Part 41 (1/2)

The election judge straightened himself up with great dignity:

”What wuz de rapscallion doin'?”

”In de line, tryin' ter vote.”

”Fetch 'im befo' de judgment bar,” said Aleck, taking a drink from one of his canteens.

The troopers brought Jake before the judge.

”Tryin' ter vote, is yer?”

”'Lowed I would.”

”You hear 'bout de great sa.s.sieties de Gubment's fomentin' in dis country?”

”Yas, I hear erbout 'em.”

”Is yer er member er de Union League?”

”Na-sah. I'd rudder steal by myself. I doan' lak too many in de party!”

”En yer ain't er No'f Ca'liny gemmen, is yer--yer ain't er member er de 'Red Strings?'”

”Na-sah, I come when I'se called--dey doan' hatter put er string on me--ner er block, ner er collar, ner er chain, ner er muzzle----”

”Will yer 'splain ter dis cote----” railed Aleck.

”What cote? Dat ole army cote?” Jake laughed in loud peals that rang over the square.

Aleck recovered his dignity and demanded angrily:

”Does yer belong ter de Heroes ob Americky?”

”Na-sah. I ain't burnt n.o.body's house ner barn yet, ner hamstrung no stock, ner waylaid n.o.body atter night--honey, I ain't fit ter jine. Heroes ob Americky! Is you er hero?”

”Ef yer doan' b'long ter no s'iety,” said Aleck with judicial deliberation, ”what is you?”

”Des er ole-fashun all-wool-en-er-yard-wide n.i.g.g.e.r dat stan's by his ole marster 'cause he's his bes' frien', stays at home, en tends ter his own business.”

”En yer pay no 'tenshun ter de orders I sent yer ter jine de League?”

”Na-sah. I ain't er takin' orders f'um er skeer-crow.”

Aleck ignored his insolence, secure in his power.

”You doan b'long ter no s'iety, what yer git in dat line ter vote for?”

”Ain't I er n.i.g.g.e.r?”

”But yer ain't de right kin' er n.i.g.g.e.r. 'Res' dat man fer 'sturbin' de peace.”