The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-02-28
GREENHUT TELLS
OF FAMILY PRIDE
Tale OF BeIIyband Bush Of
Mississippi
WAS PROUD OF FAMILY
Had Cards Educated SO They Would
Go When and Wherever He De-
sred-Had Art of Deal
ing Down Pat.

From the Washington Herald.
I'd you ever know Bellyband Bush. t
come I'm B1loxi?" inquired Jim Blais-
dell of old man Greenhut in a casual
fashion as the frequenters of the old
mans saloon in Arkansas City sat around
the stove one evening, waiting with what
patience they could for somebody to come
in with a wad and a yearning for draw
poker.
There had been considerable desultory
conversation during the time they had
been so waiting, but nothing of interest
had been discussed, and the only thing
that had commanded attention was old
man Greenhut's surprising acquaintance
with the details of the personal history
Of everybody who had been mentioned
while they were talking. Even this, how
ever, had occasioned no remark, for his
friends had long been familiar with the
fact that he had known more people,
and more about them, in his long and
adventurous career than anybody else in
the Mississippi Valley.
The old mans reply to Blaisdell was
therefore somewhat unexpected. Look
ing at his questioner rather doubtfully,
he hesitatad for few moments and then
said:
Cant say as how I recomember the
gentleman. There was a family o. the
name o. Bush come I'm Mississippi what
had some reputation FIR playin' a
toll able good game, but there want none
on 'em, IS fur IS I know, was ever chris
tened Bellyband. How come they picked
out that name for him.
az amt a sayin' bout that" said Blais-
dell, gravely. "Mebbe that want his
right name, but never heerd him called
nothin' else.
Hoped Himself In.
ct reckon likely they gave hi mthat
name after he growed up bein as he
want so hell roarin fat when he was
little; but when he growed up he 'peared
to swell constant till he was more the
fgger of a hogshead nor anythin' else.
Feared he was some feared O. the slaves
givin' way 'thouten they was hoped up
some strong, an he took to wearin' a
surcingle for to hold hisself together.
"They said he never took one off oncet
he'd put it on, but he KEEP CROWN so's't
the back d cover the surcingle in a
couple O. year, an he'd get new one
an strap 1t on, over all. There was them
t said he had four or five on 'em, inside
an out, but amt sayin' twas so.''
More or less amazing as this story may
seem to be in some of It's details. there
was no indication on Mr.. Blaisdelrs face
/ of any thought on his part that he was
taxing anybody's credulity. He spoke in
an even tone, and apparently gave no
thought to the possibility Of being
| doubted.
Old man Greenhut stared at him for a
| time as IL trying to determine his motive,
| but the slickest poker player in the state
was not in the habit of being embarras-
| ed by anybody's scrutiny, and whatever
his thoughts might have been his face
betrayed no sign.
At length the old man drew a long
breath and turned his attention from
Blaisdell to fresh box of cigars, which
he produced from behind the bar. Open
ing 1t, he selected with great care the
blacklist one he could find and put 1t in
his mouth, then closed the box and put
it away. Biting off the tip of his cigar,
he chewed it for a moment, and then
swallowed 1t while he lighted the cigar
carefully. Then walking round to his ia
vorite seat by the window, he put his
feet on the sill and smoked till he had
his cigar well alight Then he said:
"Judgin' FIN them interestin p'ticlars
Jim, 1 reckon tn amt no question but
what this here Bellyband Bush what
you'm tellin of must ha' been one o. that
same family / mentioned. His first name
was Abe, an he were third cousin o.
Jim Bush what worked along O. me onto
the Belle o. tn Bayous when I were con
sid able younger'n be now.
'I never seen Abe my ownself, but jim
ulster tell me how 'mazing fat Abe come
to be when he growed up. an how he
surcingled hisself I'm time to time SOS
he wouldn't bust. 'Taint likely there
was two men in Mississippi to oncet
what had that sort o. difficulty an II
there was they wouldn't both be named
Bush, not 'thouten there war a miracle
mixed up into 1t someway, so I DOM
make no doubt this here Abe must ha