FOLKS FROM DIXIE
a joke." This idea was taken up, and with much merriment the committee was despatched to find and bring in the delinquent Jabez.
Every one who has ever cooked a 'possum—and who has not?—knows that the animal must be killed the day before and hung out of doors over night to freeze "de wil' tas'e outen him." This duty had been intrusted to Jabez, and shouts of joy went up from the assembled people when he appeared, followed by the committee and bearing a bag on his shoulder. He set the bag on the floor, and as the crowd closed round him, he put his arm far down into it, and drew forth by the tail a beautiful white fat cleaned 'possum.
"O-om, jes' look at dat! Ain' dat a 'possum fu' you? Go on, Brothah Jabez, let 's see anothah." Jabez hesitated.
"Dat 's one 'possum dah, ain't it?" he said.
"Yes, yes, go on, let's see de res'." Those on the inside of the circle were looking hard at Jabez.
"Now, dat 's one 'possum," he repeated.
"Yes, yes, co'se it is." There was breathless expectancy.
"Well, dat 's all dey is."
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