"WHEN JESS WENT A-FIDDLIN'"
"I know'd it!" Aunt Minervy turned to me and nodded her head with energy. "I know'd it right pine blank!"
"You knew what?" the presiding genius of the household inquired with some curiosity.
"I know'd 'm dat you wuz a Northron lady."
"I don't see how you knew it," I remarked.
"Well, suh, she talk like we-all do, an' she got mighty much de same ways. But when I went out dar dis mornin' an' holler at 'er in de kitchen, I know'd by de way she turn 'roun' on me dat she ain't been brung up wid niggers. Ef she'd 'a' been a Southron lady, she'd 'a' laughed an' said, 'Come in here an' cook dis dinner yo'se'f, you ole vilyun,' er she'd 'a' come out an' crackt me over de head with dat i'on spoon what she had in her han'."
I could perceive a vast amount of acuteness in the observation, but I said nothing, and, after a considerable pause. Aunt Minervy Ann remarked:
"Dey er lots er mighty good folks up dar"—indicating the North—"some I've seed wid my own eyes an' de yuthers I've heern talk un. Mighty fine folks, an' dey say dey mighty sorry fer de niggers. But I'll tell um all anywhar, any day, dat I'd lots druther dey'd be good ter me dan ter be sorry fer me. You know dat ar white lady what Marse
39
