The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-03-13
The Niger and His Dogs.

was stopping at the house Of a young
planter, who owned very fine hound,
but as be was not hunter he had no
affection for his hound, which was over
fond of spending his time in the woods,
instead of remaining at home to please
his master. An old darkey on the plan
tation owned four cur dogs, and the
young planter, thinking he would be
better pleased with a big, bob tailed
"yaller" dog than he was with his fine
hound, decided to 60 down to "Uncle"
Henry's cabin and make trade, being
fully convinced that "Uncle" Henry, who
was quite hunter, would jump at the
chance of getting genuine hunting dog
for one of his ours. accepted an invita-
tion to go along and witness the trade.
We found "Uncle" Henry in his truck
patch" adjoining the house, leaning on
his hoe to see what his dogs were bark
ing at when we arrived.
"Uncle Henry" said the owner of the
hound, 81 have come down to give you
good dog trade," and as one Of the dogs,
a simon pure cur, came up wagging his
stub tail, be added, 81 will give you my
fine hound for this dog, as l don't need a
hunting dog and only want dog to lay
around the yard to frighten tramps."
"Well, Mars Billy, I'se alerse ready
for trade, and willin' to oblige you,"
said Uncle Henry, shut Ise gwine to tell
yer poin'dly dat bit will be many day
before Uncle Henry and dat dog parts,
unless some one knocks one of us on de
head. Why, Mars Billy, he's my main
coon dog"
"But Uncle Henry" said he, "you
have three others, besides this hound of
mine will make better hunting dog
than either of your four" Pointing to
one of the others he said, "Wel], l will
trade for that one."
~ couldn't think of letting that one
go, cause he's my main 'possum dog and
besides he's got such frenzy sort of way
wid him, sorter feel like he's some kin
to us. De ole woman neber would quit
calling me all sorter hard names if let
dat dog 60 out oh de family"
II don't want your coon dog nor your
'possum dog" said the planter; II just
want dog to lay about the house, and
I don't care if he is good for nothing, and
I am willing to give you good, young
hound for your poorest dog. Trade me
that one" he said, pointing to one of the
others.
"Now: I spects dat houn' am mighty
peert an I declare would like to hab
him, but dat dog You looking at wouldn't
be no good to you anyhow, for he won't
hunt nor do muffin but some sort of mean
ness. He'll steel de hot meat outen de
pct or de bread off de table eLely time
he gets chance, an de ole woman and
ebery one else dat comes about here done
abuse him so much hit looks like I'm de
only fen he's got left. 1 gifts awful mad
when I sees him toting off hot piece
of bacon de ole woman cooked for my
supper, but when dey all beat him an
he comes up to me to befren' him can't
help liking MIN wild all his meanness. /
reckon I'se de only fren' he's got in de
world, and knows if he goes up to your
house he an de missus gwine to hab
trouble an de poor dog will git killed"
"Well, Uncle Henry" said the planter,
"why not trade for the other one?"
"Mar's Billy" said Uncle Henry, ~
neber would believed you'd er ak me
to part wild dat ole dog. Why he's nigh
onto twelve years ole, and don't you re-
collect when you was boy, and Uncle
Henry was straighter and heap
younger Zen what he is now, de happy
days and nights me and dat ole dog used
to spend down in de bottom? Part wild
dat ole dog? Why, Mars Billy, if eber
I git to be 80 mean 1 hopes de sperets oh
de coons and de 'possums dat ole dog has
cotched for me won't let me sleep. You
mought as we'll talk about parting me
and de ole woman as to talk about part
ing me and dat ole dog. AS long as
dere's q little meal and bacon in de cabin,
dar am three OBJ US what will divide hit,
an dats me and de ole woman an de ole
dog. Field.