Texian Stomping Grounds Page: 142
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TEXIAN STOMPING GROUNDS
The line stopped marching, and the following dialogue took
place:
LEADER. What time, old witch?
WITCH. One o'clock.
They proceeded as before, singing the same song. At the
end of it the leader again asked, "What time?" "Two o'clock,"
the witch answered, and the incremental repetition went on until
"Five o'clock." The children then stopped marching and the
witch pretended to be hunting for something.
LEADER. What are you hunting for?
WITCH. Darning needle.
LEADER. What's the darning needle for?
WITCH. TO mend my apron.
LEADER. What's the apron for?
WITCH. To carry in chips.
LEADER. What's the chips for?
WITCH. To make a fire.
LEADER. What's the fire for?
WITCH. To roast a chicken.
Each child began sticking out his feet and hands, asking, "Is
this it? Is that it?" The witch kept saying, "No." Finally
each child put his hand to his chest, saying, "Shan't have mel"
All children then grabbed one another tightly by the shoulders,
still standing behind the leader, who tried to fight off the witch.
The witch tried to reach around the leader and touch a child. A
child so touched was "caught" and had to get out of line to one
side and to belong to the witch. The game continued in this
manner until all were caught. If desired, they could begin anew
with another leader.
Molly, Molly Bride
Two leaders, each with a group of children around him,
faced each other and stood several yards apart. Sometimes one
leader stood alone while the other had the group. To the right
of each leader, equally distant, stood a "bear" and a "panther."
iST LEADER. How far to Molly, Molly Bride?
2ND LEADER. Three score miles and ten.
1ST LEADER. Can I get there by candle light?
2ND LEADER. Yes, if you run with all your might, for there's a bear
on one side and a panther on the other.
Then each leader with his group ran to exchange sides while142
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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.
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Dobie, J. Frank (James Frank), 1888-1964. Texian Stomping Grounds, book, 1941; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc67663/m1/150/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Press.