Old Josh, in: Old Rattlesnake’s Ghost (1898) (Episode #9)
Hank Jackson, Slave to Mr. Smiley (Charles T. Hightower’s neighbor), purchased for work on the Smiley plantation in 1826, Hank, wuz called ‘Old Rattlesnake’ by Josh, as they were friends for many years, and he up and died some time in the 1870s); Hank never knew how old he wuz and wuz a young man when he wuz bought by the Smiley’s; married Lucy, a slave already on the plantation.
Old Josh is sitting back on his porch, thinking of the old days, and Silas just cleaned the barn and is leaning on the wall next to Josh, and Josh starts his conversation.
Josh: Old Rattlesnake ‘apeared to me de othder day, his ghost, when I wuz restin’ and de sun hit my head… Silas: Wut he say pa? Josh: He like to talk, talk, talk, jes like when he wuz aliven, but he wuz frightenin’ me, he tell me ‘bout de devil. He wuz in a heap er sweaten´ too, he say de got a corral dey put de white folks in down yonder, and de green pasture for us black folk. Silas: Why de corral for de white folks pa? Josh: Lit ‘em cool off I suppose Silas: Yo´-all, been smokin’ dat dere local weed pa?
Josh: nop…jes fishin’ down dere at Goose Creek…! Wen he sho up I wuza catching de big one…de sun shinin’ in de water on him, I sees him…big as yo-all…I say “Who dat dare?” an’ he a ghost. He wuz glad to sees me, but I dont like de dead to wake me up, dey can stay dead; I supposen his sperrit be hangin’ round me house now. I wants him to stay dead, old friend or not. He says one thing interesten’, dat de devil dont care if yous white or black, dat people is people, an’ he say ‘Tell Old Josh not to pray, cuss wes a waiten’ fir him down here—“ Old Hank wuz a scoundrel he was.
2-7-2007
See Dennis' web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com
Source: www.isnare.com
