The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-08-05


Doc Bloom was going out Hickory Hollow Bap
fist Church preach He had borrowed razor backed
mule and a rckety buggy for transportation the
fifteen miles distance. He did not know the road, and
depended information along the way to get to his
destination
After leaving Macon, Ca, he had gone about two
miles when he to road. He sat in the hot
sun while the mule stood stompng to shake off the
flies, and wondered which road to take.
Just as he was beginning to despair, white farmer
into view behind sleek horse which spurned the
dusty road with flying feet Doc yelled and the white
brought his horse to stop. What do want? "
he asked.
"Please sub, kin yo' tell which O. desc roads All
takes ter git ter Hickory Hollow" he asked in in
gratiating voice.
"sure!" replied the white man. "Take the right
turn"
"How fur is ht?" Doc then inquired.
"About thirteen miles," the called over his
shoulder he got under way again.
Doc CLICKED to the decrept old mule and resumed
his way 1t was a peaceful day, despite the heat and
Doc like all negroes, uxurated in the head. "Dis sho
is gran day. he unused aloud. And then after muslng
for few minutes he exclaimed "Ht doan seem right!
Nawsuh hit doan seem right! Niggers loves de heatl
Yo CANT skeer EN- much by tein' EN- hell is hot
pacel All wonder efen hit wouldn't be better ter tell
em hell is cold place whar icicles hangs often yo
eyebrows an yo halter sleep cakes o ice wdout no
cloes on!'
Just then lowly cottage into view around a
bend in the road and Doc barefoot negro in
overalls drinking at the well in the yard He stopped
the ploddng mule and asked for drink. After he had
quaffed the refreshing gourdful of water he asked
"How fur it hit frum hyah ter Hickory Hollow?
"Bout thuten miles, All reckons," replied the other
negro.
Doc started up again. and when out of earshot said
aloud "Thuteen miles! Huh! OATS whut dat white
man said back ter de roads! An All jes knows
Abs gone two miles since den. But he dropped bach
into his musng again and began running over in his
of the things he planned to in his sermon
'De whale swallowed JONAH but de whale couldn't
keep Jonah down. Cause Jonah up-an comm
mani Yo CANT keep good man down! Jonah mighta
been down. but outta dat fish like rabbit dawg
outta pole eats hoe!
Another darby hove into view in equippage as
rckety as Docs He greeted him he alongside
and asked, "How much furder is hit ter Hickory Ho
low"
"I.emme see" replied the other darby he scratch
ed his head "Hts TO mile jimpson's place; five
mile ter de gin house, an TO nile frum dar ter Hickory
Hollow. Dat makes thuteen mile, doan hit? Yep, dats
rght-thuteen mie!'
'Is yo sho hits thuteen mile?" asked Doc. "A
white man tel me hit wuz thueen mile from de cross
road back dar, an All knows Abs done gone TO miles
since All lef de crossroad"
"Wel sub, All doan know nothn' bout de white
man. but Abs sho' hits thuteen mile ter Hickory Ho
low frum hyah,' replied the darby.
"AIuch bged," said Doc, and clucked to his mule
He grew drowsy the mule ambled along, and soon
his head bobbng like fishing cork registering
animated nbbles hail aroused him. and he looked up
to see a white atop load of hay trying to pass
him on the narrow road Get that damned mule of
yours to one side won't you'll" the white yelled
If you would stay awake and keep your head you'd
live longer" he added.
"Ah's powerful sorry, boss Doc replied in con
Citation "But All didn't know dat All gttin
sleepy" And he pulled aside he turned and asked,
GLOW fur is hit ter Hickory Hollow"
"About thirteen miles," the white replied over
his shoulder he drew away.
Docs shoulders slumped and his face fell He look
ed both up and down the road with a woe-begone
preston Then with sigh he slapped the lines over
the gawky mules back and clucked to him. "Giddap'
Maud! At least ives holdin' own!'