49

Chapter 2

Street Criers

THE MULE-DRAWN WAGON PULLS UP AT A corner in one of the residential sections of New Orleans. The Negro vendor cups his hands before his mouth and bellows:
Watermelon! Watermelon! Red to the rind,
If you don't believe me jest pull down your blind!

I sell to the rich,
I sell to the po';
I'm gonna sell the lady
Standin' in that do'.

Watermelon, Lady!
Come and git your nice red watermelon, Lady!