backing, waxed
eloquent and made a short but stirring speech. He dwelt upon the wrongs
and insults that had been heaped upon the Southern States ever since
they had shown themselves foolish enough to join the Union; denied that
a black man was as good as a white gentleman; loudly proclaimed that all
Northerners, as well as those who thought as they did, were cowards;
denounced as traitors all Southern men who did not shout for President
Davis, and said they ought and must be whipped out of the country; and
through it all he kept watch of the two at the counter to see what
impression his patriotic words made upon them.

Mr. Bailey was a little man who carried the weight of sixty-five years
upon his shoulders, and Bud talked for his especial benefit, hoping to
frighten him into compliance with the demands he was about to make upon
him. Mr. Bailey was opposed to secession, and never hesitated to say so
when politics came up for discussion, as they often did among his
customers; but Bud was sure the old fellow was frightened now. He did
not say a word in reply, but used his brush with more energy, and now
and then rapped the counter with the back of it; and these, Bud thought,
were unmistakable signs of timidity or, at least, nervousness.

As for darkey Sam, there was no doubting the impression Bud's eloquence
made upon him. He was greatly terrified, for he remembered that his
master had once denounced secession from the pulpit, and told the
members of his congregation just what they might make up their minds to
endure if it were consummated. Possibly Bud Goble recalled the
circumstance, for he looked very hard at Sam while he was talking. As
soon as the speech was brought to a close Sam sidled along toward the
door, looking into the show-cases as he went, and presently found
himself safe on the porch. Then he clapped his hat on his head and
started for home post-haste.

"I reckon he's gwine tell the parson what you said," exclaimed one of
Bud's friends. "Well, I do think Elder Bowen is one of the dangerousest
men in the whole kentry, an' that he'd oughter be snatched outen that
church of his'n before he has time to preach up any more of them pizen
docterings. Warned him yet?"

"No; but I allow to do it soon's I get through with my business yer,"
replied Bud, throwing his rifle into the hollow of his arm, and
sauntering up to the counter where Mr. Bailey stood. He affected a
careless, confident swagger, which was by no