"Cracker Jim" [pp. 51-70]

1887.] "Crackerjtm." 51
CRACKER JIM."
A traveler passing through the mountain- tant destination, where he is, perhaps, able
ous or hill country of Alabama would from to make better bargains, and perchance obtime to time at the different stations, or the tain a little cash, as well as the necessaries
several points where the great iron horse of life, which constitute the ordinary result
halts for provender, see a Cracker woman of Cracker speculation.
enter the car, clad in a homespun dress and Previous to the outbreak of the war bebright-colored bonnet of similar -material, tween the States, the planting districts of
unless successful ambition had provided her Alabama were frequently invaded by these
with a head-gear of more pretentious quality itinerant merchants, who brought from their
in striped or spotted calico. She lives no- sterile hills and mountains apples and cider
where near the railway; in all probability whose delicious flavor rivaled the products
her home is behind the echoes awakened of any city market in the world. Like the
by the impetuous neighing of the iron steed, swallows, they had set times to come and
and sh~ has trudged miles with her burden go, and their periodical visits were welcomed
of nuts or fruit, eager to turn an honest pen- alike by the fair matron of a handsome esny by tempting the appetite of the way-worn tablishment, whorn they often enabled to
traveler. add a choice venison ham to her already
The Cracker woman is not ordinarily a well-stored larder, and the "folks" on the
beauty. Milkmaids have ceased to be di- plantation, among whom the indulgent misvine since the gods deserted Olympus. And tress was sure to dispense a barrel of cider.
yet we may sometimes see, tripping over Such a trader was "Cracker Jim," whose
the hills or descending a mountain path, a genius for commerce carried him far~beyond
bright-eyed lass as lithe of limb and fleet of the cross-roads stores and railway stations
foot as Diana herself. But hard work and among his native hills, to the towns of Tallascanty living write their sad history upon dega, Tuscaloosa, Greensboro, and Manon,
human faces as well as upon human hearts, and sometimes to such important cotton
and the sun is no respecter of persons. The marts as Selma and Montgomery. It was
Cracker man, although not an Apollo, is, from the inhabitants of these towns that he
unless he b~longs to that degenerate and had received the soubriquet of "Cracker
fortunately small class called "clay-eaters," Jim," and he, in turn, especially when
as strong and hardy as the pine trees among soured by an unsuccessful commercial venwhich he makes his home. He, too, is a ture, would not hesitate to characterize them
vender of small wares, carrying apples, as "darned, panady eatin' citerzuns."
peaches, blackberries, chickens, eggs, home- To his compatriots Jim was an enigma,
knit stockings and gloves, and counterpanes, and at the same time an object of warmest
to the most accessible market; for which he admiration. - To their unsophisticated
"takes trade "-which technicality implies judgment he was a man of wide travel and
that he receives such quantities of flour, great attainments. He accomplished' wonsugar, jeans, and calico as he and the pur- ders in traffic at home and abroad, and as
chaser may agree upon. The more enter- he usually vanquished his neighbors in
prising vender drives his cart to a more dis- argument, he was universally conceded to