The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-11-03
UNCLE REMUs ABROAD.
His Dialect Amused and Deceived the
English Professor.

English Professor.
After Joel Chandler Harris had made
himself famous through his Uncle Re
mus" books he was at first somewhat
annoyed by the discovery that many
persons of intelligence and education in
the northern states and in England be-
| lieved that the southern whites used
the negro and cracker dialect which
his stories had made familiar to the
reading public.
| Occasionally Mr.. Harris yielded to his
| love of fun and deliberately went to
work to convince the outsiders who
came in contact with him that he ha-
| bitually spoke barbarous patois. His
most audacious achievement in this
line was reserved for one of his visits
to Canada few years ago.
The humorist was accompanied by
his friend, Ed Hammond an admirable
mimic and practical joker of some
note.
The two agreed to mystify the Cana
dams by making use of the plantation
and mountain dialect Of their section,
and they were successful beyond their
most sanguine expectations.
In Ottawa they met a number OF
British tourists of some reputation IN
literary and artistic circles, and among
them was a professor of English litera-
! ture, who was a member of several
learned societies. The professor was
introduced to the Georgians, and they
at once proceeded to astonish him with
| their remarkable lingo.
Are you much of a traveller, Mr..
Earris?" was one of the first questions
asked by the Englishman.
'Inginrully," replied Harris, 81 am
not but you uns make hit so pleasant
when we uns come up heah tibet I feel
at home.'
The professor ducked his head and
pondered a moment
80 you like Canada?" he said.
''Yas, suh,' promptly answered Ham
mond, Hits fine country, an If I
kin git off agin endurin' NV next sum
mer I'll take another trip"
The cultured Briton turned again to
Mr.. Harris.
You should visit England" he said.
"Your books are very popular over
there, and our painters, wood carvers
and sculptors are utilizing Brer Rabbit
and Brer Fox in their work"
II was agwine once said Harris,
IAN I went ter New York ter sail with
friend, but when I got thar he wuz
dun gone"
"Yas, suh," interrupted Hammond,
che wuz plumb done gone. Hit wuz
norated around tibet he done hit ambi-
tiously but while he wuz somewhat
bardacious, don't think he left us pup
pusly"
The professor turned very red and
coughed violently.
Excuse me- gentlemen" he apollo
gized THE dust irritates my throat !"
II expose tibet thars heap of dry
weather heah," remarked Hammond,
mo than we uns air useter."
The professor seemed to have more
trouble with his throat, but he soon re-
covered and talked TO his new friends
about Canada.
do the British and Canadian pecu-
liarities of speech bother your" he
asked.
"Yas, suh," replied Harris. Comm
as we uns do from section whar even
the poorest speak pewah English, the
talk of these people sounds pow'ful
funny, but expose hit can't be hoiped.
But whut bothers me wust is the Wit
ties. I miss my bacon an collards, and
pone bread an pot liquor"
That night Harris was present at a
banquet given in his honor, and the
professor was among the guests.
The Englishman had quietly told his
friends about his new acquaintance,
and some of the rollicking clubmen
| agreed to draw the stranger out for the
amusement Of the others.
: At a late hour Harris and Hammond
arrived They were faultlessly cos
tuned and bore themselves well, but
they were so remarkably reticent and
/ made such brief replies to their enter
5 tanners that the dialect feature of their
/ conversation was missing, to the great
t disappointment of the professor and the
/ Canadians.
} But the toast to "Uncle Remus'
t would force Harris to talk at some
: length. He would be taken by surprise
1 and in his off-hand remarks he woulc
/ be sure to fall into his natural dialect
1 So the guests thought, but surprise
} was in store for them. AT an unexpect-
' | ed moment the toast to "Uncle Remus'
! was given in highly complimentary
little speech and there were loud calls
: for the visitor from Georgia The pro
: fessor nudged his nearest neighbors
Q and half concealed smiles flashed
| around the table.
I Rising with the easy self-possessior
: of veteran after-dinner orator, Mr.
Harris delivered a short speech, which
, electrified his hearers. 1t was a perfec
6 gem, sparkling with wit and eloquence
, Every sentence was in good taste ant
: every word was the purest English.
- Professor" said one of the guests af
ter the departure of the Georgians
you have been victimized. Those lite
: rary fellows down south don't talk dia
: lect except in their books or when the,
y want to have a little fun with stran
gers"
Il am afraid that have been grossl.
q deceived and trifed with" answered
the learned foreigner-Chicago Times
: Herald.