FOLKS FROM DIXIE
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ustodian of the possums. He was the mostsought man on the ground. “« How dem ’possums comin’ on?” asked one. “ Comin’ on!” replied Jabez. ‘¢* Comin’ on’ain’t no name fu’ it. Why, I tell you, demanimals is jes’ a-waddlin’ a’ready.” “O-o-mm!”’ groaned a hearer, “ Chris’musdo seem slow. a-comin’ dis yeah.” “Why, man,” Jabez went on, “it ’u’d mekyou downright hongry to see one o’ dem critters.Evah time I looks at ’em I kin jes’ see de greasea-drippin’ in de pan, an’ dat skin all brown an’crispy, an’ de smell a-risin? up —” “¢ Heish up, man!” exclaimed the other; “ efyou don’t, I ’Il drap daid befo’ de time comes.” “¢ Huh-uh ! no, you won’t ; you know dat day ’swuf livin’ fu’. Brothah Jackson, how’d yo’crap 0’ sweet pertaters tu’n out dis yeah? ” “Fine, fine! I’s got dem mos’ plenteous inmy cellah.” “ Well, don’t eat em too fas’ in de nex’ week,’ca’se we ’spects to call on you fu’ some o” yo’bes’. You know dem big sweet pertaters cut rightin two and laid all erroun’ de pan teks up lots ofde riches’ grease when ol’ Mistah ’Possum gittoo wa’m in de oven an’ git to sweatin’ it out.” 128 MT. PISGAH’S CHRISTMAS ’POSSUM 9 “Have mercy!” exclaimed the impression-able one. “I know ef I don’t git erway f’omdis chu’ch do’ right now, I'll be foun’ hyeah onChris’mus day wif my mouf wide open.” But he did not stay there until Christmasmorning, though he arrived on that momentousday bright and early like most of the rest. Halfthe women of the church had volunteered to helpcook the feast, and the other half were there tosee it done right; so by the time for operationsto commence, nearly all of Mt. Pisgah’s congre-gation was assembled within its chapel walls.And what laughing and joking there was! “ O-omph!”? exclaimed Sister Green, ‘I seeBrothah Bill Jones’ mouf is jes’ sot fu’ ’possumnow.” “ Yes, indeed, Sis’ Green ; hit jes’ de same’s atrap an’ gwine to spring ez soon ez dey anypossum in sight.” “« Hyah, hyah, you ain’t de on’iest one in datfix, Brothah Jones; I see some mo’ people roun’hyeah lookin’ mighty ’spectious.” “Yes, an’ I’s one of ’em,” said some oneelse. ‘I do wish Jabez Holly ’ud come on,my mouf’s jest p’intly worterin’.” “TLet’s sen’ a c’mittee aftah him, dat’ll be 9 129
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