''B'ABS AND POSSUMS" 381 



yes. If they are old, stagy prowlers, who have been 

 alongshore fishing for a living, or eating carrion — they 

 make decidedly poor food." 



" De bac'n am done to der turn, and de caikes is all 

 ready," said Mammy, and they hastened to the table. 

 * * * » * 



" B'ars and Possums," chuckled Mammy, looking into 

 the fire as they gave her the seat of honor, all having 

 helped wash the dishes so that no time might be lost. 



" B'ars and Possums, hoe-caikes and bac'n, dem was 

 fine times — dat is, when they was fine ! Seems like I 

 can see der old cabin right on de edge 'tween the fields 

 and de sweet-gum and gincos an' 'simmon trees ! " 



"Was that where the Possums lived?" asked Mrs. 

 Blake, gently, because when Mammy went back to the 

 good old times, they were so many miles off that it was 

 sometimes difficult to get her home again. 



" Possums ? Possums lib eberywhar ! Lib all ober 

 Souf when I was a gal. Dem times gone, like 'nuf 

 Possums gone too ! Possum lib in tree holes, same as 

 Coon does ; eat ebery kind ob tings, same as Coon does. 

 Possum goes a walkin' out at night, same as Coon does ; 

 Possum make good eatin', same as Coon does. My Ian ' ! 

 how Sambo did like Coon and Possum ! Massa Brans- 

 comb he war very 'ticular no folks should hunt Possum 

 and Coon in spring and summer time. An' when he 

 dasn't go huntin' of 'em. Sambo he jest sing about 'em, 

 like he'd fly away — 'Possum up de gum tree ' war his 

 fav'rite song. 



" Den when he war a cortin' me, time he stole de 

 Mockers ter git de banjo, he corted me wif Coons and 

 Possums too. My ! didn't dis chile hab good eatin' 



