# Journal of American Folk-Lore/Volume 13/Issue 48/Folk-Tales from Georgia

​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 19
FOLK-TALES FROM GEORGIA.
I. WHEN BRER RABBIT GET BRER BEAR CHURCHED.
One year Brer Bear he have a pen of fine hogs just ready for the smoke-house. But just before the Christmas season come on, every morning when Brer Bear fotch out his corn to feed the hogs, Brer Bear he done count them, and he find one gone ; and the next morn- ing Brer Bear done count them, and he find one more gone ; and so it go twell nigh 'bout the lastest one of Brer Bear's fine fat hogs done gone.
Now Brer Bear he 'low he bound to find out who the thief what steal his hogs ; so all enduring the Christmas holidays Brer Bear he visit 'bout among his neighbors constant, and they all say, What come over Brer Bear, he getting that sociable.
But when Brer Bear visiting, Brer Bear he be a-looking, and he be a-smelling for them fine hogs.
Well, Brer Bear he go to visit Brer Fox, and he don' see nothing and he don' smell nothing ; and then Brer Bear he go visit Sis Coon, but he don' smell nothing and he don' see nothing ; then Brer Bear he call on Brer Wolf, but he don' see nothing and he don' smell nothing.
Then Brer Bear he call on Brer Rabbit. Brer Bear he knock on the door, and Miss Rabbit she open the door, and invite Brer Bear in. Brer Bear he say, " Where Brer Rabbit ? " and Miss Rabbit she say, "Brer Rabbit gone to quarterly meeting," being as he one of the stewards of the church. Miss Rabbit say, " Brer Rabbit just feel bound to 'tend quarterly meeting."
Brer Bear he say he want a fresh drink, and he go out to the well-house, and he see where they been killing hogs. Now Brer Bear he know Brer Rabbit did n't put no hogs up in the pen. Brer Bear he walk round and round, and he say, " I smell the blood of my land."
And Brer Bear he fault Miss Rabbit with Brer Rabbit stealing all his fine hogs, and Brer Bear he say how he going straight up to quarterly meeting to church Brer Rabbit, and he a steward of the church, and Brer Bear he roll his hands and arms in the blood and he say he going take the proof.
Now Miss Rabbit certainly are a faithful wife. When Brer Bear start off down the big road towards the quarterly meeting, Miss Rabbit she take a short cut through the woods, lipity clipity. She get there before Brer Bear.
Miss Rabbit she go in and take a seat longside Brer Rabbit. She whisper in his ear, " Trouble trouble, watch out. Brer Bear he say
�� � ​20 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
he smell the blood of his land, trouble trouble." Brer Rabbit he say, "Hush your mouth," and he go on with the meeting. Now Brer Bear ain't the onliest man what been losing hogs that Christmas. Brer Wolf he done lose some o' his fine shotes ; somebody done take his onliest hog outen Brer Fox pen. They take it up in meeting and make it subject of inquiry. They put it on old Brer Rabbit, so the old man don' know which way he going to get to, when Brer Bear walk in, and his hands and arms covered with the blood, what he take to prove up old Brer Rabbit before the meeting.
Directly Brer Bear walk in the door with the blood on his hands, Brer Rabbit he clap his hands and he shout, " Praise the Lord, brethren ! The Lord done deliver me and bring forth his witness ! " and the people all that distracted they don' listen to a word poor old Brer Bear say, but they all talk, and take votes, and they church old Brer Bear right there ; and that why old Brer Bear ain't no church- man. But Brer Rabbit he run the church yet, and they say how he never miss quarterly meeting.
II. WHEN BRER RABBIT WAS PRESIDIN* ELDER.
Now Brer Rabbit he never get to be no sure 'nough presidin' elder. Brer Rabbit he always been a meeting going man, but it all along of his trifling ways that he never get no higher than a steward in the church. Brer Rabbit he never get to be a preacher, not to say a sure 'nough presidin' elder.
But one year Brer Rabbit he get powerful ambitious. He see all his neighbors building fine houses, and Brer Rabbit he say to his- self he going to have a fine house. So Brer Rabbit he study and he study how he going get the money for his house, and one day he say to Miss Rabbit, " You bresh up my meeting clo's."
So Miss Rabbit she get out Brer Rabbit's meeting clo's, and bresh em up, and take a few stitches, and make the buttons fast.
One Saturday Brer Rabbit he put on all his meeting clo's, and his churn hat, and take his bible and hymn-book, and cut hisself a fine walking cane, and Brer Rabbit he start off.
Brer Rabbit he take the circuit, and he preach in every church, and Brer Rabbit he say how he be the presiding elder of the district, and how he taking up a collection to build a new parsonage ; and being as Brer Rabbit am a powerful preacher when he aim to try hisself, and preach in the spirit, the people they give with a free hand.
Brer Rabbit he know what he doing, Brer Rabbit do, and he ride the circuit just before Christmas, and they tells how nigh 'bout the lastest one enduring the whole circuit done rob his Christmas for Brer Rabbit's parsonage.
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 21
Well, when they see Brer Rabbit's fine house going up and hear how Brer Rabbit done used they alls money, well, there was a time, you may be sure, and they church Brer Rabbit ; but Brer Rabbit he don't trouble hisself, he just go on and build his fine house. But bless you, the last shingle ain't laid before here they come begging Brer Rabbit to come back in the church, 'cause Brer Rabbit be a good paying member. So Brer Rabbit he go back in the church and he live in his fine house and hold his head powerful high, and what the people done say they done say, but you may be sure they don' say a word when Brer Rabbit listen.
III. WHEN BRER WOLF HAVE HIS CORN SHUCKING.
Brer Wolf he make a powerful crop of corn one year, and he turn it over in his mind how he going to get all that corn shucked, cause Brer Wolf mighty unpopular man with his neighbors, and when Brer Wolf have a corn shucking the creeters don't turn out, like they do when Sis Coon have a corn shucking.
But Brer Wolf he have a powerful handsome daughter on the car- pet. All the chaps about the county has their heads set to step up to Brer Wolf's daughter. So Brer Wolf he send out word how the chap what shucks the most corn at his shucking shall have his handsome daughter.
Well, the chaps they come from the fur end of Columbia County, and some come over from Richmond County, and they set to work, and they make the shucks fly, and each chap have a pile to hisself. Brer Coon he mighty set on Brer Wolf's daughter, and Brer Coon he know hisself are powerful likely corn shucker, and Brer Coon he 'low to hisself how he have a right smart chance to get the gal.
Brer Fox his head done plum turned when Miss Wolf roll her handsome eyes at hisself ; and so Brer Fox he get a pile to hisself and fall to work.
Now old Brer Rabbit his heart set on the gal, but Brer Rabbit he are a mighty poor corn shucker. Brer Rabbit he jest naterally know he don' stand no chance shucking a pile of corn and making time against Brer Coon.
So Brer Rabbit he don' waste hisself, Brer Rabbit don', but Brer Rabbit he take his hat off and he go up to Brer Wolf, and he make his bow, and he ask Brer Wolf, If he learn his daughter to dance, can he have her ? But Brer Wolf he say, "What I said I said." Well, Brer Rabbit he feel terrible put down, but he fall to, and he act most survigorous. He sing and he dance, and he dance and he sing, and he amuse the company most 'greeable like ; and he sing before the gals, and he dance before the gals, and he show them the new step and the new shuffle, Brer Rabbit do. Brer Coon he just
�� � ​2 2 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
turn his eye on Brer Rabbit 'casionly, but he don't pay no 'tention to his acting and frollicking. Brer Coon he just make time with his corn shucking, twell Brer Coon's pile it make three times the pile of the other chaps.
When it come time for Brer Wolf to come round and count his piles, Brer Rabbit he set down long side Brer Coon, and he fall to shucking corn to beat all. When Brer Wolf come round, Brer Rab- bit he certainly do make the shucks fly powerful, 'cause the old ras- cal just been cutting up and acting all the evening, and he ain't tired like the other chaps.
When Brer Wolf see the great pile so much bigger than what all the other chaps got, Brer Wolf he say, " What for both you chaps shuck on one pile ? " Brer Coon he 'low that all his pile. He 'low, Brer Coon do, how Brer Rabbit been cutting up and frollicking all the evening, and he just now come and set down 'longside his pile.
Brer Rabbit he say he swear and kiss the book, this my pile. Brer Coon he just been frollickin and going on all the evening to beat all ; he make us laugh nigh 'bout fit to kill ourselves, while I done work my hands plum to the bone. Now he set hisself down here and say it his pile.
Brer Wolf he say he leave it out to the company. But the chaps they don't want Brer Rabbit to have the gal, and they don't want Brer Coon to have the gal, so they won't take sides ; they 'low they been working so powerful hard, they don't take noticement of Brer Coon or Brer Rabbit. Then Brer Wolf he 'low he leave it out to the gals.
Now Miss Wolf she been favoring Brer Rabbit all the evening. Brer Rabbit dancing and singing plum turned Miss Wolf's head, so Miss Wolf she say, " It most surely are Brer Rabbit's pile." Miss Wolf she say she " plum 'stonished how Brer Coon can story so." Brer Rabbit he take the gal and go off home clipity, lipity. Poor old Brer Coon he take hisself off home, he so tired he can scarcely hold hisself together.
IV. BRER RABBIT'S COOL AIR SWING.
Mr. Man he have a fine garden.
Brer Rabbit he visit Mr. Man's garden every day and destroy the lastest thing in it, twell Mr. Man plum wore out with old Brer Rabbit.
Mr. Man he set a trap for old Brer Rabbit down 'longside the big road.
One day when Mr. Man going down to the cross-roads, he look in his trap, and sure 'nough, there old Brer Rabbit.
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 23
Mr. Man he say, " Oh, so old man, here you is. Now I '11 have you for my dinner."
Mr. Man he take a cord from his pocket, and tie Brer Rabbit high on a limb of a sweet gum tree, and he leave Brer Rabbit swinging there twell he come back from the cross-roads, when he aim to fotch Brer Rabbit home and cook him for his dinner.
Brer Rabbit he swing thisaway in the wind and thataway in the wind, and he swing thisaway in the wind and thataway in the wind, and he think he time done come. Poor old Brer Rabbit don't know where he 's at.
Presently here come Brer Wolf loping down the big road. When Brer Wolf see old Brer Rabbit swinging thisaway and thataway in the wind, Brer Wolf he stop short and he say, " God a'mighty, man ! what you doing up there?" Brer Rabbit he say, "This just my cool air swing. I just taking a swing this morning."
But Brer Rabbit he just know Brer Wolf going to make way with him. Brer Rabbit he just turn it over in his mind which way he going to get to. The wind it swing poor Brer Rabbit way out this- away and way out thataway. While Brer Rabbit swinging, he work his brain, too.
Brer Wolf he say, " Brer Rabbit, I got you fast ; now I going eat you up." Brer Rabbit he say, " Brer Wolf, open your mouth and shut your eyes, and I '11 jump plum in your mouth." So Brer Wolf turn his head up and shut his eyes. Brer Rabbit he feel in his pocket and take out some pepper, and Brer Rabbit he throw it plum down Brer Wolf's throat. Brer Wolf he nigh 'bout 'stracted with the misery. He cough and he roll in the dirt, and he get up and he strike out for home, coughing to beat all. And Brer Rabbit he swing thisaway and thataway in the wind.
Presently here come Brer Squirrel. When Brer Squirrel he see the wind swing Brer Rabbit way out thisaway and way out thata- way, Brer Squirrel he that 'stonished, he stop short. Brer Squir- rel he say, " Fore the Lord, Brer Rabbit, what you done done to yourself this yer time ? "
Brer Rabbit he say, " This yer my cool air swing, Brer Squirrel. I taking a fine swing this morning." And the wind it swing Brer Rabbit way out thisaway and way back thataway.
Brer Rabbit he fold his hands, and look mighty restful and happy, like he settin' back fanning hisself on his front porch.
Brer Squirrel he say, " Please sir, Brer Rabbit, let me try your swing one time."
Erer Rabbit he say, "Certainly, Brer Squirrel, you do me proud," and Brer Rabbit he make like he make haste to turn hisself loose.
Presently Brer Rabbit he say, " Come up here, Brer Squirrel, and
�� � ​24 Jotirnal of American Folk-Lore.
give me a hand with this knot," and Brer Squirrel he make haste to go up and turn Brer Rabbit loose, and Brer Rabbit he make Brer Squirrel fast to the cord. The wind it swing Brer Squirrel way out thisaway and way out thataway, and Brer Squirrel he think it fine.
Brer Rabbit he say, " I go down to the spring to get a fresh drink. You can swing twell I come back."
Brer Squirrel he say, " Take your time, Brer Rabbit, take your time." Brer Rabbit he take his time, and scratch out for home fast as he can go, and he ain't caring how long Brer Squirrel swing.
Brer Squirrel he swing thisaway and he swing thataway, and he think it fine.
Presently here come Mr. Man. When Mr. Man he see Brer Squir- rel, he plum 'stonished. He say, " Oh, so old man, I done hear of many and many your fine tricks, but I never done hear you turn yourself into a squirrel before. Powerful kind of you, Brer Rabbit, to give me fine squirrel dinner."
Mr. Man he take Brer Squirrel home and cook him for dinner.
V. WHEN BRER FOX DON'T FOOL BRER RABBIT.
Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox was courting the Possum gal. Brer Rabbit were a mighty taking chap among the gals, and he have the gals nigh 'bout all to hisself. It Mr. Rabbit this, and Mr. Rabbit that, and the balance of the chaps have to stand back.
One night Brer Fox he go up to pay his respects to the Possum gal, and the servant fotch down word Miss Possum have an engage- ment, and Brer Fox he just naterally know Brer Rabbit am sitting up in the parlor with Miss Possum, and Brer Fox he jes' can't stand it, and he study, Brer Fox do, how he going fotch Brer Rabbit home. Now Brer Rabbit are a doctor. Brer Rabbit are a right smart of a doctor, sure 'nough.
Brer Fox he go home and he make like he have a fit and die, and he stretch hisself out on the floor like he plum dead, and Miss Fox and the little Foxes they rush round and cry and they say, " Send for the doctor ! send for the doctor ! " So the little Fox boy he put out hard as he can run for the doctor. He knock at Miss Possum's door ; he say, " Where the doctor ? A man dead and done send for the doctor." And Brer Rabbit he ask, " Who dead ? " And when he say it Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit he don' want to go, but Miss Possum she take on, and call Brer Rabbit a cruel man, so Brer Rabbit he put on his hat and put out for Brer Fox house.
When Brer Rabbit get to Brer Fox house, sure 'nough he fines Brer Fox stretched out plum dead, but Brer Rabbit he have his s'picions. He feel of Brer Fox heart, it right warm. Brer Rabbit he
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 25
say, " I never believe nobody deadtwell I hear em give a big groan." Brer Fox he give a monstrous powerful groan " Ounk ! " Then Brer Rabbit he just kick Brer Fox, and call him "a deceitful old man," and Brer Rabbit he put out back to Miss Possum's house. Brer Rab- bit he tell Miss Possum 'bout Brer Fox mean deceitful ways. From that time, when Miss Possum meet Brer Fox on the big road, she make like she don' know him, and she favor Brer Rabbit more con- stant.
VI. WHEN BRER FROG GIVE A BIG DINING.
Brer Frog he think he give a big dining to all his friends, so he send out invitations to all his friends to come down and eat fried fish with him.
Brer Frog he invite Brer Fox and his wife, and Brer Wolf and his wife, and Brer Coon and his wife, and Brer Possum and his wife, but he don' invite Brer Rabbit, Brer Frog don', 'cause there be hard feel- ings between Brer Frog and Brer Rabbit from way back.
When the creeters all went past Brer Rabbit's house on their way to the dining, they ask Brer Rabbit, " why he don't go to Brer Frog's dining ? " Brer Rabbit he say, " he ain' invited," and he 'low "he ain' powerful fond of fried fish nohow." So they pass on, and when they come to the branch, they find Brer Frog frying fish over twenty little fires. Brer Frog he hop round from one frying- pan to the other, like a spry old man like he is.
Tereckly Brer Rabbit he smell the fish frying where he set on the porch. It smell so powerful good, Brer Rabbit he just can't stand it. He take his way down to the branch, and he see Brer Frog taking off the fish from his twenty little fires, and set it on the table. Brer Rabbit he slip into the swamp and make a big noise. The creeters they say, " What that ! " Brer Rabbit he make er big noise. Once more Brer Fox he say, " Where we going fly to ? " Brer Frog he say, " I know the best place for me to get at." He just give one jump over all the creeters' heads and go plunk into the water. Brer Tarrapin he go slippin' and slidin' one side, then the other, and he go splash in the water ; the other creeters, they just strike out for home.
Brer Rabbit he go up to the table and he eat his fill of fried fish.
Now Brer Frog are a mighty cold-blooded kind of a man ; nobody ever see Brer Frog in a passion. Brer Frog's eyes on the top of his head. All the time while Brer Rabbit was eating that fried fish, Brer Frog he set down in the water looking straight up at Brer Rab- bit, and Brer Frog he was studying ; but Brer Rabbit he don't know that.
Brer Frog he take it mighty hard, 'case Brer Rabbit break up his dining, and he study to hisself how he going punish Brer Rabbit.
�� � ​26 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
Sure enough, that day week, Brer Frog he send out invitations to all the other creeters to another dining.
So the creeters all set out, and as they go past Brer Rabbit's house they stop, and ask Brer Rabbit " why he don' go to Brer Frog's dining ? " Brer Rabbit he say his mouth ain' set for fried fish, and he 'low he powerful busy anyhow, and can' leave home.
The creeters they make haste, and when they get to the branch they see the bank all covered with little fires, and a pan of fish fry- ing on every fire, and Brer Frog hopping from one frying-pan to the other, and turning the fish ; and Brer Frog he hop up and whisper in the ear of each one of his guests. Then Brer Frog he set the table.
Brer Rabbit he set upon his porch smoking his pipe, and the smell of the fish frying come up on the wind, and Brer Rabbit he just can't stand it. He say he bound to set a tooth in that fish. So Brer Rabbit he go clipity clipity down to the branch, and he find the table done set, and it certainly do look powerful tempting.
Brer Rabbit he go in the edge of the swamp and make a big noise ; the creeters they just strike out and fly for home. Brer Frog he say, " I know the nighest place for me to get," and he jumped plum over the table and go in the water kersplash.
Then Brer Rabbit he jump on the table. Now that just what Brer Frog know Brer Rabbit going do, and Brer Frog he done set the table on a plank, on the edge of the water, and he done put leaves and bresh all round the plank, so Brer Rabbit ain' see how it done set on the water; and when Brer Rabbit jump on the plank, over it go, and Brer Rabbit and all the fishes go kersplash down to the bottom.
Brer Frog he right down there, and Brer Frog he say, " Oho, Brer Rabbit, you is mighty kind to fotch my dinner down to me," and Brer Frog he say, " You is my master many a day on land, Brer Rabbit, but I is your master in the water." And Brer Frog he kill old Brer Rabbit and eat him up.
VII. WHEN SIS COON PUT DOWN BRER BEAR.
Brer Coon and Sis Coon they have a mighty fine house up in the big woods. They mighty good livers ; poor, industrious people. They have right smart of chillens, and they leave the chillens every day, Brer Coon and Sis Coon do, and go to work soon in the morning.
Brer Bear he know how Brer Coon and Sis Coon done leave the chillens, and go to work soon every morning ; and when Brer Bear's way lay past Brer Coon's house, Brer Bear he smell the good cooked victuals.
Now Brer Bear he know nobody ain't to home exceptin' the chil- lens, so Brer Bear he go knocking on the door, and the chillens they
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 27
say, "Who there ? " Brer Bear he say in a heavy voice, " Revenue, Revenue, where my hole ? Revenue, Revenue, where my hole ? " And the little coon chillens, they all that frightened, they run up in the loft and hide, and Brer Bear he go in and eat up the lastest one of the victuals.
When Brer Coon and Sis Coon come home, they find the chillens frightened nigh 'bout outer their senses, and all the victuals done gone, and they fault the chillens, and the chillens done tell them how a big black thing done come and knock on the door and say, " Rev- enue, Revenue, where my hole ? Revenue, Revenue, where my hole ? " and how he done eat up all the victuals.
Next day Brer Bear he come just the same, and the chillens run and hide, and Brer Bear he eat up all the victuals.
That night Brer Coon and Sis Coon they talk what they going do. Sis Coon she say how she "going stay home and watch with the axe ; " and Brer Coon he say, Sis Coon go to work, and he going stay home hisself and watch with the axe. Sis Coon she hold to how she going stay home ; and Brer Coon he say, " Ain' you my wife ? Well, you do like I tells you." So Sis Coon she 'bliged to go to work, and Brer Coon he stay home and watch with the axe.
Just as they get the table set for dinner, sure 'nough here come a great black thing knocking at the door. Brer Coon he powerful scared, but he call out, " Who there ? " Brer Bear he say in a mighty heavy voice, " Revenue, Revenue, where my hole ? Revenue, Rev- enue, where my hole ? " Brer Coon he give one look at him and he drop the axe right where he 's at, and Brer Coon he just fly up in the loft, and the little coon chillens they all fly up in the loft with their paw, and Brer Bear he go in and eat up all the victuals.
When Sis Coon get home she find the family all hiding in the loft, and nothing in the house to eat ; and when Brer Coon tell her how the big black thing frighten hisself, Miss Coon she scared, and she say she don't want to stay home and watch.
Next morning Brer Coon he say he go way to work, and Sis Coon she say she don' want to stay home and watch. Brer Coon he say, " Ain't you my wife ? Then you do like I tells you." So Brer Coon he go off to work, and he leave Sis Coon to watch with the axe.
Sure 'nough, just soon as they get the table set for dinner, here come a great black thing knocking at the door. Sis Coon she say, " Who there ? " Brer Bear he say in powerful grum tone, " Revenue, Revenue, where my hole ? Revenue Revenue, where my hole ? " Sis Coon she crack the door, and when Brer Bear he step in, Sis Coon take the axe and split his head open. And so Brer Coon he don't order Miss Coon round these days, but from that day Brer Coon he done been a plum henpecked man.
�� � ​28 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
VIII. HOW COME THE MOOLY COW DON* HAVE NO HORNS.
Sis Cow, Switch, and Mooly have a fine grazing patch of rye down by the branch, but Brer Rabbit he go down soon every morning before Sis Cow and Switch and Mooly get up, and Brer Rabbit he feed it plum clean, so when Sis Cow and Switch and Mooly gets down there they don't have no breakfast.
Brer Rabbit he do that every day, twell Sis Cow and Switch and Mooly mighty nigh perished.
One day Brer Tarrapin he say if Sis Cow will give him a ride for twelve months on her alls horns, Brer Tarrapin he say he will give Brer Rabbit such a fright as he won't trouble the rye patch no more.
So Sis Cow say she '11 give Brer Tarrapin a ride on her horns for twelve months.
Brer Tarrapin he talk with Brer Frog, and Brer Tarrapin he ask Brer Frog how he going frighten Brer Rabbit.
Brer Frog he tell Brer Tarrapin to just watch out and see how Brer Frog frighten Brer Rabbit.
Well, the next morning, 'bout a hour to day, Brer Frog he call all his family together. The frogs they gather from up the branch, from the lower creek, and they tells how they done come from the mill-dam pond ; but I don't make sure of that myself, seeing as how they have to cross dry land to get there from the mill-dam pond. But if they don't come from the mill-dam pond they was there, — they surely was there, — and just about the time Brer Rabbit come down in the rye patch, Mr. Frog and Miss Frog and the little frogs done set up such a fuss, the peoples say they could hear them a mile. They say, " Brer Rabbit ! Brer Rabbit ! Cut his head off ! Cut his head off ! "
Brer Rabbit be that 'stonished he look thisaway, and he look that- away. Brer Rabbit he don' see nothing. The frogs they keep on, "Brer Rabbit! Brer Rabbit! Cut his head off! Cut his head off ! " But Brer Rabbit he don't stop ; he just turn and fly for home.
Directly when Sis Cow and Switch and Mooly come down to feed, Brer Tarrapin come up out the water, and he tell 'em how he done frighten Brer Rabbit off, and Brer Tarrapin he ask Sis Cow for his ride ; but Sis Cow she sorry she done promise, and so Sis Cow she 'low she have a powerful headache.
But Mooly say she give Brer Tarrapin a ride on her alls horns for twelve months, and Mooly she hold down her head for Brer Tarrapin to get on ; but Brer Tarrapin he can't hold on, and he fall off.
Brer Frog he right jealous of Brer Tarrapin, and Brer Frog he
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 29
say he fix Brer Tarrapin so he can hold on. So Brer Frog he take a pebble, and he break two little holes in Brer Tarrapin's shell, so Mooly can stick her horns through, and make Brer Tarrapin fast. And Brer Tarrapin he ride off and he feel mighty proud.
Presently Brer Tarrapin he feel powerful hungry, and he feel powerful thirsty, and he tell Mooly he bound to get down and get a fresh drink.
But when Brer Tarrapin set out to get down he find he done fast and can't get down.
Well, poor old Brer Tarrapin he ride, and he ride, but he can't eat, and he can't drink, and he ride twell he done starve to death, and the twelve months done past, and old Brer Tarrapin still done fast to Mooly's horns twell she done wore out with toting old Brer Tarrapin, and Mr. Man he tired of seeing Mooly toting Brer Tarrapin about the place. And one day Mr. Man he cut Mooly's horns off close to her alls head, and she never have no horns no more to this day, and all along of that old Brer Tarrapin riding twelve months on her horns.
IX. WHEN MR. PINE-TREE AND MR. OAK-TREE FALL OUT.
Mr. Pine-tree and Mr. Oak-tree used to be great friends and live in peace side by side, twell Mr. Oak-tree he get jealous of Mr. Pine- tree 'cause Mr. Pine-tree he keep his fine green clothes on all win- ter ; but jest as sure as cold weather come Mr. Oak-tree's clothes they fade out a most ugly sort of color and fall off, and that make Mr. Oak-tree jealous to see hisself and his family with just few faded old clothes on their backs, while his neighbor, Mr. Pine-tree and his family, stand up proudful with all their fine green clothes on.
Mr. Oak-tree he grow more jealous year by year, but he keep it all to hisself, 'case Mr. Oak-tree he don't know just what he going do about it.
One year the people was looking for a place to have the camp- meeting. Now they always have the camp-meeting on big grove hill, where Mr. Oak-tree and Mr. Pine-tree grow side by side, and Mr. Oak-tree and Mr. Pine-tree, both powerful prideful, 'case they have the camp-meeting there.
But one time the people come, and instead of placing round the seats and breshin' up the grounds, they go 'bout tearing everything up and toting them over in the big pine grove, where Mr. Pine- tree live all by hisself.
Mr. Oak-tree he hear the people talking, and they say it am much nicei in Mr. Pine-tree's house, 'case he have a nice carpet on the ground, while Mr. Oak-tree's house all covered with dirty old leaves.
�� � ​30 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
Well, it nigh 'bout break Mr. Oak-tree's heart, that it do, 'deed and double 'deed it do ; and Mr. Wind, he done see how Mr. Oak- tree drooping and mourning, and Mr. Wind he ask Mr. Oak-tree what his trouble.
Mr. Oak-tree he tell Mr. Wind all 'bout it, and Mr. Wind he say to Mr. Oak-tree, " Cheer up, cheer up ! " and Mr. Wind he tell Mr. Oak-tree how he going help him get the best of Mr. Pine-tree. So all winter Mr. Wind, every day, and all enduring the night, he take the dirfy old leaves from Mr. Oak-tree's floor and carry them all over and spread them all over Mr. Pine-tree's fine carpet. Mr. Pine-tree he don't like it, but he can't help hisself : 'cause what Mr. Wind want to do he going to do it, Mr. Wind is.
But when camp-meeting time come, Mr. Oak-tree he stand there, and he see the people come and rake off all his leaves, what Mr. Wind done carry on Mr. Pine-tree's carpet.
Then Mr. Oak-tree he say he can't bear it no more, and Mr. Oak- tree he tell Mr. Pine-tree how they can't live together no more ; and Mr. Oak-tree he say, he will go to the plains and Mr. Pine-tree can go to the mountain ; or he say, Will Mr. Pine-tree take the plains and let Mr. Oak-tree go to the mountains ? Mr. Pine-tree he 'low how he will take the plains and let Mr. Oak-tree go to the mountains ; and Mr. Pine-tree he go to the plains, and Mr. Oak- tree he take the up country, and they don' live together no more. But they still on the watch-out ; for when Mr. Oak-tree leave a field, directly here come Mr. Pine-tree, and when Mr. Pine-tree leave a field, sure enough up come Mr. Oak-tree ; but they don't live together friendly like no more.
X. HOW THE LITTLE BOY WENT TO HEAVEN.
A little boy's father died, and went to heaven. Little boy wanted to go to heaven too. He wandered round in the woods and wanted all the birds to take him to heaven, but the birds all laughed at the little boy. He keep on begging the birds to please take him to heaven. At last the little red-bird she take pity on the little boy. She say she " take him to heaven as high as she can go ; " she say " she can't take him clean up to heaven, 'cause she can't fly high enough."
The little boy think if the red-bird get started, he can beg her to keep on twell she get clean to heaven.
So the little boy he get on the red-bird's back, and little red-bird fly very high, and little boy feel happy. Presently the little red- bird say she can't go no higher. The little boy he look and he look, but he don't see no heaven. The little boy he beg, he cry and cry, and he beg the little red-bird to go higher ; but the little red-bird she
�� � ​Folk-Tales from Georgia. 31
say she can't go no higher, and she fly round and round. Presently Sis Crow come sailing along and she hear a great fuss, and she ask little red-bird, " What the matter ? " Little red-bird tell Sis Crow how the little boy crying for her to take him to heaven, and she beg Sis Crow to take him on.
Sis Crow say she take him far as she can go, but she can't take him clean to heaven. Little red-bird say, Sis Crow might fall in with King Eagle, and King Eagle can take him to heaven. Sis Crow she say, " Yes, King Eagle can take him to heaven, 'case King Eagle am the onliest bird what can look in the face of the Lord without winking."
So the little boy get on Sis Crow's back, and he feel very happy, 'case he get started again. Presently Sis Crow say she can't go no higher. The little boy he look and look, but he can't see no heaven. He cry and cry, and beg Sis Crow to go higher ; but Sis Crow she say she can't go no higher, and she sail round and round, while she watch out for King Eagle. Presently King Eagle come sailing along and he hear a mighty fuss up there, and he ask Sis Crow, "What the matter ? " Sis Crow she tell King Eagle how the little boy crying 'case he want to go to heaven to see his daddy, and she beg King Eagle to take him to heaven.
King Eagle he say he take him, but he can't fotch him back. He tell the little boy he "will take him to heaven, if he won't ask him to fotch him back."
Then the little boy he get on King Eagle's back, and they go higher and higher, twell they get in the glory of the Lord, when the little boy have to shut his eyes, it shines so bright. But King Eagle never shut his eyes at all, and he put the little boy inside the pearly gates, and the little boy was very happy.
But after a little bit the little boy begin to grieve mighty for his mammy. He cry and he cry, and when the Angel ask him what the matter, he beg him to take a message to his mammy.
He beg the Angel to tell his mammy to spin him a cord long enough so he can tie it on the gate-post and come down to her. So the Angel she came down to earth, and she take the little boy's message to his mammy, and when she enter the house, she fill it with a great white light. And the little boy's mammy she say when the cotton done picked she surely spin the cord for him, but his mammy she say "she have to work in the field by day, and she can only spin by night, and she have no light."
And the Angel she feel so sorry for the little boy crying, she tell his mammy "she stand in the door for a light to spin by."
So Mammy Carline all that season she keep her place in the field with the hands by day, and by night the people hear her spinning- wheel all night long, and a bright light in her cabin.
�� � ​32 Journal of American Folk-Lore.
And all that season the people going along the big road, they hear her spinning-wheel going all night long, and see a bright light in her cabin, look like her house on fire.
So Mammy Carline she spin every night along night after night by the light the Angel make, twell the Angel tell her the cord long enough. Then the Angel take the cord up to the little boy, and he tie it to the gate-post, and slide down to his mammy.
Emma M. Backus.
Editor's Note. — With regard to these tales, inquiries suggested themselves, which have been answered substantially as follows: In regard to titles, these have been supplied by the recorder ; few of the reciters would be able to give such, and further inquiry will be needed to show if the pieces are commonly distinguished by titles. As to manner of recitation, the grown people are usually so diffident that they tell the adventures with little more expression than is shown by the printed text. When, however, a narrator is found who is willing to present the tales in their proper delivery, the presentation is extremely amusing. A man will seldom forget his bashfulness, but a woman will sometimes do so. " I don't know how they do it, but they will say ' lipity clipity, lipity clipity,' so you can almost hear a rabbit coming through the woods. They talk animatedly, espe- cially in the dialogues, and change the voice to represent the different animals, but not in a chanting tone. Before me they do not use many gestures ; but when a woman tells a story in this way, she becomes so animated as to be somehow ' going all over.' " It is an especially important point, as to whether tales are ever made up for the benefit of a collector. In the majority of cases, the charac- ter of the narratives is sufficient to settle the genuineness and popularity of the story. " One little girl of about twelve years old came to ' tell a tale,' but it was only a rabble of words. I said, 'AVho told you this? ' She replied, 'Nobody; I just thunk it up.' " Usually, however, after they have declared their ignorance of more stories, no amount of coaxing will induce the reciters to continue, even though they may be willing. It is seldom that more than four or five tales can be obtained from one narrator.
In some cases the tales have been obtained in a number of different versions, varied in every conceivable way. The divergence lies in the detail, and in the expansion of the narrative, the actions being identical. In reply to the question "Who told you this?" they always answer, usually saying: "My father," or " My grandfather." The collector is of opinion that the men tell the tales to one another much more than do the women.