Often was he heard to say, "O Lord,
thou knowest that the white folks are not Christians, but the
black people are God's own children." But if Tony thought that his
old mistress was within the sound of his voice, he launched out
into deeper waters.
It was, therefore, on a sweet night, when the bright stars were
looking out with a joyous sheen, that Mark and two of the other
boys passed the greenhouse, and heard Uncle Tony in his devotions.
"Let's have a little fun," said the mischievous Marcus to his young
companions. "I will make Uncle Tony believe that I am old
mistress, and he'll give us an extra touch in his prayer." Mark
immediately commenced talking in a strain of voice resembling, as
well as he could, Mrs. Miller, and at once Tony was heard to say
in a loud voice, "O Lord, thou knowest that the white people are
not fit to die; but, as for old Tony, whenever the angel of the
Lord comes, he's ready." At that moment, Mark tapped lightly on
the door. "Who's dar?" thundered old Tony. Mark made no reply. The
old man commenced and went through with the same remarks addressed
to the Lord, when Mark again knocked at the door. "Who dat dar?"
asked Uncle Tony, with a somewhat agitated countenance and
trembling voice. Still Mark would not reply. Again Tony took up
the thread of his discourse, and said, "O Lord, thou knowest as
well as I do that dese white folks are not prepared to die, but
here is Old Tony, when de angel of de Lord comes, he's ready to go
to heaven.
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