Part 36 (1/2)
”I was jess gwine to look at yo' stock Howchains to you to-night,” returned Matt
He had hardly spoken when Andy leaned over his shoulder and whispered into his ear:
”Talk to them for a few minutes, and I'll slip out and notify the police Treat theet back”
And the next instant Matt's partner had disappeared into the croithout any of the coloredhis departure
”Yo' don't want to sell ht”
”Why not?”
”This isn't chain night I' harmonicas and banjos”
”Well, let's see soroes, and he winked at his co that Matt had becoain
”All right, but I don't want anyauctioneer
He took a banjo froan to tune it up slowly
”Kin yo' play us a jig?” asked one of the colored men, while the white people in the place looked on in wonder at the turn affairs had taken
”Oh, yes, I can play a jig,” returned Matt coolly
”Den give us one now”
”You will have to wait until I aht, we'll wait”
Matt tuned up s to break that he e At last, after fully five minutes had passed, the banjo was in order for use, and the young auctioneer struck off a few chords
”Now give us dat jig if yo' kin play it,” said the colored man impatiently He was the same who had tried to steal the box of chains
”I won't play a jig until you and your colass you broke,” returned Matt shortly, and he laid down the instrument abruptly, and folded his arms
”Wot?” roared the colored men in concert
”You heard what I said”
”See here; do yo' want us to sleader of the disturbers
”I don't think you'll s more,” replied Matt
”I won't, hey? We'll see!”