308 TENANTS OF AN OLD FAR.U. 



"■ I am afraid that 1 must refer that question to Dan," 

 I answered, laughing. "The only items in that line 

 whicli I ever heard or saw, 1 received from him. 

 Come, Dan, here's a good chance to air your ghostly 

 learning. Tell us what you know about katydids." 



Dan was never known to deny himself a good oppor- 

 tunity to talk, and readily assented ; but he felt bound 

 to free himself from what he considered an imputation 

 of illicit knowledge. 



" De good Lor' forbid. Mars Mayfiel'," he began, 

 " dat I should have anythink to do wid ghos'es. I 

 nebber seed a ghos', bress de Lor' ! I's heern tell uv 

 folks as ud done got dey knowledge from de ebil 

 sperits ; but, sah, I nebber eat ob dat forbidden fruit. 

 No, sah, nebba !" 



He placed his hands on his knees, sat bolt upright, 

 and uttered the last words with great emphasis, and a 

 comical show of dignity. 



"All de larnin' I has 'boot dese tings I done larned 

 from ole Marylan' and Virginny folks. I come up hyar 

 w'en I wuz a pickaninny ; but I went back to de ole 

 state, and lived dar five year. Dat's whar I larned aboot 

 sich tings ; not from ghostesses, fore goodness. Mars 

 Mayfiel'! Aboot dem katydids, 'taint much et I know, 

 but dis is hit : If a katydid comes inter de house, dat's a 

 sign, dey say, et a visitor'll soon come widout boin' 

 'spected. Ef it sings in de house, dat's a sign some ob 

 de fiimily'll be shore to hah de gif ob music, like de 

 banjo or pianner, ur dat like. 



"DtMi, dar wuz a cur'us story 'boot two sisters wat 



