Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1892-11-22

HARNN NNAh's ~" Wv "'sss~' W
nv big iHrilo."
the ground sunk In the great earthquakes
of eighteen hundred and eleven and
twelve. asked him how was 10 git
this 'tarrapin king. and the ole man
sa,d he'd Kit him Tor me. asked how
much he'd charge and when he'd bring
him. The ole fcller said ,ha, " III give
him one % my tarrspin that he'd pick
out and little nigg.r boy that had
I'll fnl the urrapin king standin bc-
side my tent at daylight In the mornin.
Il agreed 10 this, Tor the little niger
was sich devil that could do no,hin
with him. AMI as for the one tarrapin u
didn't signcrfy ,her snap 10 n finger.
but how the king ~ the tarrapin was 10
travel 80 far In few hours couldn't
49,. The ole doctor said that was his
business: all he wanted was for me 20
shake hands on the bargain. ] reached
out nv hand and shook. and feclin In
the palm Of my hand some,hin sharp.
like claws. I looked aud swar the ole
Teller had hands like the fore feet of
biz snsppin turtle.
"SoOn az the bargain was clinchei the
ol. critter went 10 the door of the tent
and began to shake his rattle. In bout
q minute = tarrapin come marchin In
and se, up on end before the ole doctor.
The ole man told me this was the
tarrapin I must give him. said. All
night. take the darn thing for you see
was skeerel u IL when seed Il set mp ON
end.
"The ole man took the tarrapin mp In
his hands and began talkin % II In sone
kind of hoodoo lingo. Turnin 10 me he
told me be was instruciin the tArrapin
To 90 and bring the king
elf tha,'s it, said l. he'll git him
here bout this time next year
The ole nj; aid nothin; jist made
motion for me to come outside the tent.
"A full moon was shinin bright a
day. The ole man held the tarrapin out
ON his ol-n right hand and began talkin
10 II. All at once, as I'm livin sinner,
there come out from the sides IL that
tarrapin's she'll two wings like the wings
Of lat. only ten times bigger. and away
IL sailed like a bird.
"when I seed this thought Ia drap.
was list diyin into the tent when the
ole man grabbed the by the cellar and
hauled me hack. Again he began to
shake his rattle AMI soon heard the
sound ~ n bell. Nearer and nearer Il
come till IL sounded clear and beautiful
close by. A little black cloud passed
onto the moon. q dark shadder rushed
toards us from somewar and the bell
fell at the feet Of the ole doctor.
"it was 'bout the sire % sheep hell.
round In shape and bright - silver.
Tie sound II II had set all the tarrapii.
In motion. They came toarls the tent
from all guarter, climbin on one an
Others hacks till they were three tara
pin ep rouud the ole hco'loo doctor.
''l nc ole feller then took from among
the 'Iossum skins at his waist long
line II twisted har. and takin the col.
lar 10 snake heads from his neck he tied
the cord To IL and hung ON the hell. He
,hen told me TO put the hell and collar
ON the king 10 the tarrspin when he
arrived aud to lead him by the cori
1.icn was ready to move out with my
drove.
Il asked " he would take the little
nigger. secin he was startin Oh. Hesaid
mo-; he'd take him when he wanted him.
meantime he'd leave him 10 bring upthe
rear % my drove. said the 10y WAS of
NO account. I'll make him some count.
.aid the ole doctor. and. haulin the little
mig out'n the corner OF tbs tent whar
he was snoozin or pretendin TO snoose.
he buzred In his ear for awhile. then
told me the boy would be all right. This
done. he passed out at the door OF my
tent. and clusin Il behind him orsiervd
me not to look out till ] heard great
noise.
II turned In for nap. and had bssu
sslssp couple of houu whsn . sosss