Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-11-30
Aunt DilSey'S First Railroad Trip
"A True Incideut)


"A True Incideut.)
Miss May, Ise gwine ter Richmon' de
las Nv dis week en- I wants yer please
ma rm' ter writ me er letter ter Emeline
spressifyin' dat I gwine. so she ken meet
me
Hi'-Ycr say ain I feerd ter 20 bv
myself on de kyeers: La-Miss MAY
chile-what 7 gwine ter be feered on 20
/ For years it had been the dream Of
Dilsey's heart 20 visit her daughter
Emeline in Richmond At last this
dream seemed about TO be realized:
Emeline having sent her mother money
20 buy railroad ticket.
Dilsey's excitement ran so high she
could scarcely remain al home long
enough TO prepare for her journey.
Several trips daily being made to ,he
cross roads store for the sole purpose OF
meeting the neighboring darkie~ and
discussing her wonderful trip with them.
Wherever Dilsey could secure an audi
ence, conversations like these were gen
orally overheard.
"Gud mornin' I-e tolerable smart
thanks yer How all yo' family. Yes.
Ise cwine ter Richmon' ter see Emeline
Ain yer hearn NV hit. Yes. Ise cwiue
ON de steam kyeers. En- hush Niger
ain jes gwine ter iuviate on dem red
velvet cushions. sof ez silk, les like
Miss Mays Sunday kerriage. Yes
lows ter 20 bout dc las Nv he week. de
Lord willin' Miss May. she dun prom
Use me er nice briled chilken. en- som
coke. en- Rose she gwine ter mex me
som beat biscuit ike de white folks ter
hab fur er snack on de train. scussin'
gifts honcry."
The distance 10 Richmond was forty
five miles and the accommodation train
passed The N- Virginia plantation
about seven o'clock in the morning.
When the eventful day arrived. Dilsev
had been waiting at the draw bars long
before day
At last ;he train came in sight and
was Jagged by Uncle Jake with his red
bandannahandkerchief.
The conductor shouted "all aboard
and Dii>ey was hustled on with her
many buckets and baskets filled with
{ fresh eggs. butter, spare-ribs and some
ole hareS for Emeline Poor Dnsev. she
was fairly thrown into her seat. and as
! the train moved OF her troubles began.
Scarcely touching the luxurious cush-
ions SO much talked OF. with her hands
pressed down tightly on each arm of the
seat, she moaned aloud
"Gawd what De matter wild me- Nv
he'd dun tu'n all er roun' Is jedgment
Jay cum yer reckon
Presently the conductor came through
The train collecting tickets. and seeing
Dilsey's ludicrous array of bundles. said
pleasantly.
Good morning Aun,ie, got your
ticket"
No sound issued from Dilseys palsied
lips or no movement of her rigid BODY
gave evidence that she had heard any
thing
81 say Auntie, where's YOUR tickete''
After much labored breathing Dusev
replied in gasps. Mister
Conductor-Ise got er ticket-what
d my daughter-E Emehne-sont NE
Where is your ticket old woman :?
: I'm in a hurry, continued the conductor.
My ticket hit right here in nv pocket
mister conductor. but ef yer wants hit.
yer bleeged ter git hit yerself. fur Ise
busy COnsarned holden dis train down
on &c groun'. Yes Jesus, hope me ter
u hOl hit down tight, les til I gits Ter
: Richmond. En- Lord Jesus. forgive ole
e DHsey fur wantin ter proiec' Wild dis
- here fiery debil, what ken skeer eben lie
BE- houses en- trees, en- mex dem rcn er way.
e Yes, Miss May, chile. yer wuz righ,
G honey, Dilsey is skeered Ia ruther fur
e BrUther JeemS ter read my name out en-
e church. Enythin Lord but ter ride on
l. dc. fiery cushions Nv hell. what buns
II like dre-fre en birthstone"
a On reaching Richmond the conductor
d tri,d TO press upon Dilsey her return
trip ticket, bur the old darkey wouldn't
r. touch H. and said
II Nav sur. I thanks YOU kindly but q,
Lord dun brung me th'oo dis time. en-
y promise Him solemn like not ter proiec
S no mo- wild lie vain receipts NV man.
II lows ter stay right here in Richmon
n 'twel inc Jeems brung his tcrbaccei
1t ter town. an den I kin ride home rea
1t comforble like ON his oN-kyart. SO
4 don't need dat ticket no mo thank
re yer. Mister Conductor"
:. NJ r. W.