ef he was too polite
You'd ax 'im whar he spent de night.
But he ain't by 'isself in dat, in dat--
But he ain't by 'isself in dat.

[Illustration]

THE MOSQUITO

Wid so much Christian blood in 'is veins,
You'd think Br'er 'Skitty would take some pains
To love 'is neighbor an' show good will,
But he's p'izenin' an' back-bitin' still.
An' he ain't by 'isself in dat, in dat--
No, he ain't by 'isself in dat.

[Illustration]

CONFESSION

Dat whale wha' gulped Br'er Jonah down
Was bleeged to swim close-t to de groun'
Ontel he riz up an' confessed
He'd swallered mo' 'n he could digest.
But you ain't by yo'self, Br'er Whale, in dat--
No, you ain't by yo'self in dat.

[Illustration]

THE GAME-COCK

Dey's some things square an' some things round,
An' little game cocks ain't sol' by de pound;
Dey's weighed by sand an' pluck an' grit
An' de number o' dead dey leave in de pit.
An' dey ain't by deyselves in rank like dat--
No, dey ain't by deyselves in dat.

[Illustration]

THE EPICURE

Ef you keep yo' eyes on Br'er Carrion Crow,
You'll wonder huccome he kin carry on so!
He flies in high circles an' chooses meat
Dat no honest workin'-man would eat.
An' he ain't no new high-flyer in dat--
No, he ain't by 'isself in dat.

[Illustration]

THE MULE

Ef you quiz Br'er Mule, you'll find dat he
Gits mixed on de subjec' of 'is fam'ly tree;
He'll brag about 'is mammy with a noble neigh,
An' deny 'is own daddy wid a ginuine bray.
But he ain't by 'isself in dat, in dat--
But he ain't by 'isself in dat.

[Illustration]

THE GRUBWORM

Br'er Grubworm wrops 'isself in twine
An' swings in 'is shroud on a evergreen vine,
Becaze it's mortal death dat brings
His on'iest chance to git 'is wings.
But you ain't by yo'self, Br'er Worm, in dat--
Oh, you ain't by yo'self in dat.

[Illustration]

RAIN OR SHINE?

Ol' Mingo, on 'is knees, he say:
"Lord, teach dis nigger how to pray,
Else riconcile two kinds o' weather
For craps an' rheumatiz together!"
But you ain't by yo'self, ol' man, in dat--
Oh, you ain't by yo'self in dat.

[Illustration]

LITTLE GREEN TREE-TOAD

Little green tree-toad on banana leaf,
Plenty po' relations all aroun' 'im in de bog;
But he'