West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-02-14
FEB WHITES STORY.
He Tells How . Bear Stepped In and
Won . Championship Fight.

Tennessee, as 1 asked him
for story, al was sittin' by the
fire with the old woman and hearin'
her read about joiner and the whale
from the bible, when / heard a
rooster Growing outside. 1t wasn't
no time fur ROSTERS to crow, and
l didnt hev nary one about the
place, and fur a mint it give me a
queer feelin'.
'Mebbe yo' heard that p says /
to the old woman.
:" Il shorely did, she said, but
amt takin' it fur no ghost. Yo'
jest listen to joiner and let the roost-
er alone.
"There was two more crows, and
l was thinkin' of spooks dodgin'
about, when voice speaks out and
says:
" Does Zeb White, the famo us
postum hunter of Tennessee, inhabit
this we're cabin ? II he do, then l
want word with him.
at was the voice of a critter
named Tom Bowens, who'd lately
moved into the nayburhood and
thought hisself mighty man. He'd
bin braggin' around that he could
outrun, outjump and make me holler,
but this was the first time he'd show
ed up.
" It's that boastful critter Tom
Bowens, and I'll jest step out and
drive him into the airth,' says l to
the old woman.
4" 'Yo' set still, Zeb White she
says in reply. Hes only shucks
of man, as everybody knows, and
l don't want no row around we're
tonight. Let him blow all he
wants to-
"And then that critter crows some
more and flaps his arms and cries
out:
" Cock a-doodle- Pam a
peaceful good-natured man, but I'm
so constitooted that l must be
champion of the State of Tennessee
or take to my bed and die. Zeb
White, you old kuss, come out and
break my neck, or let it be known
that I've driv yo' into yo'r hole.
Il can't stand that says to
the old woman. 'Yo' keep that
place where joiner is about to be
swallered up, and I'll be back in
FIVE minutes
"Now, Zeb, what's the use p
she answers. "rhis yere bible says
thar shan't be no rows between man
and man, but all shall live in peace.
Jest treat the critter with contempt,
and he'll go away arter Bit
81 wanted to hear the rest about
Joner," said Zeb, "and wanted to
make that mans heels break his
neck. was hesitatin' what to do
when ne crows and flaps and sings
out ag'in:
"'Zeb White, yo' never dun met
up with a good man befo', and
the griffin of his teeth makes YOU
chill. Pm waitin' fur yo'. I'm
right on yo'r own land, and I'm
hopin' yo'r old woman will drive
yo' out with the broomstick to fight
me. won't paralyze yo' Zeb. T.
won't leave yo' a cripple fur life.
I'll Jest give yo' shake and a twist
and flop, and as soon as yo' yell
fur mercy I'll let up
Durn JOINER and the whale -
says / as | riz up.
" 'Sot still, Zeb,' says the old
woman.
" Il never will. Pm goin' out
and make dogs meat of that critter.'
"She was ag'in it, but went. AS
l stepped out door found it
dark night, but Tom wasn't fur off.
He had his coat off and was jumpin'
up and down on his hat, and as he
ketches sight of me he yells:
g" Now may the Lawd be praisedl
was thirstin' fur gore, but
thought to be disappointed. Zeb
White, does yo' call yo'rself. a
man
~ reckon says /.
" "A man what's got teeth and
toe nails p
The same
"A man what's got blood in
stead of dish water in his veins p
That's me-
Then I've come to the right
place at last, and tonight I shall
sleep like new born child. Drat
my hide, but was afraid yo'd
crawl under the bed at my hollerin'
or that yo'd send the old woman
out to fight me. It's yo' yo'rself,
amt il, Zeb p
It's all me-
90 fRekaee I DONE yysnf o. -