="link2H_4_0069"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVII. AS TO EDUCATION + </h2> + <p> + As Uncle Remus came up Whitehall Street recently, he met a little colored + boy carrying a slate and a number of books. Some words passed between + them, but their exact purport will probably never be known. They were + unpleasant, for the attention of a wandering policeman was called to the + matter by hearing the old man bawl out: + </p> + <p> + "Don't you come foolin' longer me, nigger. You er flippin' yo' sass at de + wrong color. You k'n go roun' yer an' sass deze w'ite people, an' maybe + dey'll stan' it, but w'en you come a-slingin' yo' jaw at a man w'at wuz + gray w'en de fahmin' days gin out, you better go an' git yo' hide + greased." + </p> + <p> + "What's the matter, old man?" asked a sympathizing policeman. + </p> + <p> + "Nothin', boss, 'ceppin I ain't gwineter hav' no nigger chillun a hoopin' + an' a hollerin' at me w'en I'm gwine long de streets." + </p> + <p> + "Oh, well, school-children—you know how they are. + </p> + <p> + "Dat's w'at make I say w'at I duz. Dey better be home pickin' up chips. + W'at a nigger gwineter larn outen books? I kin take a bar'l stave an' + fling mo' sense inter a nigger in one minnit dan all de schoolhouses + betwixt dis en de State er Midgigin. Don't talk, honey! Wid one bar'l + stave I kin fa'rly lif' de vail er ignunce." + </p> + <p> + "Then you don't believe in education?" + </p> + <p> + "Hit's de ruinashun er dis country. Look at my gal. De ole 'oman sont 'er + ter school las' year, an' now we dassent hardly ax 'er fer ter kyar de + washin' home. She done got beyant 'er bizness. I ain't larnt nuthin' in + books, 'en yit I kin count all de money I gits. No use talkin', boss. Put + a spellin'-book in a nigger's han's, en right den en dar' you loozes a + plow-hand. I done had de speunce un it." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0070" id="link2H_4_0070"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XVIII. A TEMPERANCE REFORMER + </h2> + <p> + "Yer come Uncle Remus," said a well-dressed negro, who was standing on the + sidewalk near James's bank recently, talking to a crowd of barbers. "Yer + come Uncle Remus. I boun' he'll sign it." + </p> + <p> + "You'll fling yo' money away ef you bet on it," responded Uncle Remus. "I + ain't turnin' nothin' loose on chu'ch 'scriptions. I wants money right now + fer ter git a pint er meal." + </p> + <p> + 'Tain't dat." + </p> + <p> + "An' I ain't heppin fer ter berry nobody. Much's I kin do ter keep de bref + in my own body." + </p> + <p> + "'Tain't dat, nudder." + </p> + <p> + "An' I ain't puttin' my han' ter no reckommends. I'm fear'd fer ter say a + perlite wud 'bout myself, an' I des know I ain't gwine 'roun' flatter'n up + deze udder niggers." + </p> + <p> + "An' 'tain't dat," responded the darkey, who held a paper in his hand. "We + er gittin' up a Good Tempeler's lodge, an' we like ter git yo' name." + </p> + <p> + "Eh-eh, honey! I done see too much er dis nigger tempunce. Dey stan' up + mighty squar' ontwell dere dues commence ter cramp um, an' dey don't stan' + de racket wuf a durn. No longer'n yistiddy I seed one er de head men er + one er dese Tempeler's s'cieties totin' water fer a bar-room. He had de + water in a bucket, but dey ain't no tellin' how much red licker he wuz a + totin'. G'long, chile—jine yo' s'ciety an' be good ter yo'se'f. I'm + a gittin' too ole. Gimme th'ee er fo' drams endurin' er de day, an' I'm + mighty nigh ez good a tempunce man ez de next un. I got ter scuffle fer + sump'n t'eat." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0071" id="link2H_4_0071"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XIX. AS A WEATHER PROPHET + </h2> + <p> + UNCLE REMUS was enlightening a crowd of negroes at the car-shed yesterday. + </p> + <p> + "Dar ain't nuthin'," said the old man, shaking his head pensively, "dat + ain't got no change wrote on it. Dar ain't nothin dat ain't spotted befo' + hit begins fer ter commence. We all speunces dat p'overdence w'at lifts us + up fum one place an' sets us down in de udder. Hit's continerly a movin' + an a movin'." + </p> + <p> + "Dat's so!" "You er talkin' now!" came from several of his hearers. + </p> + <p> + "I year Miss Sally readin' dis mawnin," continued the old man, "dat a man + wuz comin' down yer fer ter take keer er de wedder— wunner deze yer + Buro mens w'at goes 'roun' a puttin' up an' pullin' down." + </p> + <p> + "W'at he gwine do 'roun' yer?" asked one. + </p> + <p> + "He's a gwineter regelate de wedder," replied Uncle Remus, sententiously. + "He's a gwineter fix hit up so dat dere won't be so much worriment 'mong + de w'ite fokes 'bout de kinder wedder w'at falls to dere lot." + </p> + <p> + "He gwine dish em up," suggested one of the older ones, "like man dish out + sugar. + </p> + <p> + "No," answered Uncle Remus, mopping his benign features with a very large + and very red bandana. "He's a gwineter fix um better'n dat. He's a + gwineter fix um up so you kin have any kinder wedder w'at you want widout + totin' her home." + </p> + <p> + "How's dat?" asked some one. + </p> + <p> + "Hit's dis way," said the old man, thoughtfully. "In co'se you knows w'at + kinder wedder you wants. Well, den, w'en de man comes long, w'ich Miss + Sally say he will, you des gotter go up dar, pick out yo' wedder an' + dere'll be a clock sot fer ter suit yo' case, an' w'en you git home, + dere'll be yo' wedder a settin' out in de yard waitin' fer you. I wish he + wuz yer now," the old man continued. "I'd take a pa'r er frosts in mine, + ef I kotched cold fer it. Dat's me!" + </p> + <p> + There were various exclamations of assent, and the old man went on his way + singing, "Don't you Grieve Atter Me." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0072" id="link2H_4_0072"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XX. THE OLD MAN'S TROUBLES + </h2> + <p> + "WHAT makes you look so lonesome, Brer Remus?" asked a well- dressed + negro, as the old man came shuffling down the street by James's corner + yesterday. + </p> + <p> + "You er mighty right, I'm lonesome, Brer John Henry. W'en a ole nigger + like me is gotter paddle de canoe an' do de fishin' at de same time, an' + w'en you bleedzd ter ketch de fish an' dassent turn de paddle loose fer + ter bait de hook, den I tell you, Brer John, you er right whar de mink had + de goslin'. Mars John and Miss Sally, dey done bin gone down unto Putmon + County fer ter see der kinfolks mighty nigh fo' days, an' you better + bleeve I done bin had ter scratch 'roun' mighty lively fer ter make de + rashuns run out even. + </p> + <p> + "I wuz at yo' house las' night, Brer Remus," remarked Brer John Henry, + "but I couldn't roust you outer bed." + </p> + <p> + "Hit was de unseasonableness er de hour, I speck," said Uncle Remus, + dryly. "'Pears unto me dat you all chu'ch deacons settin' up mighty late + deze col' nights. You'll be slippin' round arter hours some time er + nudder, an you'll slip bodaciously inter de calaboose. You mine w'at I + tell you." + </p> + <p> + "It's mighty col' wedder," said Brer John Henry, evidently wishing to + change the subject. + </p> + <p> + "Col'!" exclaimed Uncle Remus; "hit got pas' col' on der quarter stretch. + You oughter come to my house night 'fo' las'. Den you'd a foun' me 'live + an' kickin'." + </p> + <p> + "How's dat?" + </p> + <p> + "Well, I tell you, Brer John Henry, de col' wuz so col', an' de kiver wuz + so light, dat I thunk I'd make a raid on Mars John's shingle pile, an' out + I goes an totes in a whole armful. Den I gits under de kiver an' tells my + ole 'oman fer ter lay 'em onto me like she was roofin' a house. Bimeby she + crawls in, an' de shingles w'at she put on her side fer ter kiver wid, dey + all drap off on de flo'. Den up I gits an' piles 'em on agin, an' w'en I + gits in bed my shingles draps off, an' dat's de way it wuz de whole + blessid night. Fus' it wuz me up an' den de ole 'oman, an' it kep' us + pow'ful warm, too, dat kinder exercise. Oh, you oughter drapt roun' 'bout + dat time, Brer John Henry. You'd a year'd sho' nuff cussin'!" + </p> + <p> + "You don't tell me, Brer Remus!" + </p> + <p> + "My ole 'oman say de Ole Boy wouldn't a foun' a riper nigger, ef he wer' + ter scour de country fum Ferginny ter de Alabam'" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0073" id="link2H_4_0073"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + XXI. THE FOURTH OF JULY + </h2> + <p> + UNCLE REMUS made his appearance recently with his right arm in a sling and + his head bandaged to that extent that it looked like the stick made to + accompany the Centennial bass-drum. The old man evidently expected an + attack all around, for he was unusually quiet, and fumbled in his pockets + in an embarrassed manner. He was not mistaken. The agricultural editor was + the first to open fire: + </p> + <p> + "Well, you old villain! what have you been up to now?" + </p> + <p> + "It is really singular," remarked a commencement orator, "that not even an + ordinary holiday—a holiday, it seems to me, that ought to arouse all + the latent instincts of patriotism in the bosom of American citizens—can + occur without embroiling some of our most valuable citizens. It is really + singular to me that such a day should be devoted by a certain class of our + population to broils and fisticuffs." + </p> + <p> + This final moral sentiment, which was altogether an impromptu utterance, + and which was delivered with the air of one who addresses a vast but + invisible audience of young ladies in white dresses and blue sashes, + seemed to add to the embarrassment of Uncle Remus, and at the same time to + make an explanation necessary. + </p> + <p> + "Dey ain't none er you young w'ite men never had no 'casion fer ter strike + up wid one er deze Mobile niggers?" asked Uncle Remus. "'Kaze ef you iz, + den you knows wharbouts de devilment come in. Show me a Mobile nigger," + continued the old man, an I'll show you a nigger dat's marked for de + chain-gang. Hit may be de fote er de fif' er July, er hit may be de twelf' + er Jinawerry, but w'en a Mobile nigger gits in my naberhood right den an' + dar trubble sails in an' 'gages bode fer de season. I speck I'm ez fon' er + deze Nunited States ez de nex' man w'at knows dat de Buro is busted up; + but long ez Remus kin stan' on his hin' legs no Mobile nigger can't flip + inter dis town longer no Wes' P'int 'schushun an' boss 'roun' 'mong de + cullud fokes. Dat's me, up an' down, an' I boun' dere's a nigger some'rs + on de road dis blessid day dat's got dis put away in his 'membunce." + </p> + <p> + "How did he happen to get you down and maul you in this startling manner?" + asked the commencement orator, with a tone of exaggerated sympathy in his + voice. + </p> + <p> + "Maul who?" exclaimed Uncle Remus, indignantly. "Maul who? Boss, de nigger + dat mauled me ain't bo'nded yit, an' dey er got ter have anudder war 'fo + one is bo'nded." + </p> + <p> + "Well, what was the trouble?" + </p> + <p> + "Hit wuz sorter dis way, boss. I wuz stannin' down dere by Mars John + Jeems's bank, chattin' wid Sis Tempy, w'ich I ain't seed 'er befo' now + gwine on seven year, an' watchin' de folks trompin' by, w'en one er deze + yer slick-lookin' niggers, wid a bee-gum hat an' a brass watch ez big ez + de head uv a beerbar'l, come long an' bresh up agin me—so. Dere wuz + two un um, an' dey went long gigglin' an' laffin' like a nes'ful er + yaller-hammers. Bimeby dey come long agin an' de smart Ellick brush up by + me once mo'. Den I say to myse'f, 'I lay I fetch you ef you gimme anudder + invite.' An', sho' 'nuff, yer he come agin, an' dis time he rub a piece er + watermillion rime under my lef' year." + </p> + <p> + "What did you do?" + </p> + <p> + "Me? I'm a mighty long-sufferin' nigger, but he hadn't no mo'n totch me + 'fo' I flung dese yer bones in his face." Here Uncle Remus held up his + damaged hand triumphantly. "I sorter sprained my han', boss, but dog my + cats if I don't bleeve I spattered de nigger's eyeballs on de groun', and + w'en he riz his count'nence look fresh like beef-haslett. I look mighty + spindlin' an' puny now, don't I, boss?" inquired the old man, with great + apparent earnestness. + </p> + <p> + "Rather." + </p> + <p> + "Well, you des oughter see me git my Affikin up. Dey useter call me er bad + nigger long 'fo' de war, an hit looks like ter me dat I gits wuss an' + wuss. Brer John Henry say dat I oughter subdue my rashfulness, an' I don't + 'spute it, but tu'n a Mobile nigger loose in dis town, fote er July or no + fote er July, an', me er him, one is got ter lan' in jail. Hit's proned + inter me." + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE REMUS *** + +This file should be named 2306.txt or 2306.zip + +Etext produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer + +HTML file produced by David Widger + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Uncle Remus + +Author: Joel Chandler Harris + +Release Date: August, 2000 [EBook #2306] +[This file of edition 11 was first posted on June 16, 2003] + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE REMUS *** + + + + +Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings + +By Joel Chandler Harris + + + + + + + +PREFACE AND DEDICATION +TO THE NEW EDITION + +To Arthur Barbette Frost: + +DEAR FROST: + +I am expected to supply a preface for this new edition of my +first book--to advance from behind the curtain, as it were, and +make a fresh bow to the public that has dealt with Uncle Remus in +so gentle and generous a fashion. For this event the lights are +to be rekindled, and I am expected to respond in some formal way +to an encore that marks the fifteenth anniversary of the book. +There have been other editions--how many I do not remember--but +this is to be an entirely new one, except as to the matter: new +type, new pictures, and new binding. + +But, as frequently happens on such occasions, I am at a loss for +a word. I seem to see before me the smiling faces of thousands of +children--some young and fresh, and some wearing the friendly +marks of age, but all children at heart--and not an unfriendly +face among them. And out of the confusion, and while I am trying +hard to speak the right word, I seem to hear a voice lifted above +the rest, saying "You have made some of us happy." And so I feel +my heart fluttering and my lips trembling, and I have to how +silently and him away, and hurry back into the obscurity that +fits me best. + +Phantoms! Children of dreams! True, my dear Frost; but if you +could see the thousands of letters that have come to me from far +and near, and all fresh from the hearts and hands of children, +and from men and women who have not forgotten how to be children, +you would not wonder at the dream. And such a dream can do no +harm. Insubstantial though it may be, I would not at this hour +exchange it for all the fame won by my mightier brethren of the +pen--whom I most humbly salute. + +Measured by the material developments that have compressed +years of experience into the space of a day, thus increasing the +possibilities of life, if not its beauty, fifteen years +constitute the old age of a book. Such a survival might almost be +said to be due to a tiny sluice of green sap under the gray bark. +where it lies in the matter of this book, or what its source if, +indeed, it be really there--is more of a mystery to my middle age +than it was to my prime. + +But it would be no mystery at all if this new edition were to be +more popular than the old one. Do you know why? Because you +have taken it under your hand and made it yours. Because you have +breathed the breath of life into these amiable brethren of wood +and field. Because, by a stroke here and a touch there, you have +conveyed into their quaint antics the illumination of your own +inimitable humor, which is as true to our sun and soil as it is +to the spirit and essence of the matter set forth. + +The book was mine, but now you have made it yours, both sap and +pith. Take it, therefore, my dear Frost, and believe me, +faithfully yours, + +Joel Chandler Harris + + + + +INTRODUCTION + +I am advised by my publishers that this book is to be included in +their catalogue of humorous publications, and this friendly +warning gives me an opportunity to say that however humorous it +may be in effect, its intention is perfectly serious; and, even +if it were otherwise, it seems to me that a volume written wholly +in dialect must have its solemn, not to say melancholy, features. +With respect to the Folk-Lore scenes, my purpose has been to +preserve the legends themselves in their original simplicity, and +to wed them permanently to the quaint dialect--if, indeed, it can +be called a dialect--through the medium of which they have become +a part of the domestic history of every Southern family; and I +have endeavored to give to the whole a genuine flavor of the old +plantation. + +Each legend has its variants, but in every instance I have +retained that particular version which seemed to me to be the +most characteristic, and have given it without embellishment and +without exaggeration. + +The dialect, it will be observed, is wholly different from that +of the Hon. Pompey Smash and his literary descendants, and +different also from the intolerable misrepresentations of the +minstrel stage, but it is at least phonetically genuine. +Nevertheless, if the language of Uncle Remus fails to give vivid +hints of the really poetic imagination of the negro; if it fails +to embody the quaint and homely humor which was his most +prominent characteristic; if it does not suggest a certain +picturesque sensitiveness--a curious exaltation of mind and +temperament not to be defined by words--then I have reproduced +the form of the dialect merely, and not the essence, and my +attempt may be accounted a failure. At any rate, I trust I have +been successful in presenting what must be, at least to a large +portion of American readers, a new and by no means unattractive +phase of negro character--a phase which may be considered a +curiously sympathetic supplement to Mrs. Stowe's wonderful +defense of slavery as it existed in the South. Mrs. Stowe, let me +hasten to say, attacked the possibilities of slavery with all the +eloquence of genius; but the same genius painted the portrait of +the Southern slave-owner, and defended him. + +A number of the plantation legends originally appeared in the +columns of a daily newspaper--The Atlanta Constitution and in +that shape they attracted the attention of various gentlemen who +were kind enough to suggest that they would prove to be valuable +contributions to myth-literature. It is but fair to say that +ethnological considerations formed no part of the undertaking +which has resulted in the publication of this volume. Professor +J. W. Powell, of the Smithsonian Institution, who is engaged in +an investigation of the mythology of the North American Indians, +informs me that some of Uncle Remus's stories appear in a number +of different languages, and in various modified forms, among the +Indians; and he is of the opinion that they are borrowed by the +negroes from the red-men. But this, to say the least, is +extremely doubtful, since another investigator (Mr. Herbert H. +Smith, author of Brazil and the Amazons) has met with some of +these stories among tribes of South American Indians, and one in +particular he has traced to India, and as far east as Siam. Mr. +Smith has been kind enough to send me the proof-sheets of his +chapter on The Myths and Folk-Lore of the Amazonian Indians, in +which he reproduces some of the stories which he gathered while +exploring the Amazons. + +In the first of his series, a tortoise falls from a tree upon the +head of a jaguar and kills him; in one of Uncle Remus's stories, +the terrapin falls from a shelf in Miss Meadows's house and stuns +the fox, so that the latter fails to catch the rabbit. In the +next, a jaguar catches a tortoise by the hind-leg as he is +disappearing in his hole; but the tortoise convinces him he is +holding a root, and so escapes; Uncle Remus tells how the fox +endeavored to drown the terrapin, but turned him loose because +the terrapin declared his tail to be only a stump-root. Mr. Smith +also gives the story of how the tortoise outran the deer, which +is identical as to incident with Uncle Remus's story of how Brer +Tarrypin outran Brer Rabbit. Then there is the story of how the +tortoise pretended that he was stronger than the tapir. He tells +the latter he can drag him into the sea, but the tapir retorts +that he will pull the tortoise into the forest and kill him +besides. The tortoise thereupon gets a vine-stem, ties one end +around the body of the tapir, and goes to the sea, where he ties +the other end to the tail of a whale. He then goes into the wood, +midway between them both, and gives the vine a shake as a signal +for the pulling to begin. The struggle between the whale and +tapir goes on until each thinks the tortoise is the strongest of +animals. Compare this with the story of the terrapin's contest +with the bear, in which Miss Meadows's bed-cord is used instead +of a vine-stem. One of the most characteristic of Uncle Remus's +stories is that in which the rabbit proves to Miss Meadows and +the girls that the fox is his riding-horse. This is almost +identical with a story quoted by Mr. Smith, where the jaguar is +about to marry the deer's daughter. The cotia--a species of +rodent--is also in love with her, and he tells the deer that he +can make a riding-horse of the jaguar. + +"Well," says the deer, "if you can make the jaguar carry you, you +shall have my daughter." Thereupon the story proceeds pretty +much as Uncle Remus tells it of the fox and rabbit. The cotia +finally jumps from the jaguar and takes refuge in a hole, where +an owl is set to watch him, but he flings sand in the owl's eyes +and escapes. In another story given by Mr. Smith, the cotia is +very thirsty, and, seeing a man coming with a jar on his head, +lies down in the road in front of him, and repeats this until the +man puts down his jar to go back after all the dead cotias he has +seen. This is almost identical with Uncle Remus's story of how +the rabbit robbed the fox of his game. In a story from Upper +Egypt, a fox lies down in the road in front of a man who is +carrying fowls to market, and finally succeeds in securing them. + +This similarity extends to almost every story quoted by Mr. +Smith, and some are so nearly identical as to point unmistakably +to a common origin; but when and where? when did the negro or the +North American Indian ever come in contact with the tribes of +South America? Upon this point the author of Brazil and the +Amazons, who is engaged in making a critical and comparative +study of these myth-stories, writes: + +"I am not prepared to form a theory about these stories. There +can be no doubt that some of them, found among the negroes and +the Indians, had a common origin. The most natural solution would +be to suppose that they originated in Africa, and were carried to +South America by the negro slaves. They are certainly found among +the Red Negroes; but, unfortunately for the African theory, it is +equally certain that they are told by savage Indians of the +Amazons Valley, away up on the Tapajos, Red Negro, and Tapura. +These Indians hardly ever see a negro, and their languages are +very distinct from the broken Portuguese spoken by the slaves. +The form of the stories, as recounted in the Tupi and Mundurucu' +languages, seems to show that they were originally formed in +those languages or have long been adopted in them. + +"It is interesting to find a story from Upper Egypt (that of the +fox who pretended to be dead) identical with an Amazonian story, +and strongly resembling one found by you among the negroes. +Vambagen, the Brazilian historian (now Visconde de Rio Branco), +tried to prove a relationship between the ancient Egyptians, or +other Turanian stock, and the Tupi Indians. His theory rested on +rather a slender basis, yet it must be confessed that he had one +or two strong points. Do the resemblances between old and New +World stories point to a similar conclusion? It would be hard to +say with the material that we now have. + +"One thing is certain. The animal stories told by the negroes in +our Southern States and in Brazil were brought by them from +Africa. Whether they originated there, or with the Arabs, or +Egyptians, or with yet more ancient nations, must still be an +open question. Whether the Indians got them from the negroes or +from some earlier source is equally uncertain. We have seen +enough to know that a very interesting line of investigation has +been opened." + +Professor Hartt, in his Amazonian Tortoise Myths, quotes a story +from the Riverside Magazine of November, 1868, which will be +recognized as a variant of one given by Uncle Remus. I venture to +append it here, with some necessary verbal and phonetic +alterations, in order to give the reader an idea of the +difference between the dialect of the cotton plantations, as used +by Uncle Remus, and the lingo in vogue on the rice plantations +and Sea Islands of the South Atlantic States: + +"One time B'er Deer an' B'er Cooter (Terrapin) was courtin', and +de lady did bin lub B'er Deer mo' so dan B'er Cooter. She did bin +lub B'er Cooter, but she lub B'er Deer de morest. So de young +lady say to B'er Deer and B'er Cooter bofe dat dey mus' hab a +ten-mile race, an de one dat beats, she will go marry him. + +"So B'er Cooter say to B'er Deer: 'You has got mo longer legs dan +I has, but I will run you. You run ten mile on land, and I will +run ten mile on de water!' + +"So B'er Cooter went an' git nine er his fam'ly, an' put one at +ebery mile-pos', and he hisse'f, what was to run wid B'er Deer, +he was right in front of de young lady's do', in de broom-grass. + +"Dat mornin' at nine o'clock, B'er Deer he did met B'er Cooter at +de fus mile-pos', wey dey was to start fum. So he call: 'Well, +B'er Cooter, is you ready? Co long!' As he git on to de nex' +mile-pos', he say: 'B'er Cooter!' B'er Cooter say: 'Hullo!' B'er +Deer say: 'You dere?' B'er Cooter say: 'Yes, B'er Deer, I dere +too.' + +"Nex' mile-pos' he jump, B'er Deer say: 'Hullo, B'er Cooter!' +B'er Cooter say: 'Hullo, B'er Deer! you dere too?' B'er Deer say: +'Ki! it look like you gwine fer tie me; it look like we gwine fer +de gal tie!' + +"W'en he git to de nine-mile pos' he tought he git dere fus, +'cause he mek two jump; so he holler: 'B'er Cooter!' B'er Cooter +answer: 'You dere too?' B'er Deer say: 'It look like you gwine +tie me.' B'er Cooter say: 'Go long, B'er Deer. I git dere in due +season time,' which he does, and wins de race." + +The story of the Rabbit and the Fox, as told by the Southern +negroes, is artistically dramatic in this: it progresses in an +orderly way from a beginning to a well-defined conclusion, and is +full of striking episodes that suggest the culmination. It seems +to me to be to a certain extent allegorical, albeit such an +interpretation may be unreasonable. At least it is a fable +thoroughly characteristic of the negro; and it needs no +scientific investigation to show why he selects as his hero the +weakest and most harmless of all animals, and brings him out +victorious in contests with the bear, the wolf, and the fox. It +is not virtue that triumphs, but helplessness; it is not malice, +but mischievousness. It would be presumptuous in me to offer an +opinion as to the origin of these curious myth-stories; but, if +ethnologists should discover that they did not originate with the +African, the proof to that effect should be accompanied with a +good deal of persuasive eloquence. + +Curiously enough, I have found few negroes who will acknowledge +to a stranger that they know anything of these legends; and yet +to relate one of the stories is the surest road to their +confidence and esteem. In this way, and in this way only, I have +been enabled to collect and verify the folklore included in this +volume. There is an anecdote about the Irishman and the rabbit +which a number of negroes have told to me with great unction, and +which is both funny and characteristic, though I will not +undertake to say that it has its origin with the blacks. One +day an Irishman who had heard people talking about "mares' nests" +was going along the big road--it is always the big road in +contradistinction to neighborhood paths and by-paths, called in +the vernacular "nigh-cuts"--when he came to a pumpkin--patch. The +Irishman had never seen any of this fruit before, and he at once +concluded that he had discovered a veritable mare's nest. Making +the most of his opportunity, he gathered one of the pumpkins in +his arms and went on his way. A pumpkin is an exceedingly awkward +thing to carry, and the Irishman had not gone far before he made +a misstep, and stumbled. The pumpkin fell to the ground, rolled +down the hill into a "brush--heap," and, striking against a +stump, was broken. The story continues in the dialect: "W'en de +punkin roll in de bresh--heap, out jump a rabbit; en soon's de +I'shmuns see dat, he take atter de rabbit en holler: 'Kworp, +colty! kworp, colty!' but de rabbit, he des flew." The point of +this is obvious. + +As to the songs, the reader is warned that it will be found +difficult to make them conform to the ordinary rules of +versification, nor is it intended that they should so conform. +They are written, and are intended to be read, solely with +reference to the regular and invariable recurrence of the +caesura, as, for instance, the first stanza of the Revival Hymn: + +"Oh, whar / shill we go / w'en de great / day comes + Wid de blow / in' er de trumpits / en de bang / in' er de + drums / + How man / y po' sin / ners'll be kotch'd / out late + En fine / no latch ter de gold / en gate /" + +In other words, the songs depend for their melody and rhythm +upon the musical quality of time, and not upon long or short, +accented or unaccented syllables. I am persuaded that this fact +led Mr. Sidney Lanier, who is thoroughly familiar with the +metrical peculiarities of negro songs, into the exhaustive +investigation which has resulted in the publication of his +scholarly treatise on The Science of English Verse. + +The difference between the dialect of the legends and that of the +character--sketches, slight as it is, marks the modifications +which the speech of the negro has undergone even where education +has played in deed, save in the no part reforming it. Indeed, +save in the remote country districts, the dialect of the legends +has nearly disappeared. I am perfectly well aware that the +character sketches are without permanent interest, but they are +embodied here for the purpose of presenting a phase of negro +character wholly distinct from that which I have endeavored to +preserve in the legends. Only in this shape, and with all the +local allusions, would it be possible to adequately represent the +shrewd observations, the curious retorts, the homely thrusts, the +quaint comments, and the humorous philosophy of the race of which +Uncle Remus is the type. + +If the reader not familiar with plantation life will imagine that +the myth--stories of Uncle Remus are told night after night to a +little boy by an old negro who appears to be venerable enough to +have lived during the period which he describes--who has nothing +but pleasant memories of the discipline of slavery--and who has +all the prejudices of caste and pride of family that were the +natural results of the system; if the reader can imagine all +this, he will find little difficulty in appreciating and +sympathizing with the air of affectionate superiority which Uncle +Remus assumes as he proceeds to unfold the mysteries of +plantation lore to a little child who is the product of that +practical reconstruction which has been going on to some extent +since the war in spite of the politicians. Uncle Remus describes +that reconstruction in his Story of the War, and I may as well +add here for the benefit of the curious that that story is almost +literally true. + +J. C. H. + + + + +CONTENTS + +LEGENDS OF THE OLD PLANTATION + +I. Uncle Remus initiates the Little Boy +II. The Wonderful Tar-Baby Story +III. Why Mr. Possum loves Peace +IV. How Mr. Rabbit was too sharp for Mr. Fox +V. The Story of the Deluge, and how it came about +VI. Mr. Rabbit grossly deceives Mr. Fox +VII. Mr. Fox is again victimized +VIII. Mr. Fox is "outdone" by Mr. Buzzard +IX. Miss Cow falls a Victim to Mr. Rabbit +X. Mr. Terrapin appears upon the Scene +XI. Mr. Wolf makes a Failure +XII. Mr. Fox tackles Old Man Tarrypin +XIII. The Awful Fate of Mr. Wolf +XIV. Mr. Fox and the Deceitful Frogs +XV. Mr. Fox goes a-hunting, but Mr. Rabbit bags the Game +XVI. Old Mr. Rabbit, he's a Good Fisherman +XVII. Mr. Rabbit nibbles up the Butter +XVIII. Mr. Rabbit finds his Match at last +XIX. The Fate of Mr. Jack Sparrow +XX. How Mr. Rabbit saved his Meat +XXI. Mr. Rabbit meets his Match again +XXII. A Story about the Little Rabbits +XXIII. Mr. Rabbit and Mr. Bear +XXIV. Mr. Bear catches Old Mr. Bull-Frog +XXV. How Mr. Rabbit lost his Fine Bushy Tail +XXVI. Mr. Terrapin shows his Strength +XXVII Why Mr. Possum has no Hair on his Tail +XXVIII. The End of Mr. Bear +XXIX. Mr. Fox gets into Serious Business +XXX. How Mr. Rabbit succeeded in raising a Dust. +XXXI. A Plantation Witch +XXXII. "Jacky-my-Lantern" +XXXIII. Why the Negro is Black +XXXIV. The Sad Fate of Mr. Fox + +Plantation Proverbs + +His Songs + +I. Revival Hymn +II. Camp-Meeting Song +III. Corn-Shucking Song +IV. The Plough-hands Song +V. Christmas Play-Song +VI. Plantation Play-Song +VII. Transcriptions: + 1. A Plantation Chant + 2. A Plantation Serenade +VIII. De Big Bethel Church +IX. Time goes by Turns + +A Story of the War + +His Sayings +I. Jeems Rober'son's Last Illness +II. Uncle Remus's Church Experience +III. Uncle Remus and the Savannah Darkey +IV. Turnip Salad as a Text +V. A Confession +VI. Uncle Remus with the Toothache +VII. The Phonograph +VIII. Race Improvement +IX. In the Role of a Tartar +X. A Case of Measles +XI. The Emigrants +XII. As a Murderer +XIII. His Practical View of Things +XIV. That Deceitful Jug +XV. The Florida Watermelon +XVI. Uncle Remus preaches to a Convert +XVII. As to Education +XVIII. A Temperance Reformer +XIX. As a Weather Prophet +XX. The Old Man's Troubles +XXI. The Fourth of July + + + +LEGENDS OF THE OLD PLANTATION + + +I. UNCLE REMUS INITIATES THE LITTLE BOY + +One evening recently, the lady whom Uncle Remus calls "Miss +Sally" missed her little seven-year-old. Making search for him +through the house and through the yard, she heard the sound of +voices in the old man's cabin, and, looking through the window, +saw the child sitting by Uncle Remus. His head rested against the +old man's arm, and he was gazing with an expression of the most +intense interest into the rough, weather-beaten face, that beamed +so kindly upon him. This is what "Miss Sally" heard: + +"Bimeby, one day, atter Brer Fox bin doin' all dat he could fer +ter ketch Brer Rabbit, en Brer Rabbit bein doin' all he could fer +ter keep 'im fum it, Brer Fox say to hisse'f dat he'd put up a +game on Brer Rabbit, en he ain't mo'n got de wuds out'n his mouf +twel Brer Rabbit came a lopin' up de big road, lookin' des ez +plump, en ez fat, en ez sassy ez a Moggin hoss in a barley-patch. + +"'Hol' on dar, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'I ain't got time, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, sorter +mendin' his licks. + +"'I wanter have some confab wid you, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, +sezee. + +"'All right, Brer Fox, but you better holler fum whar you stan'. +I'm monstus full er fleas dis mawnin',' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'I seed Brer B'ar yistdiddy, 'sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en he sorter +rake me over de coals kaze you en me ain't make frens en live +naberly, en I tole 'im dat I'd see you.' + +"Den Brer Rabbit scratch one year wid his off hinefoot sorter +jub'usly, en den he ups en sez, sezee: + +"'All a settin', Brer Fox. Spose'n you drap roun' ter-morrer en +take dinner wid me. We ain't got no great doin's at our house, +but I speck de ole 'oman en de chilluns kin sorter scramble roun' +en git up sump'n fer ter stay yo' stummick.' + +"'I'm 'gree'ble, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Den I'll 'pen' on you,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"Nex' day, Mr. Rabbit an' Miss Rabbit got up soom, 'fo' day, en +raided on a gyarden like Miss Sally's out dar, en got some +cabbiges, en some roas'n--years, en some sparrer-grass, en dey +fix up a smashin' dinner. Bimeby one er de little Rabbits, +playin' out in de back-yard, come runnin' in hollerin', 'Oh, ma! +oh, ma! I seed Mr. Fox a comin'!' En den Brer Rabbit he tuck de +chilluns by der years en make um set down, en den him and Miss +Rabbit sorter dally roun' waitin' for Brer Fox. En dey keep on +waitin' for Brer Fox. En dey keep on waitin', but no Brer Fox +ain't come. Atter 'while Brer Rabbit goes to de do', easy like, +en peep out, en dar, stickin' fum behime de cornder, wuz de +tip-een' er Brer Fox tail. Den Brer Rabbit shot de do' en sot +down, en put his paws behime his years en begin fer ter sing: + +"'De place wharbouts you spill de grease, +Right dar you er boun' ter slide, +An' whar you fin' a bunch er ha'r, +You'll sholy fine de hide.' + +"Nex' day, Brer Fox sont word by Mr. Mink, en skuze hisse'f kaze +he wuz too sick fer ter come, en he ax Brer Rabbit fer ter come +en take dinner wid him, en Brer Rabbit say he wuz 'gree'ble. + +"Bimeby, w'en de shadders wuz at der shortes', Brer Rabbit he +sorter brush up en sa'nter down ter Brer Fox's house, en w'en he +got dar, he hear somebody groanin', en he look in de do' an dar +he see Brer Fox settin' up in a rockin'-cheer all wrop up wid +flannil, en he look mighty weak. Brer Rabbit look all roun', he +did, but he ain't see no dinner. De dish-pan wuz settin' on de +table, en close by wuz a kyarvin' knife. + +"'Look like you gwineter have chicken fer dinner, Brer Fox,' sez +Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Yes, Brer Rabbit, dey er nice, en fresh, en tender, 'sez Brer +Fox, sezee. + +"Den Brer Rabbit sorter pull his mustarsh, en say: 'You ain't got +no calamus root, is you, Brer Fox? I done got so now dat I can't +eat no chicken 'ceppin she's seasoned up wid calamus root.' +En wid dat Brer Rabbit lipt out er de do' and dodge 'mong the +bushes, en sot dar watchin' for Brer Fox; en he ain't watch long, +nudder, kaze Brer Fox flung off de flannil en crope out er de +house en got whar he could cloze in on Brer Rabbit, en bimeby +Brer Rabbit holler out: 'Oh, Brer Fox! I'll des put yo' calamus +root out yer on dish yer stump. Better come git it while hit's +fresh,' and wid dat Brer Rabbit gallop off home. En Brer Fox +ain't never kotch 'im yit, en w'at's mo', honey, he ain't +gwineter." + + +II. THE WONDERFUL TAR BABY STORY + +"Didn't the fox never catch the rabbit, Uncle Remus?" asked the +little boy the next evening. + +"He come mighty nigh it, honey, sho's you born--Brer Fox did. One +day atter Brer Rabbit fool 'im wid dat calamus root, Brer Fox +went ter wuk en got 'im some tar, en mix it wid some turkentime, +en fix up a contrapshun w'at he call a Tar-Baby, en he tuck dish +yer Tar-Baby en he sot 'er in de big road, en den he lay off in +de bushes fer to see what de news wuz gwine ter be. En he didn't +hatter wait long, nudder, kaze bimeby here come Brer Rabbit +pacin' down de road--lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity--dez ez +sassy ez a jay-bird. Brer Fox, he lay low. Brer Rabbit come +prancin' 'long twel he spy de Tar-Baby, en den he fotch up on his +behime legs like he wuz 'stonished. De Tar Baby, she sot dar, she +did, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + +"'Mawnin'!' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee--'nice wedder dis mawnin',' +sezee. + +"Tar-Baby ain't sayin' nuthin', en Brer Fox he lay low. + +"'How duz yo' sym'tums seem ter segashuate?' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee. + +"Brer Fox, he wink his eye slow, en lay low, en de Tar-Baby, she +ain't sayin' nuthin'. + +"'How you come on, den? Is you deaf?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. +'Kaze if you is, I kin holler louder,' sezee. + +"Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + +"'You er stuck up, dat's w'at you is,' says Brer Rabbit, sezee, +'en I'm gwine ter kyore you, dat's w'at I'm a gwine ter do,' +sezee. + +"Brer Fox, he sorter chuckle in his stummick, he did, but Tar- +Baby ain't sayin' nothin'. + +"'I'm gwine ter larn you how ter talk ter 'spectubble folks ef +hit's de las' ack,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'Ef you don't take +off dat hat en tell me howdy, I'm gwine ter bus' you wide open,' +sezee. + +"Tar-Baby stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low. + +"Brer Rabbit keep on axin' 'im, en de Tar-Baby, she keep on +sayin' nothin', twel present'y Brer Rabbit draw back wid his +fis', he did, en blip he tuck 'er side er de head. Right dar's +whar he broke his merlasses jug. His fis' stuck, en he can't pull +loose. De tar hilt 'im. But Tar-Baby, she stay still, en Brer +Fox, he lay low. + +"'Ef you don't lemme loose, I'll knock you agin,' sez Brer +Rabbit, sezee, en wid dat he fotch 'er a wipe wid de udder han', +en dat stuck. Tar-Baby, she ain't sayin' nuthin', en Brer Fox, he +lay low. + +"'Tu'n me loose, fo' I kick de natchul stuffin' outen you,' sez +Brer Rabbit, sezee, but de Tar-Baby, she ain't sayin' nuthin'. +She des hilt on, en de Brer Rabbit lose de use er his feet in de +same way. Brer Fox, he lay low. Den Brer Rabbit squall out dat ef +de Tar-Baby don't tu'n 'im loose he butt 'er cranksided. En den +he butted, en his head got stuck. Den Brer Fox, he sa'ntered +fort', lookin' dez ez innercent ez wunner yo' mammy's mockin'- +birds. + +"Howdy, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'You look sorter stuck +up dis mawnin',' sezee, en den he rolled on de groun', en laft en +laft twel he couldn't laff no mo'. 'I speck you'll take dinner +wid me dis time, Brer Rabbit. I done laid in some calamus root, +en I ain't gwineter take no skuse,' sez Brer Fox, sezee." + +Here Uncle Remus paused, and drew a two-pound yam out of the +ashes. + +"Did the fox eat the rabbit?" asked the little boy to whom the +story had been told. + +"Dat's all de fur de tale goes," replied the old man. "He mout, +an den agin he moutent. Some say Judge B'ar come 'long en loosed +'im--some say he didn't. I hear Miss Sally callin'. You better +run 'long." + + +III. WHY MR. POSSUM LOVES PEACE + +"ONE night," said Uncle Remus--taking Miss Sally's little boy on +his knee, and stroking the child's hair thoughtfully and +caressingly--"one night Brer Possum call by fer Brer Coon, +'cordin' ter 'greement, en atter gobblin' up a dish er fried +greens en smokin' a seegyar, dey rambled fort' fer ter see how de +ballance er de settlement wuz gittin' long. Brer Coon, he wuz one +er deze yer natchul pacers, en he racked 'long same ez Mars +John's bay pony, en Brer Possum he went in a han'-gallup; en dey +got over heap er groun, mon. Brer Possum, he got his belly full +er 'simmons, en Brer Coon, he scoop up a 'bunnunce er frogs en +tadpoles. Dey amble long, dey did, des ez sociable ez a basket er +kittens, twel bimeby dey hear Mr. Dog talkin' ter hisse'f way off +in de woods. + +"'Spozen he runs up on us, Brer Possum, w'at you gwineter do?' +sez Brer Coon, sezee. Brer Possum sorter laugh 'round de cornders +un his mouf. + +"'Oh, ef he come, Brer Coon, I'm gwineter stan' by you,' sez Brer +Possum. 'W'at you gwineter do?' sezee. + +"'Who? me?' sez Brer Coon. 'Ef he run up onter me, I lay I give +'im one twis',' sezee." + +"Did the dog come?" asked the little boy. + +"Go 'way, honey!" responded the old man, in an impressive tone. +"Go way! Mr. Dog, he come en he come a zoonin'. En he ain't wait +fer ter say howdy, nudder. He des sail inter de two un um. De +ve'y fus pas he make Brer Possum fetch a grin fum year ter year, +en keel over like he wuz dead. Den Mr. Dog, he sail inter Brer +Coon, en right dar's whar he drap his money purse, kaze Brer Coon +wuz cut out fer dat kinder bizness, en he fa'rly wipe up de face +er de yeth wid 'im. You better b'leeve dat w'en Mr. Dog got a +chance to make hisse'f skase he tuck it, en w'at der wuz lef' un +him went skaddlin' thoo de woods like hit wuz shot outen a +muskit. En Brer Coon, he sorter lick his cloze inter shape en +rack off, en Brer Possum, he lay dar like he wuz dead, twel +bimeby he raise up sorter keerful like, en w'en he fine de coas' +cle'r he scramble up en scamper off like sumpin' was atter 'im." + +Here Uncle Remus paused long enough to pick up a live coal of +fire in his fingers, transfer it to the palm of his hand, and +thence to his clay pipe, which he had been filling--a proceeding +that was viewed by the little boy with undisguised admiration. +The old man then proceeded: + +"Nex' time Brer Possum met Brer Coon, Brer Coon 'fuse ter 'spon' +ter his howdy, en dis make Brer Possum feel mighty bad, seein' ez +how dey useter make so many 'scurshuns tergedder. + +"'W'at make you hol' yo' head so high, Brer Coon?' sez Brer +Possum, sezee. + +"'I ain't runnin' wid cowerds deze days,' sez Brer Coon. 'W'en I +wants you I'll sen' fer you,' sezee. + +"Den Brer Possum git mighty mad. + +"'Who's enny cowerd?' sezee. + +"'You is,' sez Brer Coon, 'dat's who. I ain't soshatin' wid dem +w'at lays down on de groun' en plays dead w'en dar's a free fight +gwine on,' sezee. + +"Den Brer Possum grin en laugh fit to kill hisse'f. "'Lor', Brer +Coon, you don't speck I done dat kaze I wuz 'feared, duz you?' +sezee. 'W'y I want no mo 'feared dan you is dis minnit. W'at wuz +dey fer ter be skeered un?' sezee. 'I know'd you'd git away wid +Mr. Dog ef I didn't, en I des lay dar watchin' you shake him, +waitin' fer ter put in w'en de time come,' sezee. + +"Brer Coon tu'n up his nose. + +"'Dat's a mighty likely tale,' sezee, 'w'en Mr. Dog ain't mo'n +tech you 'fo' you keel over, en lay dar stiff,' sezee. + +"'Dat's des w'at I wuz gwineter tell you 'bout; sez Brer Possum, +sezee. 'I want no mo' skeer'd dan you is right now, en' I wuz +fixin' fer ter give Mr. Dog a sample er my jaw,' sezee, 'but I'm +de most ticklish chap w'at you ever laid eyes on, en no sooner +did Mr. Dog put his nose down yer 'mong my ribs dan I got ter +laughin', en I laughed twel I ain't had no use er my lim's,' +sezee, 'en it's a mussy unto Mr. Dog dat I wuz ticklish, kaze a +little mo' en I'd e't 'im up,' sezee. 'I don't mine fightin', +Brer Coon, no mo' dan you duz,' sezee, 'but I declar' ter grashus +ef I kin stan' ticklin'. Git me in a row whar dey ain't no +ticklin' 'lowed, en I'm your man, sezee. + +"En down ter dis day"--continued Uncle Remus, watching the +smoke from his pipe curl upward over the little boy's head--"down +ter dis day, Brer Possum's bound ter s'render w'en you tech him +in de short ribs, en he'll laugh ef he knows he's gwineter be +smashed fer it." + + +IV. HOW MR. RABBIT WAS TOO SHARP FOR MR. FOX + +"UNCLE REMUS," said the little boy one evening, when he had +found the old man with little or nothing to do, "did the fox kill +and eat the rabbit when he caught him with the Tar-Baby?" + +"Law, honey, ain't I tell you 'bout dat?" replied the old darkey, +chuckling slyly. "I 'clar ter grashus I ought er tole you dat, +but old man Nod wuz ridin' on my eyeleds 'twel a leetle mo'n I'd +a dis'member'd my own name, en den on to dat here come yo mammy +hollerin' atter you. + +"W'at I tell you w'en I fus' begin? I tole you Brer Rabbit wuz a +monstus soon creetur; leas'ways dat's w'at I laid out fer ter +tell you. Well, den, honey, don't you go en make no udder +calkalashuns, kaze in dem days Brer Rabbit en his fambly wuz at +de head er de gang w'en enny racket wuz on han', en dar dey +stayed. 'Fo' you begins fer ter wipe yo' eyes 'bout Brer Rabbit, +you wait en see whar'bouts Brer Rabbit gwineter fetch up at. But +dat's needer yer ner dar. + +"W'en Brer Fox fine Brer Rabbit mixt up wid de Tar-Baby, he feel +mighty good, en he roll on de groun' en laff. Bimeby he up'n say, +sezee: + +"'Well, I speck I got you dis time, Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'maybe I +ain't, but I speck I is. You been runnin' roun' here sassin' +atter me a mighty long time, but I speck you done come ter de +een' er de row. You bin cuttin' up yo' capers en bouncin''roun' +in dis neighberhood ontwel you come ter b'leeve yo'se'f de boss +er de whole gang. En den you er allers somers whar you got no +bizness,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'Who ax you fer ter come en strike +up a 'quaintance wid dish yer Tar-Baby? En who stuck you up dar +whar you iz? Nobody in de roun' worl'. You des tuck en jam +yo'se'f on dat Tar-Baby widout waitin' fer enny invite,' sez Brer +Fox, sezee, en dar you is, en dar you'll stay twel I fixes up a +bresh-pile and fires her up, kaze I'm gwineter bobby-cue you dis +day, sho,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"Den Brer Rabbit talk mighty 'umble. + +"'I don't keer w'at you do wid me, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'so you +don't fling me in dat brier-patch. Roas' me, Brer Fox' sezee, +'but don't fling me in dat brierpatch,' sezee. + +"'Hit's so much trouble fer ter kindle a fier,' sez Brer Fox, +sezee, 'dat I speck I'll hatter hang you,' sezee. + +"'Hang me des ez high as you please, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee, 'but do fer de Lord's sake don't fling me in dat brier- +patch,' sezee. + +"'I ain't got no string,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en now I speck +I'll hatter drown you,' sezee. + +"'Drown me des ez deep ez you please, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee, 'but do don't fling me in dat brier-patch,' sezee. + +"'Dey ain't no water nigh,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'en now I speck +I'll hatter skin you,' sezee. + +"'Skin me, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'snatch out my +eyeballs, t'ar out my years by de roots, en cut off my legs,' +sezee, 'but do please, Brer Fox, don't fling me in dat brier- +patch,' sezee. + +"Co'se Brer Fox wanter hurt Brer Rabbit bad ez he kin, so he +cotch 'im by de behime legs en slung 'im right in de middle er de +brier-patch. Dar wuz a considerbul flutter whar Brer Rabbit +struck de bushes, en Brer Fox sorter hang 'roun' fer ter see w'at +wuz gwineter happen. Bimeby he hear somebody call 'im, en way up +de hill he see Brer Rabbit settin' crosslegged on a chinkapin log +koamin' de pitch outen his har wid a chip. Den Brer Fox know dat +he bin swop off mighty bad. Brer Rabbit wuz bleedzed fer ter +fling back some er his sass, en he holler out: + +"'Bred en bawn in a brier-patch, Brer Fox--bred en bawn in a +brier-patch!' en wid dat he skip out des ez lively ez a cricket +in de embers." + + +V. THE STORY OF THE DELUGE AND HOW IT CAME ABOUT + +"ONE time," said Uncle Remus--adjusting his spectacles so as to +be able to see how to thread a large darning-needle with which he +was patching his coat--"one time, way back yander, 'fo' you wuz +bomed, honey, en 'fo' Mars John er Miss Sally wuz bomed--way back +yander 'fo' enny un us wuz bomed, de animils en de creeturs +sorter 'lecshuneer roun' 'mong deyselves, twel at las' dey 'greed +fer ter have a 'sembly. In dem days," continued the old man, +observing a look of incredulity on the little boy's face, "in dem +days creeturs had lots mo' sense dan dey got now; let 'lone dat, +dey had sense same like folks. Hit was tech en go wid um, too, +mon, en w'en dey make up der mines w'at hatter be done, 'twant +mo'n menshun'd 'fo, hit wuz done. Well, dey 'lected dat dey +hatter hol' er 'sembly fer ter sorter straighten out marters en +hear de complaints, en w'en de day come dey wuz on han'. De Lion, +he wuz dar, kase he wuz de king, en he hatter be der. De +Rhynossyhoss, he wuz dar, en de Elephant, he wuz dar, en de +Cammils, en de Cows, en plum' down ter de Crawfishes, dey wuz +dar. Dey wuz all dar. En w'en de Lion shuck his mane, en tuck his +seat in de big cheer, den de sesshun begun fer ter commence. + +"What did they do, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"I can't skacely call to mine 'zackly w'at dey did do, but dey +spoke speeches, en hollered, en cusst, en flung der langwidge +'roun' des like w'en yo' daddy wuz gwineter run fer de legislater +en got lef'. Howsomever, dey 'ranged der 'fairs, en splained der +bizness. Bimeby, w'ile dey wuz 'sputin' 'longer one er nudder, de +Elephant trompled on one er de Crawfishes. Co'se w'en dat creetur +put his foot down, w'atsumever's under dar wuz boun' fer ter be +squshed, en dey wa'n't nuff er dat Crawfish lef' fer ter tell dat +he'd bin dar. + +"Dis make de udder Crawfishes mighty mad, en dey sorter swarmed +tergedder en draw'd up a kinder peramble wid some wharfo'es in +it, en read her out in de 'sembly. But, bless grashus! sech a +racket wuz a gwine on dat nobody ain't hear it, 'ceppin' maybe de +Mud Turkle en de Spring Lizzud, en dere enfloons wuz pow'ful +lackin'. + +"Bimeby, w'iles de Nunicorn wuz 'sputin' wid de Lion, en w'ile de +Hyener wuz a laughin' ter hisse'f, de Elephant squshed anudder +one er de Crawfishes, en a little mo'n he'd er ruint de Mud +Turkle. Den de Crawfishes, w'at dey wuz lef' un um, swarmed +tergedder en draw'd up anudder peramble wid sum mo' wharfo'es; +but dey might ez well er sung Ole Dan Tucker ter a harrycane. De +udder creeturs wuz too busy wid der fussin' fer ter 'spon' unto +de Crawfishes. So dar dey wuz, de Crawfishes, en dey didn't know +w'at minnit wuz gwineter be de nex'; en dey kep' on gittin madder +en madder en skeerder en skeerder, twel bimeby dey gun de wink +ter de Mud Turkle en de Spring Lizzud, en den dey bo'd little +holes in de groun' en went down outer sight." + +"Who did, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"De Crawfishes, honey. Dey bo'd inter de groun' en kep' on bo'in +twel dey onloost de fountains er de yeth; en de waters squirt +out, en riz higher en higher twel de hills wuz kivvered, en de +creeturs wuz all drownded; en all bekaze dey let on 'mong +deyselves dat dey wuz bigger dan de Crawfishes." + +Then the old man blew the ashes from a smoking yam, and +proceeded to remove the peeling. + +"Where was the ark, Uncle Remus?" the little boy inquired, +presently. + +"W'ich ark's dat?" asked the old man, in a tone of well-feigned +curiosity. + +"Noah's ark," replied the child. + +"Don't you pester wid ole man Noah, honey. I boun' he tuck keer +er dat ark. Dat's w'at he wuz dar fer, en dat's w'at he done. +Leas'ways, dat's w'at dey tells me. But don't you bodder longer +dat ark, 'ceppin' your mammy fetches it up. Dey mout er bin two +deloojes, en den agin dey moutent. Ef dey wuz enny ark in dish +yer w'at de Crawfishes brung on, I ain't heern tell un it, en +w'en dey ain't no arks 'roun', I ain't got no time fer ter make +um en put um in dar. Hit's gittin' yo' bedtime, honey." + + +VI. MR. RABBIT GROSSLY DECEIVES MR. FOX + +ONE evening when the little boy, whose nights with Uncle Remus +were as entertaining as those Arabian ones of blessed memory, had +finished supper and hurried out to sit with his venerable patron, +he found the old man in great glee. Indeed, Uncle Remus was +talking and laughing to himself at such a rate that the little +boy was afraid he had company. The truth is, Uncle Remus had +heard the child coming, and, when the rosy-cheeked chap put his +head in at the door, was engaged in a monologue, the burden of +which seemed to be-- + +"Ole Molly Har', +W'at you doin' dar, +Settin' in de cornder +Smokin' yo' seegyar?" + +As a matter of course this vague allusion reminded the little boy +of the fact that the wicked Fox was still in pursuit of the +Rabbit, and he immediately put his curiosity in the shape of a +question. + +"Uncle Remus, did the Rabbit have to go clean away when he got +loose from the Tar-Baby?" + +"Bless gracious, honey, dat he didn't. Who? Him? You dunno +nuthin' 'tall 'bout Brer Rabbit ef dat's de way you puttin' 'im +down. W'at he gwine 'way fer? He moughter stayed sorter close +twel de pitch rub off'n his ha'r, but tweren't menny days 'fo' he +wuz lopin' up en down de neighborhood same ez ever, en I dunno ef +he weren't mo' sassier dan befo'. + +"Seem like dat de tale 'bout how he got mixt up wid de Tar-Baby +got 'roun' 'mongst de nabers. Leas'ways, Miss Meadows en de gals +got win' un' it, en de nex' time Brer Rabbit paid um a visit +Miss Meadows tackled 'im 'bout it, en de gals sot up a monstus +gigglement. Brer Rabbit, he sot up des ez cool ez a cowcumber, he +did, en let em run on. + +"Who was Miss Meadows, Uncle Remus?" inquired the little boy. + +"Don't ax me, honey. She wuz in de tale, Miss Meadows en de gals +wuz, en de tale I give you like hi't wer' gun ter me. Brer +Rabbit, he sot dar, he did, sorter lam' like, en den bimeby he +cross his legs, he did, and wink his eye slow, en up and say, +sezee: + +"'Ladies, Brer Fox wuz my daddy's ridin'-hoss fer thirty year; +maybe mo', but thirty year dat I knows un,' sezee; en den he paid +um his 'specks, en tip his beaver, en march off, he did, des ez +stiff en ez stuck up ez a fire-stick. + +"Nex' day, Brer Fox cum a callin', and w'en he gun fer ter laugh +'bout Brer Rabbit, Miss Meadows en de gals, dey ups en tells 'im +'bout w'at Brer Rabbit Say. Den Brer Fox grit his tushes sho' +nuff, he did, en he look mighty dumpy, but w'en he riz fer ter go +he up en say, sezee: + +"'Ladies, I ain't 'sputin' w'at you say, but I'll make Brer +Rabbit chaw up his words en spit um out right yer whar you kin +see 'im,' sezee, en wid dat off Brer Fox put. + +"En w'en he got in de big road, he shuck de dew off'n his tail, +en made a straight shoot fer Brer Rabbit's house. W'en he got +dar, Brer Rabbit wuz spectin' un 'im, en de do' wuz shet fas'. +Brer Fox knock. Nobody ain't ans'er. Brer Fox knock. Nobody +ans'er. Den he knock agin--blam! blam! Den Brer Rabbit holler out +mighty weak: 'Is dat you, Brer Fox? I want you ter run en fetch +de doctor. Dat bait er pusly w'at I e't dis mawnin' is gittin' +'way wid me. Do, please, Brer Fox, run quick,' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee. + +"'I come atter you, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'Dar's +gwineter be a party up at Miss Meadows's,' sezee. 'All de gals +'ll be dere, en I prommus' dat I'd fetch you. De gals, dey 'lowed +dat hit wouldn't be no party 'ceppin' I fotch you,' sez Brer Fox, +sezee. + +"Den Brer Rabbit say he wuz too sick, en Brer Fox say he wuzzent, +en dar dey had it up and down, 'sputin' en contendin'. Brer +Rabbit say he can't walk. Brer Fox say he tote 'im. Brer Rabbit +say how? Brer Fox say in his arms. Brer Rabbit say he drap 'im. +Brer Fox 'low he won't. Bimeby Brer Rabbit say he go ef Brer Fox +tote 'im on his back. Brer Fox say he would. Brer Rabbit say he +can't ride widout a saddle. Brer Fox say he git de saddle. Brer +Rabbit say he can't set in saddle less he have bridle fer ter +hol' by. Brer Fox say he git de bridle. Brer Rabbit say he can't +ride widout bline bridle, kaze Brer Fox be shyin' at stumps long +de road, en fling 'im off. Brer Fox say he git bline bridle. Den +Brer Rabbit say he go. Den Brer Fox say he ride Brer Rabbit mos' +up ter Miss Meadows's, en den he could git down en walk de +balance er de way. Brer Rabbit 'greed, en den Brer Fox lipt out +atter de saddle en de bridle. + +"Co'se Brer Rabbit know de game dat Brer Fox wuz fixin' fer ter +play, en he 'termin' fer ter outdo 'im, en by de time he koam his +ha'r en twis' his mustarsh, en sorter rig up, yer come Brer Fox, +saddle en bridle on, en lookin' ez peart ez a circus pony. He +trot up ter de do' en stan' dar pawin' de ground en chompin' de +bit same like sho 'nuff hoss, en Brer Rabbit he mount, he did, en +dey amble off. Brer Fox can't see behime wid de bline bridle on, +but bimeby he feel Brer Rabbit raise one er his foots. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' sezee. + +"'Short'nin' de lef stir'p, Brer Fox,' sezee. + +"Bimeby Brer Rabbit raise up de udder foot. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' sezee. + +"'Pullin' down my pants, Brer Fox,' sezee. + +"All de time, bless grashus, honey, Brer Rabbit wer' puttin' on +his spurrers, en w'en dey got close to Miss Meadows's, whar Brer +Rabbit wuz to git off, en Brer Fox made a motion fer ter stan' +still, Brer Rabbit slap de spurrers into Brer Fox flanks, en you +better b'leeve he got over groun'. W'en dey got ter de house, +Miss Meadows en all de gals wuz settin' on de peazzer, en stidder +stoppin' at de gate, Brer Rabbit rid on by, he did, en den come +gallopin' down de road en up ter de hoss-rack, w'ich he hitch +Brer Fox at, en den he santer inter de house, he did, en shake +han's wid de gals, en set dar, smokin' his seegyar same ez a town +man. Bimeby he draw in a long puff, en den let hit out in a +cloud, en squar hisse'f back en holler out, he did: + +"'Ladies, ain't I done tell you Brer Fox wuz de ridin'-hoss fer +our fambly? He sorter losin' his gait now, but I speck I kin +fetch 'im all right in a mont' er so,' sezee. + +"En den Brer Rabbit sorter grin, he did, en de gals giggle, en +Miss Meadows, she praise up de pony, en dar wuz Brer Fox hitch +fas' ter de rack, en couldn't he'p hisse'f." + +"Is that all, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy as the old man +paused. + +"Dat ain't all, honey, but 'twon't do fer ter give out too +much cloff fer ter cut one pa'r pants," replied the old man +sententiously. + + +VII. MR. FOX IS AGAIN VICTIMIZED + +WHEN "Miss Sally's" little boy went to Uncle Remus the next +night to hear the conclusion of the adventure in which the Rabbit +made a riding-horse of the Fox to the great enjoyment and +gratification of Miss Meadows and the girls, he found the old man +in a bad humor. + +"I ain't tellin' no tales ter bad chilluns," said Uncle Remus +curtly. + +"But, Uncle Remus, I ain't bad," said the little boy plaintively. + +"Who dat chunkin' dem chickens dis mawnin? Who dat knockin' out +fokes's eyes wid dat Yallerbammer sling des 'fo' dinner? Who dat +sickin' dat pinter puppy atter my pig? Who dat scatterin' my +ingun sets? Who dat flingin' rocks on top er my house, w'ich a +little mo' en one un em would er drap spang on my head?" + +"Well, now, Uncle Remus, I didn't go to do it. I won't do so any +more. Please, Uncle Remus, if you will tell me, I'll run to the +house and bring you some tea-cakes." + +"Seein' um's better'n hearin' tell un um, replied the old man, +the severity of his countenance relaxing somewhat; but the little +boy darted out, and in a few minutes came running back with his +pockets full and his hands full. + +"I lay yo' mammy 'll 'spishun dat de rats' stummicks is widenin' +in dis neighborhood w'en she come fer ter count up 'er cakes," +said Uncle Remus, with a chuckle. "Deze," he continued, dividing +the cakes into two equal parts--"dese I'll tackle now, en dese +I'll lay by fer Sunday. + +"Lemme see. I mos' dis'member wharbouts Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit +wuz." + +"The rabbit rode the fox to Miss Meadows's, and hitched him to +the horse-rack," said the little boy. + +"W'y co'se he did," said Uncle Remus. "C'ose he did. Well, Brer +Rabbit rid Brer Fox up, he did, en tied 'im to de rack, en den +sot out in de peazzer wid de gals a smokin' er his seegyar wid +mo' proudness dan w'at you mos' ever see. Dey talk, en dey sing, +en dey play on de peanner, de gals did, twel bimeby hit come time +fer Brer Rabbit fer to be gwine, en he tell um all good-by, en +strut out to de hoss-rack same's ef he wuz de king er de patter- +rollers,*1 en den he mount Brer Fox en ride off. + +"Brer Fox ain't sayin' nuthin' 'tall. He des rack off, he did, en +keep his mouf shet, en Brer Rabbit know'd der wuz bizness cookin' +up fer him, en he feel monstus skittish. Brer Fox amble on twel +he git in de long lane, outer sight er Miss Meadows's house, en +den he tu'n loose, he did. He rip en he ra'r, en he cuss, en he +swar; he snort en he cavort." + +"What was he doing that for, Uncle Remus?" the little boy +inquired. + +"He wuz tryin' fer ter fling Brer Rabbit off'n his back, bless +yo' soul! But he des might ez well er rastle wid his own shadder. +Every time he hump hisse'f Brer Rabbit slap de spurrers in 'im, +en dar dey had it, up en down. Brer Fox fa'rly to' up de groun' +he did, en he jump so high en he jump so quick dat he mighty nigh +snatch his own tail off. Dey kep' on gwine on dis way twel bimeby +Brer Fox lay down en roll over, he did, en dis sorter onsettle +Brer Rabbit, but by de time Brer Fox got back on his footses +agin, Brer Rabbit wuz gwine thoo de underbresh mo' samer dan a +race-hoss. Brer Fox he lit out atter 'im, he did, en he push Brer +Rabbit so close dat it wuz 'bout all he could do fer ter git in a +holler tree. Hole too little fer Brer Fox fer ter git in, en he +hatter lay down en res en gedder his mine tergedder. + +"While he wuz layin' dar, Mr. Buzzard come floppin' 'long, en +seein' Brer Fox stretch out on de groun', he lit en view de +premusses. Den Mr. Buzzard sorter shake his wing, en put his head +on one side, en say to hisse'f like, sezee: + +"'Brer Fox dead, en I so sorry,' sezee. + +"'No I ain't dead, nudder,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. 'I got ole man +Rabbit pent up in yer,' sezee, 'en I'm a gwine ter git 'im dis +time ef it take twel Chris'mus,' sezee. + +"Den, atter some mo' palaver, Brer Fox make a bargain dat Mr. +Buzzard wuz ter watch de hole, en keep Brer Rabbit dar wiles Brer +Fox went atter his axe. Den Brer Fox, he lope off, he did, en Mr. +Buzzard, he tuck up his stan' at de hole. Bimeby, w'en all git +still, Brer Rabbit sorter scramble down close ter de hole, he +did, en holler out: + +"'Brer Fox! Oh! Brer Fox!' + +"Brer Fox done gone, en nobody say nuthin'. Den Brer Rabbit +squall out like he wuz mad; sezee: + +"'You needn't talk less you wanter,' sezee; 'I knows you er dar, +en I ain't keerin',' sezee. 'I des wanter tell you dat I wish +mighty bad Brer Tukkey Buzzard wuz here,' sezee. + +"Den Mr. Buzzard try ter talk like Brer Fox: + +"'W'at you want wid Mr. Buzzard?' sezee. + +"'Oh, nuthin' in 'tickler, 'cep' dere's de fattes' gray squir'l +in yer dat ever I see,' sezee, 'en ef Brer Tukkey Buzzard wuz +'roun' he'd be mighty glad fer ter git 'im,' sezee. + +"'How Mr. Buzzard gwine ter git 'im?' sez de Buzzard, sezee. + +"'Well, dar's a little hole roun' on de udder side er de tree,' +sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en ef Brer Tukkey Buzzard wuz here so he +could take up his stan' dar,' sezee, 'I'd drive dat squir'l out,' +sezee. + +"'Drive 'im out, den,' sez Mr. Buzzard, sezee, 'en I'll see dat +Brer Tukkey Buzzard gits 'im,' sezee. + +"Den Brer Rabbit kick up a racket, like he wer' drivin' sumpin' +out, en Mr. Buzzard he rush 'roun' fer ter ketch de squir'l, en +Brer Rabbit, he dash out, he did, en he des fly fer home." + +At this point Uncle Remus took one of the teacakes, held his head +back, opened his mouth, dropped the cake in with a sudden motion, +looked at the little boy with an expression of astonishment, +and then closed his eyes, and begun to chew, mumbling as an +accompaniment the plaintive tune of "Don't you Grieve atter Me." + +The seance was over; but, before the little boy went into the +"big house," Uncle Remus laid his rough hand tenderly on the +child's shoulder, and remarked, in a confidential tone: + +"Honey, you mus' git up soon Chris'mus mawnin' en open de do'; +kase I'm gwineter bounce in on Marse John en Miss Sally, en +holler 'Chris'mus gif'' des like I useter endurin' de farmin' +days fo' de war, w'en ole Miss wuz 'live. I bound' dey don't +fergit de ole nigger, nudder. W'en you hear me callin' de pigs, +honey, you des hop up en onfassen de do'. I lay I'll give Marse +John one er dese yer 'sprize parties." + +*1 Patrols. In the country districts, order was kept on the + plantations at night by the knowledge that they were liable + to be visited at any moment by the patrols. Hence a song + current among the negroes, the chorus of which was: + + "Run, nigger, run; patter-roller ketch you-- + Run, nigger, run; hit's almos' day." + + +VIII. MR. FOX IS "OUTDONE" BY MR. BUZZARD + +"EF I don't run inter no mistakes," remarked Uncle Remus, as the +little boy came tripping in to see him after supper, "Mr. Tukkey +Buzzard wuz gyardin' de holler whar Brer Rabbit went in at, en +w'ich he come out un." + +The silence of the little boy verified the old man's +recollection. + +"Well, Mr. Buzzard, he feel mighty lonesome, he did, but he done +prommust Brer Fox dat he'd stay, en he 'termin' fer ter sorter +hang 'roun' en jine in de joke. En he ain't hatter wait long, +nudder, kase bimeby yer come Brer Fox gallopin' thoo de woods wid +his axe on his shoulder. + +"'How you speck Brer Rabbit gittin' on, Brer Buzzard?' sez Brer +Fox, sezee. + +"'Oh, he in dar,' sez Brer Buzzard, sezee. 'He mighty still, +dough. I speck he takin' a nap,' sezee. + +"'Den I'm des in time fer ter wake im up, sez Brer Fox, sezee. En +wid dat he fling off his coat, en spit in his han's, en grab de +axe. Den he draw back en come down on de tree--pow! En eve'y time +he come down wid de axe--pow!--Mr. Buzzard, he step high, he did, +en holler out: + +"'Oh, he in dar, Brer Fox. He in dar, sho.' + +"En eve'y time a chip ud fly off, Mr. Buzzard, he'd jump, en +dodge, en hol' his head sideways, he would, en holler: + +"'He in dar, Brer Fox. I done heerd 'im. He in dar, sho.' + +"En Brer Fox, he lammed away at dat holler tree, he did, like a +man maulin' rails, twel bimeby, atter he done got de tree mos' +cut thoo, he stop fer ter ketch his bref, en he seed Mr. Buzzard +laughin' behime his back, he did, en right den en dar, widout +gwine enny fudder, Brer Fox, he smelt a rat. But Mr. Buzzard, he +keep on holler'n: + +"'He in dar, Brer Fox. He in dar, sho. I done seed 'im.' + +"Den Brer Fox, he make like he peepin' up de holler, en he say, +sezee: + +"'Run yer, Brer Buzzard, en look ef dis ain't Brer Rabbit's foot +hanging down yer.' + +"En Mr. Buzzard, he come steppin' up, he did, same ez ef he wer +treddin' on kurkle-burs, en he stick his head in de hole; en no +sooner did he done dat dan Brer Fox grab 'im. Mr. Buzzard flap +his wings, en scramble 'roun' right smartually, he did, but +'twant no use. Brer Fox had de 'vantage er de grip, he did, en he +hilt 'im right down ter de groun'. Den Mr. Buzzard squall out, +sezee: + +"'Lemme 'lone, Brer Fox. Tu'n me loose,' sezee; 'Brer Rabbit 'll +git out. You er gittin' close at 'im,' sezee, 'en leb'm mo' +licks'll fetch 'im,' sezee. + +"'I'm nigher ter you, Brer Buzzard,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'dan +I'll be ter Brer Rabbit dis day,' sezee. 'W'at you fool me fer?' +sezee. + +"'Lemme lone, Brer Fox,' sez Mr. Buzzard, sezee; my ole 'oman +waitin' fer me. Brer Rabbit in dar,' sezee. + +"'Dar's a bunch er his fur on dat black-be'y bush,' sez Brer Fox, +sezee, 'en dat ain't de way he come,' sezee. + +"Den Mr. Buzzard up'n tell Brer Fox how 'twuz, en he 'low'd, Mr. +Buzzard did, dat Brer Rabbit wuz de lowdownest w'atsizname w'at +he ever run up wid. Den Brer Fox say, sezee: + +"'Dat's needer here ner dar, Brer Buzzard,' sezee. 'I lef' you +yer fer ter watch dish yere hole, en I lef' Brer Rabbit in dar. I +comes back en I fines you at de 'ole en Brer Rabbit ain't in +dar,' sezee. 'I'm gwineter make you pay fer't. I done bin +tampered wid twel plum' down ter de sap sucker'll set on a log en +sassy me. I'm gwineter fling you in a bresh-heap en burn you up,' +sezee. + +"'Ef you fling me on der fier, Brer Fox, I'll fly 'way,' sez Mr. +Buzzard, sezee. + +"'Well, den, I'll settle yo' hash right now,' sez Brer Fox, +sezee, en wid dat he grab Mr. Buzzard by de tail, he did, en make +fer ter dash 'im 'gin de groun', but des 'bout dat time de tail +fedders come out, en Mr. Buzzard sail off like one er dese yer +berloons; en ez he riz, he holler back: + +"'You gimme good start, Brer Fox,' sezee, en Brer Fox sot dar en +watch 'im fly outer sight." + +"But what became of the Rabbit, Uncle Remus?" asked the little +boy. + +"Don't you pester longer Brer Rabbit, honey, en don't you fret +'bout 'im. You'll year whar he went en how he come out. Dish yer +col' snap rastles wid my bones, now," continued the old man, +putting on his hat and picking up his walking-stick. "Hit rastles +wid me monstus, en I gotter rack 'roun' en see if I kin run up +agin some Chris'mus leavin's." + + +IX. MISS COW FALLS A VICTIM TO MR. RABBIT + +"UNCLE REMUS," said the little boy, "what became of the Rabbit +after he fooled the Buzzard, and got out of the hollow tree?" + +"Who? Brer Rabbit? Bless yo' soul, honey, Brer Rabbit went +skippin' long home, he did, des ez sassy ez a jay-bird at a +sparrer's nes'. He went gallopin' 'long, he did, but he feel +mighty fired out, en stiff in his jints, en he wuz mighty nigh +dead for sumpin fer ter drink, en bimeby, w'en he got mos' home, +he spied ole Miss Cow feedin' roun' in a fiel', he did, en he +'termin' fer ter try his han' wid 'er. Brer Rabbit know mighty +well dat Miss Cow won't give 'im no milk, kaze she done 'fuse 'im +mo'n once, en w'en his ole 'oman wuz sick, at dat. But never mind +dat. Brer Rabbit sorter dance up long side er de fence, he did, +en holler out: + +"'Howdy, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'W'y, howdy, Brer Rabbit,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + +"'How you fine yo'se'f deze days, Sis Cow?' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee. + +"'I'm sorter toler'ble, Brer Rabbit; how you come on?' sez Miss +Cow, sez she. + +"'Oh, I'm des toler'ble myse'f, Sis Cow; sorter linger'n' twix' a +bauk en a break-down,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'How yo' fokes, Brer Rabbit?' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + +"'Dey er des middlin', Sis Cow; how Brer Bull gittin' on?' sez +Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Sorter so-so,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + +"'Dey er some mighty nice 'simmons up dis tree, Sis Cow,' sez +Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I'd like mighty well fer ter have some un +um,' sezee. + +"'How you gwineter git um, Brer Rabbit?' sez she. + +"'I 'lowed maybe dat I might ax you fer ter butt 'gin de tree, en +shake some down, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"C'ose Miss Cow don't wanter diskommerdate Brer Rabbit, en she +march up ter de 'simmon tree, she did, en hit it a rap wid 'er +horns--blam! Now, den," continued Uncle Remus, tearing off the +comer of a plug of tobacco and cramming it into his mouth--"now, +den, dem 'simmons wuz green ez grass, en na'er one never drap. +Den Miss Cow butt de tree--blim! Na'er 'simmon drap. Den Miss +Cow sorter back off little, en run agin de tree--blip! No +'simmons never drap. Den Miss Cow back off little fudder, she +did, en hi'st her tail on 'er back, en come agin de tree, +kerblam! en she come so fas', en she come so hard, twel one 'er +her horns went spang thoo de tree, en dar she wuz. She can't go +forerds, en she can't go backerds. Dis zackly w'at Brer Rabbit +waitin' fer, en he no sooner seed ole Miss Cow all fas'en'd up +dan he jump up, he did, en cut de pidjin-wing. + +"'Come he'p me out, Brer Rabbit,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. + +"'I can't clime, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'but I'll +run'n tell Brer Bull,' sezee; en wid dat Brer Rabbit put out fer +home, en 'twan't long 'fo here he come wid his ole 'oman en all +his chilluns, en de las' one er de fambly wuz totin' a pail. De +big uns had big pails, en de little uns had little pails. En dey +all s'roundid ole Miss Cow, dey did, en you hear me, honey, dey +milk't 'er dry. De ole uns milk't en de young uns milk't, en den +w'en dey done got nuff, Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + +"'I wish you mighty well, Sis Cow. I 'low'd, bein's how dat you'd +hatter sorter camp out all night dat I'd better come en swaje yo' +bag,' sezee." + +"Do which, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"Go long, honey! Swaje 'er bag. W'en cows don't git milk't, der +bag swells, en you k'n hear um a moanin' en a beller'n des like +dey wuz gittin' hurtid. Dat's w'at Brer Rabbit done. He 'sembled +his fambly, he did, en he swaje ole Miss Cow's bag. + +"Miss Cow, she stood dar, she did, en she study en study, en +strive fer ter break loose, but de horn done bin jam in de tree +so tight dat twuz way 'fo day in de mornin' 'fo' she loose it. +Anyhow hit wuz endurin' er de night, en atter she git loose she +sorter graze 'roun', she did, fer ter jestify 'er stummuck she +low'd, ole Miss Cow did, dat Brer Rabbit be hoppin' long dat way +fer ter see how she gittin' on, en she tuck'n lay er trap fer +'im; en des 'bout sunrise w'at'd ole Miss Cow do but march up ter +de 'simmon tree en stick er horn back in de hole? But, bless yo' +soul, honey, w'ile she wuz croppin' de grass she tuck one mou'ful +too menny, kaze w'en she hitch on ter de 'simmon tree agin, Brer +Rabbit wuz settin' in de fence cornder a watchin' un 'er. Den +Brer Rabbit he say ter hisse'f: + +"'Heyo,' sezee, 'w'at dis yer gwine on now? Hol' yo' hosses, Sis +Cow, twel you hear me comin',' sezee. + +"En den he crope off down de fence, Brer Rabbit did, en bimeby +here he come--lippity-clippity, clippity-lippity--des a sailin' +down de big road. + +"'Mornin', Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'bow you come on dis +mornin'?' sezee. + +"Po'ly, Brer Rabbit, poly,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. 'I ain't had +no res' all night,' sez she. 'I can't pull loose,' sez she, 'but +ef you'll come en ketch holt er my tail, Brer Rabbit,' sez she, +'I reckin may be I kin fetch my horn out,' sez she. Den Brer +Rabbit, he come up little closer, but he ain't gittin' too close. + +"'I speck I'm nigh nuff, Sis Cow,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'I'm a +mighty puny man, en I might git trompled,' sezee. 'You do de +pullin', Sis Cow,' sezee, en I'll do de gruntin,' sezee. + +"Den Miss Cow, she pull out 'er horn, she did, en tuck atter Brer +Rabbit, en down de big road dey had it, Brer Rabbit wid his years +laid back, en Miss Cow wid 'er head down en 'er tail curl. Brer +Rabbit kep' on gainin', en bimeby he dart in a brier-patch, en by +de time Miss Cow come long he had his head stickin' out, en his +eyes look big ez Miss Sally's chany sassers. + +"'Heyo, Sis Cow! whar you gwine?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Howdy, Brer Big-Eyes,' sez Miss Cow, sez she. 'Is you seed Brer +Rabbit go by?' + +"'He des dis minit pass,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en he look +mighty sick,' sezee. + +"En wid dat, Miss Cow tuck down de road like de dogs wuz atter +er, en Brer Rabbit, he des lay down dar in de brier-patch en roll +en laugh twel his sides hurtid 'im. He bleedzd ter laff. Fox +atter 'im, Buzzard atter 'im, en Cow atter 'im, en dey ain't +kotch 'im yet." + + +X. MR. TERRAPIN APPEARS UPON THE SCENE + +"MISS SALLY'S" little boy again occupying the anxious position +of auditor, Uncle Remus took the shovel and "put de noses er de +chunks tergedder," as he expressed it, and then began: + +"One day, atter Sis Cow done run pas' 'er own shadder tryin' fer +ter ketch 'im. Brer Rabbit tuck'n 'low dat he wuz gwineter drap +in +en see Miss Meadows en de gals, en he got out his piece er +lookin'-glass en primp up, he did, en sot out. Gwine canterin' +long de road, who should Brer Rabbit run up wid but ole Brer +Tarrypin--de same ole one-en-sixpunce. Brer Rabbit stop, he did, +en rap on de roof er Brer Tarrypin house." + +"On the roof of his house, Uncle Remus?" interrupted the little +boy. + +"Co'se honey, Brer Tarrypin kyar his house wid 'im. Rain er +shine, hot er col', strike up wid ole Brer Tarrypin w'en you +will en w'ilst you may, en whar you fine 'im, dar you'll fine +his shanty. Hit's des like I tell you. So den! Brer Rabbit he +rap on de roof er Brer Tarrypin's house, he did, en ax wuz he +in, en Brer Tarrypin 'low dat he wuz, en den Brer Rabbit, he ax +'im howdy, en den Brer Tarrypin he likewise 'spon' howdy, en den +Brer Rabbit he say whar wuz Brer Tarrypin gwine, en Brer +Tarrypin, he say w'ich he wern't gwine nowhar skasely. Den Brer +Rabbit 'low he wuz on his way fer ter see Miss Meadows en de +gals, en he ax Brer Tarrypin ef he won't jine in en go long, en +Brer Tarrypin 'spon' he don't keer ef he do, en den dey sot out. +Dey had plenty er time fer confabbin' 'long de way, but bimeby +dey got dar, en Miss Meadows en de gals dey come ter de do', dey +did, en ax um in, en in dey went. + +"W'en dey got in, Brer Tarrypin wuz so flat-footed dat he wuz too +low on de flo', en he wern't high nuff in a cheer, but while dey +wuz all scrambling' 'roun' tryin' fer ter git Brer Tarrypin a +cheer, Brer Rabbit, he pick 'im up en put 'im on de shelf whar de +water-bucket sot, en ole Brer Tarrypin, he lay back up dar, he +did, des es proud ez a nigger wid a cook possum. + +"Co'se de talk fell on Brer Fox, en Miss Meadows en de gals make +a great 'miration 'bout w'at a gaily ridin'-hoss Brer Fox wuz, en +dey make lots er fun, en laugh en giggle same like gals duz deze +days. Brer Rabbit, he sot dar in de cheer smokin' his seegyar, en +he sorter cle'r up his th'oat, en say, sezee: + +"I'd er rid 'im over dis mawnin', ladies,' sezee, but I rid 'im +so hard yistiddy dat he went lame in de off fo' leg, en I speck +I'll hatter swop 'im off yit,' sezee. + +"Den Brer Tarrypin, he up'n say, sezee: + +"'Well, ef you gwineter sell 'im, Brer Rabbit,' sezee, 'sell him +some'rs out'n dis naberhood, kase he done bin yer too long now,' +sezee. 'No longer'n day 'fo' yistiddy,' sezee, 'Brer Fox pass me +on de road, en whatter you reckin he say?' sezee: + +"'Law, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Miss Meadows, sez she, 'you don't mean +ter say he cusst?' sez she, en den de gals hilt der fans up 'fo' +der faces. + +"'Oh, no, ma'am,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'he didn't cusst, but +he holler out--"Heyo, Stinkin' Jim!"' sezee. + +"'Oh, my! You hear dat, gals?' sez Miss Meadows, sez she; 'Brer +Fox call Brer Tarrypin Stinkin' Jim,' sez she, en den Miss +Meadows en de gals make great wonderment how Brer Fox kin talk +dat a way 'bout nice man like Brer Tarrypin. + +"But bless grashus, honey! w'ilst all dis gwine on, Brer Fox wuz +stannin' at de back do' wid one year at de cat-hole lissenin'. +Eave-drappers don't hear no good er deyse'f, en de way Brer Fox +wuz 'bused dat day wuz a caution. + +"Bimeby Brer Fox stick his head in de do', en holler out: + +"'Good evenin', fokes, I wish you mighty well,' sezee, en wid dat +he make a dash for Brer Rabbit, but Miss Meadows en de gals dey +holler en squall, dey did, en Brer Tarrypin he got ter scramblin' +roun' up dar on de shelf, en off he come, en blip he tuck Brer +Fox on de back er de head. Dis sorter stunted Brer Fox, en w'en +he gedder his 'membunce de mos' he seed wuz a pot er greens turnt +over in de fireplace, en a broke cheer. Brer Rabbit wuz gone, en +Brer Tarrypin wuz gone, en Miss Meadows en de gals wuz gone. + +"Where did the Rabbit go, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, +after a pause. + +"Bless yo' soul, honey! Brer Rabbit he skint up de chimbly--dat's +w'at turnt de pot er greens over. Brer Tarrypin, he crope under +de bed, he did, en got behime de cloze-chist, en Miss Meadows en +de gals, dey run out in de yard. + +"Brer Fox, he sorter look roun' en feel or de back er his head, +whar Brer Tarrypin lit, but he don't see no sine er Brer Rabbit. +But de smoke en de ashes gwine up de chimbly got de best er Brer +Rabbit, en bimeby he sneeze--huckychow! + +"'Aha!' sez Brer Fox, sezee; 'you er dar, is you?' sezee. 'Well, +I'm gwineter smoke you out, ef it takes a mont'. You er mine dis +time,' sezee. Brer Rabbit ain't Sayin' nuthin'. + +"'Ain't you comin' down?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. Brer Rabbit ain't +sayin' nuthin'. Den Brer Fox, he went out atter some wood, he +did, en w'en he come back he hear Brer Rabbit laughin'. + +"'W'at you laughin' at, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Can't tell you, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Better tell, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Tain't nuthin' but a box er money somebody done gone en lef' up +yer in de chink er de chimbly,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Don't b'leeve you,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Look up en see,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, en w'en Brer Fox look +up, Brer Rabbit spit his eyes full er terbacker joose, he did, en +Brer Fox, he make a break fer de branch, en Brer Rabbit he come +down en tole de ladies good-by. + +"'How you git 'im off, Brer Rabbit?' sez Miss Meadows, sez she. + +"'Who? me?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; 'w'y I des tuck en tole 'im +dat ef he didn't go 'long home en stop playin' his pranks on +spectubble fokes, dat I'd take 'im out and th'ash 'im,' sezee." + +"And what became of the Terrapin?" asked the little boy. + +"Oh, well den!" exclaimed the old man, "chilluns can't speck ter +know all 'bout eve'ything 'fo' dey git some res'. Dem eyelids er +yone wanter be propped wid straws dis minnit." + + +XI. MR. WOLF MAKES A FAILURE + +"I LAY yo' ma got comp'ny," said Uncle Remus, as the little boy +entered the old man's door with a huge piece of mince-pie in his +hand, 'en ef she ain't got comp'ny, den she done gone en drap de +cubberd key som'ers whar you done run up wid it." + +"Well, I saw the pie lying there, Uncle Remus, and I just thought +I'd fetch it out to you." + +"Tooby sho, honey," replied the old man, regarding the child with +admiration. "Tooby sho, honey; dat changes marters. Chris'mus +doin's is outer date, en dey ain't got no bizness layin' roun' +loose. Dish yer pie," Uncle Remus continued, holding it up and +measuring it with an experienced eye, "will gimme strenk fer ter +persoo on atter Brer Fox en Brer Rabbit en de udder creeturs w'at +dey roped in 'long wid um." + +Here the old man paused, and proceeded to demolish the pie--a +feat accomplished in a very short time. Then he wiped the crumbs +from his beard and began: + +"Brer Fox feel so bad, en he git so mad 'bout Brer Rabbit, dat he +dunner w'at ter do, en he look mighty down-hearted. Bimeby, one +day wiles he wuz gwine 'long de road, old Brer Wolf come up wid +'im. W'en dey done howdyin' en axin' atter one nudder's fambly +connexshun, Brer Wolf, he 'low, he did, dat der wuz sump'n wrong +wid Brer Fox, en Brer Fox, he 'low'd der wern't, en he went on en +laugh en make great terdo kaze Brer Wolf look like he spishun +sump'n. But Brer Wolf, he got mighty long head, en he sorter +broach 'bout Brer Rabbit's kyar'ns on, kaze de way dat Brer +Rabbit 'ceive Brer Fox done got ter be de talk er de naberhood. +Den Brer Fox en Brer Wolf dey sorter palavered on, dey did, twel +bimeby Brer Wolf he up'n say dat he done got plan fix fer ter +trap Brer Rabbit. Den Brer Fox say how. Den Brer Wolf up'n tell +'im dat de way fer ter git de drap on Brer Rabbit wuz ter git 'im +in Brer Fox house. Brer Fox dun know Brer Rabbit uv ole, en he +know dat sorter game done wo' ter a frazzle, but Brer Wolf, he +talk mighty 'swadin'. + +"'How you gwine git 'im dar?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Fool 'im dar,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + +"'Who gwine do de foolin'?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'I'll do de foolin',' sez Brer Wolf, sezee, 'ef you'll do de +gamin',' sezee. + +"'How you gwine do it?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'You run 'long home, en git on de bed, en make like you dead, en +don't you say nothin' twel Brer Rabbit come en put his han's +onter you,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee, 'en ef we don't git 'im fer +supper, Joe's dead en Sal's a widder,' sezee. + +"Dis look like mighty nice game, en Brer Fox 'greed. So den he +amble off home, en Brer Wolf, he march off ter Brer Rabbit house. +W'en he got dar, hit look like nobody at home, but Brer Wolf he +walk up en knock on de do'--blam! blam! Nobody come. Den he +lam aloose en knock 'gin--blim! blim! + +"'Who dar?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Fr'en',' sez Brer Wolf. + +"'Too menny fr'en's spiles de dinner,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; +'w'ich un's dis?' sezee. + +"'I fetch bad news, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + +"'Bad news is soon tole,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"By dis time Brer Rabbit done come ter de do', wid his head tied +up in a red hankcher. + +"'Brer Fox died dis mornin',' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. + +"'Whar yo' mo'nin' gown, Brer Wolf?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Gwine atter it now,' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. 'I des call by fer +ter bring de news. I went down ter Brer Fox house little bit 'go, +en dar I foun' 'im stiff,' sezee. + +"Den Brer Wolf lope off. Brer Rabbit sot down en scratch his +head, he did, en bimeby he say ter hisse'f dat he b'leeve he +sorter drap 'roun' by Brer Fox house fer ter see how de lan' lay. +No sooner said'n done. Up he jump, en out he went. W'en Brer +Rabbit got close ter Brer Fox house, all look lonesome. Den he +went up nigher. Nobody stirrin'. Den he look in, en dar lay Brer +Fox stretch out on de bed des es big ez life. Den Brer Rabbit +make like he talkin' to hisse'f. + +"'Nobody 'roun' fer ter look atter Brer Fox--not even Brer Tukkey +Buzzard ain't come ter de funer'l,' sezee. 'I hope Brer Fox ain't +dead, but I speck he is,' sezee. 'Even down ter Brer Wolf done +gone en lef' 'im. Hit's de busy season wid me, but I'll set up +wid 'im. He seem like he dead, yit he mayn't be,' sez Brer +Rabbit, sezee. 'W'en a man go ter see dead fokes, dead fokes +allers raises up der behime leg en hollers, wahoo!' sezee. + +"Brer Fox he stay still. Den Brer Rabbit he talk little louder: + +"'Mighty funny. Brer Fox look like he dead, yit he don't do like +he dead. Dead fokes hists der behime leg en hollers wahoo! w'en a +man come ter see um, sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"Sho' nuff, Brer Fox lif' up his foot en holler wahoo! en Brer +Rabbit he tear out de house like de dogs wuz atter 'im. Brer Wolf +mighty smart, but nex' time you hear fum 'im, honey, he'll be in +trouble. You des hol' yo' breff'n wait." + + +XII. MR. FOX TACKLES OLD MAN TARRYPIN + +"ONE day," said Uncle Remus, sharpening his knife on the palm +of his hand--"one day Brer Fox strike up wid Brer Tarrypin right +in de middle er de big road. Brer Tarrypin done heerd 'im comin', +en he 'low ter hisse'f dat he'd sorter keep one eye open; but +Brer Fox wuz monstus perlite, en he open up de confab, he did, +like he ain't see Brer Tarrypin sence de las' freshit. + +"'Heyo, Brer Tarrypin, whar you bin dis long-come-short?' sez +Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Lounjun 'roun', Brer Fox, lounjun 'roun',' sez Brer Tarrypin. + +"'You don't look sprucy like you did, Brer Tarrypin,' sez Brer +Fox, sezee. + +"'Lounjun 'roun' en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + +"Den de talk sorter run on like dis: + +"'W'at ail you, Brer Tarrypin? Yo' eye look mighty red,' sez Brer +Fox, sezee. + +"'Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is. You ain't bin +lounjun 'roun' en suffer'n',' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + +"'Bofe eyes red, en you look like you mighty weak, Brer +Tarrypin,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is,' sez Brer Tarrypin, +sezee. + +"'W'at ail you now, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Tuck a walk de udder day, en man come long en sot de fiel' +a-fier. Lor', Brer Fox, you dunner w'at trubble is,' sez Brer +Tarrypin, sezee. + +"'How you git out de fier, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Sot en tuck it, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. 'Sot en +tuck it, en de smoke sif' in my eye, en de fier scorch my back,' +sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee. + +"'Likewise hit bu'n yo' tail off,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Oh, no, dar's de tail, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, en +wid dat he oncurl his tail fum under de shell, en no sooner did +he do dat dan Brer Fox grab it, en holler out: + +"'Oh, yes, Brer Tarrypin! Oh, yes! En so you er de man w'at lam +me on de head at Miss Meadows's is you? You er in wid Brer +Rabbit, is you? Well, I'm gwineter out you.' + +"Brer Tarrypin beg en beg, but 'twan't no use. Brer Fox done been +fool so much dat he look like he termin' fer ter have Brer +Tarrypin haslett. Den Brer Tarrypin beg Brer Fox not fer ter +drown 'im, but Brer Fox ain't makin' no prommus, en den he beg +Brer Fox fer ter bu'n' 'im, kase he done useter fier, but Brer +Fox don't say nuthin'. Bimeby Brer Fox drag Brer Tarrypin off +little ways b'low de spring-'ouse, en souze him under de water. +Den Brer Tarrypin begin fer ter holler: + +"'Tu'n loose dat stump root en ketch holt er me--tu'n loose dat +stump root en ketch holt er me.' + +"Brer Fox he holler back: + +"'I ain't got holt er no stump root, en I is got holt er you.' + +"Brer Tarrypin he keep on holler'n: + +"'Ketch holt er me--I'm a drownin'--I'm a drownin'--tu'n loose de +stump root en ketch holt er me.' + +"Sho nuff, Brer Fox tu'n loose de tail, en Brer Tarrypin, he went +down ter de bottom--kerblunkity-blink!" + +No typographical combination or description could do justice to +the guttural sonorousness--the peculiar intonation--which Uncle +Remus imparted to this combination. It was so peculiar, indeed, +that the little boy asked: + +"How did he go to the bottom, Uncle Remus?" + +"Kerblunkity-blink!" + +"Was he drowned, Uncle Remus?" + +"Who? Ole man Tarrypin? Is you drowndid w'en yo' ma tucks you +in de bed?" + +"Well, no," replied the little boy, dubiously. + +"Ole man Tarrypin 'wuz at home I tell you, honey. Kerblinkity- +blunk!" + + +XIII. THE AWFUL FATE OF MR. WOLF + +UNCLE REMUS was half-soling one of his shoes, and his Miss +Sally's little boy had been handling his awls, his hammers, and +his knives to such an extent that the old man was compelled to +assume a threatening attitude; but peace reigned again, and the +little boy perched himself on a chair, watching Uncle Remus +driving in pegs. + +"Folks w'at's allers pesterin' people, en bodderin' 'longer dat +w'at ain't der'n, don't never come ter no good een'. Dar wuz Brer +Wolf; stidder mindin' un his own bizness, he hatter take en go in +pardnerships wid Brer Fox, en dey want skacely a minnit in de day +dat he want atter Brer Rabbit, en he kep' on en kep' on twel fus' +news you knowed he got kotch up wid--en he got kotch up wid +monstus bad." + +"Goodness, Uncle Remus! I thought the Wolf let the Rabbit alone, +after he tried to fool him about the Fox being dead." + +"Better lemme tell dish yer my way. Bimeby hit'll be yo' bed +time, en Miss Sally'll be a hollerin' atter you, en you'll be a +whimplin' roun', en den Mars John'll fetch up de re'r wid dat ar +strop w'at I made fer im." + +The child laughed, and playfully shook his fist in the simple, +serious face of the venerable old darkey, but said no more. Uncle +Remus waited awhile to be sure there was to be no other +demonstration, and then proceeded: + +"Brer Rabbit ain't see no peace w'atsumever. He can't leave home +'cep' Brer Wolf 'ud make a raid en tote off some er de fambly. +Brer Rabbit b'ilt 'im a straw house, en hit wuz tored down; den +he made a house out'n pine-tops, en dat went de same way; den he +made 'im a bark house, en dat wuz raided on, en eve'y time he +los' a house he los' one er his chilluns. Las' Brer Rabbit got +mad, he did, en cusst, en den he went off, he did, en got some +kyarpinters, en dey b'ilt 'im a plank house wid rock foundashuns. +Atter dat he could have some peace en quietness. He could go out +en pass de time er day 'wid his neighbors, en come back en set by +de fier, en smoke his pipe, en read de newspapers same like enny +man w'at got a fambly. He made a hole, he did, in de cellar whar +de little Rabbits could hide out w'en dar wuz much uv a racket in +de neighborhood, en de latch er de front do' kotch on de inside. +Brer Wolf, he see how de lan' lay, he did, en he lay low. De +little Rabbits was mighty skittish, but hit got so dat col' +chills ain't run up Brer Rabbit's back no mo' w'en he heerd Brer +Wolf go gallopin' by. + +"Bimeby, one day w'en Brer Rabbit wuz fixin' fer ter call on Miss +Coon, he heerd a monstrus fuss en clatter up de big road, en +'mos' 'fo' he could fix his years fer ter lissen, Brer Wolf run +in de do'. De little Rabbits dey went inter dere hole in de +cellar, dey did, like blowin' out a cannle. Brer Wolf Wuz far'ly +kivver'd wid mud, en mighty nigh outer win'. + +"'Oh, do pray save me, Brer Rabbit!' sez Brer Wolf, sezee. 'Do +please, Brer Rabbit! de dogs is atter me, en dey 'll t'ar me up. +Don't you year um comin'? Oh, do please save me, Brer Rabbit! +Hide me some'rs whar de dogs won't git me.' + +"No quicker sed dan done. + +"'Jump in dat big chist dar, Brer Wolf,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee; +'jump in dar en make yo'se'f at home.' + +"In jump Brer Wolf, down come the led, en inter de hasp went de +hook, en dar Mr. Wolf wuz. Den Brer Rabbit went ter de lookin'- +glass, he did, en wink at hisse'f, en den he draw'd de rockin'- +cheer in front er de fier, he did, en tuck a big chaw terbacker." + +"Tobacco, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, incredulously. + +"Rabbit terbacker, honey. You know dis yer life ev'lastin' w'at +Miss Sally puts 'mong de cloze in de trunk; well, dat's rabbit +terbacker. Den Brer Rabbit sot dar long time, he did, turnin' his +mine over en wukken his thinkin' masheen. Bimeby he got up, en +sorter stir 'roun'. Den Brer Wolf open up: + +"'Is de dogs all gone, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'Seem like I hear one un um smellin' roun' de chimbly-cornder +des now.' + +"Den Brer Rabbit git de kittle en fill it full er water, en put +it on de fier. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'I'm fixin fer ter make you a nice cup er tea, Brer Wolf.' + +"Den Brer Rabbit went ter de cubberd en git de gimlet, en +commence for ter bo' little holes in de chist-lid. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'I'm bo'in' little holes so you kin get bref, Brer Wolf.' + +"Den Brer Rabbit went out en git some mo' wood, en fling it on de +fier. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'I'm a chunkin' up de fier so you won't git col', Brer Wolf.' + +"Den Brer Rabbit went down inter de cellar en fotch out all his +chilluns. + +"'W'at you doin' now, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'I'm a tellin' my chilluns w'at a nice man you is, Brer Wolf.' + +"En de chilluns, dey had ter put der han's on der moufs fer ter +keep fum laffin'. Den Brer Rabbit he got de kittle en commenced +fer to po' de hot water on de chist-lid. + +"'W'at dat I hear, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'You hear de win' a blowin', Brer Wolf.' + +"Den de water begin fer ter sif' thoo. + +"'W'at dat I feel, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'You feels de fleas a bitin', Brer Wolf.' + +"'Dey er bitin' mighty hard, Brer Rabbit.' + +"'Tu'n over on de udder side, Brer Wolf.' + +"'W'at dat I feel now, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'Still you feels de fleas, Brer Wolf.' + +"'Dey er eatin' me up, Brer Rabbit,' en dem wuz de las words er +Brer Wolf, kase de scaldin' water done de bizness. + +"Den Brer Rabbit call in his neighbors, he did, en dey hilt a +reg'lar juberlee; en ef you go ter Brer Rabbit's house right now, +I dunno but w'at you'll fine Brer Wolfs hide hangin' in de back- +po'ch, en all bekaze he wuz so bizzy wid udder fo'kses doin's." + + +XIV. MR. FOX AND THE DECEITFUL FROGS + +WHEN the little boy ran in to see Uncle Remus the night after he +had told him of the awful fate of Brer Wolf, the only response to +his greeting was: + +"I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!" + +No explanation could convey an adequate idea of the intonation +and pronunciation which Uncle Remus brought to bear upon this +wonderful word. Those who can recall to mind the peculiar +gurgling, jerking, liquid sound made by pouring water from a +large jug, or the sound produced by throwing several stones in +rapid succession into a pond of deep water, may be able to form a +very faint idea of the sound, but it can not be reproduced in +print. The little boy was astonished. + +"What did you say, Uncle Remus?" + +"I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! I-doom-er-ker-kum mer-ker!" + +"What is that?" + +"Dat's Tarrypin talk, dat is. Bless yo' soul, honey," continued +the old man, brightening up, "w'en you git ole ez me--w'en you +see w'at I sees, en year w'at I years--de creeturs dat you can't +talk wid'll be mighty skase--dey will dat. W'y, der's er old gray +rat w'at uses 'bout yer, en time atter time he comes out w'en you +all done gone ter bed en sets up dar in de cornder en dozes, en +me en him talks by de 'our; en w'at dat old rat dunno ain't down +in de spellin' book. Des now, w'en you run in and broke me up, I +wuz fetchin' into my mine w'at Brer Tarrypin say ter Brer Fox +w'en he turn 'im loose in de branch." + +"What did he say, Uncle Remus?" + +"Dat w'at he said--I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! Brer Tarrypin wuz +at de bottom er de pon', en he talk back, he did, in bubbles--I- +doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker! Brer Fox, he ain't sayin' nuthin', but +Brer Bull-Frog, settin' on de bank, he hear Brer Tarrypin, he +did, en he holler back: + +"Jug-er-rum-kum-dum! Jug-er-rum-kum-dum!' + +"Den Brer Frog holler out: 'Knee-deep! Knee-deep!' + +"Den ole Brer Bull-Frog, he holler back: 'Don'-you-ber-lieve-'im! +Don't-you-ber-lieve-'im!' + +"Den de bubbles come up fum Brer Tarrypin: 'I-doom-er-ker-kum- +mer-ker!' + +"Den Brer Frog sing out: 'Wade in! Wade in!' + +"Den ole Brer Bull-Frog talk thoo his ho'seness: 'Dar-you'll- +fine-yo'-brudder! Dar-you'll-fine-yo'-brudder!' + +"Sho nuff, Brer Fox look over de bank, he did, en dar wuz n'er +Fox lookin' at 'im outer de water. Den he retch out fer ter shake +han's, en in he went, heels over head, en Brer Tarrypin bubble +out: + +"'I-doom-er-ker-kum-mer-ker!"' + +"Was the Fox drowned, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"He weren't zackly drowndid, honey," replied the old man, With an +air of cautious reserve. "He did manage fer ter scramble out, but +a little mo' en de Mud Turkle would er got 'im, en den he'd er +bin made hash un worl' widout een'." + + +XV. MR. FOX GOES A-HUNTING, BUT MR. RABBIT BAGS THE GAME + +"ATTER Brer Fox hear 'bout how Brer Rabbit done Brer Wolf," +said Uncle Remus, scratching his head with the point of his awl, +'he 'low, he did, dat he better not be so brash, en he sorter let +Brer Rabbit 'lone. Dey wuz all time seein' one nudder, en +'bunnunce er times Brer Fox could er nab Brer Rabbit, but eve'y +time he got de chance, his mine 'ud sorter rezume 'bout Brer +Wolf, en he let Brer Rabbit 'lone. Bimeby dey 'gun ter git kinder +familious wid wunner nudder like dey useter, en it got so Brer +Fox'd call on Brer Rabbit, en dey'd set up en smoke der pipes, +dey would, like no ha'sh feelin's 'd ever rested 'twixt um. + +"Las', one day Brer Fox come 'long all rig out, en ax Brer Rabbit +fer ter go huntin' wid 'im, but Brer Rabbit, he sorter feel lazy, +en he tell Brer Fox dat he got some udder fish fer ter fry. Brer +Fox feel mighty sorry, he did, but he say he bleeve he try his +han' enny how, en off he put. He wuz gone all day, en he had a +monstus streak er luck, Brer Fox did, en he bagged a sight er +game. Bimeby, to'rds de shank er de evenin', Brer Rabbit sorter +stretch hisse'f, he did, en 'low hit's mos' time fer Brer Fox fer +ter git 'long home. Den Brer Rabbit, he went'n mounted a stump +fer ter see ef he could year Brer Fox comin'. He ain't bin dar +long, twel sho' enuff, yer come Brer Fox thoo de woods, singing +like a nigger at a frolic. Brer Rabbit, he lipt down off'n de +stump, he did, en lay down in de road en make like he dead. Brer +Fox he come 'long, he did, en see Brer Rabbit layin' dar. He tu'n +'im over, he did, en 'zamine 'im, en say, sezee: + +"'Dish yer rabbit dead. He look like he bin dead long time. He +dead, but he mighty fat. He de fattes' rabbit w'at I ever see, +but he bin dead too long. I feard ter take 'im home,' sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit ain't sayin' nuthin'. Brer Fox, he sorter lick his +chops, but he went on en lef' Brer Rabbit layin' in de road. +Dreckly he wuz outer sight, Brer Rabbit, he jump up, he did, en +run roun' thoo de Woods en git befo Brer Fox agin. Brer Fox, he +come up, en dar lay Brer Rabbit, periently col' en stiff. Brer +Fox, he look at Brer Rabbit, en he sorter study. Atter while he +onslung his game-bag, en say ter hisse'f, sezee: + +"'Deze yer rabbits gwine ter was'e. I'll des 'bout leave my game +yer, en I'll go back'n git dat udder rabbit, en I'll make fokes +b'leeve dat I'm ole man Hunter fum Huntsville,' sezee. + +"En wid dat he drapt his game en loped back up de road atter de +udder rabbit, en w'en he got outer sight, ole Brer Rabbit, he +snatch up Brer Fox game en put out fer home. Nex' time he see +Brer Fox he holler out: + +"'What you kill de udder day, Brer Fox?' sezee. + +"Den Brer Fox, he sorter koam his flank wid his tongue, en holler +back: + +"'I kotch a han'ful er hard sense, Brer Rabbit,' sezee. + +"Den ole Brer Rabbit, he laff, he did, en up en 'spon', sezee: +'Ef I'd a know'd you wuz atter dat, Brer Fox, I'd a loant you +some er mine,' sezee." + + +XVI. OLD MR. RABBIT, HE'S A GOOD FISHERMAN + +"BRER RABBIT en Brer Fox wuz like some chilluns w'at I knows +un," said Uncle Remus, regarding the little boy, who had come to +hear another story, with an affectation of great solemnity. "Bofe +un um wuz allers atter wunner nudder, a prankin' en a pesterin' +'roun', but Brer Rabbit did had some peace, kaze Brer Fox done +got skittish 'bout puttin' de clamps on Brer Rabbit. + +"One day, w'en Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Coon, en Brer +B'ar, en a whole lot un um wuz clearin' up a new groun' fer ter +plant a roas'n'-year patch, de sun gun ter git sorter hot, en +Brer Rabbit he got tired; but he didn't let on, kaze he fear'd de +balance un um'd call 'im lazy, en he keep on totin' off trash en +pilin' up bresh, twel bimeby he holler out dat he gotter brier in +his han', en den he take'n slip off, en hunt fer cool place fer +ter res'. Atter w'ile he come crosst a well wid a bucket hangin' +in it. + +"'Dat look cool,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en cool I speck she +is. I'll des 'bout git in dar en take a nap,' en wid dat in he +jump, he did, en he ain't no sooner fix hisse'f dan de bucket +'gun ter go down." + +"Wasn't the Rabbit scared, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"Honey, dey ain't been no wusser skeer'd beas' sence de worl' +begin dan dish yer same Brer Rabbit. He fa'rly had a agur. He +know whar he cum fum, but he dunner whar he gwine. Dreckly he +feel de bucket hit de water, en dar she sot, but Brer Rabbit he +keep mighty still, kaze he dunner w'at minnit gwineter be de +nex'. He des lay dar en shuck en shiver. + +"Brer Fox allers got one eye on Brer Rabbit, en w'en he slip off +fum de new groun', Brer Fox he sneak atter 'im. He know Brer +Rabbit wuz atter some projick er nudder, en he tuck'n crope off, +he did, en watch 'im. Brer Fox see Brer Rabbit come to de well en +stop, en den he see 'im jump in de bucket, en den, lo en behol's, +he see 'im go down outer sight. Brer Fox wuz de mos' 'stonish Fox +dat you ever laid eyes on. He sot off dar in de bushes en study +en study, but he don't make no head ner tails ter dis kinder +bizness. Den he say ter hisse'f, sezee: + +"'Well, ef dis don't bang my times,' sezee, 'den Joe's dead en +Sal's a widder. Right down dar in dat well Brer Rabbit keep his +money hid, en ef 'tain't dat den he done gone en 'skiver'd a +gole-mine, en ef 'tain't dat, den I'm a gwineter see w'at's in +dar,' sezee. + +"Brer Fox crope up little nigher, he did, en lissen, but he don't +year no fuss, en he keep on gittin' nigher, en yit he don't year +nuthin'. Bimeby he git up close en peep down, but he don't see +nuthin' en he don't year nuthin'. All dis time Brer Rabbit mighty +nigh skeer'd outen his skin, en he fear'd fer ter move kaze de +bucket might keel over en spill him out in de water. W'ile he +sayin' his pra'rs over like a train er kyars runnin', ole Brer +Fox holler out: + +"'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! Who you wizzitin' down dar?' sezee. + +"'Who? Me? Oh, I'm des a fishin', Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, +sezee. 'I des say ter myse'f dat I'd sorter sprize you all wid a +mess er fishes fer dinner, en so here I is, en dar's de fishes. +I'm a fishin' fer suckers, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Is dey many un um down dar, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Lots un um, Brer Fox; scoze en scoze un um. De water is +natchully 'live wid um. Come down en he'p me haul um in, Brer +Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'How I gwineter git down, Brer Rabbit?' + +"'Jump inter de bucket, Brer Fox. Hit'll fetch you down all safe +en soun'.' + +"Brer Rabbit talk so happy en talk so sweet dat Brer Fox he jump +in de bucket, he did, en, ez he went down, co'se his weight pull +Brer Rabbit up. W'en dey pass one nudder on de half-way growl', +Brer Rabbit he sing out: + +"'Good-by, Brer Fox, take keer yo' cloze, +Fer dis is de way de worl' goes; +Some goes up en some goes down, +You'll git ter de bottom all safe en soun'.' *1 + +"W'en Brer Rabbit got out, he gallop off en tole de fokes w'at de +well blong ter dat Brer Fox wuz down in dar muddyin' up de +drinkin' water, en den he gallop back ter de well, en holler down +ter Brer Fox: + +"'Ye come a man wid a great big gun--W'en he haul you up, you +jump en run."' + +"What then, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, as the old man +paused. + +"In des 'bout half 'n hour, honey, bofe un um wuz back in de new +groun' wukkin' des like dey never heer'd er no well, ceppin' dat +eve'y now'n den Brer Rabbit'd bust out in er laff, en old Brer +Fox, he'd git a spell er de dry grins." + +*1 As a Northern friend suggests that this story may be somewhat + obscure, it may be as well to state that the well is supposed + to be supplied with a rope over a wheel, or pulley, with a + bucket at each end. + + +XVII. MR. RABBIT NIBBLES UP THE BUTTER + +'"DE animils en de creeturs," said Uncle Remus, shaking his +coffee around in the bottom of his tin-cup, in order to gather up +all the sugar, 'dey kep' on gittin' mo' en mo' familious wid +wunner nudder, twel bimeby, 'twan't long 'fo' Brer Rabbit, en +Brer Fox, en Brer Possum got ter sorter bunchin' der perwishuns +tergedder in de same shanty. Atter w'ile de roof sorter 'gun ter +leak, en one day Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en Brer Possum, +'semble fer ter see ef dey can't kinder patch her up. Dey had a +big day's work in front un um, en dey fotch der dinner wid um. +Dey lump de vittles up in one pile, en de butter w'at Brer Fox +brung, dey goes en puts in de spring-'ouse fer ter keep cool, en +den dey went ter wuk, en 'twan't long 'fo' Brer Rabbit's stummuck +'gun ter sorter growl en pester 'im. Dat butter er Brer Fox sot +heavy on his mine, en his mouf water eve'y time he 'member 'bout +it. Present'y he say ter hisse'f dat he bleedzd ter have a nip at +dat butter, en den he lay his plans, he did. Fus' news you know, +w'ile dey wuz all wukkin' long, Brer Rabbit raise his head quick +en fling his years forerd en holler out: + +"'Here I is. W'at you want wid me?' en off he put like sump'n wuz +atter 'im. + +"He sallied 'roun', ole Brer Rabbit did, en atter he make sho dat +nobody ain't foller'n un 'im, inter de spring-'ouse he bounces, +en dar he stays twel he git a bait er butter. Den he santer on +back en go to wuk. + +"'Whar you bin?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'I hear my chilluns callin' me,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I +hatter go see w'at dey want. My ole 'oman done gone en tuck +mighty sick,' sezee. + +"Dey wuk on twel bimeby de butter tas'e so good dat ole Brer +Rabbit want some mo'. Den he raise up his head, he did, en holler +out: + +"'Heyo! Hol' on! I'm a comin'!' en off he put. + +"Dis time he stay right smart w'ile, en w'en he git back Brer Fox +ax him whar he bin. + +"'I been ter see my ole 'oman, en she's a sinkin',' sezee. + +"Dreckly Brer Rabbit hear um callin' 'im ag'in en off he goes, en +dis time, bless yo' soul, he gits de butter out so clean dat he +kin see hisse'f in de bottom er de bucket. He scrape it clean en +lick it dry, en den he go back ter wuk lookin' mo' samer dan a +nigger w'at de patter-rollers bin had holt un. + +"'How's yo' ole 'oman dis time?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'I'm oblije ter you, Brer Fox,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'but I'm +fear'd she's done gone by now,' en dat sorter make Brer Fox en +Brer Possum feel in mo'nin' wid Brer Rabbit. + +"Bimeby, w'en dinner-time come, dey all got out der vittles, but +Brer Rabbit keep on lookin' lonesome, en Brer Fox en Brer Possum +dey sorter rustle roun' fer ter see ef dey can't make Brer Rabbit +feel sorter splimmy." + +"What is that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"Sorter splimmy-splammy, honey--sorter like he in a crowd--sorter +like his ole 'oman ain't dead ez she mout be. You know how fokes +duz w'en dey gits whar people's a moanin'." + +The little boy didn't know, fortunately for him, and Uncle Remus +went on: + +"Brer Fox en Brer Possum rustle roun', dey did, gittin out de +vittles, en bimeby Brer Fox, he say, sezee: + +"'Brer Possum, you run down ter de spring en fetch de butter, en +I'll sail 'roun' yer en set de table,' sezee. + +"Brer Possum, he lope off atter de butter, en dreckly here he +come lopin' back wid his years a trimblin' en his tongue a +hangin' out. Brer Fox, he holler out: + +"'W'at de matter now, Brer Possum?' sezee. + +"'You all better run yer, fokes,' sez Brer Possum, sezee. 'De +las' drap er dat butter done gone!' + +"'Whar she gone?' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Look like she dry up,' sez Brer Possum, sezee. + +"Den Brer Rabbit, he look sorter sollum, he did, en he up'n say, +sezee. + +"'I speck dat butter melt in somebody mouf,' sezee. Den dey went +down ter de spring wid Brer Possum, en sho nuff de butter done +gone. W'iles dey wuz sputin' over de wunderment, Brer Rabbit say +he see tracks all 'roun' dar, en he p'int out dat ef dey'll all +go ter sleep, he kin ketch de chap w'at stole de butter. Den dey +all lie down en Brer Fox en Brer Possum dey soon drapt off ter +sleep, but Brer Rabbit he stay 'wake, en w'en de time come he +raise up easy en smear Brer Possum mouf wid de butter on his +paws, en den he run off en nibble up de bes' er de dinner w'at +dey lef' layin' out, en den he come back en wake up Brer Fox, en +show 'im de butter on Brer Possum mouf. Den dey wake up Brer +Possum, en tell 'im 'bout it, but c'ose Brer Possum 'ny it ter de +las'. Brer Fox, dough, he's a kinder lawyer, en he argafy dis +way--dat Brer Possum wuz de fus one at de butter, en de fus one +fer ter miss it, en mo'n dat, dar hang de signs on his mouf. Brer +Possum see dat dey got 'im jammed up in a cornder, en den he up +en say dat de way fer ter ketch de man w'at stole de butter is +ter b'il' a big bresh-heap en set her afier, en all han's try ter +jump over, en de one w'at fall in, den he de chap w'at stole de +butter. Brer Rabbit en Brer Fox dey is bofe 'gree, dey did, en +dey whirl in en b'il' de breshheap, en dey b'il' her high en dey +b'il' her wide, en den dey totch her off. W'en she got ter +blazin' up good, Brer Rabbit, he tuck de fus turn. He sorter step +back, en look 'roun' en giggle, en over he went mo' samer dan a +bird flyin'. Den come Brer Fox. He got back little fudder, en +spit on his han's, en lit out en made de jump, en he come so nigh +gittin' in dat de een' er his tail kotch afier. Ain't you never +see no fox, honey?" inquired Uncle Remus, in a tone that implied +both conciliation and information. + +The little boy thought probably he had, but he wouldn't commit +himself. + +"Well, den," continued the old man, "nex' time you see one un um, +you look right close en see ef de een' er his tail ain't w'ite. +Hit's des like I tell you. Dey b'ars de skyar er dat bresh-heap +down ter dis day. Dey er marked--dat's w'at dey is--dey er +marked." + +"And what about Brother Possum?" asked the little boy. + +"Ole Brer Possum, he tuck a runnin' start, he did, en he come +lumberin' 'long, en he lit--kerblam!--right in de middle er de +fier, en dat wuz de las' er ole Brer Possum." + +"But, Uncle Remus, Brother Possum didn't steal the butter after +all," said the little boy, who was not at all satisfied with such +summary injustice. + +"Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz, honey. In dis worl', lots er +fokes is gotter suffer fer udder fokes sins. Look like hit's +mighty wrong; but hit's des dat away. Tribbalashun seem like +she's a waitin' roun' de cornder fer ter ketch one en all un us, +honey." + + +XVIII. MR. RABBIT FINDS HIS MATCH AT LAST + +"HIT look like ter me dat I let on de udder night dat in dem days +w'en de creeturs wuz santer'n 'roun' same like fokes, none un um +wuz brash nuff fer ter ketch up wid Brer Rabbit," remarked Uncle +Remus, reflectively. + +"Yes," replied the little boy, "that's what you said." + +"Well, den," continued the old man with unction, "dar's whar my +'membunce gin out, kaze Brer Rabbit did git kotched up wid, en +hit cool 'im off like po'in' spring water on one er deze yer +biggity fices." + +"How was that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"One day w'en Brer Rabbit wuz gwine lippity-clippitin' down de +road, he meet up wid ole Brer Tarrypin, en atter dey pass de time +er day wid wunner nudder, Brer Rabbit, he 'low dat he wuz much +'blije ter Brer Tarrypin fer de han' he tuck in de rumpus dat day +down at Miss Meadows's." + +"When he dropped off of the water-shelf on the Fox's head," +suggested the little boy. + +"Dat's de same time, honey. Den Brer Tarrypin 'low dat Brer Fox +run mighty fas' dat day, but dat ef he'd er bin atter 'im stidder +Brer Rabbit, he'd er kotch 'im. Brer Rabbit say he could er kotch +'im hisse'f but he didn't keer 'bout leavin' de ladies. Dey keep +on talkin', dey did, twel bimeby dey gotter 'sputin' 'bout w'ich +wuz de swif'es'. Brer Rabbit, he say he kin outrun Brer Tarrypin, +en Brer Tarrypin, he des vow dat he kin outrun Brer Rabbit. Up en +down dey had it, twel fus news you know Brer Tarrypin say he got +a fifty-dollar bill in de chink er de chimbly at home, en dat +bill done tole 'im dat he could beat Brer Rabbit in a fa'r race. +Den Brer Rabbit say he got a fifty-dollar bill w'at say dat he +kin leave Brer Tarrypin so fur behime, dat he could sow barley ez +he went long en hit 'ud be ripe nuff fer ter cut by de time Brer +Tarrypin pass dat way. + +"Enny how dey make de bet en put up de money, en old Brer Tukkey +Buzzard, he wuz summonzd fer ter be de jedge, en de stakeholder; +en 'twan't long 'fo' all de 'rangements wuz made. De race wuz a +five-mile heat, en de groun' wuz medjud off, en at de een' er +eve'y mile a pos' wuz stuck up. Brer Rabbit wuz ter run down de +big road, en Brer Tarrypin, he say he'd gallup thoo de woods. +Fokes tole 'im he could git long faster in de road, but ole Brer +Tarrypin, he know w'at he doin'. Miss Meadows en de gals en mos' +all de nabers got win' er de fun, en wen de day wuz sot dey +'termin' fer ter be on han'. Brer Rabbit he train hisse'f eve'y +day, en he skip over de groun' des ez gayly ez a June cricket. +Ole Brer Tarrypin, he lay low in de swamp. He had a wife en th'ee +chilluns, old Brer Tarrypin did, en dey wuz all de ve'y spit en +image er de ole man. Ennybody w'at know one fum de udder gotter +take a spy-glass, en den dey er li'ble fer ter git fooled. + +"Dat's de way marters stan' twel de day er de race, en on dat +day, ole Brer Tarrypin, en his ole 'oman, en his th'ee chilluns, +dey got up 'fo' sun-up, en went ter de place. De ole 'oman, she +tuck 'er stan' nigh de fus' mile-pos', she did, en de chilluns +nigh de udders, up ter de las', en dar old Brer Tarrypin, he tuck +his stan'. Bimeby, here come de fokes: Jedge Buzzard, he come, en +Miss Meadows en de gals, dey come, en den yer come Brer Rabbit +wid ribbons tied 'roun' his neck en streamin' fum his years. De +fokes all went ter de udder een' er de track fer ter see how dey +come out. W'en de time come Jedge Buzzard strut 'roun' en pull +out his watch, en holler out: + +"'Gents, is you ready?' + +"Brer Rabbit, he say 'yes,' en old Miss Tarrypin holler 'go' fum +de aidge er de woods. Brer Rabbit, he lit out on de race, en old +Miss Tarrypin, she put out for home. Jedge Buzzard, he riz en +skimmed long fer ter see dat de race wuz runned fa'r. W'en Brer +Rabbit got ter de fus' mile-pos' wunner de Tarrypin chilluns +crawl out de woods, he did, en make fer de place. Brer Rabbit, he +holler out: + +"'Whar is you, Brer Tarrypin?' + +"'Yer I come a bulgin',' sez de Tarrypin, sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit so glad he's ahead dat he put out harder dan ever, +en de Tarrypin, he make fer home. W'en he come ter de nex' pos', +nudder Tarrypin crawl out er de woods. + +"'Whar is you, Brer Tarrypin?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'Yer I come a bilin',' sez de Tarrypin, sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit, he lit out, he did, en come ter nex' pos', en dar +wuz de Tarrypin. Den he come ter nex', en dar wuz de Tarrypin. +Den he had one mo' mile fer ter run, en he feel like he gittin' +bellust. Bimeby, ole Brer Tarrypin look way off down de road en +he see Jedge Buzzard sailin' long en he know hit's time fer 'im +fer ter be up. So he scramble outen de woods, en roll 'cross de +ditch, en shuffle thoo de crowd er folks en git ter de mile-pos' +en crawl behime it. Bimeby, fus' news you know, yer come Brer +Rabbit. He look 'roun' en he don't see Brer Tarrypin, en den he +squall out: + +"'Gimme de money, Brer Buzzard, Gimme de money!' + +"Den Miss Meadows en de gals, dey holler and laff fit ter kill +deyse'f, en ole Brer Tarrypin, he raise up fum behime de +pos' en sez, sezee: + +"'Ef you'll gimme time fer ter ketch my breff, gents en ladies, +one en all, I speck I'll finger dat money myse'f,' sezee, en sho +nuff, Brer Tarrypin tie de pu's 'roun' his neck en skaddle*1 off +home." + +"But, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, dolefully, "that was +cheating." + +"Co'se, honey. De creeturs 'gun ter cheat, en den fokes tuck it +up, en hit keep on spreadin'. Hit mighty ketchin', en you mine +yo' eye, honey, dat somebody don't cheat you 'fo' yo' ha'r git +gray ez de ole nigger's." + +*1 It may he interesting to note here that in all probability the + word "skedaddle," about which there was some controversy during + the war, came from the Virginia negro's use of "skaddle," which + is a corruption of "scatter." The matter, however, is hardly + worth referring to. + + +XIX. THE FATE OF MR. JACK SPARROW + +"You'll tromple on dat bark twel hit won't be fitten fer ter +fling 'way, let 'lone make hoss-collars out'n," said Uncle Remus, +as the little boy came running into his cabin out of the rain. +All over the floor long strips of "wahoo" bark were spread, and +these the old man was weaving into horse-collars. + +"I'll sit down, Uncle Remus," said the little boy. + +"Well, den, you better, honey," responded the old man, "kaze I +'spizes fer ter have my wahoo trompled on. Ef 'twuz shucks, now, +hit mout be diffunt, but I'm a gittin' too ole fer ter be +projickin' 'longer shuck collars." + +For a few minutes the old man went on with his work, but with a +solemn air altogether unusual. Once or twice he sighed deeply, +and the sighs ended in a prolonged groan, that seemed to the +little boy to be the result of the most unspeakable mental agony. +He knew by experience that he had done something which failed to +meet the approval of Uncle Remus, and he tried to remember what +it was, so as to frame an excuse; but his memory failed him. He +could think of nothing he had done calculated to stir Uncle +Remus's grief. He was not exactly seized with remorse, but he was +very uneasy. Presently Uncle Remus looked at him in a sad and +hopeless way and asked: + +"W'at dat long rigmarole you bin tellin' Miss Sally 'bout yo' +little brer dis mawnin?" + +"Which, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, blushing guiltily. + +"Dat des w'at I'm a axin' un you now. I hear Miss Sally say she's +a gwineter stripe his jacket, en den I knowed you bin tellin' on +'im." + +"Well, Uncle Remus, he was pulling up your onions, and then he +went and flung a rock at me, said the child, plaintively. + +"Lemme tell you dis," said the old man, laying down the section +of horse-collar he had been plaiting, and looking hard at the +little boy--"lemme tell you dis der ain't no way fer ter make +tattlers en tailb'arers turn out good. No, dey ain't. I bin +mixin' up wid fokes now gwine on eighty year, en I ain't seed no +tattler come ter no good een'. Dat I ain't. En ef ole man +M'thoozlum wuz livin' clean twel yit, he'd up'n tell you de same. +Sho ez you er settin' dar. You 'member w'at 'come er de bird w'at +went tattlin' 'roun' 'bout Brer Rabbit?" + +The little boy didn't remember, but he was very anxious to know, +and he also wanted to know what kind of a bird it was that so +disgraced itself. + +"Hit wuz wunner dese yer uppity little Jack Sparrers, I speck," +said the old man; "dey wuz allers bodder'n' longer udder +fokes's bizness, en dey keeps at it down ter dis day--peckin' +yer, en pickin' dar, en scratchin' out yander. One day, atter he +bin fool by ole Brer Tarrypin, Brer Rabbit wuz settin' down in de +woods studyin' how he wuz gwineter git even. He feel mighty +lonesome, en he feel mighty mad, Brer Rabbit did. Tain't put down +in de tale, but I speck he cusst en r'ar'd 'roun' considerbul. +Leas'ways, he wuz settin' out dar by hisse'f, en dar he sot, en +study en study, twel bimeby he jump up en holler out: + +"'Well, dog-gone my cats ef I can't gallop 'roun' ole Brer Fox, +en I'm gwineter do it. I'll show Miss Meadows en de gals dat I'm +de boss er Brer Fox,' sezee. + +"Jack Sparrer up in de tree, he hear Brer Rabbit, he did, en he +sing out: + +"'I'm gwine tell Brer Fox! I'm gwine tell Brer Fox! +Chick-a-biddy-win'-a-blowin'-acuns-fallin'! I'm gwine tell Brer +Fox!"' + +Uncle Remus accompanied the speech of the bird with a peculiar +whistling sound in his throat, that was a marvelous imitation of +a sparrow's chirp, and the little boy clapped his hands with +delight, and insisted on a repetition. + +"Dis kinder tarrify Brer Rabbit, en he skasely know w'at he gwine +do; but bimeby he study ter hisse'f dat de man w'at see Brer Fox +fus wuz boun' ter have de inturn, en den he go hoppin' off to'rds +home. He didn't got fur w'en who should he meet but Brer Fox, en +den Brer Rabbit, he open up: + +"'W'at dis twix' you en me, Brer Fox?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. 'I +hear tell you gwine ter sen' me ter 'struckshun, en nab my +fambly, en 'stroy my shanty,' sezee. + +"'Den Brer Fox he git mighty mad. 'Who bin tellin' you all dis?' +sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit make like he didn't want ter tell, but Brer Fox he +'sist en 'sist, twel at las' Brer Rabbit he up en tell Brer Fox +dat he hear Jack Sparrer say all dis. + +"'Co'se,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'w'en Brer Jack Sparrer tell me +dat I flew up, I did, en I use some langwidge w'ich I'm mighty +glad dey weren't no ladies 'round' nowhars so dey could hear me +go on, sezee. + +"Brer Fox he sorter gap, he did, en say he speck he better be +sa'nter'n on. But, bless yo' soul, honey, Brer Fox ain't sa'nter +fur, 'fo' Jack Sparrer flipp down on a 'simmon-bush by de side er +de road, en holler out: + +"'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox!--Brer Fox!' + +"Brer Fox he des sorter canter long, he did, en make like he +don't hear 'im. Den Jack Sparrer up'n sing out agin: + +"'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox! Hol' on, Brer Fox! I got some news fer +you. Wait Brer Fox! Hit'll 'stonish you.' + +"Brer Fox he make like he don't see Jack Sparrer, ner needer do +he hear 'im, but bimeby he lay down by de road, en sorter stretch +hisse'f like he fixin' fer ter nap. De tattlin' Jack Sparrer he +flew'd 'long, en keep on callin' Brer Fox, but Brer Fox, he ain't +sayin' nuthin'. Den little Jack Sparrer, he hop down on de groun' +en flutter 'roun' 'mongst de trash. Dis sorter 'track Brer Fox +'tenshun, en he look at de tattlin' bird, en de bird he keep on +callin': + +"'I got sump'n fer ter tell you, Brer Fox.' + +"'Git on my tail, little Jack Sparrer,' sez Brer Fox, sezee, +'kaze I'm de'f in one year, en I can't hear out'n de udder. Git +on my tail,' sezee. + +"Den de little bird he up'n hop on Brer Fox's tail. + +"'Git on my back, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in one year +en I can't hear out'n de udder.' + +"Den de little bird hop on his back. + +"'Hop on my head, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in bofe +years.' + +"Up hop de little bird. + +"'Hop on my toof, little Jack Sparrer, kaze I'm de'f in one year +en I can't hear out'n de udder.' + +"De tattlin' little bird hop on Brer Fox's toof, en den--" + +Here Uncle Remus paused, opened wide his mouth and closed it +again in a way that told the whole story. *1 + +"Did the Fox eat the bird all--all up?" asked the little boy. + +"Jedge B'ar come long nex' day," replied Uncle Remus, "en he fine +some fedders, en fum dat word went roun' dat ole man Squinch +Owl done kotch nudder watzizname." + +*1 An Atlanta friend heard this story in Florida, but an + alligator was substituted for the fox, and a little boy for + the rabbit. There is another version in which the impertinent + gosling goes to tell the fox something her mother has said, + and is caught; and there may be other versions. I have adhered + to the middle Georgia version, which is characteristic enough. + It may be well to state that there are different versions of + all the stories--the shrewd narrators of the mythology of the + old plantation adapting themselves with ready tact to the + years, tastes, and expectations of their juvenile audiences. + + +XX. HOW MR. RABBIT SAVED HIS MEAT + +"ONE time," said Uncle Remus, whetting his knife slowly and +thoughtfully on the palm of his hand, and gazing reflectively in +the fire--"one time Brer Wolf--" + +"Why, Uncle Remus!" the little boy broke in, "I thought you said +the Rabbit scalded the Wolf to death a long time ago." + +The old man was fairly caught and he knew it; but this made +little difference to him. A frown gathered on his usually serene +brow as he turned his gaze upon the child--a frown in which both +scorn and indignation were visible. Then all at once he seemed to +regain control of himself. The frown was chased away by a look of +Christian resignation. + +"Dar now! W'at I tell you?" he exclaimed as if addressing a +witness concealed under the bed. "Ain't I done tole you so? Bless +grashus! ef chilluns ain't gittin' so dey knows mo'n ole fokes, +en dey'll 'spute longer you en 'spute longer you, ceppin' der ma +call um, w'ich I speck 'twon't be long 'fo' she will, en den Ill +set yere by de chimbly-cornder en git some peace er mine. W'en +ole Miss wuz livin'," continued the old man, still addressing +some imaginary person, 'hit 'uz mo'n enny her chilluns 'ud dast +ter do ter come 'sputin' longer me, en Mars John'll tell you de +same enny day you ax 'im." + +"Well, Uncle Remus, you know you said the Rabbit poured hot +water on the Wolf and killed him," said the little boy. + +The old man pretended not to hear. He was engaged in searching +among some scraps of leather under his chair, and kept on talking +to the imaginary person. Finally, he found and drew forth a +nicely plaited whip-thong with a red snapper all waxed and +knotted. + +"I wuz fixin' up a w'ip fer a little chap," he continued, with a +sigh, "but, bless grashus! 'fo' I kin git 'er done de little chap +done grow'd up twel he know mo'n I duz." + +The child's eyes filled with tears and his lips began to quiver, +but he said nothing; whereupon Uncle Remus immediately melted. + +"I 'clar' to goodness," he said, reaching out and taking the +little boy tenderly by the hand, "ef you ain't de ve'y spit en +image er ole Miss w'en I brung 'er de las' news er de war. Hit's +des like skeerin' up a ghos' w'at you ain't fear'd un." + +Then there was a pause, the old man patting the little child's +hand caressingly. + +"You ain't mad, is you, honey?" Uncle Remus asked finally, "kaze +ef you is, I'm gwine out yere en butt my head 'gin de do' jam'." + +But the little boy wasn't mad. Uncle Remus had conquered him and +he had conquered Uncle Remus in pretty much the same way before. +But it was some time before Uncle Remus would go on with the +story. He had to be coaxed. At last, however, he settled himself +back in the chair and began: + +"Co'se, honey, hit mout er bin ole Brer Wolf, er hit mout er bin +er n'er Brer Wolf; it mout er bin 'fo' he got kotch up wid, er it +mout er bin atterwards. Ez de tale wer gun to me des dat away I +gin it unter you. One time Brer Wolf wuz comm' long home fum a +fishin' frolic. He s'anter long de road, he did, wid his string +er fish 'cross his shoulder, w'en fus' news you know ole Miss +Pa'tridge, she hop outer de bushes en flutter long right at Brer +Wolf nose. Brer Wolf he say ter hisse'f dat ole Miss Pa'tridge +tryin' fer ter toll 'im 'way fum her nes', en wid dat he lay his +fish down en put out inter de bushes whar ole Miss Pa'tridge come +fum, en 'bout dat time Brer Rabbit, he happen long. Dar wuz de +fishes, en dar wuz Brer Rabbit, en w'en dat de case w'at you +speck a sorter innerpen'ent man like Brer Rabbit gwine do? I kin +tell you dis, dat dem fishes ain't stay whar Brer Wolf put um at, +en w'en Brer Wolf come back dey wuz gone. + +"Brer Wolf, he sot down en scratch his head, he did, en study +en study, en den hit sorter rush inter his mine dat Brer Rabbit +bin 'long dar, en den Brer Wolf, he put out fer Brer Rabbit +house, en w'en he git dar he hail 'im. Brer Rabbit, he dunno +nuthin' tall 'bout no fishes. Brer Wolf he up'n say he bleedzd +ter bleeve Brer Rabbit got dem fishes. Brer Rabbit 'ny it up en +down, but Brer Wolf stan' to it dat Brer Rabbit got dem fishes. +Brer Rabbit, he say dat if Brer Wolf b'leeve he got de fishes, +den he give Brer Wolf lief fer ter kill de bes' cow he got. Brer +Wolf, he tuck Brer Rabbit at his word, en go off ter de pastur' +en drive up de cattle en kill Brer Rabbit bes' cow. + +"Brer Rabbit, he hate mighty bad fer ter lose his cow, but he lay +his plans, en he tell his chilluns dat he gwineter have dat beef +yit. Brer Wolf, he bin tuck up by de patter-rollers 'fo' now, en +he mighty skeer'd un um, en fus news you know, yer come Brer +Rabbit hollerin' en tellin' Brer Wolf dat de patter-rollers +comin'. + +"'You run en hide, Brer Wolf,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en I'll +stay yer en take keer er de cow twel you gits back,' sezee. + +"Soon's Brer Wolf hear talk er de patter-rollers, he scramble off +inter de underbrush like he bin shot out'n a gun. En he wa'n't +mo'n gone 'fo' Brer Rabbit, he whirl in en skunt de cow en salt +de hide down, en den he tuck'n cut up de kyarkiss en stow it 'way +in de smoke-'ouse, en den he tuck'n stick de een' er de cow-tail +in de groun'. Atter he gone en done all dis, den Brer Rabbit he +squall out fer Brer Wolf: + +"'Run yer, Brer Wolf! Run yer! Yo' cow gwine in de groun'! Run +yer!' + +"W'en ole Brer Wolf got dar, w'ich he come er scootin', dar wuz +Brer Rabbit hol'in' on ter de cow-tail, fer ter keep it fum gwine +in de groun'. Brer Wolf, he kotch holt, en dey 'gin a pull er two +en up come de tail. Den Brer Rabbit, he wink his off eye en say, +sezee: + +"'Dar! de tail done pull out en de cow gone,' sezee. But Brer +Wolf he wern't de man fer ter give it up dat away, en he got 'im +a spade, en a pick-axe, en a shovel, en he dig en dig fer dat cow +twel diggin' wuz pas' all endu'unce, en ole Brer Rabbit he sot up +dar in his front po'ch en smoke his seegyar. Eve'y time ole Brer +Wolf stuck de pick-axe in de clay, Brer Rabbit, he giggle ter his +chilluns: + +"'He diggy, diggy, diggy, but no meat dar! He diggy, diggy, +diggy, but no meat dar!' + +"Kase all de time de cow wuz layin' pile up in his smoke-'ouse, +en him en his chilluns wuz eatin' fried beef an inguns eve'y time +dey mouf water. + +"Now den, honey, you take dis yer w'ip," continued the old man, +twining the leather thong around the little boy's neck, "en +scamper up ter de big 'ouse en tell Miss Sally fer ter gin you +some un it de nex' time she fine yo' tracks in de sugar-bar'l." + + +XXI. MR. RABBIT MEETS HIS MATCH AGAIN + +"DERE wuz nudder man dat sorter play it sharp on Brer Rabbit," +said Uncle Remus, as, by some mysterious process, he twisted a +hog's bristle into the end of a piece of thread--an operation +which the little boy watched with great interest. "In dem days," +continued the old man, "de creeturs kyar'd on marters same ez +fokes. Dey went inter fahmin', en I speck ef de troof wuz ter +come out, dey kep' sto', en had der camp-meetin' times en der +bobbycues w'en de wedder wuz 'greeble." + +Uncle Remus evidently thought that the little boy wouldn't like +to hear of any further discomfiture of Brer Rabbit, who had come +to be a sort of hero, and he was not mistaken. + +"I thought the Terrapin was the only one that fooled the Rabbit," +said the little boy, dismally. + +"Hit's des like I tell you, honey. Dey ain't no smart man, 'cep' +w'at dey's a smarter. Ef ole Brer Rabbit hadn't er got kotch up +wid, de nabers 'ud er took 'im for a ha'nt, en in dem times dey +bu'nt witches 'fo' you could squinch yo' eyeballs. Dey did dat." + +"Who fooled the Rabbit this time?" the little boy asked. + +When Uncle Remus had the bristle "sot" in the thread, he +proceeded with the story: + +"One time Brer Rabbit en ole Brer Buzzard 'cluded dey'd sorter +go shares, en crap tergedder. Hit wuz a mighty good year, en de +truck tu'n out monstus well, but bimeby, w'en de time come fer +dividjun, hit come ter light dat ole Brer Buzzard ain't got +nuthin'. De crap wuz all gone, en dey want nuthin' dar fer ter +show fer it. Brer Rabbit, he make like he in a wuss fix'n Brer +Buzzard, en he mope 'roun', he did, like he fear'd dey gwineter +sell 'im out. + +"Brer Buzzard, he ain't sayin' nuthin', but he keep up a monstus +thinkin', en one day he come 'long en holler en tell Brer Rabbit +dat he done fine rich gol'-mine des 'cross de river. + +"'You come en go longer me, Brer Rabbit,' sez Brer Tukkey +Buzzard, sezee. 'Ill scratch en you kin grabble, en 'tween de two +un us we'll make short wuk er dat gol'-mine,' sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit, he wuz high up fer de job, but he study en study, +he did, how he gwineter git 'cross de water, kaze ev'y time he +git his foot wet all de fambly kotch col'. Den he up'n ax Brer +Buzzard how he gwine do, en Brer Buzzard he up'n say dat he kyar +Brer Rabbit 'cross, en wid dat ole Brer Buzzard, he squot down, +he did, en spread his wings, en Brer Rabbit, he mounted, en up +dey riz." There was a pause. + +"What did the Buzzard do then?" asked the little boy. + +"Dey riz," continued Uncle Remus, "en w'en dey lit, dey lit in de +top er de highest sorter pine, en de pine w'at dey lit in wuz +growin' on er ilun, en de ilun wuz in de middle er de river, wid +de deep water runnin' all 'roun'. Dey ain't mo'n lit 'fo' Brer +Rabbit, he know w'ich way de win' 'uz blowin', en by de time ole +Brer Buzzard got hisse'f balance on a lim', Brer Rabbit, he up'n +say, sezee: + +"'W'iles we er res'n here, Brer Buzzard, en bein's you bin so +good, I got sump'n fer ter tell you,' sezee. 'I got a gol'-mine +er my own, one w'at I make myse'f, en I speck we better go back +ter mine 'fo' we bodder 'longer yone,' sezee. + +"Den ole Brer Buzzard, he laff, he did, twel he shake, en Brer +Rabbit, he sing out: + +"'Hol' on, Brer Buzzard! Don't flop yo' wings w'en you laff, kaze +den if you duz, sump'n 'ill drap fum up yer, en my gol'-mine +won't do you no good, en needer will yone do me no good.' + +"But 'fo' dey got down fum dar, Brer Rabbit done tole all 'bout +de crap, en he hatter prommus fer ter 'vide fa'r en squar. So +Brer Buzzard, he kyar 'im back, en Brer Rabbit he walk weak in +de knees a mont' atterwuds." + + +XXII. A STORY ABOUT THE LITTLE RABBITS + +"FIN' um whar you will en w'en you may," remarked Uncle Remus +with emphasis, "good chilluns allers gits tuck keer on. Dar wuz +Brer Rabbit's chilluns; dey minded der daddy en mammy fum day's +een' ter day's een'. W'en ole man Rabbit say scoot,' dey scooted, +en w'en ole Miss Rabbit say 'scat,' dey scatted. Dey did dat. En +dey kep der cloze clean, en dey ain't had no smut on der nose +nudder." + +Involuntarily the hand of the little boy went up to his face, and +he scrubbed the end of his nose with his coat-sleeve. + +"Dey wuz good chilluns," continued the old man, heartily, "en ef +dey hadn't er bin, der wuz one time w'en dey wouldn't er bin no +little rabbits--na'er one. Dat's w'at." + +"What time was that, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked. + +"De time w'en Brer Fox drapt in at Brer Rabbit house, en didn't +foun' nobody dar ceppin' de little Rabbits. Ole Brer Rabbit, he +wuz off some'rs raiding on a collard patch, en ole Miss Rabbit +she wuz tendin' on a quiltin' in de naberhood, en wiles de little +Rabbits wuz playin' hidin'-switch, in drapt Brer Fox. De little +Rabbits wuz so fat dat dey fa'rly make his mouf water, but he +'member 'bout Brer Wolf, en he skeer'd fer ter gobble urn up +ceppin' he got some skuse. De little Rabbits, dey mighty +skittish, en dey sorter huddle deyse'f up tergedder en watch Brer +Fox motions. Brer Fox, he sot dar en study w'at sorter skuse he +gwineter make up. Bimeby he see a great big stalk er sugar-cane +stan'in' up in de cornder, en he cle'r up his th'oat en talk +biggity: + +"'Yer! you young Rabs dar, sail 'roun' yer en broke me a piece er +dat sweetnin'-tree,' sezee, en den he koff. + +"De little Rabbits, dey got out de sugar-cane, dey did, en dey +rastle wid it, en sweat over it, but twan't no use. Dey +couldn't broke it. Brer Fox, he make like he ain't watchin', but +he keep on holler'n: + +"'Hurry up dar, Rabs! I'm a waitin' on you.' + +"En de little Rabbits, dey hustle 'roun' en rastle wid it, but +they couldn't broke it. Bimeby dey hear little bird singin' on +top er de house, en de song w'at de little bird sing wuz dish +yer. + +"'Take yo' toofies en gnyaw it, +Take yo' toofies en saw it, +Saw it en yoke it, +En den you kin broke it.' + +"Den de little Rabbits, dey git mighty glad, en dey gnyawed de +cane mos' 'fo' 'ole Brer Fox could git his legs oncrosst, en w'en +dey kyard 'im de cane, Brer Fox, he sot dar en study how he +gwineter make some mo' skuse fer nabbin' un um, en bimeby he git +up en git down de sifter w'at wuz hangin' on de wall, en holler +out: + +"'Come yer, Rabs! Take dish yer sifter, en run down't de spring +en fetch me some fresh water.' + +"De little Rabbits, dey run down't de spring, en try ter dip up +de water wid de sifter, but co'se hit all run out, en hit keep on +runnin' out, twel bimeby de little Rabbits sot down en 'gun ter +cry. Den de little bird settin' up in de tree he begin fer ter +sing, en dish yer's de song w'at he sing: + +"'Sifter hol' water same ez a tray, +Ef you fill it wid moss en dob it wid clay; +De Fox git madder de longer you stay-- +Fill it wid moss en dob it wid clay.' + +"Up dey jump, de little Rabbits did, en dey fix de sifter so +'twon't leak, en den dey kyar de water ter ole Brer Fox. Den Brer +Fox he git mighty mad, en p'int out a great big stick er wood, en +tell de little Rabbits fer ter put dat on de fier. De little +chaps dey got 'roun' de wood, dey did, en dey lif' at it so hard +twel dey could see der own sins, but de wood ain't budge. Den dey +hear de little bird singin', en dish yer's de song w'at he sing: + +"'Spit in yo' han's en tug it en toll it, +En git behime it, en push it, en pole it; +Spit in yo' han's en r'ar back en roll it.' + +"En des 'bout de time dey got de wood on de fier, der daddy, he +come skippin' in, en de little bird, he flew'd away. Brer Fox, he +seed his game wuz up, en 'twan't long 'fo' he make his skuse en +start fer ter go. + +"'You better Stay en take a snack wid me, Brer Fox,' sez Brer +Rabbit, sezee. 'Sence Brer Wolf done quite comin' en settin' up +wid me, I gittin' so I feels right lonesome dese long nights,' +sezee. + +"But Brer Fox, he button up his coat-collar tight en des put out +fer home. En dat w'at you better do, honey, kaze I see Miss +Sally's shadder sailin' backerds en forerds 'fo' de winder, en de +fus' news you know she'll be spectin' un you." + + +XXIII. MR. RABBIT AND MR. BEAR + +"DAR wuz one season" said Uncle Remus, pulling thoughtfully at +his whiskers, "w'en Brer Fox say to hisse'f dat he speck he +better whirl in en plant a goober-patch, en in dem days, mon, hit +wuz tech en go. De wud wern't mo'n out'n his mouf 'fo' de groun' +'uz brok'd up en de goobers 'uz planted. Ole Brer Rabbit, he sot +off en watch de motions, he did, en he sorter shet one eye en +sing to his chilluns: + +"'Ti-yi! Tungalee! +I eat um pea, I pick um pea. +Hit grow in de groun', hit grow so free; +Ti-yi! dem goober pea.' + +"Sho' 'nuff w'en de goobers 'gun ter ripen up, eve'y time Brer +Fox go down ter his patch, he fine whar somebody bin grabblin' +'mongst de vines, en he git mighty mad. He sorter speck who de +somebody is, but ole Brer Rabbit he cover his tracks so cute dat +Brer Fox dunner how ter ketch 'im. Bimeby, one day Brer Fox take +a walk all roun' de groun'-pea patch, en 'twan't long 'fo' he +fine a crack in de fence whar de rail done bin rub right smoove, +en right dar he sot 'im a trap. He tuck'n ben' down a hick'ry +saplin', growin' in de fence-cornder, en tie one een' un a plow- +line on de top, en in de udder een' he fix a loop-knot, en dat he +fasten wid a trigger right in de crack. Nex' mawnin' w'en ole +Brer Rabbit come slippin' 'long en crope thoo de crack, de +loop-knot kotch 'im behime de fo'legs, en de saplin' flew'd up, +en dar he wuz 'twix' de heavens en de yeth. Dar he swung, en he +fear'd he gwineter fall, en he fear'd he wer'n't gwineter fall. +W'ile he wuz a fixin' up a tale fer Brer Fox, he hear a lumberin' +down de road, en present'y yer cum ole Brer B'ar amblin' 'long +fum whar he bin takin' a bee-tree. Brer Rabbit, he hail 'im: + +"'Howdy, Brer B'ar!' + +"Brer B'ar, he look 'roun en bimeby he see Brer Rabbit swingin' +fum de saplin', en he holler out: + +"'Heyo, Brer Rabbit! How you come on dis mawnin'?' + +"'Much oblije, I'm middlin', Brer B'ar,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"Den Brer B'ar, he ax Brer Rabbit w'at he doin' up dar in de +elements, en Brer Rabbit, he up'n say he makin' dollar minnit. +Brer B'ar, he say how. Brer Rabbit say he keepin' crows out'n +Brer Fox's groun' pea patch, en den he ax Brer B'ar ef he don't +wanter make dollar minnit, kaze he got big fambly er chilluns fer +to take keer un, en den he make sech nice skeercrow. Brer B'ar +'low dat he take de job, en den Brer Rabbit show 'im how ter ben' +down de saplin', en 'twan't long 'fo' Brer B'ar wuz swingin' up +dar in Brer Rabbit's place. Den Brer Rabbit, he put out fer Brer +Fox house, en w'en he got dar he sing out: + +"'Brer Fox! Oh, Brer Fox! Come out yer, Brer Fox, en I'll show +you de man w'at bin stealin' yo' goobers.' + +"Brer Fox, he grab up his walkin'-stick, en bofe un um went +runnin' back down ter der goober-patch, en w'en dey got dar, sho +'nuff, dar wuz ole Brer B'ar. + +"'Oh, yes! you er kotch, is you?' sez Brer Fox, en 'fo' Brer B'ar +could 'splain, Brer Rabbit he jump up en down, en holler out: + +"'Hit 'im in de mouf, Brer Fox; hit 'im in do mouf'; en Brer Fox, +he draw back wid de walkin' cane, en blip he tuck 'im, en eve'y +time Brer B'ar'd try ter 'splain, Brer Fox'd shower down on him. + +"W'iles all dis 'uz gwine on, Brer Rabbit, he slip off en git in +a mud-hole en des lef' his eyes stickin' out, kaze he know'd dat +Brer B'ar'd be a comin' atter 'im. Sho 'nuff, bimeby here come +Brer B'ar down de road, en w'en he git ter de mud-hole, he say: + +"'Howdy, Brer Frog; is you seed Brer Rabbit go by yer?' + +"'He des gone by,' sez Brer Rabbit, en ole man B'ar tuck off down +de road like a skeer'd mule, en Brer Rabbit, he come out en dry +hisse'f in de sun, en go home ter his fambly same ez enny udder +man. + +"The Bear didn't catch the Rabbit, then?" inquired the little +boy, sleepily. + +"Jump up fum dar, honey!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, by way of +reply. "I ain't got no time fer ter be settin' yer proppin' yo' +eyeleds open." + + +XXIV. MR. BEAR CATCHES OLD MR. BULL-FROG + +"WELL, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, counting to see if he +hadn't lost a marble somewhere, "the Bear didn't catch the Rabbit +after all, did he?" + +"Now you talkin', honey," replied the old man, his earnest face +breaking up into little eddies of smiles--"now you talkin' sho. +'Tain't bin proned inter no Brer B'ar fer ter kotch Brer Rabbit. +Hit sorter like settin' a mule fer ter trap a hummin'-bird. But +Brer B'ar, he tuck'n got hisse'f inter some mo' trubble, w'ich it +look like it mighty easy. Ef folks could make der livin' longer +gittin' inter trubble," continued the old man, looking curiously +at the little boy, "ole Miss Favers wouldn't be bodder'n yo' ma +fer ter borry a cup full er sugar eve'y now en den; en it look +like ter me dat I knows a nigger dat wouldn't be squattin' 'roun' +yer makin' dese yer fish-baskits." + +"How did the Bear get into more trouble, Uncle Remus?" asked the +little boy. + +"Natchul, honey. Brer B'ar, he tuck a notion dat ole Brer +Bull-frog wuz de man w'at fool 'im, en he say dat he'd come up +wid 'im ef 'twuz a year atterwuds. But 'twan't no year, an +'twan't no mont', en mo'n dat, hit wa'n't skasely a week, w'en +bimeby one day Brer B'ar wuz gwine home fum de takin' un a +bee-tree, en lo en behol's, who should he see but ole Brer +Bull-frog settin' out on de aidge er de mud-muddle fas' 'sleep! +Brer B'ar drap his axe, he did, en crope up, en retch out wid his +paw, en scoop ole Brer Bull-frog in des dis away." Here the old +man used his hand ladle-fashion, by way of illustration. "He +scoop 'im in, en dar he wuz. W'en Brer B'ar got his clampers on +'im good, he sot down en talk at 'im. + +"'Howdy, Brer Bull-frog, howdy! En how yo fambly? I hope dey er +well, Brer Bull-frog, kaze dis day you got some bizness wid me +w'at'll las' you a mighty long time.' + +"Brer Bull-frog, he dunner w'at ter say. He dunner w'at's up, en +he don't say nuthin'. Ole Brer B'ar he keep runnin' on: + +"'You er de man w'at tuck en fool me 'bout Brer Rabbit t'er day. +You had yo' fun, Brer Bull-frog, en now I'll git mine.' + +"Den Brer Bull-frog, he gin ter git skeer'd, he did, en he up'n +say: + +"'W'at I bin doin', Brer B'ar? How I bin foolin' you?' + +"Den Brer B'ar laff, en make like he dunno, but he keep on +talkin'. + +"'Oh, no, Brer Bull-frog! You ain't de man w'at stick yo' head up +out'n de water en tell me Brer Rabbit done gone on by. Oh, no! +you ain't de man. I boun' you ain't. 'Bout dat time, you wuz at +home with yo' fambly, whar you allers is. I dunner whar you wuz, +but I knows whar you is, Brer Bull-frog, en hit's you en me fer +it. Atter de sun goes down dis day you don't fool no mo' folks +gwine 'long dis road.' + +"Co'se, Brer Bull-frog dunner w'at Brer B'ar drivin' at, but he +know sump'n hatter be done, en dat mighty soon, kaze Brer B'ar +'gun to snap his jaws tergedder en foam at de mouf, en Brer +Bull-frog holler out: + +"'Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! Lemme off dis time, en I won't never do so +no mo'. Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! do lemme off dis time, en I'll show +you de fattes' bee-tree in de woods.' + +"Ole Brer B'ar, he chomp his toofies en foam at de mouf. Brer +Bull-frog he des up'n squall: + +"'Oh, pray, Brer B'ar! I won't never do so no mo'! Oh, pray, Brer +B'ar! Lemme off dis time!' + +"But ole Brer B'ar say he gwineter make way wid 'im, en den he +sot en study, ole Brer B'ar did, how he gwineter squench Brer +Bull-frog. He know he can't drown 'im, en he ain't got no fier +fer ter bu'n 'im, en he git mighty pestered. Bimeby ole Brer +Bull-frog, he sorter stop his cryin' en his boo-hooin', en he +up'n say: + +"'Ef you gwineter kill me, Brer B'ar, kyar me ter dat big flat +rock out dar on de aidge er de mill-pon', whar I kin see my +fambly, en atter I see um, den you kin take you axe en sqush me.' + +"Dis look so fa'r and squar' dat Brer B'ar he 'gree, en he take +ole Brer Bull-frog by wunner his behime legs, en sling his axe on +his shoulder, en off he put fer de big flat rock. When he git dar +he lay Brer Bullfrog down on de rock, en Brer Bull-frog make like +he lookin' 'roun' fer his folks. Den Brer B'ar, he draw long +breff en pick up his axe. Den he spit in his han's en draw back +en come down on de rock--pow!" + +"'Did he kill the Frog, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, as +the old man paused to scoop up a thimbleful of glowing embers in +his pipe. + +"'Deed, en dat he didn't, honey. 'Twix' de time w'en Brer B'ar +raise up wid his axe en w'en he come down wid it, ole Brer +Bull-frog he lipt up en dove down in de mill-pon', kerblink- +kerblunk! En w'en he riz way out in de pon' he riz a singin', en +dish yer's de song w'at he sing: + +"'Ingle-go-jang, my joy, my joy- +Ingle-go-jang, my joy! +I'm right at home, my joy, my joy- +Ingle-go-jang, my joy!'" + +"That's a mighty funny song," said the little boy. + +"Funny now, I speck," said the old man, "but 'tweren't funny in +dem days, en 'twouldn't be funny now ef folks know'd much 'bout +de Bull-frog langwidge ez dey useter. Dat's w'at." + + +XXV. HOW MR. RABBIT LOST HIS FINE BUSHY TAIL + +"ONE time," said Uncle Remus, sighing heavily and settling +himself back in his seat with an air of melancholy resignation-- +"one time Brer Rabbit wuz gwine 'long down de road shakin' his +big bushy tail, en feelin' des ez scrumpshus ez a bee-martin wid +a fresh bug." Here the old man paused and glanced at the little +boy, but it was evident that the youngster had become so +accustomed to the marvelous developments of Uncle Remus's +stories, that the extraordinary statement made no unusual +impression upon him. Therefore the old man began again, and this +time in a louder and more insinuating tone: + +"One time ole man Rabbit, he wuz gwine 'long down de road +shakin' his long, bushy tail, en feelin' mighty biggity." + +This was effective. + +"Great goodness, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the little boy in +open-eyed wonder, "everybody knows that rabbits haven't got long, +bushy tails." + +The old man shifted his position in his chair and allowed his +venerable head to drop forward until his whole appearance was +suggestive of the deepest dejection; and this was intensified by +a groan that seemed to be the result of great mental agony. +Finally he spoke, but not as addressing himself to the little +boy. + +"I notices dat dem fokes w'at makes a great 'miration 'bout w'at +dey knows is des de fokes w'ich you can't put no 'pennunce in +w'en de 'cashun come up. Yer one un um now, en he done come en +excuse me er 'lowin dat rabbits is got long, bushy tails, w'ich +goodness knows ef I'd a dremp' it, I'd a whirl in en on-dremp +it." + +"Well, but Uncle Remus, you said rabbits had long, bushy tails," +replied the little boy. "Now you know you did." + +"Ef I ain't fergit it off'n my mine, I say dat ole Brer Rabbit +wuz gwine down de big road shakin' his long, bushy tail. Dat w'at +I say, en dat I stan's by." + +The little boy looked puzzled, but he didn't say anything. After +a while the old man continued: + +"Now, den, ef dat's 'greed ter, I'm gwine on, en ef tain't 'greed +ter, den I'm gwineter pick up my cane en look atter my own +intrust. I got wuk lyin''roun' yer dat's des natchully gittin' +moldy." + +The little boy still remained quiet, and Uncle Remus proceeded: + +"One day Brer Rabbit wuz gwine down de road shakin' his long, +bushy tail, w'en who should he strike up wid but ole Brer Fox +gwine amblin' long wid a big string er fish! W'en dey pass de +time er day wid wunner nudder, Brer Rabbit, he open up de confab, +he did, en he ax Brer Fox whar he git dat nice string er fish, en +Brer Fox, he up'n 'spon' dat he kotch um, en Brer Rabbit, he say +whar'bouts, en Brer Fox, he say down at de babtizin' creek, en +Brer Rabbit he ax how, kaze in dem days dey wuz monstus fon' er +minners, en Brer Fox, he sot down on a log, he did, en he up'n +tell Brer Rabbit dat all he gotter do fer ter git er big mess er +minners is ter go ter de creek atter sundown, en drap his tail in +de water en set dar twel day-light, en den draw up a whole armful +er fishes, en dem w'at he don't want, he kin fling back. + +"Right dar's whar Brer Rabbit drap his watermillion, kaze he +tuck'n sot out dat night en went a fishin'. De wedder wuz sorter +col', en Brer Rabbit, he got 'im a bottle er dram en put out fer +de creek, en w'en he git dar he pick out a good place, en he +sorter squot down, he did, en let his tail hang in de water. He +sot dar, en he sot dar, en he drunk his dram, en he think he +gwineter freeze, but bimeby day come, en dar he wuz. He make a +pull, en he feel like he comin' in two, en he fetch nudder jerk, +en lo en beholes, whar wuz his tail?" + +There was a long pause. + +"Did it come off, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy, presently. + +"She did dat!" replied the old man with unction. "She did dat, +and dat w'at make all deze yer bob-tail rabbits w'at you see +hoppin' en skaddlin' thoo de woods." + +"Are they all that way just because the old Rabbit lost his tail +in the creek?" asked the little boy. + +"Dat's it, honey," replied the old man. "Dat's w'at dey tells me. +Look like dey er bleedzd ter take atter der pa." + + +XXVI. MR. TERRAPIN SHOWS HIS STRENGTH + +"BRER TARRYPIN wuz de out'nes' man," said Uncle Remus, rubbing +his hands together contemplatively, and chuckling to himself in a +very significant manner; "he wuz de out'nes' man er de whole +gang. He wuz dat." + +The little boy sat perfectly quiet, betraying no impatience when +Uncle Remus paused to hunt, first in one pocket and then in +another, for enough crumbs of tobacco to replenish his pipe. +Presently the old man proceeded: + +"One night Miss Meadows en de gals dey gun a candy-pullin', en +so many er de nabers come in 'sponse ter de invite dat dey hatter +put de 'lasses in de wash pot en b'il' de fier in de yard. Brer +B'ar, he holp*1 Miss Meadows bring de wood, Brer Fox, he men' de +fier, Brer Wolf, he kep' de dogs off, Brer Rabbit, he grease de +bottom er de plates fer ter keep de candy fum stickin', en Brer +Tarrypin, he klum up in a cheer, en say he'd watch en see dat de +'lasses didn't bile over. Dey wuz all dere, en dey wern't cuttin' +up no didos, nudder, kaze Miss Meadows, she done put her foot +down, she did, en say dat w'en dey come ter her place dey hatter +hang up a flag er truce at de front gate en 'bide by it. + +"Well, den, w'iles dey wuz all a settin' dar en de 'lasses wuz a +bilin' en a blubberin', dey got ter runnin' on talkin' mighty +biggity. Brer Rabbit, he say he de swiffes'; but Brer Tarrypin, +he rock long in de cheer en watch de 'lasses. Brer Fox, he say he +de sharpes', but Brer Tarrypin he rock long. Brer Wolf, he say he +de mos' suvvigus, but Brer Tarrypin, he rock en he rock long. +Brer B'ar, he say he de mos' stronges', but Brer Tarrypin he +rock, en he keep on rockin'. Bimeby he sorter shet one eye, en +say, sezee: + +"'Hit look like 'periently dat de ole hardshell ain't nowhars +'longside er dis crowd, yit yer I is, en I'm de same man w'at +show Brer Rabbit dat he ain't de swiffes'; en I'm de same man +w'at kin show Brer B'ar dat he ain't de stronges',' sezee. + +"Den dey all laff en holler, kaze it look like Brer B'ar mo' +stronger dan a steer. Bimeby, Miss Meadows, she up'n ax, she did, +how he gwine do it. + +"'Gimme a good strong rope,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'en lemme +git in er puddle er water, en den let Brer B'ar see ef he kin +pull me out,' sezee. + +"Den dey all laff 'gin, en Brer B'ar, he ups en sez, sezee: 'We +ain't got no rope,' sezee. + +"'No,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'en needer is you got de strenk,' +sezee, en den Brer Tarrypin, he rock en rock long, en watch de +'lasses a bilin' en a blubberin'. + +"Atter w'ile Miss Meadows, she up en say, she did, dat she'd +take'n loan de young men her bed-cord, en w'iles de candy wuz a +coolin' in de plates, dey could all go ter de branch en see Brer +Tarrypin kyar out his projick. Brer Tarrypin," continued Uncle +Remus, in a tone at once confidential and argumentative, "weren't +much bigger'n de pa'm er my han', en it look mighty funny fer ter +year 'im braggin' 'bout how he kin out-pull Brer B'ar. But dey +got de bed-cord atter w'ile, en den dey all put out ter de +branch. W'en Brer Tarrypin fine de place he wanter, he tuck one +een er de bed-cord, en gun de yuther een' to Brer B'ar. + +"'Now den, ladies en gents,' sez Brer Tarrypin, sezee, 'you all +go wid Brer B'ar up dar in de woods en I'll stay yer, en w'en you +year me holler, den's de time fer Brer B'ar fer ter see ef he kin +haul in de slack er de rope. You all take keer er dat ar een',' +sezee, 'en I'll take keer er dish yer een',' sezee. + +"Den dey all put out en lef' Brer Tarrypin at de branch, en w'en +dey got good en gone, he dove down inter de water, he did, en tie +de bed-cord hard en fas' ter wunner deze yer big clay-roots, en +den he riz up en gin a whoop. + +"Brer B'ar he wrop de bed-cord roun' his han,' en wink at de +gals, en wid dat he gin a big juk, but Brer Tarrypin ain't budge. +Den he take bof han's en gin a big pull, but, all de same, Brer +Tarrypin ain't budge. Den he tu'n 'roun', he did, en put de rope +cross his shoulders en try ter walk off wid Brer Tarrypin, but +Brer Tarrypin look like he don't feel like walkin'. Den Brer Wolf +he put in en holp Brer B'ar pull, but des like he didn't, en den +dey all holp 'im, en, bless grashus! w'iles dey wuz all a +pullin', Brer Tarrypin, he holler, en ax um w'y dey don't take up +de slack. + +"Den w'en Brer Tarrypin feel um quit pullin', he dove down, he +did, en ontie de rope, en by de time dey got ter de branch, Brer +Tarrypin, he wuz settin' in de aidge er de water des ez natchul +ez de nex' un, en he up'n say, sezee: + +"'Dat las' pull er yone wuz a mighty stiff un, en a leetle mo'n +you'd er had me,' sezee. 'You er monstus stout, Brer B'ar,' +sezee, 'en you pulls like a yoke er steers, but I sorter had de +purchis on you,' sezee. + +"Den Brer B'ar, bein's his mouf 'gun ter water atter de +sweetnin,' he up'n say he speck de candy's ripe, en off dey put +atter it!" + +"It's a wonder," said the little boy, after a while, "that the +rope didn't break." + +"Break who?" exclaimed Uncle Remus, with a touch of +indignation in his tone--"break who? In dem days, Miss Meadows's +bed-cord would a hilt a mule." + +This put an end to whatever doubts the child might have +entertained. + +*1 Help; helped. + + +XXVII. WHY MR. POSSUM HAS NO HAIR ON HIS TAIL + +"HIT look like ter me," said Uncle Remus, frowning, as the +little boy came hopping and skipping into the old man's cabin, +"dat I see a young un 'bout yo' size playin' en makin' free wid +dem ar chilluns er ole Miss Favers's yistiddy, en w'en I seed +dat, I drap my axe, en I come in yer en sot flat down right whar +you er settin' now, en I say ter myse'f dat it's 'bout time fer +ole Remus fer ter hang up en quit. Dat's des zackly w'at I say." + +"Well, Uncle Remus, they called me," said the little boy, in a +penitent tone. 'They come and called me, and said they had a +pistol and some powder over there." + +"Dar now!" exclaimed the old man, indignantly. "Dar now! w'at I +bin sayin'? Hit's des a born blessin' dat you wa'n't brung home +on a litter wid bofe eyeballs hangin' out en one year clean gone; +dat's w'at 'tis. Hit's des a born blessin'. Hit hope me up +might'ly de udder day w'en I hear Miss Sally layin' down de law +'bout you en dem Favers chillun, yit, lo en behol's, de fus news +I knows yer you is han'-in-glove wid um. Hit's nuff fer ter fetch +ole Miss right up out'n dat berryin'-groun' fum down dar in +Putmon County, en w'at yo' gran'ma wouldn't er stood me en yo' ma +ain't gwineter stan' nudder, en de nex time I hear 'bout sech a +come off ez dis, right den en dar I'm boun' ter lay de case 'fo' +Miss Sally. Dem Favers's wa'n't no 'count 'fo' de war, en dey +wa'n't no 'count endurin' er de war, en dey ain't no 'count +atterwards, en w'iles my head's hot you ain't gwineter go mixin' +up yo'se'f wid de riff-raff er creashun." + +The little boy made no further attempt to justify his conduct. He +was a very wise little boy, and he knew that, in Uncle Remus's +eyes, he had been guilty of a flagrant violation of the family +code. Therefore, instead of attempting to justify himself, he +pleaded guilty, and promised that he would never do so any more. +After this there was a long period of silence, broken only by the +vigorous style in which Uncle Remus puffed away at his pipe. This +was the invariable result. Whenever the old man had occasion to +reprimand the little boy--and the occasions were frequent--he +would relapse into a dignified but stubborn silence. Presently +the youngster drew forth from his pocket a long piece of candle. +The sharp eyes of the old man saw it at once. + +"Don't you come a tellin' me dat Miss Sally gun you dat," he +exclaimed, "kaze she didn't. En I lay you hatter be monstus sly +'fo' you gotter chance fer ter snatch up dat piece er cannle." + +"Well, Uncle Remus," the little boy explained, "it was lying +there all by itself, and I just thought I'd fetch it out to you. + +"Dat's so, honey," said Uncle Remus, greatly mollified; "dat's +so, kaze by now some er dem yuther niggers 'ud er done had her +lit up. Dey er mighty biggity, dem house niggers is, but I +notices dat dey don't let nuthin' pass. Dey goes 'long wid der +han's en der mouf open, en w'at one don't ketch de tother one +do." + +There was another pause, and finally the little boy said: + +"Uncle Remus, you know you promised to-day to tell me why the +'Possum has no hair on his tail." + +"Law, honey! ain't you done gone en fergot dat off'n yo' mine +yit? Hit look like ter me," continued the old man, leisurely +refilling his pipe, "dat she sorter run like dis: One time ole +Brer Possum, he git so hungry, he did, dat he bleedzd fer ter +have a mess er 'simmons. He monstus lazy man, old Brer Possum +wuz, but bimeby his stummick 'gun ter growl en holler at 'im so +dat he des hatter rack 'roun' en hunt up sump'n; en w'iles he wuz +rackin' 'roun', who sh'd he run up wid but Brer Rabbit, en dey +wuz hail-fellers, kaze Brer Possum, he ain't bin bodder'n Brer +Rabbit like dem yuther creeturs. Dey sot down by de side er de +big road, en dar dey jabber en confab 'mong wunner nudder, twel +bimeby old Brer Possum, he take 'n tell Brer Rabbit dat he mos' +pe'sh out, en Brer Rabbit, he lip up in de a'r, he did, en smack +his han's tergedder, en say dat he know right whar Brer Possum +kin git a bait er 'simmons. Den Brer Possum, he say whar, en Brer +Rabbit, he say w'ich 'twuz over at Brer B'ar's 'simmon orchard." + +"Did the Bear have a 'simmon orchard, Uncle Remus?" the little +boy asked. + +"Co'se, honey, kaze in dem days Brer B'ar wuz a bee-hunter. He +make his livin' findin' bee trees, en de way he fine um he plant +'im some 'simmon-trees, w'ich de bees dey'd come ter suck de +'simmons en den ole Brer B'ar he'd watch um whar dey'd go, en +den he'd be mighty ap' fer ter come up wid um. No matter 'bout +dat, de 'simmon patch 'uz dar des like I tell you, en ole Brer +Possum mouf 'gun ter water soon's he year talk un um, en mos' +'fo' Brer Rabbit done tellin' 'im de news, Brer Possum, he put +out, he did, en 'twa'n't long 'fo' he wuz perch up in de highes' +tree in Brer B'ar 'simmon patch. But Brer Rabbit, he done +'termin' fer ter see some fun, en w'iles all dis 'uz gwine on, he +run 'roun' ter Brer B'ar house, en holler en tell 'im w'ich dey +wuz somebody 'stroyin' un his 'simmons, en Brer B'ar, he hustle +off fer ter ketch 'im. + +"Eve'y now en den Brer Possum think he year Brer B'ar comin', +but he keep on sayin', sezee: + +"'I'll des git one 'simmon mo' en den I'll go; one 'simmon mo' en +den I'll go.' + +"Las' he year Brer B'ar comm' sho nuff, but 'twuz de same ole +chune--'One 'simmon mo' en den I'll go'--en des 'bout dat time +Brer B'ar busted inter de patch, en gin de tree a shake, en Brer +Possum, he drapt out longer de yuther ripe 'simmons, but time he +totch de groun' he got his foots tergedder, en he lit out fer de +fence same ez a race-hoss, en 'cross dat patch him en Brer B'ar +had it, en Brer B'ar gain' eve'y jump, twel time Brer Possum make +de fence Brer B'ar grab 'im by de tail, en Brer Possum, he went +out 'tween de rails en gin a powerful juk en pull his tail out +'twix Brer B'ar tushes; en, lo en behol's, Brer B'ar hol' so +tight en Brer Possum pull so hard dat all de ha'r come off in +Brer B'ar's mouf, w'ich, ef Brer Rabbit hadn't er happen up wid a +go'd er water, Brer B'ar 'der got strankle. + +"Fum dat day ter dis," said Uncle Remus, knocking the ashes +carefully out of his pipe, "Brer Possum ain't had no ha'r on his +tail, en needer do his chilluns." + + +XXVIII. THE END OF MR. BEAR + +THE next time the little boy sought Uncle Remus out, he found the +old man unusually cheerful and good-humoured. His rheumatism +had ceased to trouble him, and he was even disposed to be +boisterous. He was singing when the little boy got near the +cabin, and the child paused on the outside to listen to the +vigorous but mellow voice of the old man, as it rose and fell +with the burden of the curiously plaintive song--a senseless +affair so far as the words were concerned, but sung to a melody +almost thrilling in its sweetness: + +"Han' me down my walkin'-cane + (Hey my Lily! go down de road!), +Yo' true lover gone down de lane + (Hey my Lily! go down de road!)." + +The quick ear of Uncle Remus, however, had detected the +presence of the little boy, and he allowed his song to run into a +recitation of nonsense, of which the following, if it be rapidly +spoken, will give a faint idea: + +"Ole M'er Jackson, fines' confraction, fell down sta'rs fer to +git satisfaction; big Bill Fray, he rule de day, eve'ything he +call fer come one, two by three. Gwine 'long one day, met Johnny +Huby, ax him grine nine yards er steel fer me, tole me w'ich he +couldn't; den I hist 'im over Hickerson Dickerson's barn-doors; +knock 'im ninety-nine miles under water, w'en he rise, he rise in +Pike straddle un a hanspike, en I lef' 'im dar smokin' er de +hornpipe, Juba reda seda breda. Aunt Kate at de gate; I want to +eat, she fry de meat en gimme skin, w'ich I fling it back agin. +Juba!" + +All this, rattled off at a rapid rate and with apparent +seriousness, was calculated to puzzle the little boy, and he +slipped into his accustomed seat with an expression of awed +bewilderment upon his face. + +"Hit's all des dat away, honey," continued the old man, with the +air of one who had just given an important piece of information. +"En w'en you bin cas'n shadders long ez de ole nigger, den you'll +fine out who's w'ich, en w'ich's who." + +The little boy made no response. He was in thorough sympathy +with all the whims and humors of the old man, and his capacity +for enjoying them was large enough to include even those he could +not understand. Uncle Remus was finishing an axe-handle, and upon +these occasions it was his custom to allow the child to hold one +end while he applied sand-paper to the other. These relations +were pretty soon established, to the mutual satisfaction of the +parties most interested, and the old man continued his remarks, +but this time not at random: + +"W'en I see deze yer swell-head folks like dat 'oman w'at come en +tell yo' ma 'bout you chunkin' at her chilluns, w'ich yo' ma make +Mars John strop you, hit make my mine run back to ole Brer B'ar. +Ole Brer B'ar, he got de swell-headedness hisse'f, en ef der wuz +enny swinkin', hit swunk too late fer ter he'p ole Brer B'ar. +Leas'ways dat's w'at dey tells me, en I ain't never yearn it +'sputed." + +"Was the Bear's head sure enough swelled, Uncle Remus?" + +"Now you talkin', honey!" exclaimed the old man. + +"Goodness! what made it swell?" + +This was Uncle Remus's cue. Applying the sand-paper to the +axe-helve with gentle vigor, he began. + +"One time when Brer Rabbit wuz gwine lopin' home fum a frolic +w'at dey bin havin' up at Miss Meadows's, who should he happin +up wid but ole Brer B'ar. Co'se, atter w'at done pass 'twix um +dey wa'n't no good feelin's 'tween Brer Rabbit en ole Brer B'ar, +but Brer Rabbit, he wanter save his manners, en so he holler out: + +"'Heyo, Brer B'ar! how you come on? I ain't seed you in a coon's +age. How all down at yo' house? How Miss Brune en Miss Brindle?" + +"Who was that, Uncle Remus?" the little boy interrupted. + +"Miss Brune en Miss Brindle? Miss Brune wuz Brer B'ar's ole +'oman, en Miss Brindle wuz his gal. Dat w'at dey call um in dem +days. So den Brer Rabbit, he ax him howdy, he did, en Brer B'ar, +he 'spon' dat he wuz mighty po'ly, en dey amble 'long, dey did, +sorter familious like, but Brer Rabbit, he keep one eye on Brer +B'ar, en Brer B'ar, he study how he gwine nab Brer Rabbit. Las' +Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + +"'Brer B'ar, I speck I got some bizness cut out fer you,' sezee. + +"'What dat, Brer Rabbit?' sez Brer B'ar, sezee. + +"'W'iles I wuz cleanin' up my new-groun' day 'fo' yistiddy,' sez +Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'I come 'cross wunner deze yer ole time bee- +trees. Hit start holler at de bottom, en stay holler plum der de +top, en de honey's des natchully oozin' out, en ef you'll drap +yo' 'gagements en go longer me,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'you'll +git a bait dat'll las' you en yo' fambly twel de middle er nex' +mont',' sezee. + +"Brer B'ar say he much oblije en he bleeve he'll go long, en wid +dat dey put out fer Brer Rabbit's new-groun', w'ich 'twa'n't so +mighty fur. Leas'ways, dey got dar atter w'ile. Ole Brer B'ar, he +'low dat he kin smell de honey. Brer Rabbit, he 'low dat he kin +see de honey-koam. Brer B'ar, he 'low dat he can hear de bees a +zoonin'. Dey stan' 'roun' en talk biggity, dey did, twel bimeby +Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + +"'You do de clim'in', Brer B'ar, en I'll do de rushin' 'roun'; +you clim' up ter de hole, en I'll take dis yer pine pole en shove +de honey up whar you kin git 'er,' sezee. + +"Ole Brer B'ar, he spit on his han's en skint up de tree, en jam +his head in de hole, en sho nuff, Brer Rabbit, he grab de pine +pole, en de way he stir up dem bees wuz sinful--dat's w'at it +wuz. Hit wuz sinful. En de bees dey swawm'd on Brer B'ar's head, +twel 'fo' he could take it out'n de hole hit wuz done swell up +bigger dan dat dinner-pot, en dar he swung, en ole Brer Rabbit, +he dance 'roun' en sing: + +"Tree stan' high, but honey mighty sweet-- +Watch dem bees wid stingers on der feet.' + +"But dar ole Brer B'ar hung, en ef his head ain't swunk, I speck +he hangin' dar yit--dat w'at I speck." + + +XXIX. MR. FOX GETS INTO SERIOUS BUSINESS + +"HIT turn out one time," said Uncle Remus, grinding some crumbs +of tobacco between the palms of his hands, preparatory to +enjoying his usual smoke after supper--"hit turn out one time dat +Brer Rabbit make so free wid de man's collard-patch dat de man he +tuck'n sot a trap fer ole Brer Rabbit." + +"Which man was that, Uncle Remus?" asked the little boy. + +"Des a man, honey. Dat's all. Dat's all I knows--des wunner dese +yer mans w'at you see trollopin 'roun' eve'y day. Nobody ain't +never year w'at his name is, en ef dey did dey kep' de news +mighty close fum me. Ef dish yer man is bleedzd fer ter have a +name, den I'm done, kaze you'll hatter go fudder dan me. Ef you +bleedzd ter know mo' dan w'at I duz, den you'll hatter hunt up +some er deze yer niggers w'at's sprung up sence I commence fer +ter shed my ha'r." + +"Well, I just thought, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, in a +tone remarkable for self-depreciation, "that the man had a name." + +"Tooby sho," replied the old man, with unction, puffing away at +his pipe. "Co'se. Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz. Dish yer man +mout a had a name, en den ag'in he moutn't. He mont er bin name +Slip-shot Sam, en he mouter bin name ole One-eye Riley, w'ich ef +'twuz hit ain't bin handed roun' ter me. But dish yer man, he in +de tale, en w'at we gwine do wid 'im? Dat's de p'int, kase w'en I +git ter huntin' 'roun' 'mong my 'membunce atter dish yer Mister +W'atyoumaycollum's name, she ain't dar. Now den, le's des call +'im Mr. Man en let 'im go at dat." + +The silence of the little boy gave consent. + +"One time," said Uncle Remus, carefully taking up the thread of +the story where it had been dropped, "hit turn out dat Brer +Rabbit bin makin' so free wid Mr. Man's greens en truck dat Mr. +Man, he tuck'n sot a trap for Brer Rabbit, en Brer Rabbit he so +greedy dat he tuck'n walk right spang in it, 'fo' he know +hisse'f. Well, 'twa'n't long 'fo' yer come Mr. Man, broozin' +'roun', en he ain't no sooner see ole Brer Rabbit dan he smack +his han's tergedder en holler out: + +"'You er nice feller, you is! Yer you bin gobblin' up my green +truck, en now you tryin' ter tote off my trap. You er mighty nice +chap--dat's w'at you is! But now dat I got you, I'll des 'bout +settle wid you fer de ole en de new.' + +"En wid dat, Mr. Man, he go off, he did, down in de bushes atter +han'ful er switches. Ole Brer Rabbit, he ain't sayin' nuthin', +but he feelin' mighty lonesome, en he sot dar lookin' like eve'y +minnit wuz gwineter be de nex'. En w'iles Mr. Man wuz off +prepa'r'n his bresh-broom, who should come p'radin' long but Brer +Fox. Brer Fox make a great 'miration, he did, 'bout de fix w'at +he fin' Brer Rabbit in, but Brer Rabbit he make like he fit ter +kill hisse'f laffin', en he up'n tell Brer Fox, he did, dat Miss +Meadows's fokes want 'im ter go down ter der house in 'tennunce +on a weddin', en he 'low w'ich he couldn't, en dey 'low how he +could, en den bimeby dey take'n tie 'im dar w'iles dey go atter +de preacher, so he be dar' w'en dey come back. En mo'n dat, Brer +Rabbit up'n tell Brer Fox dat his chillun's mighty low wid de +fever, en he bleedzd ter go atter some pills fer'm, en he ax Brer +Fox fer ter take his place en go down ter Miss Meadows's en have +nice time wid de gals. Brer Fox, he in fer dem kinder pranks, en +'twa'n't no time 'fo' Brer Rabbit had ole Brer Fox harness up dar +in his place, en den he make like he got ter make 'as'e en git de +pills fer dem sick chilluns. Brer Rabbit wa'n't mo'n out er sight +'fo' yer come Mr. Man wid a han'ful er hick'ries, but w'en he see +Brer Fox tied up dar, he look like he 'stonished. + +"'Heyo!' sez Mr. Man, sezee, 'you done change color, en you done +got bigger, en yo' tail done grow out. W'at kin' er w'atzyname is +you, ennyhow?' sezee. + +"Brer Fox, he stay still, en Mr. Man, he talk on: + +"'Hit's mighty big luck,' sezee, 'ef w'en I ketch de chap w'at +nibble my greens, likewise I ketch de feller w'at gnyaw my +goose,' sezee, en wid dat he let inter Brer Fox wid de hick'ries, +en de way he play rap-jacket wuz a caution ter de naberhood. Brer +Fox, he juk en he jump, en he squeal en he squall, but Mr. Man, +he shower down on 'im, he did, like fightin' a red was'nes'." + +The little boy laughed, and Uncle Remus supplemented this +indorsement of his descriptive powers with a most infectious +chuckle. + +"'Bimeby," continued the old man, "de switches, dey got frazzle +out, en Mr. Man, he put out atter mo', en w'en he done got fa'rly +outer yearin', Brer Rabbit, he show'd up, he did, kaze he des bin +hidin' out in de bushes lis'nin' at de racket, en he 'low hit +mighty funny dat Miss Meadows ain't come 'long, kaze he done bin +down ter de doctor house, en dat's fudder dan de preacher, yit. +Brer Rabbit make like he hurr'in' on home, but Brer Fox, he open +up, he did, en he say: + +"'I thank you fer ter tu'n me loose, Brer Rabbit, en I'll be +'blije,' sezee, ''caze you done tie me up so tight dat it make my +head swim, en I don't speck I'd las' fer ter git ter Miss +Meadows's,' sezee. + +"Brer Rabbit, he sot down sorter keerless like, en begin fer ter +scratch one year like a man studyin' 'bout sump'n. + +"'Dat's so, Brer Fox,' sezee, 'you duz look sorter stove up. Look +like sump'n bin onkoamin' yo' ha'rs,' sezee. + +"Brer Fox ain't sayin' nothin', but Brer Rabbit, he keep on +talkin': + +"'Dey ain't no bad feelin's 'twix' us, is dey, Brer Fox? Kaze ef +dey is, I ain't got no time fer ter be tarryin' 'roun' yer.' + +"Brer Fox say w'ich he don't have no onfrennelness, en wid dat +Brer Rabbit cut Brer Fox loose des in time fer ter hear Mr. Man +w'isserlin up his dogs, en one went one way en de udder went +nudder." + + +XXX. HOW MR. RABBIT SUCCEEDED IN RAISING A DUST + +"IN dem times," said Uncle Remus, gazing admiringly at himself +in a fragment of looking-glass, "Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox, en +Brer Coon, en dem yuther creeturs go co'tin' en sparklin' 'roun' +de naberhood mo' samer dan folks. 'Twan't no 'Lemme a hoss,' ner +'Fetch me my buggy,' but dey des up'n lit out en tote deyse'f. +Dar's ole Brer Fox, he des wheel 'roun' en fetch his flank one +swipe wid 'is tongue en he'd be koam up; en Brer Rabbit, he des +spit on his han' en twis' it 'roun' 'mongst de roots er his years +en his ha'r'd be roach. Dey wuz dat flirtashus," continued the +old man, closing one eye at his image in the glass, "dat Miss +Meadows en de gals don't se no peace fum one week een' ter de +udder. Chuseday wuz same as Sunday, en Friday wuz same as +Chuseday, en hit come down ter dat pass dat w'en Miss Meadows 'ud +have chicken-fixin's fer dinner, in 'ud drap Brer Fox en Brer +Possum, en w'en she'd have fried greens in 'ud pop ole Brer +Rabbit, twel las' Miss Meadows, she tuck'n tell de gals dat she +be dad-blame ef she gwineter keep no tavvum. So dey fix it up +'mong deyse'f, Miss Meadows en de gals did, dat de nex' time de +gents call dey'd gin um a game. De gents, dey wuz a co'tin, but +Miss Meadows, she don't wanter marry none un um, en needer duz de +gals, en likewise dey don't wanter have um pester'n 'roun.' Las', +one Chuseday, Miss Meadows, she tole um dat ef dey come down ter +her house de nex' Sat'day evenin', de whole caboodle on um 'ud go +down de road a piece, whar der wuz a big flint rock, en de man +w'at could take a sludge-hammer en knock de dus' out'n dat rock, +he wuz de man w'at 'ud git de pick er de gals. Dey all say dey +gwine do it, but ole Brer Rabbit, he crope off whar der wuz a +cool place under some jimson weeds, en dar he sot wukkin his mind +how he gwineter git dus' out'n dat rock. Bimeby, w'ile he wuz a +settin' dar, up he jump en crack his heels tergedder en sing out: + +"'Make a bow ter de Buzzard en den ter de Crow, +Takes a limber-toe gemmun fer ter jump Jim Crow,' + +"en wid dat he put out for Brer Coon house en borrer his slippers. +W'en Sat'day evenin' come, dey wuz all dere. Miss Meadows en de +gals, dey wuz dere; en Brer Coon, en Brer Fox, en Brer Possum, en +Brer Tarrypin, dey wuz dere." + +"Where was the Rabbit?" the little boy asked. + +"You kin put yo' 'pennunce in ole Brer Rabbit," the old man +replied, with a chuckle. "He wuz dere, but he shuffle up kinder +late, kaze w'en Miss Meadows en de balance on um done gone down +ter de place, Brer Rabbit, he crope 'roun' ter de ash-hopper, +en fill Brer Coon's slippers full er ashes, en den he tuck'n put +um on en march off. He got dar atter 'w'ile, en soon's Miss +Meadows en de gals seed 'im, dey up'n giggle, en make a great +'miration kaze Brer Rabbit got on slippers. Brer Fox, he so +smart, he holler out, he did, en say he lay Brer Rabbit got de +groun'-eatch, but Brer Rabbit, he sorter shet one eye, he did, +en say, sezee: + +"'I bin so useter ridin' hoss-back, ez deze ladies knows, dat I'm +gittin' sorter tender-footed;' en dey don't hear much mo' fum +Brer Fox dat day, kaze he 'member how Brer Rabbit done bin en rid +him; en hit 'uz des 'bout much ez Miss Meadows en de gals could +do fer ter keep der snickers fum gittin' up a 'sturbance 'mong de +congregashun. But, never mine dat, old Brer Rabbit, he wuz dar, +en he so brash dat leetle mo' en he'd er grab up de sludge-hammer +en er open up de racket 'fo' ennybody gun de word; but Brer Fox, +he shove Brer Rabbit out'n de way en pick up de sludge hisse'f. +Now den," continued the old man, with pretty much the air of one +who had been the master of similar ceremonies, "de progance wuz +dish yer: Eve'y gent wer ter have th'ee licks at de rock, en de +gent w'at fetch de dus' he were de one w'at gwineter take de pick +er de gals. Ole Brer Fox, he grab de sludge-hammer, he did, en he +come down on de rock--blim! No dus' ain't come. Den he draw back +en down he come ag'in--blam! No dus' ain't come. Den he spit in +his han's, en give 'er a big swing en down she come--kerblap! En +yit no dus' ain't flew'd. + +"Den Brer Possum he make triul, en Brer Coon, en all de balance +un um 'cep' Brer Tarrypin, en he 'low dat he got a crick in his +neck. Den Brer Rabbit, he grab holt er de sludge, en he lipt up +in de a'r en come down on de rock all at de same time--pow!--en +de ashes, dey flew'd up so, dey did, dat Brer Fox, he tuck'n had +a sneezin' spell, en Miss Meadows en de gals dey up'n koff. Th'ee +times Brer Rabbit jump up en crack his heels tergedder en come +down wid de sludge-hammer--ker-blam!--en eve'y time he jump up, +he holler out: + +"'Stan' fudder, ladies! Yer come de dus'!' en sho nuff, de dus' +come. + +"Leas'ways," continued Uncle Remus, "Brer Rabbit got one er de +gals, en dey had a weddin' en a big infa'r." + +"Which of the girls did the Rabbit marry?" asked the little boy, +dubiously. + +"I did year tell un 'er name," replied the old man, with a great +affectation of interest, "but look like I done gone en fergit it +out'n my mine. Ef I don't disremember," he continued, "hit wuz +Miss Molly Cottontail, en I speck we better let it go at dat." + + +XXXI. A PLANTATION WITCH + +The next time the little boy got permission to call upon Uncle +Remus, the old man was sitting in his door, with his elbows on +his knees and his face buried in his hands, and he appeared to be +in great trouble. "What's the matter, Uncle Remus?" the youngster +asked. "Nuff de matter, honey--mo' dan dey's enny kyo' fer. Ef +dey ain't some quare gwines on 'roun' dis place I ain't name +Remus." + +The serious tone of the old man caused the little boy to open +his eyes. The moon, just at its full, cast long, vague, wavering +shadows in front of the cabin. A colony of tree-frogs somewhere +in the distance were treating their neighbors to a serenade, but +to the little boy it sounded like a chorus of lost and long- +forgotten whistlers. The sound was wherever the imagination +chose to locate it--to the right, to the left, in the air, on +the ground, far away or near at hand, but always dim and always +indistinct. Something in Uncle Remus's tone exactly fitted all +these surroundings, and the child nestled closer to the old man. + +"Yasser," continued Uncle Remus, with an ominous sigh and +mysterious shake of the head, "ef dey ain't some quare gwines on +in dish yer naberhood, den I'm de ball-headest creetur 'twix' dis +en nex' Jinawerry wuz a year 'go, w'ich I knows I ain't. Dat's +what." + +"What is it, Uncle Remus?" + +"I know Mars John bin drivin' Cholly sorter hard ter-day, en I +say ter myse'f dat I'd drap 'round 'bout dus' en fling nudder +year er corn in de troff en kinder gin 'im a techin' up wid de +kurrier-koam; en bless grashus! I ain't bin in de lot mo'n a +minnit 'fo' I seed sump'n wuz wrong wid de hoss, and sho' nuff +dar wuz his mane full er witch-stirrups." + +"Full of what, Uncle Remus?" + +"Full er witch-stirrups, honey. Ain't you seed no witch-stirrups? +Well, w'en you see two stran' er ha'r tied tergedder in a hoss's +mane, dar you see a witch-stirrup, en, mo'n dat, dat hoss done +bin rid by um." + +"Do you reckon they have been riding Charley?" inquired the +little boy. + +"Co'se, honey. Tooby sho dey is. W'at else dey bin doin'?" + +"Did you ever see a witch, Uncle Remus?" + +"Dat ain't needer yer ner dar. W'en I see coon track in de +branch, I know de coon bin 'long dar." + +The argument seemed unanswerable, and the little boy asked, in a +confidential tone: + +"Uncle Remus, what are witches like?" + +"Dey comes diffunt," responded the cautious old darkey. "Dey +comes en dey cunjus fokes. Squinch-owl holler eve'y time he +see a witch, en w'en you hear de dog howlin' in de middle er de +night, one un um's mighty ap' ter be prowlin' 'roun'. Cunjun +fokes kin tell a witch de minnit dey lays der eyes on it, but dem +w'at ain't cunjun, hit's mighty hard ter tell w'en dey see one, +kaze dey might come in de 'pearunce un a cow en all kinder +creeturs. I ain't bin useter no cunjun myse'f, but I bin livin' +long nuff fer ter know w'en you meets up wid a big black cat in +de middle er de road, wid yaller eyeballs, dar's yo' witch fresh +fum de Ole Boy. En, fuddermo', I know dat 'tain't proned inter no +dogs fer ter ketch de rabbit w'at use in a berryin'-groun'. Dey +er de mos' ongodlies' creeturs w'at you ever laid eyes on," +continued Uncle Remus, with unction. "Down dar in Putmon County +yo' Unk Jeems, he make like he gwineter ketch wunner dem dar +graveyard rabbits. Sho nuff, out he goes, en de dogs ain't no +mo'n got ter de place fo' up jump de old rabbit right 'mong um, +en atter runnin''roun' a time or two, she skip right up ter Mars +Jeems, en Mars Jeems, he des put de gun-bar'l right on 'er en +lammed aloose. Hit tored up de groun' all 'roun', en de dogs, dey +rush up, but dey wa'n't no rabbit dar; but bimeby Mars Jeems, he +seed de dogs tuckin' der tails 'tween der legs, en he look up, en +dar wuz de rabbit caperin' 'roun' on a toom stone, en wid dat +Mars Jeems say he sorter feel like de time done come w'en yo' +gran'ma was 'specktin' un him home, en he call off de dogs en put +out. But dem wuz ha'nts. Witches is deze yer kinder fokes w'at +kin drap der body en change inter a cat en a wolf en all kinder +creeturs." + +"Papa says there ain't any witches," the little boy interrupted. + +"Mars John ain't live long ez I is," said Uncle Remus, by way of +comment. "He ain't bin broozin' roun' all hours er de night en +day. I know'd a nigger w'ich his brer wuz a witch, kaze he up'n +tole me how he tuck'n kyo'd 'im; en he kyo'd 'im good, mon." + +"How was that?" inquired the little boy. + +"Hit seem like," continued Uncle Remus, "dat witch fokes is got a +slit in de back er de neck, en w'en dey wanter change derse'f, +dey des pull de hide over der head same ez if 'twuz a shut, en +dar dey is." + +"Do they get out of their skins?" asked the little boy, in an +awed tone. + +"Tooby sho, honey. You see yo' pa pull his shut off? Well, dat +des 'zackly de way dey duz. But dish yere nigger w'at I'm tellin' +you 'bout, he kyo'd his brer de ve'y fus pass he made at him. Hit +got so dat fokes in de settlement didn't have no peace. De +chilluns 'ud wake up in de mawnins wid der ha'r tangle up, en wid +scratches on um like dey bin thoo a brier-patch, twel bimeby one +day de nigger he 'low dat he'd set up dat night en keep one eye +on his brer; en sho' nuff dat night, des ez de chickens wuz +crowin' fer twelve, up jump de brer and pull off his skin en sail +out'n de house in de shape un a bat, en w'at duz de nigger do but +grab up de hide, and turn it wrong-sudout'ards en sprinkle it wid +salt. Den he lay down en watch fer ter see w'at de news wuz +gwineter be. Des 'fo' day yer come a big black cat in de do', en +de nigger git up, he did, en druv her away. Bimeby, yer come a +big black dog snuffin' roun', en de nigger up wid a chunk en +lammed 'im side er de head. Den a squinch-owl lit on de koam er +de house, en de nigger jam de shovel in de fier en make 'im flew +away. Las', yer come a great big black wolf wid his eyes shinin' +like fier coals, en he grab de hide and rush out. 'Twa'n't long +'fo' de nigger year his brer holler'n en squallin', en he tuck a +light, he did, en went out, en dar wuz his brer des a waller'n on +de groun' en squirmin' 'roun', kaze de salt on de skin wuz +stingin' wuss'n ef he had his britches lineded wid yallerjackets. +By nex' mawnin' he got so he could sorter shuffle long, but he +gun up cunjun, en ef dere wuz enny mo' witches in dat settlement +dey kep' mighty close, en dat nigger he ain't skunt hisse'f no +mo' not endurin' er my 'membunce." + +The result of this was that Uncle Remus had to take the little +boy by the hand and go with him to the "big house," which the old +man was not loath to do; and, when the child went to bed, he lay +awake a long time expecting an unseemly visitation from some +mysterious source. It soothed him, however, to hear the strong, +musical voice of his sable patron, not very far away, tenderly +contending with a lusty tune; and to this accompaniment the +little boy dropped asleep: + +"Hit's eighteen hunder'd, forty-en-eight, +Christ done made dat crooked way straight-- +En I don't wanter stay here no longer; +Hit's eighteen hunder'd, forty-en-nine, +Christ done turn dat water inter wine-- +En I don't wanter stay here no longer." + + +XXXII. "JACKY-MY-LANTERN" *1 + +UPON his next visit to Uncle Remus, the little boy was +exceedingly anxious to know more about witches, but the old man +prudently refrained from exciting the youngster's imagination any +further in that direction. Uncle Remus had a board across his +lap, and, armed with a mallet and a shoe-knife, was engaged in +making shoe-pegs. + +"W'iles I wuz crossin' de branch des now," he said, endeavoring +to change the subject, "I come up wid a Jacky-my-lantern, en she +wuz bu'nin' wuss'n a bunch er lightnin'-bugs, mon. I know'd she +wuz a fixin' fer ter lead me inter dat quogmire down in de swamp, +en I steer'd cle'r an' er. Yasser. I did dat. You ain't never +seed no Jacky-my-lanterns, is you, honey?" + +The little boy never had, but he had heard of them, and he wanted +to know what they were, and thereupon Uncle Remus proceeded to +tell him. + +"One time," said the old darkey, transferring his spectacles from +his nose to the top of his head and leaning his elbows upon his +peg-board, "dere wuz a blacksmif man, en dish yer blacksmif man, +he tuck'n stuck closer by his dram dan he did by his bellus. +Monday mawnin' he'd git on a spree, en all dat week he'd be on a +spree, en de nex' Monday mawnin' he'd take a fresh start. Bimeby, +one day, atter de blacksmif bin spreein''roun' en cussin' +might'ly, he hear a sorter rustlin' fuss at de do', en in walk de +Bad Man." + +"Who, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked. + +"De Bad Man, honey; de Ole Boy hisse'f right fresh from de ridjun +w'at you year Miss Sally readin' 'bout. He done hide his hawns, +en his tail, en his hoof, en he come dress up like w'ite fokes. +He tuck off his hat en he bow, en den he tell de blacksmif who he +is, en dat he done come atter 'im. Den de black-smif, he gun ter +cry en beg, en he beg so hard en he cry so loud dat de Bad Man +say he make a trade wid 'im. At de een' er one year de sperit er +de blacksmif wuz to be his'n en endurin' er dat time de blacksmif +mus' put in his hottes' licks in de intruss er de Bad Man, en den +he put a spell on de cheer de blacksmif was settin' in, en on his +sludge-hammer. De man w'at sot in de cheer couldn't git up less'n +de blacksmif let 'im, en de man w'at pick up de sludge 'ud hatter +keep on knockin' wid it twel de blacksmif say quit; en den he gun +'im money plenty, en off he put. + +"De blacksmif, he sail in fer ter have his fun, en he have so +much dat he done clean forgot 'bout his contrack, but bimeby, one +day he look down de road, en dar he see de Bad Man comin', en den +he know'd de year wuz out. W'en de Bad Man got in de do', de +blacksmif wuz poundin' 'way at a hoss-shoe, but he wa'n't so +bizzy dat he didn't ax 'im in. De Bad Man sorter do like he ain't +got no time fer ter tarry, but de blacksmif say he got some +little jobs dat he bleedzd ter finish up, en den he ax de Bad Man +fer ter set down a minnit; en de Bad Man, he tuck'n sot down, en +he sot in dat cheer w'at he done conju'd en, co'se, dar he wuz. +Den de blacksmif, he 'gun ter poke fun at de Bad Man, en he ax +him don't he want a dram, en won't he hitch his cheer up little +nigher de fier, en de Bad Man, he beg en he beg, but 'twan't +doin' no good, kase de blacksmif 'low dat he gwineter keep 'im +dar twel he prommus dat he let 'im off one year mo', en, sho +nuff, de Bad Man prommus dat ef de black-smif let 'im up he give +'im a n'er showin'. So den de blacksmif gun de wud, en de Bad Man +sa'nter off down de big road, settin' traps en layin' his +progance fer ter ketch mo' sinners. + +"De nex' year hit pass same like t'er one. At de 'p'inted time +yer come de Ole Boy atter de blacksmif, but still de blacksmif +had some jobs dat he bleedzd ter finish up, en he ax de Bad Man +fer ter take holt er de sludge en he he'p 'im out; en de Bad Man, +he 'low dat r'er'n be disperlite, he don't keer ef he do hit 'er +a biff er two; en wid dat he grab up de sludge, en dar he wuz +'gin, kase he done conju'd de sludge so dat whosomedever tuck 'er +up can't put 'er down less'n de blacksmif say de wud. Dey +perlaver'd dar, dey did, twel bimeby de Bad Man he up'n let 'im +off n'er year. + +"Well, den, dat year pass same ez t'er one. Mont' in en mont' out +dat man wuz rollin' in dram, en bimeby yer come de Bad Man. De +blacksmif cry en he holler, en he rip 'roun' en t'ar his ha'r, +but hit des like he didn't, kase de Bad Man grab 'im up en cram +'im in a bag en tote 'im off. W'iles dey wuz gwine 'long dey come +up wid a passel er fokes w'at wuz havin' wanner deze yer fote er +July bobbycues, en de Ole Boy, he 'low dat maybe he kin git some +mo' game, en w'at do he do but jine in wid um. He lines in en he +talk politics same like t'er fokes, twel bimeby dinnertime come +'roun', en dey ax 'im up, w'ich 'greed wid his stummuck, en he +pozzit his bag underneed de table 'longside de udder bags w'at de +hongry fokes'd brung. + +"No sooner did de blacksmif git back on de groun' dan he 'gun ter +wuk his way outer de bag. He crope out, he did, en den he tuck'n +change de bag. He tuck'n tuck a n'er bag en lay it down whar dish +yer bag wuz, en den he crope outer de crowd en lay low in de +underbresh. + +"Las', w'en de time come fer ter go, de Ole Boy up wid his bag en +slung her on his shoulder, en off he put fer de Bad Place. W'en +he got dar he tuck'n drap de bag off'n his back en call up de +imps, en dey des come a squallin' en a caperin', w'ich I speck +dey mus' a bin hongry. Leas'ways dey des swawm'd 'roun', +hollerin' out: + +"'Daddy, w'at you brung--daddy, w'at you brung?' + +"So den dey open de bag, en lo en behol's, out jump a big bull- +dog, en de way he shuck dem little imps wuz a caution, en he kep' +on gnyawin' un um twel de Ole Boy open de gate en t'un 'im out." + +"And what became of the blacksmith?" the little boy asked, as +Uncle Remus paused to snuff the candle with his fingers. + +"I'm drivin' on 'roun', honey. Atter 'long time, de blacksmif he +tuck'n die, en w'en he go ter de Good Place de man at de gate +dunner who he is, en he can't squeeze in. Den he go down ter de +Bad Place, en knock. De Ole Boy, he look out, he did, en he +know'd de blacksmif de minnit he laid eyes on 'im; but he shake +his head en say, sezee: + +"'You'll hatter skuze me, Brer Blacksmif, kase I dun had +'speunce 'longer you. You'll hatter go some'rs else ef you wanter +raise enny racket,' sezee, en wid dat he shet do do'. + +"En dey do say," continued Uncle Remus, with unction, "dat +sense dat day de blacksmif bin sorter huv'rin' 'roun' 'twix' de +heavens en de ye'th, en dark nights he shine out so fokes call +'im Jacky-my-lantern. Dat's w'at dey tells me. Hit may be wrong +er't maybe right, but dat's w'at I years." + +*1 This story is popular on the coast and among the rice- + plantations, and, since the publication of some of the + animal-myths in the newspapers, I have received a version + of it from a planter in southwest Georgia; but it seems to + me to be an intruder among the genuine myth-stories of the + negroes. It is a trifle too elaborate. Nevertheless, it is + told upon the plantations with great gusto, and there are + several versions in circulation. + + +XXXIII. WHY THE NEGRO IS BLACK + +ONE night, while the little boy was watching Uncle Remus +twisting and waxing some shoe-thread, he made what appeared to +him to be a very curious discovery. He discovered that the palms +of the old man's hands were as white as his own, and the fact was +such a source of wonder that he at last made it the subject of +remark. The response of Uncle Remus led to the earnest recital of +a piece of unwritten history that must prove interesting to +ethnologists. + +"Tooby sho de pa'm er my han's w'ite, honey," he quietly +remarked, "en, w'en it come ter dat, dey wuz a time w'en all de +w'ite folks 'uz black--blacker dan me, kaze I done bin yer so +long dat I bin sorter bleach out." + +The little boy laughed. He thought Uncle Remus was making him +the victim of one of his jokes; but the youngster was never more +mistaken. The old man was serious. Nevertheless, he failed to +rebuke the ill-timed mirth of the child, appearing to be +altogether engrossed in his work. After a while, he resumed: + +"Yasser. Fokes dunner w'at bin yit, let 'lone w'at gwinter be. +Niggers is niggers now, but de time wuz w'en we 'uz all niggers +tergedder." + +"When was that, Uncle Remus?" + +"Way back yander. In dem times we 'uz all un us black; we 'uz all +niggers tergedder, en 'cordin' ter all de 'counts w'at I years +fokes 'uz gittin' 'long 'bout ez well in dem days ez dey is now. +But atter 'w'ile de news come dat dere wuz a pon' er water +some'rs in de naberhood, w'ich ef dey'd git inter dey'd be wash +off nice en w'ite, en den one un um, he fine de place en make er +splunge inter de pon', en come out w'ite ez a town gal. En den, +bless grashus! w'en de fokes seed it, dey make a break fer de +pon', en dem w'at wuz de soopless, dey got in fus' en dey come +out w'ite; en dem w'at wuz de nex' soopless, dey got in nex', en +dey come out merlatters; en dey wuz sech a crowd un um dat dey +mighty nigh use de water up, w'ich w'en dem yuthers come long, de +morest dey could do wuz ter paddle about wid der foots en dabble +in it wid der han's. Dem wuz de niggers, en down ter dis day dey +ain't no w'ite 'bout a nigger 'ceppin de pa'ms er der han's en de +soles er der foot." + +The little boy seemed to be very much interested in this new +account of the origin of races, and he made some further +inquiries, which elicited from Uncle Remus the following +additional particulars: + +"De Injun en de Chinee got ter be 'counted 'long er de merlatter. +I ain't seed no Chinee dat I knows un, but dey tells me dey er +sorter 'twix' a brown en a brindle. Dey er all merlatters." + +"But mamma says the Chinese have straight hair," the little boy +suggested. + +"Co'se, honey," the old man unhesitatingly responded, "dem +w'at git ter de pon' time nuff fer ter git der head in de water, +de water hit onkink der ha'r. Hit bleedzd ter be dat away." + + +XXXIV. THE SAD FATE OF MR. FOX + +"Now, den," said Uncle Remus, with unusual gravity, as soon as +the little boy, by taking his seat, announced that he was ready +for the evening's entertainment to begin; "now, den, dish yer +tale w'at I'm agwine ter gin you is de las' row er stumps, sho. +Dish yer's whar ole Brer Fox los' his breff, en he ain't fine it +no mo' down ter dis day." + +"Did he kill himself, Uncle Remus?" the little boy asked, with a +curious air of concern. + +"Hol' on dar, honey!" the old man exclaimed, with a great +affectation of alarm; "hol' on dar! Wait! Gimme room! I don't +wanter tell you no story, en ef you keep shovin' me forrerd, I +mout git some er de facks mix up 'mong deyse'f. You gotter gimme +room en you gotter gimme time." + +The little boy had no other premature questions to ask, and, +after a pause, Uncle Remus resumed: + +"Well, den, one day Brer Rabbit go ter Brer Fox house, he did, en +he put up mighty po' mouf. He say his ole 'oman sick, en his +chilluns col', en de fier done gone out. Brer Fox, he feel bad +'bout dis, en he tuck'n s'ply Brer Rabbit widder chunk er fier. +Brer Rabbit see Brer Fox cookin' some nice beef, en his mouf gun +ter water, but he take de fier, he did, en he put out to'rds +home; but present'y yer he come back, en he say de fier done gone +out. Brer Fox 'low dat he want er invite to dinner, but he don't +say nuthin', en bimeby Brer Rabbit he up'n say, sezee: + +"'Brer Fox, whar you git so much nice beef?' sezee, en den Brer +Fox he up'n 'spon', sezee: + +"'You come ter my house termorrer ef yo' fokes ain't too sick, en +I kin show you whar you kin git plenty beef mo' nicer dan dish +yer,' sezee. + +"Well, sho nuff, de nex' day fotch Brer Rabbit, en Brer Fox say, +sezee: + +"'Der's a man down yander by Miss Meadows's w'at got heap er fine +cattle, en he gotter cow name Bookay,' sezee, 'en you des go en +say Bookay, en she'll open her mouf, en you kin jump in en git +des as much meat ez you kin tote,' sez Brer Fox, sezee. + +"'Well, I'll go 'long,' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee, 'en you kin jump +fus' en den I'll come follerin' atter,' sezee. + +"Wid dat dey put out, en dey went promernadin' 'roun' 'mong de +cattle, dey did, twel bimeby dey struck up wid de one dey wuz +atter. Brer Fox, he up, he did, en holler Bookay, en de cow flung +'er mouf wide open. Sho nuff, in dey jump, en w'en dey got dar, +Brer Fox, he say, sezee: + +"'You kin cut mos' ennywheres, Brer Rabbit, but don't cut 'roun' +de haslett,' sezee. + +"'Den Brer Rabbit, he holler back, he did: I'm a gitten me out a +roas'n-piece,' sezee. + +"'Roas'n, er bakin', er fryin',' sez Brer Fox, sezee, 'don't git +too nigh de haslett,' sezee. + +"Dey cut en dey kyarved, en dey kyarved en dey cut, en w'iles dey +wuz cuttin' en kyarvin', en slashin' 'way, Brer Rabbit, he tuck'n +hacked inter de haslett, en wid dat down fell de cow dead. + +"'Now, den,' sez Brer Fox, 'we er gone, sho,' sezee. + +"'W'at we gwine do?' sez Brer Rabbit, sezee. + +"'I'll git in de maul,' sez Brer Fox, 'en you'll jump in de +gall,' sezee. + +"Nex' mawnin' yer cum de man w'at de cow b'long ter, and he ax +who kill Bookay. Nobody don't say nuthin'. Den de man say he'll +cut 'er open en see, en den he whirl in, en twan't no time 'fo' +he had 'er intruls spread out. Brer Rabbit, he crope out'n de +gall, en say, sezee: + +"'Mister Man! Oh, Mister Man! I'll tell you who kill yo' cow. You +look in de maul, en dar you'll fine 'im,' sezee. + +"Wid dat de man tuck a stick and lam down on de maul so hard dat +he kill Brer Fox stone-dead. W'en Brer Rabbit see Brer Fox wuz +laid out fer good, he make like he mighty sorry, en he up'n ax de +man fer Brer Fox head. Man say he ain't keerin', en den Brer +Rabbit tuck'n brung it ter Brer Fox house. Dar he see ole Miss +Fox, en he tell 'er dat he done fotch her some nice beef w'at 'er +ole man sont 'er, but she ain't gotter look at it twel she go ter +eat it. + +"Brer Fox son wuz name Tobe, en Brer Rabbit tell Tobe fer ter +keep still w'iles his mammy cook de nice beef w'at his daddy sont +'im. Tobe he wuz mighty hongry, en he look in de pot he did +w'iles de cookin' wuz gwine on, en dar he see his daddy head, en +wid dat he sot up a howl en tole his mammy. Miss Fox, she git +mighty mad w'en she fine she cookin' her ole man head, en she +call up de dogs, she did, en sickt em on Brer Rabbit; en ole Miss +Fox en Tobe en de dogs, dey push Brer Rabbit so close dat he +hatter take a holler tree. Miss Fox, she tell Tobe fer ter stay +dar en mine Brer Rabbit, w'ile she goes en git de ax, en w'en she +gone, Brer Rabbit, he tole Tobe ef he go ter de branch en git 'im +a drink er water dat he'll gin 'im a dollar. Tobe, he put out, he +did, en bring some water in his hat, but by de time he got back +Brer Rabbit done out en gone. Ole Miss Fox, she cut and cut twel +down come de tree, but no Brer Rabbit dar. Den she lay de blame +on Tobe, en she say she gwineter lash 'im, en Tobe, he put out en +run, de ole 'oman atter 'im. Bimeby, he come up wid Brer Rabbit, +en sot down fer to tell 'im how 'twuz, en w'iles dey wuz a +settin' dar, yer come ole Miss Fox a slippin' up en grab um bofe. +Den she tell um w'at she gwine do. Brer Rabbit she gwineter kill, +en Tobe she gwineter lam ef its de las' ack. Den Brer Rabbit sez, +sezee: + +"'Ef you please, ma'am, Miss Fox, lay me on de grinestone en +groun off my nose so I can't smell no mo' w'en I'm dead.' + +"Miss Fox, she tuck dis ter be a good idee, en she fotch bofe un +um ter de grinestone, en set um up on it so dat she could +groun' off Brer Rabbit nose. Den Brer Rabbit, he up'n say, sezee: + +"'Ef you please, ma'am, Miss Fox, Tobe he kin turn de handle +w'iles you goes atter some water fer ter wet de grinestone,' +sezee. + +"Co'se, soon'z Brer Rabbit see Miss Fox go atter de water, he +jump down en put out, en dis time he git clean away." + +"And was that the last of the Rabbit, too, Uncle Remus?" the +little boy asked, with something like a sigh. + +"Don't push me too close, honey," responded the old man; "don't +shove me up in no cornder. I don't wanter tell you no stories. +Some say dat Brer Rabbit's ole 'oman died fum eatin' some pizen- +weed, en dat Brer Rabbit married ole Miss Fox, en some say not. +Some tells one tale en some tells nudder; some say dat fum dat +time forrerd de Rabbits en de Foxes make fren's en stay so; some +say dey kep on quollin'. Hit look like it mixt. Let dem tell you +w'at knows. Dat w'at I years you gits it straight like I yeard +it." + +There was a long pause, which was finally broken by the old man: + +"Hit's 'gin de rules fer you ter be noddin' yer, honey. Bimeby +you'll drap off en I'll hatter tote you up ter de big 'ouse. I +hear dat baby cryin', en bimeby Miss Sally'll fly up en be a +holler'n atter you" + +"Oh, I wasn't asleep," the little boy replied. "I was just +thinking." + +"Well, dat's diffunt," said the old man. "Ef you'll clime up on +my back," he continued, speaking softly, "I speck I ain't too ole +fer ter be yo' hoss fum yer ter de house. Many en many's de time +dat I toted yo' Unk Jeems dat away, en Mars Jeems wuz heavier sot +dan w'at you is." + + + +PLANTATION PROVERBS + +BIG 'possum clime little tree. +Dem w'at eats kin say grace. +Ole man Know-All died las' year. +Better de gravy dan no grease 'tall. +Dram ain't good twel you git it. +Lazy fokes' stummucks don't git tired. +Rheumatiz don't he'p at de log-rollin'. +Mole don't see w'at his naber doin'. +Save de pacin' mar' fer Sunday. +Don't rain eve'y time de pig squeal. +Crow en corn can't grow in de same fiel'. +Tattlin' 'oman can't make de bread rise. +Rails split 'fo' bre'kfus'll season de dinner. +Dem w'at knows too much sleeps under de ash-hopper. +Ef you wanter see yo' own sins, clean up a new groun'. +Hog dunner w'ich part un 'im'll season de turnip salad. +Hit's a blessin' de w'ite sow don't shake de plum-tree. +Winter grape sour, whedder you kin reach 'im or not. +Mighty po' bee dat don't make mo' honey dan he want. +Kwishins on mule's foots done gone out er fashun. +Pigs dunno w'at a pen's fer. +Possum's tail good as a paw. +Dogs don't bite at de front gate. +Colt in de barley-patch kick high. +Jay-bird don't rob his own nes'. +Pullet can't roost too high for de owl. +Meat fried 'fo' day won't las' twel night. +Stump water won't kyo' de gripes. +De howlin' dog know w'at he sees. +Blin' hoss don't fall w'en he follers de bit. +Hongry nigger won't w'ar his maul out. +Don't fling away de empty wallet. +Black-snake know de way ter de hin nes'. +Looks won't do ter split rails wid. +Settin' hens don't hanker arter fresh aigs. +Tater-vine growin' w'ile you sleep. +Hit take two birds fer to make a nes'. +Ef you bleedzd ter eat dirt, eat clean dirt. +Tarrypin walk fast 'nuff fer to go visitin'. +Empty smoke-house makes de pullet holler. +W'en coon take water he fixin' fer ter fight. +Corn makes mo' at de mill dan it does in de crib. +Good luck say: "Op'n yo' mouf en shet yo' eyes." +Nigger dat gets hurt wukkin oughter show de skyars. +Fiddlin' nigger say hit's long ways ter de dance. +Rooster makes mo' racket dan de hin w'at lay de aig. +Meller mush-million hollers at you fum over de fence. +Nigger wid a pocket-hankcher better be looked atter. +Rain-crow don't sing no chune, but you k'n 'pen' on 'im. +One-eyed mule can't be handled on de bline side. +Moon may shine, but a lightered knot's mighty handy. +Licker talks mighty loud w'en it git loose fum de jug. +De proudness un a man don't count w'en his head's cold. +Hongry rooster don't cackle w'en he fine a wum. +Some niggers mighty smart, but dey can't drive de pidgins ter + roos'. +You may know de way, but better keep yo' eyes on de seven stairs. +All de buzzards in de settlement 'll come to de gray mule's + funer'l. +You k'n hide de fier, but w'at you gwine do wid de smoke? +Termorrow may be de carridge-driver's day for ploughin'. +Hit's a mighty deaf nigger dat don't year de dinner-ho'n. +Hit takes a bee fer ter git de sweetness out'n de hoar-houn' + blossom. +Ha'nts don't bodder longer hones' folks, but you better go 'roun' + de grave-yard. +De pig dat runs off wid de year er corn gits little mo' dan + de cob. +Sleepin' in de fence-cornder don't fetch Chrismus in de kitchen. +De spring-house may freeze, but de niggers 'll keep de shuck-pen + warm. +'Twix' de bug en de bee-martin 'tain't hard ter tell w'ich + gwineter git kotch. +Don't 'sput wid de squinch-owl. Jam de shovel in de fier. +You'd see mo' er de mink ef he know'd whar de yard dog sleeps. +Troubles is seasonin'. +'Simmons ain't good twel dey 'er fros'-bit. +Watch out w'en you'er gittin all you want. Fattenin' hogs ain't + in luck. + + + +HIS SONGS + + +I. REVIVAL HYMN + +OH, whar shill we go w'en de great day comes, +Wid de blowin' er de trumpits en de bangin' er de drums? +How many po' sinners'll be kotched out late +En fin' no latch ter de golden gate? +No use fer ter wait twel termorrer! +De sun mus'n't set on yo' sorrer, +Sin's ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier- +Oh, Lord! fetch de mo'ners up higher! + +W'en de nashuns er de earf is a stan'in all aroun, +Who's a gwineter be choosen fer ter w'ar de glory-crown? +Who's a gwine fer ter stan' stiff-kneed en bol'. +En answer to der name at de callin' er de roll? +You better come now ef you comin'-- +Ole Satun is loose en a bummin'-- +De wheels er distruckshun is a hummin'-- +Oh, come long, sinner, ef you comin'! + +De song er salvashun is a mighty sweet song, +En de Pairidise win' blow fur en blow strong, +En Aberham's bosom, hit's saft en hit's wide, +En right dar's de place whar de sinners oughter hide! +Oh, you nee'nter be a stoppin' en a lookin'; +Ef you fool wid ole Satun you'll git took in; +You'll hang on de aidge en get shook in, +Ef you keep on a stoppin' en a lookin'. + +De time is right now, en dish yer's de place-- +Let de sun er salvashun shine squar' in yo' face; +Fight de battles er de Lord, fight soon en fight late, +En you'll allers fine a latch ter de golden gate. +No use fer ter wait twel termorrer, +De sun musn't set on yo' sorrer-- +Sin's ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier, +Ax de Lord fer ter fetch you up higher! + + +II. CAMP-MEETING SONG * + +OH, de worril is roun' en de worril is wide-- +Lord! 'member deze chillun in de mornin'-- + +Hit's a mighty long ways up de mountain side, +En dey ain't no place fer dem sinners fer ter hide, +En dey ain't no place whar sin kin abide, +W'en de Lord shill come in de mornin'! +Look up en look aroun', +Fling yo' burden on de groun', +Hit's a gittin' mighty close on ter mornin'! +Smoove away sin's frown-- +Retch up en git de crown, +W'at de Lord will fetch in de mornin'! + +De han' er ridem'shun, hit's hilt out ter you-- +Lord! 'member dem sinners in de mornin'! +Hit's a mighty pashent han', but de days is but few, +W'en Satun, he'll come a demandin' un his due, +En de stiff-neck sinners 'll be smotin' all fru- +Oh, you better git ready for de mornin'! +Look up en set yo' face +To'ds de green hills of grace +'Fo' de sun rises up in de mornin'-- +Oh, you better change yo' base, +Hits yo' soul's las' race +For de glory dat's a comin' in de mornin'! + +De farmer gits ready w'en de lan's all plowed +For ter sow dem seeds in de mornin' +De sperrit may be puny en de flesh may be proud, +But you better cut loose fum de scoffin' crowd, +En jine dose Christuns w'at's a cryin' out loud +Fer de Lord fer ter come in de mornin'! +Shout loud en shout long, +Let de eckoes ans'er strong, +W'en de sun rises up in de mornin'! +Oh, you allers will be wrong +Twel you choose ter belong +Ter de Marster w'at's a comin' in de mornin'! + +*In the days of slavery, the religious services held by the + negroes who accompanied their owners to the camp-meetings + were marvels of earnestness and devotion. + + +III. CORN-SHUCKING SONG + +OH, de fus' news you know de day'll be a breakin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango! *1) +An' de fier be a burnin' en' de ash-cake a bakin', +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +An' de ho'n 'll be a hollerin' en de boss 'll be a wakin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Better git up, nigger, en give yo'se'f a shakin'-- +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +Oh, honey! w'en you see dem ripe stars a fallin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Oh, honey! w'en you year de rain-crow a callin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Oh, honey! w'en you year dat red calf a bawlin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Den de day time's a creepin' en a crawlin'-- +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +For de los' ell en yard *2 is a huntin' for de mornin', +(Hi O! git long! go 'way!) +En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in-- +(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) + +Oh, honey! w'en you year dat tin horn a tootin' +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Oh, honey, w'en you year de squinch owl a hootin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Oh, honey! w'en you year dem little pigs a rootin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Right den she's a comin' a skippin' en a scootin'-- +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +Oh, honey, w'en you year dat roan mule whicker-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +W'en you see Mister Moon turnin' pale en gittin' sicker-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Den hit's time for ter handle dat corn a little quicker-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Ef you wanter git a smell er old Marster's jug er licker-- +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' +(Hi O! git long! go 'way!) +En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in-- +(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) +You niggers 'cross dar! you better stop your dancin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +No use for ter come a flingin' un yo' "sha'n'ts" in-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +No use for ter come a flingin' un yo' "can't's" in-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Kaze dey ain't no time for yo' pattin' nor yo' prancin'! +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +Mr. Rabbit see de Fox, en he sass um en jaws um-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Mr. Fox ketch de Rabbit, en he scratch um en he claws um-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +En he tar off de hide, en he chaws um en he gnyaws um-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Same like gal chawin' sweet gum en rozzum-- +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) +For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' +(Hi O! git 'long! go 'way!) +En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in-- +(Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!) + +Oh, work on, boys! give doze shucks a mighty wringin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +'Fo' de boss come aroun' a dangin' en a dingin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Git up en move aroun'! set dem big han's ter swingin'-- +(Hey O! Hi O! Up'n down de Bango!) +Git up'n shout loud! let de w'ite folks year you singin'! +(Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!) + +For de los' ell en yard is a huntin' for de mornin' +(Hi O! git long! go 'way!) +En she'll ketch up wid dus 'fo' we ever git dis corn in. +(Oh, go 'way Sindy Ann!) + +*1 So far as I know, "Bango" is a meaningless term, introduced + on account of its sonorous ruggedness. +*2 The sword and belt in the constellation of Orion. + + +IV. THE PLOUGH-HANDS' SONG + (JASPER COUNTY--1860.) + +NIGGER mighty happy w'en he layin' by co'n-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +Nigger mighty happy w'en he year de dinner-ho'n-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +En he mo' happy still w'en de night draws on-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +Dat sun's a slantin' des ez sho's you bo'n! +En it's rise up, Primus! fetch anudder yell: +Dat ole dun cow's des a shakin' up 'er bell, +En de frogs chunin' up 'fo' de jew done fell: +Good-night, Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well! +--Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well! +--I wish you mighty well! + +Do co'n 'll be ready 'g'inst dumplin' day-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +But nigger gotter watch, en stick, en stay-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +Same ez de bee-martin watchin' un de jay-- +Dat sun's a slantin'; +Dat sun's a slantin' en a slippin' away! +Den it's rise up, Primus! en gin it turn strong; +De cow's gwine home wid der ding-dang-dong-- +Sling in anudder tetch er de ole-time song: +Good-night, Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long! +--Mr. Whipperwill! don't stay long! +--Don't stay long! + + +V. CHRISTMAS PLAY-SONG + (MYRICK PLACE, PUTNAM COUNTY 1858.) + +Hi my rinktum! Black gal sweet, +Same like goodies w'at de w'ite folks eat; +Ho my Riley! don't you take'n tell 'er name, +En den ef sumpin' happen you won't ketch de blame; +Hi my rinktum! better take'n hide yo' plum; +Joree don't holler eve'y time he fine a wum. +Den it's hi my rinktum! +Don't git no udder man; +En it's ho my Riley! +Fetch out Miss Dilsey Ann! + +Ho my Riley! Yaller gal fine; +She may be yone but she oughter be mine! +Hi my rinktum! Lemme git by, +En see w'at she mean by de cut er dat eye! +Ho my Riley! better shet dat do'-- +De w'ite folks 'll bleeve we er t'arin up de flo'. + +Den it's ho my Riley! +Come a siftin' up ter me! +En it's hi my rinktum! +Dis de way ter twis' yo' knee! + +Hi my rinktum! Ain't de eas' gittin' red? +De squinch owl shiver like he wanter go ter bed; +Ho my Riley! but de gals en de boys, +Des now gittin' so dey kin sorter make a noise. +Hi my rinktum! let de yaller gal lone; +Niggers don't hanker arter sody in de pone. +Den it's hi my rinktum! +Better try anudder plan; +An' it's ho my Riley! +Trot out Miss Dilsey Ann! + +Ho my Riley! In de happy Chris'mus time +De niggers shake der cloze a huntin' for a dime. +Hi my rinktum! En den dey shake der feet, +En greaze derse'f wid de good ham meat. +Ho my Riley! dey eat en dey cram, +En bimeby ole Miss 'll be a sendin' out de dram. +Den it's ho my Riley! +You hear dat, Sam! +En it's hi my rinktum! +Be a sendin' out de dram! + + +VI. PLANTATION PLAY-SONG + (PUTNAM COUNTY--1856.) + +HIT'S a gittin' mighty late, w'en de Guinny-hins squall, +En you better dance now, ef you gwineter dance a tall, +Fer by dis time termorrer night you can't hardly crawl, +Kaze you'll hatter take de hoe ag'in en likewise de maul-- +Don't you hear dat bay colt a kickin' in his stall? +Stop yo' humpin' up yo' sho'lders do! +Dat'll never do! Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! +Hit takes a heap er scrougin' +For ter git you thoo-- +Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! + +Ef you niggers don't watch, you'll sing anudder chune, +Fer de sun'll rise'n ketch you ef you don't be mighty soon; +En de stars is gittin' paler, en de ole gray coon +Is a settin' in de grape-vine a watchin' fer de moon. +W'en a feller comes a knockin' +Des holler--Oh, shoo! +Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! +Oh, swing dat yaller gal! +Do, boys, do! +Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! + +Oh, tu'n me loose! Lemme 'lone! Go way, now! +W'at you speck I come a dancin' fer ef I dunno how? +Deze de ve'y kinder footses w'at kicks up a row; +Can't you jump inter de middle en make yo' gal a bow? +Look at dat merlatter man +A follerin' up Sue; +Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! +De boys ain't a gwine +W'en you cry boo hoo-- +Hop light, ladies, +Oh, Miss Loo! + + + +VII. TRANSCRIPTIONS *1 + + +1. A PLANTATION CHANT + +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-fo', +Christ done open dat He'v'mly do'-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-five, +Christ done made dat dead man alive-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. +You ax me ter run home, +Little childun-- +Run home, dat sun done roll-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-six, +Christ is got us a place done fix-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-sev'm +Christ done sot a table in Hev'm +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. +You ax me ter run home, +Little childun-- +Run home, dat sun done roll-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-eight, +Christ done make dat crooked way straight-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-nine, +Christ done tu'n dat water inter wine-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. +You ax me ter run home, +Little childun-- +Run home, dat sun done roll-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-ten, +Christ is de mo'ner's onliest fr'en'-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer; +Hit's eighteen hunder'd forty-en-lev'm, +Christ 'll be at de do' w'en we all git ter Hev'm-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. +You ax me ter run home, +Little childun-- +Run home, dat sun done roll-- +An' I don't wanter stay yer no longer. + +*1 If these are adaptations from songs the negroes have caught + from the whites, their origin is very remote. I have + transcribed them literally, and I regard them as in the + highest degree characteristic. + + +2.A PLANTATION SERENADE + +DE ole bee make de honey-comb, +De young bee make de honey, +De niggers make de cotton en co'n, +En de w'ite folks gits de money. + +De raccoon he's a cu'us man, +He never walk twel dark, +En nuthin' never 'sturbs his mine, +Twel he hear ole Bringer bark. + +De raccoon totes a bushy tail, +De 'possum totes no ha'r, +Mr. Rabbit, he come skippin' by, +He ain't got none ter spar'. + +Monday mornin' break er day, +W'ite folks got me gwine, +But Sat'dy night, w'en de sun goes down, +Dat yaller gal's in my mine. + +Fifteen poun' er meat a week, +W'isky for ter sell, +Oh, how can a young man stay at home, +Dem gals dey look so well? + +Met a 'possum in de road-- +Bre' 'Possum, whar you gwine? +I thank my stars, I bless my life, +I'm a huntin' for de muscadine. + + +VIII. THE BIG BETHEL CHURCH + +DE Big Bethel chu'ch! de Big Bethel chu'ch! +Done put ole Satun behine um; +Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu'ch, +De Big Bethel chu'ch will fine um! + +Hit's good ter be dere, en it's sweet ter be dere, +Wid de sisterin' all aroun' you-- +A shakin' dem shackles er mussy en' love +Wharwid de Lord is boun' you. + +Hit's sweet ter be dere en lissen ter de hymns, +En hear dem mo'ners a shoutin'-- +Dey done reach de place whar der ain't no room +Fer enny mo' weepin' en doubtin'. + +Hit's good ter be dere w'en de sinners all jine +Wid de brudderin in dere singin', +En it look like Gaberl gwine ter rack up en blow +En set dem heav'm bells ter ringin'! + +Oh, de Big Bethel chu'ch! de Big Bethel chu'ch, +Done put ole Satun behine am; +Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu'ch +De Big Bethel chu'ch will fine um! + + +IX. TIME GOES BY TURNS + +DAR'S a pow'ful rassle 'twix de Good en de Bad, +En de Bad's got de all--under holt; +En w'en de wuss come, she come i'on-clad, +En you hatter hol' yo' bref for de jolt. + +But des todes de las' Good gits de knee-lock, +En dey draps ter de groun'--ker flop! +Good had de inturn, en he stan' like a rock, +En he bleedzd for ter be on top. + +De dry wedder breaks wid a big thunder-clap, +For dey ain't no drout' w'at kin las', +But de seasons w'at whoops up de cotton crap, +Likewise dey freshens up de grass. + +De rain fall so saf' in de long dark night, +Twel you hatter hol' yo' han' for a sign, +But de drizzle w'at sets de tater-slips right +Is de makin' er de May-pop vine. + +In de mellerest groun' de clay root 'll ketch +En hol' ter de tongue er de plow, +En a pine-pole gate at de gyardin-patch +Never 'll keep out de ole brindle cow. + +One en all on us knows who's a pullin' at de bits +Like de lead-mule dat g'ides by de rein, +En yit, somehow or nudder, de bestest un us gits +Mighty sick er de tuggin' at de chain. + +Hump yo'se'f ter de load en fergit de distress, +En dem w'at stan's by ter scoff, +For de harder de pullin', de longer de res', +En de bigger de feed in de troff. + + +A STORY OF THE WAR + +WHEN Miss Theodosia Huntingdon, of Burlington, Vermont, concluded +to come South in 1870, she was moved by three considerations. In +the first place, her brother, John Huntingdon, had become a +citizen of Georgia--having astonished his acquaintances by +marrying a young lady, the male members of whose family had +achieved considerable distinction in the Confederate army; in the +second place, she was anxious to explore a region which she +almost unconsciously pictured to herself as remote and semi- +barbarous; and, in the third place, her friends had persuaded her +that to some extent she was an invalid. It was in vain that she +argued with herself as to the propriety of undertaking the +journey alone and unprotected, and she finally put an end to +inward and outward doubts by informing herself and her friends, +including John Huntingdon, her brother, who was practicing law in +Atlanta, that she had decided to visit the South. + +When, therefore, on the 12th of October, 1870--the date is duly +recorded in one of Miss Theodosia's letters--she alighted from +the cars in Atlanta, in the midst of a great crowd, she fully +expected to find her brother waiting to receive her. The bells of +several locomotives were ringing, a number of trains were moving +in and out, and the porters and baggage-men were screaming and +bawling to such an extent that for several moments Miss +Huntingdon was considerably confused; so much so that she paused +in the hope that her brother would suddenly appear and rescue her +from the smoke, and dust, and din. At that moment some one +touched her on the arm, and she heard a strong, half-confident, +half-apologetic voice exclaim: + +"Ain't dish yer Miss Doshy?" + +Turning, Miss Theodosia saw at her side a tall, gray-haired +negro. Elaborating the incident afterward to her friends, she was +pleased to say that the appearance of the old man was somewhat +picturesque. He stood towering above her, his hat in one hand, a +carriage-whip in the other, and an expectant smile lighting up +his rugged face. She remembered a name her brother had often used +in his letters, and, with a woman's tact, she held out her hand, +and said: + +"Is this Uncle Remus?" + +"Law, Miss Doshy! how you know de ole nigger? I know'd you by +de faver; but how you know me?" And then, without waiting for a +reply: "Miss Sally, she sick in bed, en Mars John, he bleedzd ter +go in de country, en dey tuck'n sont me. I know'd you de minnit I +laid eyes on you. Time I seed you, I say ter myse'f, 'I lay dar's +Miss Doshy,' en, sho nuff, dar you wuz. You ain't gun up yo' +checks, is you? Kaze I'll git de trunk sont up by de 'spress +waggin." + +The next moment Uncle Remus was elbowing his way unceremoniously +through the crowd, and in a very short time, seated in the +carriage driven by the old man, Miss Huntingdon was whirling +through the streets of Atlanta in the direction of her brother's +home. She took advantage of the opportunity to study the old +negro's face closely, her natural curiosity considerably +sharpened by a knowledge of the fact that Uncle Remus had played +an important part in her brother's history. The result of her +observation must have been satisfactory, for presently she +laughed, and said: + +"Uncle Remus, you haven't told me how you knew me in that great +crowd." + +The old man chuckled, and gave the horses a gentle rap with the +whip. + +"Who? Me! I know'd you by de faver. Dat boy er Mars John's is de +ve'y spit en immij un you. I'd a know'd you in New 'Leens, let +lone down dar in de kyar-shed." + +This was Miss Theodosia's introduction to Uncle Remus. One Sunday +afternoon, a few weeks after her arrival, the family were assembled +in the piazza enjoying the mild weather. Mr. Huntingdon was reading +a newspaper; his wife was crooning softly as she rocked the baby to +sleep; and the little boy was endeavoring to show his Aunt Dosia +the outlines of Kennesaw Mountain through the purple haze that +hung like a wonderfully fashioned curtain in the sky and almost +obliterated the horizon. While they were thus engaged, Uncle Remus +came around the corner of the house, talking to himself. + +"Dey er too lazy ter wuk," he was saying, "en dey specks hones' +fokes fer ter stan' up en s'port um. I'm gwine down ter Putmon +County whar Mars Jeems is--dat's w'at I'm agwine ter do." + +"What's the matter now, Uncle Remus?" inquired Mr. Huntingdon, +folding up his newspaper. + +"Nuthin' 'tall, Mars John, 'ceppin deze yer sunshine niggers. Dey +begs my terbacker, en borrys my tools, en steals my vittles, en +hit's done come ter dat pass dat I gotter pack up en go. I'm +agwine down ter Putmon, dat's w'at." + +Uncle Remus was accustomed to make this threat several times a +day, but upon this occasion it seemed to remind Mr. Huntingdon of +something. + +"Very well," he said, "I'll come around and help you pack up, but +before you go I want you to tell Sister here how you went to war +and fought for the Union.--Remus was a famous warrior," he +continued, turning to Miss Theodosia; "he volunteered for one +day, and commanded an army of one. You know the story, but you +have never heard Remus's version." + +Uncle Remus shuffled around in an awkward, embarrassed way, +scratched his head, and looked uncomfortable. + +"Miss Doshy ain't got no time fer ter set dar an' year de ole +nigger run on." + +"Oh, yes, I have, Uncle Remus!" exclaimed the young lady; "plenty +of time." + +The upshot of it was that, after many ridiculous protests, Uncle +Remus sat down on the steps, and proceeded to tell his story of +the war. Miss Theodosia listened with great interest, but +throughout it all she observed--and she was painfully conscious +of the fact, as she afterward admitted--that Uncle Remus spoke +from the standpoint of a Southerner, and with the air of one who +expected his hearers to thoroughly sympathize with him. + +"Co'se," said Uncle Remus, addressing himself to Miss Theodosia, +"you ain't bin to Putmon, en you dunner whar de Brad Slaughter +place en Harmony Grove is, but Mars John en Miss Sally, dey bin +dar a time er two, en dey knows how de lan' lays. Well, den, it +'uz right long in dere whar Mars Jeems lived, en whar he live +now. When de war come long he wuz livin' dere longer Ole Miss en +Miss Sally. Ole Miss 'uz his ma, en Miss Sally dar 'uz his +sister. De war come des like I tell you, en marters sorter rock +along same like dey allers did. Hit didn't strike me dat dey wuz +enny war gwine on, en ef I hadn't sorter miss de nabers, en seed +fokes gwine outer de way fer ter ax de news, I'd a 'lowed ter +myse'f dat de war wuz 'way off 'mong some yuther country. But all +dis time de fuss wuz gwine on, en Mars Jeems, he wuz des eatchin' +fer ter put in. Ole Miss en Miss Sally, dey tuck on so he didn't +git off de fus' year, but bimeby news come down dat times wuz +gittin' putty hot, en Mars Jeems he got up, he did, en say he +gotter go, en go he did. He got a overseer fer ter look atter de +place, en he went en jined de army. En he 'uz a fighter, too, +mon, Mars Jeems wuz. Many's en many's de time," continued the old +man, reflectively, "dat I hatter take'n bresh dat boy on a +counter his 'buzin' en beatin' dem yuther boys. He went off dar +fer ter fight, en he fit. Ole Miss useter call me up Sunday +en read w'at de papers say 'bout Mars Jeems, en it ho'p 'er up +might'ly. I kin see 'er des like it 'uz yistiddy. + +"'Remus,' sez she, 'dish yer's w'at de papers say 'bout my baby,' +en den she'd read out twel she couldn't read fer cryin'. Hit went +on dis way year in en year out, en dem wuz lonesome times, sho's +you bawn, Miss Doshy--lonesome times, sho. Hit got hotter en +hotter in de war, en lonesomer en mo' lonesomer at home, en +bimeby 'long come de conscrip' man, en he des everlas'nly scoop +up Mars Jeems's overseer. W'en dis come 'bout, ole Miss, she sont +atter me en say, sez she: + +"'Remus, I ain't got nobody fer ter look arter de place but you,' +sez she, en den I up'n say, sez I: + +"'Mistiss, you kin des 'pen' on de ole nigger.' + +"I wuz ole den, Miss Doshy--let lone w'at I is now; en you better +b'leeve I bossed dem han's. I had dem niggers up en in de fiel' +long 'fo' day, en de way dey did wuk wuz a caution. Ef dey didn't +earn der vittles dat season den I ain't name Remus. But dey wuz +tuk keer un. Dey had plenty er cloze en plenty er grub, en dey +wuz de fattes' niggers in de settlement. + +"Bimeby one day, Ole Miss, she call me up en say de Yankees done +gone en tuck Atlanty--dish yer ve'y town; den present'y I year +dey wuz a marchin' on down todes Putmon, en, lo en behol's! one +day, de fus news I know'd, Mars Jeems he rid up wid a whole gang +er men. He des stop long nuff fer ter change hosses en snatch a +mouffle er sump'n ter eat, but 'fo' he rid off, he call me up en +say, sez he: + +"'Daddy'--all Ole Miss's chilluns call me daddy--'Daddy,' he say, +''pears like dere's gwineter be mighty rough times 'roun' yer. De +Yankees, dey er done got ter Madison en Mounticellar, en 'twon't +be many days 'fo' dey er down yer. 'Tain't likely dey'll pester +mother ner sister; but, daddy, ef de wus come ter de wus, I speck +you ter take keer un um,' sezee. + +"Den I say, sez I: 'How long you bin knowin' me, Mars Jeems?' sez +I. + +"'Sence I wuz a baby,' sezee. + +"'Well, den, Mars Jeems,' sez I, 'you know'd 'twa'nt no use fer +ter ax me ter take keer Ole Miss en Miss Sally.' + +"Den he tuck'n squoze my han' en jump on de filly I bin savin' +fer 'im, en rid off. One time he tu'n roun' en look like he +wanter say sump'n', but he des waf' his han'--so--en gallop on. I +know'd den dat trouble wuz brewin'. Nigger dat knows he's +gwineter git thumped kin sorter fix hisse'f, en I tuck'n fix up +like de war wuz gwineter come right in at de front gate. I tuck'n +got all de cattle en hosses tergedder en driv' um ter de fo'-mile +place, en I tuck all de corn en fodder en w'eat, en put um in a +crib out dar in de woods; en I bilt me a pen in de swamp, en dar +I put de hogs. Den, w'en I fix all dis, I put on my Sunday cloze +en groun' my axe. Two whole days I groun' dat axe. De grinestone +wuz in sight er de gate en close ter de big 'ouse, en dar I tuck +my stan'. + +"Bimeby one day, yer come de Yankees. Two un um come fus, en +den de whole face er de yeath swawm'd wid um. De fus glimpse I +kotch un um, I tuck my axe en march inter Ole Miss settin'-room. +She done had de sidebo'd move in dar, en I wish I may drap ef +'twuzn't fa'rly blazin' wid silver--silver cups en silver +sassers, silver plates en silver dishes, silver mugs en silver +pitchers. Look like ter me dey wuz fixin' fer a weddin'. Dar sot +Ole Miss des ez prim en ez proud ez ef she own de whole county. +Dis kinder ho'p me up, kaze I done seed Ole Miss look dat away +once befo' w'en de overseer struck me in de face wid a w'ip. I +sot down by de fier wid my axe tween my knees. Dar we sot w'iles +de Yankees ransack de place. Miss Sally, dar, she got sorter +restless, but Ole Miss didn't skasely bat 'er eyes. Bimeby, we +hear steps on de peazzer, en yer come a couple er young fellers +wid strops on der shoulders, en der sodes a draggin' on de flo', +en der spurrers a rattlin'. I won't say I wuz skeer'd," said +Uncle Remus, as though endeavoring to recall something he failed +to remember, "I won't say I wuz skeer'd, kaze I wuzzent; but I +wuz took'n wid a mighty funny feelin' in de naberhood er de +gizzard. Dey wuz mighty perlite, dem young chaps wuz; but Ole +Miss, she never tu'n 'er head, en Miss Sally, she look straight +at de fier. Bimeby one un um see me, en he say, sezee: + +"'Hello, ole man, w'at you doin' in yer?' sezee. + +"'Well, boss,' sez I, 'I bin cuttin' some wood fer Ole Miss, en I +des stop fer ter worn my han's a little,' sez I. + +"'Hit is col', dat's a fack,' sezee. + +"Wid dat I got up en tuck my stan' behime Ole Miss en Miss Sally, +en de man w'at speak, he went up en worn his han's. Fus thing you +know, he raise up sudden, en say, sezee: + +"'W'at dat on yo' axe?' + +"'Dat's de fier shinin' on it,' sez I. + +"'Hit look like blood,' sezee, en den he laft. + +"But, bless yo' soul, dat man wouldn't never laft dat day ef he'd +know'd de wukkins er Remus's mine. But dey didn't bodder nobody +ner tech nuthin', en bimeby dey put out. Well, de Yankees, dey +kep' passin' all de mawnin' en it look like ter me dey wuz a +string un um ten mile long. Den dey commence gittin' thinner en +thinner, en den atter w'ile we hear skummishin' in de naberhood +er Armer's fe'y, en Ole Miss 'low how dat wuz Wheeler's men +makin' persoot. Mars Jeems wuz wid dem Wheeler fellers, en I +know'd ef dey wuz dat close I wa'n't doin' no good settin' 'roun' +de house toas'n my shins at de fier, so I des tuck Mars Jeems's +rifle fum behime de do' en put out ter look atter my stock. + +"Seem like I ain't never see no raw day like dat, needer befo' +ner sence. Dey wa'n't no rain, but de wet des sifted down; mighty +raw day. De leaves on de groun' 'uz so wet dey don't make no +fuss, en I got in de woods, en w'enever I year de Yankees gwine +by, I des stop in my tracks en let un pass. I wuz stan'in' dat +away in de aidge er de woods lookin' out cross a clearin', w'en-- +piff!--out come a little bunch er blue smoke fum de top er wunner +dem big lonesome-lookin' pines, en den--pow! + +"Sez I ter myse'f, sez I: 'Honey, you er right on my route, en +I'll des see w'at kinder bird you got roostin' in you,' en w'iles +I wuz a lookin' out bus' de smoke--piff! en den--bang! Wid dat I +des drapt back inter de woods, en sorter skeerted 'roun' so's ter +git de tree 'twixt' me en de road. I slid up putty close, en +wadder you speck I see? Des ez sho's you er settin' dar lissenin' +dey wuz a live Yankee up dar in dat tree, en he wuz a loadin' en +a shootin' at de boys des ez cool es a cowcumber in de jew, en he +had his hoss hitch out in de bushes, kaze I year de creetur +tromplin' 'roun'. He had a spy-glass up dar, en w'iles I wuz a +watchin' un 'im, he raise 'er up en look thoo 'er, en den he lay +'er down en fix his gun fer ter shoot. + +"I had good eyes in dem days, ef I ain't got um now, en way up de +big road I see Mars Jeems a comm'. Hit wuz too fur fer ter see +his face, but I know'd 'im by de filly w'at I raise fer 'im, en +she wuz a prancin' like a school-gal. I know'd dat man wuz +gwineter shoot Mars Jeems ef he could, en dat wuz mo'n I could +stan'. Many's en many's de time dat I nuss dat boy, en hilt 'im +in dese arms, en toted 'im on dis back, en w'en I see dat Yankee +lay dat gun 'cross a lim' en take aim at Mars Jeems I up wid my +ole rifle, en shet my eyes en let de man have all she had." + +"Do you mean to say," exclaimed Miss Theodosia, indignantly, +"that you shot the Union soldier, when you knew he was fighting +for your freedom?" + +"Co'se, I know all about dat," responded Uncle Remus, "en it +sorter made col' chills run up my back; but w'en I see dat man +take aim, en Mars Jeems gwine home ter Ole Miss en Miss Sally, I +des disremembered all 'bout freedom en lammed aloose. En den +atter dat, me en Miss Sally tuck en nuss de man right straight +along. He los' one arm in dat tree bizness, but me en Miss Sally +we nuss 'im en we nuss 'im twel he done got well. Des 'bout dat +time I quit nuss'n 'im, but Miss Sally she kep' on. She kep' on," +continued Uncle Remus, pointing to Mr. Huntingdon, "en now dar he +is." + +"But you cost him an arm," exclaimed Miss Theodosia. + +"I gin 'im dem," said Uncle Remus, pointing to Mrs. Huntingdon, +"en I gin 'im deze"--holding up his own brawny arms. "En ef dem +ain't nuff fer enny man den I done los' de way." + + +HIS SAYINGS + +I. JEEMS ROBER'SON'S LAST ILLNESS + +A Jonesboro negro, while waiting for the train to go out, met up +with Uncle Remus. After the usual "time of day" had been passed +between the two, the former inquired about an acquaintance. + +"How's Jeems Rober'son?" he asked. + +"Ain't you year 'bout Jim?" asked Uncle Remus. + +"Dat I ain't," responded the other; "I ain't hear talk er Jem +sence he cut loose fum de chain-gang. Dat w'at make I ax. He +ain't down wid de biliousness, is he?" + +"Not dat I knows un," responded Uncle Remus, gravely. "He ain't +sick, an' he ain't bin sick. He des tuck'n say he wuz gwineter +ride dat ar roan mule er Mars John's de udder Sunday, an' de +mule, she up'n do like she got nudder ingagement. I done bin fool +wid dat mule befo', an' I tuck'n tole Jim dat he better not git +tangle up wid 'er; but Jim, he up'n 'low dat he wuz a hoss- +doctor, an' wid dat he ax me fer a chaw terbacker, en den he got +de bridle, en tuck'n kotch de mule en got on her--Well," +continued Uncle Remus, looking uneasily around, "I speck you +better go git yo' ticket. Dey tells me dish yer train goes a +callyhootin'." + +"Hol' on dar, Uncle Remus; you ain't tell me 'bout Jim," +exclaimed the Jonesboro negro. + +"I done tell you all I knows, chile. Jim, he tuck'n light on de +mule, an' de mule she up'n hump 'erse'f, an den dey wuz a +skuffle, an' w'en de dus' blow 'way, dar lay de nigger on de +groun', an' de mule she stood eatin' at de troff wid wunner Jim's +gallusses wrop 'roun' her behime-leg. Den atterwuds, de ker'ner, +he come 'roun', an' he tuck'n gin it out dat Jim died sorter +accidental like. Hit's des like I tell you: de nigger wern't sick +a minnit. So long! Bimeby you won't ketch yo' train. I got ter be +knockin' long." + + +II. UNCLE REMUS'S CHURCH EXPERIENCE + +THE deacon of a colored church met Uncle Remus recently, and, +after some uninteresting remarks about the weather, asked: + +"How dis you don't come down ter chu'ch no mo', Brer Remus? We +er bin er havin' some mighty 'freshen' times lately." + +"Hit's bin a long time sence I bin down dar, Brer Rastus, an' +hit'll be longer. I done got my dose." + +"You ain't done gone an' unjined, is you, Brer Remus?" + +"Not zackly, Brer Rastus. I des tuck'n draw'd out. De members 'uz +a blame sight too mutuel fer ter suit my doctrines." + +"How wuz dat, Brer Remus?" + +"Well, I tell you, Brer Rastus. W'en I went ter dat chu'ch, I +went des ez umbill ez de nex' one. I went dar fer ter sing, an' +fer ter pray, an' fer ter wushup, an' I mos' giner'lly allers had +a stray shin-plarster w'ich de ole 'oman say she want sont out +dar ter dem cullud fokes 'cross de water. Hit went on dis way +twel bimeby, one day, de fus news I know'd der was a row got up +in de amen cornder. Brer Dick, he 'nounced dat dey wern't nuff +money in de box; an' Brer Sim said if dey wern't he speck Brer +Dick know'd whar it disappeared ter; an' den Brer Dick 'low'd dat +he won't stan' no 'probusness, an' wid dat he haul off an' tuck +Brer Sim under de jaw--ker blap!--an' den dey clinched an' +drapped on de flo' an' fout under de benches an' 'mong de wimmen. + +"'Bout dat time Sis Tempy, she lipt up in de a'r, an' sing out +dat she done gone an tromple on de Ole Boy, an' she kep' on +lippin' up an' slingin' out 'er han's twel bimeby--blip!--she +tuck Sis Becky in de mouf, an' den Sis Becky riz an' fetch a grab +at Sis Tempy, an' I 'clar' ter grashus ef didn't 'pear ter me +like she got a poun' er wool. Atter dat de revivin' sorter het up +like. Bofe un um had kin 'mong de mo'ners, an' ef you ever see +skufflin' an' scramblin' hit wuz den an' dar. Brer Jeems Henry, +he mounted Brer Plato an' rid 'im over de railin', an' den de +preacher he start down fum de pulpit, an' des ez he wuz skippin' +onter de platform a hym'-book kotch 'im in de bur er de year, an +I be bless ef it didn't soun' like a bung-shell'd busted. Des +den, Brer Jesse, he riz up in his seat, sorter keerless like, an' +went down inter his britches atter his razer, an' right den I +know'd sho' nuff trubble wuz begun. Sis Dilsey, she seed it +herse'f, an' she tuck'n let off wunner dem hallyluyah hollers, +an' den I disremember w'at come ter pass. + +"I'm gittin' sorter ole, Brer Rastus, an' it seem like de dus' +sorter shet out de pannyrammer. Fuddermo', my lim's got ter akin, +mo' speshully w'en I year Brer Sim an' Brer Dick a snortin' and a +skufflin' under de benches like ez dey wuz sorter makin' der way +ter my pew. So I kinder hump myse'f an' scramble out, and de fus +man w'at I seed was a pleeceman, an' he had a nigger 'rested, an' +de fergiven name er dat nigger wuz Remus." + +"He didn't 'res' you, did he, Brer Remus?" + +"Hit's des like I tell you, Brer Rastus, an' I hatter git Mars +John fer to go inter my bon's fer me. Hit ain't no use fer ter +sing out chu'ch ter me, Brer Rastus. I done bin an' got my dose. +W'en I goes ter war, I wanter know w'at I'm a doin'. I don't +wanter git hemmed up 'mong no wimmen and preachers. I wants +elbow-room, an I'm bleedzd ter have it. Des gimme elbow-room." + +"But, Brer Remus, you ain't--" + +"I mout drap in, Brer Rastus, an' den ag'in I moutn't, but w'en +you duz see me santer in de do', wid my specs on, you k'n des say +to de congergashun, sorter familious like, 'Yer come ole man +Remus wid his hoss-pistol, an' ef dar's much uv a skuffle 'roun' +yer dis evenin' you er gwineter year fum 'im.' Dat's me, an' +dat's what you kin tell um. So long! Member me to Sis Abby." + +III. UNCLE REMUS AND THE SAVANNAH DARKEY + +THE notable difference existing between the negroes in the +interior of the cotton States and those on the seaboard--a +difference that extends to habits and opinions as well as to +dialect--has given rise to certain ineradicable prejudices which +are quick to display themselves whenever an opportunity offers. +These prejudices were forcibly, as well as ludicrously, +illustrated in Atlanta recently. A gentleman from Savannah had +been spending the summer in the mountains of north Georgia, and +found it convenient to take along a body-servant. This body- +servant was a very fine specimen of the average coast negro-- +sleek, well-conditioned, and consequential--disposed to regard +with undisguised contempt everything and everybody not indigenous +to the rice-growing region--and he paraded around the streets +with quite a curious and critical air. Espying Uncle Remus +languidly sunning himself on a corner, the Savannah darkey +approached. + +"Mornin', sah." + +"I'm sorter up an' about," responded Uncle Remus, carelessly and +calmly. "How is you stannin' it?" + +"Tanky you, my helt' mos' so-so. He mo' hot dun in de mountain. +Seem so lak man mus' git need*1 de shade. I enty fer see no +rice-bud in dis pa'ts." + +"In dis w'ich?" inquired Uncle with a sudden affectation of +interest. + +"In dis pa'ts. In dis country. Da plenty in Sawanny." + +"Plenty whar?" + +"Da plenty in Sawanny. I enty fer see no crab an' no oscher; en +swimp, he no stay 'roun'. I lak some rice-bud now." + +"You er talkin' 'bout deze yer sparrers, w'ich dey er all head, +en 'lev'm un makes one mouffle,*2 I speck," suggested Uncle +Remus. "Well, dey er yer," he continued, "but dis ain't no +climate whar de rice-birds flies inter yo' pockets en gits out de +money an' makes de change derse'f; an' de isters don't shuck off +der shells en run over you on de street, an' no mo' duz de s'imp +hull derse'f an' drap in yo' mouf. But dey er yer, dough. De +scads 'll fetch um." + +"Him po' country fer true," commented the Savannah negro; "he no +like Sawanny. Down da, we set need de shade an' eaty de rice-bud, +an' de crab, an' de swimp tree time de day; an' de buckra man +drinky him wine, an' smoky him seegyar all troo de night. Plenty +fer eat an' not much fer wuk." + +"Hit's mighty nice, I speck," responded Uncle Remus, gravely. "De +nigger dat ain't hope up 'longer high feedin' ain't got no grip. +But up yer whar fokes is gotter scramble 'roun' an' make der own +livin', de vittles w'at's kumerlated widout enny sweatin' mos' +allers gener'ly b'longs ter some yuther man by rights. One hoe- +cake an' a rasher er middlin' meat las's me fum Sunday ter +Sunday, an' I'm in a mighty big streak er luck w'en I gits dat." + +The Savannah negro here gave utterance to a loud, contemptuous +laugh, and began to fumble somewhat ostentatiously with a big +brass watch-chain. + +"But I speck I struck up wid a payin' job las' Chuseday," +continued Uncle Remus, in a hopeful tone. + +"Wey you gwan do?" + +"Oh, I'm a waitin' on a culled gemmun fum Savannah--wunner deze +yer high livers you bin tellin' 'bout." + +"How dat?" + +"I loant 'im two dollars," responded Uncle Remus, grimly, "an' +I'm a waitin' on 'im fer de money. Hit's wunner deze yer jobs +w'at las's a long time." + +The Savannah negro went off after his rice-birds, while Uncle +Remus leaned up against the wall and laughed until he was in +imminent danger of falling down from sheer exhaustion. + +*1 Underneath. +*2 Mouthful. + + +TURNIP SALAD AS A TEXT + +As Uncle Remus was going down the street recently he was +accosted by several acquaintances. + +"Heyo!" said one, "here comes Uncle Remus. He look like he gwine +fer ter set up a bo'din-house." + +Several others bantered the old man, but he appeared to be in a +good humor. He was carrying a huge basket of vegetables. + +"How many er you boys," said he, as he put his basket down, "is +done a han's turn dis day? En yit de week's done commence. I year +talk er niggers dat's got money in de bank, but I lay hit ain't +none er you fellers. Whar you speck you gwineter git yo' dinner, +en how you speck you gwineter git 'long?" + +"Oh, we sorter knocks 'roun' an' picks up a livin'," responded +one. + +"Dat's w'at make I say w'at I duz," said Uncle Remus. "Fokes go +'bout in de day-time an' makes a livin', an' you come 'long w'en +dey er res'in' der bones an' picks it up. I ain't no han' at +figgers, but I lay I k'n count up right yer in de san' en number +up how menny days hit'll be 'fo' you 'er cuppled on ter de chain- +gang." + +"De ole man's holler'n now sho'," said one of the listeners, +gazing with admiration on the venerable old darkey. + +"I ain't takin' no chances 'bout vittles. Hit's proned inter me +fum de fus dat I got ter eat, en I knows dat I got fer ter grub +for w'at I gits. Hit's agin de mor'l law fer niggers fer ter eat +w'en dey don't wuk, an' w'en you see um 'pariently fattenin' on +a'r, you k'n des bet dat ruinashun's gwine on some'rs. I got +mustard, en poke salid, en lam's quarter in dat baskit, en me en +my ole 'oman gwineter sample it. Ef enny you boys git a invite +you come, but ef you don't you better stay 'way. I gotter muskit +out dar w'at's used ter persidin' 'roun' whar dey's a cripple +nigger. Don't you fergit dat off'n yo' mine." + + +V. A CONFESSION + +"W'AT'S dis yer I see, great big niggers gwine 'lopin' 'roun' +town wid cakes 'n pies fer ter sell?" asked Uncle Remus recently, +in his most scornful tone. + +"That's what they are doing," responded a young man; "that's the +way they make a living." + +"Dat w'at make I say w'at I duz--dat w'at keep me grum'lin' w'en +I goes in cullud fokes s'ciety. Some niggers ain't gwine ter wuk +nohow, an' hit's flingin' way time fer ter set enny chain-gang +traps fer ter ketch um." + +"Well, now, here!" exclaimed the young man, in a dramatic tone, +"what are you giving us now? Isn't it just as honest and just as +regular to sell pies as it is to do any other kind of work?" + +"'Tain't dat, boss:' said the old man, seeing that he was about +to be cornered; 'tain't dat. Hit's de nas'ness un it w'at gits +me." + +"Oh, get out!" + +"Dat's me, boss, up an' down. Ef dere's ruinashun ennywhar in de +known wurril, she goes in de comp'ny uv a hongry nigger w'at's a +totin' pies 'roun.' Sometimes w'en I git kotch wid emptiness in +de pit er de stummuck, an' git ter fairly honin' arter sumpin' +w'at got substance in it, den hit look like unto me dat I kin +stan' flat-footed an' make more cle'r money eatin' pies dan I +could if I wuz ter sell de las' one 'twixt dis an' Chris'mus. An' +de nigger w'at k'n trapes 'round wid pies and not git in no +alley-way an' sample um, den I'm bleedzd ter say dat nigger out- +niggers me an' my fambly. So dar now!" + + +VI. UNCLE REMUS WITH THE TOOTHACHE + +WHEN Uncle Remus put in an appearance one morning recently, +his friends knew he had been in trouble. He had a red cotton +handkerchief tied under his chin, and the genial humor that +usually makes his aged face its dwelling-place had given way to +an expression of grim melancholy. The young men about the office +were inclined to chaff him, but his look of sullen resignation +remained unchanged. + +"What revival did you attend last night?" inquired one. + +"What was the color of the mule that did the hammering?" asked +another. + +"I always told the old man that a suburban chicken coop would +fall on him," remarked some one. + +"A strange pig has been squealing in his ear," suggested some one +else. + +But Uncle Remus remained impassive. He seemed to have lost all +interest in what was going on around him, and he sighed heavily +as he seated himself on the edge of the trash-box in front of the +office. Finally some one asked, in a sympathetic tone: + +"What is the matter, old man? You look like you'd been through +the mill." + +"Now you 'er knockin'. I ain't bin thoo de mill sence day 'fo' +yistiddy, den dey ain't no mills in de lan'. Ef wunner deze yer +scurshun trains had runned over me I couldn't er bin wuss off. I +bin trompin' 'roun' in de lowgroun's now gwine on seventy-fi' +year, but I ain't see no sich times ez dat w'at I done spe'unst +now. Boss, is enny er you all ever rastled wid de toofache?" + +"Oh, hundreds of times! The toothache isn't anything." + +"Den you des played 'roun' de aidges. You ain't had de kine w'at +kotch me on de underjaw. You mout a had a gum-bile, but you +ain't bin boddered wid de toofache. I wuz settin' up talkin' wid +my ole 'oman, kinder puzzlin' 'roun' fer ter see whar de nex' +meal's vittles wuz a gwineter cum fum, an' I feel a little ache +sorter crawlin' 'long on my jaw-bone, kinder feelin' his way. But +de ache don't stay long. He sorter hankered 'roun' like, en den +crope back whar he come fum. Bimeby I feel 'im comin' agin, an' +dis time hit look like he come up closer--kinder skummishin' +'roun' fer ter see how de lan' lay. Den he went off. Present'y I +feel 'im comin', an' dis time hit look like he kyar'd de news +unto Mary, fer hit feel like der wuz anudder wun wid 'im. Dey +crep' up an' crep' 'roun', an, den dey crope off. Bimeby dey come +back, an' dis time dey come like dey wuzzent 'fear'd er de +s'roundin's, fer dey trot right up unto de toof, sorter 'zamine +it like, an' den trot all roun' it, like deze yer circuous +hosses. I sot dar mighty ca'm, but I 'spected dat sump'n' wuz +gwine ter happ'n." + +"And it happened, did it?" asked some one in the group +surrounding the old man. + +"Boss, don't you fergit it," responded Uncle Remus, fervidly. +"W'en dem aches gallop back dey galloped fer ter stay, an' dey +wuz so mixed up dat I couldn't tell one fum de udder. All night +long dey racked an' dey galloped, an' w'en dey got tired er +rackin' an' gallopin', dey all close in on de ole toof an' +thumped it an' gouged at it twel it 'peared unto me dat dey had +got de jaw-bone loosened up, an' wuz tryin' fer ter fetch it up +thoo de top er my head an' out at der back er my neck. An' dey +got wuss nex' day. Mars John, he seed I wuz 'stracted, an' he +tole me fer ter go roun' yere an' git sump'n' put on it, an' de +drug man he 'lowed dat I better have 'er draw'd, an' his wuds +wuzzent more'n col' 'fo' wunner deze yer watchyoumaycollums-- +wunner deze dentis' mens--had retched fer it wid a pa'r er tongs +w'at don't tu'n loose w'en dey ketches a holt. Leas'ways dey +didn't wid me. You oughter seed dat toof, boss. Hit wuz wunner +deze yer fo'-prong fellers. Ef she'd a grow'd wrong eend out'ard, +I'd a bin a bad nigger long arter I jin'd de chu'ch. You year'd +my ho'n!" + + +VII. THE PHONOGRAPH + +"UNC REMUS," asked a tall, awkward-looking negro, who was one of +a crowd surrounding the old man, "w'at's dish 'ere w'at dey calls +de fonygraf--dish yer inst'ument w'at kin holler 'roun' like +little chillun in de back yard?" + +"I ain't seed um," said Uncle Remus, feeling in his pocket for a +fresh chew of tobacco. "I ain't seed um, but I year talk un um. +Miss Sally wuz a readin' in de papers las' Chuseday, an' she say +dat's it's a mighty big watchyoumaycollum." + +"A mighty big w'ich?" asked one of the crowd. + +"A mighty big w'atsizname," answered Uncle Remus, cautiously. "I +wuzzent up dar close to whar Miss Sarah wuz a readin', but I +kinder geddered in dat it wuz one er deze 'ere w'atzisnames w'at +you hollers inter one year an it comes out er de udder. Hit's +mighty funny unter me how dese fokes kin go an' prognosticate der +eckoes inter one er deze yer i'on boxes, an' dar hit'll stay on +twel de man comes long an' tu'ns de handle an' let's de fuss come +pilin' out. Bimeby dey'll git ter makin' sho' nuff fokes, an' den +dere'll be a racket 'roun' here. Dey tells me dat it goes off +like one er deze yer torpedoes." + +"You year dat, don't you?" said one or two of the younger +negroes. + +"Dat's w'at dey tells me," continued Uncle Remus. "Dat's w'at dey +sez. Hit's one er deze yer kinder w'atzisnames w'at sasses back +w'en you hollers at it." + +"W'at dey fix um fer, den?" asked one of the practical negroes. + +"Dat's w'at I wanter know," said Uncle Remus, contemplatively. +"But dat's w'at Miss Sally wuz a readin' in de paper. All you +gotter do is ter holler at de box, an' dar's yo' remarks. Dey +goes in, an' dar dey er tooken and dar dey hangs on twel you +shakes de box, an' den dey draps out des ez fresh ez deze yer +fishes w'at you git fum Savannah, an' you ain't got time fer ter +look at dere gills, nudder." + + +VIII. RACE IMPROVEMENT + +"Dere's a kind er limberness 'bout niggers dese days dat's mighty +cu'us," remarked Uncle Remus yesterday, as he deposited a pitcher +of fresh water upon the exchange table. "I notisses it in de +alley-ways an on de street-cornders. Dey er rackin' up, mon, deze +yer cullud fokes is." + +"What are you trying to give us now?" inquired one of the young +men, in a bilious tone. + +"The old man's mind is wandering," said the society editor, +smoothing the wrinkles out of his lavender kids. + +Uncle Remus laughed. I speck I is a gittin' mo frailer dan I wuz +'fo' de fahmin days wuz over, but I sees wid my eyes an' I years +wid my year, same ez enny er dese yer young bucks w'at goes a +gallopin' roun' huntin' up devilment, an' w'en I sees de +limberness er dese yer cullud people, an' w'en I sees how dey er +dancin' up, den I gits sorter hopeful. Dey er kinder ketchin' up +wid me." + +"How is that?" + +"Oh, dey er movin'," responded Uncle Remus. "Dey er sorter comin' +'roun'. Dey er gittin' so dey bleeve dat dey ain't no better dan +de w'ite fokes. W'en freedom come out de niggers sorter got dere +humps up, an' dey staid dat way, twel bimeby dey begun fer ter +git hongry, an' den dey begun fer ter drap inter line right +smartually; an' now," continued the old man, emphatically, "dey +er des ez palaverous ez dey wuz befo' de war. Dey er gittin' on +solid groun', mon." + +"You think they are improving, then?" + +"You er chawin' guv'nment now, boss. You slap de law onter a +nigger a time er two, an' larn 'im dat he's got fer to look after +his own rashuns an' keep out'n udder fokes's chick'n-coops, an' +sorter coax 'im inter de idee dat he's got ter feed 'is own +chilluns, an' I be blessed ef you ain't got 'im on risin' groun'. +An', mo'n dat, w'en he gits holt er de fack dat a nigger k'n have +yaller fever same ez w'ite folks, you done got 'im on de mo'ners' +bench, an' den ef you come down strong on de p'int dat he oughter +stan' fas' by de fokes w'at hope him w'en he wuz in trouble de +job's done. W'en you does dat, ef you ain't got yo' han's on a +new-made nigger, den my name ain't Remus, an' ef dat name's bin +changed I ain't seen her abbertized." + + +IX. IN THE ROLE OF A TARTAR + +A CHARLESTON negro who was in Atlanta on the Fourth of July made +a mistake. He saw Uncle Remus edging his way through the crowd, +and thought he knew him. + +"Howdy, Daddy Ben?" the stranger exclaimed. "I tink I nubber see +you no mo'. Wey you gwan? He hot fer true, ain't he?" + +"Daddy who?" asked Uncle Remus, straightening himself up with +dignity. "W'ich?" + +"I know you in Char'son, an' den in Sewanny. I spec I dun grow +away from 'membrance." + +"You knowed me in Charlstun, and den in Savanny?" + +"He been long time, ain't he, Daddy Ben?" + +"Dat's w'at's a pesterin' un me. How much you reckon you know'd +me?" + +"He good while pas'; when I wer' pickaninny. He long time ago. +Wey you gwan, Daddy Ben?" + +"W'at does you season your recollection wid fer ter make it hol' +on so?" inquired the old man. + +"I dunno. He stick hese'f. I see you comin' 'long 'n I say 'Dey +Daddy Ben.' I tink I see you no mo', an' I shaky you by de han'. +Wey you gwan? Dey no place yer wey we git wine?" + +Uncle Remus stared at the strange darkey curiously for a moment, +and then he seized him by the arm. + +"Come yer, son, whar dey ain't no folks an' lemme drap some +Jawjy 'intment in dem years er yone. You er mighty fur ways fum +home, an' you wanter be a lookin' out fer yo'se'f. Fus and +fo'mus, you er thumpin' de wrong watermillion. You er w'isslin' +up de wrong chube. I ain't tromped roun' de country much. I ain't +bin to Charlstun an' needer is I tuck in Savanny; but you +couldn't rig up no game on me dat I wouldn't tumble on to it de +minit I laid my eyeballs on you. W'en hit come to dat I'm ole man +Tumbler, fum Tumblersville--I is dat. Hit takes one er deze yer +full-blooded w'ite men fur ter trap my jedgment. But w'en a +nigger comes a jabberin' 'roun' like he got a mouf full er rice +straw, he ain't got no mo' chance long side er me dan a sick +sparrer wid a squinch-owl. You gutter travel wid a circus 'fo' +you gits away wid me. You better go long an' git yo' kyarpet-sack +and skip de town. You er de freshest nigger w'at I seen yit." + +The Charleston negro passed on just as a police-man' came up. + +"Boss, you see dat smart Ellick?" + +"Yes, what's the matter with him?" + +"He's one er deze yer scurshun niggers from Charlstun. I seed you +a-stannin' over agin de cornder yander, an' ef dat nigger'd a +draw'd his monty kyards on me, I wuz a gwineter holler fer you. +Would you er come, boss?" + +"Why, certainly, Uncle Remus." + +"Dat's w'at I 'low'd. Little more'n he'd a bin aboard er de wrong +waggin. Dat's w'at he'd a bin." + + +X. A CASE OF MEASLES + +"YOU'VE been looking like you were rather under the weather for +the past week or two, Uncle Remus," said a gentleman to the old +man. + +"You'd be sorter puny, too, boss, if you'd er bin whar I bin." + +"Where have you been?" + +"Pear ter me like eve'ybody done year 'bout dat. Dey ain't no ole +nigger my age an' size dat's had no rattliner time dan I is." + +"A kind of picnic?" + +"Go long, boss! w'at you speck I be doin' sailin' 'roun' ter dese +yer cullud picnics? Much mo' an' I wouldn't make bread by wukkin' +fer't, let 'lone follerin' up a passel er boys an' gals all over +keration. Boss, ain't you year 'bout it, sho' 'nuff?" + +"I haven't, really. What was the matter?" + +"I got strucken wid a sickness, an' she hit de ole nigger a joe- +darter 'fo' she tu'n 'im loose." + +"What kind of sickness?" + +"Hit look sorter cu'ous, boss, but ole an' steddy ez I is, I +tuck'n kotch de meezles." + +"Oh, get out! You are trying to get up a sensation." + +"Hit's a natal fack, boss, I declar' ter grashus ef 'tain't. Dey +sorter come on wid a col', like--leas'ways dat's how I commence +fer ter suffer, an' den er koff got straddle er de col'--one dese +yer koffs w'at look like hit goes ter de foundash'n. I kep' on +linger'n' 'roun' sorter keepin' one eye on the rheumatiz an' de +udder on de distemper, twel, bimeby, I begin fer ter feel de +trestle-wuk give way, an' den I des know'd dat I wuz gwineter +gitter racket. I slipt inter bed one Chuseday night, an' I never +slip out no mo' fer mighty nigh er mont'. + +"Nex' mornin' de meezles 'd done kivered me, an' den ef I didn't +git dosted by de ole 'oman I'm a Chinee. She gimme back rashuns +er sassafac tea. I des natchully hankered an' got hongry atter +water, an ev'y time I sing out fer water I got b'ilin' hot +sassafac tea. Hit got so dat w'en I wake up in de mornin' de ole +'oman 'd des come long wid a kittle er tea an' fill me up. Dey +tells me 'roun' town dat chilluns don't git hurted wid de +meezles, w'ich ef dey don't I wanter be a baby de nex' time dey +hits dis place. All dis yer meezles bizness is bran'-new ter me. +In ole times, 'fo' de wah, I ain't heer tell er no seventy-fi'- +year-ole nigger grapplin' wid no meezles. Dey ain't ketchin' no +mo', is dey, boss?" + +"Oh, no--I suppose not." + +"'Kase ef dey is, you k'n des put my name down wid de migrashun +niggers." + + +XI. THE EMIGRANTS + +WHEN Uncle Remus went down to the passenger depot one morning +recently, the first sight that caught his eye was an old negro +man, a woman, and two children sitting in the shade near the +door of the baggage-room. One of the children was very young, +and the quartet was altogether ragged and forlorn-looking. +The sympathies of Uncle Remus were immediately aroused. He +approached the group by forced marches, and finally unburdened +his curiosity. + +"Whar is you m'anderin' unter, pard?" + +The old negro, who seemed to be rather suspicious, looked at +Uncle Remus coolly, and appeared to be considering whether he +should make any reply. Finally, however, he stretched himself and +said: + +"We er gwine down in de naberhoods er Tallypoosy, an we ain't +makin' no fuss 'bout it, nudder." + +"I disremember," said Uncle Remus, thoughtfully, "whar Tallypoosy +is." + +"Oh, hit's out yan," replied the old man, motioning his head as +if it was just beyond the iron gates of the depot. "Hit's down in +Alabam. When we git dar, maybe well go on twel we gits ter +Massasip." + +"Is you got enny folks out dar?" inquired Uncle Remus. + +"None dat I knows un." + +"An' you er takin' dis 'oman an' deze chillun out dar whar dey +dunno nobody? Whar's yo' perwisions?" eying a chest with a rope +around it. + +"Dem's our bedcloze," the old negro explained, noticing the +glance of Uncle Remus. "All de vittles what we got we e't 'fo' we +started." + +"An' you speck ter retch dar safe an soun'? Whar's yo' ticket?" + +"Ain't got none. De man say ez how dey'd pass us thoo. I gin a +man a fi'-dollar bill 'fo' I lef' Jonesboro, an' he sed dat +settled it." + +"Lemme tell you dis," said Uncle Remus, straightening up +indignantly: "you go an' rob somebody an' git on de chain-gang, +an' let de 'oman scratch 'roun' yer an' make 'er livin'; but +don't you git on dem kyars--don't you do it. Yo' bes' holt is de +chain-gang. You kin make yo' livin' dar w'en you can't make it no +whars else. But don't you git on dem kyars. Ef you do, you er +gone nigger. Ef you ain't got no money fer ter walk back wid, you +better des b'il' yo' nes' right here. I'm a-talkin' wid de bark +on. I done seed deze yer Arkinsaw emmygrants come lopin' back, +an' some un 'em didn't have rags nuff on 'em fer ter hide dere +nakidness. You leave dat box right whar she is, an, let de 'oman +take wun young un an you take de udder wun, an' den you git in de +middle er de big road an' pull out fer de place whar you come +fum. I'm preachin' now." + +Those who watched say the quartet didn't take the cars. + + +XII. AS A MURDERER + +UNCLE Remus met a police officer recently. + +"You ain't hear talk er no dead nigger nowhar dis mawnin', is +you, boss?" asked the old man earnestly. + +"No," replied the policeman, reflectively. "No, I believe not. +Have you heard of any?" + +"'Pears unter me dat I come mighty nigh gittin' some news bout +dat size, an' dat's w'at I'm a huntin' fer. Bekaze ef dey er +foun' a stray nigger layin' 'roun' loose, wid 'is bref gone, den +I wanter go home an' git my brekfus' an' put on some clean cloze, +an' 'liver myse'f up ter wunner deze yer jestesses er de peace, +an git a fa'r trial." + +"Why, have you killed anybody?" + +"Dat's w'at's I'm a 'quirin' inter now, but I wouldn't be +sustonished ef I ain't laid a nigger out some'rs on de subbubs. +Hit's done got so it's agin de law fer ter bus' loose an' kill a +nigger, ain't it, boss?" + +"Well, I should say so. You don't mean to tell me that you have +killed a colored man, do you?" + +"I speck I is, boss. I speck I done gone an' done it dis time, +sho.' Hit's bin sorter growin' on me, an' it come ter a head dis +mawnin', 'less my name ain't Remus, an' dat's w'at dey bin er +callin' me sence I wuz ole er 'nuff fer ter scratch myse'f wid my +lef' han'." + +"Well, if you've killed a man, you'll have some fun, sure enough. +How was it?" + +"Hit wuz dis way, boss: I wuz layin' in my bed dis mawnin' sorter +ruminatin' 'roun', when de fus news I know'd I year a fus' 'mong +de chickens, an' den my brissels riz. I done had lots er trubble +wid dem chickens, an' w'en I years wun un um squall my ve'y shoes +comes ontied. So I des sorter riz up an' retch fer my ole muskit, +and den I crope out er de back do', an' w'atter you reckin I +seed?" + +"I couldn't say." + +"I seed de biggest, blackest nigger dat you ever laid eyes on. He +shined like de paint on 'im was fresh. He hed done grabbed fo' er +my forwardes' pullets. I crope up nigh de do', an' hollered an' +axed 'im how he wuz a gittin' on, an' den he broke, an' ez he +broke I jammed de gun in de small er his back and banged aloose. +He let a yell like forty yaller cats a courtin', an' den he +broke. You ain't seed no nigger hump hisse'f like dat nigger. He +tore down de well shelter and fo' pannils er fence, an' de groun' +look like wunner deze yer harrycanes had lit dar and fanned up de +yeath." + +"Why, I thought you killed him?" + +"He bleedzed ter be dead, boss. Ain't I put de gun right on 'im? +Seem like I feel 'im give way w'en she went off." + +"Was the gun loaded?" + +"Dat's w'at my ole 'oman say. She had de powder in dar, sho', but +I disremember wedder I put de buckshot in, er wedder I lef' um +out. Leas'ways, I'm gwineter call on wunner deze yer jestesses. +So long, boss." + + +XIII. HIS PRACTICAL VIEW OF THINGS + +"BRER REMUS, is you heern tell er deze doin's out yer in de +udder eend er town?" asked a colored deacon of the church the +other day. + +"W'at doin's is dat, Brer Ab?" + +"Deze yer signs an' wunders whar dat cullud lady died day 'fo' +yistiddy. Mighty quare goin's on out dar, Brer Remus, sho's you +bawn." + +"Sperrits?" inquired Uncle Remus, sententiously. + +"Wuss'n dat, Brer Remus. Some say dat jedgment day ain't fur off, +an' de folks is flockin' 'roun' de house a hollerin' an' a- +shoutin' des like dey wuz in er revival. In de winder glass dar +you kin see de flags a flyin', an' Jacob's lather is dar, an' +dar's writin' on de pane w'at no man can't read--leas'wise dey +ain't none read it yit." + +"W'at kinder racket is dis you er givin' un me now, Brer Ab?" + +"I done bin dar, Brer Remus; I done seed um wid bofe my eyes. +Cullud lady what wuz intranced done woke up an' say dey ain't +much time fer ter tarry. She say she meet er angel in de road, +an' he p'inted straight fer de mornin' star, an' tell her fer ter +prepar'. Hit look mighty cu'us, Brer Remus." + +"Cum down ter dat, Brer Ab," said Uncle Remus, wiping his +spectacles carefully, and readjusting them--"cum down ter dat, +an' dey ain't nuthin' dat ain't cu'us. I ain't no spishus nigger +myse'f, but I 'spizes fer ter year dogs a howlin' an' squinch- +owls havin' de agur out in de woods, an' w'en a bull goes a +bellerin' by de house den my bones git col' an' my flesh +commences fer ter creep; but w'en it comes ter deze yer sines in +de a'r an' deze yer sperrits in de woods, den I'm out--den I'm +done. I is, fer a fack. I bin livin' yer more'n seventy year, an' +I year talk er niggers seein' ghos'es all times er night an' all +times er day, but I ain't never seed none yit; an' deze yer flags +an' Jacob's lathers, I ain't seed dem, nudder." + +"Dey er dar, Brer Remus." + +"Hit's des like I tell you, Brer Ab. I ain't 'sputin' 'bout it, +but I ain't seed um, an' I don't take no chances deze days on dat +w'at I don't see, an' dat w'at I sees I got ter 'zamine mighty +close. Lemme tell you dis, Brer Ab: don't you let deze sines +onsettle you. W'en old man Gabrile toot his ho'n, he ain't +gwineter hang no sine out in de winder-panes, an when ole Fadder +Jacob lets down dat lather er his'n you'll be mighty ap' fer ter +hear de racket. An' don't you bodder wid jedgment-day. Jedgment- +day is lierbul fer ter take keer un itse'f." + +"Dat's so, Brer Remus." + +"Hit's bleedzed ter be so, Brer Ab. Hit don't bodder me. Hit's +done got so now dat w'en I gotter pone er bread, an' a rasher er +bacon, an' nuff grease fer ter make gravy, I ain't keerin' much +w'edder fokes sees ghos'es er no." + + +XIV. THAT DECEITFUL JUG + +UNCLE REMUS was in good humor one evening recently when +he dropped casually into the editorial room of "The +Constitution," as has been his custom for the past year or two. +He had a bag slung across his shoulder, and in the bag was a jug. +The presence of this humble but useful vessel in Uncle Remus's +bag was made the occasion for several suggestive jokes at his +expense by the members of the staff, but the old man's good humor +was proof against all insinuations. + +"Dat ar jug's bin ter wah, mon. Hit's wunner deze yer ole timers. +I got dat jug down dar in Putmon County w'en Mars 'Lisha Ferryman +wuz a young man, an' now he's done growed up, an' got ole an' +died, an' his chilluns is growed up an' dey kin count dere +gran'chilluns, an' yit dar's dat jug des ez lively an' ez lierbul +fer ter kick up devilment ez w'at she wuz w'en she come fum de +foundry." + +"That's the trouble," said one of the young men. "That's the +reason we'd like to know what's in it now. + +"Now you er gittin' on ma'shy groun'," replied Uncle Remus. +"Dat's de p'int. Dat's w'at make me say w'at I duz. I bin knowin' +dat jug now gwine on sixty-fi' year, an' de jug w'at's more +seetful dan dat jug ain't on de topside er de worrul. Dar she +sets," continued the old man, gazing at it reflectively, "dar she +sets dez ez natchul ez er ambertype, an' yit whar's de man w'at +kin tell w'at kinder confab she's a gwineter carry on w'en dat +corn-cob is snatched outen 'er mouf? Dat jug is mighty seetful, +mon." + +"Well, it don't deceive any of us up here," remarked the +agricultural editor, dryly. "We've seen jugs before." + +"I boun' you is, boss; I boun' you is. But you ain't seed no +seetful jug like dat. Dar she sets a bellyin' out an' lookin' +mighty fat an' full, an' yit she'd set dar a bellyin' out ef dere +wuzzent nuthin' but win' under dat stopper. You knows dat she +ain't got no aigs in her, ner no bacon, ner no grits, ner no +termartusses, ner no shellotes, an' dat's 'bout all you duz know. +Dog my cats ef de seetfulness er dat jug don't git away wid me," +continued Uncle Remus, with a chuckle. "I wuz comm' 'cross de +bridge des now, an' Brer John Henry seed me wid de bag slung +onter my back, an' de jug in it, an' he ups an' sez, sezee: + +"'Heyo, Brer Remus, ain't it gittin' late for watermillions?' + +"Hit wuz de seetfulness er dat jug. If Brer John Henry know'd de +color er dat watermillion, I speck he'd snatch me up 'fo' de +confunce. I 'clar' ter grashus ef dat jug ain't a caution!" + +"I suppose it's full of molasses now," remarked one of the young +men, sarcastically. + +"Hear dat!" exclaimed Uncle Remus, triumphantly "hear dat! W'at +I tell you? I sed dat jug wuz seetful, an' I sticks to it. I bin +knowin' dat--" + +"What has it got in it?" broke in some one; "molasses, kerosene, +or train-oil?" + +"Well, I lay she's loaded, boss. I ain't shuk her up sence I +drapt in, but I lay she's loaded." + +"Yes," said the agricultural editor, "and it's the meanest bug- +juice in town--regular sorghum skimmings." + +"Dat's needer yer ner dar," responded Uncle Remus. "Po' fokes +better be fixin' up for Chris'mus now w'ile rashuns is cheap. +Dat's me. W'en I year Miss Sally gwine 'bout de house w'isslin' +'W'en I k'n read my titles cle'r--an' w'en I see de martins +swawmin' atter sundown--an' w'en I year de peckerwoods confabbin' +togedder dese moonshiny nights in my een er town--en I knows de +hot wedder's a breakin' up, an' I know it's 'bout time fer po' +fokes fer ter be rastlin' 'roun' and huntin' up dere rashuns. +Dat's me, up an down." + +"Well, we are satisfied. Better go and hire a hall," remarked the +sporting editor, with a yawn. "If you are engaged in a talking +match you have won the money. Blanket him somebody, and take +him to the stable." + +"An' w'at's mo'," continued the old man, scorning to notice the +insinuation, "dough I year Miss Sally w'isslin', an' de +peckerwoods a chatterin', I ain't seein' none er deze yer loafin' +niggers fixin' up fer ter 'migrate. Dey kin holler Kansas all +'roun' de naberhood, but ceppin' a man come 'long an' spell it +wid greenbacks, he don't ketch none er deze yer town niggers. You +year me, dey ain't gwine." + +"Stand him up on the table," said the Sporting editor; "give him +room." + +"Better go down yer ter de calaboose, an' git some news fer ter +print," said Uncle Remus, with a touch of irony in his tone. +"Some new nigger mighter broke inter jail." + +"You say the darkeys are not going to emigrate this year?" +inquired the agricultural editor, who is interested in these +things. + +"Shoo! dat dey ain't! I done seed an' I knows." + +"Well, how do you know?" + +"How you tell w'en crow gwineter light? Niggers bin prom'nadin' +by my house all dis summer, holdin' dere heads high up an' de +w'ites er dere eyeballs shinin' in de sun. Dey wuz too bigitty +fer ter look over de gyardin' palm's. 'Long 'bout den de wedder +wuz fetchin' de nat'al sperrits er turkentime outen de pine-trees +an' de groun' wuz fa'rly smokin' wid de hotness. Now that it's +gittin' sorter airish in de mornin's, dey don't 'pear like de +same niggers. Dey done got so dey'll look over in de yard, an' +nex' news you know dey'll be tryin' fer ter scrape up 'quaintence +wid de dog. W'en dey passes now dey looks at de chicken-coop an' +at der tater-patch. W'en you see niggers gittin' dat familious, +you kin 'pen' on dere campin' wid you de ballunce er de season. +Day 'fo' yistiddy I kotch one un um lookin' over de fence at my +shoats, an' I sez, sez I: + +"'Duz you wanter purchis dem hogs?' + +"'Oh, no,' sezee, 'I wuz des lookin' at dere p'ints.' + +"'Well, dey ain't p'intin' yo' way, sez I, 'an', fuddermo', ef +you don't bodder longer dem hogs dey ain't gwineter clime outer +dat pen an' 'tack you, nudder,'" sez I. + +"An' I boun'," continued Uncle Remus, driving the corn-cob +stopper a little tighter in his deceitful jug and gathering up +his bag--"an' I boun' dat my ole muskit 'll go off 'tween me an' +dat same nigger yit, an' he'll be at de bad een', an' dis seetful +jug'll 'fuse ter go ter de funer'l." + + +XV. THE FLORIDA WATERMELON + +"LOOK yer, boy," said Uncle Remus yesterday, Stopping near the +railroad crossing on Whitehall Street, and gazing ferociously at +a small colored youth; "look yer, boy, Ill lay you out flat ef +you come flingin' yo' watermillion rimes under my foot--you watch +ef I don't. You k'n play yo' pranks on deze yer w'ite fokes, but +w'en you come a cuttin' up yo' capers roun me you 'll lan' right +in de middle uv er spell er sickness--now you mine w'at I tell +you. An' I ain't gwine fer ter put up wid none er yo' sassness +nudder--let 'lone flingin' watermillion rimes whar I kin git +mixt up wid um. I done had nuff watermillions yistiddy an' de day +befo'." + +"How was that, Uncle Remus?" asked a gentleman standing near. + +"Hit wuz sorter like dis, boss. Las' Chuseday, Mars John he fotch +home two er deze yer Flurridy watermillions, an him an' Miss +Sally sot down fer ter eat um. Mars John an' Miss Sally ain't got +nuthin' dat's too good fer me, an' de fus news I know'd Miss +Sally wuz a hollerin' fer Remus. I done smelt de watermillion on +de a'r, an' I ain't got no better sense dan fer ter go w'en I +years w'ite fokes a-hollerin'--I larnt dat w'en I wa'n't so high. +Leas'ways I galloped up ter de back po'ch, an' dar sot de +watermillions dez ez natchul ez ef dey'd er bin raised on de ole +Spivey place in Putmon County. Den Miss Sally, she cut me off er +slishe--wunner deze yer ongodly slishes, big ez yo' hat, an' I +sot down on de steps an' wrop myse'f roun' de whole blessid +chunk, 'cep'in' de rime." Uncle Remus paused and laid his hand +upon his stomach as if feeling for something. + +"Well, old man, what then?" + +"Dat's w'at I'm a gittin' at, boss," said Uncle Remus, smiling a +feeble smile. "I santered roun' 'bout er half nour, an den I +begin fer ter feel sorter squeemish--sorter like I done bin an, +swoller'd 'bout fo' poun's off'n de ruff een' uv er scantlin'. +Look like ter me dat I wuz gwineter be sick, an' den hit look +like I wuzzent. Bimeby a little pain showed 'is head an' sorter +m'andered roun' like he wuz a lookin' fer a good place fer ter +ketch holt, an' den a great big pain jump up an' take atter de +little one an' chase 'im 'roun' an' 'roun,' an' he mus' er kotch +'im, kaze bimeby de big pain retch down an' grab dis yer lef' +leg--so--an' haul 'im up, an' den he retch down an grab de udder +one an' pull him up, an' den de wah begun, sho nuff. Fer mighty +nigh fo' hours dey kep' up dat racket, an' des ez soon ez a +little pain 'ud jump up de big un 'ud light onter it an' gobble +it up, an' den de big un 'ud go sailin' roun' huntin' fer mo'. +Some fokes is mighty cu'us, dough. Nex' mornin' I hear Miss Sally +a laughin', an' singin' an' a w'isslin' des like dey want no +watermillions raise in Flurridy. But somebody better pen dis yer +nigger boy up w'en I'm on de town--I kin tell you dat." + + +XVI. UNCLE REMUS PREACHES TO A CONVERT + +"DEY tells me you done jine de chu'ch," said Uncle Remus to +Pegleg Charley. + +"Yes, sir," responded Charley, gravely, "dat's so." + +"Well, I'm mighty glad er dat," remarked Uncle Remus, with +unction. "It's 'bout time dat I wuz spectin' fer ter hear un you +in de chain-gang, an', stidder dat, hit's de chu'ch. Well, dey +ain't no tellin' deze days whar a nigger's gwineter lan'." + +"Yes," responded Charley, straightening himself up and speaking +in a dignified tone, "yes, I'm fixin' to do better. I'm preparin' +fer to shake worldliness. I'm done quit so'shatin' wid deze w'ite +town boys. Dey've been a goin' back on me too rapidly here +lately, an' now I'm a goin' back on dem." + +"Well, ef you done had de speunce un it, I'm mighty glad. Ef you +got 'lijjun, you better hol' on to it 'twel de las' day in de +mornin'. Hit's mighty good fer ter kyar' 'roun' wid you in de day +time an' likewise in de night time. Hit'll pay you mo' dan +politics, an' ef you stan's up like you oughter, hit'll las' +longer dan a bone-fellum. But you wanter have one er deze yer +ole-time grips, an' you des gotter shet yo' eyes an' swing on +like wunner deze yer bull-tarrier dogs." + +"Oh, I'm goin' to stick, Uncle Remus. You kin put your money on +dat. Deze town boys can't play no more uv dere games on me. I'm +fixed. Can't you lend me a dime, Uncle Remus, to buy me a pie? +I'm dat hongry dat my stomach is gittin' ready to go in mo'nin." + +Uncle Remus eyed Charley curiously a moment, while the latter +looked quietly at his timber toe. Finally, the old man sighed and +spoke: + +"How long is you bin in de chu'ch, son?" + +"Mighty near a week," replied Charley. + +"Well, lemme tell you dis, now, 'fo' you go enny fudder. You ain't +bin in dar long nuff fer ter go 'roun' takin' up conterbutions. +Wait ontwell you gits sorter seasoned like, an' den I'll hunt +'roun' in my cloze an' see ef I can't run out a thrip er two fer +you. But don't you levy taxes too early." + +Charley laughed, and said he would let the old man off if he +would treat to a watermelon. + + +XVII. AS TO EDUCATION + +As Uncle Remus came up Whitehall Street recently, he met a little +colored boy carrying a slate and a number of books. Some words +passed between them, but their exact purport will probably never +be known. They were unpleasant, for the attention of a wandering +policeman was called to the matter by hearing the old man bawl +out: + +"Don't you come foolin' longer me, nigger. You er flippin' yo' +sass at de wrong color. You k'n go roun' yer an' sass deze w'ite +people, an' maybe dey'll stan' it, but w'en you come a-slingin' +yo' jaw at a man w'at wuz gray w'en de fahmin' days gin out, you +better go an' git yo' hide greased." + +"What's the matter, old man?" asked a sympathizing policeman. + +"Nothin', boss, 'ceppin I ain't gwineter hav' no nigger chillun a +hoopin' an' a hollerin' at me w'en I'm gwine long de streets." + +"Oh, well, school-children--you know how they are. + +"Dat's w'at make I say w'at I duz. Dey better be home pickin' up +chips. W'at a nigger gwineter larn outen books? I kin take a +bar'l stave an' fling mo' sense inter a nigger in one minnit dan +all de schoolhouses betwixt dis en de State er Midgigin. Don't +talk, honey! Wid one bar'l stave I kin fa'rly lif' de vail er +ignunce." + +"Then you don't believe in education?" + +"Hit's de ruinashun er dis country. Look at my gal. De ole 'oman +sont 'er ter school las' year, an' now we dassent hardly ax 'er +fer ter kyar de washin' home. She done got beyant 'er bizness. I +ain't larnt nuthin' in books, 'en yit I kin count all de money I +gits. No use talkin', boss. Put a spellin'-book in a nigger's +han's, en right den en dar' you loozes a plow-hand. I done had de +speunce un it." + + +XVIII. A TEMPERANCE REFORMER + +"Yer come Uncle Remus," said a well-dressed negro, who was +standing on the sidewalk near James's bank recently, talking to a +crowd of barbers. "Yer come Uncle Remus. I boun' he'll sign it." + +"You'll fling yo' money away ef you bet on it," responded Uncle +Remus. "I ain't turnin' nothin' loose on chu'ch 'scriptions. I +wants money right now fer ter git a pint er meal." + +'Tain't dat." + +"An' I ain't heppin fer ter berry nobody. Much's I kin do ter +keep de bref in my own body." + +"'Tain't dat, nudder." + +"An' I ain't puttin' my han' ter no reckommends. I'm fear'd fer +ter say a perlite wud 'bout myself, an' I des know I ain't gwine +'roun' flatter'n up deze udder niggers." + +"An' 'tain't dat," responded the darkey, who held a paper in his +hand. "We er gittin' up a Good Tempeler's lodge, an' we like ter +git yo' name." + +"Eh-eh, honey! I done see too much er dis nigger tempunce. Dey +stan' up mighty squar' ontwell dere dues commence ter cramp um, +an' dey don't stan' de racket wuf a durn. No longer'n yistiddy I +seed one er de head men er one er dese Tempeler's s'cieties +totin' water fer a bar-room. He had de water in a bucket, but dey +ain't no tellin' how much red licker he wuz a totin'. G'long, +chile--jine yo' s'ciety an' be good ter yo'se'f. I'm a gittin' +too ole. Gimme th'ee er fo' drams endurin' er de day, an' I'm +mighty nigh ez good a tempunce man ez de next un. I got ter +scuffle fer sump'n t'eat." + + +XIX. AS A WEATHER PROPHET + +UNCLE REMUS was enlightening a crowd of negroes at the car-shed +yesterday. + +"Dar ain't nuthin'," said the old man, shaking his head +pensively, "dat ain't got no change wrote on it. Dar ain't nothin +dat ain't spotted befo' hit begins fer ter commence. We all +speunces dat p'overdence w'at lifts us up fum one place an' sets +us down in de udder. Hit's continerly a movin' an a movin'." + +"Dat's so!" "You er talkin' now!" came from several of his +hearers. + +"I year Miss Sally readin' dis mawnin," continued the old man, +"dat a man wuz comin' down yer fer ter take keer er de wedder-- +wunner deze yer Buro mens w'at goes 'roun' a puttin' up an' +pullin' down." + +"W'at he gwine do 'roun' yer?" asked one. + +"He's a gwineter regelate de wedder," replied Uncle Remus, +sententiously. "He's a gwineter fix hit up so dat dere won't be +so much worriment 'mong de w'ite fokes 'bout de kinder wedder +w'at falls to dere lot." + +"He gwine dish em up," suggested one of the older ones, "like man +dish out sugar. + +"No," answered Uncle Remus, mopping his benign features with a +very large and very red bandana. "He's a gwineter fix um better'n +dat. He's a gwineter fix um up so you kin have any kinder wedder +w'at you want widout totin' her home." + +"How's dat?" asked some one. + +"Hit's dis way," said the old man, thoughtfully. "In co'se you +knows w'at kinder wedder you wants. Well, den, w'en de man comes +long, w'ich Miss Sally say he will, you des gotter go up dar, +pick out yo' wedder an' dere'll be a clock sot fer ter suit yo' +case, an' w'en you git home, dere'll be yo' wedder a settin' out +in de yard waitin' fer you. I wish he wuz yer now," the old man +continued. "I'd take a pa'r er frosts in mine, ef I kotched cold +fer it. Dat's me!" + +There were various exclamations of assent, and the old man went +on his way singing, "Don't you Grieve Atter Me." + + +XX. THE OLD MAN'S TROUBLES + +"WHAT makes you look so lonesome, Brer Remus?" asked a well- +dressed negro, as the old man came shuffling down the street +by James's corner yesterday. + +"You er mighty right, I'm lonesome, Brer John Henry. W'en a ole +nigger like me is gotter paddle de canoe an' do de fishin' at de +same time, an' w'en you bleedzd ter ketch de fish an' dassent +turn de paddle loose fer ter bait de hook, den I tell you, Brer +John, you er right whar de mink had de goslin'. Mars John and +Miss Sally, dey done bin gone down unto Putmon County fer ter see +der kinfolks mighty nigh fo' days, an' you better bleeve I done +bin had ter scratch 'roun' mighty lively fer ter make de rashuns +run out even. + +"I wuz at yo' house las' night, Brer Remus," remarked Brer John +Henry, "but I couldn't roust you outer bed." + +"Hit was de unseasonableness er de hour, I speck," said Uncle +Remus, dryly. "'Pears unto me dat you all chu'ch deacons settin' +up mighty late deze col' nights. You'll be slippin' round arter +hours some time er nudder, an you'll slip bodaciously inter de +calaboose. You mine w'at I tell you." + +"It's mighty col' wedder," said Brer John Henry, evidently +wishing to change the subject. + +"Col'!" exclaimed Uncle Remus; "hit got pas' col' on der quarter +stretch. You oughter come to my house night 'fo' las'. Den you'd +a foun' me 'live an' kickin'." + +"How's dat?" + +"Well, I tell you, Brer John Henry, de col' wuz so col', an' de +kiver wuz so light, dat I thunk I'd make a raid on Mars John's +shingle pile, an' out I goes an totes in a whole armful. Den I +gits under de kiver an' tells my ole 'oman fer ter lay 'em onto +me like she was roofin' a house. Bimeby she crawls in, an' de +shingles w'at she put on her side fer ter kiver wid, dey all drap +off on de flo'. Den up I gits an' piles 'em on agin, an' w'en I +gits in bed my shingles draps off, an' dat's de way it wuz de +whole blessid night. Fus' it wuz me up an' den de ole 'oman, an' +it kep' us pow'ful warm, too, dat kinder exercise. Oh, you +oughter drapt roun' 'bout dat time, Brer John Henry. You'd a +year'd sho' nuff cussin'!" + +"You don't tell me, Brer Remus!" + +"My ole 'oman say de Ole Boy wouldn't a foun' a riper nigger, ef +he wer' ter scour de country fum Ferginny ter de Alabam'" + + +XXI. THE FOURTH OF JULY + +UNCLE REMUS made his appearance recently with his right arm in a +sling and his head bandaged to that extent that it looked like +the stick made to accompany the Centennial bass-drum. The old +man evidently expected an attack all around, for he was unusually +quiet, and fumbled in his pockets in an embarrassed manner. He +was not mistaken. The agricultural editor was the first to open +fire: + +"Well, you old villain! what have you been up to now?" + +"It is really singular," remarked a commencement orator, "that +not even an ordinary holiday--a holiday, it seems to me, that +ought to arouse all the latent instincts of patriotism in the +bosom of American citizens--can occur without embroiling some of +our most valuable citizens. It is really singular to me that such +a day should be devoted by a certain class of our population to +broils and fisticuffs." + +This final moral sentiment, which was altogether an impromptu +utterance, and which was delivered with the air of one who +addresses a vast but invisible audience of young ladies in white +dresses and blue sashes, seemed to add to the embarrassment of +Uncle Remus, and at the same time to make an explanation +necessary. + +"Dey ain't none er you young w'ite men never had no 'casion fer +ter strike up wid one er deze Mobile niggers?" asked Uncle Remus. +"'Kaze ef you iz, den you knows wharbouts de devilment come in. +Show me a Mobile nigger," continued the old man, an I'll show +you a nigger dat's marked for de chain-gang. Hit may be de fote +er de fif' er July, er hit may be de twelf' er Jinawerry, but +w'en a Mobile nigger gits in my naberhood right den an' dar +trubble sails in an' 'gages bode fer de season. I speck I'm ez +fon' er deze Nunited States ez de nex' man w'at knows dat de Buro +is busted up; but long ez Remus kin stan' on his hin' legs no +Mobile nigger can't flip inter dis town longer no Wes' P'int +'schushun an' boss 'roun' 'mong de cullud fokes. Dat's me, up an' +down, an' I boun' dere's a nigger some'rs on de road dis blessid +day dat's got dis put away in his 'membunce." + +"How did he happen to get you down and maul you in this +startling manner?" asked the commencement orator, with a tone +of exaggerated sympathy in his voice. + +"Maul who?" exclaimed Uncle Remus, indignantly. "Maul who? Boss, +de nigger dat mauled me ain't bo'nded yit, an' dey er got ter +have anudder war 'fo one is bo'nded." + +"Well, what was the trouble?" + +"Hit wuz sorter dis way, boss. I wuz stannin' down dere by Mars +John Jeems's bank, chattin' wid Sis Tempy, w'ich I ain't seed 'er +befo' now gwine on seven year, an' watchin' de folks trompin' by, +w'en one er deze yer slick-lookin' niggers, wid a bee-gum hat an' +a brass watch ez big ez de head uv a beerbar'l, come long an' +bresh up agin me--so. Dere wuz two un um, an' dey went long +gigglin' an' laffin' like a nes'ful er yaller-hammers. Bimeby dey +come long agin an' de smart Ellick brush up by me once mo'. Den I +say to myse'f, 'I lay I fetch you ef you gimme anudder invite.' +An', sho' 'nuff, yer he come agin, an' dis time he rub a piece er +watermillion rime under my lef' year." + +"What did you do?" + +"Me? I'm a mighty long-sufferin' nigger, but he hadn't no mo'n +totch me 'fo' I flung dese yer bones in his face." Here Uncle +Remus held up his damaged hand triumphantly. "I sorter sprained +my han', boss, but dog my cats if I don't bleeve I spattered de +nigger's eyeballs on de groun', and w'en he riz his count'nence +look fresh like beef-haslett. I look mighty spindlin' an' puny +now, don't I, boss?" inquired the old man, with great apparent +earnestness. + +"Rather." + +"Well, you des oughter see me git my Affikin up. Dey useter call +me er bad nigger long 'fo' de war, an hit looks like ter me dat I +gits wuss an' wuss. Brer John Henry say dat I oughter subdue my +rashfulness, an' I don't 'spute it, but tu'n a Mobile nigger +loose in dis town, fote er July or no fote er July, an', me er +him, one is got ter lan' in jail. Hit's proned inter me." + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE REMUS *** + +This file should be named 2306.txt or 2306.zip + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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