DEVIL

TALES

BY

VIRGINIA

FRAZER

ILLUSTRATED

A.

NEW

HARPER
PUBLISHERS

BOYLE

BY

FROST

B.

YORK

AND

"

LONDON

BROTHERS
*

Copyright,

by

1900,

All

rights

HARPER

"

reserved.

BROTHERS

TO

ELLEN

M32987

CONTENTS

OLD

CINDER

CAT
x

"A

KINGDOM

MICAJAH"

FOR

23

THE

DEVIL'S

LITTLE

FLY
53

ASMODEUS
IN

THE

QUARTERS
77

THE

TAMING
OF

JEZRUL
9I

DARK

MOON

ER

DE

IO5

THE

OTHER

MAUMER
I33

STOLEN

FIRE
I57

THE

BLACK

CAT

T67

'LIZA
Ig3

ILLUSTRATIONS

"HE

ALL

HEAR

DE

SECRETS

CREEPIN'

DER

ER

"

Frontispiece

THINGS

""CASE

AM

HOODOO

DE

'

'OMAN

ER

".

Facing
.

"SHE

FOLLOWED

OLD

"

CAT"

CINDER

p.

12
....

"THE

CHARM

WAS

COMELY

BROKEN,

FOREVER

HOODOO

"'PERZACKLY

KNEW

LACK

THE

AND

IT"

"

'"

"

MARSE

OLE

30
'

"'GO

AND

ON

"

HAVE

HIS

COLLARED

HE

GOOD

TIME,

"

"

36

"

46

"

80

"

82

"

84

"

86

"

88

MICAJAH

ASTONISHED

LITTLE

NIG

"

GER

"UNDER

THE

"HE

IN

FOLLER

DES

"HE

TREES

*EM

UV

NIGHT".

EVER

JONES'S

MISSAR

HEAR

WOOD-LOT"

THE

SAMBO

FIVE

MILES

AWAY"

"

"SHADRACH

"IN

HE

SHAPE

DE

RIZ

UV

WID

HE

ER

OWN

COAT-TAILS

JACK-RABBIT"

BIG

"'Oil!

THE

HORROR

OF

"

THING*"

THE

94

...

BURN!'"

"'BURN!

"AN'

"'I

"

CRECY

GWINE

'DEY

"

WERE

WID

YO'

WARM

RETCH

AN'

STRETCH

l8

'EM"

98

"

IO2

'

"

*'

BIMEBY

114

TODES

ER'"

ONE

'NUTH"

116

Illustrations

UNC'

"

AND

JAH

UNC'

"AN'

THE

SPLIT

WIN'

DE

SHO'

BEAT

120

'MINE

DES

FLY".

DE

"

122
.

"

GRASSHOPPER'".

DE

124

...

FLEWED

DEY

'"

AN*

'

"

Il8

"

"'AN'

p.

"

TALKIN'

AIN'T

'JAH

Facing

SNAKE

DEVIL

DEY

"

126

"

128

"

136

FLEWED
....

"AN'

"HER

LAS'

ONE

GIB

HEART

HOWL"

AWFUL

WAS

NOT

IN

WORK"

HER

...

"SHOULD

'"FLY,

"SHE

"'DE

SHE

BUTTERFLIES

"

142

"

FLY,'

CAME

IT?"

DO

SHE

ON

"

WHISPERED

BAT'S

WINGS"

DONE

148

"

150

COME

BACK'".

"
.

152

INTRODUCTION

sunlight

THE

the

upon

splashed
"

"

buckshot

the

mud,

driveway

pillars
A
and

of

autocrats

is

standing
Ole

low,

talking

and

again

lar

man,

head
its

upon

"

intervals,
Caesar.

the

with

julep,

looks

pulsing

him

familiar
and
"

And

hand,

the

autocrat

Miss/'

Ole

in

who

Young

idly

at

the

nerve

now

regu

serving
with

Marse,"

through

without.

joining

brought,
by

be

library

the

and

dewy,

every

life

"

lines,

door.

tones

his

tension,

to

subdued

cold

up

white

the

for

them

to

hand

open

sits

in
in

upon

nod
his

the

Marse

broad

clamor

negroes

gives
at

waxy

slowly

the

before

has

House."

Big

friendly

the

of

winds

now

stop

little

with

"

"

the

dozen

of

and

to

miles

and

miles

gold

that

gig

well-known

through

ave

an

dappled

sifts

live-oaks

of

nue

through

drifting

strained
the

window

his
to

Introduction

Then

"

of the

installed

from

fore ; for

on

"

of

"

likely, is

the

ar

is the ad
had

"

been
be

days

many

bosom

the

to

Nursery, who

Quarters

"

Little Marse."

domain

the

capacious

Marse

"

of

importance

of

of the

the

her

Young

than

in

little lord

Queen

great bell clangs

coming

the

hurrying

to

pace

the

as

second

hardly

rival of the
vent

"

Quarters

But

sets

faces

smiling

feet and
in the

wail

feeble

the

had

rested, and

third

generation

head

baby

this, more
of her

sub

jects.
turbaned

The

head

is supreme,

sway

well

for

her

cup

"

for
"

Baby
and

when

persistent, and

hives

ignominiously

before

do

can

one

his

enemies

her

quite

attack

usually
and

and

high

no

can

spoon

held

is

him

the

rout

fly

calimus

and

catnip

most

whooping-cough

her

so

tea.

older

The
ago

that

"

about

usurped
at
"

last

Mammy

bar, the

young

might
and

eyes

the
the
"

over

the

of

graces

"

chair

jealous

when
and

good

Mammy
her

with
has

the

to

children, turned

have

pull

her

at

the

upon

second

time

to

nurse,

rest, cling

skirts, looking

tiny

bundle

nest

of her

arms,

little lord

consents

to

warm

shoos

the

deposed,
viii

time

some

flies and

draws

flaxen

locks

of

that
and

sleep,
the
and

Introduction

blue-checked
the

nest

the

others.

"

and

done,
dren

with

listen
"

But

own

"

Baby

attained

little

by

ailing

there

baked,

milk

off her

blue

china

bed
"

toes, and

turpentine

"

and

hand

the

little cut

roll of old
sugar,

bewildering

my's"

"

mass

could

are

is
is

"Mammy"
to

be

ash-cakes

"

to

hearth,
butter

plain

even

her

from
than

cracked

other.

any

stone-bruises, stub

fingers

are

never

its familiar
disturbed.

now

that

without

and

gone,

linen, with

of curls
comb

her

path

Mammy's

better

season,

in

goobers, chestnuts,

by

tastes

his

loaf-sugar

table, drunk

bowl,

"

always

offers,

else

if

and

are

roasted

deal

after

Mammy's

The

for

by

desire, be

Big House

sweet-potatoes,

and, if nothing

Then,

"

the

there

back

is

of childish

flannels

to be

apples

"

Mammy

has

now"

called

being

pilgrims;

are

and

brought,

trousers

of

Mecca

and

which

worn

or

"

again, that

tween

unfeigned delight.

same

dignity

and

chil

children's

of

wearing

is

the

to

name,

cabin

the

her

as

her, have

before

children

these

she

day

after

inheritance,

of her

of

clamor

!"

tale

"Mammies"

the

kindred,

borrows

eyes

it; day

tells

wealth

the

out

tell

Mammy,

"Mammy"

pours

sleepy

while, regardless of the

And

be

with

apron,

only
a

"

Mam

shower

of

Introduction

faded

fores, have

have

lege days
those
"

"

is the

the

same

knees

haven

the
"

toys,

stories

are

ripens,

and

col

affairs

"

and

"

as

apron

receptacle
"

Mammy's

so

youthful broken

of

the

white

been

had

and

dolls

old

its smooth

lap, with

of all broken
ear

first love

the

all-absorbing passions

comfortable

and

and

pina

for

too, somewhere,

come

strange,

Mammy's

dainty buttoned

the

tears, together with

hearts, and

tenderly applied

for the

mending.
time

But

of its fruit.
is

First
who

"Mammy"

Miss,"

in

and

joy

roof-tree

and

the

looks

is shaken

first in sorrow,

shrouds
she

now

the

form

of

it
"Ole

into

longingly

the

past.
A

few

"Little

and

that

years

Miss"

"

my's

short

smoothes

silk, saved

above

daughter,

the

and

fat

folds

against

still heart,

gentle,

days,

as

blinding

soft, crooning

own

the

"

black

pins, through

rose

seem

of

her

white

"

Mammy's

"

"

Mammy's

"

with

voice, takes

"Mam

burying,"

tears,

and

and

the

up

cradle

song.

They
the

self-same

my's
a

romped

cap

"

together,

oaks""

daughter"
(she is

"

Ole

these

Little Miss

but

"

Little

Miss," too,

Miss
to

two,
"

and

beneath
"

Mam

"

now

some

wears

down

in

Introduction

"

the

Quarters "), and

turban

mother's

dusky
"

full of comfortable

as

are

dimity, smiles
beads

in

crewels

chair
of

is

game
*

he

fly

"

in

the

Another
for she

chorus

is gone.

the

old

other

split-bottomed
"

"

thump

"

and

his

at

against

him

"

the

"

Cat

"

Tell

sits

ears.

witching,
"

as

little

devil's
childish

ever

chorus

the

and

devil

Cinder

Ole

and

moon,"

the

wonders

stories,

calls
The

rich voice, like

letters, a

of future
of the

at

her

ever

another,

!"

Mammy

in low

same

sorts

Quarters,"

beat

must

wind."

old

or

the

of
"

the

nightly,

same

to

new,

for

audibly in wondering

buzzes

slips the

and

voice.

dark

the

working

hearth

The

to

"

splits the

the

by

her

its familiar

negro

who

good hoodoo
own

is abroad

Satan

in

old

the

resumes

it is

Again

dainty

and

porch,

sight,

of

music

to the

the

threads

scarlet

shady

the

end, just out

hickory

as

netting

her

over

the

upon

dignity

were.

Miss/' still sweet

Little

other's

of the

folds

the

old

weird

answering

to

swaying
some

orators, is shut

form, crooning

bronze

primeval

lore

within

blind

Homer

into

the

the feudal

plantation days, for the brown

xi

silence,

ears

past
breast

Introduction

and

ever,

The

that

with

to

conjure

unwitting
call

and

brain

South

beauty

is

too

and

dust

with
at

her

that

own.

for

years,

it

now

shrine

we

"

is

for

still

dead.
chair

split-bottomed

worn

ed

may

its

pillowed

that

it

is
is

who
classic

fill

empty,
who

we

have
that

seek

heard

America

OLD
CINDER

CAT

Cinder

Old
to Solon

ceeding

Cat
he had

the fact that

was

just

"experienced religion,"and this disgraceful

thing coming .close upon the second week was
certainlyi^dst painful "falling from grace,"
ifr,spiritlest the

groaned

Juno, however, had

science, for, though

variety, and

lar

"

dem

cole,les' dey be spitouten

raised

Juno

of Solon's

ness

grievance against him;

had

much

dwelling

had

become

Twice

knew
was

of

he

upon

with

up,

there

night, and

\"

genuine
her

own

old

her

age

last, from

at

recent

some

Solon's

occurrences

profession,Juno

suspicious.

of late Solon

had

in

for

had

asked

adjoining plantation ;

the

hot, need-

to the

as

jealous ; and

grown

simultaneous

needer

religion; but she had

Juno

that

de mouf, 0 Lord

question

no

convic
into

come

to

especial consideration,

under

her

"

regu

known

under

come

prayed nightly for

and
er

"

con

meeting

never

was

never

"

of

of the even,

was

Blalock, newly

tion," 'Zorter
fold, took

to

went

she

as

had

shout, and

she

service

her
persistently,

qualms

such

no

should

news

to swim
was

he

no

the
one

couldn't

the

for

last

pass

time

to

she

creek, for the water

at the

have

ferry that time

taken

mule

Old

waking John, who

without
in such

Cat

Then,

matters.

unobliging
positiveproof

most

was
more

anything else,Solon's head

than

he

when
wras

day, and

"

Solon," said Juno.

Hit

keep

you,

you'

outen

you

does

hones' folks is all ersleep. You

bed when

he

it.

wid

hard

mighty

'ligiongo

wet

very

questioned about

surly when

Gittin'

was

in, along towards

came

very

"

Cinder

tryin'ter lay er ghos', 'steader gittin'

lack you

peace."
Juno, t}^picalof her race, and particularly
occult gifts
of her sex, though possessing no
of her own,
was
superstitious,
and, goad
very
by her suspicions,resolved

ed

simple

the

ging

within

means

to make

her

reach

coffee-groundsof Aunt

some

Big House, she

"

at the

cups

of her fortune,"for she felt that

was

going

second

formation, they
ah

"

did not

! she

knew

chief,for this
That
a

cross

turned

was

cups

the three

something

barren

were

"

wash."

even

it
"

Solon

the way

by it ; that
mean

of in
the

represented youth, and

But

the third

deep

was

it read

spot represented herself.

it did not

beg

; so,

wrong.

first and

grounds

of

Susan, the

cook

The

use

in mis

There

represented trouble

death.

That
5

clear space

was
"

no,

rep-

Cinder

Old
resented

water

towards

the

north
the

luck

close to the

cross

pointed right

it

to

nose

was

took

and

trembled

hand

cup

the

for

Solon

his

innocence

of

dark

she

or

to the

the

on

Solon's
three

the

and

her

upon
"

indecision,
she threw

cup,

quarrel had
the

come

difficulty,

persistently declared
Juno

as

per

question.
the

saw

beginning of

at

work, for, without

fire before

the

stood in the

before

he

hoe-cake

doorway

could

shoo

series

that

disasters, showing

was

rooster

times

her

window)

warning, Juno's skillet cracked

two

cross

pulled

used, down

offence, while

of

and

power

the

sullenly but

morning

omens

eagle,

of the

happy solution of

sistentlyput
Next

the

little with

So

grove.

without

about

meant

(Juno rubbed

then, forgetfulof the borrowed

it into

that

woman

Her

seldom

the

again.

arm

again, then
she

trouble

and

cross

was

"

Across

"

in fact,an

"

brass specs, which

her

"

went.

eagle

an

the

looked

and

eyes

cross

was

cross

between

but

Solon

another

was

way,

plantation was

Bowen's

where

was

the

Beyond

pointed that

cross

north.

that

water

the

"

Cat

some
cause

right in
was

done

and

crowed

him

away

chimney-swallow got into the cabin and

6

Cinder

Old
beat

Cat

wings bloody against the wall in its

its

efforts to get out.

A

thoughtful, silent pair joined the

very

hands

in

to be

thing seemed
"

field that

the

morning, for

going
"

miz'ry in her side

every

Juno

wrong.

long before

got
and

noon,

unsatisfactoryday that they

had ever
cot
closing,a
spent together was
bit Solon on the heel.
ton-mouth
Juno ran
to kill a chicken
to apply to the wound
to draw
faith in the
out the poison, for she had more
chicken
than in Ole Marse's
whiskey,
warm
which
plentifullysupplied. She did not
was
want
to see Solon die with, as she said, a lie
in de mouf "; and, hoping to avert evil, she
just as

the most

"

"

"

killed the very

that

rooster

had

crowed

auspiciously early in the morning, thus

ing
when
"

her head

upon

he had

Ju !

you

fool !

you

the vials of Solon's

lack any

common

done

you' head-piece sho',

los'

I done

an'

splithim
chick'n

ole 'oman, if I hatter

an' Chris'mus

now
"

An'

wrath

from

his

gib

up

fright.
all I

git dat dominicker, an' hain't got but

go

open

recovered

Hain't

here you

in-

so

I lay, if you

up

fur

frail you

got

one,

ter
an'

snake-bite

er

lay I larn
ever'

you,

day 'twix'

!"

does, I'll up
7

an' tell 'em

Cinder

Old
meetin'

de

in

how

Cat

git dat rooster,

done

you

Solon

to the

Then,
of the
of the

of both, the

amazement

faintest

out ; the

quarrel got
midnight was

house-tops ; wagging

and

loosened

heads

tongues clattered

and

sought his

religiouscounsellors

comfort.

Solon

days passed, and Juno could

his

perfectly miserable

was

but

night

at

Solon

So the

upon

turned

were

Juno quilted in silence,and

without

whisper

it were,

exploited,as

the

story

see

that

he

kept

counsel, and, despite his vehement

own

the visits
protestations,

the

over

contin

creek

ued.

caused

the

by

and

refused

was

to Parson

"

burden

"

the

to

that

Solon

hab

gib

Solon

git hit,an'

day lack
drapped

er

too

no

here

up

dat

yawned

trouble
I

but

poured

it
out

'ligion.Parson
and

shivered

was

coming

nuffin ail

ner

me

in
on.

twel

gwine chillin' ever' udder

po' mizerbul
soon.

bottom,
;

passes

sunshine, for his chill-time

Nebber

the

woes.

ter

and

malarial,

was

grant further
Blalock

come

"

trouble

The

ague.

weekly tripsacross

of his

I done

Blalock
the

that

said

overseer

the

fell ill of fever and

Solon

Then

Hit

lam'
done

go

dat
too

done
hard

been

wid

"''CASE

DE

HOODOO

AM

'ER

'OMAN

Cinder

Old
the

Cat

price of barter having been

coveted

china

cup.

There

was

light in the cabin,

no

the blue and

less,weazened

only opening

barred

was

by

hickory log. On

the red coals

lizard skin, mixed

with

continued

roughhewn

'Tain't

use

no

but Ole Cinder

dat

out
er

ter

Cat

ter hit.

ter mek

you

gwinter gib

but

'

do

hoodoo

er

wid Solon

you

de head

druv

in, an'

you'llfin' her, 'dout

er-grinnin'in
die out.

de

If dat

hot

hap-

an' she's

putty hard

an' 'n'int

"

you

er

wid

run

"

dis grease

her, an' tek dis bone

wid

whatebber

does, don' lose dis.

If she

cross

set fire

gotter ketch her ergin

hin' de years

gwinter

an' put her in de tar bar'l

fire done

de

hain't nuffin

sho',jesketch her when

tail scotched,

when

pin, den
her

'

If hit Ole Cinder,

her

ashes

nuffin

ridin' dat cat, des ter

by you' do' wid

cat

you'llfin' her bloody bones

she dozin' in de ashes

eben

try dat

Hain't

somers.

but if yo' wants

dar

the oracle

and

'

hid

fat and

snake

strange, ill-odored

some

merrily bubbling

stuff,were

tooth

of the

knelt before it,for

who

negress

dying

now

were

features

the
lighting fitfully

out

the

that

flames

green

from

save

you

"

cross

den

foiler

you

de creek, she

by de dry bed, 'case she

10

uv

hain't

Cinder

Old

gotter go mighty fur way

an' she
ober

dry, so

you.

Don'

side, mek

er

wid

Dat

es

de hoodoo

'11mek

skin, an' right dar

dat been

son

mekin'

an' Solon.

you

her, but don'

an' don' eat
'

fix

gib

'

Solon

know

gotter wait

he wouldn'

soon's

piece er

de

be

'twix'

Howrdy ?'

yo'

arter

her, she'll

her way
brek

kin mek

start'

you

spring,

yo' quoil wid

er

good

if he wa'n't

me

hain't

git yo'

hit unbeknownst

grape-vinesho'
grape

an'

de

'sponsible.
er

good big

grape-vine an' lay fur de 'oman,

wid

piece outen

er

pus-

yo' sees

Solon's

kin ter

no

sap's riz

green

an' hit her

doo

'

twel

Don'

den

an'

now

fur he's des hoodooed

know

her when

nuffin ter her but

'11 git up.

sap

'twix'
;

But

you'llsee de

nuffin she

yit. Yo'
de

when

"

you'
Cat's

all dis here trouble

You'll
say

rub

de Cinder

tu'n

you

t'uther

free times.

roun'

up

er-

gib yo', 'case she mout

yo' lack she do Solon, an' yo' cain't do

nuffin

man

es

tu'n

git

gits,keep

spitin hit,den

dis bone, an'

ter eat wid.

yo' git on

es

soon

an'

cross

fur ter

up

tired you

how

matter

hope hit

tek sumpen

mought

you

foll'in' de cat, an'

eyes

she kin

foots lessen

her

gwinter wet

Cat

er

vine

ter

mighty long

er

go

git shet

de charm

"

de
n

sap's

yo', fur

er

hain't

'gin yo' if you

when

'case if she

no

hit 'em
up

but

de

hoo
wid
be

Cinder

Old

sho' she's stan'in'

mighty
when

hits

yo'

herry, des

es

of the nursery

zade

ly

but

year,

died away

had

admonition, anointed
Maum

Ysbel's

cat

giving

she

ointment, pleaded illness

to the

an

heard

that creep

But

ears

of the

that

bone

sight into

her bas

hoe-cake, she followed

unusual

most

and

cat
and

Old

devious

many

twinge

ways,

the rheu

to

hands

on

her

unholy conversations
the

cold-blooded

face

be

things

thrive in darkness.

at last the

ed,and, doing
met

progressed by

many

the

tween

the

with

the

limbs,for often Juno had to go

knees, scratching and tearing

and
as

the flame

when

Cat.

The

matic

near

cat

ket, together with

Cinder

of

Juno, remembering

give her superhuman

to

was

infe

fierytar, and

and, putting the wonderful

overseer,

lam'."

er

for the space

in the ashes

and

er

solemnly declares that

Mammy

calmly grinning

es

the marital

Cat bore the test of the

the Cinder
sat

Juno

yo' in

ter

of the Schehera

to narrate

and

licitiesof Solon

I tells

what

peaceable

the chronicler

it far from

Be

an'

groun'

own

back

'11 come

meek

her

on

yo' does

If

her.

gal, dat Solon

you,

Cat

as

dry bed
Maum

face to face the

of the creek

Ysbel
comeliest
12

had
of

was

cross

bidden, Juno

yellow girls

SHE

FOLLOWED

OLD

CINDER

CAT"

Old
from

coming

Cinder

Cat

milking, with

her

pail upon

her

head.
"

"

Howdy

Howdy

?"

offered

Juno

The

cake,

said

rejoined the girl,smiling,as

tin cup

temptation
throat

Much

for the

sore,

without

rough hoe-

water, had

but, remembering

Juno swallowed

she

of the milk.

was

in haste

eaten

ed her

"

Juno.

the

parch

warning,

hard.

obleeged, lady, but

time"; and, breathless

and

scratches, Juno hurried

back

hain't

got

bleeding from

her

to

report to Maum

Ysbel.
the

But

depth of winter

it would

be many

wake

and

bore the

the land

upon

Juno, with

consuming

vagaries of Solon

grape-vine,and twice
but the last straw
There

ters, to

ground

was

to be

on

the

some

two

years

ance

with

Ole

Marse's

tapped the

in this wise

in the

breaking of

river-side,that

were

failed to flow,

break-down

ened

permitted

had

broken

the

patience,

until the leaves

the sap

was

celebrate

day before vegetation would

Twice, in despair,Juno had

born.

were

was

had

some

Quar
new

been

dead

before, and, in accord

the

custom,

to invite the

adjoining plantation. It

was

negroes

to

laborers
upon

be

the

great

Cinder

Old

event, and

Juno

great interest,for

could

not

neat

as

the

for

preparing

was

with

bare

Cat

and

flesh

even

pair of heels

shuffles,when, all of

den, Solon

his intention

Such

ing.

thing had

the

whole

For

two

days before

claimed

that he

besought Juno
devil

was

hard

ligionthat

he had

devil would

be

that

posed

without

not

he

as

an

example

he

thought it might

do him

"

daddy

the

"

owned

night

"

Um

Ober

ribber

day

two

'bout you'

daddy

all

uv

er

14

to pay

the

duti

the river

across

"

sides.
her spouse

faith

imposition.
gwine ?

you

'Gittin'

weeks.

pro

break-down,

"

you' daddy hain't gwine lay

dis

He

quietly in

good

against such
de

re

while
professors/'

though Juno physicked

rebelled

very

keep his

of the

both

on

It

painfully,and the

to the weaker

ful visit to his old

fully,she

it.was

to

remain

should

as

But

Then

to follow her home.

on

Marse

he

to the. dance.

so

as

usual

exist

murmur.

trying

was

cabin

for Old

to go

gotten

sure

Juno

to

the break-down

trickery,he said, and

him,

on

known

sick,and took all of Juno's

was

concoctions

nauseous

he

course

sud

of Solon's

happen in
ence.

hers

attend

of not

been

not

age

as

for certain intricate

declared

same

eyes

on

mighty

suddent

yo'

lay
fur

anxious

I'se gwine

Old
The

old

got you'
been

year-bobs,an'

moon

her eyes

"

But, Maumer

"

Don'

'

yo'

"

'

"

What

me!"

dem

ter

yo', but

my

ole

What

er

Solon

me.

She

sick at heart.

was

cup

ear-rings

moon

heap
hain't

to

had

given

Solon, but the

save

the wealth

were

up

of her

life.

whole

hoodoo

The

threw
in

napping

an

chip at

old shoe

and, shaking the ashes

filledit from

her

pocket.

Ysbel, gal

her

day done

"

man,

done

ter

worf

yo'

!"

blue-edged china

her

Sairey ?

ter

Sairey fur what

ter

I tells

hit nuffin

man

Juno

year-bobs

yo' ?

tole

gwine

'bout

me

'

dem

ter fotch

no

bobs

ter

yo' in de coals, 'way 'cross de

yo' lef de cabin, mek up you' min'

'fore
fiel',

was

here

wom

I seed

Hain't

big

sence

said the old

come

you

fur if hit hain't ter fetch

the

ebber

expostulated Juno.

Maumer

crossly.

an,

Yo'

Becky's Sairey

my

fur 'em

out

"

nodded.

!"

seed 'em

"

Cat

leered and

woman

cryin'uv

she

Cinder

dat
wid
tole

dead

ner

own

ober

libin' !

yo' how

eyes,
ter

her

Hain't

But

yaller gal, hain't

you'

beside

from
"

the

nuffin

Yo'

uv

re

ter ole

don' claim

I done

hain't

hearth,

pipe, she

she

I?

git shet
16

great toad that

tole

done

yo'?
her.

yo'

seed
An'

Hain't

Cinder

Old

Cat
know

keerin',but if yo' don' wanter

my

her, yo' des

'bout

dem

tote

yo' !"
Slowly the rings were

3^ear-bobs

moon

wid

home

back

old

ears,

and

them

into her

the

removed

from

with

woman,

her

yo' gotter whup

you'

on

happin, 'case she kin

bestes'

nuffin

nuffin, but

yo' hain't
er

ter

his

you'

but don'

gwine

yo'

cain't

you

in
go

'oman

ter

sho'

yo'
do

ner

sights, if

see

lack

gin out
lay low

Yo'

ter Solon

dat

sarve

you' han'

you

dat

gwine

yo' hears

middle

de supper
an'

he

twel

er-talkin' in de

git down

er

den

de

yo'

dar

in, an' don' yo' do nuffin den,

hain't lack

git eben wid 'em de

wait twel hit bre'k up, den cut

B

Don'

gal.

er

'nough, dat yo' ailin'

let him

daddy.

foot

fur hoodoo

kentry, 'ceptin'ole

yo'. Mek

night, des 'fore dey

tek

yo' den, an' she's

on'y

yo' gwine

fiddles des

dem

'

what

matter

no

own,

groun'.

own

ter-nightat de bre'k-down,

an'

sumpen,
see

she's

I tells

does what

do

in dis

hoodoo

Ysbel, fur all dat

say

'

de ribber,

cross

her

on

resum

by ter-night,

up

an'

yo' play sick

Yo' cain't tech her

de

leer,popped

"

an' ter-morrer

Juno's

capacious pocket before

attitude.
ing her professional
! wall, de sap be
! um
Um

'case

mo'

no

17

odder
same

'oman, an'
way

but

you' grape-vine,

Old
an' den

Cinder

yo' '11run

Ole Cinder

Cat
in de dark

'gin sumpen
All

Cat.

do

yo' hatter

hit

is ter foiler

her, 'case I'se fixed her so's she gotter sarve

uv

den

an'

yo' ;

when

yo'

fur, lay de grape-vine

hain't nuffin ail Solon
It

the

from

rose

bounded
with
"

but

Um

the

Cinder

doorway.

Juno better be gwine

!"

Cat

woke

Juno

fur her

ter be

squeak

er

hoodoos

gwine wid

of the old fiddle under

fingers,mingled with
wafted

in, long

sho'

Mighty

too.

'em

dis

!"

time, mun

"

Old

when

an' Ole Cinder, but she

the

yallerhoodoo

start.

fine business

at

fas','case

hearth, and, stretching herself,

through

The

dat

yo' lookin'

an'

quick

on,

turning twelve

was

what

sees

the

through
height

Hit's

patting, was

even

door.

open

of the

turned

the

Pompey's

Juno

looked

moon.

midnight

an'

now,

I'm

er-

gwine."
But

she

first

spring.

The

thing

with

as

sought

the

bright moonlight flooded

the

to the formula

beneath

towards

her

of Maum

skirt, and

the sounds

every

light of day, and, carefully

cutting the vine between

ing

grape-vine by the

of

certain

joints,accord

Ysbel, Juno hid it

took

the

little

midnight gayety.
18

path

THE

CHARM

WAS

FOREVER

BROKEN,

AND

THE

COMELY

HOODoo

KNEW

IT'

Cinder

Old
The

barn

winked

and

of

radiant

was

like

was

in

line,the

fire-flies. A

gorgeous

The

in progress.

dance

in another

women

great red

white

flower

paper

leader of the dance

partner

the

was

But, arrayed

the

by Maum

delighted

prodigal Solon

again, and

into the outside

Cinder

the

Cat

against her dress and

Solon

danced

than

purpose

like

the

purred.
possessed, regardless

one

crimson

nodding

yellow girl, with

him

fixed

eyes

flower; and

lips drawn

teeth, watched

shadows

suddenly rubbed

tune, always keeping his

or

that

Ysbel, but, clinching her

hands, she withdrew

white

her

Juno's fingers instinctivelysought

indicated

upon

comely yellow girl

than

other

grape-vine for another

of time

the others,

parted lips,the

before, and

seen

none

was

himself.
the

had

Juno

certain

nodding in her hair,her

shining between

teeth

whom

at

apparel different from

in gorgeous

ranged

were

men

pointthey met and joinedhands.

dips that

tallow

with

sputtered through the decorations

pine boughs

one

Cat

tight
with

the

over

the

the

eyes

of

possession.
Then,
for Solon
of

an

he

as
was

elder

sank
none

upon

of the

bench, exhausted,
youngest, the voice

whispered in his
19

"

ear

Better

Cinder

Old

ter de ole 'oman

glong home

watching

The

Well

in

eyes

gwine

keer

'bout

you

darkness

the

burning like coals of fire,but

loose from the detaining hand.
'bout

hab

fur dis I"

in de chu'ch

up

Cat

home

ter de

bein'

fotched

Solon
"

pulled
I keer

What

ole 'oman
up

were

What

I 'am'

both

dance

Solon

ered P

And, despite his

led, with
beside

him.

Solon's

smiling

face

Others

changed

always the

was

remained

that

seize

from

his

he

of blue

glass beads

drew

the

yellow hoodoo's

in

the

ment,

gift was
now

pocket

and

The

around

hoi'

on

ear-rings had

moon

eyes

passion, for

Juno's sole remaining

the

he

as

watching

with

long string

them

threw

glowed

that

few

flickering,

Solon, and

neck.

darkness

Solon's

out, the

last dance, in which

to

whirled

flower

partners, but

burned

one

was

seemed

madness

crimson

guttering and

were

there

then

and

same.

had

the "candles

Now

and

the

in every

age,

orna

been

bartered.
"

she

Lemme

groaned.

"

again the Cinder

myse'f tight,0 Lord

ter

Des

fur

Cat

er

littlewhile

brushed

purred.
20

her

And

skirts and

KINGDOM
A

FOR

MICAJAH

KINGDOM

FOR

want

you

The
the
shuffled

broad

who

had

veranda

uneasily,

wonderment

freedom,

your

negro

there

shambled
his

was

kindliness

?"

Micajah

dropped

for

and

MICAJAH

in

the

of

all

to

up

and

eyes

world

of

master's

tone.
"

And

I've

ment

the

among
"

"

is

At

so,

your

fine
all

ten

why
The

and

way
you

didn't
master

of

you

this

when

Micajah,
all

negro

you

for
come

lifted

your

mischief
want

get it !

asked

all

"

talking

sar."

making

to

lately

devil

the

?"

age,

because

negroes

meaning

negroes

self-respecting
up

the

heard

I reckon

ting

this

your

Haven't
?

If

and
his
25

life, to

freedom

"

always

you

wanted

ask

for
to

go

the

among

you

glasses

been

you've

cut

other
that's

got

freedom,

it?"
his

forehead

"A
and

Micajah"

reproachfully into the

looked

black

queer

him.

face before
"

for

Kingdom

'low, Ole Marse,

Didn't

hit ter me," said

you'd gib

how

as

but

humbly,

the negro,

per

sistently.
Judge
piazza

limits had

whose

Micajah,

and

had

He

something higher,
external

picture?

whose

romped, and

beyond

with

black

as

as

dreamed

never

this the innate

Was

rose-twined
under

joyously hunted

small

as

fore him.

had

father

own

the

from

spacious lawn,

the

across

his

oaks

Naylor looked

another

the

be

one

of freedom.

craving of the human

only

or

The

for

reflection of

resolved

Judge

an

upon

experiment.

an
"

You

mistaken," said the Judge,

are

he knocked

ly, as

give it to

will

the ash
And

you.

what

his

pipe.

"

sort of freedom

want, Micajah?"

is it that you

old slave scratched

The

from

grave

his head

and

swayed

uncomfortably.
"

Why,

"

What

des

kind

is it that you

ing
and
with

to

give you

you

freedom, Ole Marse."

of freedom,

want
your

shall have

it,"added

the

Micajah

Speak out, for

freedom

for

all that

Judge.
26

you

whole
want

What
am

go

month,
to go

"A
Uncle
idea
"

here

were

'bout hit lack

hit

es

Ole
were

Marse
chaw

er

er-talkin'

des

terbaccj-

er

"

quiet lack/' said Micajah,

an'

easy

enormity of the

for him.

too much

And

Micajah"

The

Cage gasped.

was

des

for

Kingdom

af

terwards, in confidence.
"

Well/' queried the Judge,

want

as

Micajah

scraped the

twice he made
and
"

Marse.
"

have

what

Cage's

foot

his toes

free

no

nigger/ Ole

freedom."
afraid ; you

shall

sparkled,and

at last his

tongue

work

Ole

on

don't

be

want."

you
eyes

of it with

'

be

wanter

go

you

it out.

I des wants

Well,

do

his

with

dust

littlemound

twice smoothed
I don't

what

nigger, Micajah ?"

free

"

loosened.

was
"

I don'

wants

wanter

ter hear

dat horn

in',an' I wants
outen
you
wants

back

wake
ter
ter

me

up

You

er

ole raskil,what

day fur ?'

Um,

um

"

'

'low, Cage, yo' git up

dat fire/I wants

ter 'low back

fires fur

ter

Den
go

an'

on

when

an' make
'

her, I hain't

niggers/ an' I
27

morn-

lack, an' holler

boot-jackat him, an'

sleep, I does.

Marse.

at five in de

derned

dis time

flingmy

de ole 'oman

er-makin'

'

blow

git up, mad

ter

de winder,

none,

wants

ter

"A
back

go

"I wants

freedom

my

almost
de

fum

"

whispered

ole 'oman

"

too,

git freedom,

her ter

den, an' I don't want

Marse"

fur, Ole

"

closer and

bent

Cage

here

sleep,I does

ter

Micajah"

for

Kingdom

no

how."
"

right. Anything else

All

with

to go

your

freedom, Mica jah?"

timidity and

All

and
"

jah'

Mica
don'

er

er

book

book

I wants
A

Um,

um

ter

wants

an'

"

niggers
I

be

wants

yo' got in

lack

did

When

de house."

learn

you

read,

to

jah ?"

Mica
"

Lord

! Ole

shall have

You

ily.

"

Now

Marse."

er

thoughtfully.
know

work.

de
me

Cage

read

yo' does."

it,"said the master, heart

Micajah
"

None

ribber, but
'fore I

An'

cain't

lack

little nigger, er

Here

er

ole

else ?"

what

I wants

side

Marse,

ter tote hit roun'

he des want

"

de

clo'se,white folks' clo'se ; an', Ole Marse,

some

"

cl'arin',Ole

ribber,an' when

ease.

my

dat

er-workin', I

an'

forgotten,

were

radiant.

was

hope do

de

by

is er-sweatin'

"

face

wanter

Marse, down
takin*

sullenness

er
er

scratched

mine,

ner

his
none

head
on

little nigger dat

git freedom

I wants

littlenigger,Ole

"

dat am'

see

dis

am'
me

dat little nigger ter foller

2.8

"A

than

from

the

over

river

before, and

and

respectful as

Cage could

even

bounds,

no

the

he

was

kinship of the

tyrant

the slave.

and

Micajah's freedom
their work

air,and

for

made

lack

Ole Marse,"

himself

for

changed

to

fan,

Cage

Such

ease,

his

the envious

glory, such

of shade, watermelons,

undisturbed, varied

light of
negro

But

"

cussin'

his

"perzackly

condition; and

new

by the bearer

were

such

supercilious

wonderfully changed,

was

bent

many

at

Cage gleefullycongratulated

turned, followed

leaf

his arm,

carelesslyunder

"

them

upon

dignifiedremark, with

some

held

with

moment

book

he looked

as

of wonder

matter

was

to the negroes

ment

he

and

so

great

to

close

wish

his master's

rapidly demonstrating,
amusement,

seen

never

thoroughly abject

as

was

joy knew

latter 's

had

who

one

"

who

him

the

got his little nigger

Micajah

triflingways.

his

about

berating Cage

for

once

reprimanded

been

had

Milly, his wife, who

more

Micajah"

for

Kingdom

"

by
and

and

of the

glances
blended

as

palmcast.

dream

cob pipes smoked

the

unspeakable

yelling

at

the

de

little

!
even

Cage had

this Arcadia
never

had

the

had

its shadow,

for

ecstasy of flinging a

",

"..

'V**

'

-: -HV-

A,.^^v^...r

l"21

PERZACKLY

LIKE

OLE

'-

.,

"x

:' 0

v'o,"vy"'*

..^":
#

'

^^

MARSE

"

'-""

"A

boot-jackat his
accompaniment
which

ments

Micajah"
Boots

little slave.
been

had

and

their

part of the require

had

his master

provided, with

promise that the jack could be flung if the

the

boots

were

worn

child of nature,

mate

of the

agony

could

her

bear,

triumphantly back

store

by Milly, who

thus

pluck

to

from

the

by

; so,

jack

were

plantation

than
the

than

more

and

more

was

feather

one

exquisite

his freedom

with

even

the
was

direction, boots

master's

carried

pegged cowskins

un

of the year

season

any

an

equable cli

of effect,and

matter

been

for in that

foot-coveringat

only

was

Cage had

but

shod

he

for

Kingdom

happy

to

wing of free

dom.

Milly in these last few days seriouslyques

tioned within herself the wisdom

experiment, for it had

domestic

of Old Marse's
much

very

equilibrium ; but Milly

opher too, in

humble

an

was

and

way,

upset the

philos

under

she resolved to
existing circumstances
an
experiment also, the issue of which
was

more

certain

of than

Ole

Marse

the

make

was

she
of

his.
"

Think

in de shade
"

an'

gwine
er

Ole Marse

hab

w'arin'
am'

Cage layin' roun'

er

do
31

broadclorf
dat

"

ever'

here

day

an' er-scttin' up

"A

for

Kingdom

he ole foots ter be fanned

an'

dey

in'
he

'bout

me

Lord

and

an'

"

Um

ter 'low dat

sen'

dey

Ole Marse

"

I hain't

but

dis an'

hit sumpen
make

it

hand

envied

impressing
of his

He

day, and

Congo

fruits of the earth

The

horn

turned

to be

grown

should

the
so

on

He

envied

the

ancestor

no

in

rose

was

more

behind

if hit

"

"

field-

the

when

dignity

by the far banks

royally.
his back, but

the

to his cabin.

morning, but Micajah

Milly put the

table, but Cage had coffee
;

and

nap.

at

last freedom

great that Micajah declared

while

dust

king, though

brought

were

in the

big house

stand

dat

triflin' es

es

feet in the

for another

over

buttermilk
from

blew

'bout

hit !"

ruled

ever

abused

was

an'

crowd, and

broadcloth.

for

Talkin'

by the house-negroes. So

even

mun,

dat, an' erlowin'

Micajah buried his bare

of the

los' he head

los' mine, sho

low-down

glorious

lack

hit ter him, too.

done

I don' want

was

sumpen,

Milly cain't git. Um

es

Cage be, I lay

But

freedom

dat

body

er

was

fur dinner

gwine git eben wid Cage.

freedom

even

dey

fried chicken

he

lack

all out-doo's,an' he er-pester-

es

white

were

My

big

es

Micajah"

he

was

32

served

"

that

that

had

Milly
a

free

"A

she

though

lock, but held

dignity of

her

the free

of freedom

his

own

the

pocket of

he

hoodoo

"

Alas

Milly's charm

The

clearingdown

ing. It

was

and

dance

kind

not

it

was

the end

reposing in

then

blue-check

trousers

work!

was

progress

work, and

been

bran

promised in

should

be

the

completed.

pleasure, this sweating and

even

labor, with the pot of gold, as

hard

In

the delicious-

and

of extra

task

known

Macajah !

by the river

the

had

forgotten to transfer

would

had

the

overcome

he

for

even

barbecue

Quarters when
So

had

the discarded

and

chimney

boldness, for the

slave, and

it was

two

Micajah shivered;

splendor of his broadcloth

ness

in the

could

man

of old.

Milly's work

"

hair

peace.

the

superstitionof

laid

wrath, and

regretted his

ruefully he

the

in

rose

sticks tied with

crossed

slave, even

his wife.

was

Milly

Then

Micajah"

sit at table with

could not

man

for

Kingdom

and, with the

"

"

whoraw

it were,
in the

at

Quar

attending each

morning's departure, the

spiritof habit even
tempted Uncle Cage to join,
with nobody but
for it was
getting lonesome
the littlenigger not even
Milly in the cabin to
ters

"

lord it over
c

"

and

the laborers
33

were

too

busy to

"A
listen to him

if he went

ing

was

not

stoop to such

but

he

absolute
half

not

and

idle-handed

without

boasting

; the

Too

were

negroes

much

than

more

was

at

did

nearly

not

was

familiarity

breeding contempt,

were

them, they looked

sought

freedom

necessity.

been

envious.

so

to the clear

and

free man,

it had

as

though Milly
he

Micajah"

latterlythe monarchy

But
so

for

Kingdom

him

welcome

askance

and

among

whenever

join in their recreations.

to

"

Growing bolder, they quizzed his little nig

about

him, to the former's utter demoralization,

fun

poking
and

the

at

all work

an'

play
field-hand,had

fool

away

bearer

make

in his

ness

rather

dodged, it
sile than
of

of the

him

?"

dull

er

the
;

and

Milly's brother,
out, "A

which
rebellion,

But

big

the fan-

satisfactory; there

awe

betokened
with

though

rather from
man.

nigger,

Cage and his fan-bearer

which

than

was

Cage

dignifiedsilence.

manner

first infused

"

actually shouted

far from

was

that

tom

in

in effect, If

conundrum,

nigger!"at which

walked

at

broadcloth

house-negroes disrespect

play make

no

do all

what

feet and

bare

of the smart

one

fully propounded

"

There

sullen-

which
he

he

was

habitually

the fear of the mis

was

even

symp

Micajah, finding the

34

was

arts

"A
the monarch's

leaving
cabin

from

he

Micajah"

brow, Micajah sought his master,

reprimand

The

Judge

smiled

vigorous

more

preparing

was

to

the

than

ride,

figure of Mica

the forlorn

upon

in

sobbing

of the fan

bearer

the

pleasant.
and

for

Kingdom

jah.
"

of

Well, Micajah," said he, flecking the head

zinnia

of

with

cajah studied
"

have

toes

thought

you

?"

freedom

Mi

sheepishly, then

dust.

Ole Marse."

Naw,

The

"

with

his bare
with

them

whip,

else to go

something

covered

his

Judge

drew

"Are

nearer.

sick,

you

Micajah ?"
"

Naw,

Ole Marse."

"

Then

what

there all

do

day like

Don't

stand

dolt."

hesitated

Micajah

want

you

seemed

something

to

clog his throat, and he cleared it.

"

thought maybe, Ole

de time

how

es

gib up
"

What

be

mought

Are

it is not half up.

up, an'

tired

you

Go

"

thought
come

ter

de book."

and

de freedom

Marse

on

already ?

and

have

Why,

good time,

Micajah."
Micajah looked
as

the

Judge rode

crestfallen,and
"

a\vay.

36

Er

ambled

whole

off

mont',

GO

ON

AND

1IAVK

Cool)

TIMK,

MR'AJAH'"

an' hit hain't half up

hit,dat's
lack

me

Well, dar's dis erbout

dey fun

fotch hit ter

fur hit ter

gwine

steddy

an'
ter

set an'

settin' an' waitin'

er

'em, an' I des bardaciously

ter

come

sweat

white, ef I des

lack I were

me

'buse

gwine

but dis freedom

Dey don' git tired

wait.

niggers kin

dem

"

dey pleases,an' dey gwine

fur

groan

comfort

one

Micajah"

for

Kingdom

"A

some

white

more

folks' ways

'sides totin' de book."

blissful

the

But
neared

his

contemplation ended

cabin.

own

fan-bearer, his

In the

been

by Cage's good dinner, which

had

Big

the

master, and

to which

helped himself.

the

imp had

belief still in
time

in

Then

was

Micajah's

with his

bountifully

until he had

meal, while the fan-bearer, with

away

arrived from

Micajah's heart

his wrath

smothered

he

wiped

during the consultation

House

he

sat the

doorway

having

tears

as

sore,

made

but
his

fragment of

employed the

powers,

feelingagain for the incipient'gater.

Micajah rapped imperiously

upon

the

table.
"

"

Amaziah

You

infernal

You
"

Huh

!"

"

You

lim'

don'

The

whimpered

say

little negro

dodged.

lazy black raskil,Amaziah

Satan,

er
'

you

!"

huh

'

!"

the

boy.

you

lizard-eyednigger,

ter
37

me

You

git me

er

"A
coal

and

light my

pipe fust, you

in

for

Kingdom

yo' head

Micajah"

pipe quick

lazy purp

fur, hah

What

Um,

Fill up

got holes

you

Now

um.

dat

git dat

fan an' fan dese here foots twel I tells you

quit.

heah

You

The

length,with
and

his

black

eyes

was

stretched

wreath

of smoke

about

closed

to

pieceof misery

and

so

on;

then

hand

!"

me

of freedom

man

he

fan

world

and

at

full

his head
the

crouched

little

beside him

the

twilightcame

dropped from

fast

was

the

was

daylight waned
the

ter

the

asleep, and

so

bearer's
wTas

Mi

cajah.
There

was

great excitement
the

tion, for Susanne,

to

Madame's

Henry, Major Stone's

marry

the

on

planta

maid,

was

man-in-wait-

had told the Judge of her de

ing. Susanne
sire,and, not wishing to sell Susanne, or to
the husband

separate her from

the

sum.

the

for the

and

him

Judge had promptly bought

round
to

of her

the

details
Madame

of

the feast and

Susanne's

set

great

was

ceremony

dining-room.

herself had

Madame

The

Then
dance

for

store

good

looked

by Susanne,

performed in the

afterwards

38

wedding-gown,

to be

in the

choice,

would

Quarters until

come

"A

for

Kingdom

light,in which
invitation

Micajah"
cabin, by

of every

the inmates

bride, might join.

of the

Micajah's cabin felt the unwonted

and
about

little fan-bearer

the

even

the

in

was

flutter

bidden

been

Milly had

wedding.

influence,

carefullyshe laid her small store of fineryupon

the bed, and was
softlysinging to herself be
fore

ing, though,
his

scrape

believed

foot

in

she

Micajah, who

sions, or

kind

of
"

called

commemorated

indulgent

was

loved

anybody's fiddle,she

to

only

terpsichoreanex

de

only executed

was

Milly

to

certain

ercise,which
Hers

unlike

feast

Milly believed in

to the field.

going

'ligiousdance."
solemn

upon

occa

special emotions, but

to

general fault in

the

others.

These
and

of the

watermelon

the
when

of freedom

beauty

idle slave

almost

Cage

to Uncle

mocking-bird
had

losing more

were

; the

far less sweet,

was

the crimson-and-black

even

to the

days

of their

more

song

and

fair

beauty of the

lost its lusciousness

of freedom.

But,

most

of

impudence of the jay-birdsmaddened

they

came

to

gather

from

the remnant

all,
him
of

his meals.

Many

an

unpicked bone
39

and

half-finished

"A
biscuit

for

Kingdom
flung

was

them

at

Micajah"
in the abundance,

to be

regretted in the after-time.

I lay I gwine larn 'em/' muttered

"

he resumed

solitarydinner after

his

onslaught, which

would

monarch

fact

was

of

first-class case

of

'dout

eben

them

'em

me

'em

and

his temper.

er-eatin'

"

Cage ! Cage

er

vittles

my

!' des

pat,

es

'

hit,an' erlowin'

ter

I {5 got

he grew
drew

groes

chosen

hit

He

business

any

freedom.

and

more

lay I larn

from

freelylet

get along without

crowning insult had

been

bidden

charm

"

of his

he

to

knew

freedom

change
spouse

the

him

him,
know

him.

been

it
not

offered

alone

40

ne

his

they
the

now

not

Milly's

was

Milly ;

was

cross

that

he had

"

It

in his fellows ; and

exceedingly

even

But

wedding.

that

could

irascible the

more

entirelyaway

few, and

could

her

the

!"

As

that

and

tellinghardly

was

got hit!' lack

ef

exercise

only

dyspepsia, for the life of

organs

handle

er

got hit! he
er

'

er-callin'

vigorous

himself

idleness

lay I gwine larn

an'

the

as

Cage might be suspected

his astonished

upon

allow

Uncle

irregularityand
"

about

was

the

that

Cage,

the

have

fact

worked

Milly,finding

upon

this

partic-

"A

it were,

alien, as

an

of the

manner

for he

for the

was

and

present he

over

Ole Mis's

high and grand, and Ole Marse

funny, and
The
sat

fan-bearer

then

the

said

something

said

something

door

Micajah could

"

banjo

he

"

he

as

hear

was

even

shufflingof feet. The

soundly snoring, after having
to sleep,for Micajah had stern

'was

ly declared

sultry,and

the

to hear

himself

dat

hain't

marster

and

of fiddle and

enough

sobbed

close

was

in his cabin

the strains
near

not

was

the little procession filed out.

night

alone

to the

abashed

was

lost himself

he

moment

ceremony

unused

was

of his freedom.

field-hand,because
a

Micajah"

house-negroes

before them, and

For

for

Kingdom

de

slabe

axed

cain't go
heah

you

"

whar
me,

he

Ama-

ziah ?"
As
and

the

night

the

on

wore

been

never

dom

beside

almost

was

left out

waxed

louder

and Uncle
irresistible,

louder, the spellwas

Cage

fun

before

himself.
and

"

this

He

had

free

was

At last the cake-walk

begun, and Mica

was

jah,forgettinghis injureddignity,his position,

and
peep

there

his broadcloth,
at
was

the

revellers

Milly
"

his

slipped stealthilyout
through
Milly
"

42

chink

to

and

leading the walk

Micajah"

for

Kingdom

"A

Cross-eyed Pete. Micajah dug his toes

the
dust.
Oh, how
peacefully Milly

with
into

smiled !
"

Milly laughed slyly and

His
dom

How

gwine make

I ebber

place ergin ?"

her

an' know

dis

fool freedom

sho

I is ; an'

I
I

groun's, an'

hsah

me

wood

eat

de

dirt ter-morrer
dat

Milly

dat I is !

ter

fur dis heah

out.

an' I wouldn'

freedom
Des

ing detection,Uncle

"

laugh

up

43

yo'
her

'n ter

sense

an'

ax

wid

git shet

uv

on

Ole
hit

hit,

hit !"

door, and, fear

Cage slippedaway

dreams.

at

I's done

ole foots
at the

movement

dat I is

mo'

no

lemme

wipe dese
a

An'

Lord, pity dis heah

uneasy

ekil

peels ever' hick'ry

Marse

was

ter-morrer,

"

an'

There

gwine gib up

high an' mighty niggers

big fool nigger dat hain't got

lis'en ter de word er Satan,
spits hit

gwine git

if I libs.

"

if I

"

niggers on

I is

sho

dey backs,

place

"

see

dem

meet

"

I larn

betters 'hine
de

gwine

nigger know

dat I is. I

"

if I libs ter

ter make

ter-nightter

free

was

gwine splitdat cross-eyednigger

inter kindlin'

gwine

dat

groaned.

he

mine

back

on

this

"

"

"

outen

me

name/' he muttered.

my

is er-callin'

cross-eyedhoun'

Dat

to seek

"A

the

Through
gone

it

Micajah"

long hot days

cheerfully in

on

the

the

work

land, and

new

had
now

nearly accomplished that the frolic

so

was

for

Kingdom

joyfully discussed.

was

Micajah had

all

he would

attend

welcome,

on

but

the

along secretlyresolved that

frolic,with

the

the

ground

of

informed

negroes,

without

or

primeval right ;

by Milly,

or

more

most
a
probably by the fan-bearer, who was
untiring carrier of tales, openly resented his

intention, and
a

passed his cabin

now

recognition,sarcastic
Even

fan-bearer

the

bly

sullen

out

of it ; his

kick

no

was

perilous.

his

master,

dance, and

growing unbeara

was

cuff could

or

He

with

the

but
here

once

approached

result

position
he

"

must

up.

four
was

his

same

was

failed to

that

than

more

bring him

of words

Micajah felt

until the time

It wanted

otherwise.

biggest flow

intimidate, and

wait

or

without

days

one

to the bran

more

whole

miserable

week

of freedom, and, alas ! his freedom

from

dom

day,

would

resolved
faced

come

to make

and

too late to
one

save

more

miserable,Micajah

his master.
44

the

free
so

he

effort,
and, shame
once

more

sought

"A

it that

Haven't

wanted

you

Yas, Ole Marse."

"

Then

"

Ole

de freedom.
er

Micajah's voice

"

was

hain't

One

nigger. Dey bofe

ger, an' hit hain't nuffm

'spec'me

gwine frail 'din

shet

er

freedom

kin feel hit in my

tote de

what

His

nig

er

miz'ry. Dey don'

ole

ter

talk

me

'oman

dat

"

her life when

uv

lay

bones.

er

spell on

Eben

me

gits
:

de littlenigger

palm-leaf fan done

smiled, then

master

gravely.
But, Micajah,
"

command
"

I done

it,and

you

talk

bit his

sass

ter

mustache

command

must

respect

will get it."

you

hit, Ole Marse," said Mica

'mand
"

jah, pitifully,but I
er

an' I 'low I cain't stan' hit !"

me,

"

"
"

tuther

'em lies ter

on

my

done

"

very

the dust

as

dey don' lis'en

inch

er

was

betterer dan

no

but

Milly,

Eben

mo'.

no

mo' ;

no

?"

bock, an' I done fotch back

de

fotch back

done

ter

"

his humbleness

low, and

with

to go

devil is the matter

the

Marse

got all

you

want

you

?"

"

what

forbiddingly.

Micajah, that

is the matter,

What

give it up ?

to

Micajah"

Judge knitted his brows

The
"

for

Kingdom

'mands

hit lack

big fool nigger, an' hit hain't done

Gittin' freedom

on

de outside
45

don'

nigger,

er

no

good.

make

free-

"A
dom

de

on

take

hit back.

Ole

Marse, an'

but

wants

I hain't

'fore Gord

ter

you

fool

er

I'se got all I want

mo'

I's nuffin

'bleeged ter

I's

Marse, 'deed I is,but I

Ole

no

Micajah"

inside,Ole Marse.

you,

up

for

Kingdom

nigger,

gwine

cut

'dout freedom,

gwine be thankful fur hit !"

Micajah paused expectantly ; there was
broken by the master's
silence,which was
I

an'

firm

voice.
"

am

promised
time

go

and

is out.

of freedom, and

I cannot

accepted it ;

have
the

month

you

Stop

take

you

it back

until

foolishness, and

your

the best of it."

make

I have

word, Micajah.

of my

man

And

Ole Marse

rode away.

Micajah looked
of

cloud
tion

dust

long and
he

left behind.

The

something

desperate ;

was

earnestly into the

condi

must

be

done.
the gate and

Between

the

Quarters he col

lared his astonished

little nigger with

certain

led him

towards
he

was

emblem

gesture, and
the

river,and

alone.

when
the

Spying

of his freedom

and

floor of the cabin, where

the hand

across

the

un

field

Micajah returned
palm-leaf fan, the
his

it had

misery,

on

the

dropped from

of the rebellious Amaziah,

46

no

he

silently

"HE

COLI.ARKU

HIS

ASTOMSIIKI)

l.Tl'Tl-K

NHHIKk"

"A
The

of sufficient moment

carriage was

was

filled with

the

Judge

gwine 'bout

he

the negroes

for,as

Gabrul

er

Judge's

to attract

material,

same

the

before

even

leisurely alighted, after his

had

custom

de toot

the

being

little court-room

So, too, the

of idlers.

usual

of

of the

passing

the

enough in the

the honor

had

county-seat, and

Micajah"
dull

was

season

summer

littlevillagewhich

knot

for

Kingdom

moughten

said," Eben

pester Ole Marse

business, an' hain't gwine

he

herry fur nobody !"

The

ber; nobody had

tion

high

ran

secreted in

was

runaway

seen

even

but the

an

inner cham

him, and

Judge, in the

specula
most

ex

calmly disposed of
possible,
matters, leisurelyjoking his con
his wont, utterlyoblivious of
was

asperating manner
minor

some

stituents,as
the

throng

of eager

faces.

joke had been turned and

At last every

the

signed, when

paper

Judge

every

relapsed into

sternness.
"

Bring in the prisoner !"

The
Stone

preceded the

his beard
as

a
"

opened, and Major

little procession,stroking

mysterious door

chief

in

peculiar manner,

but

as

grave

mourner.

I've got

good

on

one

48

him

now," he whis-

"A

pered

for

Kingdom
Attorney Allen

to

Micajah"
passed

he

as

the

up

aisle.
followed

Then

crossed

his
culprit,

the

his

There

breast.

broadcloth, even

torn

still held

rack,

ebon
its

in

Judge's outline

the

soiled and

now

its spare

upon

upon

painfully

something

was

figure. The

in the

familiar

low

bent

in the littlesteel cuffs,his head

wrists

creases.

the crowd

Ludicrously pitifulthe picture,and

swayed and murmured.
The

Judge

ing of

green

clear brook

beyond

think

was

boyish days, of the

fields and

black

honest

He

to his feet.

rose

pasture, of the pair of

the

feet that had

timed

their pace

to

his.
"

Micajah !"

There

was

not

there

hear

"Fse

it
"

It

tone.

of his littleworld

was

attorneys, clients,negroes,

comin', Ole Marse!"

The

through the court-room, and

rang

oblivious

of any

his master's

me

pathos in the

all.

and

"

of

if the whole

mattered
to

world

Take

de

other

presence,

the old

slave,

fell prone

at

feet.
cuss

offen

die,fur dat freedom

me,

Ole Marse, an' lem-

hit ride

an' let loose de debil in ole

D

pitifulwail

49

me

lack

er

Cage ! Take

hant,
hit

"A

for

Kingdom

back, Ole Marse, fur I got

mizerbul
back

Dat

house

mek

nebber

you

but I

were

in' I

were

if I

whup

know

how

There

was

broken

pause,

Tell it all,Micajah," said the

"

Dat

what

taken

I ain'

tuckeys fur.
I wants

mo'

dat!

fur me,

Ole

des

er

me

sudden

his

dis heah

bref

ter

offen

must

for he

"

freedom

fur nuffin ebber

ax

ter

eat, an' mighty

what's

life !

er

'fore

Stone's

po' fool nigger, Ole

er

knows

but

gust

eyes,
nose

de

Judge.
tuckeys, Ole

Marse, an' yo' knows

freedom

Judge's
blew

will-

in de fiel'now

dar
er

gwine

Yo'

breave

ter

Marse, kill
cuss

dis heah

Harry

dem

nuffin but sumpen

"

little er

ten

out

get shet

ter

I hain't

Marse.

Marse
want

dey done tied

"

I hain't nuffin but

no

me

by Micajah's sobs.

"

but

er

sin-

freedom

Marse

hit

freedom;

ter

git shet

mought

take

mizerbul

er

He

dat

er

yo' smoke

dis heah

er

de Lord

"

in

de oberseer

sont

willin'
"

! Ts

ercount

week

wouldn'

brek

me

oh, Lord

"

nigger, all on

nin'
an'

what

fur, an'

whole

er

lef',an' you

freedom

Micajah"

the

bestes'

I hain't fitKill

me,

yo' does hit take

Ole
de

soul P

my

have

blown

winked

them

vociferously.
50

dust

in the

hard, then

"A

for

Kingdom

Micajah"

consultation

whispered

was

held

with

Ma

Stone.

jor
"

That's

the
"

"

The

entirely

Major
case

was

is

satisfactory

to

me,

Judge

smiling.
dismissed

\"

roared

the

Judge.

"

THE
DEVIL'S

LITTLE
FLY

The

Devil's

consecutively

so

"

to be

there

Fly

certain emissaries

were

absences.

employed during enforced

Now,

by

"

practice,the devil had

Quarters

"

of

and

cautious, and

certain

was

con

great plantation,

soul, with the exception of

to every

mammy

of

way

quered the
even

Little

Zacheus

who

old

an

was

very
"

Big

with

the

preparing plans for the

House," when something went wrong

eternal fire below, and the devil was

besought

depart in haste.

to

old

His

he

the under

from

message

to

gone

courier, the jay-bird,brought the

deposithis usual load

in

was

fine humor,

no

bitterlyremembered
self,in
a

world, whither

the

unguarded

an

worm-eaten,

dar

down

dat

You

dey

want

de fire hain't

de matter

sumpen
"

says

vain

you

half

"

Jay,

sight
when

regrets..
bad

mighty
hot, an'

dar's

wid de furnace," said the

right sho dey needs

devil,for he had

devil,for
"

corn

to Mrs.

filled the air with

he sometimes

Dey

of

ear

other fish to

me

and

sold him

to the

moment,

Friday he

had

he

day

unseen," complained the jay

"

of firewood

for every

half-filled

he had

?" asked

jay.
the

fry that Friday

morning,
"

was

Course
very

is,"said the jay, crossly,for he

tired,and

had
56

carelesslygotten his

The

Little

Devil's

feathers scorched in the lower

I

gwine
Ax

lie?

"

Go

week, an'
what's

nex'

he

ter

gwine

!"

out

angry,

dis

twel

come

wid

went

gib hit

er

day

keep dat fire hot, if dey knows

fur

good

Go

I hain'

ter

ter 'ten'
*

crow

'em

Think

ter tell you

back/' said the devil, getting

an' tell 'em

own

heared

"

regions.

back

cousin, de

my

ter de do' an'

me

"

all de way

come

Fly

deyse'fs! I got

ter, 'dout

hell

Friday,

er

my

partnerships!"

any

I hain't

yo'se'f!

I hain't

an'

job

er

dar twel

due

gwine budge twel

den," said the jay-birdas he preened his scorch

wing and

ed

Now

the devil had

of those

quire

flew away.

who

very

careful
down

So the devil

but

one

not

singleday

corn

Crow

compelled
out

it

the

was

ordinary devil

any

"

re

could attend
crow

to that.
to take

the

Squire Billups had just planted

large field of

was

below

importuned the

in that for Mister

he

hand,

on

handling, and

his business

knew

message

love-affair

strange, inexplicablethings that

old cry

same

there

to do for
to

work

was

serve

of the week, and

whole

enough
week

the devil but

he had

;
a

already

given that service ; besides,Mrs. Crow was just

beginning to hatch, and no
self-respecting
paterfamiliascould fail to be within call dur57

ing

The

Devil's

an

important

such

Little

Fly

event.

The

journey had

too blind to go, for the

owl

was

to be made

too sleepy,
was
by daylight ; the black-snake
for his season
not yet fully arrived; the
was

terrapinwas

slow

too

there

and

nothing

was

left except the littlefly; but the little fly was

his work

always ready, though

be rendered

upon

So, with

many

the earth.

set about

He

upon

breath

into

tered,and
window

the down

of the

Charles's
Now

ear

he

as

Marse

man.

and

departure.
blew

his

puff,and whispered
and

floated

the

seed

through

to

scat

an

open

tickled Marse

and

lay asleep.
was

to attend

come

the

Beverly Baillie,and was

Bev
with love of Miss Demetria, Marse
Marse

highest, and
But

Marse

that he would
held between
had

had

mind

to

above

marry

any

Charles, in his cloak of

green-

win.

no

upon

his

Even

now,

his moist

nestled

looked

daughter, who

and-gold lace, swore

that

knees

rose,

Charles

erly's youngest
the

his

Big House

house-party of
mad

wind

to take

his

dandelion

the seed, and

of his

impatient stampings

foot, the devil

got down

always

must

upon

jewelledsword
he
he slept,
as

fingersa withered
the bosom

Demetria.
58

rose

of the cold

It
to

such

was

leave, and

night became
wide

were

eyes

jealousy in

Charles

Marse

clutched

sleep, and
the

the seeds of

heart.

Charles's

daylight

Marse

sighed in his

withered

the

as

loath

was

the seeds of the dande

he blew

as

Fly

this that the devil

as

ball.hesowed

lion

Little

Devil's

The

to

rose

then

him, and

his

open.

Biding his time, so that jealousymight breed

hate, the devil lingered,leaving

the mushroom
the doubtful

night

to pass

wellnigh

was

the devil threw

off all

evil

with

crazed

away

the young

midnight and day, when

but between
man

of the

hours

passions,
stood

disguise and

be

fore him.
"Who

are

you

his bed

ing from

Charles, spring

?" cried Marse

stretching his swollen

and

his hand

eyelidsin the dusky light as

sought

his sword.
"

One

who

do

can

service,"said

you

the

devil,talking fine,for he always chose his lan

according

guage

Marse
and

he

Charles's

put

crushed

he

to his

up

his

surroundings.

brain
sword

nervously

full of fever,

was

and

the

rose

listened,while
within

his

palm.
"

You

are

the treasures

young,

you

are

noble,

of the earth before

59

you

have

you," said the

The

"

devil,soothingly, and
miserable
"

do

"

about

are

the

my

misery ?"

?" asked

know

I not

know

that

disdains

she

that

know

you

do

What

sagely.

you

most

Charles, angrily.

cried Marse
"

yet

in all creation."

man

What

Fly

Little

Devil's

that

devil,

Demetria,

love

you

you,

the

have

you

rival."
"

!"

Ah

sighed Marse
rival !

I have

aid

if you

me

written

may

settle this

send

it when

"

Not

mad

am

challenge

to my

daylight. I

at

that is it"
you

with

love.

rival,that
about

was

fast,"said the devil,liftinga

so

father

are,

I
we

to

called."

you

ing finger and

is the

for I

"

whatever

Whoever,

can,

have

Charles,

"

drawing

nearer.

blood

Hot

regrets. Your

of many

warn

rival is

better swordsman."
"

said

But

'tis honor

this for my

I do

honor

Charles, loudly, puffing

Marse

out

!"
his

breast, frog fashion.

"

you

Hush

! not

so

credit when

much

run

through with

the

devil,

metria's
"

What

loud

"

you

is your

My

will do

rot in the

ground,

rival's sword," sneered

your

leaving him

favor.

honor

Your

plan

in

is better than

plan, and
60

possession
who

of De-

that."

the devil

are

The
?" cried

you

Little

Devil's

Fly

Charles, writhing at the

Marse

of losing Demetria.
possibility
That's
he," said the devil,
just it" I am
chuckling; and, stretching out his arm, he
"

touched

Marse
"

velvet.

The

world

throne,

upon

with

Charles

for this !" and

hand

soft

as

is mine, and

I would

sit

rightfulseat, if it were

my

kicked

he

his hoof

out

as

not

foot pet

ulantly.
"

Well, what

plan ?

miserable

listen to your

That's

so

was

I haven't

"

talking

to

Upon

certain

condition, if

Demetria

bid you,

no

"

Words

that you

look

over,

will do

you

shall

cheap," said

are
"

What

upon

out

proof

as

pres

come

upon

smile

upon

the

Marse

can

do all of these

can

"Look

need

point.

upon

suit."

languidly.

"

the

to

shall detest the very

him, and, lastly,Demetria

your

purpose

Charles's

rival,disasters shall

of your

ence

this, briefly,is

But

enough

Charles, impatiently.

then," said the devil,fingeringMarse

ruffles.

time to

troubles ; I've

own," said Marse

of my
"

is your

give

you

of every
"

me

things ?"

occurrences

the world

Charles,

what

better
"

day
proof

More
give ?" said the devil,archly.
if you
the innerwish, you shall know
I

61

The

Devil's

life of your

most

mirror

her every

her

held

you

face; her
the desire

act,

every

be hidden

shall

have

may

Fly

though

as

sigh, nothing

that you

you

lady

before

ever

Little

from

to hear

or

know."
Marse
and

the

ioned
"

the

Charles

pondered awhile, but the devil

moonlight, together with his old-fash

of

frenzy

Name

love, had
condition

your

!" he

challenge into littlebits

gray

dawn,

did what

man,

both

has

cried,tearing

and

beginning of the
many

his head.

turned

there, in the

Marse

Charles

before and

since,

done.

littleto the story to

It matters

give the

exact

of the bargain, though Mammy,

specifications
in the tellingof it,was
always very particular
to describe minutely all of the virtues that go
to make

the best part of

up

The

words, his soul.

gain

had

woman,

forever

how

given
the

be kept at white
those
the

man

awfulness

in other

"

of the

bar

small
duly impressed upon Mammy's
Marse
Charles, for the love of
; how

was

listeners
a

who

days

had
of his

happiness forever and

up

fires of hell

eternal
heat

made

with

fiendish

similar

coming
62

were

were

to

delightby

bargains
written

in

how

fiery

The
for she
hard
"

Devil's

believes

that

counting of
In this

you

watch
but

doors

you

would

know

act, just open

when

back

science,flutteringlike
hand, and
box

Marse

beneath

Now

to

Charles

be hid

can

it chanced

into the

Charles's

as

con

bird, in his

put the little gold

went

his

on

after that there

soon

the

ladies and
It

far woods.

for Marse

the

young

his great
was

come

joy."

you

was

their
a

Beverly Baillie had

in

Demetria.

Marse

was

gallants

fine

com

scattered

his invitations broadcast, that the world

see

every

hell,chuckling

wounded

and

I wish

you,

I will

weeks

his Lace ruffles and

great meet, and

pany,

abroad

rejoicing.

way

rode

keep

can

goes

nothing

went, for he carried Marse

he

that will

You

word

her every

the box., for

the devil went

So

I leave

closed between

are

in the meantime

again, and

slaves.

devil,

she

the little fly. In two

from

to the

"

the

sleep.

never

the

when

and

acres

possession,one

Demetria

upon

when

and

Fly

squint is due

her father's

useful

slumber

never

the

box," continued

most

my

Little

might

Charles,

on

bay, rode sulkilyalone, for his rival

high humor,

having been

ride with the fair Demetria.

64

paired to

the second

ready

was

mile, his rival's horse

that he

lame

forced

was

Charles, with much

Marse

Fly

for Marse
Demetria

with

and

him

gave

and

dinner,beside
lost

no

were

had

no

light
dozen
shone

sun

fair,for

smile.
a

upon

eyes

for

for Marse

reserved
upon

came,

was

sweetest

day the rival

they rested

as

the world

her

horse ; but Demetria

of her favors

the

"

back, and

banteringand

place. But

Charles

in the

Late
er

his

to take

lame

went

to turn

laughter,gallantly rode forward

others

to ques

efficacyof his bargain, when, just in

tion the

so

Charles

he rode, Marse

As

Little

Devil's

The

him, all

Charles

shady knoll

bubbling spring,Marse

time, and told his love in most

fresh

after

Charles
vehement

fashion.
will creep in, even
into the
perplexities
Charles
best-planned schemes, for as Marse
talked he thoughtlessly drew from his bosom
the devil's snuff-box, and as he toyed idly with
the lid the sharp eyes
of Demetria
remarked
its curious workmanship.
A trophy ! a memento
the day !"
to mark
she cried,throwing down
a
jewelledmedallion,
into which she had deftlyslippeda ring of her
bright hair.
own
But

"

"

A pawn
E

of love

as

preciousas
65

heart's blood !"

The
cried

upon

which

he

and

the grass

always
held

which

!"

manlier

pouted the

trophy

little box

of poor

Marse

would

he

give

Demetria

not

He

almost

reached

the

"

cold.

ran

please the

to

!"

Charles

his

hid

sweet

hand

hard

shock, he

"

box

the

yield it,but the little fly buzzed

and, starting with

poisoned

just now

blood

The
What

have

toyed with

you

and

view,

spoiled Demetria

I would

"

from

Charles.

Marse

drop,forgotten by
No

concealed

tiny needle

he

as

Egyptian bracelet,

an

wore

mustache

golden curl

the

gallantly kissing

threw

Fly

Charles, twirling his

Marse

and

"

Little

Devil's

to

within,
it in

his

bosom.
"A

the

princesswore

Marse

"

Charles.
it

Make

more

But

I would

"

But

it will make

Then

I will

Then

have

wonderful

and

history.
it for

wear

the box
thee
!

sneeze

bubble

any

to such

here

me,

!"
!"

sneeze

Your

if you

love

less

means

shall hold

so

fast

triflingthing !"
Demetria

shed

proaches followed, and

even

wonderful

"

than

It has

once," began

\"

sweet

"

bracelet

to the marrow's

tears, and
Marse

centre
66

from

more

re

Charles, cold
fear,let loose

The

Little

Devil's

the devil's littleflyand

Fly

the box

threw

the

upon

grass.
"

"

it up

but, Charles,

holds

I" said Demetria,

beautiful

How

snuff, and

no

only thought
it back

to

again,

make

cannot

but

try you,

to

played

you

punish

love, and

that Demetria

There

in the far wood, and

such

thunder-storm

came

when

would

not

cease,

followed,the
ies and

give

light of

in the
the

thought

much

ado

merriment
shelter

to make

the rain

But

on.

and, in the cold drizzle which

company,

gay

feathers,mounted

nothing damped

wrould tire of the box.

soon

fine sport and

was

it

teasing !"

for the

with

sneeze.

I will not

now

you

himself

comforted

false

me

me

Charles, restored, basked

So

snatching

with

limp gauder-

for the return.

the ardor

of Marse

But

Charles,

they rode, his hearty laughter,mingled

of the cav
with Demetria's, fell upon
the ears

and,

as

alcade.
Marse

his

thing with
again.
it has
"A

had

Charles

"

On

my

seldom
most

made

hand, and

scoop

at

Demetria

laughed

word, Mr. Charles, such

been

my

good fortune

persistentfly,"said Marse

some

to

see

grace

!"

Charles,

catching at it again, as he felt the cold clinging

67

The
feet

he

membering,

Fly

Then, suddenly

of the rain

fly out

little

re

reddening

with

silent,and

was

caught the

he

Little

forehead.

his

upon

cheek

Devil's

into the folds of his cloak.

The

days

wore

and, as the devil had

on,

close

ised, disasters,one
it

Now

fever

dared
woes

was

fast

so

"

not

try

and,

now

ague,

an

broken

limb,

now

sweet

his

Demetria

all men,

to

courteous

Charles.

between

his home

reach

an

indeed, that he

came,

gruel,but made

salted his

Marse

of
a

they

to

the heels of

upon

rival

the

other, overtook

prom

at Marse

eyes

Charles.
all this time Marse

But

the

about

there

the littleflyin

by

And

mon

no

spot in which

safety. Marse

of honor,

sometimes,
Charles
house

though

but

would

for
have

to

be

must

kept

with the devil.

even

buzz,

opportune

an

keep

felt that

Charles

precious trust,and faith

man

Marse

was

troubled

was

still treasured

little fly. Demetria

the box, and

it was

Charles

killed it for

pest, which

always made

and

night

him

com

very

serious.

Every
brought
Charles

day
in

every

full report, over

gloated

as

miser
68

over

the

little

which

gold

fly

Marse
;

but at

The
last

devil's

the

even

Little

Devil's

Fly

emissary

roosting in precarious places,and

ing

of the

box,

Now
my,

Demetria
fine

as

as

was

married
"

and

charms

asleep ; but
shook
then
broad

"

the

told her

mam

shrewd
who
in

dealt

not

was

drew

them

French

veranda.

In

she

Demetria

for

old

her

chair,
she

fell

restless,and
vain

Mammy

farther back,
wide

windows

vain

babyhood

stories until

In

opened the

same

soothe.
and

's

bed-curtains

of late Demetria

the curtains

not

Demetria

since

long yellow locks

would

and

who

sitting in the

stories did

the

old

an

kerchief,and

Zacheus

that

and

fanned

Madras

drawn

mistress, and
had

vigilant,and

cungers."

had

Mammy

night

Every

less

blessed with

was

to

by dispos

faith

blending of mother-wit

ever

considering

spiritof rebellion.

wore

ness

less and

was

finallycultivated

broken

had

Charles

that Marse

of

weary

grew

upon

brushed

out

the

the

still sighed, and

close her eyes.

chile ?" crooned

Mammy, soft
ly wielding her great palm-leaf,and forgetful
that she was
speaking to other than a child.
I'm
miserable, ever
miserable, Mammy,
What

ail my

"

since the

day

of the meet.
69

Something

seems

The
be

to

taking

fallen away
robes
"

Um

git hit

sassafac

tea

mek

gwine

dat mek

"

fly ergin !

my

her

better !

I sho

gwine

de bar

'fore I lets 'down

out

I have

dis

night.

be 'feared,honey !"

Don'
"

"

Mammy.

dat mizerbul

! dar

how

enough indeed.

!"crooned
some

Fly

the littlefigurein its white

And

!"

Little

strength. See

my

small

was

chile
Hi

Devil's

It's

no

I can't

use.

!" said

sleep,Mammy

Demetria, fretfully.
"

min'/' said Mammy,

Nebber

cradle-song;
yo'

Marse

"

wid

die

or

plum

no

'bout

crazy

yo' ?"
Yes, yes," said

say

Hain't

him

An'

whedder

hain't

Marse

yo', an' cain't

'howdy,' fur de

er

am

But

ly.

"

while

not

Lord

My

things ?

"

yo' lub him?

ter marry

as

Hain't

rightbimeby.

'good-bye' 'fore he

say

yet

des

be all

Charles

promus

Avery

Charles

"

yo'

tell Marse

yo' done

lub

"

soft

as

Yo'

"

Demetria, wearily, and

happy, Mammy."
!

"

is

wid
er

all

Cuss

di'munts

an'

chile,honey !
mighty sp'ilt

hope do it,"added
Nebber

dem

Mammy,

complacent

min', baby, yo' be all right arter

yo' des narvous."

dat

fly !" said

Mammy,

breath, for the little thing eluded

70

under

her

her at every

The

box

the

found, and

not

was

hut

Charles

Marse

for the

ill at ease,

about, pale and

wandered

Fly

to Demetria

Charles

Marse

from

token

Little

Devil's

littlefly did not return.

does
dusky story-teller
al
juncture, for there were

of the

narrative

The

falter at this

not

pairs of

three

ways

ing into hers. "Zacheus

who

good hoodoo
"

Um

and

"

hoodoo

the

was

es

gib

er

debil's snuff-box

er

dem

brown

"

hit turn

fin' in de woods

"An' dat what

head

unner

her

Marse

Charles

Zacheus

chillen
dus'

"

one

in 'em

de littlefly

an' den

ter bite Zach

course

and

been

de littlemiss

Um,

gib her?

wid
sleepin'
"

Zacheus.

?" said

De

dar's

charm

work

for

P
the

gold snuff-box

though the plantation

near,

ter nuffin but

things wid

spongy

es

de mouf."

on

Of

in Zacheus's

know,

you

fly up mighty survigrous an' try

eus

were

great big laugh, 'case

er

hit tech his han'

dat you

from

what

de ole mammy

his wife lay de gole-worked box

soon

the

"

steal souls back

could

when

han', Zacheus

burn

were

the chorus.

devil !" sang

the

that

eyes

eager

to Demetria

no

72

was
one

was

never

searched
bemoaned

found,
far and
its loss

The
louder than

which

Quarters,
watching

was

ointment

with

fly,for the fly would

kill the

to

she

his pot of sweet

mix

Zacheus

steal away,

Fly

in the

but down

Mammy;

she could

when

Little

Devil's

not

eat.
"

I kin kill de

don'

'

wanter

do

fly,"growled Zacheus,
'

Marse

Charles,

listened
sleeplessness,

with

ringing in his

house-flythat

common

reason

to Demetria's

and

ears,

songs

gorged

he could coax,

but I

I gotter

so

change de charm."
Marse Charles, whiter and thinner by
of

"

every

sugar,

on

hope of finding again the devil's

littlefly; but the littlefly was
lying with stiff
wings outside of Zacheus's
pot of ointment,
in the vain

and

James, the barber, had

time

but

would

"How

am

The

up.

devil would

return.

hardly remembered
again, after a night when

once

not

posite,in

toy ?

was

Charles

Marse

with

then ?

What

was,

Zacheus

Charles's hair.

lock of Marse
The

given

he

come,

found

the

hazy light,as
dare you"
said
box, to give it as
"

my

You
undone

have
;

himself

the

girlis mine
73

sleep
sittingop

devil

token,

forfeited your

but the

it

before.

once

how

"

"part
lover's

bargain, and
!"

The
"

!" cried Marse

No

Little

Devil's

Fly

Charles, his

start

eyes

ing from their sockets.

"

love for her

with

I love her

that

I tell you

mad

am

by the token that she

and

"

that I

"

keeps she is lost !"

"

The

token

found/7 said Marse

be

cannot

Charles.
"

What

it matter

does

is mine

!" cried the

in order
"

the charm.

"

Do

think

you

win

with

and

that I

dirty scum

I will protect her

cannot

him

as

with

you

pas

human

change
would yield
to

?"
if I

life,even

my

her," said Marse

for the devil in his rage

She

is mine.

given him

had

to torment

to such

her now,

She

devil,tremulous

sion, for the hoodoo

heart

Charles, hotly,

had

let loose Marse

Charles's conscience.
"Choose

"said the other,mock

weapons,

your

"

ingly, for the sword of the devil is a

the soul,
pointed sword ; it wounds
not the body."
flesh the spirit,

doublenot

the

"

And

back

the whole
and

of the orchard, said

world

was

There

though

were

no

witnesses

he rendered

tress and

yeoman

of the earth.

save

Zacheus,

and

service to his mis

to her lover's bartered

74

while

fought grimly

asleep,was

silentlythe bitterest duel

Mammy,

soul,he looked

The

duel,and

the

upon

Little

Devil's

solemnly declared

Mammy

blind.

him

sight of it made

that the

Fly

Through and through, the devil thrust Marse

out dry and bright;
Charles,but the blade came
not

drop of blood

lunges, Zacheus

Charles's

Marse

he could

after
that

swore

lightthrough the body of the

the

see

and

spilled;

was

devil.
Charles

Marse

almost

was

sinking

knees, and

the devil raised his

when

sudden

on

with

shape of

in the

That

ponent.
long

ago,
a

worn

made

been

and

cry

what

cut

his

on

done

have

if he

even

cross

rose

double

he should

had

only

watch-guard it

protection,for

Marse

at

devil gave

the

movement

new

Charles

the breast of his op

on

Mammy;

little gold

Charles's
hoarse

cross

was

said

have

would

exulting,

arms

impulse Marse

mighty effort and

his

to

shadows

fled into the

one

of the

breaking day.
Of

the

course

did not know

ing

on,

or

"

Quality

of the

"

the

at

Big House

plottingthat had been

of the fearful duel that had

not

the

They were
earth, and

so

brow

and

downcast

came

to say

ended

privileged beings of

they only knew

eyes

farewell,and
75

it was

that

Marse

that Marse

go

with

it.
the

pale

Charles

Beverly

The

"

think

To

you!"

cried

Avery

in

up

have

he

that

soul

good

him

clapped

Baillie

! there
been

caught."

good

of

But
fish

like

"

flirt

should

cheer

yet

the

comfort

she

"for

Beverly;

fall.

as

way

Demetria

minx

Marse
the

by

Fly

shoulder,

the

on

was,

my

're

Little

Devil's

up,

to

catch

marries
cheer

lad,
as

ever

ASMODEUS

IN

THE

QUARTERS

Asmodeus
he

warnut,
de

hair

long white

dat tu'n
"

He

nets,

er

he walk.

hone

'

'case he

gwine fin'
plenty

but he des

body

es

er

know

an' ter smoke,

but

ain'

he

es

we

us

wid

he

so

han'

one

mighty

were

min'

oughter

up

secrets, 'case

no

no

if

no

yo'

secret

putty nigh all de time

he

ter

painful
dey

Shad

pos',an' dey hain't

er

erbout

go

sumpen

got.

gotter holler hit all ober de place,hit

ertall

happy

ever'thing dat happin

tell him

wanter

'

clo'es,plenty ter

what

matter

deef

Ole Miss
debilment

some

chaw

ter

cabin

des wanter

rach

corn,

do, an' she plum right.

warm

fur, no

none,

ter do ever'

roun'

yit,'case hit 'pear lack de debil gib

ter

knees,

fitten ter work

sumpen,

'baccy

er

good

er

ter

he

ter

tuckies, shuckin'

de

hab

eat, plenty
an'

hain't

sho

fur idle han's

Shadrach

'mos'

littlecouterin'

'low dat Satan

"

kim

cotton, an'

es

bow-legged when

feedin'

lack

makin'

er

er

Quarters

white

es

beard

ole he

but he hab

day,

were

in kinder
so

the

in

I reckon

year.

ter

'im, but

hit

ever'body

business, specuil if

own

dey cain't hear good.

"

But

'case

an'

hit go

git deefer

he

cuissomer

git 'em

mighty

so

; an'

an'

when

hard

wid

Shadrach,

deefer, an' cuissomer

he

do

hear

'em

he

cross-eyed 'mos' all de time, 'case he

80

UNDER

THE

TREES

IN

THE

WOOD-LOT"

hear

Quarters

bad, dat he git inter

so

heap

er

Shadrach

dat

dey low

fur

the

in

Asmodeus

er

were

trouble,

er

ter

power

talk.
"

Hit

mighty bad

er

thing fur

tin' bofe foots inter tar

in

"

Now

times

er

you's er-pullin'

gwine sho sink furder

but

dey hain't nuffm

good strong pull

er

gwine git yo' shet uv

yo' knows, honey, dat dar's
de year dat de debil plum loose
ter do

anywhar

all de time

er-layin'fur des sech

"

er

Shadrach

es

Shadrach

in de woods-lot, an'
when

him

he

an' len' he
two

er

free

Shadrach
Christiun
urin'

kim

body

er

er

an' he cain't eben

he

soul.

he know

mighty feared
F

quare

But

er

ter see

skin,

erbout

in,

niggers seed
places fur

dat wa'n't

er

pleas-

things, fur

de

pa'r er new
years,
hope him, lessen he gib up
man

er

Hit pester Shadrach

he cain't

de

er

'bout hearin'

gib

he

git outen

lot

shouter.

Shadrach

debil cain't

er

mighty

some

an'

he

de debil ter go

times, 'case
in

he

de trees

unner

powerful glad

an'

ter

done

sof, mizer-

er

'way off

were

"

were.

him

meet

some

anything, an'

free ter go

bul creetur

hit.

dat

de outside

on

while

"

odder

foot out, de

one

in, 'case hit lack git-

done

de fix dat Shadrach

git inter

ter

two

sarve

de fire down
8l

mightily, 'case
marsters,
dar ; but

an' he

bimeby,

Asmodeus

the

in

he

larnin' an' he

de

debil fur

er-doin'

hit

uv

in de ways
hain't

gwine

de debil he kim

in de

ter pay

hit,an'
ter folks

dey min's, but hit

long run ; hit gwine
in

him

wants

whiter

an'

done

an'

gone

yit,'case

dey

folks

Better

done

Shadrach

folks 'n

bargains wid

he

'ligion,an'

soul.

he

furgit all

done

he

things dat

knowin'

'bout hear-

git so cuis

'fore de debil go back, he

in' an'

Quarters

peter out mighty painful.

ter
"

Well, ole Shadrach

de

debil fur

good,

he

done

he

an'

sell he soul ter

lively an'

mighty

peart erbout hit,an' dance all unbeknownst

ole mizerbul Shadrach
dance, an' he er-lookin'
"

do !

he

lack

hain't

nobody know

doo.

Er

nuffin 'bout hit but

he

him

gib

he promus

de chimblies, an'

ever'thing
"

keep stillfur
"

Sho

de

'nough,

he

joy
de

des

es

de lookout

on

gwine

see

wid

er

thinkin'

debil

were

fin' de

him

an' look

es

'bout hit.

good

es

body

def, fur dar wa'n't

82

down

des couldn't

er

no

es

he

Shadrach

bed, layin'lack he sleepin'; but he

cole

ever'

ever'thing an'

an' ole Shadrach

word, an' de hoodoo

in he

him

de roofs

fly ober

he

hoo

er

'pear lack de hoodoo hear

ter Shadrach, if he sell

soul, dat he take

night, when
hear

all de time

good hoodoo

fur de debil,an' hit

de debil

dar

hit de debil's dance, an'

but

"

were

bref in de

HE

DES

FOLLER

UV

'EM

EVER'

NIGHT

"

widout

er

"

Hit

were

an'

see

'im.

owl hatter shake

an'

fun ter ole Shadrach,

er

things dat

dem

er

ham, he laugh

er

nttin

he.'mos'

hit,'case he cain't tell nobody what

ter bus' wid

he

lot

er

git so full

he

Quarters

light,er-huntin' fur

dat de odder

loud

so

the

in

Asmodeus

hear, fur he feared

hear

all de

larn

whar

secrets

creepin'things, an'

de

dey riz in de air, de

es

in

things hides

an'

snakes

de

daytime, an'

er

He

de debil.

er

de

secrets

er

things dat flies in de dark.

de
"

seed

He

er-dancin'

folks

an'

er-mournin',
an'

er-laughin'an' er-cryin',er-cotin'
blin', er-stealin'
hones'

sleep

dey beds

on

de debil

hear

er-lyin',er-sleepin' de
er-groanin'

Christiun, an'

people dat he

de

suff'rin'

er

"

de houses,

ter

de

er

day" lack dar wra'n't

ever'

know

an'

an'

er-gam-

walls

ner

temp'

ter

'em

no

see

tops
He

nuther.

weak, an' dey fall,an'

de

strong, an' dey hain't gib in, an' de debil

de

kirn roun'

day long

ole Shadrach

chucklin'

an'

"

Hit go

don'

hoodoo

dat way
say

but he know
ter

nuffm
he

fur

fur
;

night

an'

er-laughin' an'

des

er-waitin'

night, an'

ever'

ger

on

nex'

ergin de

ter 'em

er

he

night

ter

long time, but de

des foiler

putty nigh plum

he bide he
84

er-

come.

uv

wore

dat de debil hain't got much

tarry, so

all

'em
out

lon

time, fur he gwine

HE

HEAR

M1SSAR

jONES'b

SAMBO

FIVE

MILE

ERWAY

the

in

Asmodeus

ole Shadrach's

git back

fur ter try ter

Quarters
soul,

burning wand'rin',los' soul is er mighty

'case

er

hard

thing

steddy

ter

an' de hoodoo

on,

were

'zorter,too.

er
"

de fust, Shadrach

At

an'

mighty 'umble
'n

more

while

he

dat got two

see* ten

times

good

But

sot

in ter

ter de debil

some.

He

des seein'

niggers ; he

wanter

kin

years

much.

es

git manish, an'

an' talk back

er

debil, 'case he hear

ter de

anybody

hear, an'

mighty happy

were

arter

grumblin',
done

tired

what

see

de

white folks er-doin'.

"

De

debil

dat hit hain't

him

ter

gwine

an' hear

see

high wid

tell him

he

him

an' er-teasin',
twel

borry

two

pa'r er

high (dat all

gwine

len'

talks'

house.

"

he

Shadrach
dark

one

buzzards'
kin

hese'f fur

keep er-teasin'
night de debil
wings so's

ter

arter

wid

him

he

fas'

es

Shadrach

dat, dar wa'n't

des

he

fly

git,'case de eagle hain't

tellin' what

no

night,an'

"

good fur

keer,

his'n),an' dey riz ober de top

Hain't

"

ter be

better take

dat, an' 'fuse ter rise dat

but

he

no

er

see

de

dat

doin' nuffin

er-gallopin'ter 'struction

es

he kin trabble.

Es ole

de oberseer

es

Shadrach
hatter

were,

an'

lay de whup
85

es
on

doubled
him

two

up,
er

Asmodeus

the

in

free times, an' hit make

mighty bad
aggin'

hit

uv

rach

done

'bout

ever'

git too uppish

he

bimeby

he

hit

retch

He

debil were,

no

wings

an'

hoodoo
de

ner

de

'low he

nuflin

nuffin

he

!
"

nuffin

"

he

so

dat

he
done

er

power

Po'

he

git mixed

spider'sweb,

ter do hit ; fur dat

86

no

sarvent

!
say

dey riz,de debil

wings ergin fur hese'f

all dis here

let him

dat

"

pleasurin'an' hain't

own

an'

but

lack Shad

by hese'f.
an'

he

coat-tails,an' de

mighty 'umble, an' make

er

who

hit.

po' ole

debil he do

fly in

an'

furgit he hain't

he riz wid

gwine

de debil ;

coat-tails

Shadrach

doin'

hit

gotter borry

gwine do

night when

borry de buzzard's

rach

rope,

dat

bargain;

own

nuffin but

de debil do he

he

uv

wid

hain't

debil,an' hit all fru he

But

boun'

de

senses.

an' manisher

kin, an'

fool Shadrach

er

know

eend

he

outen

gwine rise wid

he

"

down

nuffin ter rise wid, if de debil do.

ner

hoodoo

er

er-

night, 'case Shad-

de

furgit all erbout

de

any

him

powerful suddent

so

gitmanisher

he done

Dat

feel

de debil des

ter wanter

retch

putty nigh flinghim

"

time

Marster

er-showin'

an'

on,

Ole

niggers.

But

an'

de

all de

an

folks7 chimblies

white

"

Quarters

tangled
Shadrach

debil

De
up

lack

he sho

night he hear things

"SHADKAC1I

llli

KIZ

\VI1)

UK

o\VN

COAT-TAILS

be

de

on

"

hearin'

git ter be

everything plum

uv

big wads

ter w'arin'

taken

fur ter shet hit out

growin' longer
half

hit kim

uv

uv

b'long

ter

De

hoodoo
he

rach, an'
cain't go
ter him

he

ter

ter

mixed

de
he

dat

up,

in he years

cotton

dat

keeps
an'

er-

nar-

cain't shet hit out, 'case

de inside,an'

fum

de

good

er

mo'

painfulwid

longer, narrerer

all dat

in' up

"

an'

er

so

de years,

er

de cotton

but

rerer;

Shadrach

Shadrach

An'

Quarters

ter make

groun' fur

painfulhese'f

the

in

Asmodeus

de wak-

was

dat

debil lef Shadrach

man.

what

see

mighty

were

sorry

er-ailin' Shad

fur him

got ter kim

Shadrach

Shadrach;

be

git he soul back, an' hit hatter

mighty good hoodoo

ter do

he

but

hit den,

so

er

de hoo

doo he sot an' wait.

"

Bimeby

des couldn'

Shadrach

longer, an' he des kim

doo, all doubled
des
he

"

dem

big

er-rinnin'
de

hoo

ter de

long white

no

beard

groun', an' he fingersin

de

er-draggin'on
years

wid

up,

stan' hit

years

dat des er-settin' up

bofe sides he head.

on
"

sho

'Pear lack Shadrach

'twixt de
ter work

gwine plum

mizry an' de noises,an'

quick, fur

rach, so's Shadrach

ter

de hoodoo

pull de debil

mought
88

crazy

outen

git

Shad

git he soul back..

"

IN

UK

SHAPE

UV

ER

BIG

JACK-RABBIT"

"

Shadrach

rollin' an'
an'

er

lay
bottle

whole

in de

phunt, de owl
got big
him

outen
"

ter

fling

everythingdat he kin think

"

de debil hain't

but

years;

uv

come

yit.
him

taken

passin'by,

but hit hain't dat.

uv

er

workin'

hoodoo

inter de woods

long-yeared houn'

name

De

try

wid-

jackass, de el'-

de

er

er-

hot lard

pour

in he years

an' call de

"

de cabin, des

de hoodoo

an'

name

de hoodoo

Den

er

laud'num

er

good,

debil out

dat

de fiV

on

Quarters

er-groanin'. Dey done

out doin' any

de

the

in

Asmodeus

dat

hard, an'

mighty

he

stop an' steddy erwhile, an' den he lead Shad

rach, wid

de thorns

an' he knees

des er-t'arin'

he beard

uv

an' he han's, ober inter

er

blackberry-bushes, ter gib de debil

er

ter kim

chance
"

He

wid he han's, an' say

charm, an' wait erwhile.

done

chances

plum

gone,

soul, 'case de hoodoo

he

when

see-

inter

shape

er

de

De

debil he

an' he hatter

got him

dat, he

Shadrach
uv

good

er

out, 'case he sho arter him.

de passes

make

thicket

des

kim

in

er

see

de
he

gib up de

corner,

an'

er-lopin'outen

blackberry-bushes, in de

big jack-rabbit wid

great long

years.
"

dud

Dey
an'

say

dat ole Shadrach

fiftyyear

lib ter be

ol'er 'n he were,

89

er

hun-

stone-blin'

Asmodeus

an'
ful

'mos'

happy

cuissome
done

stone-deef
twel
'bout

heared

the

in

but

he

die,

hearin'

ernough

ter

Quarters

he

go

an'

hain't

things

no

las'

him."

'bout

power

nebber

mo',

'case

git
he

TAMING
THE

OF

JEZRUL

The

of

Taming

Moreover, it

Jezrul

impossibleto keep the shoes

her feet, though Jezrul tied them
hard
on
and fast every
morning, with a warning ; but
they turned up mysteriously in every corner
was

of the house,

once

even

thing ! behind

the

"

ing-room, and
In view

door

! the horror

with

the house,

ly into

the littleblack

mouth

wide

Ole Miss,

she

loving Crecy, and

was

sharp

they

as

Crecy plodded

slippingnervous
called

was

these

even

blunted

were

were,

Jezrul

prisons and opening

whenever

to

mortification.

groaned helplesslyin secret,as

plantigrade about

draw

just in time

overwhelming

of his contract

of the

in Madame's

discovered

wrere

Jezrul from

save

oh

"

her

but

thorns,

he
as

by love's

power.

hardest

The

trial

conventionalities

of

Jezrul was

born

for

making
ously

of pretty

from

the

high life in

through the
the Quarters,

gallant,and

used

to the

compliments, copied studi

"Big House," but which

of the court

guage

about

came

"

as

was

Greek

to

"lan

Crecy 's

ears.

Then
Madame
been

and

there

had

had

given

been
a

little feeling whsri

great ball and Crecy had

ignominiously set aside as too awkward

ungainly to serve upon the occasion,though
94

"OH!

THE

HORROR

OF

THE

"

THING

The

of

Taming

Jezrul

that

pain had been soothed

Jezrul, and the culmination
of the
Ole
and

"

Christmas
Marse

as

had

just been

cunningly arched

had

proved
was

ardent
And

Her

seemed

feet

different material
Louisiana
alas !

"

Cagion

had
French

Jezrul'speace

bow

of mind,

believer in feminine

complishments.
very

Orleans,

head-handkerchief

for

too much
an

"

whose

and

for he

New

to

gift to the Madame

Susanne,

brought

the time

at

came

break-down."

Christmas

by. the policy of

how

she
be

to

from

could

those

of

ac

dance

made

of

the

others.

giving Mississippipoints,and,
star
of Mississippiwas
the
on

was

the

wane.

her

In

Crecy

humble
awed

was

and

eyes

and

leaden

burned

ousy

dazzled

by the unfamiliar
with

her flash
the

saw

of

Jezrul ; then the reality

weight, and the fires of jeal

briskly, fanned, too, it is

feared, by meddlesome
the

gayeties Jezrul

see

her.

At

first

at

gown,

sallies of wit, until she

all-devouringgaze
fell like

cotton

of the new-comer,

gorgeousness

ing

blue

to

observers,for in all
had

first she

sat

not

even

seemed

apart, aimless

be
of
to

and

watching the pair through half-closed

listless,
eyes

it

was

new

experience, and
95

thought

The

slowly. Then

travelled

wildly
"

Jezrul

she

threw

herself

into the dance.

him

I Tarn

lay

kerhootin'

ter go

arter

strange gal !"

er

and

Faster

flew

faster

her

coquetted with

curtsied,now

feet ;

but

"

the

always dancing alone, with her

Go

and

patting

"

then

and

Buzzard

medley

louder

grew

Pea-patch Ladies,"

Tray,"

"

tiring out

but

Lope," and

folds of her

still

floor

She

was

and

then

from

the

rest, and
haustion.

of the

body

spread the
dancing

Lemuel

tried to

shuffle

was

beat

chanters.

But

with

96

eyes,

drag his daughter

floor,for the fiddler had

singers had

ob

were

strange light in Crecy's

the

were

her

Jezrul

before,and he

ing time for her, independent

There

fiddling

was

teaching him

was
seen

never

and

Bread-

dancers

she

as

swelling skirts.

Susanne

that he had

the

"

of others ;

score

Crecy whirled,

pair, but Susanne

livious.

in the

the

faster

of wild, half -savage

to the

swaying almost

and

Chicken

chanting followed, and

to the

fixed

eyes

the fiddler,and

it,Crecy !" shouted

music

circle,

object of her jealousy.

the

upon

she

now

shufflingwould-

partner, always keeping within

be

"

of

Taming

quit from
high,

stopped
sheer

resonant

to

ex

note

The
into

she struck

"Look!"
Still

the

came

swaying and

her

awe-struck

cluster of rude

now

castanets

movement

of the

to the

and

head

her

whisper.

singing, every

shapely body

above

now

alone, wheeling

bird.

wounded

consorting with the rhythm

bared

Jezrul

wilder chant

veering like

and

of

Taming

chant, she

waist, whirling
about

her knees

by

swung

leather

thong.
At

each

revolution, accompanied

in the wail, the

note

sharply into

cut

The

space

but

been

hanging

ward, first with

waving

fiddler

of the shells

dancer

dancing

another

irresistible;
one

had

; every

been
was

by

one

had

for

thing. The
the

the outskirts

for

vibrating finger,then

with

horrid

song.

the hoodoos

joined in it; the

and

even

at

conscious

were

rul touched
and

Susanne
G

who

moved

on

entire

dumb

spell

hoodoos

signallingfrom his hole, and

figures,rags and all, reeled

Only

given

jubilee,

like the great claw

arm,

high

steaming flesh.

clear

was

this dance

was

the

they had

way

rough edges

by

last
of the

the charm

Jezrul and

of

sand-

then

the

with

the

rest

were

Susanne

mysterious thing,and Jez

he

wore

around

his

neck,

laughed softlyand nervously.

97

The
Out

and

weaving
from

cabalistic

sign with that of Crecy,

breast and

chant

continued

shoulders

and

for

yelllike that

was

dance, ifsuch itcould be called,

nearly three-quartersof
of

crazed

clatteringcastanets

red

bers

arms,

with

and

the hoodoos

afraid to touch

was

car

her.

glow lighted the cabin faintly. Goo

and

sweet-potatoes

Mumbling

and

herself with rags

of her rude material

gwine

gwine

tame

she

sticks and
she

him

feel de toof

I
er

was

busying

thread, for out

fashioning a

was

"

the

burn.

moaning,
and

roasting on

were

hearth, but Crecy let them

hour,

an

animal, and fell upon

ried her out, for Lemuel

He

the blood

suddenly the girlraised both

when

"

turned,

trickling.

The

her

Jezrul

in,the figuresof the hoodoos

whose

fast

of

Taming

gwine

de

big

tame
green

man.

Jezrul !
sarpint.

gwine be hot in de mouf an' cole in de belly.

I lay I gwine Tarn him !"
under
the clumsy,
Slowly the work
grew
shining
were
fingers,and the sunbeams
eager
through the chinks before she hid the littleim
of Jezrul in a crevice by the chimney.
age

He

All that

day Crecy moped

98

alone in the cabin

The

for

dismissed

been

she had

nodding

of

Taming

her work, and

over

in it all,for she

of the house

comment

had

shoes

been

left behind,

was

ities

were

at

their

fast,for she had

nothing since the day

eaten

into

the voice of Susanne

that

Jezrul's laugh

image through with

Burn

frenzy;

and

thrust

toasting-forkand

she

as

in the quarters and

followed, she

gwine

ter

tame

putting out
thing

over

dese

Jezrul

you,

"

hissed.

!" she

! burn

fires dat's er-eatin' out

the

the hearth,

upon

the
held

the flame.

over

And

festiv

height. Still keeping her

whipping her wrath

"

despised

the

though the loneli

before,she stirred the coals

it

humiliating

oppressive,for the Christmas

ness

heard

the

not

comfort

some

and

negroes

"

Big House

Jezrul had

was

freed from

was

"

the

from

interceded; but there

even

Jezrul

wid

de

in'ards, 'case I
"

the blaze that

the coals

Burn

Burn,

I say

!"

started,she held

again.

"

Hit

'11retch

yo' heart, an' sizzle hit lack de fires er de debil,

'case you gwine ter be mine, Jezrul !"
Day after day Crecy
now

tortured

the littleimage,

sticking it full of pins, now

scorching it

again, but always taking the precaution not

'case he cain't die
to utterlydestroy it
'case
"

"

he's

"

mine," she muttered.

99

The

Though

night

on,

Susanne

and

Crecy

But

after

the

judge of

the
had

They

of

dozens

ears

giving

been

circuit and

stag dinner to

attorney-gen

sittingat table

been

adored

bringing in the cigars and

flourish upon

his usual

in

ripple in

the

dinner-partieshad
Colonel

Jezrul
her

knowing
cabin

thing

of Old

one

occurred

never

was

long time

in the confusion

over

great
he

as

Marse's

before

the

was

helpless

coming

round,

Jezrul.

without

and

of

beside himself, for he

was

such

liqueurs with

Such

feet.

course

nearly

occasions, he fell

such

fit at Old Marse's

for

glory; but just as

in his

was

personages,
was

tingling

were

the

hours, and Jezrul,who

three

filled the quarters

news.

had

eral.

Jezrul laughed,

Day had

Year's

Marse

Old

the festivities went

night

forgotten.

was

with sensation, and

the

Jezrul

coquetted and

New-

with

of

Taming

head

and

threw

Susanne
into

went

whispered ;

ones

in

her

apron

hysterics,as

while

down

the

in her

alone, with the little image stuck full of

pins and pressed close against her breast,Crecy

gave

fiendish

spell she had

yell,for she believed that the

set, was

ghoulish delight

she

working

at last.

tortured

the

100

With

miserable

The

J
Taming .'"o".
"--

."'*

day after day, fearful and livid with

doll ; and

but still unwilling

superstition,

delusion

and

to be

curse

that

he

him

he

dragged

the

casting

Susanne

and

he could

riot

seemed

eyes

the

starting

at

ready
said

he

that

one

in

Susanne

slen
feet ;

would

got well, which

ever

jealously,and

smaller

long

nimble

her

as

watching

were

for her

now

pair of great

the

ministrations

another

littleim

petticoats,appeared in

cabin.

There
beside

plenty of gossip

was

the

blazing pine knots,

potatoes and
for

engorgement

and

up,

unlikely. But

furtivelyand
age,

alter

shadow.

give her

wiseacres

very

wide

the

the

thought

fever, and

remove

own

as

Jezrul if

marry

up

comforting in these dark days,

were

the

the Colonel

about, dodging
of his

to creep

remedy the depletion,until

to

was

der hands

to

Su

up

piteously for

so

in

wandering

was

stimulated

and

begged

removed, that

nately bled
and

last,too ill even

at

house, he

the

to

give

the strange

the floor under

Jezrul fell to

sanne,

to

though

chestnuts
the

fits

in the
over

Quarters,
the

sweet-

roasting in the ashes,

were
101

coming

upon

Jezrul

tX-'Y;.The
harder

than

even

she

had

in

sanne

loved

Maumer

knowingly, and
turn

said

from

away

Su

he had

had

the negroes,

among

but Ole

Madame,

that

to

Susanne, in mortification,

sympathy

no

Susanne

him, and

near

Jezrul

and

so;

to the

gone

suddenly refused

cunger

seen

Jezrul

positiveloathing,for all that

her

rinding

had

come

her

Belle touched
that

he

ever,

let Susanne

of

Taming

calmly told

Miss
"

Jezrul was

crazy

as

"

as

crazy

loon," said Ole Miss.

*

his

Dat's

nuffin,"said Unc

Ephraim, throwing
into the fire and adjusting an
we
on'y what
gotter 'spec',

blazing cob
"

other.

Dat's

'case hit's de dark

nuffin but
she

sho

de

at

ter

be

de

moon

bottom

uv

Jezrul, an' Crecy

hit

Maumer

all.

yo' tole Lemuel

dat

hoodoo, 'fore she

er

hit's

an'

now,

dat ail

hoodoo

er

Belle, yo' knows

gwine

er

Crecy
free

were

day ole."
"

Um,

night

my

urn," grunted

Maumer.

Sam

de

fur de muel

he rid fru

colt dat

dat de hoodoos
ditch
"em.

an'

sech

Crecy

an', Sam

was
er

was

say,

were

git out

somers,

! an'

an' he say

ergin in de big
Crecy

er-swingin' dem

wid

were

shells

er-scatterin' ashes
102

las'

An'

parster,er-sarchin'

er-dancin'
dance

"

ergin,

ober

her

"AN'

CRECV

\\

I'.KK

win

'KM

The

left

hand

pressing

was

Susanne

of
"

own

Come

Crecy
followed,

and
inter

han',
rose

of

Taming

for

his

the

little

images

himself.
de

honey,
and

into

Jezrul

cabin
'case

led

Jezrul

the

was

an'

dat

way,

burn
'11

and

"tamed."

'em

make

Jezrul

wid

yo'

you*
well

meekly

I"

DARK

ER

DE
MOON

DARK

AtfJAH

reputation,

the

territory,
it

as

eye,

which

first

work

His
of

section

and

philters
Uncle

'Jah's

Uncle
the

for

'Jah

inherited

also
African

by

the

told

the

rites
107

first

small

whites

poor
a

passed

slave,
and
from

consideration.

stars,
most

oracle.

an

healing

love, that

for

importance

as

for

potions

new

no

owned

never

unrequited
hands

the

the

to

had
the

were

many

spoke

even

who

all

without

negroes

who

Jah,

extended

fame

the

'

Uncle

consulting

them

of

nothing
the

by

negroes,

undertaken,

fact,

planned

ever

was

the

Meetin'."

Big

ever

in

Judas

or

claimed

only
"

was

begun,

over

was

during

journey

among

power

which

exhorter

No

evil

the

of

stretch

wide

called

him

round,

over

had

he

moreover,

having

of

was

gave

year

hoodoo;

was

MOON

DE

ER

and

blended

unreservedly

Dark
with

the Indian

white

traditions

there

course

paled before
'

having been

and

faithfulness

pathy
to

give her freedom

had
romance

became

the
"

By

Ole

children

of her
care

Miss's

were

"

own

at

an

the

sym

pleased

was

plantation,for
the free

woman

slave.

free from
son

their

of the

his father
free to

plantation,was

her

adoption her

will in the olden

to be

though living,as

wages

story

reward.

followed, and
wife of

The

won

left the

Abijah, the seventh

ceived

honors

by traders

mistress, who
as

never

humble

radiance

free.

stolen

tender

of her invalid

She

? but

not

princessin

in the home

and

them

dignitiesand

born

was

country, having been

early age,

the

on

lights whose

to his

his mother

that

hoodoos

effulgenceof the leading spirit.

the

Jah added

the fact of
ran,

other

were

all lesser

were

Uncle

his idea of the

and

plantation had

place,for what
they

Moon

religiousceremonials.

man's

Of

de

er

come

for his labor

had
and
when

time

her

birth, and

seventh
on

the

and

re

done,
go,

he

son,

chose

to

work.

But
ago,

Abijah
and

passed

many
away.

gathered

was
were

As

to his fathers

when

the lamentations

the
108

passing

of

long
he

dusky

Dark
marvels

Mohammed,

the wonders

were

de

er

Moon

expected, and

were

and

happenings

night, for, like his aforesaid

funeral, and
planned his own
burial should

the

It

of the

in the dark
he

born, and

was

moon

dark

him

whose

swaying

he decreed

it

dark

was

of the

plumes

that

to him

come

he died

when

midst

in the

buried

predecessor,he

everything had

said that

was

his burial

on

night.

at

occur

great

bracken,

weird

cast

they

so

tall

when

and

gro

by the light of the flickering

tesque shadows

pine torches.
exhorters

The

meeting-ground, and

the

they deemed

as

holding their services

were

of negroes,

who

were

afraid that

his

tended
the

for the

torch
the

upon

their

arms,

bade

the

then

bitter herbs

As

pened

the coffin

many

of

but

was

to

the

Abijah,

walk, and

hoodoos

the

at

all but
low
waved

lowered, and

for

earthly habitations

Abijah's drinking-cup

and

in before the grave

has been

prostrated themselves

return
spirit's

thrown

were

ghost would

ground, while
as

unholy

the work

knew

officiate,

not

laying of his spirit

; and

bearers

burial

the

mass

would

at

was

filled.

said, the passing of Abijah hap

years

ago,
109

and

now

in the

third

Dark

de

er

Moon

and

fourth

generations his fame

even

to that

of

there

So

the

through
attributed
less

forms
Of
but

not

mists

of time

to him

old-fashioned

the

fruit

forces

exorcism

who,

forgetfulness,
a

powers,

good and

of
of

devil

the

donned

fear

evil,

"

that

familiar

such

occasion.

in that
to

those

and

supernatural

devil who

upon
course

maid

wanting

were

personal

grown

dusky god.

handling of

even

had

devil is

such

long

ago

whom

there

they

were,

certain little

was

stories,forbidden

devil

these

though

entirelyout of date,

the

gave

most

un

alloyed delight.
They
bed

told at

were

was

rolled

toasting by
to be

the

night when
and

out

"

feared,the

Now

little toes

the

sometimes

and
fire,
I

trundle-

the

even,

"

lay

it is

rather

was

me

were

hastily said, that the story might be resumed

later, perhaps,

why

upon

Through

has

been

time," and
the

so

but
restlessly,

duly
so

"

scared

had

tangles of

the

passed

away,

the voice
IIO

every

to death

the littlemaid.

past

picture

of the nursery

rises,though the Scheherazade

has

wondered

mother

anxious
tossed

the littleone

genuine child
once

an

comes

no

more

to

Dark
'

"

yo'

No,

we

"

Yo'

sho'

"

Cross my

"

Meetin'
er

was

tell

won't

yo' maw?"

yo' won't

tell ?"

heart and

body,

time

one

de

on

Moon

tell her."

won't

Well,

de

er

dey hab

place whar

powerful Big

er

Unc'

mighty prophesyin'

won't, Ellen !"

we

'Jah lib,an'

dar

'zortin' 'count

an'

hit.

er
"

Dey

was

er

prophesyin' 'bout

prophesyin' 'bout dat,

sinners

inter

got

twel

up

er

prophesyin',an'
did

yo'

nebber

fur

de mo'ners, an'

see

but

dar

sech

er

dar wa'n't

wa'n't

stranger kim
den

dis

an'

many

an'

up

sot

erbout
gittin'

'nough benches

dey des laid down

in de

straw.
"

an'

Some
some

de

but
de
er

uv
uv

'em

'low de stars

gwine fall ergin ;

'em

'low de stars

hain't
an'

'low

some

pest'Zenceain' kimmin', but dey gwine

rain

sarpents

er

an'

prophesy

dat

arter

loose

de
de

on

sarpent,
he

kimmin'

pest'/enceer

gwine fall,

er

gwine

promus

louder

but

de

an'

longer,

stranger he 'zort
an'

he

'low

Big Meetin',de debil gwine be

place an' gwine take

tarrypin, er

man,

pester mightily de
but

hab

de

sarpent dey
112

de form

an'

er

fly,an'

er

chillen
kin

uv

er

de

shoot, de

Dark

de

But

sarpent, an'

gitde 'scusin'
he

don'

an'

de

'Bout

dat time

but

Big Meetin',

she

were

an'

don'

but

Rube,

er

de

he

own

lay low
'

Unc'

she

fas'

so's

ter

'Jah

an'

keep still.
he go

ebber

were

conviction

him

es

prophesyin'
prophesy-

'pear ter take

like

he

fas'

es

Jah's boy Rube

unner

go

ergin

Well, Unc'

putties'nigger gal dat

co'tin' de
horned

he des

mos'

kin

tarrypin

ter

churchin', 'case he do
so

times

slow.

'tention

no

pay

de

movin'

er

in' an' workin',

"

an'

hundred

taken

tarrypin. He

de

de

hid, an'

things dat's

er

do

ceiling top side

de

on

faster 'n de man,

git erroun'
de

es

debil

fly, 'case he

er

es

er-seein'

des

de

say

walk

ever'whar, an'

kin

up

house-fly he kin fin'.

stranger

things

tore-down

down

see,

ter ketch

mighty hard

ter be

de innercentest

choose
"

dey kin

man

fly, specuil in fly-time,'case de debil

de

wid

kill,an' de

kin

tarrypin dey
but hit gwine

Moon

de

er

de

at

notice

no

powerful,

unbe

knownst.
"

Oh, but

she

house-nigger, an'
an' sot an'
"

he

sew

Well, Rube
think

arter

he

ax

putty ! an' she

were

w'ar

finer close dan

were

er

t'others,

right by her Ole Miss.

he

savin'

Ole Marse

uv

he

mought

wedges,
he

an'

buy her,

dey marries, fur hit 'pear lack dey gwine

Dark
ter marry

de

arter

plum

was

sot

he

'pearter take
he

on

peri

'

happin dis

dat taken
allus kim

"

er

in de

she

thinkin'

er

brooch

dey mos'

; an'

gemmen

gal, an' he

an' talk wid

him

fine fur

es

Ole

her

nigger w'ar

dat

day; an'

ter de

de

her putty teef,

erbout, but

big gole year-rings an'

some

fine

Big

de

Rube.

'bout

es

den

t'others.

powerful

"

sum-

stranger in de Quarters

er

fum

he fotch

Den

de time

jeck her putty head

an'

er-

gal, an'

'Bout

way

Well, dat gal she show

laugh

'Jah don'

up.

night, an' walk

littleerway

an'

"

ter Rube's

powerful shine

er

gals

mighty po'ly,des

were

ober dar kim

Meetin'

all de

foot an' totin' t'other,twel

one

he

er-workin'

were

Jah he 'pear ter des wake

Hit

gal

Well, Unc'

'pear ter happen

Unc'
"

who

Mammy,

draggin'

an'

notice,'case he

no

'case Rube

Mammy,

him.

on

Moon

Big Meeting

mighty lack

were

de

er

Rub'e he

were

er

nigger, 'case

Miss

ever'

wear

broadclof

lack

powerful low in

er

he

min', 'case de stranger talk mighty putty, an'

he

'low dat 'omens

stranger ain'
call he
de

name

say
ter any

lub putty talkin' ; but dat

he

whar
er

fum, an'

de niggers,

he

ain't

not eben

ter

gal.
"An'

sing

Lord,

how
114

dat

stray nigger

''1

C:\YINK

WARM

Y("'

HIMKIIV'"

Dark

de

er

Moon
de fiddle

sing, an' pick de banjo, an' mek

dance

de 'zorters,hearin'

Eben

fum

play de fiddle.
mustache

allus

an'

wanter

Rube

But
de

down

tdown

de matter

wid

ter hide

hit all he

kin.

But

Unc'

workin'.

'Jah don'

An'

gal fine close

de

got; an'
but

she

"

Den

in he

de
an'

see

an' she

op'n 'er

"

"he

no

Dat

er

nuffin

fine house

eyes

lack
him

chink

Rube

er

er-rinnin'

dat done

de

Ole Miss

teef

ergin,

gole

money

gal ; she 'ain't

gole

tote

erfore,

money

wide, an' ain' think

he

were

er

de

cuissome

'bout

arter

him

nuffin,but he
promus

nigger, an'

he ain' wanter

gal, an' ain' look

ain' say

er-

more.

'count

des

got

promus

her

de

git ter be mighty painful,an'

eat

he

er

he des

her

hit ter de

nigger

lack

'bout Rube.

stranger he

nebber

'case

Jah,

dat

stray nigger he

an' show

hair, he

eye,

see

he

right foot, an' he try

say

still er-thinkin'
de

'

dey

wid

he

Unc'

he

gal she show

pocket

Rube

de

'way

nigger

were,

pull he

him, an'

on

dat

on

grease

po'ly, he

so

he

es

; an'

sumpen

"

fine

es

b'ar's

set

were

lizard,

dey hears

pattin' when

hit

uv

shufflin' an'

off,couldn' keep dey foots fum

han's

fa'rly

sot

ter marry

an'

;
er

at

Unc'

charm

de stray

t'others

'Jah
fur de

he

gal

nigger an'

Dark

Dat

gal

git 'em
"

er-knowed

mout

he

Den

gib her

de stray

ring wid

er

in two,

come

folks,an' dat rin Rube

he done

gib

her

-gwine

er

he

den

he

hair
"

an'

ups

he

Unc'

erbout;

casts

lock

er

gib hit

'im ; an'

ter

Unc'

night when

chuckle

fur

ter mek

de

gal

er-walkin'

was

stranger in de moonlight, she

wid

de

pen

dat skeer her mos'

ter holler ; fur de

see

all de time ; an'

he hat

stranger he taken

littlehorns

dat

des

er-sproutin'outer

gal, sho's

off

's sugar

born,

you

see

er-growin'in de moonlight,

he forud; an' she

Lord

down, an', my

foot des nuffin but

sum-

she 'feared

ter def ; but

fur ter cool he head, des er-talkin' sweet

look

an'

"

'Jah

got all he want

he

folks

were

work.
dat

"An'

she

her

uv

by.

uppish lack white

"

an'

'Jah

please de gal powerful, 'case she

Hit

charm

two

de stranger,

marry

gal fur

her

powerful, 'case
he

de

on

'case

crazy,

far country.

er

ax

ter 'member

hearts

two

putty nigh

pestered, an'

mighty uppish
she

'am'

nigger

gran'maw's gole ring

ter

mighty

were

Rube.

er

perzackly lack white

gal gib out dat she gwine

an'

face

hones'.

hit dat ud

de

Moon

big gole hoops in de

her

shakes

de

er

er

hoof !
116

skeered

so

! she

see

de lame

Den

dat

gal she

Dark
she done

know

her

gib

debil,'case Unc'

de

scales furn

her eyes

ergin,an'

she shuck

cole

she

'low,

'

You's

mine

An'

yo' bimeby.'
rings, an' de
but Rube

but

an' he say

go,

she

say
"

she

ter

her

at

toes

taken

hit up

an' he mek
de blood

him

he

po'ly dat

gal

'low
year-

nobody

but she

ain' look

she

hits
An'

in her

got her

she

Den

Rube

cry,

an'

mo'

no

but

er

she

she talk, an' hit 'ten' ter

wid

her

de

bimeby

stay by her when

at

hit, hit

ugly mouf, an' she

bime-by she shivers,

lap, 'case hit de debil

her do hit ; an' dat

outen

an'

de

see

an'

cain't dribe hit off.

gal

ain' lub

she

yit, an'

'Jah workin'

ersleep; but when

"

cole, and

gotter marry

work, an' listen when

him

warm

ring an' de gole

; dat

tarrypin foller her,

den

gwine

ain', dat she hate him.

Unc'

snap

hit de debil,an' he ain' let her

stranger ain' kim

be

sweat

de

promus

he teef,an'

show

now

she

gwine gib back

she

shuck, an' tell de debil

an'

done

'bout Rube

think

an' she

de

hit taken

'Jah's charm
;

wid

ter marry

promus

laugh, an'

he

but

Moon

de

er

tarrypin hit

'case

arm,

promus

she

an'

bite

b'long

she

were

ter
so

gitten right scrawny.

ain' know

he taken

pin'shead off,while

what

he

de

axe

do, 'case de

ter

an'

cut

gal hold hit

117

ter

de tarry-

keep hit

Dark
drawin'

fum

but

back;

lack he

daddy

he mek

er

de

er

"

miss

he

des

an'

cut

Moon

he

er

wa'n't

nigger

common

de

hoodoo

no

an'

"

gal's thumb

off wid

hit.
"

de cut

But
de

er

neck

de head

er

dey retch

body

an'

de cut

an'

stretch

neck

todes

one

nuther, an' retch an' stretch twel dey tech, an'

den

dey des jinesright erf ore

ole

tarrypin

eyes

at bofe

de

'mos'

gal

he

lif he

uv

'em.

tarrypin,when
in' he

lack

motion
'taken

an' de

de head
"

kim

de

on

she

dough

gwine

what

know
marry

Rube

Dat

Ole Miss

hear

hit

de

com

erfore, an'

er

in he

box

sharp aige,

tarrypin'sneck,

er

de

an'
an'

mo'.

tarrypin,

were

-fever, she

soon

but

Unc'

kimmin', an' she am'

say

'Jah

she
he

gwine

yit.
po' an' droopy dat her
in de fiel',
dat
let her work

gal git ter be

'low she

de fresh air

de

er

erlong swing-

he

git shet

swamp

Rube

marry

kim

twel

mighty po' an' sickly lookin',

de

hab

she

lack

git shet

body part, don't jine no

Well, dat gal done

an'

"

he

down

blip !

ole

ter

de

on

dem

dat way

outen

grease

dat

on

hear

hit

smear

out

lack, an'

lack

an'

go

an'

eyes,

blink

an'

'Jah he

nebber

he

sumpen

pocket,

eyes

Unc'

keerless

axe

head
Hit

her

cry

dey

so

gwine do her good.

118

'

UNC'

'JAH

AND

THE

DEVIL

SNAKE

Dark
"

she

So

spring er de

hit de

tarrypin kim

He

ain'

but she sorter

back, but
ticklin'

feel sumpen

she

row

cotton, 'case

out

skeered

back.

kim

gwine

Moon

choppin'

year,

de

dat
"

inter

sot

de

er

one

her bare

uv

mighty sof, an' she look an'

day in de
hit

see

were

long wigglin'sarpent, an' hit w'ar de face

done

stray nigger she

foiler her

hits

strike wid
noticed.

Ever'

bimeby hit
in her

"

wid

lack

axe

ergin, an'

hit

day hit

meet

her in de row,

git de

she

gwine
de

ter

be
an'

blood, an'

hatter

take

it

hit, 'case hit de debil

warm

promus.

ain'

nobody

kin

kill dat

snake

stick, an' dar ain' nobody dat kin shoot

er

er

gun,

'case

dey done

dat sarpent des er-thinnin'

er

man-eatin'
in de

he shoulder

Vint

an' hit

'case

ter

Well, dar

'Jah down
hit

de
an'

fangs,

it cole, an'

say

arms

he done

hit wid
time

row,

back

an'

day hit bite her, drawin'

ever'

an'

de

gal in

row

er

she ain' look at hit, hit bite her foots an'

when

up

de

down

er

ter marry,

promus

hit smile an' smile at dat

foot

were

an'

hot.

bat, when

try, an' all de

dat
here

an' he taken
fiel',

wipe

de sweat

Den

he

de bullets wid

wid, an' load

kinder

de sumpen

up.

Den
119

gal'sblood

offen

kim

de gun

Unc'
fum

him, 'case

keerless

lack*

dat he 'n'int de
he sa}^ sumpen

ter

Dark

pint de

hese'f an'
he

an'
"

dat

de debil he

but

he ain' wanter

yit;
"

dead

gal she fall down

Dat

knees

Moon

at dat

gun

sho'

were

de

er

Hit

and

hug Unc'

wa'n't

let her

snake,

time.

'Jah's

fru wid

git erway

summer-time

were

streaked

good

de

gal

him.

fum

an'

now,

de

gnats dey pesterin'de hosses an' de cattle,an'

hit
"

de

fly-time'mongst de people.

were

Well, hit

gal

say

de

were

debil 's chance

ain' marry

she

ergin,fur

de man,

an' de

sar-

pent an' de tarrypin bofe dead.

"

Well, de debil he

sights,fur
finds

de

out

sot an'

think

an'

dat

think

gal
;

den

house-fly dat

innercentest

see

he

ebber

hatched, an' put hit in he pocket, an' day

was

de

he set facin'

moon

fly.;den

trainin' dat

he

day

arter
er

he

gwine mek

er

de

de dark

on

fly,an' mek

hese'f

mighty small an' git inter de fly,an' fly up ter

an' buzz an' buzz.
dat gal was
whar
er-settin',
"

he

He

her han', an' she bresh

lighton
her

light on

year,

year-rings ring
stick he
'twere

cole

gwine

an'

clammy
ter

When

her

he

gole

tickle her

nose,

an'

her

chin

lack

foots

on

mek

an'

nigh plum
Rube
I2O

off;

dem

she

rain; den he lit on

an' rin her putty

"

an'

him

was

her

mouf

crazy.

co'tin'

'unbe-

Dark

de

er

Moon

knownst, he buzz an' buzz, an' fly ertwixt

an' listen ter all

dey gwine

when
he

say,

marry,

mos'

skeer

hese'f.

Den

when

de

"

blood

'mos'

she

so

dey

hit

dough

bad

es

hatter

gal

were

an'

she

her

so

dat

so

her

she

de folks

he

an'

up,
"

an' he
"

So

whilst

hit

she

say

ober de

gal fur

er-workin'

an'

er-'sortin' ter

debil's
when
"

he kim
'Mos'

'bout
larn

wants

hain't

gib her

de

er

her

now.

'zortin'

back, he

ter kill dat

ter

fly,

keep

inter he

de

body

fly.
kin

time

allus two

dat.

do

;
uv

dar

whar

I's heard
de

inter.
121

debil

'em, an' dey set

spits deyse'fs inter anything

ter go

er-

ergin,

moon

kim

min'

'intment

des

he

de debil

'spedients fur

ever' hoodoo

hit many
hit. Dar

facin', an'

er

outer

debil,
erbout

er-prayin'an'

gittin'back

sperit fum

de

crazy

de

er

ter meet

was

wid

hit

nuther.

ter mek

was

quilt,

er

were

gone

de dark

were

dey

de

ashy, an' dat fly pester

plum ready

were

hard

Bimeby

'Jah ain't talkin'

watchin', an' hi

say

draw

wid

hot.

know

de debil hain't

Well, Unc'

he

head

littlehouse-fly; but dat Rube

er

buzz

bed

ter

mighty

an'

git ashy

an'

go

up

so

'pear lack dat gal

'em

de sarpent, an' pester her

es

kiver

an' he hears

'em

dey

Dark

Moon

'Jah could

Unc'

"Course

de

er

hit

do

dey cotch him er-doin' uv hit ; an'

ain1tgwine ter let de debil beat him

hese'f;
he

course

at he

best

game.
"

'

Well, Unc'
fur

'intment

dat smells

ter

round

fly buzz
sweeter

her, an'

'n de

twel

eat

smell

an'

him

ter

de

er

fitten

he

he

he

er
er

sot

de

fin' hit

furgit all 'bout

an'

bus'; den

ter

his

drap offen de aidge an' buzz

he

an'

gal, an' bimeby

hit, an'

gal,

mek

he

fly, so

powerful sweet,

by de side

de pot down

dat

cotch

'intment

fur ter mek

he sot erbout

Jah

he

wings twel

die.
"

Unc'

Den

de

loose

fum

debil

git back

hope hit, so

he

'Jah

he

fly,an'

de

know
ain'

gwine

ter

'gin ter work

he

sperit
let de

if he

body dis time

inter he

he

debil's

charm

hard

kin
es

kin.

he
"

but

De

debil mek

dus'

in Unc'

an'

follers de

"

Den

'Jah's
an'

eyes

hit burn

Den

but

de

debil blow

he rubs

hit out,

fly.

de debil

foller whar
"

'Jah's eyes

fly out de do'

Den

'Jah follers hit.

Unc'

de

win' blow

er

fur
an'

blow
ter

strong smoke
him

keep

hit smart,

de win'

de debil

er

Unc'

but

er-totin' dat

gib Unc'

fum

'Jah

in.Unc'
follerin'

'Jah he

fly.
er

miz'ry in de

AN'

SPLIT

DE

WIN'

DBS

'MINE

DE

FLY

Dark
knee

he

.mighty

"

de debil

de

dat ebber were,

mighty put

were

debil

stops short

putty nigh rin

"

So

dey rin

'ter de

de

dough his tongue

"

an'

Den
de

'Jah

de

he

"

Hit

des

scootin'

he

charm

done

rope.

'Jah allus

erhead

blow

fa'r flew

him

erfore

ter

on

see

'Jah's bref
"

Den

split

dat

dead

fly

'Jah des er-ridin'

nuffin; but dey

'case he

suddent

so

Unc'

an'

dat

see

sech

hoodoo, an' he let dat win' die back

flop down

harder,
but

hit,an' hit 'pear lack

de debil 'stonished

him,

uv

out.

win'

de win', an' Unc'

on

were

fly.

sho' cuissome

hard, an' er-ridin'

he sho'

de

power

'11' he

hangin'

was

'hine de

were

an'
libin',

er

he

uv

de

were

hit,'case de

des

de .win' des

hoi' up

de win'

eend

he

dead

ter

win'

set

wid

capers

'case

somers,

debil he mek

fly in

er

rin an' rin',Unc'

an'

keepin' de fly in

hope

Rube.

son

'Jah 'dout techin' him,

bestes' hoodoo

Unc'

fly in de

wanter

Well, de debil play all kinds

Unc'

er

his

er

'twere

painful: but

him, 'case he

gal free,'count

an'

were,

keep de dead

an'

on

des erfore

win'
de

limp

'Jah

him

mek

ter

easy

des

'Jah

ole, Unc'

were

Moon

de

er

hit 'mos'

arter
er

dat

say

while

powerful

an' dat

take

fly

Unc'

erway.

Unc'

'Jah he

see

123

dat

de

debil

sperit

Dark
done

inter

gone

by

hoss, 'case he mek

good

de

es

he

flyfall ;
wid

up

well

was

es

fly,Unc'

he

jump, Unc'

debil

es

charm

when

an' hit

de

by jumps

'Jah's

debil hoss, an'

waitin' fur

was

'Jah jump,

keep 'im plum in sight.

an' he

de debil he w'ar

Den

inter

time

Unc'

'Jah fly,an' when

"

de

keep

ter

he

by flyin';but

es

ter whar

powerful hard

were

Moon

clebilboss dat

er

close

he marster

de

er

dat, fur he
so

dey

say

ever' time wid

dat

he

he

hoss, an'

'Jah

ole ter go

mighty

was

low

drap

Unc'

grasshopper.

er

out

done

de

goes
at

groans

high an'

so

grasshopper, but

hit, an'

sho'

beat

de

er

settin'

by

grasshopper er-hoppin'.
"

er

Dar

squinch-eyed toad

er

was

rock, de debilishest-lookin' toad dat ebber

see,

an' when
ole

flingshis
"

Unc'

de

grasshopper

'Jah he know

de toad, 'case de debil

ter

charm
"

he

git ter
Hit

des

debil, an'

he
we

has

no

Unc'

'Jah

de

harder

he

ter

ter

work

hoi' he

squat low

cuss.
124

fur Unc'

git eben

wid

ter rise

sometimes, an' dat gal an' dat Rube

er-pinin'unner

ter kill

use

hop 'longsiderde toad.

workin'

were

inter de toad.

gwine fin' sumpen

mighty low-down

were

'Jah, but

hit wa'n't

body in, so

fas' an'

out, de debil

wore

an' goes

laigs erway

you

was

de

high
bofe

Dark
"

Well, dat toad

clost ter de

sleepy
"

wa'n't

good

any

so

he

he

was

ground

toad

dat

when

Moon

'Jah, an' his bellywa'n't

ter Unc'
so

de

er

low

sudden

'

dat

Jah

were

toad

flutterin' an'

mighty

an'

nigger,

him

Hit
crow

wid

'low

if you
do

ter

'gin Natur'
er

crow
"

Dar

no

de

jay

Mammy

er

fas' de debil

de

jay's cousin,

kerhootin'

t'others

in de

lef fur de

'Jah hain't got

no

wings

an' he

fur

hell

cain't

jay
night-time.

'

nuffin

is better'n

ernough,

man

body in but

arms

so

birds an' beastes

fur ter retch his

spread he

jay

Natur', an'

an' hit ain't natchel

wa'n't

de

dat de debil mout

corn

anything, but

ter go

but

de

night.

offers

de

'Jah know

wid

way

in de

dat whar

An'
;

same

mouf

de tree.

outen

dar wa'n't

him

men

de

were

er

hard, an' fum

fly at night, an' he hoi'

cain't shake

"

ter Ole

he

open

hollering Unc'

cain't bre'k he word

coax

tired an'

de watch, an' all uv

on

flop down

fin' he

debil done

de

powerful glad

were

fur bref, fur de debil rid him

"

stayin'

useter

too.

So Unc'

cain't

company

er

but

er

go
er

debil ter tek

bat, an' Unc'

Unc'

'Jah he

ragged coat, an' riz wid

de bat.
"

Hit

were

de dark

er

de moon,
125

an' dar wa'n't

Dark

wa'n't

in de

ever' time de bat

an' ever' time de bat

hit 'mos'

ed, twel

his

him, an'

aigs

goose

'Jah

des

were

head

is

nut

de debil

er

'Jah bump
plum

outen

full

es

er

Unc'

but

meat;

er

caution.

'Jah skum,

were

er-keepin'up wid

Well, dat body

ergin de
er

bumped, Unc'
de bref

de way

an'

was

skim, Unc'

knock

er

bumped

in him

ole bald

es

ter go

an'

space

spitede debil

trees fur ter

"But

anxious

powerful

so

skimmed

"

Moon

an' hit 'pear lack dat bat

bugs er-flyin',

many

he

de

er

de debil.

were

long

er

way

off,fur dey flewed an' dey flewed, an' rin ergin

mo'

'

howdy

an'

de

an'

fum

de

'Jah

un,

Bein'
were

es
er

in

were

des

Unc'

an'

how

lack

de

ter

they

'pear

kinds

be

ter

ter say

owls,

er

dey

mek

Unc'

mek

be kin.

mout

an'

mighty close comp'ny

dey think Unc'

'Jah

er

dey compliments
'Jah

he w'ar

'em

owls, an'

back
de

he

de

es

wid

mighty
ter him.

charm

know

de

an'

lan

perlight,

mighty

owls. an'

in

nuther

one

dey flewed,

an'

high-toned hoodoo,
an'

guage,

ergin all

'Jah think

bat, de owls

big

dat

bat, an' he stop

things dey talks

Well, dey flewed

Unc'
de

rin

air

'pear ter be mighty thick wid 'em,

bat

de dark, Unc'
"

Dey

ter.

de

de

'quaintance er

some
'

critters in

quare

de

bat

an'

'Jah dey 'pear ter be des lack br udders.

126

DEY

FLEWED

AN'

DEY

FLEVVED

Dark
"

in he cabin,

git de

'sleep,but hit wa'n't ever' hoodoo

chances
so

he

stretchin' he

arms

day,

ever'

"

Dey flewed

see

some

uv

uv

an'

high dat dey could

some

er-doin' all kinds

kin

see

"

'em

drinkin', some

uv

'em

playing cards,

devilment

er

stranglin' wid

dey kim
bat

dat

know

dat

bat

coat-tails wider
what

ter rinnin'

cross

but Unc'

bre'k

rinnin'

dive, Unc'
an'
he

none

'Jah
his

er

head

charm,

he

water

hit, 'case

er

an'

ropes,

mighty peart, an'

were

er-crost

cain't

ever' time
he

debil he

De

business.

hoodoo

dey think

nuffin, 'case hit wa'n't

he ain't say

ever' time

dey doin',

uv

killin' in de dark, an' sech lack

shoot

no

'long an'

were

folks, des what

some
'sleep,

dancin', an'

nobody

down

see

'pear lack dar wa'n't

an'

an'

coat

de bat.

lack

de white
'em

'em

spreadin'he

er

'em, lack he do ever' night, an' Unc'

he onkiver

'Jah

keep

houses, fur de debil

de

on

gittin'eben wid de debil

er

so

folks' chimblies

tops

ter be back

'Jah he lack mighty well

Unc'

dat

Moon

de

er

he

try

know

branch;

'Jah

he

ter
er

but

spread

'im

off, 'case he

ar'

de

way

dey

all hones'
kep' er-duckin' an' er-divin' when
des fa'rlyscandlous
in dey beds was
folks was
but

Unc'

fum

de

'Jah
cuss

er

were

tryin'

de debil.
127

ter set

dat

gal free

Dark
"

Well, Unc'

dey

hit ;

uv

but

dodgin' Unc'
crack, lack

clay in

gwine hab

er

hit ; an' he

'pear lack
he mek
Unc'

dey

talk

he

de

de kin'

lef dat

body

an'

know

he

inter

good,

no

'cross de

breeze blow

er

body

gitback

ter

er

up

dry
he

an'

dodgin' ain't do

he lef dat

git tired

he

hit

sun,

steddyin'

'dout

know

he

'case

no,

done

trouble

er

power

see

he
de

er

debil

'Jah, 'case

long already dat

so

bat

de

bimeby

lack de bat dat he

so

er

he

an' know

ways

Moon

he do

'Jah

furgit whedder

most

do

de

er

an'

branch,

so

dat allus mek

up

'Jah powerful sleep}^. Unc' 'Jah fit hit

mighty

hard, an'

he

cl'ar he

throat

ter wake

stan'

he

op'n

'

shet, but Unc'

feels 'em
er

fur

op'n he

him

mouf

enough fur

de

an'

an' dive an'

Unc'

'Jah

fin' hese'f

on

de

Unc'

groun',

he
mek

an'

Dat

he mek

way

dat

git 'cross

Well, when

fa'r swim.

when

fly erlong

he

snore.

nappin' would

were

an'

up

es

'gin ter

debil,an' de

duck

wide

Jah des couldn'

'gin dat breeze, an'

he

eyes

dat bat

branch

er

whilst

yo' head

mek

'Jah wake

up

an'

lyin' dead

de bat

an' de debil 'cross de branch, he sho'

mad, an' he rub an' rub he charm

were

were

plum

fur ter mek

hit work.
"

Dar

sot Unc'

dar sot de debil

'Jah
on

on

one

side de branch, an'

t'other,an' Unc'
128

'Jah couldn'

Dark

hit,'case he

cross

kin

hoodoo
de

rinnin' water

him

hard
"

debil sot de

clay, an' de

ter

git back in
ter

good, 'count

debil hab

body

facin'

er

keep

er

de

mighty

er

twel he mouf

'gin er tree, an' he

up

hit, an'

uv

inter de

hese'f back

body

he

an' he

try

been

too

gone

spit

ter

spit an' spit

plum dry, but dat body ain'

'case de debil done

move,

long, an' hit

git too dry.

done

De debil hatter
an' hit

mek

one,

dat

wand'rin'

herry too,

borry

er

b'long ter

roun'

debil he hatter
er

unner

es

tryin'fur

er

de

water, dough

down

"

bre'kin'

time.
De

sot

could

ain' workin'

de charm

But

rinnin'

he

no

hit.

fum

"

es

dry

es

'Jah des

hit,an' Unc'

ter

des

were

tryin'es hard

'dout

drag de body fum

debil he

de trees, but hit

debil

Moon

hoodoo, an' dar hain't

er

cross

De

spell.

de

er

outen

body, 'case he cain't

low-down

some

skin

he

gib hit back, an'

'case dat

man

he

gotter go

man

an'

de

kinder

in

ter work

in de mornin'.
"

Well, de debil he spitan' he spit,an' 'cross

de

branch

he

tryin'fur

kin work
"

Hit

Unc'

on

ter

'Jah he work
dry

up

de water

he work

"

so's his charm

de debil.

'pear lack de debil gwine win, 'case he

an'

129

Dark

spithese'f
body lif he
hit

course

in him

chuckle

an'

arm

de debil chucklin'

were

but dat branch

were

mighty fas',an' dey bofe

done
"

'most

plum dry

de debil he

he

pull ; but

ter skeer

Unc'

skeered

an'

holler lack

er

er

howls

he

bark

he

him

lack

pull, an' Unc'

lack
he

an'

Unc'

lack

roar

de charm

de

debil shine

an'
tiger-cat,

he

er

Unc'

in hit

wid

'Jah

wolf, but Unc'

er

bull, but

mad

on

'gin'Unc'
er
dog fur
'Jah ain't

lack

'Jah off, but

'Jah know

Den

an'

branch

lay he han's

debil cain't work

de

Jah's charm

de

'Jah he riz wid

'cross an'

an'

body

he han'

"

but

an' Unc'

jump

de

now

arm

an'

charm

"

'em

uv

'

he

'

er

body ; an'
an' laugh
an' laughin'
dryin' up too,
herry, fur hit

day.

body lif t'other

De

done

Moon

half inter de

'mos'

done
de

de

er

'Jah keep

de

on

r'ar an' far

body.
Unc'

at

eyes

lion an'

'Jah

an' chaw

de

plum offen Unc' 'Jah, but Unc' 'Jah

got holt er de body yit. Den de debil he gin
hit up, 'case he cain't work
'gin sech er power

ole coat

ful hoodoo, an' draw

de

body, an' gib

day
an'
lame

was

bre'kin'

de res'

las' awful

one

an'

now,

inter de wood
er-yellin'

yallerdorg

dat

uv

was

130

go

he

speritouten

howl, 'case de
des

in de

er-limpin'

shape

er-sniffin' close

uv

by.

er

Dark

salt,

some

bul,

"

ain'

when

'Jah

er-feedin'
kim

nebber

de

pester
her

him,
he

do,

an'

,fur
dat

pesters
in

de

on

gal
dat
de

yo',
dark

new

on

dat

de

if

er

Unc'
ter

yo'
de

no

git

fresh

does
moon."

fur

he

an'

he

Rube

done

git

'Jah
even

hit

er

bayou.

mo';

arter

way

way

de

grass,

place
mo'

no

lack

hit

inter

git

miser-

er-seekin'

erbout

go

plum

wid

hit

fling

an'

up,

he

an'

marry

uv

hit

body

an'

house

debil

de

ole

dat

de

ter

mek

hit

up

Moon

up

go

salt

debil

De

Jah

fill
tie

an'

parsturs
am'

fur

he

an'

sack,

'

Unc'

Den

de

er

wid
lack

shet
him
Unc'

THE
OTHER
MAUMER

Other

The
emeritus

to field

as

duties, tended

Maumer

Ole Miss

Cindy

baby.

but Ole Miss

nebber

an'

tek

sayin' what

er

chillen,

whi'

lack
notice

no

she

when

'im, when

uv

with

fine chile he

er

gib Cindy's chile nuffin but

er

chany mug."

blue

Cely

listening; swiftly she glided

of the little cradles, and
lifted,

not

was

nineteen

with

and

soft tones

many

the very

Cely'swas

from

blue bundle

and

brown

"

don'

Paul

nearer.

'em, 'case

want

ter Little Miss

want

"Allus

frown.

by

Cely drew

as

hit

fur

yo' baby, Cely," said Maumer,

see

am,

'em

gib

Calamus,

good

no

Cindy dat, but she des

I tole

bad.

ergin mighty

sometimes," said Maumer,

Cindy's Paul

My

groun'-ivy hain't

catnip, and

she

"

little charges.

of her

door-stepholding

the

sittingon

was

got dat thrash

"

the twenty

cradles.

littlewooden

one

Maumer

the

twentieth,for
Mammy

Cely, tossing

ty nigger!" cooed

tiny

baby in the Nursery.

newest

little pickaninny !

Mammy

caresses,

up

the

put
little

bundle.
still mumbled

Maumer
"

You

yo'
lack

looks

coat

ter

Henry

lack

er

Mammy

yo' ankles
in

!
"

doorstep.

an' hain't

yit ! .Er settled

mighty po'
136

the

on

business

got
man

takin'

er

"HER

HEART

WAS

NOT

IN

HER

WORK"

Other

The

But

Cely
had

she

used

was

been

Cely instead

since

ever

for

moods,

married

Henry

stupid daugh

Cindy, Maumer's

of

!"

Mammy

Maumer's

to

cross

nice

er

the

grumbled continuously from

little new
baby was
put under

had

ter, and
the

day

Yo's

yo' is.

lack

chile

Maumer

her

charge.
*

Wake

and

up

the

! wake

up

yo''Mammy,

! hit

de

What

eben

play wid
Hush,
"

Hain't

wid

matter

for

He

hongry !

him, Maumer

He

wake

up

an'

allus

!"

me

yo7 fool

nuffin

de

mothers

other

yo' wake

him.

hatter

they had regular times

to the

to go

young

rather

elderlymother, who

had

latest

born, her

"

Cely think

baby, and
want

dem

dar

ready

ter go

ter

jumpin'

to

de

ter 'cuse

me

sleep. Think

dolls lack
13?

been

time."
in

Nursery,

infants.
a

comfortable,

just taken

fifteenth, from
sumpen

up

coming

especiallythose with very

Hi, Judy !" said Maumer

"

He

sleep some
now

'were

all

'em

wid

matter

yellin'er hour, an' dey

The

long

breast.

lips lazily against the mother's

hain't

her

girl lifted the tiny lids with

fingers,but the baby only pressed his

slender

"

boy !"

the

matter

wid

her

cradle,
wid

her

hit, 'case hit

she

Little Miss.

got

one

Her

er

an'

The

Other

Maumer
all

keep hit wake

Henry

night

playin'wid
Here, gimme

er

hit, an' hit gotter sleep some.

dat

Yo'

chile, gal !

babies !" There

"

de

tossed

Maumer

nuffin

general laugh

Nuffin

expense.

and

was

dun'no'

wid

matter

Cely's

at

de

tickled him

and

'bout

chile !"
until he

crowed.

Cely looked

But
"

Yo'

hain't

dar

sho'

at Maumer

distrustfully.
de

nuffin

wid

matter

baby, Judy ?" Cely asked, wistfully,as

she put her forefingerinto the brown, waxen

my

belonged

fist that

the

to

tiny bundle

Maumer

held.
"

gal,

Naw,

!"

naw

fifteen,who

number

laughed Judy, putting

began
"

into its cradle.

back

yo' sho' does

hain't

Dar

lack

look

nuffin de

mat

mighty little; fur

so

gal er-totin'

er

de matter

nuffin

yellvigorously,

Hain't

him, 'cep'in'he

ter wid

to

wid

him

er

doll.

he

des

sleepy."
"

Do

baby allus breave

twisting her

was

allus
de

er

'

dat way

'

beat, beat, in de top

chist dat

er

way

"

nervously.

apron

Tek

er

de

?"

Cely

Does

dey

head

an'

in

off his clo'es an'

look, Judy."
Maumer
when

Judy

frowned

and

turned

good-naturedly
138

on

took

her

the

heel
little

Other

The
bundle

from

checked
"

her

strippedthe

and

arms

putty 'dout

he

blue

Cely's latest doll.

slipfrom

Hain't

Maumer

Cely, beguiled from

clo'es ?" cried

any

her fear

her admiration

by

bow-legged Cupid squirming

of the brown,

on

Judy's knee.
"

ter bus' ; she

Cely proud fitten

her

show

off/' said

baby

des wanter

mother

the

of the

ugliestbaby in the Nursery.

wid him, Cely, 'cep'in'
Hain't nuffin wrong
"

an' if he lib, he'll

he little,

grow," said Judy,

oracularly,as she relinquishedthe child. "All

de young
things birds,an' rabbits,an' babies
"

"

dat

beat

Dar

er

de bell

!" and

now

laid

and

bonnet

in de head

way

Judy

in de chist.

an'

folded

it,slats sidewise, on

her

sun-

the top of

her head.

Cely sighed
women

she

ing

caress,

and

followed.

Maumer,

doorway

teasing laugh

to

her

laid

her

baby

back

rang

Old

the

as

bent

until the

and

last

then, with

of

the

part

in the

cradle

sullen, stood

in the

figure had

turned

the

hill-path.
"

Think

I nussed

I dun'no'
dat

nuffin 'bout

babies, when

berry Cely, wid all de airs she gibs

herse'f,right here in dis cradle.

139

Heap

er

use

Other

The

got wid

she

Maumer

baby, an'

er

hardly er
myratin'

hain't

she

yit,an' Ole Miss an' Little Miss

'oman
so.
"

on,

Cely got
an'

big doll fur de baby

her

offen

nuffin but
eat

allus

chany

Ole Miss

ax

all dem

beads

her

had

hog

er

Cely, Cindy'd

fur

es

got

er

moving with

two

peas."

two

child in

Cindy's feverish

then

she

when

ter eat

dey's des lack

taken

again

arms

Cindy sech

ter

things, 'case dey's de

an'

littlestbabies, but
Maumer

Cindy got

an' sumpen

fur sumpen

If hit wa'n't

down.

an'

mug,

Big House.

de

fum

blue

er

lace

too, dat Little Miss tek

blue beads

some

clo'es wid

putty whi'

some

sudden

impulse, she laid it in the cradle beside Cely's

"

baby.

Es lack

pered. "If
would
in de

es

hit

peas

wa'n't

mighty much

in

one

fur

pod," she whis

Cely's, Ole

Miss

dis'n, 'case he de putties'

Nursery, 'cep'in'
Cely's,an' he de onlies'

gran'chile dat I got." Cindy's baby moaned

if in

as
"

pain, and

I dun'no'

I's tired

mightily.

"

gwine fix
if he

beads

do

what

ail him

took
"

him

own

my
"
"

around

er

Maumer

If he do

looked
of
140

again.

pester

de whi' folkses'

truck.

the neck

up

hain't time fur 'is

trouble, but his mouf

teef ter mek

Maumer

at

me

physic ;

git worser
the

blue

Cely'ssleepingbaby,

acorn

Other

The

bits of china

and

cups

Maumer
the old

oak,

wrestlingwith a
latent, unsuspected

unmolested, for Maumer

problem, and

under

was

all of the

rising.
Then
by-and-by the little
were
empty, for the work-day
was

savagery

had

mothers

taken

shoulder

to

Cindy's child

the

door.

the

their

laid

closed

and

cradles
done

was

their babies

Maumer

cabins, and

wooden

own

her

on

night the candle

All

glimmered through the

in Maumer's
cracks
cabin ; all night she
physicked and the baby cried ; while Cindy,
heavy-eyed and stupid, slept soundly until
closed ; Maumer
door
knew
was
day. The
that she was
disobeying orders, for Ole Miss
had peremptorilycommanded
that she was
to
notified

be

Maumer
should

in

serious

sly and

was

not

of

case

cunning

convulsion

after

frame, all of the remedies

towards

baby's fortune,
then

The

Ole

But
Miss

be told.

Convulsion

effect,and

illness.

Maumer

old oak

"

the lawn, where

life

come

up

er

she

tried

the
"

death

her mind.

Nursery
142

tiny

without

come

castingits soft
the

the

used

were

daybreak

made

was

shook

shade

toddlers

across

sat

se-

"SHOULD

SHE

DO

IT?"

Other

The

the

dately munching
of old

one

was

while

Ma'y Ann

for

bucket

"An'

sweet

duties

it

provide,

to

of cool water.
me

Ma'y Ann's

life outen

de

widened

eyes

's unwonted

the bucket

lef

gourd yo'

my

'side de branch, an' min'

yo' herries,'fore I beat

swung

that

pone

just startingto the spring

was

min', yo' fetch

Maumer

corn

Maumer's

de battlin'-bench

on

Maumer

"

and

yo' !"
bucked

proposition,as
along

the

she

"

at

idly

hill-path,
singing

irrelevant,foolish littlesong.

an

The

great bell would

Maumer
well

knew

by

as

Should
she

it

the

looked

by the shadow

old dial
do it ?

she

ring

there

down, both

nobody

as

the lawn.

in

even

Ma'y Ann, dawdling far down

save

moment;

of the oak,

just across

Up and

was

in

the

ways

sight,

spring-

path; then the great bell clanged through the

the
stiffened
form
of
Quarters. A
spasm
Cindy's baby, and

Maumer,

with

stern

face

and

trembling hands, stripped the long shirt

and

blue beads

them

hastily

from

Cely's boy, and

her

upon

laid it in the twentieth

baby
Old

ing

up

to the

cradle

Maumer,
the

throwing
daughter's child, she

cradle, changing Cely's

just vacated.

with

rak
shaking limbs, was
the hearth
smouldering coals upon

Other

The
when

the

in to

nurse

"

Hi

livelythrong of mothers
their little

de

What

mat

Judy, always foremost.

Chill/'grunted Maumer,
"

the fickle blaze.

woo

filing

came

ones.

ail Maumer

What

ter ?" asked

"

Maumer

Ma'y Ann

!" for

Go

fetch in

Ma'y Ann

knelt

she

as

had

to

chips,

some

returned.

Dancing, skipping, like a child let loose for

a
holiday, came
Cely ; she had even
hopscotched
with Ma'y Ann
that very morning.
the matter
with her baby
Nothing was
Judy
"

"

"

said

Maumer

so,

who

was

how
she

cooed

left him

Down
rather

so

jealous ; he

so

he

said

"

still her doll,and

was

kicked

and

old Maumer,

even

for

her

just before

the

long

row

she

of cradles

walked, in the fulness and

than

leaped
exuber

of life.

ance
"

Yo'

comin'

Mammy's
!" and

cradle, she

comin', boy, yo' Mammy's

snatching the baby from

tossed
it gleefully above

the
her

head.
Then
who

had

shriek,that startled
not

of fear, of

left the field

"

wild

even

shriek

thing wounded

for the littlecold mouth

turned
144

the laborers
of agony,

in the heart,
away

from

the

warm

breast

the

tiny limbs

strength,and

full of life and

so

of

breathing

sigh.

rocking in

Holding the dead baby close,and

the face of Cely seemed
her woe,
ashened

and

"

Maumer

bled

yo' pizened
with

Maumer,

kilt

Yo'

only mum
shivered, though
eyes,

the

warm.

was

noon

boy

my

closed

and

the coals

over

car

!"

him, Maumer
But

voice

her

high,

old

an

clearing.

to the

even

hardened

like that of

moment,

while, shrill and

woman,

ried

in

relaxed

then

convulsed, and

the

with

forever

Maumer

Other

The

through Cely's tears, smiles of

Little Miss, with eyes and
gratificationwhen
Smiles

came

all red, refused

nose

"

of her

little nigger," and

Big House
had

ever

with
the

her

Ole

while

hands

own

dainty folds, laid

early frost had

of two

smoothing

and
in

the

spared.

ran

of madness,

brown,

rose-bud

on

down

doll-like
that

emotion

Then

depths again, and

continents

the verge

Cely

put them

Miss

fingers the tiniest,whitest

stirred to its

the

brought from

pretty baby things than

more
seen

for the loss

to be comforted

the
was

the wild blood

riot in her veins, even

when
145

Cely

came

to know

to

Other

The
the

meaning

of

her

brought

to the

Big House, by
Ole

was

restraint

novelty had

had

leap like

of

with
the

after

Cely would

snapped, and

kinder

was

the

while

later

Rachel

in

old Maumer,

than

even

laugh and

was

picking was

they would
arms

doll

over,

Ole Miss, and

smile

back,

came

cheery again, and before

Cely was rivallingSusan

in the field.

little cabin
"

the fishermen, and

by the cane-brake,
Maumer,"

the Other

now

alone, weaving shuck

negroes

spin,

to

folded towel.

time

Down

and

sew

tenderly nursing in her

Henry's cabin
and

foreman

tiger-catthrough the doorway and

find her,

the

com

suddenly the wheel

off,and

worn

beyond the wood-lot, where

of

way

attraction

no

burred, the thread

after

had

galling,the Big House

was

its civilization

But

Miss

Marse's

tried to teach her to

Ole Miss

made

Ole

time.

that

but

And

grave.

Henry, who

fort to
at

Maumer

"

against the

mats, mending

hooking
coming

"

mittens
of

the

lived

nets

for

for the

winter;

reigned over

Maumer
deposed, another
the littlewooden
cradles, and her

foot

permittedto

for

Maumer

was

not

was

146

cross

the threshold;

The
Her

Other

Little Miss's

them

and

toys, like

was

enough.

This

and

The
and

spring-time

months

liness
She

missed

by

the

back

of lone

Maumer.
of

babies,

rockers

worn

the littletoddlers

cradles, but

youth and

to

bowed,

more

"

than

more

and

age,

the

the

old

childishness

apace.

The
"

would

butterflies
the white

drop

miration.
near

their

weeks

dignity of position. In

her

long

so

became

grew

tion

time,

the winter

missed

the

outgrown

all,she missed
brief

with

was

Other

but

spring-time crop

cradles

in

apart.

the Other

her foot ; she

that had

the

around,

came

tellingupon

was

set

it

alone

the wind
now

was

long, and

were

the wooden
worn

she

been

had

beads

and

days

nights when

though

even

care
visit,

counting gold, and

sufficed for

the cane-brake, for

splendor of

clothes

over,

miser

the

successive

each

giftson

fully looking

Maumer

in

greedily took

eyes

high,

Maumer

possessed a wonderful

and

from

But

her head

Maumer
"
"

De

"

hands

her

when

her, poising

the Other

yellow

on

the

soul

in

gorgeous

shiver

would
er

the reed mats

and

brown

fascina

forgetful ad
ones

hovered

velvety wings,
and

cover

Cindy's baby, oh,

148

up
my

FLY,

FLY,'

SHE

WHISPERED

! kim

Gord
er

me

Other

back

ter claim

de lie !

if

Oh,

Maumer
his

her

they alighted on

carefullyshe gathered and

around

flower that grew

they should

to be

prove

butterflies

brown

and

came

noon,

the

the

hung

reeds

dried

Other

Maumer

on

cabin, fearful lest

the

Other

and

clay that she brought

well,to fashion into rude

outstretched

wings.

drying in the
worked
"

er

Scores
and

Then

from

the

of the

little heaps
beside

the

butterflies with
and

scores

were

yet the busy fingers

nervously.
"

Fly, fly,"she* whispered, an' fetch de soul

Cindy's baby 1"

The
of

sun,

hands

the

over

of red
new

Maumer's

unmended,

the

the

swarms

evening.

racks

fluttered

But

in

came;

and

unwoven,

wild

every

attraction.

an

cabin, by morning,
nets

butterflies

doorstep ! And

crushed

her

circled

they filled and

!"

Gord

my

place, er 'cusin'

fight the brown

would

she

How
away,

The

the

cold

Other

Maumer

sleep she

did
was

it,deep and

shone

moon

Maumer's
not

through

the

cracks

cabin;

the

Other

like the moon;

even

in her

always hiding something from

could always
dark, but the moon

find it.
149

The

Other

To-night it was
with

woke
Not
with

the

one

could

cry

of rage

and
clay butterflies,

to search

start

find

she

de soul

done

fum

her

fetch

soul

de
"

I cain't lose

but

had

It wanted

from

storehouse

but

in the

little to the

But

New

Orleans
full to

to

'

she

left

'em ter

assured

'em

!" and

hand

one

!"

carried

Lef

uv

and

other, the Other

the

road.

holiday

that

now

Dey

had

held his cotton

had

deal."

was

none

slowly down

though Ole Marse

"

"

dry.

Dey

stole ;em

she

hickory stick in

hobbled

Maumer

word

that

of river reeds

bunch

great

Cindy's baby !

Cindy's baby !"

er

with her knotted

"

her hands

bales to

the cotton

on

herself;

cabin, and

full to the river-bank, and

apron

them

in the

de}^ done

me;

remembered

she

Then

er

she

for them.

she wrung

tryin'ter steal
stole 'em

Maumer

back
had

he

ship it

season,

on,

for
sent

the old

overflowing,and

it was

piledall along the levee waiting for the boat,

for Ole Marse

Perched

had

upon

made

never

one

of the bales

better crop.
that lined the

levee, conjuring with the recovered

in the full of the

sat the Other

moon

happy in the abandonment

All her

world

was

butterflies

of the moment.

asleep ;
150

Maumer,

even

the

guards

"SHE

CAME

ON

HAT'S

WINGS

Other

The
done

fly an' fetch

back;

come

Maumer
de

soul

er

Cindy's baby !"

But

the

of

odor

the

burning

cotton

was

stirringsomething else in the disordered brain.

girlhood
Away back in the Other Maumer's
had

there

House,

been

great conflagration. Big

gin -house,

had

horror

destroyed, and

plantation, for there had

well.

Other

The

her
"

then

eyes,

Ole

Marse

soul

in

the
she

that she

her
was

as

crushing

leaped
road

narrow

Quarters that

came

on

against the chimney

with

she

exactly how

knew

one

roused
that

across

the

shouted,

stronger, she

the

re

head.

palm,

into

to

as

on

her
her

leading

Quarters.

to the

No

her

stick

knotted

hand

her

queried ; then,

grew

the

upon

trying

Cindy's baby !" and

er

butterflies

she

?"

scorching smell
"De

her

was

loss of life

was

drew

she

shook

fallen

been

Maumer

Slowly

member.

everything

cotton,

came

his hoofs

wings

said

fluttered

Others

said

great horse that struck fire

as

she beat upon

and

she cried.

"

same

as

Maumer

night. Some

on

hickory stick.
the

bat

the Other

Though

Fly, flyter
152

each

door with

to all the message

de ribber an' fetch

"

'

DE

BUTTERFLIES

DONE

COME

BACK

' "

The
de soul

Other

Cindy's baby !"

er

of the

admonition

of the

command,

tumbled
for

Maumer

and

the

beds, wide

the

guidance of Henry, in the dark

warm

awake

once.

been

rolling the outside

the

safety; and
of Ole

the

now

would

the flames
ness,

full

dawn,

that

the

absence

opening of the

bursting

of

out

require cool

rapid handling

always obedient, shrank

negro,

place of

in the

would

moment

and

courage,

to

overseer,

result in

had

fiftynegroes

cotton

Marse, hesitated,for

storehouse

and

the

from

taking

came

from

responsibilityalone.

Then

back
doors

and

the

as

command

peremptory

somewhere,

twenty

flames

strong

licked

leaped

men

through

the

open

like tongues.

Strip, men

called

out

frightened negroes

of their

before

Roll

weirdness

lost in the

was

hour

"

the latter part

out

Under

the

But

the

'em

!" and

Git

wuk

ter

impelling voice.

out

H"

lack
"

is hotter'n

Henry, awe-struck

Roll

'em

dis !

and

debils I"

Roll

out

'em

thrilled,fol

lowing the leading,dropped into line with

the

others.

Swiftly the work

went
153

on,

and

higher and

Other

The

higher

mysterious voice, urging

the

rose

quicker action by

and

prayer

to

execration, until

to 'the limits of human

nerved

the negroes,

Maumer

en

by superstitiousfear, pushed forward

durance

they felt their sinews crack.

mo'
One
time, heave ahead, boys !"

until
"

voice

the

tinued

the

then

work

discon

was

tinued, for the white flame leaped

con

like

up

liv

the river with its weird

ing torch, lighting even

splendor.
"

Wuk,

fur

wuk,

men,

de

baby !" cried the voice, now

Then

seized upon

horror

men

rushed

forward

roof

of the

soul

Cindy's

er

rising in
the negroes,

to the

and

the

on

the

for

rescue,

wail.

now

revealed

through the sickening glare, stood

the Other

Maumer,
"

Look

burning storehouse,

waving

her

dey done

"

arms

and

of the past had

It

and

upon
was

"

de

!"

Then

folding

Cindy's baby !" The

er

been

useless

to

photographed
try

to

and
154

picture

for

an

in

brain.

again the willing hands

Higher

come

though she held

smiling, as

the disordered

by the heat.

reaching for the

butterflies done
back

come

"

child, De soul

stant

of river reeds.

! look !" she shouted,

scurrying sparks
back

bunch

save
were

her

driven

again
back

higher crept the

The

the

death,

Then

that

treble

of

the

women.

knelt

in

the

sand

as

the

rose

the

kneeling

high

above

hid

in

upon

the

her
child

sleeping
Cindy,

her

and

dirge.

the

by

Cindy

wondering

The

broke

snatched

Cely
of

truth

tremu

in

joined

rose,

and

and

deep

throat,

death-song

the

lous,

and

flame,

the
darkness.

utter

Henry's

from

was

store

cumber

the

and

smothering
in

levee

the

leaving

in,

fell

roof

some

rifled

the

quivered,

beams

the

house,

in

soul.

through

swept

gust

or

hugged

recovered

the

life

of

and

swayed

of

dream

oblivious

but,

figure

bent

the

ecstasy

Maumer

her,

around

flames

It

Other

Then,

face.

consciousness,
from

wild

the
note

arms

of

"joy

STOLEN

done

DEY

Mammy

then

across

children

were

her

bosom

of

the

to

room

play

quietly

and

brows
the

1"

wrong

tenderly

with

shirt

Colonel's

ca

iron.

her
"

dey
"

is

had

stick
face
"

back

inter

for

Tell

If

lay

and

me

with

floor

possible

her
the

gwine

mun!"

Fred,

fire, holding

his

the

shining

tale," lisped

Margie,

story.
Fred

toe

upon

end

of

yo' chillens
I

sho'

scanning

eagerly

fur

?" asked

the

dat

monkeys,

Mammy
in

low

ter

monkeys,

playing

and

call

no

Afiker

say,

you

been

aloft,

outlining

"

fum

did

What

got

Vluted

Vlutes

who

hain't

Bailey

Brer

niggers

the

all

looked

knitted

the

ressed

hit

got

where

ing,

FIRE

don'
mek

the

her

charred

quit
Miss
159

kitchen

spotless
stick.

playin'
Margret

in

de

whup

fire,
yo'

Fire

Stolen
she

when

bofe

dren
"

brass

her

ly behind

up-town

ferocious

laughed and teased the more.

about
What
monkeys, Mammy

chil

the

which

at

specs,

if I

see

"

rolled her eyes

Mammy

don't !" and

fum

come

Go

!"

on

said Fred.
"

into

Back

!" echoed

monkeys

"

Margie.

Go

on!"

deliberatelytested

Mammy

But

waited

the children
the expectant
"

honey,

Now,

business,
"

you

set

dey

min'

right still dar

de

ergo

yeth, he did, an'

went

"

What's

eourtin' ?" asked

"

Talkin'

putty, lack

'fore

Maw

de

dey

gal

straight hair
"

yo' han's

mek

Well, long time

ter de

"An'

end of her board.

own

dat

on

ar

!"

cheer
"

one

upon

lifted

she

then

dey 11 git burnt," said Mammy;

or

Fred,

an'

Margie

anxiously,

iron, as

an

was

an'

was

kim

debil he
courtin'

er

up

gal."

Fred.

yo' Paw

talk

married," said

ter

yo'

Mammy.

mighty fine gal, wid long

blue eyes, an' she could sing
er

gal could sing !

Well, de debil ain't heared no singin' sence
he was
drapped in de bad place, an' dey guv
dat hongry fur singin',
'im de keys, an' he was
laws

er

mussy

dat

! how

"

he mek

dat

gal sing all

1

de

60

time, an' he stan' by

Fire

Stolen

hoof

hit.

on

Yo'

wid

hatter keep up

the children
"

los' hit.

sing all day

folks."
both

yo'

'bout

now

plum dry,

he

Anyway,

mek

'im, an' de gal she

ter

He

home.
he

de debil he

an'

dark, an' he

of

dat, but
dat

hit

say

were

hit

see

time

'feared 'case hit

was

him

were

done

gittin'

were

fur

gal

peart

was

lackly, an' she sing twel her throat

an'

he

once.

cain't tell

Mammy
done

he

at

whi'

done

stovepipe,'case

tall

er

lose his tail ?" asked

did he

How

he

by dis time,

know

los' he tail,an' w'ar

"

de foot dat got de

he did, an' hide

pianny,

de

ter go

late,an'

so

herry, an' herry, clop-flop,clop-flop de

"

man's

foot an' de hoof

de hoof

foot mek

an' when

done
"

he

plum

Hit

were

'case dar

"

Why

asked
"

man's

one,

mighty sorry time fur de debil,

hain't nobody gwine give him none
an' he cain't steal hit hisse'f

none,

de hoof

didn't he

buy

foot."
some

matches

in town?"

Fred.
hab

hatter

fur miles an'

L

ter de

er

er

Didn't

folkes

steps

back, fur

out.

account

on

keep him

git home, he find dat his fire were

len' him

nor

two

foot

no

tote

matches
coals

den, honey, an'

kivered

wid

ashes,

miles,if dey let de fire go out."

161

Fire

Stolen
"

'Count

to the

coming back
"'Count

foot/'repeated Margie,

hoof

of the

story.
foot/'said Mammy,

de hoof

er

de debil castes

he

who

'roun'

"so

gwine git fur

ter

steal hit fur him.

"

Fust

ter de

he went

his fire done

yo' fetch

B'ar, won't
my

pipe ?' But

too

thick,an' de fire's

his mouf
'

full

coal fur ter

an'

er

tea.
on,
cross
"

my

'

he

growl, My

de

wid

an'

! won't

'low,

say
me

er

rabbit he look

De

fur ter mek

he

fetch

yo'
'

too

rabbit,wid

debil

de

Mister

I sorry,

baby chile's done

gwine

hair's

die.'

an'

up,

meet

he

light

hot, an' de road's

too

pipe ?'

lightmy

an' I

cramp,

Rabbit

Please, Mister

coal fur ter

er

green,

sad, an'

Debil, but

me

git het

back, he

Hello, Mister

meek

say

de b'ar

long, an' I 'feared

Kimmin'

'

he

out, an'

long

er

kin beat de debil when

off,'case anybody

way

"

b'ar, an' stan'

him

got
some

er

awful

catnip

Good-day, Mister Debil !'an' he lope right

an'

de

his
Den

debil mek

path,

he kim

an'

mark

er

whar

de rabbit

spit in hit.
at de

an' knock

tarrypin'sdoor,

his nose
out
tarrypin don't put more'n
side,an' de debil he 'low, Please Mister Tarry-

but

de

'

pin, won't yo' fetch

pipe ?'

me

er

162

coal fur ter

lightmy

Fire

Stolen
"

'low, 'Yo'

an'

more,

Mister

Debil, but I
in

mis'ry

I'd

knows

de

fetch hit !

little

er

'bleege yo',

slow

so

goes

heart, dat

de

'fore I could

out

in his door

draw

tarrypin he

De

'count

de

er

spark 'ud

be

Good-day, Mister

Debil !'
"

debil he 'low he must

De

'case
he

was

he

needin'

er

'pear ter

an'
'

dey

meet

'low

be

ter

him, lack dey

er

pod, but Mister Fox

tail.

in

segars

smoke, Mister
"

he

Fox

de fox he

But

'low, I

ves'

nick
"

an'

head

'

fum

his

got

tek

er

got

no

light,

good comp'ny
Misser

Domi-

up

jay
his

unner

'case

now,

dar,
de

dey

he ups
don' eben

so

jay

wing.

!'

'

Go

'way,

'lone, say de jay"' I done been totin'

fur

an' Fse

uv

er

'

an' lemme
wood

tea wid

hard

were

ter de ole blue

goes

tek he

"

hollerin' fur fire down

er

in

Good-evenin', Mister Debil

So de debil he

keep

pocket

ter lose such

sorry

Rooster.

'long

peas

'low,

de debil am'

see

yo' is,but I gwine tek

es

es

he

say,

walk

poppin'

er

Debil

he

?'

'

an' he

keep

my

unbeknownst,

!' an'
thick

was

dar, an'

cute, an'

Fox

Bime-by, Mister
fine

two

de fox,

mighty

Good-evenin', Mister

side

hit down

uv

wid

up

git dat fire somers,

yo' all dis Friday long, an' Fse tired

sleepjr/
say

de

ja}^

163

Fire

Stolen
"

Better kim

'

dar

fum

"

'

Hain't

back
"

got

ter his

git me

ute, 'fore I w'ar

"

fire/ laugh de jay, an' he

no

de debil he go

Den

an' he 'low, Go

De

'

fire,an' he

say

Debil, twel I'se got

full

bird-shot

er

twel

he
an'

er

at
spittin'

er

be keerf ul here, an' he

! you

boy

De

gitde
'

say

now

"

"

yo'

some

town

so

money,

Go

git

an' I'll gib

me

he
er

yo',

fire !'

no

gib hit
nigger, er

ter

chip in de

moon

he

ain'

up

an' 'low,
money

nigger plum keen,

town

he

how

ter mek

want

er

wing des plum

my

worfless

er

spy

fur

corn

'low he 'bout

shine, an' de debil he know

he

he

'case

sassy,

I cain't fetch

debil he

de

Den

chawin'

"

!'

out

toted

I done

Mister

ter

crow,

fire dis min

er

plum

git mighty

he

crow

coal

er

des

yo

nigger,de

de debil cain't do nuffin' lessen he got

know

up,

!'

sleep ergin.

ter

'

"

I'llroas' yo

er

mad.
de debil,gittin'

say

go

down

he

got

er

'

Say,

?'
don'

keer

de debil

githit,an'
coal

call

no

fire
"

quick

yo' er dollar !'

Well, de town

nigger he light out an' ax

two er three folks,but dey ain' got no
fire ter
spar',an' he go 'long twel he kim ter er po'
widder 'oman, er blowin' on one
po' littlecoal
er

fire ter

mek

er

bed
164

fur

ter

cook

her

Stolen

han's

an'

plum

er

half

Both

blue

shining.
asked

cried

see

monkey

!"

"What

kim

and

yo'

Go

on

Maw,

they
!

fotch

go

chillen!

clapping
she

an'

wa'n't

brown

did
"

Mammy,
what

feet,

eyes

Fred.

"Dar

his

on

Afika

Fire

her

yo'

!"

!"

with

urged
dar

hands""

but

wide

were

do

on

nuffin

and
him?"

Margie.
she

kim!"

Run,

go

THE

BLACK
CAT

BLACK

THE

MOSE

DADDY
Piney

and

that

the

had

Preston

result
in

fall.

in

so

had

sent

the

that

it

after

spring
into
rag

from

its
at

heart

had

breaking

and

Mose
buried

its roots.
169

to

even

and

Mose
and

the

only

picking
the

occasion,

before,

year

him,

was

orchard,

the

bolls

Daddy

worth

was

Colonel's

Daddy

the

with

another

on

blossomed

keep

for

for

that
be

with

the

drove

five

something

was

them

people

in

bad

of

It

war.

white

Colonel's

the

Bend

Then,

even

that

the

ry-tree

were

to

population

him

consultation

private
was

the

exhorter

the

of

close

without

do

not

worms

Colonel

dusky

emergencies

could

selves

ton

in

the

counsellor,

leading

the

of

since

ever

that

said

whole

been

had

soothsayer,
the

CAT

the

in

never

propped

to

fruit,
rusty
tied

the

cher

old
had

cot

the

nails
up

in

The
it was

But

the

country and

Daddy

Don'

"

But

leaned

Misser

What

his hoe

on

dissatisfaction

Lingum

and
little

at the

he

say

gimme

er

quar

good dat pitifullittle quarjtergwine

black

er

cat ?"

There

black

cat

wuth

es

cat, if hit's good fur

ed
a

the

up

circle in the dust with

hoed

Mose

ously, and

es

ernuther
!" grunt

and

courage

the

making.

his great toe.

two

or

three

turns

the little imp

looked

then

much

quarter, Daddy

er

imp, plucking

Daddy

es

was

witheringcontempt in the tone which made

littleimp squirm and twist uneasily.
Er

1"

!"

yo' if yo' kills

"

own

troubled

yo1 do hit,Solly" don' yo' do hit

ter,Daddy

do

he

evident

house, that

own

his

figurepirouettingdefiantlybefore him.

"

"

in his

with

Cat

risinggeneration,in

Mose, and

looked
black

Black

vigor

straight

in the face.
"

des

Dat

Yo'

niggers !
who

know

er

black

Lingum

fool,does yo'

po' littlemizerbul
cat
"

Solly winced.
Misser

free-born-sence-de-war

dese

lack

?"

am

He's

wuth

er

quarter, fur

at de sto' he 'low he

gimme

if I kills hit an' fotch de cat ter him.

he done
but

pay

fur de killin'

hit allus turns

up

er

say

dat cat free times,

ergin."
170

He

one

The
"

hit

'Cou'se

Black

lessen

does

you

"

Mose.

; er

er

times, an'

hit nine

black

Hain't

dat'll kill

sprouted er chunk

ebber

back

kim

gwine
Daddy

allus do," said

Cat
cat
tree

no

black
I

cat,

lay yo'

gwine be powerful sorry if you does hit den."

But I'se gwine hang him wid er rope !" re
"

torted the imp, with

"

Sol'mun

Yo7

littleblack
debil

er

doin'

dat

gwine
luck

hain't

de mud

lack

ter

hang
a

was

with very

What

an'

black

er

fruitless

cat

it

the

seat

with
"

er

been

er

Des

er

plunge and

lay I
yo'
wild

larn
!"

yell,

spicy punctuations. Solly'smother,

his audience

was

I larn

"

she

washing, grunted

was

her endorsement, and, his wrath

and

"

fetching in bad

er

you' foots

on

the tree where

from

yo' better ?

larn

Yo'

got de fear

you' Mammy

in de worl'

out

There

Hain't

"

she

Dewberry

Hightower

rapscallion!

man

yo' how

grin.

noon

hour.

by

two

or

Daddy

Mose

and

fanned

washbench

the

on

increased

being appeased
three,for
took

his

himself

his hat.
De

niggers is mighty big fools," he

des er flingin'out de sense
er
dey

free

mused,

"

daddies

and

larnin'

in; an' de

mammies

free chillen !
"

dey

es

fas'

chillen
hain't
171

"

es

de

dey put book

po', impident

lack white

folks,an'

The

Black

Cat

dey hain't lack de niggers

uster

was

dey des

"

hain't nuffin !"

There

hardly

was

unanimous

of the assertion,but it was

ful

hearing, and
and

teners

rendered
"

the

last

at

pleasantly reminiscent.
'Lish Stone

yo' all how

de ten-year bad

respect

stingy green"

er

Mose

telled

Ebber

accorded

quiescent state of his lis

his "chaw

Daddy

endorsement

luck

hisse'f ?" he

on

fetched

queried,

thoughtfully.
"

No, yo' hain't el ber

tole

all, Daddy

we

Mose."
he couldn'

"An'

de cabin

up

git shet

Po' creetur

"

Yas, dey hatter burn

!" Urn, urn."

came
"

Well," said Daddy

Mose,

Stone

wa'n't

'Lish

how, but he hab

dat

ter dis
"

way
one

cabin

an'

tell erbout

hit, Daddy"

erbout

de

de

hit !"

in chorus.

dis way

an'

up

Mose, reflectively.

kivers," repeated Daddy

Tell

dey burn

de kivers ?"

an'

"

"

hit twel

uv

how

er

come

"

hit

'bout

were

much

'count

no

mighty fine, peart 'oman,

Daddy

Mose

'member

hit

day.

'Lish hadn'
he been

er

been

pleasin'er Ole Marse

gwine,

an'

Ole Marse

in de

gib him

mighty straight talk 'fore he put de ober172

The

Black

words, quiet lack, when

Ole Miss

fur

sont

de chillen

arter

ober de table,um
done
"

gone

So

door, an' Pomp

Pomp

he

know

nuffin

were

uv

he

er

were

age

wid

but
he

an' Dave

he

de

spring-

do de watchin'.

young

foots arter

hard

by

an'

un,

pickin'down

de

don'

an'

row

er-

done; but Dave

ole sinner, done

cotch

in ole

conviction,an' he tryin'his bestest ter

git'ligion. He done
fur

down

mighty

er

dat littlenigger

watch

er

house

shakin'

think

you

"

sets

an' when

passes,

swing de pea-fowl bresh

ter

ter heaben

up

dey

dey

littlefiel'nigger ter foiler

er

er

Cat

sot

de mourners'

on

bench

weeks, an' de 'stracted meetin'

two

ober; done

been

in de straw,

prayed

fur

er-groanin'all de

by

ever'

time lack

mos'
'zorter

er

ox

er-

dyin',but hit 'pear lack he des couldn' git hit.

Well, 'bout dat time dey put Dave
de
on
watch, an' de brederin' dey tell him dat dey
an' Brer
gwine pray on des de same,
Jonas,
de prophesyin' 'zorter,he promise Dave
dat if
"

he wrastle
er

see
"

de

So

mightily wid de sperit,he gwine

sign.
ever'

done

cream

dough

night dey watch, but

we

'case if

er

off de pans

knows

dat

nigger

ebber

lack hit

Dave

174

hain't

gwine

ever'
were

night
erf ore,

taken

ter be

ter

hit,

hones',

The
be

hit would
Dave
"

gwine

Cat
dat

lack

conviction

hard

imner

er-wrastlin' wid.

was

an' she

on,

de

ain' lack

she

Miss

Ole

Black

low

things is

way

day dat

one

all

we

sech

po' niggers,dat cain't ketch

mighty

he

Dave

t'ief,an'

low-down

er

mizerbul

so

was

was

po'ly,'case he's feared de big meetin' close

dat Brer Jonas he say
'dout he gittin''ligion,

an'

ter leabe

fur Dave

kin wrastle

de

spring-house.
"

When

Brer

dat Ole Marse's

fine

es

er

wid

erlone

he

in de

Pomp

Quarters, so's

speritdown

de

he

Jonas gib dat out, Dave

two

boys, Johnny

pa'r er rascals

es

ebber

an'

toted

in

fetchin'

some

watermillions

green

garden 'dout yellin'fur

tote

tek
"

'em

in, but he

nigger

er

were

so

see

ter kim

he

'em
de
an'
don'

notice.

no

Hit

were

dat Dave

er

watch

night de fust time

mighty dark

by hese'f,an' dough hit hain't

gwine rain, de heat light'nin' streck

now

stone-

fum

mizerbul

see

Jeems,

er

bruise, been lis'enin' fru hit all,an' he

by

an'

ter Dave

den, an' hit mek

;

match

'pear lonesomer
but dar hain't nuffin kin pester him,

'case

he's

gwine

be erf eared

in' ter Brer

er

unner

hit

conviction, an'
if he

Jonas, hit

hain't

sign,'case,'cordgwine ter be de sign er

see

175

de

he

The

gwine
"

he got

Dave

he sot

So
er

were

de

know

an'

say

Dave

de

dey allus do dat

lonesomer

an'

Dave

ter mek

way
;

whup'-

den

er

frog

right 'longsiderDave opin

mighty short an' den
sumpen
mek
dat Dave
jump putty nigh
steddy

an'

sot

sins twel he

see

he

waitin'

all

sees

sumpen

'way off yander lack

hain't skeered ertall,
'case

white

riz up

berhin'

keep

on

de

er

Den

sign.

stars, an' den

'em, an' Dave

Jonas tell him

kirn

sumpens

he

fur

erlong

fall ter stribin' lack Brer

Dave

steddy 'bout he

er-shinin' lack two

supen

an' de two

an'

sumpen

star,but Dave
been

"

Hit

he skin.

outen

he

bimeby

an'

folks feel mo'

shet up, but hit

he

wait.

spring branch

he monf

er

de steps an'

on

'gin ter call 'way ober yander,

lonesome

"

'ligionat las'.

were,

he 'low ter hisse'f

in de

hit, he sho'

see

mighty solumn, furgitableplace whar

spring-house

wills

Cat

des kin

if he

promise, an'

de

Black

he

'bout,

nigher.

stribin',but he stribe wid

an' de
opirinow, an' de two sumpens
white thing kim er nigh an' er nigher. Den he
an' opin
fall to stribin' wid bofe eyes opin now,
de ghostes fotch er groan,
er
wide, when
one
one

eye

an' de white
"

Now

Brer

fire kim

outen

Jonas he

say
"

176

he

nose

fur Dave

an'
ter

mouf.

'spute

Black

The
wid

de

hit

were

he

sign when

Cat

sign, but when

de berry fire er de debil,he

fire
"

des

de

on

'spute,but des
lack he

dey looks, an' light

es

Dat fool

tracks.

got de

de res'

agur

er

nigger he

dat

night,

got 'ligiongood

he done

kim

mornin'

an' when

arter'ards,

"

'em

tek

say

dat

see

inside^ he ain' wait fur ter

dar an' mek

out fum

shake

Dave

de true

burnin'

er

know

hit,dat he mout

see

plum skeered inter hit" an' Brer Jonas

he 'low,sorter privatelack 'mongst de bredrin',

an' fas'"

but

mighty solumn, dough,

time dat he
million.

see

'ligionkim-outen
hit

Fur

git out

dat Ole Marse

sont

ter his office

dustin' 'roun',an' she

on

an'

he

I reckon
han'
"

'case

Johnny
day, when

'low she hear

Marthy

an'

Jeems

she

were

Ole Marse

sech

carryin'son
his place,er-skeerin' de niggers inter fits,
she 'low hones' dat he whup 'em bofe,an'
he hain't

say

one

water-

green

er

somers,

hab

she say
up

dat hit hain't defust

ter tek

But

gwine

"

no

did

hit,'case Ole

any

foolishness.

dey ain' git Dave

spring-houseno
worser

pans

hab

Marse

back

mo', an' de

wa'n't

ter watch

cream

goes

no

at de

off de

'n ebber.

Well, dat triflin' 'Lish he been

er-lis'enin'

pleasure Ole Miss, 'case he

she tell Ole Marse
'bout hit, an' he ups

'roun',an' he
know
M

wanter

177

The
an' 'low dat he
an'

Cat

watch

at de

he struts

an' lock

de door

Dave's
de

er

place on

in de

gone

des

mornin'

de cream,

dat taken

dout

door

hain't 'feared
So

he goes

lack

he

some

shoes

but

hit

fern

erfore.

were

dat hone

dat '11 go

hit ; but

down

ter de branch

he

seed

an'

don'

fur de cream,

so's he kin
hain't

see

gwine

fru

'low

he

in de

nightde moon), an' gadder

er
put 'em in he Sunday
w'ar
shoes ever' day),

de veil what

hit now,

view

beast

ner

he

borned

were

put hit in he pocket, 'case if hit

an'

was

nuffin.

er

han's
(fiel'

an' he taken

gorm

cream

man

sumpen

opinin'uv

de dark

(hitwere

me

watch,

spring-house an'

'Lish he 'low dat hit hain't

"

de

key-hole wid beeswax, but dat

de

Den

spring-house,
'roun' mighty

'bout hit.

So 'Lish he taken

"

de

gwine

an'
ch de t'ief,

co

mannish

up

Black

'Lish know

fur de veil
de
ter

hit work

ghostes good,

an'

sperit

er

dat he kin
er

charm

de

sperits

de foots what

fly fum

wid

got de

fern seed in de holler.

he
"

Well, 'Lish he des sot an' wait, an' ever'-

thing plum cl'ar ter he

shinin',an' sumpen
er
an' er-sneakin',an'

eye,

an'

black

hit

bimeby
kim

he

er-sneakin'

slipsright clost

ter de

door',an' 'Lish he look twel hit 'peardat de

178

sees

eyes

The
des pop

plum

Black

des stan' dar

cat

den

he

outen

an'

Cat

head, 'case dat black

right fru dat door

go

dat

locked, des lack dar wa'n't

"

'Lish

Den

he

git clost

an'

up

trough, but he hear dat

pin' de
wa'n't

rale cat

no

dat
er-gittin'
"

He

cream.

Bimeby

done

done
door

no

right 'gin de wall an' hear de

de

tail free times,

he

wave

shet
dar."

put he

water

an'

year

tricklin' in

too, des er-lap-

cat

fin' de t'ief,
but

hit

ertall,but de debil dat been

cream.

de cat

git ernough

sneak

an'

ergin,an' look 'Lish plum in de

out

grin

an'

eyes

he passes.

es
"

de mornin'

In

House,
smart
some

an'

ernough
un

"

Ole

'Lish
Miss

he

go

brag

to fin' de

up

on

him

fur

an' she
t'ief,

gotter kill de black

de

ter

say

Big
bein'
dat

cat.

Now, white folks ain' lack niggers

"

de ole-time

I mean

niggers. Dey hain't got de ole he

sense' dat de niggers is got, an' wid dey booklarnin' an' dey fine clo'se an' things,hit 'pear
lack dey done furgitwhat folks kin do an' what
dey cairit,'case nobody kin do des what dey
pleases;fur dar's sumpin des er littlebit higher
'n ever'body,dat got er rope on em, an' dey got
ter kim when
dey feels hit pull. But, howsomebber, Fse

seen

'

wid

my

own

179

eyes

de white

folks

The
cuttin'

uv

wid de scissors
baby's finger-nails
lack 'spectablefolks,
bitin' uv 'em off,
er

'stead

er

des

makin'

er

de road

in'

hit, too.

de

new

in hit.
spittin'

an'

tek time ter say

eben

'ards; whilst dey puts

wonder

what's

de matter

cuttin' winders

fo ks

"

soul

humin

Miss

"

He

but
him

He

promise

dat

uv

er

black

wuk

ter de

he

cream

fur

proud 'counter Ole

dat he done turn fool,an'

'Lish

so

dat he kill dat cat.

ter de cabin

ter Ole

'

nigger,

stealin' de

de

arter

er

80

gib
out.

'11gityo'

rope

cat, leastways he'd

1

proud

but he done

Miss, an' he cain't back

dar hain't nuffin but

know

shet

sensible

steddy 'bout hit powerful

cool off an' he go

er

de debil an' he sarchin'

er

praisin'uv

dey

some

better; 'cordin'

ever'

er

promise Ole Miss

he

right whilst

ter

folks sho' is cuis.

White

trick

er

dey business when

dey calls hit de

hit, an' he know

des

was

he

an'

dies soon,

knowledgments

er

wid

Well, 'L'sh he know

know

pra'r back-

dey's 'sprisedwhen

Prov'dence.'

er

de trees

thV
er

at

right shoe fust,an'

in de house,

libin' in hit an'

dey

Dey '11look

dey eben taken dese days

an'

hit go wrong;

de

on

'bout mak

think

ober de lef shoulder

moon

nebber

an'

eben

an' nebber

cross

er

uv

jailter cotch, an'

rabbit
er
Dey sees

t'ief fur de

er

er-laffin' 'bout
cross

Cat

Black

er

knowed

The
hit snap

he

an'

inter de cabin
Dinah

kim

dar

wa'n't

de gun

so

speak

ter

wid

hit kim

des

er

de

'case
sot

by de spring-

cat

no

she

gib 'Lish

er

an' he tote

gun,

him.

at

Well, night kim

couldn'

las', an'

de cat, an' he look at 'Lish an'

him

ter shoot

But

de fool

uv

gun.

!'an'

bang

an'

yowling too, but when

er

des

an' he tek aim

'

Marthy

proud dat de fiel'han's

darin'

got de

an'

at de shinin'

done

kick

nigger ain'
green

him

grin

him, 'case he

eyes

bad.

see

dat,

see

fire,

an'

de cat an' ober go

ober went

gun

off

go

nuther.

cream

Ole Miss

Den

yowl, he

cat

sleep. Me

ter

cat

no

Cat

de

dat

house, an'

he

hear

heard

mornin'

"

Black

'Lish,

Well, dar

'Lish, an' dar sot de cat er-grinnin an' wid

his eyes

er-shinin'

ergin.

shoot
fire uv

he

des
de

Den

er-waitin'
debil

tech

fur 'Lish
him

ter

wid

sperit,an' 'Lish git blin' mad,

de

an' he

pull de trigger,an' dis time he git him, fur de

cat

him
"

keel ober

'pear ter die, an' 'Lish

de tail an'

by
In

an'

de

flinghim

mornin'

dar

was

spring-house door,

but

dat

day,

on'y de

gone

but

'low
"

some

Hit

'case

not

half de milk

mighty

Ole

in de
blood

bayou.
all 'bout

Miss

she

crearn

on

in de pans,

taken

sho'

top

de
r'ar

"was

an' Ole Miss

hard

pester 'Lish

things.
mightily, 'case
^

he

done

The
what

'memb'rin'

he

she

foolishness

nigger, he gwine
fur de
bad

think

fur hit wid

'bout luck.

dander

gwine
sech

were

ter

gib

an' allus

littleblack

er

big plum

ter wait

gwine

fur

ter

"

lucky

be, an' den he des gitsdown

a

greases

night, 'case

plum ergin him

black

fool

knowledgments

fur ter mek

rope

in de cabin

hit slick,an' hides hit unbeknownst

er

all dis

But if he
Ole Miss.
uv
pleasurin'
luck gwine skip anybody dat hunt
bofe eyes opin he reckon mighty po'
So he p'intedlywrastled wid hit,

business, an'

all

now,

up

ter stan'

er

he

up

mighty

him

'low ter hisse'f dat he allus been

twel he

ter

larn

des 'bout de killin' uv

cat, an' 'Lish, he

des

Mammy

hain't

she

say

Cat

she got her

fas',but Ole Miss

an'

Black

if dey know

niggers be
gwine hang

de

he know

he

cat.

in de ebenin'

Late

he go whistlin' down

ter

spring-house,arter Dinah an' Marthy done

ben' down
de milk, an' he
er
put erway
de

limb

er

uv

twel he

I'se beared

time.
des

er

hick'ry saplin' an'

swingin' fork fur

hit

cut
noose

de

many's

de

ter

in.

rope
"

git

little

Well, he

'Lish tell erbout

'low

dat

es

'pear ter git inter him,

he
an'

hit

work

sumpen

he whistle

an'

whistle,an' den he couldn't keep his ole feets

183

Black

The
still,but

lit inter

des

dancing in front

spring-house lack mad,

"

hatter

mighty cuis, 'case

heap

things dat he done

min'

Hit

'em.

uv

de

were

speriter

flesh

weak

de

er

"

But

arter

long, wid

he

he

er-swim-

him

tek notice

'Lish,but de

man

de

'Lish

man

sperit'Lish

mean,

plum mizerbul.

while
eyes

lack

an' green,

kim

"

'Lish, prophesyin' ter de po'

what

him

hit mek

sneakin'

warnin', sho', 'case hit

er

cain't unnerstan'
an'

hit

down,

des ter mek

were

he feels

an'

all de littlegood,

"

low

er

he

'case

in de dark

f urgit erbout

his eyes,

erf ore

him,

he set dar

es

'pear lack all he ebber done

all de whole

down,

set

all de bref outen

danced

done

des

he

Bimeby

an'

him

uv

tree.

er

up

de

er

all de time, unbe

an'

cat des er-watchin'

dat black

knownst,

Cat

de cat kim

er-sneakin'

des er-shinin' white

er-

an' red

de fox-fire in de swamp.

When

'Lish,he quoilhe tail keerful lack an'

down
an' look at him erwhile, an' he look

sees

sot

an'

look,

knowin', twel hit

fa'r riz up

bumps
tired

so

er

on

his'n at 'Lish an' go

des
"

er

Den

'Lish's back

an' whisk
settin',

darin' 'Lish
'Lish

on

dat

de

mek
;

ole

inter de

den

goose

he

git

long tail

er

spring-house,

ter foiler.

'case
'pearter gitsorter flustered,
184

The

Black

'gin de debil,

de charm

furgit ter work

he done

Cat

but go

right inter de spring-housean' cornder

de cat

an'

De

he 'ain' show

cat

ober he head.

fling de greased rope

but des

fight now,

no

grin

han', but

long white teef plum inter 'Lish's

blood drawed, 'case
dar hain't no

black

nebber

an' sink he ole

cat

de eends

p'is'ndeep down
think 'bout dat,

an'

in he

ter suck

fur

mouf

he feared
de

ter

Now

black

er

cat's skin

he

when

hones '-minded

no

de

hearth, in de skin

man

an' dat
hain't
"But

an'

things

nobody tole
dar's

dar's sumpen

one

go

black

er

uv

erbout/ 'case
is

gwine

de debil he set
er

de black

wife,'dout anybody

how

pipe an' smoke

do

twixt

passes

yo'

cat, 'case hit's

all de secrets

an' hear

an' purr,

when

pusson

So

cat.

er

bly, an' things dat

an'

'

wanter

erway

purr

hit;

he draw

so

holler

rale black

er

ter dribe
warm

put he han'

an'

mostly de debil dat is er-w'arin'

know

'Lish

teef.

p'is'nouten

won't

cat

hangs him, if hit

he

sink

tighteran' tighter.

noose

"

dey

er

he in fur hit now,

but he know
dat

on

des

blood, but

draws

er

man

by

cat, an'
de faman'

man

tekin' notice ;

singin' roun'

an'

dar

'em.

thing dat yo'ldn put in yo'

we's all got

gwine

ter ketch

185

our

up

match

somers,

wid de fastes',

The
dat

an'

Black

de black

why

Cat
'am'

cat

show

'gin er rope.
Well, 'Lish he tightens de
"

de eend

ober de

de rope

er

grin at 'Lish
de eyes
dem

"

he kin

De

de teef

see

Den

de cat's,an' he cain't tek 'em

on

es

hear

hit
des
two

hangin' out.

plum full

moufs

an'

de

he

allus

hit

"

des

was

Dat

hit

he

an'

'pearlack dar

gitcl'ar fum

He

gib

'low he

cain't,so

we

all dis time

at
er-grinnin'

gone

same

de cats

cat sho' dead

de debil done

at de

tole what

But

know.

dey all opin dey

dis time

ter his

back

de

all

hung

"

wa'n't

dar

own.

no

86

no

sign dat
But

arter

de odder cats, 'Lish taken

1

out

'Lish.

'sputin''bout dat, dough dat wa'n't

de air

fur 'Lish

des lack thunder.

were

shiver an'

hain't ebber
cat

somers,

thing all

same

hain't nebber, nebber

"

Den

cats, an'

er

says

'Lish say

were

cats, den free cats, den de air hit 'pear

ter be

time

de cat

right up an'

de cat, dough de ole cat's tongue

were

er

'nine

voice

er

hit

off.

'Lish's blood

dat mek

happin

sumpen

straighten out, es kinky

were

an'

by de light er

ter stan'

was

grin

sparks, an' hit 'pear lack

'Lish lack er snake, fur his'n

des charm

sot

know

fling

he

cat

fa'r rin cole an' he hair

he

an'

dat des shoot

eyes

plum

fight

swingin' fork, an' tie

dar, an' sot an' wait.

hit

noose

no

de

hung

cat down

'case

he

don'

hang

er

black

know

de

nuffin

gwine

"

Marse

pester hit no mo'.

mek
er
mighty much

brags

dark, gwine
born.

dis here

on

in de
des
es

kin

know

him

de bad

But

putty fas'

de bes'

hit hain't

daylight,an'

er

keepin' things
gwine ter spile

dey onkiver hit,hit '11be

when

fin' hit

when

Mammy

in de

in de

wrong

cloudy day, sho's yo'

er
er

one

'mittin'

he

nigger do

er

de

safe an' soun'

you

"

yeth

'Lish, an'

cain't hide nuffin

we

ter be onkivered

keepin',an'

es

fur

good;

sin is

Er

hain't

him, but it don' 'pear ter

on

gwineter be

hit hain't

an' dar

now,

he

know

de door, he

he lock

es

safe

de truf,an' what

fum

ter

bayou,

ter

'Lish much

do

niggers

cat, an'
done

Ole Miss

Ole

de

want

in de

de rope

an' hide

cream

Cat

Black

The

day

arter

de

Jedgment

ter-day; an' dat nigger he

sin

er

'gin de 'ligioner

he

he kill dat cat.

dat he hunted

luck
arter

dat

fur de

fur kim

day lackin'

on

one

ridin'
hang de cat,er muel he were
de fiel' er ole,slow, jog-trottin',
sleepy muel
arter he
"

gitde
"

debil in her an' frow him

Den

he

taken

thote 'fore he
hard

time.

wid

de browncreeturs

git fru dat, an' hab

Ole Miss

de debil hain't

an' break

think

he

gwinter let

him

187

er

he

ter
"

leg.

in he

powerful

gwinter die,but
die, he gwinter

The
him

Black

Cat

painful yit. Den he taken wid

de arysipulous in de lame
call hit
leg,an' some
call hit des arysipulous ; but,
scrof ulow an' some
anyhow, he seed sights wid hit,dough Ole Miss
doctors on him so hard dat he git shet uv hit.
mek

"

mo'

de

Den

wife she leabe him, 'case when

new

he able ter set up she pick hit outen him dat he

kill de black cat des ter pleasure Ole Miss, an'
Keziah

don' want
an'

luck,

year

de bad
de

Lord

luck, 'case hit de tenwhar

on'y know

hit

taken wid
gwinter stop. An' las'ly'Lish were
de miz'ry in de chist.
Well, dat las' pester Ole

mightily, an' she do what

Miss

de ailments.
ter 'Lish

an'

she

time
lub

plarstersfur
doin' any
good

good luck
er

chist all de

lub

she

'Lish, an' de

lack Ole Miss

cain't

'gin de debil.
Well, twixt all de things dat 'Lish is got an'

ain' got, he w'ar

an' hit

he

nough

body
lers

buy her,

fur dat Keziah

"

better 'n she

good 'oman

back

ter go

her an' ter

'Lish's

mek

'dout

work

an'

try ter gitdat gal

she try ter 'suade

"

plarstersuv
"

She

she kin fur bofe

uv

we

so

po'ly dat he git rale ashy,

'pearlack de skin des sticks

set

ter de

by hisse'f,'case he hain't

ter work

none

now,

an'

cain't see, all de time.

him, an' set down

1

88

by him

stout

talk ter
He

bones,
er-

some

'low hit foi

when

he goes

The

fixin' sumpen

he

say

what,

Unc'

'case

but

Caesar

were

an' do sumpen
"

an'

hit

de

on

inside,

ter 'Lish.

night he taken

Dat

know

hoodoo

er

shot de door to an' button

an'

am'

we

he go inter 'Lish cabin,

But

wid charms.

work

Cat

chimbly dat ebenin', an' all de nig

Caesar's
gers

Black

'Lish an' set him

in

er

cheer outside de cabin, an' 'Lish fetch his kivers

outside, 'case he ain' know

what

Unc'

Caesar

gwine do.
"

Caesar

Unc'

live chunk

er

cabin, an'
wid

his

long

an'

arms

de fire clomb

es

rag

dat 'Lish got

swing he long

an'

flinghit

lookin'
gers
"

kim

baby,

him

blaze

'gin

an'

flings'em

smoke
er

on,

ever'

on,

an' dar
in de

runnin'

Caesar

were

naked

let
190

es

dat
fin'

quare-

all de

nig

witness.
as

er

an' foarn an' foam

won'

er

power

Quarters, an'
-an' b'ar

es

er

an'

den, des

highes',he taken de rope

down
ter de bayou ter
creep

on,

die

ter

em
flings'

ober he head

arms

fall down

but Unc'

low, mum-

high ergin he snatch

on

'Lish, des

Den

passes

lick de

'Lish

he mek

de

mek

sumpen

'Lish's kivers an'

an'

de flames

sot fire ter de

an'

high he

say

when

Den

he taken

down

blaze up

she

word, but he taken

er

de hearth

fum

es

blin' lack.

ain' say

nobody

new-borned
at de

mouf,

tech him.

The

"

brefs
de

ter

Unc'

die

his

long

!'

Look

wid

"

middle

de

smould'rin',
des

De

know
'

glory

!' an'

good,

'case

offen

him

free."

de

sot

ter

dat
he

now,

dey
do,

berry
ter

was

but

an'

dat
de

right

dat

one

say

in

dar

de

still

des

ole

same

black

er-

cat,

bust.

an'

skeered,
dey

nigger
know

ashes

hot

an'

finger,
!

cabin

p'int

he

Caesar

goodness

fitten

niggers
what

er

ercusin'
'Lish's

sick

shakin'

bless

er-grinnin'
"

Unc'

long,

pile

po'

ashes,

er

whispering

up

an'

'way,

pile

little

er

ter

when

er

an',

er

but

dey
bimeby

an'

cl'ar

smoke

burnin'

fur

kivers

ami

'

falls

niggers

Csesar

an'

lef

hol'm'

er

happin,

de

an'

nuffin

de

des

wait,

gwine

what

hit

wa'n't

an'

an'

stan7

see

blaze

dar

'

all

Dey

Cat

Black

fotch

'Lish
de
soul

he

cuss

an'

shout

one

fall

er

dey

ter

de
de

ain'
fur

prayin'

debil

body

was

was

'LIZA

'LIZA

'

AR

wa'n't

'n

'Liza's

"

time

her

Mus'

be

'specs

I knows
wanter

long

fur

am,

'Liza

cain't

dey

the

she

dat

way

ole

mighty

git

ebber
dat

die,"
soft

only

added

if she's

Unc'

'Jah
be

'way

say

fur

am,

er

min

gib

ner

an'

dat
own

dey

es

oncet

po'ly.

libin', which

her

by

'Liza

under

but

mizerbul

plum

Mammy,
grew

git

nobody,

ter

die, much

wharebber

roll

were

now,

ter

'Liza

seed

hit

look

wool

Bithie, slave

been

speak

des

but

nuffin,

out

didn'

she

an'

of

caution.

er

den

'n

dat

way

Mam

cards.

her
pusson

nebber
an'

nuther,

ute,

de
were

hain't

'Liza

sence,

but

said

basket

the

up

'tickler

time

one

drew

took

no

free;

ner

"

wa'n't

Dar

wid

and

reach

within

nowhar

pusson

Bithie,"

Maw,

she

as

my,

tickler

no

bein'

sinnin',
an'

wanter,
dat

she

shore

mysteriously,
her

de

manipulation.

as

'Liza
There

was

bent

who

ers

chorus

the roll and

before

she

questions from the quiltthe frame, but Mammy

freed

over

laid fresh' wool

dis

"

better 'n hit uster was,

gwine
his

let hit

chorus

"

well

Mammy

"

hain't

no

spec' de Lord

he des

gwine min'

"

'Liza, Mammy

!"

in

came

quilt.
arter

while/' said

Mammy.

git ter bed, fur de tale

'Liza do, hain't

fatten fur de years

powerful knowin'

es

er

dey is," and

sighed again, then worked

in

silence,

in

deepest contemplation.
the quilterstold their own
tales, merry
bright at first,but as the evening wore
ghostly and more
they were
mysterious,

wrapped

away

but I don'

wusser

de chillen

twel

chillen, es

and

the

from

what

So

about

us

Well

Wait

er

git no

ole worl'

t'ingsin natur' does !"

Tell

"

her cards

business, an' let hit clean hitself lack

own

mos'
"

between

spoke again.

A-a-h, lawsy 1

"

of

until the last

being rolled

"

row

of shells in the frame

then the

quiltwas

taken

were

out, and

the table.
set upon
gingerbread was
Fresh wood
was
piledupon the smouldering
back log,as the quiltersdrew up to the firewith
laden hands, and Mammy,
waking from her
cider and

reverie,laid aside her cards and

196

smoothed

her

'Liza

chile/'he said, pointing with his long

shining through the
moon
finger at the new
"Dis

"

clearing,
erful ebil

but

feared

her

"

uv

Bithie
seventh

I'se feared

"

pow

seamstress, and

Miss's

daughter

!"

made

was

"Big House," but Bithie

Caspar's

Unc'

er

I seed dis fru de trees, an' I'se

Ole

was

powerful good

fur

born

am

curse

much

her

upon

of at

troubled

was

the

about

child, and

thinking about it

night she lay awake

the

at

though

"

'Liza throve and

grew

strong, in spiteof Bithie's

misgivings and

Unc'

Caspar's

likelya littlepickaninny

as

owned, and
had

sobbed

out

"

Bithie,

moaned

was

Ole Marse

ever

she

woe.

temper, Ole Miss,"

git de upper han'

ebber I kin, twel I'se

I cain't

an'

her hard's

her, whup

uv

her tale of

got the beatenest

she

"But

and

told Bithie, when

Ole Miss

as

as

curse,

Nebber
seed sech er muel uv
out.
plum wore
er
nigger, an', little es she am, she see t'ings
dat I hain't see, in de light an' in de dark, an'
she hollers out an' talk ter 'em, an' hit mek
blood
"

fa'r rin cole"

Hush

Bithie

that's

!" said

all

Ole Miss;

temper, it will all

But

hit do, Ole Miss

it did not

come
come

stuff

and

"but

never

my

!"
nonsense,

mind

the

right by-and-by."
right,according
198

to Bi-

'Liza
thie's standard
year

when

old Bithie could

stand

consulted

about

the

at the mouth.

that it

her

on

she

knees

of Unc'
fitand

Cas

frothed

Ole Miss, said

even

one,

and

Bithie knew
to

swore

bet

barter

to

everything of value that she possessed

Maumer
if Maumer
Then

would

but work
brewed

Maumer
to rub

compound
necklace

the

curse.

mysterious, greasy

made

and

small

of the

twigs of the prickly

tooth with it,
alligator's

it around

wound

upon

'Liza's gums,

on

ash, and, stringing an

she

had

longer,so she

away

'Liza's teeth; but

was

ter, and

taking

Every

about

was

dealt in charms

for 'Liza had

par's curse,

it no

who

old Maumer,

cungers,

'Liza

and

the

child's neck

three

times.
had

'Liza
charm
and

no

her temper showed

knowledged,
er

an' he

"

the

in

'gin Unc'

fur he's too

wuk, an' de charm

wid

nudder.

I wuks,

Unc'

despair.
Caspar/' she

case

strong.

powerful hoodoo, but

lock ho'ns
one

up

cain't wuk

"I

signs of mending,

no

though she kept all of Bithie's

Maumer,

treasures, gave

par

fits,but in spiteof the

more

his'n an'

stan' dar

Caspar's charm

Cas

is,too, an' I wuk

ole Maumer

I cain't tek hit

199

Unc'

ac

off,but

wuk

des

grinnin' at
es

long

es

cain't kill her

'Liza
better let dat chile

but you
you

kin

git Unc' Caspar

Bithie

So

lieve Ole

stifled her

Miss, and

spent in making

daughter,
given her.
half

ter call back

The

all of her

six

The

"

dirty,as

"Big House"

cabin,for

far

honored
to p ay

before,and
with

'Liza's

the

was

con

must

curse

for 'Liza to

sent

was

an

'Liza

Ole Miss's

round, black

polish that hot

had

ragged,

go

she

as

event

of Bithie's children

none

she

be

lady."

day that Ole Miss

to the

time

spare

might

cerned, but the child under

like

tried to be

things that Ole Miss

other

clothed,and

dressed

and

sorrow

de cuss."

dainty clothes for her seventh

of the

out

'lone,Bithie,lessen

was

now

come

in Bithie's
had

been

old

so

enough

little ones.
face shone

with

all the

and

soft-soapcould give ;
her blue-checked
pinaforewas
spotlesslyneat,
and the tight wraps" of woolly hair that lat
ticed the littleround head actually bore a scar
let ribbon where
they joined.
'Ma'am'
an'
"Min', 'Liza, dat you
says
water

"

'

Yas, Sar

'

ter dem

chillen,if dey is littler 'n

you,

'case

said

Bithie,bridlingwith importance.

dey's you' littlemarster

But

Bithie's

proved

to be

pride was
a

marplot
200

mistiss,"

and

for 'Liza
short-lived,
among

the

children,

'Liza
half

and, after less than

whisked

was

second
druther

tame

With

the

'clared ter

gracious,dat I'd

rattler 'n tame

Bithie's 'Liza !"

"

who

nurse,

er

Quarters by Betty, the

to the

away

pickaninnies it was

with those of her

own

color,there

wail when

'Liza

was

about, and

her

ears

boxed

the nursery,

nothing leftfor 'Liza but

mischief

afresh, and

whip of

overseer

were

toads

and

when

the cotton

would

lizards

there

to

her, for

her

leap from

sack

weighed, and

kept the Quarters always on

of her uglier pranks.
It was

the alert for

the lash of the

her back

overseer

upon

was

the threat and

nothing

to be

came

from

to the field. There

to go

as

last old

at

she was,

she brewed
the

always

was

her away

sent

littleas

as

so,

and

bold

the same;

er

Maumer

service,she

of

hour

an

said

even

she
some

that

produced

welt, but that she laughed in his face while

no

he sweated, for she

As

the

than

time

under

was

passed,

'Liza would

have

charm.

comelier

been

hard

girl

negro

to

find,and

Bithie, proud, though mourning, lavished

littleall upon

her

but

her

friend,saving perhaps Unc'

son's.

her

To

them

sorrows,

duckling

she

and
had

she

alone

Bithie

was

nobody's

Caspar's and
told her

looked

hovered.
201

child

her

his

joys and

aghast

at the

'Liza
"Hit

wouldn'

hadn'
an'

taken

er

Unc'

"

an'

"

lock horns

even

nebber

sot

Bithie,with
de lub

er

'Liza 'd
"

Hit

"

sigh.

Gord

"

she

cuss

"

ax

my

ole

probe hit," said

ter

Maumer,

sumpen,

fur I des

des dem

were

words

fur

lief dat

es

dat Bithie
closer to

moving

oughter bit her tongue

hit

out

oughter
the fire;

'fore she

about

up,

an'

'gin debil,an' debil 'gin

hoodoo

were

let

er-gwine,an' flung

cuss

debil,an' de debil tuk hit

hoodoo, an' 'Liza

was

if she

mairey wid de debil \"

de bid ter de

It

an'

cuss,

Do

sot de

to

an' 'nies de truf,

up

boy,

dat loose, fur she sot de

now

Caspar's,
what

do sumpen,

et," said Mammy,

"

er

long ceased
"

Unc'

right ter dem

fur 'Liza fur his

man

had

Caspar des stan'

he

say

with

confided

bad/' she

so

charm

whose

to Maumer,
"

erbeen

de bone

were

the

!"

according

season,

to

the

loose upon
the
thoughtful, that the devil was
with
earth for his yearly recreation,and, what
love affairs
charms"
the

one

of white

in the

and

Quarters, he had

plantation to have

working for six months

to hasten

black, and

matters, for there

enough

kept him
but
were

he

"misery

was

other

on

leisurely
resolved

pleasures

awaiting him.
All this timeline'

Caspar
202

was

asking for 'Liza

'Liza
his

for

times

boy

pleading

Unc'

Caspar had

than

once

"

the devil

when

; so

the hoodoo
told also

affair,and
believed

Bithie

and

came
"

of his skin

out

gotten

obligehim,

to

tion of the
which

threatening,some

sometimes

that

made

men

of the

had

he

more

set

curse

upon

'Liza.

had
for

the devil look about, and

made

This

'Liza and

seen

he

comment,

cautiously,"We'll

the dark

at

flare of the torches

looked

on

and

as

face distorted with

of the

'Liza led the

to

"We'll
That

his

in the

Unc'
a

Caspar

cabin, and

dance, with her

passion and

the

sway

ground, Unc'

again pressed the devil for

again the devil cleared

of the

and

moon,

the devil and

ing her body almost

and

the dance

came

ecstatic

said,

it."

disguised,in the doorwa}^ of

stood

par

his throat and

about

see

he

pressed him

Caspar

cleared

that time,

Just about
hoodoos

Unc'

when

his

comment

Cas
;

throat, and

but

said,

see."

night Unc'

in it he

saw

boy Amaziah

and

the devil and

was

bottomless

dream, the devil's

Caspar dreamed
the world
stood
'Liza

with
on

splitin half, and

him

203

were

on

one

the other.

pit between,
eyes

dream,

and

side
There

lo ! in the

fixed upon

him,

'Liza
and

the flame
Then

ets.

burned

Unc'

into Unc'
minded

Caspar

graveyard sand

that

he

so

that he

of the

pocket,

it into the devil's

and

blinded

was

him
in his

wore

and, catching it up, he threw

eyes,

Caspar's sock

writhed

with

pain.
Then

Unc'

'Liza,and

on

gaze

Caspar, in his dream, fixed his

swinging

her

drew

her with

around

arms

times, she stooped and

his eye ; and,

her

reaching

head

three
the

across

pit,

plucked three white hairs from Unc' Caspar's

beard ; then, catching the long end of the beard
both hands, she swung

with

side and

laid her hand

looked, then

in the form

away

of

in his

beard
And

thin

Miss

over

gave

after the
of the
sat

and

on

thinking about
her

tonic

nails.
"

204

of

white

suit, and

own

'Liza

but Bithie

of Unc'

Cas

promise, and

grew

account

afraid not to

his

at 'Liza.

pressed his

promise

and

rolled

and

marry

dream, Unc'

wedding of 'Liza

looked

to let him

afraid to

par's curse
so

palm

Amaziah

urged Bithie
was

but

loped

yellow dog.

more

no

Amaziah

arm.

times, and

three

Well, said Mammy,

Caspar talked
and
Amaziah,

his

upon

howled

to the other

across

it at

night

that

vinegar and

Ole

rusty

'Liza
round

and

round

the beads
For

look

the hoodoo

stood

the mystery

to

of

behind

that

beads

and

and

ders

But

asked

and

In the
and

"Which
tek

"

"

under

Caspar

de ole

un

er

'Liza's shoul
on

her

wrists.

the

to

all dis

damp

fish-net,

give her time.

alternatelylaughed

ter do?

Which

de young

de

were

gwine

ter

she cried.

un?"
"

Dat," said Mammy,

sperritser

good an' ebil stribin' in her, but she

nebber

eben

needn'

call de

name

'spec'no he'p."
The
glitterof
in 'Liza's

her hands.

wrung

gwine

there

mairey Caspar."

long night she

wept and

faded, and

"

if yo' des

Unc'

the

away,

Caspar free

ole

"

'Liza shivered

river,the

the voice of the hoodoo

came

rich

yourn

of the

river reeds

of

for

the great white

fish-net around

wisps

Caspar

gwine be

girl,waving

like stars

Through the dark

"Ole

breaking the

gold dropped

shone

only a broken

was

the

disappear, and

pearl

wound

paused, that 'Liza

slipped into the bed

cloth

Caspar

well; then, without

silence,he
house

Unc'

like stars.

shone

moment

might

that

her neck

er

de

Lord,

the gorgeous

so

she

thing

was

mind, but through it all would

still
rise

theugly,wrinkled face of Unc'Caspar; but Unc'

206

'Liza

Caspar

rich

was

"

Caspar had houses

Unc'

would

out of the dark

gold. Then
of the

young

strong

arms

and

leap the form

stretching his great,

her, even
though the veil

Amaziah,
towards
beard

of the white

floated between

them.

her
by daybreak 'Liza had made
up
a
mind, and Bithie, pale and ashen, bound
But

to her

plantainleaf
a

death song

her cabin.

rom

day Ole Miss waited for Bithie,but Bithie

All

In vain

forgottenthe world.

had

chanted

and

forehead

own

anointed

her with

frenzy, still the death

cabin,and

to break

salves

old Maumer

wailed

chant

spellof

the

from

not be comforted.

Bithie would

plantation thrilled with the news

'Liza's coming marriage to the hoodoo,
old enough to be her grandfather.
was
The

the old

gossips wagged it,and

in their

vented

play, and

shuffle

"Lawsy

mussy,

Maired

And
ened

the

pipes. Even

it into their

Unc'

de

ole

sang,

what
man

smoked

men

of
who
The
it

pickaninnies drew
with a newly in

'Liza
instid

Caspar, leaning

'Liza for the

the

on

hab
uv

done,
he

son."

his stick,hast

wedding, and for bridal trick207

'Liza

ery

bored

the

and

strung them
'Liza

to make

his beard; and

on

to be hers

night,

every

in her mind, he would

surer

the mist to rise and

were

of the river mussel

pearly shells

show
her

on

her the treasures

that

wedding-day.
spellthat Unc' Caspar

the

By-and-by, under

make

wrought, Bithie ceased from the death song,

and, rising from her bed, she stole from Ole
Miss's

armoire

into

wonderful

Caspar bored
all

night

down

in the

no

one

Caspar

new

born, and
Again

he

bayou and
came

do his

the

Caspar

up

busy too, for

was

would

cut down

said

him

Mammy,
on

stirred it with

bidding.

He

the

whistled
208

was

water

sitck,and

eels,and

was

and

everj^-

and

was

earth

by the sluggish

moccasins,

him

waken

between

come

wedding,

with his charms

the devil's time

sat

He

until after the

dance

moon,

lay in

him.

help

to

came

trance

thing that might

The

sat

wedding-

swamp-willows Amaziah

the hoodoo

Unc'

so

of 'Liza's

the hem

days Unc'

lie in the

when

Bithie

again, and

shells

Unc'

them.

trance, and
to

'Liza, and

for

gown

to border

dress with
These

bolt of sheeny satin to make

'Liza.

nearly
short.
the

of
out

of it

the toads

low, and

from

to

the

'Liza
and the
bat, the owl, the jaybird,

trees the

the call of their master

answered

heart, the devil envied

his

of

In the form

of

hollow

she worked, and

hastened

they

set the

under

Ole

and
at

Bithie's

wedding-night, and

the

spellof the devil in Unc'

four hogs and three sheep
made

Marse, and

great barbecue

wedding-supper.
the

'Liza wept that

for in

Then

Caspar.

for the

near,

face

looking

was

as

wedding

wrinkled

the

at

Caspar's skin, stole

But

her for the

beard, believed that she

old man,

from

into the hoo

he stood beside 'Liza

came

'Liza,looking

white

Caspar's

body in the

back

went

Cas

sleep.

to

morning

When

Unc'

borrowing Unc'

tree and

doo's cabin

So

there,in

Caspar and

slept,he hid the naked

he

as

Unc'

Unc'

bat he flew down

and

par's chimney,

and

and

'Liza.

wanted

skin

crow

her

she

heart

Caspar had

Unc'

were

dried, for 'Liza

loved

drawing
Amaziah.
a

her greater treasures

showed

than

was

Caspar's skin, raised

the devil,in Unc'

heavier mist and

time

done, until her

tears

part covetous

and

was

part hoodoo, said Mammy.

The
o

devil

was

overstayinghis
209

limit

by this

'Liza

time, waiting
night

in the

to

near

Bithie

like

and

came,

far and

for the

rose

was

it

par's skin
The

the tears

something

of the
parson

gleamed
her eyes,

was

wrong.

was

calling

passed through the door

with

the devil in Unc'

Cas

to be married.

gathered people held their breath, and

the parson
devil

up

and

that

'Liza

stood

at last the

they fell from

as

the voice

and

way

was

gown,

sure

'Liza,and

raised

made

as

skin of Unc'
"

in

as

But

gathering from
the marriage.
a
dream, and dressed 'Liza

see

pearls upon

Outside
to

there

long satin

for Bithie

wedding.

his hand

if he

would

Caspar cried
dat ?" asked

What's

and

The

spoke.

answer,

but

the

out.

'Liza,opening her

eyes

wide.
"

but

Nuffin'

er

littlebird

cryin' in de nes',

darlin',"whispered the devil.

my

Again the
made

if to

as

spoke, and

parson

him, but the skin of Unc'

answer

Caspar stretched and

ple heard

"

hold

Nuffin'

cracked, and

all the peo

it.

"What's

taking

again the devil

dat?"

cried

'Liza, trembling and

of the devil's
but

er

arm

in her

trampin'

coon

brake/' whispered the devil.

210

in

fright.
de

cane-

'Liza
"

Who

teks

patient to

do," said

"I
the

skin

and

burst

'Liza

and

hoof

there

said

then

sleet fell in the

all

and

there

feast but

all

dark;

screams

grew

empty.

The

yawned

at

as

she

said,

"

was

fainter

still.

was

Quarters and
and

pelted the

the devil

were

nothing left of the wedding-

chirruped in the

burned

the story

nobody

pitifulpileof ashes.

cricket

log had

was

grinning

was

people like stones, but 'Liza

gone,

devil

came

down.

'Liza's

fainter,and

cracked

the horns

the

as

Caspar's skin, until the

Mammy,

hand.

and

bold,

and

cried

stood

through Unc'

Then,

ready, waiting.

was

Caspar

thrown

barbecue,

the

devil, growing

the

and

"

lights were
raised

the

of Unc'

through,

and

the supper

im

the parson,

smelled

for he

on,

that

knew

and

at

go

?" said

dis 'oman

through and
idle

pause

the cider

quilters,awed

last, for the thread

done, and

put her cards

Good-night."

THE

to

END

jug

was

whispers,
broken

was

gathering
in her

the back

up

her

"

rolls,

basket, Mammy