B'ARS AND possums'' 



383 



"But ain' dem Possuin.s got queer ways? T seen 'em 

 often walkin' along- dm- fiel's sidewisc-like an^ slow-like 

 in de moonlite, lying down and playin' dey^re daid if 

 anybody toucli 'em, den up to monkey tricks all by 

 derselves. Dey can smell good too, — as good as dorrs, 



The Opossum. 



and keeps roun' der oder side ob trees wlien folks is 

 comin\ Ain' de lit'le Possum putty! Not when dey 

 so bery lit'le, dough. Den dey is powerful small, like 

 lit'le mice, and der ma she hab to keep 'em in her 

 apron pocket morna month befo' dey can go out walkin' 

 on dere own legs. Poor Ma Possum, she hab a dreffly 

 worryin' time, an' am worse off'n Rabbits ; for she hab in 



