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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Remus, by Joel Chandler Harris
+
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+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
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+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 ***
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