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Calhoun, Frances Boyd, 1867-1909

"Miss Minerva and William Green Hill"

Amen."
"What is that you have tied around your neck, William?" she
asked, as the little boy rose to his feet.
"That's my rabbit foot; you won't never have no 'sease 't all an'
nobody can't never conjure you if you wears a rabbit foot. This
here one is the lef' hin' foot; it was ketched by a red-headed
nigger with crosseyes in a graveyard at twelve er'clock on a
Friday night, when they's a full moon. He give it to Aunt Cindy
to tie 'roun' my nake when I's a baby. Ain't you got no abbit
foot?" he anxiously inquired.
"No," she answered. "I have never had one and I have never been
conjured either. Give it to me, William; I can not allow you to
be so superstitious," and she held out her hand.
"Please, Aunt Minerva, jest lemme wear it to-night," he pleaded.
"Me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln's been wearin' us rabbit foots ever
sence we's born."
"No," she said firmly; "I'll put a stop to such nonsense at
once. Give it to me, William."
Billy looked at his aunt's austere countenance and lovingly
fingered his charm; he opened his mouth to say something, but
hesitated; slowly he untied the string around his neck and laid
his treasure on her lap; then without looking up, he ran into his
own little room, closing the door behind him.


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