New-York tribune., 1886-08-15
THE KNOCKING or UNCLE RUFUS
from me GaipestOn hstrs

from me Gapcston heus
The NeCS correspondent mad Just driven the
OF the Lake boat against its noorngs when
niddo.ayed coiorst mau took hold Of the rope aud
I'd IKE yo 's.,auco dis ovenin' at do hotel"
How can assist yout
carry 'roun' dc nat"
Carry Tho hat yourself"
| wants "A 'spousiDio pursen to carry de hat"
The colored man WAS Uncle Kufus Lncky. VINO hal
been hunted down IN the buah by Colonel Cur. Davis
OF Autono and who discovered that Rufus knocked
on a homemade tambourine for dancing parties.
clothes his head bong covered by coou-skn cap with
long tai hanging from tho top He was followed by
Tour no our dos tho face OF each denotng hunger and
"rnis Is fine dog Unole RUFUS" said Colonel Davis.
T.c been oner.d Gfty poun Oh bacon ior en-
He's n varlnlnt dog" replied Uncle Raiu.
II was arranged that Uncle Rufus should "kn0ck" nj
the hotel that night lie arrived, dro.ssi In clean suit
him. many young persons from the Deignb beIug
present Iii' tAmoourine was curiosity IL was made
circle This was covered with a strip OF doorsKin.
-retcned tightly and tackled to tho wood Holos Scre
cut IN tie oak. and round tin pieces werc fastened IN
thom OIL wires. I0sido OF the rude Instrument two
wire: crosrn e,ch Other ON those he mad also strung
."d He''' largo as half dollars on''' H0'u' '''''
..I? h?, ~ no ash an cant run up do ip'termon and
A lighted lamp was furnished MIN. lie held tho deer
nj osfnrc and placed tho hide he tapped IL
with his Enuoki.a.
ITO low. Dc a,mo.phere's 100 damp. Will hAb TO
cline the honah Of knVegin'."
twsn J five cont peoe was passed. to him by OF
tho audlence
.Prap.t the propsh key can now be hit."
ARain tho lamp used with eheo. and Uncie Rufus
Lncky took position In tho coutre on the pOrch he
remarked:
'shes jesA DO night key
He commenced tapping tho tambourino gently, hum.
u,ug sn ~ follows.
Dc detbil be took shot at mo
Jack he kills do snako,
Possum up tho big mulberry tree
wake, Sisters, wzkoi
Sater. y wake, wake:
o wake. atstors. wsko.
Do ole mockin' bird he sings for ne
Jack he kills do snake.
Hes now roostin' on de- black oak troe-
wake, aistors, wake;
Sisters, o wake, wake;
wake. slsers. wake
After singing few vorsos In = monotonous STYLE he
stopped and hold the deorskin the lamp
turning he said:
Ladies an gemmens. IN now gib 10 something M
lie started OH IN = higher key, singing x,
doubling up his body waking on his toes ana heels and
holding his loft to tho ambOurne Winding up
his tanbourno to still higher key. On reaching his
place he made low bow. roinsrkinx:
'Dta dc best ob ALL"
The old sons fsio wod, Uncie Rufus redoub-
person In the eyes. whiIo his thumb made rumbnn z
sound on tho deorskin. After he had completed the
orcic, he said:
Now look out TO die casion."
Tho knocking became terrific, and hands, head, fec
kneos, ali Of Unco Rufus Lucky med to bs In tho
air a tpo. During all OF This act tho faco OF the
coiOred performer wore tho most serious expression.
aud,suco roxrcd And stamped aud four
their msster,
al hores dat Dc atmosphere will be in better ciroum.
do nex night knocks said Uncle Rnfus as be
went W the aveauc. followed by his varmint doxG