The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-12
~N~N.%
NEGRO DIALECT
STORIES.
BY
POLK MILLER.
"WHARKOUGWINE DRAP ME"
The Old Negro Thought the Devil Was IN
the Turtle and Let 20 Go.

The Old Negro Thought the Devil was II
the Turtle and Let 90 Go.
I was seated I'm front Of the hotel talk
ing 10 q lot of men, who, like myself,
felt the oppressive heat Of a stu July
night There was a drummer near me
who was the best ventrioquist had ever
seen. The rest Of the company knew ot
his mowers. but did not, so he concluded
10 have a little fun out Of me. L heard
voice from the third story saying:
Wont you please come 20 no. o.
would like 20 speak to YOU" / went up
but found No. o unoccupied, and the nall
way leading 20 it filed with a lot or run
bish over which I stumbled. Calling 70
the clerk who was one OF the gang below,
ENDURED who was in 30. 6? He replied
that there was no one registered for that
room. / was puzzled, but never Tor
moment suspected that I was the victim
or a practical joke. Returning 10 inc
pavement below 1 began TO comment upon
the strangones3 Of the thing when
voice called me again saying.
"I made q mistake I'm the number VIII
you please come 10 No. l6, I am sorry 20
trouble YOU"
1 Immediately ran up the three flights
OF stairs 90 no. is, but met with no better
luck than before. for this room was dark
and unoccupied. I begun TO get htiie
mad. Tor / thought some fellow was mp
there and lodging me- 1 gave up the
search and went back % where the
group OF men were seated
THAT fellow thinks he's doing some
thing smart" said !.
At this the crowd broke forth I'm
hearty laugh and tho perpotrator OF the
jcke made The most humble apology, say
ing eve just wanted TO have little fun
at your expense, sir, i ann q Ventrilo-
Quistw
Ills chair was next 20 mine. and the
"seir was so complete and so surprised
me- that 1 enjoyed 10 IS much as the rest
OF them Some time after that, this man
and 1 met in a small town In North Caro-
lima.
While standing ON the street corner,
talking. we saw an old darkey coming to-
wards MS with "a fishing pole thrown
across his left shoulder, while IN his right
hand he was carrying a turtle, holding
him hy the tail The old fellows face
was wreathed I'm smiles. for he was think
Ing OF tho "turkle" soup he was going 20
have that day for dinner 1 called my
vcntriloqulst friends attention 20 the old
negro as DE came shambling along.
"Aint ne happy" said l. "Visions Of
turtle soup are floating through his
mind"
WYATT tim he gets up close to me, and
TIL make that turtle speak 20 him. said
my friend.
"Can YOU do that?'
"Watch me-" said he.
Just as the old fellow got alongside
voice. as 10 from the sky said.
"Whar you gwine ter drap me?'
Tho old man turned his eyes Heaven
ward and said;
"Iil who dat spOkc.'
Just then the voice came again, but
this time it was Enthusiastically from the
turtle. Looking down with establishment,
and fear, he let so his prize, saying as
he dId so:
use gwine ter drap Won right ere"
And Dee did. ] called to him.
"Oid man come back and get your tur-
uer
Nor sub, he can stay d'yar, I doan'
want him..
"Oht como back said r. this man s.
ventr.oQuist and &c was De that made the
turtle speak"
Looking 40 my friend and moving off
slowly in tho opposite direction, Doe said.
or doan' know n0thin bout yo when
trlloguis. but the Devils I'm dat tuckle.
am Pm done Wil him."
POLK MILLER