NIGHTS WITH UNCLE_REMUS 
XLI 
AUNT TEMPY’S STORY 
The little boy observed that Aunt Tempy was very much in¬ 
terested in Daddy Jack’s story. She made no remarks while the 
old African was telling it, but she was busily engaged in measuring 
imaginary quilt patterns on her apron with her thumb and fore¬ 
finger, — a sure sign that her interest had been aroused. When 
Daddy Jack had concluded — when, with a swift, sweeping ges¬ 
ture of his wrinkled hand, he cut the cord and allowed Brother 
Wolf to perish ignominiously — Aunt Tempy drew a long breath, 
and said: — 
“Dat ar tale come ’cross me des like a dream. Hit put me in 
mine er one w’at I year w’en I wuz little bit er gal. Look like I kin 
see myse’f right now, settin’ flat down on de h’ath lis’nin’ at ole 
Unk Monk. You know’d ole Unk Monk, Brer Remus. You bleeze 
ter know’d ’im. Up dar in Ferginny. I ’clar’ ter goodness, it make 
me feel right foolish. Brer Remus, I des know you know’d Unk 
Monk.” 
For the first time in many a day the little boy saw Uncle Remus 
in a serious mood. He leaned forward in his chair, shook his head 
sadly, as he gazed into the fire. 
“Ah, Lord, Sis Tempy!” he exclaimed sorrowfully, “don’t less 
we all go foolin’ ’roun’ ’mungs’ dem ole times. De bes’ kinder 
bread gits sour. W’at’s yistiddy wid us wuz ’fo’ de worl’ begun 
wid dish yer chile. Dat’s de way I looks at it.” 
“Dat’s de Lord’s trufe. Brer Remus,” exclaimed Aunt Tempy 
with unction, “un I mighty glad you call me ter myse’f. Little 
mo’ un I’d er sot right yer un ’a’ gone ’way back to Ferginny, un 
all on ’count er dat ar tale w’at I year long time ago.” 
“What tale was that, Aunt Tempy?” asked the little boy. 
“Eh-eh, honey! ” replied Aunt Tempy, with a display of genuine 
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