"Preachah er no preachah, you hyeah what I say," and he took the possum, and put it on the highest shelf.
"Wha's de mattah wid you, Jim; dat's one o' de' 'quiahments o' de chu'ch."
The angry man turned to the preacher.
"Is it one o' de 'quiahments o' de chu'ch dat you eat hyeah ter-night?"
"Hit sholy am usual fu' de shepherd to sup wherevah he stop," said Parker suavely.
"Ve'y well, ve'y well," said Jim, "I wants you to know dat I 'specs to stay out o' yo' chu'ch. I's got two weeks mo' p'obation. You tek hit back, an' gin hit to de nex' niggah you ketches wid a 'possum."
Mandy was horrified. The preacher looked longingly at the possum, and took up his hat to go.
There were two disappointed men on the plantation when he told his master the next day the outcome of Jim's probation.