Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/351

 Folk-Tales from Georgia. 19

FOLK-TALES FROM GEORGIA.

I. WHEN BRER RABBIT GET BRER BEAR CHURCHED.

One year Brer Bear he have a pen of fine hogs just ready for the smoke-house. But just before the Christmas season come on, every morning when Brer Bear fotch out his corn to feed the hogs, Brer Bear he done count them, and he find one gone ; and the next morn- ing Brer Bear done count them, and he find one more gone ; and so it go twell nigh 'bout the lastest one of Brer Bear's fine fat hogs done gone.

Now Brer Bear he 'low he bound to find out who the thief what steal his hogs ; so all enduring the Christmas holidays Brer Bear he visit 'bout among his neighbors constant, and they all say, What come over Brer Bear, he getting that sociable.

But when Brer Bear visiting, Brer Bear he be a-looking, and he be a-smelling for them fine hogs.

Well, Brer Bear he go to visit Brer Fox, and he don' see nothing and he don' smell nothing ; and then Brer Bear he go visit Sis Coon, but he don' smell nothing and he don' see nothing ; then Brer Bear he call on Brer Wolf, but he don' see nothing and he don' smell nothing.

Then Brer Bear he call on Brer Rabbit. Brer Bear he knock on the door, and Miss Rabbit she open the door, and invite Brer Bear in. Brer Bear he say, " Where Brer Rabbit ? " and Miss Rabbit she say, "Brer Rabbit gone to quarterly meeting," being as he one of the stewards of the church. Miss Rabbit say, " Brer Rabbit just feel bound to 'tend quarterly meeting."

Brer Bear he say he want a fresh drink, and he go out to the well-house, and he see where they been killing hogs. Now Brer Bear he know Brer Rabbit did n't put no hogs up in the pen. Brer Bear he walk round and round, and he say, " I smell the blood of my land."

And Brer Bear he fault Miss Rabbit with Brer Rabbit stealing all his fine hogs, and Brer Bear he say how he going straight up to quarterly meeting to church Brer Rabbit, and he a steward of the church, and Brer Bear he roll his hands and arms in the blood and he say he going take the proof.

Now Miss Rabbit certainly are a faithful wife. When Brer Bear start off down the big road towards the quarterly meeting, Miss Rabbit she take a short cut through the woods, lipity clipity. She get there before Brer Bear.

Miss Rabbit she go in and take a seat longside Brer Rabbit. She whisper in his ear, " Trouble trouble, watch out. Brer Bear he say

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