as her pencil flew over the letter that would
carry comfort and cheer to a far-off loved one. Suddenly she became
conscious that a score of people were sitting in complete silence
around her, with not a book or paper to read, looking as forlorn and
miserable as possible. Laying aside her writing, she said, "My
husband and I are missionaries among the colored people in Alabama. I
am now on my way back to the work. Perhaps you might be interested to
hear something about it, and if you care to ask any questions, I will
be very happy to answer them."

An old lady sitting near, bounced up in a great rage. "_I_ don't want
to hear a _word_ about the niggers." The rest of her muttered
exclamations were lost as she rushed out, slamming the door behind
her.

The missionary began to tell them about the climate, the tropical
luxuriance of fruit and flowers, and of the great cotton fields. By
that time questions began to pour in thick and fast, and in less than
five minutes she had an eager audience listening to every word. She
went on to tell of the condition of the colored people at the close
of the war; ignorant, utterly destitute, with no more knowledge than
a baby of how to shift for themselves; of the hard struggle it had
been and still was for many of them to live; of the miserable
pittance they generally received for their labor; of their home life,
their peculiarities, and other things of interest.

About that time the irate woman, unable longer to endure the
discomfort of the weather outside, came quietly in, looking rather
disgusted at the prospect of being obliged, after all, to hear
something about "the niggers."

The recital of some special incidents of peculiar trial and hardship
which had come under the missionary's own observation brought tears
of sympathy to many eyes; but best of all was the sudden conversion
of our wrathful woman, who exclaimed: "I declare that's too bad! What
makes them stand it? Why don't they all come North, where they could
have a fair chance?" As she was told "the reason why," she grew full
of sympathy and interest, and was even more eager than the others in
suggestions and inquiries. But when they were told of what had
already been done by the American Missionary Association and others
toward establishing and maintaining schools and churches among them,
of the devoted missionaries and teachers that had carried already so
much of comfort and help into their sad lives, of the steady upwa