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{handwritten} AL-64

Ila B. Frine
Mobile County, Ala.

{handwritten} Subject matter to mixed - Might be worked (over)

Raymond Barbour, Fisherman (White)
Faith Road, Bayou La Barte, Ala.

IT RUINS OYSTERS TO WASH THEM

The wind was blowing, {handwritten} and {handwritten} the day was damp and dreary as Raymond
Barbour sat crouched on his knees against a post that supported the roof
of his oyster and crab-meat shop.

Seated in front of him on narrow, low, home-made benches, his
wife Cora, and two younger women were opening oysters with sharp pointed
knives. One of the women was the daughter of Cora and Raymond Barbour,
and the other was the wife of their son, who stood in the door of the shop
watching them as they worked.

As my companion stopped her car in front of the shop, they
called {crossed out } joyously {crossed out} {handwritten} cheerily {handwritten}

"Look who's here! Now, what do you want?" and "I know something's
up." When my companion told them that she had come to see them and to get
some of their fine oysters and crabs, Uncle Ramey laughed and said: "Hurry,
Cora. If you don't, there won't be a single oyster left when she's gone.
I knowed this squally weather warn't blowin' up nothin' good."

"Never mind, you can't make me feel bad. I'm coming in anyhow,
and I've brought this lady with me. She wants you to tell her how you
and your family gather and sell your oysters and crabs."

Uncle Ramey said:
"Well, I'll be dae{handwritten e crossed out and m handwritten}ened! Now what's next?"
"Well," she said, "I brought her to you because I thought you
knew more about fishing and the oyster business than anybody around here,
and you ought to consider that a compliment."

At this, the entire group seemed pleased, and Uncle Ramey said:
"Well, I guess you're right. I sure know all there is to it,
for I've been at it all my life. My Pa ahead of me was a fisherman. He

578

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