Texian Stomping Grounds Page: 111
162 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
NEGRO FOLK TALES
BRER MAN IN THE HAUNTED WOODS*
Brer Man long time ergo 'cided ter trap de animals which
had fur whut he could sell. 'Cordin', he 'cided ter go down de
crick.
Brer Man an' Brer Dog went on down de crick, an' jist
'fore dark Brer Man say, "I speck we better camp hyar fer de
night, Brer Dog."
Brer Dog say, "Let's don't, Brer Man, case dis hill am
ha'nted. Let's go on up de crick."
Brer Man say, "Naw, I'se gwine ter camp right on dis hill
hyar side ob de crick an' watch my traps so if'n I ketches any-
thing, I can git it out right quick."
Brer Dog say dat Brer Man can stay if'n he wants ter, but
dat he am got biziness somewhar else.
Brer Man am mule-headed, an' he goes up on de hill and
builds him er fire. Brer Dog ambles on down de crick an' he
finds Brer Fox an' tells him 'bout Brer Man; den he goes on.
Brer Fox runs an' githers all de animals tergither, an' he say
dat Brer Man am dere enemy, an' dat he am in de woods ter
ketch some ob dem, an' dat it's up ter dem ter stop him.
Dey all gangs up den an' makes plans ter run Brer Man
out'n dem woods an' ter keep him out'n dar fer all de time.
Brer Man am a-layin' dar clost ter de fire nigh 'bout ersleep,
an' de fire am blazin' good an' bright, an' all ob er sudden it goes
out, an' it sound lak er big win' am a-blowin' de leaves all ober
creation.
Brer Man jumps up an' looks roun', but he ain't seed nothin'.
Den he hyars somethin' in one ob his traps.
He runs down ter de traps, but when he gits dar one ob de
traps am gone. He goes back up de hill an' all am quiet; so he
builds up de fire agin an' lays back down, but he hadn't more
den laid down an' got quiet when de same thing happen agin.
Brer Man had three traps, but de nex' mo'nin' he ain't got
nary a one, an' he am skeered near 'bout ter def. He knows den
dat dem woods am ha'nted, an' he ain't neber go back dar no
*This story was told by Ressa Smart (Negress) of Lenoir County, North
Carolina.111
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
Texian Stomping Grounds (Book)
Collection containing sketches of post-war life in East Texas, including descriptions of early recreations and games, stories about Southern food and cooking, religious anecdotes, Negro folk tales, a first-hand account of a Negro folk play about the life of Christ, and other miscellaneous folklore. The index begins on page 159.
Relationship to this item: (Has Format)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. Texian Stomping Grounds, book, 1941; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67663/m1/119/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.