Evening star., 1896-10-20
UNCLE REMUs ABROAD.
His Dialect Amused and Deceived the
English Professor.


His Dialect Amused and Deceived the
English Professor.
rom the Chicago Times-Herald
After Joel Chandler Harris had made
imself famous through his "Uncle Remus"
looks he was at first somewhat annoyed by
he discovery that many persons Of intelli-
Fence and education in the northern states
nd in England believed that the southern
Whites used the negro and cracker dialect
which his stories had made familiar to the
eading public.
Occasionally MIR. Harris yielded to his
owe of fun and deliberately went to work
o-convince the outsiders who came In con-
act with him that he habitually spoke a
'arbarous patois. His most audacious
achievement in this line was reserved for
me of his visits to Canada few years ago.
The humorist was accompanied by his
riend, Ed Hammond, an admirable mimic
nd a practical joker of some note.
The two agreed to myStify the Canadians
'y ma king use of the plantation and noun
ain dialect of their section, and they were
uccessful beyond their most sanguine ex-
bectationS-
In Ottawa they met a number of British
ourists of some reputation in literary and
rtistic circles. and among them was
professor of English literature who was a
nember of several learned societies. The
professor was introduced to the Georgians,
md they at once proceeded to astonish him
with their remarkable lingo.
Are you much of Il traveller, Mr. Har-
FiS?' was one of the first questions asked
by the Englishma1.
''Inginrully," replied Harris II am not,
but you uns make hit so pleasant when we
1ns come up heah thet L feel at home"
The professor ducked his head and pom
Fered a moment.
SO You like Canada" he said.
Yas, suh, promptly answered Ham
T ir,
git off agin endurin' wv next summer I'll
AXE another trip"
The cultured Briton turned again to Mr..
Harris.
You should visit England he said
Your books are very popular over there
hnd our painters. wood carvers and sculp-
tors are utilizing Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox
In their work.
Il was agwine once said Harris, IAN
went ter New York ter sail with friend,
but when L got thar he wuz dun gone"
"Yas. suh," interrupted Hammond. "he
Tuz plumb done gone. Hit wuz norated
Rroun thet he done hit ambitiously but
while he wuz somewhat bardacious, l don't
mink he left us puppusly.''
The professor turned yery red and
toughed violently.
Excuse me, gentlemen" he apologized
The dust irritates my throat"
Il expose thet thar's a heap of dry
weather heah, remarked Hammond mo
han We unS air useter.''
The professor seemed to have more
rouble with his throat, but he soon re-
powered and talked to his new friends about
canada
DO the British and Canadian peculiari-
ties of speech bother you?' he asked
'ias, suh.' replied Harris. Comm rs
We unS do from section whar even the
poorest speak pewah English, the talk of
these people sounds pow full funny but /
expose hit can't be holped. But whut both
erS me wust is the vittles. I miss my
bacon an collards, and pone bread en-
pot liquor"
That night Harris was present at a BAN
quet givei. 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 late hour Harris and Hammond ar
rived. They were faultlessly costumed, and
bore themselves well. but they were so re-
markably reticent and made such brief re-
plies TO their entertainers that the dialect
Feature of their conversation was missing,
to the great disappointment of the profess
sor and the Canadians.
But the toast to Uncle Remus' would
force Harris to talk at some length. He
would be taken by surprise, and in hts Off
hand remarks he would be sure to fall
into his natural dialect. So the guests
thought, but surprise was in store for
them. At an unexpected moment the toast
to Uncle Remus was given IN a highly
complimentary little speech. and there were
bud calls for the visitor from Georgia.
Fhe professor nudged his nearest neigh
bors, and half-concealed smiles flashed
around the table.
Rising with the easy se1f-possession Of q
veteran after-dinner orator, Mr.. Harris de-
Hyered q short speech. which electrified his
hearers. 1t was a perfect gem, sparkling
with wit and eloquence. Every sentence
was in good taste and every word was the
purest English.
Professor" said one Of the guests after
tho departure of the Georgians. you have
been vfctimized. Those literary fellows
down south don't talk dialect, except in
their books or when they want to have
a little fun with strangers"
'I am afraid that I have been grossly
deceived and triffed with" answered the
learned foreigner.