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"Honey," she said, "gi' me de money, and let de ole 'oman dream on it once mo'! It ain't quite clar' yit, young massar. Tank you, honey! Tank you! Let de old 'oman dream! Let de ole 'oman dream!" She disappeared into the house, chuckling and chattering, and the sons of the forest, loitering awhile, dispersed in various directions.
"Oh, young massar, you is so good to de poor nigger sometimes when I look at you, I can't help tinking you'se just some angel as has lost his wings, and a-waiting on dis airth till they grow agin." "Hush, Jeff." "Yes, massar; if you'se ready to read, I'se ready to listen."
Guly had seized his hat with the intent of going forth at all hazards, when the door of his room slowly opened, and Jeff's shining face was thrust in. "Please, young massar, may I come in?" "Certainly. Close the door." The negro entered with a shuffling gait, holding a tattered straw hat in his hands, and with a bow and sheepish look stopped directly in front of Guly.
I could do nuffin but groan, 'Massar Jesus have pity on poor me; an' as I was a walkin' 'long de road, he cum sure, an' poured hisself all over me, an' cover over my han's an' my feet, an' made me all over new. I say is dis me? Glory, hallalujah! dis is me. I went on an' met sis Molly. 'What's de matter o' me? it's all full tide here, I says.
I told them I had heard of instances where an overseer was missing occasionally. One old man dropped his head, then looking up said, in a hesitating manner, "I's knowed that in my time, but massar keep it mighty still, an' say de overseer runned away, an' he git one right soon agin." I talked and read, and offered prayer with these stripped and lonely ones.
Ole Satan had me, sure, an' I cried, 'Massar Jesus, save me from dat horrible pit, an' he fotch me out, an' put dese feet on de rock, and here I means to stan'." Others were examined, and a season of prayer followed. Their prayers were marked for their originality and earnestness.
Oh, young massar, if you'd just call a meetin' ob de clerks in dis store, and read and 'spound to 'em sometime in dis way, dar'd be a better set in old massar's bizness, to say the least." "Your master's clerks all seem to be well-disposed young men, I'm sure, Jeff I never see them commit a wrong."
She asked me, wistfully: "Masser, how fur to de nawf?" "A long way," said I, "perhaps two hundred miles." "Lawd!" she said, buoyantly "is dat all? Why, Jeems, couldn't we foot it, honey?" "You a most guv out before, ole 'oman," he replied; "got a good ruff over de head now. Guess de white massar won't let um starve." I tossed some coppers to the children and gave each a sandwich.
"Anything I can do for you, Jeff?" "Well, I hopes you'll 'scuse my 'trusion, young massar, but I thought as dis was Sunday, mebbe you'd be reading dat big book yourself, and would let me hear you." "To be sure, Jeff, to be sure. Whenever that big book is read you will always be a welcome listener, and whenever I have time I shall always be ready to read it to you."
He felt how much depended on himself, and decided that henceforth his watchful eye should ever be upon the brother, who, though so much older than himself, required so much of tender counsel and care. "Massar Gulian, you look in your eyes as though you was gwine to pray. May I hear you 'fore I go?"
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