Scene
Arkansawer seated in front of his cabin home, playing the "course" part of "Arkansas Traveler." He plays throughtout the skit, except for interuptions during the conversation with the traveler. He fiddles from two to four measures of the tune each time, picking up the next measure where he left off.
Sound of horses approaching. Rider is singing.
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Characters:
Arkansawer..............................a native of Arkansas
Traveler.............................. a tourist
Ginnie..................................The Arkansawer's daughter
Voices representing the Arkansawer's sons, Newt and Rufus
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Arkansawer: (Stops playing and listens, then calls to his daughter.) Ginnie, hyer comes a Federal."
Ginnie: (from behind left wing) Reckon it aire, pap.
Traveler: Hello there, my friend.
A: Howdy, stranger.
T: What would be the chance of getting a drink?
A: Ginnie, go round to ther spring and fotch the stranger a gourd uv water.
G: Hyer aire, stranger.
T: Thanks. Say, I've heard there's some mighty good moonshine in this part of the country. Maybe you can tell me where I can find a snort.
A: Stranger, ef'n you'uns'll jist foller yan path down that thar holler, hit'll take you right down to a still, ef'n that's what you'uns air a-lookin' fur. And ther Combs boys'll be thar a-cookin off some uv ther best co'n licker ever made."
T: That's fine. I'll just leave my horse and traveling bag here till I get back.
A: You'uns don't need to go a-worrying 'bout ther horse 'er airy satchel. Ef'n yer goes down ther you'uns ain't a-comin' back.
T: Ahem, I see. You think I'm a revenue officer.
A: We'uns don't take time to do much thinkin' when them 'ar kind of fellers air around hyer.
(plays the last two bars and ends with a flourish)
T: I see there's a big hole in the roof of your house - looks as if you'd started to fix it. Why don't you finish the job?
A: Rained so hard I couldn't
T: But it isn't raining now.
A: When it ain't a-rainin' hit don't need fixin.
(Plays two bars of tune)
T: Does this road go to Little Rock?
A: Stranger, I've lived hyer all my life and I hain't seen hit go thar yit. But ef'n you'uns air a-lookin' fur rocks, thar's a helluva big 'un right down 'ar in my pasture.
(plays two bars of tune)
T: Say, if you would get it out of your head that I'm a Federal, I'd like to stay the night with you folks.
A: (Plays next two bars with a flourish)
T: Can't you play the other part of that tune?
A: I ain't evrer hyerd airy other part to hit.
T: Let me see your fiddle. (Plays both parts of Arkansas Traveler through several times very nicely)
A: (excitedly) Wal, wal, now, stranger, ef'n yer can put up with what we'uns have, I'd be proud fur yer ter stay all night - er stay as long as yer wants to. (Calls to his boys) Newt, yew take that thar hoss to ther barn 'nd feed 'im six ye'rs uv co'n 'nd a gallon uv oats. Rufus, yew tote ther strangers satchel in.
(voices of Newt and rufus) Okay, pap.
Woman's voice: Pap, ef'n you'uns air a-fixin' ter play some chunes ye'd better git started afore hit gits too dark ter see. Ther houns' got inter ther candles this atternoon 'nd et 'em all up. Turn them 'ar chickens, too, afore yer fergit it, Pap!
T: What does she mean by "Turn the chickens?"
A: Now, stranger, I got a hankerin' ter hyer you'ns play some chunes on ther fiddle. (stops as he realizes the stranger has spoken to him.) Ther chickens? Wal, yer see, stranger, a pole cat ketched ther ol' speckled hen 'nd ther young uns raised her chickens by hand out thar in ther shed. Now ther little critters got big enough so's they roost up on ther rim uv ther meal barrel. (calls) Ginnie, fotch out yer dulcimer!
G: All right, Pap. Jist as soon as I he'p Ma git ther young 'uns ter bed.
(Enter Ginnie with her dulcimer)
They play several tunes. The Arkansawer calls out the title each time before they play.
A: Now, stranger, play that'n we'uns played when you'uns first got hyer.
T: Oh yes, you mean the one I improvised a "fine" part to. (Plays the tune. Arkansawer keeps time by stomping his feet vigorously.)
A: Stranger, what do you call that chune?
T: Well, I guess we'll have to call that the "Arkansas Traveler."
A: Hit shore air a good'n. Wal, good night.
T: Good night, folks.
(curtain)
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