Viewing page 37 of 246

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

The Goophered Grapevine 27

him too ha'd dis summer, er e'se de swamps down here don't agree wid de san'-hill nigger. So you des lemme know, en eg he gits any wusser I'll be willin' ter gib yer five hund'ed dollars fer 'im en take my chances on his livin'.'
   "Sho 'nuff, when Henry begun ter draw up wid de rheumatiz en it look like he gwine ter die fer sho, his noo marster sen' fer Mars Dugal', en Mars Dugal' gin him what he promus, en brung Henry home ag'in. He tuk good keer uv 'im dyoin' er de winter, -- give 'im wi'skey ter rub his rheumatiz, en terbacker ter smoke, en all he want ter eat, -- 'caze a nigger w'at he could make a thousan' dollars a year off'n did n' grow on eve'y huckleberry bush.
   "Nex' spring, w'en de sap ris en Henry's ha'r commence' ter sprout, Mars Dugal' sole 'im ag'in, down in Robeson County dis time; en he kep' dat sellin' business up fer five year er mo'. Henry