Tar-Heel Tales
IN VERNACULAR VERSE.

BY MAJOR JEP JOSLYNN.

NEW YORK:

M. Doolady, 98 Nassau Street.

1873.

“LITTLE BOOTS.”

MY RERLIGION.

THE BUZZIN’ BEES OF BERKS.

BOB MUNN OF CAPE COD.

Tar-Heel Tales IN Vernacular Verse.

BY MAJOR JEP JOSLYNN.

ILLUSTRATED BY BONAR.

NEW YORK:

M. DOOLADY, 98 Nassau Street.

1873.

Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1873,

BY J. E. P. DOYLE,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

The author of this little volume, in presenting it for the amusement of the reader, and the criticism of his co-laborers on the press, feels it proper that he should state the circumstances of its production. While serving as a staff officer with Sherman’s army in North Carolina, often has he listened for hours to the recitals of adventures on the part of the Tar-Heel refugees from the pineries, who crowded our camps in search of food. Having studied with interest the habits and quaint dialect of this poor, but honest class, the author has created Major Jep Joslynn, and permitted him to weave some of these “Tales” into verse. The incident described in “The Buzzin’ Bees of Berks” were actually witnessed by him while on the advance of Hambright’s brigade of the Fourteenth corps, assisting in the prevention of pillage. Two or three of these Tales have been published in the press over Major Joslynn’s signature. With these explanations the author will take a back seat and request silence from pit to dome while the veracious Tar-Heel entertains you with his Vernacular Verses.

To
FREDERIC HUDSON,

THE TALENTED JOURNALIST AND COURTEOUS GENTLEMAN, WHOSE
FRATERNAL INTEREST IN YOUNG WRITERS, AND WHOSE
CONSIDERATE AND PATIENT TREATMENT OF ALL WITH
WHOM HE HAS HAD BUSINESS RELATIONS, HAVE
ENDEARED HIM TO THEM, THIS VOLUME IS
DEDICATED, BY HIS LATE SUBORDINATE AND SINCERE ADMIRER,

The Author.

CONTENTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

[9]

The Curse of Pedergogue Scott.

THAT’S a question I don’t like ter speak of: How these pesky thistles come here; But, boys, if ye will listen attentervely, I will breathe a strenge tale in yer ear.

But afore I bergin I would warn ye, Ye may fix yer faces ter blush; So jist let thar be silence all around And I’ll spin the yarn with a rush. [10]

Ha! ha! ha! I larf when I think of it— The days when a youngster I sat On a rough pine bench in the lorg school house, And din’d orf the rim of my hat!

The other boys war bigger than I war, And studied thar lesson right well, While I ermus’d myself as I wish’d ter In quar tricks on which I’ll not dwell.

I war ter young ter learn my letters,— They let me ’tend school for all that; And then when I run short of ermusement I jerk’d at the tail of the cat!

As I increas’d in years and mischief, Sich as hazin’ our neighbor’s pig, Pourin’ ink on the floor, or applyin’ Powder’d chalk ter the master’s wig— [11]

Richard Scott—that war the pedergogue’s name— Declar’d in wrath he’d be killin’ Me, if I did not be quiet and sit Bertween ter gals—I war willin’!

Young as I war I lik’d that ye may swar On the hilts of yer bowie knives; And though but eight years I bergun ter sigh For a plurality of wives!

Now, Tip Tracey, ye may smile over thar At the picter I’ve painted you; But that gal-punershment of Richard Scott War a pleasure ter them gals, too!

By-an’-by I had master’d my letters, And bergun on my b i bi’s; From that I prergress’d to somethin’ better— Admirin’ my companions’ eyes. [12]

Nearly every day I got the ferule Jist for winkin’ at Sue Minals; But very soon I had so far prergress’d I war plighted ter sev’ral gals!

I had not been ter school quite a twelvemonth When I’d whal’d each boy in the class, Kiss’d and hugg’d every gal, eaten Scott’s lunch, And ten rivals had sent ter grass!

I put toads in Scott’s pockets, and dead mice Scatter’d everywhar in his desk, Till he froth’d at the mouth in his madness, And cuss’d me for a little pest.

All this tuk place over in Canada, Whar my gov’ner had gone ter preach The Gospel of Jesus ter them sinners, As successor ter Elder Beech. [13]

But don’t tire at th’ length of my story: I’m drawin’ erlong ter the close, Whar I gather’d the seeds that have blarsted, And fill’d a whole nation with woes.

[16]

Bob Munn of Cape Cod.

I BERLIEVE it’s cornceeded on all sides That of all the cute bipeds made Since the world war created, the Yankee Allers gets the best in a trade!

It’s a boast that no race can match ’em In expedients sure ter win: And all others must get up right early If they would n’t be taken in! [17]

As a proof of this ere declaration They tell of one up at Cape Cod, Who’s so all-fir’d smart he endeavor’d Ter play a trump kerd at his God!

He’s a fisherman by occerpation, Is this feller they call Bob Munn; And ter dry his fish he ask’d mandamus Ter sercure more light from the sun!

The court would not listen ter the motion, But this action did not appall: He fix’d up a merchine ter uterlize The rerfulgent rays of old Sol.

With powerful glasses he center’d The rays on his cargoes of cod, And chuckl’d right smart at his success In stealin’ the smiles of his God! [18]

For a time his merchine work’d ter a charm, And his sackerlege war endur’d; While his rivals in trade war astonish’d At the many quintals he cur’d.

But Bob Munn, he grew bold in his averice, And the splendid march he had stole Upon his Creator and his rivals, E’en at the expense of his soul.

He had read in the Scripters of Lot’s wife Who ter salt war chang’d in a night, As a punershment for diserbedience And exercizin’ wimin’s right—

(A right ter pry inter other’s affa’rs By evesdroppin’ if she’s inclin’d, For which each one of ’em should be treated As Lot’s mistress what look’d berhind.) [19]

But, endin’ he aposterphe, I must Return ter the exploits of Munn, Who ignor’d the bounty of Jerhover, And corntiner’d ter steal the sun!

The story of Lot’s wife impress’d him With a more avericious wish— The diskivery of arter-fish-al means For ter salt his catches of fish.

On the shores of Cape Cod in them days Many old maids sigh’d alone For the lips of a man ter caress ’em, And the means ter sercure a home.

They had been doom’d ter sore diserpointment, The girlish bloom had diserpear’d, Leavin’ a shad-er of thar lost beauty On the features so dry and sear’d. [20]

Bob Munn, he long ponder’d on the subject Of testin’ that ere recerpe, What work’d ter a charm at old Gomorrer, And set a poor hen-peck’d man free!

God had smil’d upon his undertakin’s, And he felt he might tempt him still, With a more ingenious expererment, Ter bring a fresh grist ter his mill.

Then he sent out many invertations— Corlected the maids at his board, And while they war gossippin’ o’er thar tea In his chamber he ask’d the Lord—

Ter merakerlously chenge ’em ter salt The cheaper ter cure his fresh cod; Then in faith he erose from his marrers, And his sinful tamp’rin’ with God! [21]

Now Bob Munn in his folly expected On rejinin’ his guests ter find The work he’d mapped out for the Master, Perform’d by His Infernite mind.

[24]

My Rerligion.

I DO not gamble much on Rerligion, Nor show a sanctermonious look Down here under my hat when they mention The Bible—that spiritu’l book—

What’s a guide-board ter every stray traveler In the pathway leadin’ ter God; I do not clasp my hands in dervotion, And at the church minister nod,— [25]

Extollin’ his favorite utterances; Nor jine in the fervent “Amen,” That the folks in the meetin’ may think me One of them most pious laymen.

Nor go down on my marrers durin’ pr’ar, Raise my eyes ter Heaven and cry Ter God ter pour out His Holy Spirit, And bless me with grace from on High!

In meetin’ I do not yell out “Glory!” “Bless the Lord who died for sinners!” “Come down, dear Jesus; I’ll clasp ye right here!” Nor ’nvite the parson ter dinners.

I’ve sarch’d from Gen’ses ter Reverlation For a precerdent, but I can’t Find that Christ and His Erpostles have spent The Sabbath in boisterous rant! [26]

The knees of my Sabbath mornin’ trousers May not show same ermount of war’ As those of Deacon Horatio Sparling, Who’s worn holes in his’n at pra’r.

[32]

Little Boots.

WAL, neighbor, ye have got me right sure When ye put a question like that: The age of my youngster—“Little Boots,” So frolicksome, funny and fat?

The year and the day he war cradl’d By the nurse what waited about; And stood watch over Polly jist thar, And heer’d his first inferntile shout? [33]

He’s a brilliant pearl in our cabin— Is “Little Boots”—that’s cartenly true: But durn me if I know he war born! Maybe—like Miss Topsey—he grew!

Come, strenger; bring yer cheer ter the fire. Here’s some juice of the grape. Maybe Ye’ll not stand upon manners jist now, For I’ve no great larnin’, ye see.

So I’ll tell ye the story of “Boots”— Dog on’d strenge as ’t may seem ter you;— But may my ha’r be cheng’d ter black snakes If it is not Scripterly true!

Ye see, we come down ter Car’lina Five years ago, comin’ next Fall,— Polly and me, and our setter dorg: Without a mule or beast ter haul. [34]

Here I knock’d up a little cabin, And skeer’d up a nigger or so, At odd times ter jine in the plantin’, And a startin’ the crop ter grow!

Wal, for a time we prosper’d right smart— Long afore “Little Boots” war born— But we fretted in vain for a somethin’, Though harvestin’ cotton and corn.

But the drought spil’d the crops, and one day— Leavin’ Polly ter boss the help— I kissed her good bye, and dug out Ter rough it a while by myself!

Three years I work’d hard in the gold mines— ’Way out in the mountains, ye see, Whar a feller don’t have sich comforts As a wife and a boy on the knee! [35]

Wal, at last I grew rather homesick, And, ’thout writin’ Polly a word, I ti’d up my kit for a journey, And—slop’d for the home I prerferr’d?

[39]

The Buzzin’ Bees of Berks.

BOYS, ye ask me ter spin ye a story Of adventer by flood or field, Or stand for licker ter bits at the bar,— Ter the former, of course, I’ll yield; For I’m rather short of greenbacks jist now, Havin’ been out of work some time. So, hear goes for a yarn, but ye must not Make sport of my effort at rhyme—

For in youth I had no eddercation, ’Cept crumbs pick’d up by the way, A scratchin’ figgers on the old school house Of our pedergogue, Milton Gray. [40] Of course, ye know I war one of them chaps What with Sherman march’d ter the sea, From Atlanter, the stronghold we’d captur’d, Ter the forts down on the ’Gechee.

It war in Nervember we burn’d the place: On the seventeenth we cut loose From our base of surplies, and started orf Ter exercute Sherman’s ruse, That he war playin’ on Hood, the rebel, Who’d unkiver’d his flanks ter soon, For he left the way cl’ar for us ter raid Ter Servanner or ter the moon!

It war on that march the ervent tuk place Of which I am goin’ ter tell, Of how I ran inter a nest ef bees, And thar got a foretaste of hell! [41] On the sixth day out we had got well down In Berks county, n’ar the borders, And on that ere raid, ye may bet yer pile, We did not car’ much for orders!

But each man dug out upon his own hook, And rush’d for the front and plunder: N’arly all of ’em got thar full of it, But some of the boys went under; For, ye see, thar war stray rebels erbout, Who would swing ’em up by the necks, When they cetch’d ’em totin’ erway the grub— And hundreds parsed in thar checks!

In them days I war not at all skeery— Impressin’ a mule, I lit out For the front, whar the bummers war raidin’ And scourin’ the country erbout— [42] Stealin’ chickens, or killin’ hogs by day, (Or goin’ through a trunk, perchance;) Then at night they would camp for ter eat ’em, With pickets thrown out in advance.

They would coral thar mules in the forest, Unsling knapsacks and build a fire, Of pine logs, dry knots, or rails from the farms; Then, chuck full of pork, they’d rertire Ter slumbers disturb’d by the dyin’ squeals Of swine they had slaughter’d for tea, ’Til they thought the devils had come back from Those Jesus druv inter the sea!

As I have told ye, I jin’d the bummers With my mule, my gun and canteen, And the days that I roam’d about with ’em War the jolliest I have seen; [43] But as we pars’d out of Berks one mornin’, Far erhead of the “acorn” corps, We soon diskiver’d a fine old homestead, And a fair young gal in the door.

Now while I did not do any stealin’, And paid cash for all I seized, If thar’s one thing I love it is wimin, And, if thar pretty, I am pleas’d; And when I saw more than a dozen bee hives Lercated right thar in the yerd, And the boys goin’ quickly terwards ’em, I felt that it war mighty hard.

I spurr’d up my mule, and then prertested Not one should be tak’n from thar; But the fellers jist snickered right out, And told me ter go comb my ha’r— [44] And dry up, for they would have them hives If they had ter eat bees berside, And if I did not like it I could jist Crawl out of my pesky old hide.

Objections war no use erbout them days; And, like a cornsumate old fool, I drew rein at the gate ef the house, and Watch’d ’em from the back of my mule. Then them soldiers made a sortie on the bees With thar ponchos, and tuk ’em quick Ter the stream near by whar they drowned them, And lifted the hives from the creek.

While this war doin’ I sat on that mule, Till Dick Mullens upset a hive, And a swarm of mad bees came tearin’ out, And, soarin’ around, made a dive [45] Right squar for my mule; they lit on his flanks, And his neck, his ears and back:— He rear’d and snorted, threw his head in air, Then quickly tuk a le’ard tack!

And erway on a fearful race he broke Over fences, lorgs, ditches and rocks, Headin’ for the water under the hill— He near shook me out of my socks! On his break-neck race for that brook berlow It war needless ter pull on the rein, For that ugly mule war dead set upon Gittin’ rid of his bitin’ pain!

With me the siteration war quite bad— That mule’s hide war thicker than mine; And when they lit on me I fit a while: Then foller’d the mule’s bee line! [46] We reach’d the creek—ye may not berlieve it— But that mule went down on his knees In that ere stream, and roll’d over on me, Jist ter rid himself of the bees!

[49]

That Little Black Pet of Our’n.

ELDER, quite a good story is that Ye read from the Bible ter-day, Of how that truant, surnam’d Jonah, Succeeded in findin’ his way Ter the mouth of that erbligin’ whale, What tuk him in out of the wet, And entertain’d him three days and nights, Whar thar’s free erpartments ter let!

’Pears ter me, that whale war kind-hearted Ter render sich an act; I’m sure Most lan’lords would jist tell him ter git Mighty quick away from thar door— [50] If he’d not the spondulicks ter pay For his meals, his washin’ and bed; But this generous whale surplied all, And never tax’d Jonah a red!

[57]

Old Tom Gin.

A “SMILE” is it, Hank Rowland, Ye invite me ter take, At the bar of Pete Moody, Jist for the old time sake, And ter keep me erwake? A smile of th’ distillation Of hell that is call’d Gin,— The nectar of the devils! The vile parent of sin, What many waller in? [58]

I don’t like ter ’pear ’fensive, My friend Hank, but jist think The temptation ye set me When ye ax me ter drink! No, no! from it I shrink! Time war when a poor toper I reel’d erbout the place, A wretched victim of rum, That so many embrace Ter thar lastin’ disgrace!

Hank, I’ll tell ye a story What’s call’d ter my mind When I come any whar n’ar This great curse of mankind With which stomachs are lin’d! [59] It makes me blush for the past, The ’nebriate I’ve been, When I think of the enemy— The inciter ter sin— They have christen’d “Tom Gin.”

When I war marri’d, Hank Rowland, A likelier young chap Ye couldn’t find anywhar This side Cumberland Gap, For I tuk no “night cap.” My wife, she war a Christian, And a true wife war she; And God rain’d down His blessin’s On Malinder and me, With a hand that war free. [60]

She bore me three fine children— Two fair gals and a boy— Whose soft chirrupin’ voices Fill’d the cabin with joy And love without erloy. When the honeymoon pars’d And love seem’d ter grow cold, I stray’d down ter the tavern,— Thar squander’d my gold, And nerglected the fold—

Whar my sunny-ha’r’d treasurs Gather’d ’bout my wife’s side, As she teech’d ’em of the Lord Who on Calvary died, And for orphans pervide. [61] As she told them of Heaven, And repeated that pra’r Of the Sevior of the world— So erquented with car’— They never saw me thar!

Hank Rowland, I’m ershem’d Ter admit it; but, still, It may do another good Ter warn him of what’ll kill, And I swow that I will; For, ye see, thar is many Jist like me ’round here Turnin’ erway from thar homes When the smiles diserpear, ’Cause thar wedded ter beer! [62]

Wal, down here ter the tavern, As a matter of course I found many good fellers Who’d not any rermorse, And did not seem advarse Ter a toddy or a smoke, A yarn or a story, Of Ingen fights on the Plains, And conflicts quite gory, In sarch of mere glory.

Hank, them times war attractive, And I drank like the rest; As months pars’d it grew on me, Till I swigg’d with the best— Pour’d it down with a zest. [63] Then reelin’ home late at night The little ones would creep Erway ter Merlinder’s room With thar mother ter weep In vain effort ter sleep!

As years pars’d I grew keerless— My farm went ter the duce— And I hurl’d at my treasures— Thinkin’ I had excuse— Vile curses and erbuse! One night I went home much later And prepar’d ter rertire; In my drink I upset the lamp— Then the house war afire, And my terror war dire! [64]

I stagger’d out ter the yard And call’d for help. Ter late! They got out all my children But baby—little Kate— Who met a dreadful fate! The next mornin’, when sober’d, I found my infant dead,— Her body charr’d and blackened— Her death war on my head! My love for whisky fled?

Berside that rough pine coffin I knelt me down and wept, And register’d a vow thar, Whar little Katey slept, Hank Rowland, I have kept! [65] ’Twar this: never ter touch it— This stuff they have nam’d Gin, What’s draggin’ others ter whar I, findin’ out my sin, Rerfus’d ter suck it in!

A smile is it, Hank Rowland, Ye invite me ter take, At the bar of Pete Moody, Jist for the old time sake, And ter keep me erwake? No, Hank, none of it for me! ’Twould make the engels groan Ter see me touch it. I pars! (Rather be cheng’d ter stone) Jist run the hand alone!

[66]

The Sign of Joe Ball.

ED Colby, yer noted for yer stories What are marvelous, while thar true, And I know ye’ll relish a good one, So I will rercite it ter you.

A few nights ago I kinder crav’d for A small morsel of sassage meat, And, jist seizin’ my hat from the mantel, I hurri’d out inter the street. [67]

At the shop of Joe Ball I diskiver’d Some what look’d superbly nice; The stamps war put down, and them sassages War mine at a nomernal price.

I carri’d them ter my house in triumph, Without gettin’ scratch’d in the least, And, sev’rin’ some, waited for daylight Ter enjoy a savory feast.

I war up with the crow of the rooster, And went for my sassages straight. I be gol durn’d if one wasn’t purrin’, And rubbin’ himself ’gin the gate!

Another had crawl’d ter the parlor, Whar he crouched down and purr’d, And wistfully watch’d a wire cage Whar slumber’d my favorite bird! [68]

Two others I found in the coal cellar, Anxiously layin’ for rats: While another had her head in a pitcher Whar wife kept the milk for the cats!

I next look’d erbout for the balance, And, an oath I thar gave vent ter. Though thar tails war tied they war creepin’ Erway from a common center!

I survey’d ’em, and they look’d at me From out thar harf-closed eyes, As one of ’em told me that thar mother Had been chopp’d up inter pies.

The poor little orphans implor’d me Thar infantile lives ter spar’; But I had sich a feline mernagerie, That I flatly rerfus’d thar pra’r. [69]

That mornin’ I miss’d my fav’rite rerpast Of fried sassages, ter be sure; But I had the satersfaction ter see The whole lot drown’d in the sewar!

Whenever ye see the sign of Joe Ball, Be car’ful not ter enter his lair, For he prides himself upon his choice stock Of kitten spic’d sassage and hair.

“THE TABLE,”

BARRY GRAY, Editor,

A MONTHLY MAGAZINE,

Devoted exclusively to subjects connected with the Pleasures of the Table, the Science of Cooking, and the Art of Good Living.

PLAN AND CHARACTER OF THE WORK.

The Table will contain short essays on Breakfasts, Dinners & Teas, Wines, Fruits & Confections.

It will have its Breakfast Table Chat, its Dinner Table Talk, and its Tea Table Gossip.

Housekeepers and Cooks will find in it recipes for the making of new, rare and savory dishes. A Bill of Fare, appropriate for the season, will appear in each number. Accounts of Public Banquets, Dinner Parties, etc., will be recorded in its pages.

The form of The Table will be a large octavo, twenty pages to each number.

TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION:

A New, Revised, Corrected, and Illustrated Edition

OF THE

OLD MERCHANTS

OF

NEW-YORK CITY.

By WALTER BARRETT, Clerk.

In 3 Vols., Crown 8vo, Cloth Extra. Price, $7.50.

Of this work it is truly said “that no more interesting reading can be found for the growing MERCANTILE mind of the United States than a history of the LEADING MEN who have laid the foundations of the wealth and prosperity of its great METROPOLIS.”

“Valuable as a book of reference.”

THIS BOOK CAN NOT FAIL TO BE

INTERESTING TO EVERY BUSINESS MAN.

IT CONTAINS

UPWARD OF 2000 PROMINENT NAMES.

Agents wanted to Sell in all parts of the Country.

M. DOOLADY, Publisher,  

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The most interesting and thrilling Book of the day.

PERILS OF THE PERIOD!

A THRILLING BOOK OF FACTS!

By JOSEPH HERTFORD.

Price, Paper, 50 cents; Cloth, $1.00.

These are some of the subjects and incidents treated in this startling record of facts. They are unpleasant examples of vice, error, and criminal guilt, leading souls from the pinnacle of morality to the degrading depths of sin and ruin; and a complete exposé of some of the pernicious characters which stalk through this great city by day and night alike. Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, all should read it.