Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1883 — A Squatter Family. [ARTICLE]

A Squatter Family.

A traveler on horseback, attracted by a large number of children huddled around the door of an Arkansaw cabin, stopped and asked Of a woman who suddenly appeared: “Is this a school-house ?” “Did you take it for sich ?” “Yes, considering the number of children. ” “Well, I reckin you’ve a right to your opinion.” “But is it a school ?” “No, it ain’t.” “Are all these children yours ?” “I reckin they are.” “How do you make a living for all of them?” “I don’t. I turns ’em out an’ lets ’em scratch. “What do they get to eat?” “Bugs an’ sich.” “Come, my good woman, you are trying to joke me. I am a stranger in this country and I really asked for information. I have often heard of squatters. Do you belong to that family ?” “I reckin I do, fur I squat sometimes an’ comb my har when the chillen’ air asleep.” “Where’s your husband?” “In town.”

“In business there ?” “Yes, I reckin.” “How long has it been since you saw him?” “About a year.” “Why doesn’t he come to see you?” “Weil, you see, them deputy martins came along one day an’ seed him bilin’ some corn in a kittle, an’ ’lowed he was makin’ whisky, so they tuck him along. Look out thar!” The stranger dodged, but not quHe soon enough. A boy fell from a tree under which the stranger had stopped and struck him on the shoulder. “Didn’t know he was there,” said the traveler, regarding -with astonishment the youngster, who arose to his feet and began to throw dust at the horse. “I don’t reckin you did,” the woman replied, “but lemme tell you, the woods is full of ’em, an’ they’re liable to drap on you at any minit, an’ as it ain’t safe to stay in the timber, you’d better take the big road an’ mosey. Good day. You Ike, put that lizzard down. Eph, that ar tarripin’ll Rite you if you put your finger m his mouth. Drap that scorpion, John. Nick, don’t chaw that vine, fur it’ll pizen ~ye.”— Arkansaw Traveler .