And I request from you a straightforward statement."
Old Jasper turned toward Foster. "I can't talk while he's in here,
Jedge. He seed me in jail and I can't talk befo' no man that has seed me
there."
"You needn't hesitate to speak within his hearing, Mr. Starbuck. He was
a soldier, too."
"What, all soldiers? Then I have been tuck into camp."
"But not into the camp of your enemies. At a time when your state took
up arms against the Federal government, you stepped forth to fight for
the Union, and it is in consideration of this fact that I grant to you
an examination here in chambers, to save you every possible humiliation.
And now I ask you--"
"Jedge, I didn't come here to beg."
"I understand that. I simply request a straightforward statement."
"If you will let me give it in my own way, Jedge, you shall have it."
"In your own way, Mr. Starbuck. Proceed."
"Well, then, I'll begin at the beginnin'. Jedge, I live away up in the
hills. My grandaddy settled there an' cleared off his field on a
hill-side where the sun struck it a slantin' an' raised his co'n an'
made his licker an' the gover'ment never said a word.
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