company as long as there were niggers to be elevated or painted to look
like white men. She hoped that he and paw and Sally Dows were happy!
They hadn't yet got so far as to put up a nigger preacher in the place
of Mr. Symes, their rector, but she understood that there was some talk
of running Hannibal Johnson--Miss Dows' coachman--for county judge next
year! No! she had not heard that the co'nnle HIMSELF had thought of
running for the office! He might laugh at her as much as he liked--he
seemed to be in better spirits than when she first saw him--only she
would like to know if it was "No'th'n style" to laugh coming home
from church? Of course if it WAS she would have to adopt it with the
Fourteenth Amendment. But, just now, she noticed the folks were staring
at them, and Miss Sally Dows had turned round to look. Nevertheless,
Miss Octavia's sallow cheek nearest the colonel--the sunny side--had
taken a faint brunette's flush, and the corners of her proud mouth were
slightly lifted.

"But, candidly, Miss Reed, don't you think that you would prefer to
have old Hannibal, whom you know, as county judge, than a stranger and a
Northern man like ME?"

Miss Reed's dark eyes glanced sideways at the handsome face and elegant
figure beside her. Something like a saucy smile struggled to her thin
lips.

"There mightn't be much to choose, Co'nnle."

"I admit it. We should both acknowledge our mistress, and be like wax in
her hands."

"Yo' ought to make that pooty speech to Sally Dows, she's generally