River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-06-20
ssA.IsIANp DIALECT.
Specimens of Fast Diss ppearing and
Peculiar Form of Negro Speech.

Specimens of Fast Disappearing ana
Peculiar Form of Negro Speech.
There is one kind of Negro dialece
which is becoming very rare in this
country, and, in fact, is seldom heard
beyond the sea isis nds of the coast OF
South Carolina. This is the dialect Of
the descendants of the Guinena Ne
groes, and it contains many peculiari-
ties of expression Ambrose Gonzales,
OF South Carolins, who was raised on'
a tide water plantation. has made q
study of this dialect and renders it
with close imitation of the real
Here is one of his stories, published in
the Columbia State:
Alfred was a lanky, loose-jointed
youth, with the stumbling gait of q
raccoon. and more than his share of
Afro American laziness. In color he
was a chinquapin brown. or. as tho
hands on the plantation called IL, "a
by kind Of nigguh, sub" With the
arrogance of the copper-allcyed negro.
he looked down upon the darke r-hued
members of his race.
He was employed IN doing odd jobs
about the plantation, and one day was
coming over the railroad crossing on his
way from the big spring" balancing
bucket of water upon the hatless crown
Of his woolly head. when. as he paused
to look up and down the lines of gilt
tering steel rails. ostensibly to see
''wedder de shoo-hy train dey on time
he caught sight of rival and enemy.
Paul Youngblood, thick-set. bullet
headed black, year or two older and
many pounds heavier than our hero.
Putting down his bucket and lounging
toward the newcomer. who had paused
at the crossing. Alfred demanded:
paul. wat you tell Pink bout me tode
settin' up las SATURDAY nite?'
Tell which Pink?''
"Aun' Sarah gran-kaat Pink. You
know um berry wellr'
who tell yoG know she?"
''Ef you ain know UNI you 'quaint-
an wild 'um"
Well, eff / is 'quaintan' wild 'um
nebher tell 'um nutt'n."
You tell 'um dat could'n' specify"
who tell you / tell 'um?"
Lizzybet' tell me-"
(Which 'Lizzybet' dat?'
Same 'Lirrybet'; you mus be
fool"
Don't you cuss me fool"
Il cuss you a fool. yaas, en- cuss
you lie. en- ! cuss you nigguhr'
"Ef you cuss me a nigguh, yourself is
a nigguhl''
''Who-me?"
''Yass. you"
"Bippl" Alfred took a heavy light
wood knot from pile of engine-wood
near by and brought it down with a
whack on the thick skull of his oppon-
emit. The blow didn't seem to trouble
the recipient much, and lie stood look
ing daEedly at his assailant until the
sight of his own blood trickling down
on the planks reminded him that he had
been despitefully used. SEEKING AL
fred suddenly by the ears he butted
him full in the forehead and nc two
skulls crashed together With q sound'
like the coupling of freig't cars with
automatic bumpers. Tha battle was
short one. Alfred fell TO earth and
was soundly belabored he fore could
make the now thoroug hly aroused
Paul abandon the fight.
Now, Alfud," said his cocouern~.
Il done bruk 20 mout, you is satisfy.
enty?"
Alfred rose from the fray with tri-
umphant face. his head bloody but
unbowed." MINNIE" said he through
his swollen lips as he took up his bur-
den and moved slowly away. ANY
how, git cen the fuss liclr'-Wash-
ington Star.