Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-11
How PersImmons Took Cab Oh De
Baby


By LIZZIE W. CHANPNEr.
Persimmons was 4 colored lad
Way down in L0u'sianny,
And all the teaching tnat he had
Was given him by his granny.
But h. lid his ddty ever
As we'll as you, It NAV be
WITH iaithiulness and p.iie always,
= lie minded missus' baby.
He tJved tho e9unsels OF the saints,
And. some lines, rnese OF sinners,
To run OF possum- hunting nd
Steal water million" dinners
And iervently at msetin', too
On every sunday night,
He'd with the elders shout and pray
By the pine knots hiring light.
And sing their rudest melodies,
With voice so full and strong,
lol could almost think he learned them
From the ANGELS triumph song.
We be nearer to de Lord
Dan de white folks-and dey knows 1t
See de glory-gat unbarred-
walk in, darkies, past de guard
Bet you dollar he won't close II.
Walk in, darkies troo de gate,
Hear de kullered angels noileri
TO away white iolks you're too latsi
We's de winnin' kuller. Wat
TIL de trumpet blOwsst ioller."
lie would cfoon this over softly
As he lay out in the sun
His grAnny's favorite one
Was, "Jawgs Washington,
Thomas Jefferson,
Persimmons. Henry Clay, be
Quick, shut de do,
6et up off dat flO',
Come hesh and mind de baby"
One night there came fearful storm,
Almost a second flood
The river rose. a torrent sw0pn
OF beaten, yellow mud.
IL bit at its embankments,
And Tapped them down in foam,
Till surging through a wide crevasse,
The waves seeth-d FOUND their home.
They scaled the high verania,
They filled the parlors clear.
Till floating chairs and tables
ashsd against the chandelier,
Twas then Persinmons' granny,
Stout Of arm and terror proof.
BY means of axe and lever,
Priei up the verania roof;
Bound mattresses upon 1t
With stoutest cords OF rope,
Lifted out her fainting mistress,
Saying, Honey, dar Is hope
f0a, Jawge Washington,
TnOmis Jefferson,
Persinm lns, Henry Clay, be
Quick on dat ra:t.
Don't stan ! ke a cali.
But take good cah OBJ de baby
The frothing river lifted them
Out on its turbid tide,
And for awhile they hOated on
Together, side by side
Til broken by the current strong,
The frail raft snapt in two,
And Persimm1nss saw his granny
Fast aiding from his view.
the deck-hands on a steamboat
Heat. as they passed in haste,
A cnild's ;oice singing 10 the dark,
UBon the N'.ter's waste,
4 song OF faith anu triumph
Oi Moses and the LORI,
And throwing out 4 coil OF rope,
They drew him safe on board.
Full many a stranger city
Persmmons wandered through,
"A-tOtin oh der baby and
Singing songs he knew.
At length some City Fathers.
Directing to his plan,
Arrested 4 vagrant
Our val ant lite man.
They carried out their purposes,
Persimmons lowed he'd spile en-"
So sloping from the station-house.
He stole baby from the 'sylum.
AMI on that very afternoon,
AS it was crossing dark,
BE sllg beside the fountain in
The crowded city pars
rude camp meeting anthem
Which he had sung teiore
While on his granny ira yile ran
He driited far Lom shore
SONG.
Moses smote de water, and
De sea gabe away;
De children dey passed ober, for
De sea gabe away.
o Lord | feel glkd.
IL always dark TO day,
So. honey, don't yer be sad,
De seA'l gib away
A lady, dressed 10 mourning.
Turned with a sudden start,
Gave one glance at the baby.
Then sht il to her heart.
While a substantial shadow,
That was walking by her side,
Sc zsd Per.immons by the shoulder,
And while she shook him cried
4" You, Jawge Nashing gton
Thomas Jefferson,
Persimnons, Henry Clay, be
Quick, 'splsin yerselfi chile
Stop dat ar o0l smile
Whar GU done been wid de baby :"
From 81. Nicholas