negro named Kintchin.

* * * * *

One day in summer there came two notable visitors, Mrs. Mayfield, and
her nephew Tom Elliott, both from Nashville, sister and son of a United
States Judge. When they came to Jasper's house, they decided to go no
further.

"Tom," said the woman, "this is the place we are looking for."

Tom caught sight of Lou Starbuck, standing in the doorway, and replied:
"Auntie, I guess you are right."

The mere suggestion of taking boarders threw the household into a
flurry, but Mrs. Mayfield, tall, graceful, handsome, threw her charm
upon opposition and it faded away. Old Jasper was not over cordial to
"store clothes," at least he was not confidential, and with the keen
whip of his eye he lashed Tom Elliott, but the boy appeared to be frank
and manly.

"Of course you can stay as long as you want to," said Jasper, "but I
reckon you'll have to put on some homespun and a checked hickory shirt
or two, befo' you kin put up with our fare."

"Now, please, don't worry about that," Mrs. Mayfield spoke up. "We can
eat parched corn if necessary. We have come from the city to rest,
and--"

"Rest," Jasper broke in, looking at the young fellow. "Why, he don't
look like he ever done anythin'. Never plowed a day in your life, did
you?"

"I must confess that I haven't," Tom replied.

"Thar, I knowed it." And then speaking to Mrs. Mayfield, he added: "All
right, mam, we'll do the best we kin fur you. Got the same names here
that you had down whar you come from?"

Tom laughed. His aunt reproved him with a look. "Why, of course. What
object would we have in changing them?"

"Don't ask me, mam. I never know what object nobody has--ain't my
business. Here, Kintchin," he called to the negro, "take them trunks
outen the wagin and then you may go to sleep ag'in."

Kintchin came round a corner of the house, rubbing his eyes. "Talkin'
ter me, suh?"

"You hearn me."

"Said suthin' erbout gwine ter sleep. I jest wanter tell you dat I ain't
slep' none fur er week, an' ef you 'sinuate at me--"

"Go on there. Now mam, ef you'll jest step in we'll do the best we kin."

"Oh, thank you. How courteous you are."

"How what? I reckon you better git along without much o' that. Don't
want nobody put on a strain. Margaret, here are some folks," he
continued as his wife made her appearance. "Jest tell 'em howdy and let
'em alone."

She bowed to Tom and to Mrs. Mayfield. "And befo' yo