“Whom are you voting for, Uncle Gideon?” asked Steve of one of the old Red Rock negroes.
“Marse Steve, you know who I votin’ for better’n I does myself.”
To another:
“Whom are you voting for?”
“Gi’ me a little tobacker, Marse Steve, an’ I’ll tell you.” And when it was given, he turned to the crowd: “Who is I votin’ for? I done forgit. Oh! yes—old Mr. Linkum—ain’ dat he name?”
“Well, he’s a good one to vote for—he’s dead,” said Steve.
“Hi! is he? When did he die?” protested the old man in unfeigned astonishment.
“You ain’ votin’ for him—you’se votin’ for Mist’ Grant,” explained another younger negro, indignant at the old man’s ignorance.
“Is I? Who’s he? He’s one I ain’ never heard on. Marse Steve, I don’ know who I votin’ for—I jis know I votin’, dat’s all.”
This raised a laugh at Steve’s expense which was led by Leech, and to atone for it the old servant added: