Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-09-12
RICE FIELD HANDS.
WAYS AND PEcuLiARiTIEs OF SOM:
SOUTH CAROLINA DARKIES
How the Colored Excursionlss Enjoys
Trip on the Rail Getting . Meal
by strategy-Funeral o.
casions-- Death.
ICor. Detroit Free Press. I

The South Carolina ric, field negro gsts
more pure enjoyment and sap out Ut this
bloodless turnip Of world than any other
being under the sun He Is the only species
OF man that can SO to sleep standing up
and in his mental makeup be II % consti-
tuted as to be absolutely proof against the
corrosions Of care. In his normal condition
he is lethargic and comatose Tho hum Of
the busy world may be music to him, but il
is the music that lulls to repose.
There are two occasions, however, On
which he throws aside his lethargy and
fairly revsls in enthusiasm that tin
giles in every fiber Of his being.
These two occasions are excursions and
funerals have seen one buy q 300-mils
round trip excursion ticket and dance into
the train in grinning ecstasy Of delight
when knew that he did not have Q crumb
Of bread or a cent Of money to carry with
him. He had faith like Eiisha's that
somehow he would be fed: and il during his
trip he missed four or I've meals in success
sion, it did not materially interfere with his
enjoyment When dinner time came he
would 60 TO the cooler. swallow glass Of
water. tighten his belt notch or two. and
return to his seat to enjoy the scenery. Tho
main ruse Of the colored excursionist, who is
in a strange city, is to make Q new acquaint-
ance Of his own color and then brace him Tor
a square meal The victim is generally moro
social than suspicious and probably never
suspects the real object Of his now acquaint-
ance, even after it had been accomplished
The excursionist, if he Is an elderly negro,
will select q man about his own age, who Is
lounging OH . dock or in the shade Of wall,
and approach him very nonchalantly at first
The following conversation tells the tale
better than i can:
Excursioaist teyeing his victim Closely
Amt tink, say, see you som'ers TO TO-
dayl
Victim-Huhs
Jim. He dead do now.
Victim Who. me!
Excursionist-'Scuse me; tho't you lie
big meetin' dere
Victim (brightening up)-You amt cum
way FUN Yam'see, is you.
Excursionist-Me. bawn two mile
fun dere. Amt my cousin Lucy Ann
WilIyums marry Pete what pump de water
at de depot
Victim dumping up and holding out his
hand)-Ohi Hush; you amt Lucy AIMS
know her ef you wasn't. Come yer brud-
der, and tell me bout all dem FOXES down
da'. You know heah. ginst left, dat lots
o FOXES die of after dat big meeting. Is
you heah SO. too.
Excursionist-Yas:I bin dere, tell you
Dey bad sumfin lik' hygollicum Hipa OATS
what de doctor said. ! tink dey eat too
much. Do dat amt gwine hurt NO. mint
eat nuth'n today.
Victim-You ANTI Why law mel Wha'
you bini Bin trabblin, ehi Fo'kes can't eat
and trabble You go hum wild me. My ole
oman kin rake up vittles. Vas, you como
on wild me.
Excursionist-I is Having made his
jack tho excursionist is happy. So is his vic
tim
But n funeral is a perfect god-senf TO
negro settlement in tho rice country. Be-
sides having the advantage over an excur-
sion Of being free. it has no official to domi.
neer over those who are ambi-
tiou- to play prominent part in
the exercises. Aftcr giving tho chief
places TO the mourners, the rest Of the com.
munity engage in a sort Of elbow and hu l.
ling tournament for the sub-pOsition If
prominence. Tho number OF pail bearers j.
only limited by the length Of the coffin. and
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