“I come to trade.”
The low-down relative drew the worsted off his ears. “Oh, yass,” he said with an uncertain air.
“Well, old man Charlie, what you say? My house for yours, like you said, eh, Charlie?”
“I dunno,” said Charlie; “it’s nearly mine now. Why you don’t stay dare you’se’f?”
“Because I don’t want,” said the colonel, savagely. “Is dat reason enough for you? You better take me in de notion, old man, I tell you, yes!”
Charlie never winced; but how his answer delighted the colonel! Said Charlie:
“I don’t care, I take him. Mais, possession give’ right off.”
“Not the whole plantation, Charlie; only—”
“I don’t care,” said Charlie; “we easy can fix dat. Mais, what for you don’t want to keep him. I don’t want him. You better keep him.”
“Don’ you try to make no fool of me, old man,” cried the planter.