Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1892 — A Negro’s Stratagem. [ARTICLE]

A Negro’s Stratagem.

Tho real “bofo’-de-wah" negro wit Is seldom seen fjo.w, but this incident will show that he is not entirely gono. Sam, a very lazy gardener, was bending over a row of peas In a rather shady oorner of the garden, and was well pleased at his employer remaining Indoors. But when she came to give some orders, inspect the growing plants and put Sam to real work, he bethought himself of an expedient to get rid of her. Sniffing the air and looking around, he muttered: “Sho’s you bawn, dar’s er snako bln 'round here." Then, as she did not hoar him, he repeated his remark. Gathering her skirts, sho beat a hasty retreat, and from a safe distance asked him how he knew there was a snake around. “Oh, I smells 'emt I kin alius smell ’em when I cum whore dey’s bin.” This was enough for the lady, and she retreated to the houso. Looking out from the window of the house, she saw tho old negro holding his sides and laughing heartily at his own shrewdness. His plan worked, and ho had an easy time of it the rest of that day.—Atlanta Constitution.