" To be frank with you, there are too many
negroes. Why, Colonel, I had no conception
of the way they swarm down here. No won-
der the ' poor whites ' are driven to the moun-
tains ; it is, I should judge, impossible for any



i J



151



man to compete with these negroes, who don't
seem to care how they live."

"Oh, you'll get used to them if you stay
here long. We don't have much trouble with
them. They know their place pretty much,
though they are becoming a heap more im-
pudent in town than they were a few years
ago. Well, Jemimy, what is it?"

" Dis yer city-nigger," said Jemimy, indi-
cating with a nod a sheepish-looking darky
who stood a little behind her, hat in hand
and executing a series of humble bows,
" he's hyar again, I kain't keep him away
nohow."

" I reckon it's because you don't 'low to,"
laughed the Colonel, banteringly.
" B'fo' de Lo'd, Marce Cunnel, I does. But
dey isn't no kind o* use, he'd come foolin'
aroun', I reckon, if de Lo'd hisself 'lowed he
shouldn't."

"Well, shall I set the dogs on him; is that
what you want, Jemimy ? "



152



" Marce Gen'l/' broke in Jock, hastily, " I
isn't gwine t' stay hyar no time. Dis yer
nigger gal isn* no 'count. I isn' come to see
her nohow. I 'lowed to see Marce Gen'l."

The Colonel good-naturedly requested him
to speak. After insisting that Jemimy should
retire, Jock told what we can tell in much less
time and space.
