The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-05
TWO Alabama Writers

4 CUO 4 1 LNONAl ( Two little books have come within my ken during the Christmas holi- days written by Alabama women. One is Minute Dramas" by Martha Young of Greensboro, and the other An American Princess" by Irene Cowan Tippett of Dothan, and each is a little gem-origlnal. well writ ten and charmingly presented. In Minute Dramas or The Ko- dak at the Quarter" Martha Young. whose pen is so facile and so versa tile, has gathered together a charm ing collection of her poems Plant ation Ethics" Lights and Shades of Plantation Love Making" "Plantation Politics, Pictures and Philosophy" Plantation Little People" and Tn Black and White"
 These poems, filled brimfull of true southern lingo, rich in humor, some or them fraught with pathos, others are appealing to the southerner who loves the old plantation melodies and the northerner who, knowing little of the southern negro, wants to know more. One of the delightful poems which Martha Young contributes to Minute Dramas is entitled:
 THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY Uncle Isham speaks: Ole Solon got converted
 And larned to trust in prayer; Whene'er sire struck him He took and knelt right dareI And now wid Christmas comin' He gin an earnest pray: Lord, send to me turkey To eat on Christmas Day!" A solid week he wrastle Wid des dat only prayer, He seed no turkey comin, And Christmas nearly dare. So Solon changed his prayin'. Not de sperrit, but de word: Lord. send me to a turkey You think dat prayer was heard? He prayed it warm and earnest, And kep' his faith right bright, And Solon got two turkeys Dat very Christmas nightl Another of the clever poems is:
 AT THE BAPTIzING Uncle Sampson speaks: Was you at Baptizin' yitsiddy, Sal When they put down old Uncle 1sham's gal? Twas de joyfulies' meetin' I ever Is
 seen,
 went in de OK cart wld old man
 Green. When dat preacher put Susan in de
 pool
 She come up hollerin' and shoutin'
 In de cool "Onct I was lost, But now I is foun' seed Saint Gabiel as went
 down!" Dat half-wit Carter.-he mos a plum
 fool,--
 He been baptize and des come out
 de pool. He say: Dat want no Saint Gab'el, Sis Su-
 Dat was des mud-turtle,-I seen
 dat, toor
 One of the most typical of all the poems is:
 WHAT MAINLY KNOWS Black Nanny sings: De seventh chile of a seventh chile Folks say see ghosts; Dunno bout dat. but I know dis
 chile
 See he Heavenly Hosts
 Gaze ev'y little while Dat chile she smile Folks say dimples is sign of luck, Dunno how dat be: l know angels kiss desc dimples,
 heah,
 Gaze dat I sec
 For ev'y little once in awhile
 Dat chile she smile! Desc fat little creases heah, dey say, Around her knee, Gwine tie folks heart strings tight
 to her;
 And dat may be-
 Gaze ev'y little once in awhile
 How she do smile! Niger signs good and bad are true; But no i'll dare To come, my baby chile, whilst you | Are in my care: i She know dat, too
 Gaze ev'y little once in awhile l Watch how she smile. 1 And one of the Hitting, swinging l swaying verses Is:
 BREEZE IN THE BoUGH Black Nanny sings: Hop light ladies, Cakes all dough-, Never mind the weather
 So the wind don't blow
 Jump light ladies, Wine all lees;
 Never mind the weather
 So us des get breeze!
 Skip light, ladies. ! Pies all crust;
 Never mind the wind
 So it don't raise a dusti
 Trip light ladies,
 Beer s all foam;
 Never mind the weather
 So the wind blow home!
 Hop light, ladies,