Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1886 — "Sorter Mixed.” [ARTICLE]

"Sorter Mixed.”

Shortly after the war a tourist on a Southern river steamboat, loitering around the lower deck, observed an old darky seated oh the edge of thh boat swinging his legs overthe water in a most comfortable manner, and drawing near entered into conversation: “Old man, how do you like freedom?” The old darky look puzzled, and after scratching his head thoughtfully, and shaking it dubiously awhile, replied : "7 “Bossy, hit’s Borter mixed!” What do you mean by that, my friend ?” “Well, bossy, hit’s dish yer way. Endurin’ slave times if I wuz on dish yer up-riber boat an! wuz ter fall inter enny leetle cat-naps, like I’s mi ty ap’ ter do, an’ drap overbode, sumbody’d screech out: ‘Nigga overbode!’ an’ de whissel ’ud blow, an’ de backin’ bell ’ud ring, an’ deyM hab me out’n dat riber fo’ I toch water mos’. But dese here days, do’ I’s jes ez sleepy tied ez I useter wuz, an’ole man Nod’s jes ez ap’ter grab me, en’ me ter drap overbode, Mars Mate ’ud sing out: “ ‘Man overbode!.’ “Mars’ Cap’n on the hurry-cane roof d holler down: “ ‘Who is it?’ “Dey’d spon: “ ‘Nobody but er d freedman!’ “An’ bossy, dey mout fling out er rope’s eend fur me ter lay holt on—but stop dat whole boat? No-sir-ee-bob! Cayse you see I’s jes lak enny or'nary white trash now—waff nuffin ter nobody!”—Detroit Free Press.