Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-03

An Aged Texas Darkey Gives Per-
formancs Entirely Novel to Northern

formancs Entirely Novel to Northern
ers.
From the Galveston Ne'cs
The News correspondent had just driven
the nose OF the Sour Lake boat against Its
moorlngs when a middle aged colored man
took hold of the rope and made fast, saying;
"Td like yo' distance dis evenin at de no.
tel"
How can | assist your"
"Is goin' to knock TO- de folks, an wants
yo' to carry rOun' de hat"
Garry the hat yourself"
81 wants 'sponsible pussen to carry dc
hat"
The colored man was Uncle Rufus Lucky,
who had been hunted down IN the Dusu Dy
Col. Curtis Davis, of san Antonio, ana VINO
discovered that Rufus Knocked on home
made tambourlne for dancing parties.
Uncle Rufus Lucky was dressed IN ragged
suit of clothes, his head being covered by
coon skin cap. with long tan hanging from
the top. He was followed by four thin cur
dogs. the face OF each denoting hunger ana
despair.
''This is fine dog, Uncle Rufus" said Col.
Davis, pointing to the most fororn animal Of
use been offered fifty poun' OBJ bacon for
'em."
"Is he a hunter?"
"He's a varmInt dog, replied Uncle Rufus.
1t was arranged that Uncle Rufus should
KNOCK" at the hotel that night. He arrived,
met by an audience that dazzled him. many
Young persons from the neighborhOod being
lresent. His tambourlne was curiosity. 1t
was made of Il thin piece OF oak, Whitfield and
bent almost in circle. This was covered
with a strip of deerskin. stretched tightly and
tackled to the wood. Holes were cut in the
oak. and round tin pieces were fastened IN
them on wires. Inside OF the rude instrument
two wires crossed each other. On these he
had also strung tin pieces as large as hall dol
lars. Uncle Rufus modcstly said:
II has no fab, an can't run up de tnster-
ment, and derefo' I'll hab to cline to knock"
A lighted lamp was furnished him. He held
the deer skin over the hot chimney, threw
himself into an original posture, ana placed
his ear to the hide as he tapped it with his
knuckles.
TOO low. De atmosphere's too damp. Will
hap to cline the honah of kn0ckn'."
A 25c. piece was passed to hIm by one OF the
audience.
'Praps de propah kew can now be hit"
Again the lamp was used with effect, ana
Uncle Rufus Luckey took a position in the
centre on the porch, as he remarked:
''Sne's jess lie right key"
He commenced tapping the tambourlne
gently, humming an air as follows
DE debbil he took shot at me-
Jack he kills de snake,
'Possum up de big mulberry tree
. wake, SISTERS wake;
Sisters o wake, wake;
o wake, sisters, wake,
De ole mOckin' bird he sings for me-
Jack he kills de snake.
He's now roostin' on de black oak tree
wake, sisters, wake;
Sisters, . wake, wake;
wake, sisters, wake.
After singing a few verses in a monotonous
style, he stopped and again held the deerskin
over the lamp. Returning, he said:
Ladies an gemmens, III now glib yo'
something new"
He started off in higher key, singing the
same cong, doubling up his body, walking Oh
his toes and heels, and holding his left ear to
the tam bourine. Winding up this act, Uncle
Rufus again had recourse TO the lamp, rum
ming his tambourne to a still higher key. On
rea"hing his place he made a low bow, re-
marking:
'Dls am de best OBJ all"
The same ola song followed, but Uncle Ru-
fus redoubled his efforts. He circled the audi
ence, looking each person in the eyes, while
his thumb made a rumbling sound on the
deerskin. After he had completed the circle
he said:
''Now look out TO- dis 'casion."
The knocking became terrific. and hands,
head, feet, knees, and all of Uncle Rufus
Lucky seemed to be in the air at one time.
During all OF this act the face of the colored
performer wore the most serious expression.
The audience rOared and stamped, and the
four varmint dogs sat in row looking on
as if amazed at the strange antics of their
master.
~ hopes dat de atmosphere will be in better
circumstances de mex night | knocks" said
Uncle Rufus as he went up the avenue, fol-
lowed by his varmlnt dogs.