The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-30
Ths ddeha Daily EAGLE: Thnrsaau yornus august So

de was very learned in the art OF
courtship, and it was to his shop the
slave lads went for instruction. |
never had the honor Of being one of
the old mans pupils, being too young
when 1 knew him TO make inquiry
along the courtship line, but 1 tracked
many young men TO Gilbert's shop in
the interest of general gossip.
The American slaves courtskip words
and forms are the result of his attempt
at initiating the gushjngly elegant
manners and speech of his master
| Uncle Gilbert's rule of courtship was
that young man mus tes' an prove
a gal befo' offerin' her his han. If er
gal gives man as good anser as he
| gives her question. den she is all right
in min. IF she can look him squar' in
| de face when she talks to him, den she
kin be trusted, an eff her patches is on
straight an her close clean, den she is
gwine ter keep de house straight an
yer britches mended. SIGH er CONAN
is with havin'."
Here is sample of courtship con-
versation:
objections to my drawing my cher to
yer side, and revolvin' de wheel of nv
conversation around de axle of your
understandin'?
She-I has no objection to a gentle
man addressin' me in proper manner,
kim sir.
He-My dear miss de worl' is a
howlin' wilderness full of devourin' an
imals, and you has got to walk through
hit. Has you made up your min to
walk through hit by yersef, or wild
some bold wahyer?
She-Yer 'terrigation. kim sir. shall
be answered in ladylike manner eff
you viii prove to me dat it is not for er
form and er fashion dat you puts de
question.
He-Der miss, I would not so impose
On a lady like you as to as her ques-
ton for a form an a fashion. B'iieve
me, kim miss, dat has a pertickler OBJ
jick in ingagin' yer in conversation dis
afternoon.
She-kin' sir, has knowed many a
gentleman to talk wild wise words an
Gatterin' looks, and at the same time he
may have a deceivin' heart. May I as
yer, kim gentleman, eff you has de full
right to address a lady in a perticxler
He-I has, kin miss. ] has seen many
sweet ladies, but l has never up to dis
day an'time lef' de highway of single |
gentleman to foller desc beacon lights. /
But now, kim miss, as I looks in yer |
homes face, and hears yer kind voice, I |
must confess, dear lady, dat l would be |
Joyous to come to yer beck and call in |
any time of danger.
She-Den, kin sir, will reply in an
ser to yer 'terrigation in de fus place, |
sence l think you IS n homes gentle
man, dat 1 feels dat lady needs de
protection of boP wahyer in dis worl'
where dere's many wiz animals and
plenty o danger.
He-Den, kim honored miss, will YOU
condescen' to encourage me to hope dat
| might, some glorious day in de fu-
Lure, walk by your side as q perteckter?
She-Kin' sir, eff you think you is
bop warrior, l Will condescend TO let
you pass under my observation from
lis day on, an ef you proves wuthy Of
l confdin' lady'S trus', some lady might
De glad to axcept yer perfection, and
Lat lady might be me.
This brings US to the point where the
wo agree to become lovers, and, as
owes language is not reducible to
writing and repetition, we viii leave
Of American Folklore.