Old Scratch

That Obama has been going down to the metaphorical crossroads once too often and making compromises with Old Scratch?

If 'twan't wicked I'd say that name was give you by the Old Scratch himself, as a sort of divilish joke.

But Jube, Jube he come right up to old scratch for us—very strong Jube—very brave, like lion.

"He can't play nothin' but two jig tunes and he plays them like the very Old Scratch," she snapped, with emphasis.

And couldn't you save enough of the—er—Old Scratch's words to find out what the old boy was talkin' about?

She done some noble cooking, 'specially as we wa'n't partic'lar, but we could see she had a temper to beat the Old Scratch.