"I can't do it! When I write a warrant it's writ, and everybody that knows me knows that."
At this juncture his wife appeared and said: "Miss Patience, he ain't well and it's too cold for him out here; please, ma'am, to come in."
I answered: "I cannot come in, Mrs. Haman. I simply want your husband to write an order to Mr. Stout to release Elihu Green, whom he has sent to the chain gang for thirty days, until the distance from the road is measured."
"You're right, Miss Patience," his wife answered, and turning to her husband said, "Better do what Miss Patience wants you to do, an' come in out o' this cold wind."
Most reluctantly and heavily at last the words came: "You give that check to Mr. Stout en tell him to turn loose the nigger."
"And," I said, "you will send down early to-morrow to measure the distance?"
He was already disappearing in the door but assented, and again I started for home. Ruth by this time had got worked up and needed no whip; she knew there was something unusual in the air and she flew.
When I reached the turn by St. Cyprian's church, where Mr. Stout had promised to wait, it was so dark I could not see whether he was there or not until I came right up to him. There he was still in the buggy, and when I called, "Please come here, Mr. Stout," slowly he got out and came; I handed him the check.
He struck a match and examined it, then his whole face beamed and he said, "Then I kin turn Elihu loose?"
"Yes," I said, "and I thank you with all my heart for waiting; you have helped prevent a great injustice. Mr. Haman says he will send you down to-morrow to measure the land. If it is more than fifty yards, you will return that check to me; if less you will give it to him. Please come early."