Further E. K. Means: Is This a Title? It Is Not. It Is the Name of a Writer of Negro Stories, Who Has Made Himself So Completely the Writer of Negro Stories That This Third Book, Like the First and Second, Needs No Title

In Short

This book offers a series of linked short stories set in the fictional town of Tickfall, Louisiana, following the escapades of a recurring group of African American characters. Through clever banter, elaborate confidence games, and minor local catastrophes, the narrative paints a portrait of a vibrant, insular community. Much of the humor relies on the characters' attempts to outsmart one another—and occasionally the local white population—using charm, superstition, and sheer audacity. It remains a notable example of early twentieth-century regional literature, capturing a specific, stylized vision of Southern life.

The Story

The narratives revolve around the Hen-Scratch saloon and its proprietor, Skeeter Butts, along with his associates, including the grandiose preacher Vinegar Atts and the wily Dazzle Zenor. The stories often begin with a trivial misunderstanding or a desperate financial scheme and spiral into chaos. In one instance, a lost "royal rabbit-foot" sends the local community into a panic, requiring Dazzle to engage in a delicate, comedic balancing act to retrieve it from an elderly man before the influential Colonel Gaitskill finds out. In another, a group of friends attempts to get rich by investing in a fraudulent "flying school" run by a charismatic stranger named Red Cutt, only for the scheme to collapse when the aviator flees, leaving the locals to find their own unconventional solutions to their financial losses.

The arc of the collection is not a single linear plot but a recurring cycle of aspiration and misfortune. Characters constantly form elaborate plans—to win a dance contest, secure a job as a "high janitor," or profit from a racehorse—that are invariably derailed by their own greed or the interference of others. The town’s social hierarchy is precarious; the inhabitants live in fear of "white folks" mixing in, yet they are equally obsessed with maintaining their own status within their circles. As the stories progress, the stakes shift from petty theft to the arrival of modern technology, such as the airplane. The final movements of the collection see the characters attempting to reconcile their traditional, superstitious worldview with a changing world. They ultimately find their place back on "solid ground," having survived yet another round of public embarrassment and failed gambles, yet remaining as ready as ever to dream up the next big, ill-fated scheme.

How It Unfolds

A new arrival Orren "Org" Gaitskill arrives in town, an innocent-looking youth whose presence immediately triggers a series of odd, often destructive, neighborhood mishaps. His sister, Virginia, tries to maintain order, but the local men are too preoccupied with their own schemes to offer much help.

The lost charm A frantic search for a missing "royal rabbit-foot" creates a clandestine mission involving Dazzle Zenor. The characters move through the town, trading rumors and attempting to manipulate one another without alerting the local white authorities.

The public auction Old Jinx, a legendary and seemingly ageless mule, is put up for auction in the town square. The auctioneer’s rhythmic, long-winded pitch provides a humorous interlude that highlights the town’s communal fondness for eccentric characters and local lore.

The swamp encounter Two young boys capture a six-foot alligator, leading to a tense, visceral battle in the marsh. The animal's ferocious struggle provides a sudden shift in tone, grounding the whimsical plot in a dangerous, physical reality.

The aviation scheme A stranger arrives promising to teach the townsfolk to fly, setting off a wave of investment. The inevitable collapse of the business sends the characters into a tailspin, forcing them to regroup and ultimately reclaim their lost funds through an accidental discovery.

The People

Skeeter Butts, the shrewd and perpetually scheming owner of the Hen-Scratch saloon, is the central engine of the town's social life. He is constantly seeking ways to best his rivals, like the grave-digger Pap Curtain, yet he is frequently outmaneuvered by his own ambition. Vinegar Atts, the community’s self-important preacher, attempts to maintain moral authority while simultaneously participating in every dubious money-making plot that comes his way. He struggles with the inherent contradiction of his role and his desire for quick profit. Dazzle Zenor, the undisputed belle of Tickfall, acts as the group's most capable tactician, using her beauty and sharp wit to navigate the social pitfalls that trap the men. Little Bit, a smaller and often overlooked character, provides a chaotic element, frequently dressing in mismatched, eccentric clothing and offering blunt, humorous observations on the absurdity of his peers' behavior. Together, they form a precarious alliance bound by proximity and a shared, desperate optimism.

In Its Own Voice

“Niggers is eve’ywhar. Gawd made ’em in de night, made ’em in a hurry an’ fergot to make ’em white.”

Little Bit explains his worldview to Org, offering a frank, if unorthodox, take on the nature of the community.

“I’m glad de robbers never stole nothin’. Dat house am plum’ full of pretty doodads, an’ ef Marse Tom wus to come home an’ find dem rooms empty, I’d hab to esplain to him.”

Vinegar Atts expresses his relief after a burglary scare, highlighting his constant, anxious need to appease the local white power structure.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is an exploration of the ways in which a marginalized community creates its own internal world, complete with its own hierarchies, anxieties, and triumphs. The stories interrogate the tension between traditional folklore—such as the power of rabbit-feet and "conjure"—and the encroaching modernity of the early twentieth century. There is a persistent argument that social survival requires a mixture of performance and pragmatism; the characters survive not through conventional success, but through their ability to craft convincing "beautiful lies." Ultimately, the book is a study in human resilience, asking how a group of people finds joy and agency when their options are limited by both systemic constraints and their own persistent, human fallibility.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the picaresque tradition—the "rogue's progress"—will find much to admire in the inventive, fast-paced dialogue of this collection. The prose carries a distinct, rhythmic quality that demands to be heard rather than just read silently, echoing the oral storytelling traditions of the American South. However, a contemporary reader must approach the text with the awareness that it is a product of its time; the heavy use of dialect and the period-specific depictions of race are hallmarks of the author’s style and intent, though they may feel jarring or insensitive to modern sensibilities. The book captures the feeling of a world where every conversation is a negotiation and every day is a test of one's wits. What stays with you is not the individual plots, which are often intentionally flimsy, but the vivid, persistent voices of the townsfolk who refuse to be defeated by their circumstances. It is a snapshot of a particular place and era, frozen in its own sense of humor and communal drama, offering a glimpse into the creative, if often misguided, ways individuals navigate the challenges of their environment.