"See the Judge," began the lawyer, and then remembered, as he was often forced to do these days, who was Judge.
He inquired carefully into the case and examined the papers. Then he said:
"Colonel Cresswell, who drew this contract of sale?"
"The black girl did."
"Impossible!"
"She certainly did—wrote it in my presence."
"Well, it's mighty well done."
"You mean it will stand in law?"
"It certainly will. There's but one way to break it, and that's to allege misunderstanding on your part."
Cresswell winced. It was not pleasant to go into open court and acknowledge himself over-reached by a Negro; but several thousand dollars in cotton and land were at stake.