The Tar Baby and the Tomahawk: Race and Ethnic Images in American Children's Literature, 1880-1939

THE CREETURS GO TO THE BARBECUE

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"Once 'pon Once upon a time," said Uncle Remus to the little boy— "But when was once upon a time?" the child interrupted to ask. The old man smiled. "I speck 'twuz one time er two times, er maybe a time an' a half. You know when Johnny Ashcake 'gun tcr​ bake? Well, 'twuz 'long in dem days. Once 'pon a time," "I expect it was one time or two times, or maybe a time and a half. You know when Johnny Ashcake begun to bake? Well, it was along in them days. Once upon a time," he resumed, "Mr. Man had a gyarden so fine dat all de neighbors come ter see it. Some 'ud look at it over de fence, some 'ud peep thoo de cracks, an' some 'ud come an' look at it by de light er de stars. An' one un um wuz ol' Brer Rabbit; starlight, moonlight, cloudlight, de nightlight wuz de light fer him. When de turn er de mornin' come, he 'uz allers up an' about, an' a-feelin' purty well I thank you, suh! "Mr. Man had a garden so fine that all the neighbors come to see it. Some would look at it over the fence, some would peep through the cracks, and some would come and look at it by the light of the stars. And one of them was old Brer Rabbit: starlight, moonlight, cloudlight, the nightlight was the light for him. When the turn of the morning come, he was always up and about, and feeling pretty well I thank you, sir!

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"Now, den, you done hear what I say. Dar wuz Mr. Man, yander wuz de gyarden, an' here wuz ol' Brer Rabbit." "Now, then, you done hear what I say. There was Mr. Man, yonder was the garden, and here was old Brer Rabbit." Uncle Remus made a map of this part of the story by marking in the sand with his walking-cane. "Well, dis bein' de case, what you speck gwineter happen? Nothin' in de roun' worl' but what been happenin' sence greens an' sparrer-grass wuz planted in de groun'. Dey look fine an' dey tas'e fine, an' long to'rds de shank er de mornin', Brer Rabbit 'ud creep thoo de crack er de fence an' nibble at um. He'd take de greens, but leave his tracks, mo' speshually right atter a rain. Takin' an' leavin'—it's de way er de worl'. "Well, this being the case, what you expect going to happen? Nothing in the round world but what been happening since greens and asparagus was planted in the ground. They look fine and they taste fine, and long towards the shank of the morning, Brer Rabbit would creep through the crack of the fence and nibble at them. He'd take the greens, but leave his tracks, most especially right after a rain. Taking and leaving—it's the way of the world.

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"Well, one mornin', Mr. Man went out in his truck patch, an' he fin' sump'n missin'—a cabbage here, a turnip dar, an' a mess er beans yander, an' he ax how come dis? He look 'roun', he did, an' he seed Brer Rabbit's tracks what he couldn't take wid 'im. Brer Rabbit had lef' his shoes at home, an' come bar'footed. "Well, one morning, Mr. Man went out in his truck patch, and he find something missing—a cabbage here, a turnip there, and a mess of beans yonder, and he ask how come this? He look round, he did, and he saw Brer Rabbit's tracks what he couldn't take with him. Brer Rabbit had left his shoes at home, and come barefooted.

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No Tresspassing

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"So Mr. Man, he call his dogs—'Here, Buck! Here, Brinjer! Here, Blue!' an' he sicc'd um on de track, an' here dey went! "So Mr. Man, he call his dogs—'Here, Buck! Here, Brinjer! Here, Blue!' and he sicced them on the track, and here they went!

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"You'd 'a' thunk dey wuz runnin' atter forty-lev'm rhinossyhosses fum de fuss dey made. Brer Rabbit he hear um comin' an' he put out fer home, kinder doublin' 'roun' des like he do deze days. "You'd have thunk they was running after forty-eleven rhinoceros from the fuss they made. Brer Rabbit he hear them coming and he put out for home, kind of doubling around just like he do these days.

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"When he got ter de p'int whar he kin set down fer ter rest his face an' han's, he tuck a poplar leaf an' 'gun ter fan hisse'f. Den Brer Fox come a-trottin' up. He say, 'Brer Rabbit, what's all dis fuss I hear in de woods? What de name er goodness do it mean?' Brer Rabbit kinder scratch his head an' 'low, 'Why, deyer tryin' fer drive me ter de big bobbycue on de creek. Dey all ax me, an' when I 'fuse dey say deyer gwine ter make me go any how. Dey aint no fun in bein' ez populous ez what I is, Brer Fox. Ef you wanter go, des git in ahead er de houn's an' go lickity-split down de big road!' "When he got to the point where he can set down for to rest his face and hands, he took a poplar leaf and begun to fan hisself. Then Brer Fox come a-trotting up. He say, 'Brer Rabbit, what's all this fuss I hear in the woods? What the name of goodness do it mean?' Brer Rabbit kind of scratch his head and allow, 'Why, they are trying for drive me to the big barbecue on the creek. They all ask me, and when I refuse they say they are going to make me go any how. They ain't no fun in being as popular as what I is, Brer Fox. If you want to go, just get in ahead of the hounds and go lickity-split down the big road!'

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"Brer Fox roll his little eyes, an' lick his chops whar he dribble at de mouf, an put out ter de bobbycue, an' he aint mo' dan made his disappearance, 'fo' here come Brer Wolf, an' when he got de news, off he put. "Brer Fox roll his little eyes, and lick his chops where he dribble at the mouth, and put out for the barbecue, and he ain't more than made his disappearance before here come Brer Wolf, and when he got the news, off he put.

"An' he aint mo'n got out'n sight, 'fo' here come ol' Brer B'ar, an' when he hear talk er de bakin' meat an' de big pan er gravy, he sot up on his behime legs an' snored. Den off he put, an' he aint got out'n hearin', 'fo' Brer Coon come rackin' up, an' when he got de news, he put out. "And he ain't more than got out of sight, before here come old Brer Bear and when he hear talk of the baking meat and the big pan of gravy, he sat up on his behind legs and snored. Then off he put, and he ain't go out of hearing, before Brer Coon come racking up, and when he got the news, he put out.

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"So dar dey wuz an' what you gwine do 'bout it? It seem like dey all got in front er de dogs, er de dogs got behime um, an' Brer Rabbit sot by de creek-side laughin' an' hittin' at de snake doctors. An' dem po' creeturs had ter go clean past de bobbycue—ef dey wuz any bobbycue, which I don't skacely speck dey wuz. Dat what make me say what I does—when you git a invite ter a bobbycue, you better fin' out when an' whar it's at, an' who runnin' it." "So there they was and what you going to do about it? It seem like they all got in front of the dogs, or the dogs got behind them, and Brer Rabbit sat by the creek-side laughing and hitting at the snake doctors. And them poor creatures had to go clean past the barbecue—if they was any barbecue, which I don't scarcely expect they was. That what make me say what I does—when you get a invite to a barbecue, you better find out when and where it's at, and who running it."

BRER RABBIT'S FROLIC

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The little boy, when he next saw Uncle Remus, after hearing how the animals went to the barbecue, wanted to know what happened to them: he was anxious to learn if any of them were hurt by the dogs that had been chasing Brother Rabbit. The old darkey closed his eyes and chuckled. "You sho is axin' sump'n now, honey. Und' his hat, ef he had any, Brer Rabbit had a mighty quick thinkin' apple-ratus, an' mos' inginner'lly, all de time, de pranks he played on de yuther creeturs pestered um bofe ways—a-comin' an a-gwine. De dogs done mighty well, 'long ez dey had dealin's wid de small fry, like Brer Fox, an' Brer Coon, an' Brer Wolf, but when dey run ag'in ol' Brer B'ar, dey sho struck a snag. De mos' servigrous wuz de identual one dat got de wust hurted. He got too close ter Brer B'ar, an' when he look at hisse'f in runnin' water, he tuck notice dat he wuz split wide open fum flank ter dewlap. "You sure is asking something now, honey. Under his hat, if he had any, Brer Rabbit had a mighty quick thinking apparatus, and most in generally, all the time, the pranks he played on the other creatures pestered them both ways—a-coming and a-going. The dogs done mighty well, long as they had dealings with the small fry, like Brer Fox, and Brer Coon, and Brer Wolf, but when they run against old Brer Bear, they sure struck a snag. The most savagerous was the identical one that got the worst hurted. He got too close to Brer Bear, and when he look at hisself in running water, he took notice that he was split wide open from flank to dewlap.

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"Atter de rucus wuz over, de creeturs hobbled off home de best dey could, an' laid 'roun' in sun an' shade fer ter let der cuts an' gashes git good an' well. When dey got so dey could segashuate, an' pay der party calls, dey 'gree fer ter insemble some'rs, an' hit on some plan fer ter outdo Brer Rabbit. Well, dey had der insembly, an' dey jower'd an' jower'd des like yo' pa do when he aint feelin' right well; but, bimeby, dey 'greed 'pon a plan dat look like it mought work. Dey 'gree fer ter make out dat dey gwine ter have a dance. Dey know'd dat ol' Brer Rabbit wuz allers keen fer dat, an' dey say dey'll gi' him a invite, an' when he got dar, dey'd ax 'im fer ter play de fiddle, an' ef he 'fuse, dey'll close in on 'im an' make way wid 'im. "After the ruckus was over, the creatures hobbled off home the best they could, and laid round in sun and shade for to let their cuts and gashes get good and well. When they got so they could sagaciate, and pay their party calls, they agree for to assemble somewhere, and hit on some plan for to outdo Brer Rabbit. Well, they had their assembly, and they jowered and jowered just like your pa do when he ain't feeling right well; but, by and by, they agreed upon a plan that look like it might work. They agree for to make out that they going to have a dance. They knowed that old Brer Rabbit was always keen for that, and they say they'll give him a invite, and when he got there, they'd ask him for to play the fiddle, and if he refuse, they'll close in on him and make way with him.

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"So fur, so good! But all de time dey wuz jowerin' an' confabbin', ol' Brer Rabbit wus settin' in a shady place in de grass, a-hearin' eve'y word dey say. When de time come, he crope out, he did, an' run 'roun', an' de fust news dey know'd, here he come down de big road—bookity-bookity—same ez a hoss dat's broke thoo de pastur' fence. He say, sezee, 'Why, hello, frien's! an' howdy, too, kaze I aint seed you-all sence de last time! Whar de name er goodness is you been deze odd-come-shorts? an' how did you far' at de bobbycue? Ef my two eyeballs aint gone an' got crooked, dar's ol' Brer B'ar, him er de short tail an' sharp tush—de ve'y one I'm a-huntin' fer! An' dar's Brer Coon! I sho is in big luck. Dar's gwineter be a big frolic at Miss Meadows', an' her an' de gals want Brer B'ar fer ter show um de roas'n'-y'ar shuffle; an' dey put Brer Coon down fer de jig dey calls rack-back-Davy. "So far, so good! But all the time they was jowering and confabbing, old Brer Rabbit was sitting in a shady place in the grass, a-hearing every word they say. When the time come, he crept out, he did, and run around, and the first news they knowed, here he come down the big road—bookity-bookity—same as a horse that's broke through the pasture fence. He say, says he, 'Why, hello, friends! and howdy, too, 'cause I ain't seen you-all since the last time! Where the name of goodness is you been these odd-come-shorts? and how did you fair at the barbecue? If my two eyeballs ain't gone and got crooked, there's old Brer Bear, him of the short tail and sharp tush—the very one I'm a-hunting for! And there's Brer Coon! I sure is in big luck. There's going to be a big frolic at Miss Meadows', and her and the gals want Brer Bear for to show them the roasting-ear shuffle; and they put Brer Coon down for the jig they calls rack-back-Davy.

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"I'm ter play de fiddle—sump'n I aint done sence my oldest gal had de mumps an' de measles, bofe de same day an' hour! Well, dis mornin' I tuck down de fiddle fum whar she wuz a-hangin' at, an' draw'd de bow backerds and forerds a time er two, an' den I shot my eyes an' hit some er de ol'-time chunes, an' when I come ter myse'f, dar wuz my whole blessed fambly skippin' an' sasshayin' 'roun' de room, spite er de fack dat brekkus wuz ter be cooked!' "I'm to play the fiddle—something I ain't done since my oldest gal had the mumps and the measles, both the same day and hour! Well, this morning I took down the fiddle from where she was a-hanging at, and drawed the bow backwards and forwards a time or two, and then I shot my eyes and hit some of the old-time tunes, and when I come to myself, there was my whole blessed family skipping and sashaying around the room, despite of the fact that breakfast was to be cooked!'

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"Wid dat, Brer Rabbit bow'd, he did, an' went back down de road like de dogs wuz atter 'im." "With that, Brer Rabbit bowed, he did, and went back down the road like the dogs was after him."

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"But what happened then?" the little boy asked. "Nothin' 't all," "Nothing at all," replied Uncle Remus, taking up the chuckle where he had left off. "De creetures aint had no dance, an' when dey went ter Miss Meadows', she put her head out de winder, an' say ef dey don't go off fum dar she'll have de law on um!" "The creatures ain't had no dance, and when they went to Miss Meadows', she put her head out the window, and say if they don't go off from there she'll have the law on them!"

BROTHER BEAR'S BIG HOUSE

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Uv all de creeturs," "Of all the creatures," said Uncle Remus, in response to a questioning look on the part of the little boy, "ol' Brer B'ar had de biggest an' de warmest house. I dunner why ner wharfo', but I'm a-tellin' you de plain fack, des ez dey tol' it unter me. Ef I kin he'p it I never will be deceivin' you, ner lead you inter no bad habits. Yo' pappy trotted wid me a mighty long time, an' ef you'll ax him he'll tell you dat de one thing I never did do wuz ter deceive him whiles he had his eyes open; not ef I knows myse'f. Well, ol' Brer B'ar had de big house I'm a-tellin' you about. Ef he y'ever is brag un it, it aint never come down ter me. Yit dat's des what he had—a big house an' plenty er room fer him an' his fambly; an' he aint had mo' dan he need, kaze all er his fambly wuz fat an' had what folks calls heft—de nachal plunkness. "old Brer Bear had the biggest and the warmest house. I don't know why nor wherefore, but I'm a-telling you the plain fact, just as they told it unto me. If I can help it I never will be deceiving you, nor lead you into no bad habits. Your pappy trotted with me a mighty long time, and if you'll ask him he'll tell you that the one thing I never did do was to deceive him while he had his eyes open; not if I knows myself. Well, old Brer Bear had the big house I'm a-telling you about. If he ever is brag on it, it ain't never come down to me. Yet that's just what he had—a big house and plenty of room for him and his family; and he ain't had more than he need, 'cause all of his family was fat and had what folks calls heft—the natural plumpness.

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He had a son name Simmon, an' a gal name Sue, not countin' his ol' 'oman, an' dey all live wid one an'er day atter day, an' night atter night; an' when one un um went abroad, dey'd be spected home 'bout meal-time, ef not befo', an' dey segashuated right along fum day ter day, washin' der face an' han's in de same wash-pan in de back po'ch, an' wipin' on de same towel same ez all happy famblies allers does. He had a son name Simmon, and a gal name Sue, not counting his old woman, and they all live with one another day after day, and night after night; and when one of them went abroad, they'd be expected home about meal-time, if not before, and they segaciated right along from day to day, washing their face and hands in the same wash-pan in the back porch, and wiping on the same towel same as all happy families always does.

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"Well, time went on an' fotched de changes dat might be spected, an' one day dar come a mighty knockin' on Brer B'ar's do'. Brer B'ar, he holla out, he did, 'Who dat come a-knockin' dis time er de year, 'fo' de corn's done planted, er de cotton-crap's pitched?' De one at de do' make a big noise, an' rattle de hinges. Brer B'ar holla out, he did, 'Don't t'ar down my house! Who is you, anyhow, an' what you want?' An' de answer come, 'I'm one an' darfo' not two; ef youer mo' dan one, who is you an' what you doin' in dar?' Brer B'ar, he say, sezee, 'I'm all er one an' mighty nigh two, but I'd thank you fer ter tell me yo' full fambly name.' Den de answer come. "Well, time went on and fetched the changes that might be expected, and one day there come a mighty knocking on Brer Bear's door. Brer Bear, he holler out, he did, 'Who that come a-knocking this time of the year, before the corn's done planted, or the cotton-crop's pitched?' The one at the door make a big noise, and rattle the hinges. Brer Bear holler out, he did, 'Don't tear down my house! Who is you, anyhow, and what you want?' And the answer come, 'I'm one and therefore not two; if you're more than one, who is you and what you doing in there?' Brer Bear, he say, says he, 'I'm all of one and mighty nigh two, but I'd thank you for to tell me your full family name.' Then the answer come.

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" 'I'm de knocker an' de mover bofe, an' ef I can't clim' over I'll crawl under ef you do but gi' me de word. Some calls me Brer Polecat, an' some a big word dat it aint wuff while ter ermember, but I wanter move in. It's mighty col' out here, an' all I meets tells me it's mighty warm in dar whar you is.' Den ol' Brer B'ar say, sezee, 'It's warm nuff fer dem what stays in here, but not nigh so warm fer dem on de outside. What does you reely want?' Brer Polecat 'spon', he did, 'I wants a heap er things dat I don't git. I'm a mighty good housekeeper, but I takes notice dat dar's mighty few folks dat wants me ter keep house fer um.' Brer B'ar say, sezee, 'I aint got no room fer no housekeeper; we aint skacely got room fer ter go ter bed. Ef you kin keep my house on de outside, you er mighty welcome.' "'I'm the knocker and the mover both, and if I can't climb over I'll crawl under if you do but give me the word. Some calls me Brer Polecat, and some a big word that it ain't worth while to remember, but I want to move in. It's mighty cold out here, and all I meets tells me it's mighty warm in there where you is.' Then old Brer Bear say, says he, 'It's warm enough for them what stays in here, but not nigh so warm for them on the outside. What does you really want?' Brer Polecat respond, he did, 'I wants a heap of things that I don't get. I'm a mighty good housekeeper, but I takes notice that there's mighty few folks that wants me to keep house for them.' Brer Bear say, says he, 'I ain't got no room for no housekeeper; we ain't scarcely got room for to go to bed. If you can keep my house on the outside, you are mighty welcome.'

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"Brer Polecat say, 'You may think you aint got no room, but I bet you got des ez much room ez anybody what I know. Ef you let me in dar one time, I boun' you I'll make all de room I want.'" "Brer Polecat say, 'You may think you ain't go no room, but I bet you got just as much room as anybody what I know. If you let me in there one time, I bound you I'll make all the room I want.'"

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Uncle Remus paused to see what effect this statement would have on the little boy. He closed his eyes, as though he were tired, but when he opened them again, he saw the faint shadow of a smile on the child's face. "'Taint gwine ter hurt you fer ter laugh a little bit, honey. Brer Polecat come in Brer B'ar's house, an' he had sech a bad breff dat dey all hatter git out—an' he stayed an' stayed twel time stopped runnin' ag'in' him." "It ain't going to hurt you for to laugh a little bit, honey. Brer Polecat come in Brer Bear's house, and he had such a bad breath that they all had to get out—and he stayed and stayed til time stopped running against him."

BRER RABBIT TREATS THE CREETURS TO A RACE

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Mr. Rainmaker, Ring 2 Times

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One sultry summer day, while the little boy was playing not far from Uncle Remus's cabin, a heavy black cloud made its appearance in the west, and quickly obscured the sky. It sent a brisk gale before it, as if to clear the path of leaves and dust. Presently there was a blinding flash of lightning, a snap and a crash, and, with that, the child took to his heels, and ran to Uncle Remus, who was standing in his door. "Dar now!" "There now!" he exclaimed, before the echoes of the thunder had rolled way, "Dat dust an' win', an' rain, puts me in mind er de time when ol' Brer Rabbit got up a big race fer ter pleasure de yuther creeturs. It wuz de mos' funniest race you ever hear tell on. Brer Rabbit went 'way off in de woods twel he come ter de Rainmaker's house. He knocked an' went in, an' he ax de Rainmaker ef he can't fix it up so dey kin have a race 'tween Brer Dust an' Cousin Rain, fer ter see which kin run de fastes'. De Rainmaker growled an' jowered, but bimeby he 'gree but he say that ef 'twuz anybody but Brer Rabbit, he wouldn't gi' it but one thunk. "That dust and wind, and rain, puts me in mind of the time when old Brer Rabbit got up a big race for to pleasure the other creatures. It was the most funniest race you ever hear tell on. Brer Rabbit went away off in the woods til he come to the Rainmaker's house. He knocked and went in, and he ask the Rainmaker if he can't fix it up so they can have a race between Brer Dust and Cousin Rain, for to see which can run the fastest. The Rainmaker growled and jowered, but by and by he agree, but he say that if it was anybody but Brer Rabbit, he wouldn't give it but one thunk.

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"Well, dey fix de day, dey did, an' den Brer Rabbit put out ter whar de creeturs wuz stayin' at, an' tol' um de news. Dey dunner how Brer Rabbit know, but dey all wanter see de race. Now, him an' de Rainmaker had fixt it up so dat de race would be right down de middle er de big road, an' when de day come, dar's whar he made de creeturs stan'—Brer B'ar at de bend er de road, Brer Wolf a leetle furder off, an' Brer Fox at a p'int whar de cross-roads wuz. Brer Coon an' Brer Possum an' de yuthers he scattered about up an' down de Road. "Well, they fix the day, they did, and then Brer Rabbit put out to where the creatures was staying at, and told them the news. They don't know how Brer Rabbit know, but they all want to see the race. Now, him and the Rainmaker had fixed it up so that the race would be right down the middle of the big road, and when the day come, there's where he made the creatures stand—Brer Bear at the bend of the road, Brer Wolf a little further off, and Brer Fox at a point where the cross-roads was. Brer Coon and Brer Possum and the others he scattered about up and down the Road.

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'Ter dem what has ter wait, it seem like de sun stops an' all de clocks wid 'im. Brer B'ar done sone growlin'; Brer Wolf some howlin' an' Brer Possum some laughin'; but atter while a cloud come up fum some'rs. 'Twant sech a big cloud, but Brer Rabbit know'd dat Cousin Rain wuz in dar 'long wid Uncle Win'. De cloud crope up, it did, twel it got right over de big road, an' den it kinder drapped down a leetle closer ter de groun'. It look like it kinder stop, like a buggy, fer Cousin Rain ter git out, so der'd be a fa'r start. Well, he got out, kaze de creeturs kin see 'im, an' den Uncle Win', he got out. To them what has to wait, it seem like the sun stops and all the clocks with him. Brer Bear done some growling; Brer Wolf some howling and Brer Possum some laughing; but after while a cloud come up from somewhere. It wasn't such a big cloud, but Brer Rabbit knowed that Cousin Rain was in there along with Uncle Wind. The cloud crept up, it did, til it got right over the big road, and then it kind of dropped down a little closer to the ground. It look like it kind of stop, like a buggy, for Cousin Rain to get out, so there'd be a fair start. Well, he got out, 'cause the creatures can see him, and then Uncle Wind, he got out.

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"An' den, gentermens! de race begun fer ter commence. Uncle Win' hep'd um bofe; he had his bellows wid 'im, an' he blow'd it! Brer Dust got up fum whar he wuz a-layin' at, an' come down de road des a-whirlin'. He stricken ol' Brer B'ar fust, den Brer Wolf, an' den Brer Fox, an' atter dat, all de yuther creeturs, an' it come mighty nigh smifflicatin' um! Not never in all yo' born days is you y'ever heern sech coughin' an' sneezin', sech snortin' an' wheezin'! An' dey all look like dey wuz painted red. Brer B'ar sneeze so hard dat he hatter lay down in de road, an' Brer Dust come mighty nigh buryin' 'im, an' 'twuz de same wid de yuther creeturs—dey got der y'ears, der noses, an' der eyeses full. "And then, gentlemen! the race begun for to commence. Uncle Wind helped them both; he had his bellows with him, and he blowed it! Brer Dust got up from where he was a-laying at, and come down the road just a-whirling. He stricken old Brer Bear first, then Brer Wolf, and then Brer Fox, and after that, all the other creatures, and it come mighty nigh suffocating him! Not never in all your born days is you ever hear such coughing and sneezing, such snorting and wheezing! And they all look like they was painted red. Brer Bear sneeze so hard that he had to lay down in the road, and Brer Dust come mighty nigh burying him, and it was the same with the other creatures—they got their ears, their noses, and their eyes full.

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"An' den Cousin Rain come 'long, a-pursuin' Brer Dust, an' he come mighty nigh drownin' um. He left um kivver'd wid mud, an' dey wuz wuss off dan befo'. It wuz de longest 'fo' dey kin git de mud out 'n der eyes an' y'ears, an' when dey git so dey kin see a leetle bit, dey tuck notice dat Brer Rabbit, stidder bein' full er mud, wuz ez dry ez a chip, ef not drver​ . "And then Cousin Rain come along, a-pursuing Brer Dust, and he come mighty nigh drowning them. He left them covered with mud, and they was worse off than before. It was the longest before they can get the mud out of their eyes and ears, and when they get so they can see a little bit, they took notice that Brer Rabbit, instead of being full of mud, was as dry as a chip, if not dryer.

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"It make um so mad, dat dey all put out atter 'im, an' try der level best fer ter ketch, but ef dey wuz anything in de roun' worl' dat Brer Rabbit's got, it's soople foots, an' 'twant no time 'fo' de yuther creeturs can't see ha'r ner hide un 'im! All de same Brer Rabbit aint bargain fer ter have two races de same day." "It make them so mad, that they all put out after him, and try their level best for to catch, but if they was anything in the round world that Brer Rabbit's got, it's supple foots, and it wasn't no time before the other creatures can't see hair nor hide of him! All the same Brer Rabbit ain't bargain for to have two races the same day."

"But, Uncle Remus," said the little boy, "which beat, Brother Dust or Cousin Rain?" The old man stirred uneasily in his chair, and rubbed his chin with his hand. "Dey tells me," he responded cautiously, "dat when Cousin Rain can't see nothin' er Brother Dust, he thunk he am beat, but he holla out, 'Brer Dust, wharbouts is you?' an' Brer Dust he holla back, 'You'll hatter scuzen me; I fell down in de mud an' can't run no mo'!'" "They tells me," he responded cautiously, "that when Cousin Rain can't see nothing of Brother Dust, he thought he am beat, but he holler out, 'Brer Dust, whereabouts is you?' and Brer Dust he holler back, 'You'll have to excuse me; I fell down in the mud and can't run no more!'"

BRER RABBIT'S FLYING TRIP

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poem

BRER RABBIT AND THE GOLD MINE

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THERE had been silence in the cabin for a long ten minutes, and Uncle Remus, looking up, saw a threat of sleep in the little boy's eyes. Whereupon he plunged headlong into a story without a word of explanation.

"Well, suh, one year it fell out dat de craps wuz burnt up. A dry drouth had done de work, an' ef you'd 'a' struck a match anywhar in dat settlement, de whole county would 'a' blazed up. Ol' man Hongriness des natchally tuck of his cloze an' went paradin' 'bout eve'ywhar, an' de creeturs got bony an' skinny. Ol' Brer B'ar done better dan any un um, kaze all he hatter do wuz go ter sleep an' live off'n his own fat; an' Brer Rabbit an' his ol' 'oman had put some calamus root by, an' saved up some sugar-cane dat dey fin' lyin' 'roun' loose, an' dey got 'long purty well. But de balance er de creeturs wuz dat ga'nt dat dey ain't got over it down ter dis day. "Well, sir, one year it fell out that the crops was burnt up. A dry drought had done the work, and if you'd have struck a match anywhere in that settlement, the whole county would have blazed up. Old man Hungryness just naturally took off his clothes and went parading about everywhere, and the creatures got bony and skinny. Old Brer Bear done better than any of them, 'cause all he had to do was go to sleep and live off his own fat; and Brer Rabbit and his old woman had put some calamus root by, and saved up some sugar-cane that they find lying around loose, and they got along pretty well. But the balance of the creatures was that gaunt that they ain't got over it down to this day.

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Grub MeetinTuesday 4 o'clock

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"De creeturs had der meetin'-place, whar dey could all set 'roun' an' talk de kind er politics dey had, des like folks does at de cross-roads grocery. One day, whiles dey wuz all settin' an' squottin' 'roun', jowerin' an' confabbin', Brer Rabbit, he up 'n' say, sezee, dat ol' Mammy-Bammy-Big-Money tol' his great gran'daddy dat dar wuz a mighty big an' fat gol' mine in deze parts, an' he say dat he wouldn't be 'tall 'stonished ef 'twant some'rs close ter Brer B'ar's house. Brer B'ar, he growled, he did, an' say dat de gol' mine better not let him fin' it, kaze atter he got done wid it, dey won't be no gol' mine dar. "The creatures had their meeting-place, where they could all set around and talk the kind of politics they had, just like folks does at the cross-roads grocery. One day, while they was all setting and squatting around, jowering and confabbing, Brer Rabbit, he up and say, says he, that old Mammy-Bammy-Big-Money told his great granddaddy that there was a mighty big and fat gold mine in these parts, and he say that he wouldn't be at all astonished if it wasn't somewhere close to Brer Bear's house. Brer Bear, he growled, he did, and say that the gold mine better not let him find it, 'cause after he got done with it, they won't be no gold mine there.

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"Some laughed, some grinned, an' some gapped, an', atter jowerin' some mo', dey all put out ter whar der famblies wuz livin' at; but I boun' you dey ain't fergit 'bout dat gol' mine, kaze, fum dat time on, go whar you mought, you'd ketch some er de creeturs diggin' an' grabblin' in de groun', some in de fields, some in de woods, an' some in de big road; an' dey wuz so weak an' hongry dat dey kin skacely grabble fer fallin' down. "Some laughed, some grinned, and some gaped, and after jowering some more, they all put out to where their families was living at; but I bound you they ain't forget about that gold mine, 'cause, from that time on, go where you might, you'd catch some of the creatures digging and grabbling in the ground, some in the fields, some in the woods, and some in the big road; and they was so weak and hungry that they can scarcely grabble for falling down.

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"Well, dis went on fer de longest, but bimeby, one day, dey all 'gree dat sump'n bleeze ter be done, an' dey say dey'll all take one big hunt fer de gol' mine, an' den quit. Dey hunted in gangs, wid de gangs not fur fum one an'er, an' it so happen dat Brer Rabbit wuz in de gang wid Brer Wolf, an' he know'd dat he hatter keep his eyes wide open. All de creeturs hatter dig in diffunt places, an' whiles Brer Rabbit want much uv a grabbler, he had a way er makin' de yuthers b'lieve dat he wuz de best er de lot. So he made a heap er motion like he wuz t'arin' up de yeth. Dey ain't been gwine on dis away long fo' Brer Wolf holler out, "Well, this went on for the longest, but by and by, one day, they all agree that something to be done, and they say they'll all take one big hunt for the gold mine, and then quit. They hunted in gangs with Brer Wolf, and he knowed that he had to keep his eyes wide open. All the creatures had to dig in different places, and while Brer Rabbit wasn't much of a grabbler, he had a way of making the others believe that he was the best of the lot. So he made a heap of motion like he was tearing up the earth. They ain't been going on this away long before Brer Wolf holler out,

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"'Run here, Brer Rabbit! I done foun' it!' Brer B'ar an' Brer Fox wuz bofe diggin' close by, an' Brer Rabbit kinder wunk one eye at de elements; he say, sezee, 'Glad I is fer yo' sake, Brer Wolf; git yo' gol' an' 'joy yo'se'f!' Brer Wolf say, 'Come git some, Brer Rabbit! Come git some!' Ol' Brer Rabbit 'spon', 'I'll take de leavin's, Brer Wolf; you take what you want, an' den when you done got 'nough I'll get de leetle bit I want.' Brer Wolf say, 'I wanter show you sump'n.' Brer Rabbit 'low, 'My eyes ain't big fer nothin'.' Brer Wolf say, 'I got a secret I wanter tell you.' Brer Rabbit 'low, 'My y'ears ain't long fer nothin'. Des stan' dar an' do yo' whisperin', Brer Wolf, an' I'll hear eve'y word you say.' "'Run here, Brer Rabbit! I done found it!' Brer Bear and Brer Fox was both digging close by, and Brer Rabbit kind of winked one eye at the elements; he say, says he, 'Glad I is for your sake, Brer Wolf; get your gold and enjoy yourself!' Brer Wolf say, 'Come get some, Brer Rabbit! Come get some!' Old Brer Rabbit respond, 'I'll take the leavings, Brer Wolf; you take what you want, and then when you done got enough I'll get the little bit I want.' Brer Wolf say, 'I want to show you something.' Brer Rabbit allow, 'My eyes ain't big for nothing.' Brer Wolf say, ''I got a secret I want to tell you.' Brer Rabbit allow, 'My ears ain't long for nothing. Just stand there and do your whispering, Brer Wolf, and I'll hear every word you say.'

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"Brer Wolf ain't say nothin', but make out he's grabblin', an' den, all of a sudden, he made a dash at Brer Rabbit, but when he git whar Brer Rabb t​ wuz at, Brer Rabbit ain't dar no mo'; he done gone. Weak an' hongry ez he is, Brer Wolf know dat he can't ketch Brer Rabbit, an' so he holler out, 'What's yo' hurry, Brer Rabbit? Whar you gwine?' Brer Rabbit holler back, 'I'm gwine home atter a bag fer ter tote de gol' you gwine leave me! So long, Brer Wolf; I wish you mighty well!' an' wid dat he put out fer home." "Brer Wolf ain't say nothing, but make out he's grabbling, and then, all of a sudden, he made a dash at Brer Rabbit, but when he get where Brer Rabbit was at, Brer Rabbit ain't there no more; he done gone. Weak and hungry as he is, Brer Wolf know that he can't catch Brer Rabbit, and so he holler out, 'What's your hurry, Brer Rabbit? Where you going?' Brer Rabbit holler back, 'I'm going home after a bag for to tote the gold you going to leave me! So long, Brer Wolf; I wish you mighty well!' and with that he put out for home."

BRER RABBIT GETS BRER FOX A HOSS

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BRER RABBIT FINDS THE MOON IN THE MILL POND

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HOW MR. LION LOST HIS WOOL

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"Twuz des sech a day ez dis dat Mr. Lion lost his wool," 'Twas just such a day as this that Mr. Lion lost his wool," remarked Uncle Remus to the little boy, "Mr. Man tuck a notion dat de time done come fer him fer ter have a hog-killin', an' he got 'im a big barrel, an' fill it half full er water fum de big springs. Den he piled up 'bout a cord er wood, an' ez he piled, he put rocks 'twix' de logs, an' den he sot de wood afier at bofe een's an' in de middle. 'Twan't long 'fo' dey had de hogs killt, an' eve'ything ready fer ter scrape de ha'r off. Den he tuck de red-hot rocks what he put in de fire, an' flung um in de barrel whar de water wuz, an' 'twan't long, mon, 'fo' dat water wuz ready fer ter bile. Den dey tuck de hogs, one at a time, an' soused um in de water, an' time dey tuck um out, he ha'r wuz ready fer ter drap out by de roots. Den dey'd scrape un wid sticks an' chips, an' dey ain't leave a ha'r on um. "Mr. Man took a notion that the time done come for him for to have a hog killing, and he got him a big barrel, and fill it half full of water from the big springs. Then he piled up about a cord of wood, and as he piled, he put rocks betwixt the logs, and then he set the wood on fire at both ends and in the middle. It wasn't long before they had the hogs killed, and everything ready for to scrape the hair off. Then he took the red-hot rocks what he put in the fire, and flung them in the barrel where the water was, and it wasn't long, man, before that water was ready for to boil. Then they took the hogs, one at a time, and soused them in the water, and time they took them out, the hair was ready for to drop out by the roots. Then they'd scrape one with sticks and chips, and they ain't leave a hair on them.

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"Well, bimeby, dey had all de hogs killt an' cleaned, an' hauled off, an' when eve'ything wuz still ez a settin' hen, ol' Brer Rabbit stuck his head out fum behine a bush whar he been settin' at. He stuck his head out, he did, an' look all 'roun', an' den he went whar de fier wuz an' try fer ter warm hisse'f. He ain't been dar long 'fo' here come Brer Wolf an' Brer Fox, an den he got busy. "Well, by and by, they had all the hogs killed and cleaned, and hauled off, and when everything was still as a setting hen, old Brer Rabbit stuck his head out from behind a bush where he been setting at. He stuck his head out, he did, and look all around, and then he went where the fire was and try for to warm hisself. He ain't been there long before here come Brer Wolf and Brer Fox, and then he got busy.

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"He say, 'Hello, frien's! howdy an' welcome! I 'm des fixin' fer ter take a warm baff like Mr. Man gi' his hogs; wont you j'ine me?' Dey say dey aint in no hurry, but dey holp Brer Rabbit put de hot rocks in de barrel an' dey watch de water bubble, an' bimeby, when eve'ything wuz ready, who should walk up but ol' Mr. Lion? "He say, 'Hello friends! howdy and welcome! I'm just fixing for to take a warm bath like Mr. Man give his hogs; won't you join me?' They say they ain't in no hurry, but they help Brer Rabbit put the hot rocks in the barrel and they watch the water bubble, and by and by, when everything was ready, who should walk up but old Mr. Lion?

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"He had a mane fum his head plum ter de een' er his tail, an' in some places it wuz so long it drug on de groun'—dat what make all de creeturs 'fear'd un 'im. He growl an' ax um what dey doin', an' when Brer Rabbit tell 'im, he say dat's what he long been needin'. 'How does you git in?' 'Des back right in,' sez ol' Brer Rabbit, sezee, an' wid dat. "He had a mane from his head plum to the end of his tail, and in some places it was so long it drug on the ground—that what make all the creatures afeard of him. He growl and ask them what they doing, and when Brer Rabbit tell him, he say that's what he long been needing. 'How does you get in?' 'Just back right in,' says old Brer Rabbit, says he, and with that.

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"Mr. Lion backed in, an' de water wuz so hot, he try fer ter git out, an' he slipped in plum ter his shoulder-blades. You kin b'lieve me er not, but dat creetur wuz scall'd so dat he holler'd an' skeer'd eve'ybody fur miles aroun'. "Mr. Lion backed in, and the water was so hot, he try for to get out, and he slipped in plum to his shoulder-blades. You can believe me or not, but that creature was scalded so that he hollered and scared everybody for miles around.

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"An' when he come out, all de wool drap't out, 'cep' de bunch you see on his neck, an' de leetle bit you'll fin' on de een' er his tail—an' dat'd 'a' come off ef de tail hadn't 'a' slipped thoo de bung-hole er de barrel." "And when he come out, all the wool dropped out, except the bunch you see on his neck, and the little bit you'll find on the end of his tail—and that would have come off if the tail hadn't have slipped through the bung-hole of the barrel." With that, Uncle Remus closed his eyes, but not so tightly that he couldn't watch the little boy. For a moment the child said nothing, and then, "I must tell that tale to mother before I forget it!" So saying, he ran out of the cabin as fast as his feet could carry him, leaving Uncle Remus shaking with laughter.

HOW BRER RABBIT GOT A HOUSE

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It takes a good worker to make a good bosser, Brer Bar!

It appears to me dat we'se doing all da work an yo' all da bossing!

Office

Private

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It sure am a fine house an' I 'specks dis second story front am jes' erbout my size!

Dere's one thing about yo' Brer Rabbit—you's never backward about coming forward!

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Bang

Hi Dar! Brer Rabbit—your lossning da joinst when you sists down like dat!

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Look out down dere—I's got to hab some place to spit at!

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I's sorry yo'all feel 'bliged to move!

Back to da woods fo' mine!—I done knowed it would be a rough house!!

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BRER RABBIT AND THE PARTRIDGE NEST

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