ing over
his wife's shoulder. "I tho't er trader er some sort wus er passin." The
wife turned and looked astonished at her husband. "Why fer ther lan
sake, what's er comin over ye Teck Pervis? I tho't yer'd be fas er sleep
after bein so late ter meetin las nite. I tho't yer'd tak yer res bein
yer haint er goin er fishin!" "I felt kinder resliss like, and I tho't I
jes es well be er gittin up," answered Teck, plunging his face into the
basin of cool spring water that his wife had placed on the shelf beside
the door. "Well hit won't tak me long ter git breakfus reddy," and Mrs.
Pervis darted into the kitchen. Teck Pervis dipped his hands into the
basin, poured the cool water on his head until his gray hair hung in
thick mats over his face then leisurely drawing the towel from the nail
beside the door, lazily wiped his head and face. The smell of fried
bacon and delicious coffee arose from the kitchen; the rattling of
dishes was to him sufficient token of the putting of victuals on the
table. Teck Pervis sauntered in, sat down folded his arms upon the
table, and sheepishly watched his wife as she flitted from place to
place in the humble little kitchen. Mrs. Pervis paused, and her eyes met
her husband's gaze. "Well what in ther wor'l is ter matter Teck Pervis?
Why air ye gazin at me so dis mornin, turn yer cup and tak yer coffy."
"We uns had er interestin meetin las night," he said meekly. "Well mus
yer put on er graveyard face ter day bekase yer had er interestin meetin
las night? Don't put so much gravy on yer rice, hits ergin yer helth.
Maria Tappin tol me yestidy thet her brother Tom was to be nitiated las
night with er good meny other uns, an I 'lowed I'd here erbout hit, as
my husban was er goin. Now yer air talkin erbout er interestin meetin
the candidates muster all bin on han." Teck Pervis looked pleadingly at
his wife. Mrs. Pervis went on: "I am glad yer went ter loge meetin; er
lot er them Red Shirt Varmints cum er roun las night er lookin fer yer
to go with em ter that wigwam, and I was proud ter tell em that my
husban' was not in politicks when it cum to killin colud folks ter git
inter office, an that truth hit em so hard dey sneaked." Teck shuddered.
During a series of revivals in the Free Will Baptist Church during the
summer Teck Pervis had professed religion. A fierce struggle was going
on 'neath his rugged breast. Must he tell the truth. The best whites
were there even ministers of the gospel; but then pre