Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/126

 1 1 4 '/ i wrnal of American Folk-Lore.

When it just come to hissclf what he gwine to do, he jump up and clip it off home, and he hunt up the slippers and he fill them with ashes, and Lord bless your soul, the ole chap know just what them slippers do 'bout the dust out of the rock.

Well, the next morning they was all dar soon. Ole Brer Rabbit, the last one, come limping up like he mighty lame, and being so, he the last one on the land, 'cause he have last chance.

Now Brer Wolf, he take the big hammer and he fotch it down hard, and Brer Wolf mighty strong man in them days, but he ain't fetch no dust. Then Brer Coon and Brer Possum, they try, but Ole Man Fox he say, he don't see no dust, and Miss Fox she to 'hind the window curtain and giggle, and Ole Man Fox he curl the lip and he say, Brer Rabbit, it you turn now. Brer Wolf he look on mighty scornful, and Brer Rabbit have just all he can do to fotch up the big hammer ; it so hard he just have to stand on tiptoe in he slippers, and when the hammer come down, he heels come down sish, and the dust fly so they can't see the ole chap for the dust.

But Ole Brer Rabbit, he don't count that nothing but just one of his courting tricks.

WHEN BRER RABBIT SAVE THE PIG.

One winter, 'bout a week to Christmas, Brer Rabbit he have a pen full of powerful fat hogs, just honing for the smoke-house. Now you mightn't think it, sah, but Brer Rabbit was a mighty frolicsome chap when he was a young man, attending on the gals nigh 'bout every night.

Xow Brer Bar and Brer Wolf have they mind on them hogs con- stant, but they feared Brer Rabbit got some trap set unbeknownst to theyselves.

One night Brer Rabbit, he go up to pay he 'dresses to Mr. Wolf's daughter. Now this yer Miss Wolf was a mighty prideful gal, and she keep Brer Rabbit waiting on the porch a powerful long time, while she get on her meeting clothes.

Well, whiles Brer Rabbit was a waiting, all to once he hear he name round the corner the porch, and he cock up he ear, and sure 'nough dar he hear Brer Bar and Brer Wolf in cahoots for to steal he bestest pig.

Brer Rabbit he listen, and they lay out they plans, how they gwine dress off the pig, and leave it un'neath the black gum-tree whilst they go for the cart, 'cause they 'spicious if they stop for to cut it up, Brer Rabbit gwine catch up with 'em.

Well, Brer Rabbit, he shake hisself and go in, and pay he 'spects to Miss Wolf, but right soon he say he 'bliged to say good-night, and he clip it off to the black gum-tree, and he hide hisself in the

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