Had a five year old that I
raised myse'f, a little under size but as tough as dried beef; so I
swopped for a mighty likely nag."
"Have you looked at yo' swop to-day?"
"Yes, seed him a standin' out in the lot."
"Didn't see him walk, I reckon."
"No, was a tradin' licker for hounds at the time an' didn't stir him up;
an' when I come away jest now he was off in the pasture somewhar. Didn't
know but you mout want him."
"Ah, hah, an' in the hope that I do I reckon you've got a nigger
astradle of him stirrin' the spavin outen his j'int, hain't you?"
"Wall, reckon I better bid you good day," said the post-master, turning
to go, and as he did old Jasper's laughter and Margaret's contempt
followed him. "Got cheated hisse'f an' now he wants to come over an'
cheat you," she said.
"Yes," the old man replied, "but tain't no mo' than natral. I don't hold
it much ag'in a man when he tries to cheat me. It's the old Adam a
b'ilin' up in him."
"It didn't uster be thatter way in the good old times," she remarked,
and scratching his head he replied: "Yes, it did, or worse.
Pages:
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245