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"Well, chillen, as I was sayin', disher Christmas I kin 'member lak' it was yestidy. My ol' mammy was de sho' 'nuff cook at de big house, an' Mars' Colby t'ought a heap ob her. But she done tuk down wid de mis'ry in her back jes' two days fore Christmas an' de big house full ob comp'ny! "Sech a gwine 'bout yuh nebber did see, w'en mammy say she couldn't cook de w'ite folkses' dinner.
Bixbee, throwing up her hands, and even from Mrs. Cullom was drawn a "Well, I never!" "Fact," said David, "they was married yestidy forenoon. Squire Parker done the job. Dominie White wouldn't have nothin' to do with it!" "Squire Parker 'd ortter be 'shamed of himself," said Mrs. Bixbee indignantly.
He did not speak, for John saw him, and, responding to a backward toss of the head, followed him into the "parlor," and at an intimation of the same silent character shut the doors. Mr. Harum sat down at his desk, and John stood awaiting his pleasure. "How 'd ye make out yestidy?" he asked. "Git anythin' out of old tongue-tied?" pointing with his thumb toward the front room.
"Oh," said David, "he druv up to the office the next mornin', 'bout ten o'clock, an' come into the back room here, an' after we'd passed the time o' day, he says, clearin' his throat in a way he's got, 'He-uh, he-uh! he says, 'my daughter tells me that she run off with a hoss of yours yestidy in rather a summery manner, an he-uh-uh I have come to see you about payin' fer him.
You're dealin' with David Harum, Banker, an' I consider 't I'm dealin' with a lady, or the father of one on her account, I says. "'He-uh, he-uh! I meant no offense, sir, he says. "'None bein' meant, none will be took, I says. 'Now, I says, I was offered one-seventy-five fer that hoss day before yestidy, an' wouldn't take it. I can't sell him fer that, I says.
"We uns had er interestin meetin las night," he said meekly. "Well mus yer put on er graveyard face ter day bekase yer had er interestin meetin las night? Don't put so much gravy on yer rice, hits ergin yer helth. Maria Tappin tol me yestidy thet her brother Tom was to be nitiated las night with er good meny other uns, an I 'lowed I'd here erbout hit, as my husban was er goin.
"Now I know I'm a behind-hander, for my ground's always ready, and in go the greens when you all turn spade for the bean vines. Are you a-looking for a little job of plowing, Mr. Mark? I'd put Mr. Rucker at it, but he give his left ankle a twist yestidy and have had to be kinder quiet, a-setting on the back porch or maybe a-hobbling over to the store."
So I gathered up the lines an' took out the whip, an' made all the motions to go, an' then I kind o' stopped an' says, 'I don't want you to go agin your princ'ples nor the law an' gosp'l on my account, but the' can't be no harm in s'posin' a case, can the'? No, he allowed that s'posin' wa'n't jest the same as doin'. 'Wa'al, says I, 'now s'posin' I'd come up here yestidy as I have to-day, an' looked your hoss over, an' said to you, "What price do you put on him?" what do you s'pose you'd 'a' said?
Neale slapped his breast, and drops of blood and sweat spattered from under his hand. "An' shure ye're hands are bladin', too!" ejaculated Pat. They were, indeed, but Neale had not noted that. The boss, Reilly, passing by, paused to look and grin. "Pat, yez got some one to kape up with to-day. We're half a mile ahead of yestidy this time." Then he turned to Neale.
David sat for a moment thoughtfully tapping the desk with his eyeglasses, and then said with his characteristic chuckle: "I had a letter f'm Chet Timson yestidy." John looked up at him, failing to see the connection. "Yes," said David, "he's out fer a job, an' the way he writes I guess the dander's putty well out of him.
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