The Indianapolis journal., 1903-10-04
OOKING idly from the window
of a Pullman palace car on an
n overland train coming east, |

- overland train coming east, |
saw an old, much-bent negro
woman slowly making her way up and
down the little platform.
She was leading by long, slack
string, tied to its leg, large yellow
hen.
There were frequent halts and fiut-
ters from the hen; but at a few words
from the old darkey the chicken
would step sedately by her side until
frightened again.
Finding we were TO be detained al
the station beyond the usual twenty
minutes, went out to investigate.
When face to face with the woman
l realized she was of the old-fashion-
ed type. Around her head was wound
a bandana handkerchief of many col
ors, and her blue gingham apron was
Immediately clean.
"Howdy, missus," she said in reply
TO my greeting. Now keep still,
Mandy Hush-sh-sh; de nice lady
amt gwine to hut ye. You'll hab tor
'scuse her, missus,' she explained to
me; "she amt much ust ter trabel."
| turned and, fitting my steps to
hers, walked beside her.
Where do you and Mandy come
from, Auntie?' | asked.
sWe's comm from Californy. bress
de Laud," she answered, AN we's
goin' to Bowlin' Green in ole Kahn
tuck-my ole miss she done sont fer
me-"
And the chi-and Mandy?" | asked.
How do you happen to have her with
your" | realized, somehow, that
must not call Mandy just plain
Chicken
"Oh, cose | wouldn't leave her;
cause | 'spects to stay. When | done
come out Wes' two yurs agone, Man
dy wus luttle bit of er white chicken
an / kerrid her in er box without no
truble tall.
Dem highfalutin' darkies out Wes'
dey all laughs at me, an says de
ge'men what takes de tickets amt
gwine lem'me bring Mandy-'trow
you offur de train dey says"
We were frequently interrupted IN
this little talk by her expostulations to
the nervous Mandy, and | suggested
that we tie her string to a stake near
the platform.
Seeing her preening her ruffled
feathers and beginning to scratch 1T
the gravel about her, Mandy's mis-
tress sighed contentedly.
Now dat's a good idee," she said
Twill do Mandy a sight er good tC
timber up her laigs."
Well. how did you manage with
the conductor?" l said.
Il done put Mandy in a gret bis
basket an she have right good anC
KEEP mighty quiet dat fust night Blu
airly in de mawnin' hears her scram
blin' roun' right smart; an den she
gins TO cackle; fore you cud er sale
Jack Robinson. dat low-down nigga
what makes up de baids, he come anC
he says, What dat? he says.
Mandy | says 'thout lookin' up.
Mandy he says; it's er chicken
Don'' yer try to 'varicate," he says
it's er chicken
'Gawd almighty, by | says, e
couse it's er chicken; it's name an
Mandy
wal, it CANT stay here, he says
dis am towist sleeper, not er chickei
coop
Il jes' went raight erlong hxin' u
my tings an not PAWN no 'tention L
him He KEEP on er talkin an er talk
in. til one er de ticket ge'man com
erlong.
What's de row' he says.
Dis hur woman trablin' wild e
chicken dat yaller nigger says.
"'Chickenp ticket ge'man says
"'Yas, sir | says, "a rale lad
chicken. She amt no white tras
chicken. an she amt no white nigge
chicken, an she amt gibbin' nobod
no trouble
LESS see her. he says
$50 | open de basket, an dar WI
Mandy squattin' down clost in de corr