67. * Capon vive longtemps. (Le capon vit longtemps.)
“The coward lives a long time.”[29]—[Louisiana.]
[29] The word capon is variously applied by Creoles as a term of reproach. It may refer rather to stinginess, hypocrisy, or untruthfulness, than to cowardice. We have in New Orleans an ancient Creole ballad of which the refrain is:
Alcée Leblanc
Mo di toi, chère,
To trop capon
Pou payé menage!
C’est qui di ça,—
Ça que di toi chère,
Alcée Leblanc!
In this case the word evidently refers to the niggardliness of Alcée, who did not relish the idea of settling $500 or perhaps $1,000 of furniture upon his favorite quadroon girl. The song itself commemorates customs of slavery days. Those who took to themselves colored mistresses frequently settled much property upon them—the arrangement being usually made by the mother of the girl. Housekeeping outfits of this character, constituting a sort of dowry, ranged in value from $500 to even $2,500; and such dowries formed the foundation of many celebrated private lodging houses in New Orleans kept by colored women. The quadroon housekeepers have now almost all disappeared.
68. * Çaquéne senti so doulére. (Chacun sent sa douleur.)
“Everybody has his own troubles.”—[Mauritius.]
69. Çarbon zamés va done la farine. (Le charbon jamais ne donnera de farine.)
“Coal will never make flour.”—You can’t wash a negro white.—[Mauritius.]
70. Çatte boire dilhouile enbas latabe. (Le chat boit l’huile sous la table.)