The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-09-24
Use READY TER DIE NOW"

'A-N -A"oiic " Ouio IIulu Ut huCuerIOTu
and Stoney Smith drove him over to
Yorkville. On the way they stopped
at the cabin of an old darkey to get
drink of cool water. AS they passed the
cabin on the way down the line fence
to the we'll the grateful smell of roast
shote greeted their nostrils. After the
drink of clear, sparkling water they
stopped at the cabin door, and the Gov
ernor said to the old darkey:
uncle, it pears to me that / smell
somethin' that, with the exception of
one thing, hits the right spot the hard
est"
An what's that one thing, boss?"
That's possum, uncle"
"Youse jest right, youse jest right!
You-uns knows what's good. An what
you think you smell?"
Uncle, I don't think anything about
1t, know it, smell barbecued shote
and l want some."
Come right in, boss, come right in.
De white folks alus did speak mighty
high Of de ole mans special manner Of
cookin' de shote.
The Governor and Stoney Smith
went in the cabin, a chair without a
back being provided for the Governor,
no doubt because he was the larger of
the two, while Smith doubled himself
up on a soap box. While the old darkey
proceeded to serve some of the shote
the eyes of the two visitors wandered
around the cabin and the Governor
saw something tied up in one leg Of a
pair of pants hanging on nail In
stinct told him what it was, and reach
ing for it, then pulling off it's covering.
had an old fiddle and bow in his hand.
In moment he was saving away on
"Possum up Gum Stump" and the
old darkey was standing with mouth
wide open and eyes rolling in perfect
ecstacy of pleasure.
For de Lawd Cord, hear dat white
man err playin' ON my blessed fiddle
Listen ter de pink, PUNK of dat chune
Gosh, boss, you'll drive dis pore ole
niger crazy. Hush yo' business, chile
or | can't keep still"
The Governor paid no attention to
the EXPLANATIONS of the old man but
started Sandwiches in the Piney
Woods" and when he was through
with that sawed away on Granny
Will Your Dog Bite" and "Soapsuds OF
the Floor" When he laid the fiddle or
the table the old darkey was about ex
hausted, as it had been impossible fol
him to keep quiet. He set the shot,
upon the table and as the Governo
and Mr.. Smith proceeded to ca
he stepped to the door in a very re
spectful way. His curiosity got tn,
better of him and he could not wal
for the hungry couple to complet,
their repast, so he stood half way II
the doorway and asked:
Say, boss, is you-uns one of den
show fellers dat comes ter Trenton
sometimes durin cote week?'
mot exactly, uncle" said the Gov
ernor.
The old man evidently thought h
was sure of finding out who hi
talented guest was on his first ques
ton. as he was silent for severa
minutes, during which the Governo
and Smith actually devoured the shote
Presently the old man asked:
"You isn't one of dem musicianer
dat plays fer de white folks when de-
have pic-nics an SIGH, is yer"
Stoney Smith thought it was his tim
to say something so he answered tn
inquiry, saying:
Uncle Pete, this gentleman who
eating your shote, and who has playe
such sweet music, is Gov. Bob Taylor
You have heard of him."
dat man de Governor! You mea
ter tell me chile dat he-uns Is
Governor? Bress de Lawd for his In
fermous goodness! Use been prayi1
ter de good Lawd for nigh on ter tie
years fer de good Lawd ter let me sc
marse Taylor befo' l die. 1se read
now marse Jesus Take me home te
: paw"
When the old man had become a Ii
tie quiet Smith inquired:
"How do you know Governor TAI
I lor, Uncle Peter"
How do know him, how do kno
D him? l knows him diserway. Whe
: my little Jimmy was sent ter de Co
; mines fo' ten years fer nothin', just f,
nothin', mind yer, him bein' as inne
cent as er babe, mars Taylor he |
him outen de coal mines an sends hi
a home to his POI el' paw. De Law