Georgia BIOS:  A farming Preacher-Prophet   
   American Life Histories: Manuscripts from the Federal Writers'
   Project, 1936-1940
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   Item 18 of 73 
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   [A Farming Preacher-Prophet]
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   LIFE HISTORY 
   
   March 6, 1939
   
   March 7, 1939
   
   Nick Waller (Negro)
   
   290 Tabernacle St.
   
   Athens, Ga.
   
   *1 [Preacher*2] and [farmer*1] *2
   
   Grace McCune {Begin deleted text} THE [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} A FARMING {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} PREACHER {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   -Porphet {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} I
   had heard quiet a bit about {End deleted text} Tom, {Begin deleted
   text} as he {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} is a well known
   figure {Begin deleted text} in {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} about {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   town, and coming across him on one of the main street, I asked {Begin
   deleted text} him {End deleted text} if he would give me {Begin
   deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} the {End handwritten} {End inserted text} history of his
   life. He readily {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} agreed to
   meet me [?] about two hours at a local barber shop where he {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} agreed, but said
   he would be busy for about two hours for he had to {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} would talk but in the
   meantime he had to "tend to some business" {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} tend some business. But that he
   would meet me at that time at a local barber shop where we could talk.
   {End deleted text}
   
   Tom is famous for his {Begin deleted text} knowledge of his {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} remarks about
   the {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Bible {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} as he
   understands it {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} also for his {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} power or
   gift of seeing things and predicting future events. {Begin deleted
   text} I didn't want to miss him and was at the appointed place {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I arrived at
   the shop ahead of the time appointed for I {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} before time {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} did not want to miss him
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} . Several people {Begin deleted
   text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   were {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} in the
   shop {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   there {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , and {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   having a {Begin deleted text} very {End deleted text} friendly {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} but spirited {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} arguement {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} argument. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} just
   as {Begin deleted text} one of them {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} a young man {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} was told that he was {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just impossible, {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Tom
   came in.
   
   The young man said, "Tom, did you hear what they called me {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} what do you think
   about it?
   
   "That they is wrong," Tom {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [solomanly?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} replied, "for with
   God, nothing {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} is {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} impossible. {Begin deleted text} He [?] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} He's {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the only one {Begin deleted text} that is {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} mpossible {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} impossible
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "I knew Tom would take up for me," the {Begin deleted text} young man
   said {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   youth boasted {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , "and {Begin
   deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} I guess you all will let me alone
   after this." {Begin deleted text} After a little {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} The argument {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} more of their
   argument, {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [?] and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} they left.
   
   As they went out {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Tom said, "Mistess just what is it
   that old Tom can tell you, for you knows I'se just a plain old
   ignorant
   stick man, that was borned and raised in the country. {Begin deleted
   text} Yes'm {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [Yess'm?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , I was
   borned right down yonder in Oglethorpe County, and {Begin deleted
   text} that' is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} still home
   to me.
   
   "I worked in the fields when I was too little to last {Begin deleted
   text} {End deleted text} out all day. When I went to school it was in
   just a plain old country school. The school house was made out of logs
   and the cracks was daubed with red mud to keep the cold wind out for
   us really had winters then.
   
   "Along in them times schools {Begin deleted text} won't {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} no ways lak they is now. Our only
   book was that old Blue Back Speller . Yes, Mistess, {Begin deleted
   text} that is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that's {End handwritten} {End inserted text} what us
   larnt {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} and too {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} us stayed all day, and {Begin deleted
   text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} started out to school soon as
   it was good daylight. {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Wasn't {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} no going then at eight and nine o'clock in the
   mornin' lak {Begin deleted text} chillun {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} chilluns {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} do {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} so {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} now. I didn't git to go to school,
   'cepting just two or three years, 'cause I had to work in the fields.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} When I was {Begin deleted text} bigger {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} big {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} enough to work all day, I was paid 15cts {Begin
   deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} a day. Yes {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} sum {End handwritten} {End inserted text} em
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} 15cts a day was good pay for us chillun in them days.
   My home was just like all the other houses then on the farms
   'specially for the colored folks, just a plain old log cabin, and they
   called 'em notched houses, don't 'spect you knows what a notched house
   is {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   "But you know us didn't have saw mills back then, so us couldn't make
   planks, and nails {Begin deleted text} won't {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} plentiful {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   neither, so they just notched the {Begin deleted text} logs as then
   they would {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} log to make 'em {End handwritten} {End inserted text} fit
   and the cracks was all daubed with red clay and them old {Begin
   deleted text} chimbles {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} chimblies, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} they was
   made with sticks and red clay too but {Begin deleted text} [?] {End
   deleted text} us was happy and contented 'cause that was all us
   knowed.
   
   "I tell you them old black molasses and ash cakes sho' {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [#?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   tasted good 'specially after a day in the fields and us only had a
   biscuit on Sunday mornin', but that one biscuit made us feel rich, or
   as you say now {Begin deleted text} like {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lak {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} millionaires, only us didn't know nothin' 'bout that then. When
   us had biled {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [vitals] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} it was most times just plain poke
   berry sallet, but {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} enjoyed it.
   
   "I remember too {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [#?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} that good old eatin' when my mother
   {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} fixed {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ash
   cakes {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [in ?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   sweet milk and many a day that is what us et, and us was happy to git
   it. {Begin deleted text} Yess m {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Yess'm {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   them was happy days, more so than they is now.
   
   {Begin deleted text} We won't {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} Us wasn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text} up
   to dressin' then lak us is now and most all us wore was just one
   garment {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} that's right {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and that {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} garment {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} was just {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} long {Begin deleted text} shirts {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} shirt {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} . [?]'se worked many a day in the
   field in {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [????? {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} just a {End
   deleted text} long {Begin deleted text} shirt {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} shirts {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} . They was made right at home too {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} [??] {End deleted text} mother would weave the cloth on
   her old loom at nights {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} and plenty times when us didn't have
   candles, she worked by the light from {Begin deleted text} light[??]
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lighted
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} knots and us chillun would play
   'round on the floor.
   
   "The very day I was big enough to {Begin deleted text} plough {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} plow {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , what you 'spose I {Begin deleted
   text} ploughed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} plowed {End handwritten} {End inserted text} with? Well
   it was {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} old Mike, our old
   ox. He was just as good as {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} mule any day and when {Begin
   deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} got out of
   bread, then {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} one of {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} us just put a sack of corn on Mike's
   back and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} way us went, and it was eight or ten miles to the
   mill. While the corn was being ground, Mike had his dinner of corn
   shucks {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and we was ready to start
   back home and {End deleted text} if it won't too late, {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} [?? got back home, {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} us went right on to the field {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} cause
   Mistess {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} us was raised to work.
   
   "Long at that time, {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} thought {Begin deleted text} [??] {End deleted text} twenty-five
   or thirty five cents a day {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   was {Begin deleted text} doing {End deleted text} fine {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} wages. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   Then us had plenty of corn and 'taters {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} [??????] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} and a meat box full of good meat. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} That was some good meat 'cause we ra*3s[i*3]ed our own
   hogs and cured the meat by smokin' it with hickory wood. Back then, I
   don't know if you has done heered about this, but soda was mighty
   {Begin deleted text} scarce {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} skerce {End handwritten} {End inserted text} .
   Even that didn't 'mount to so powerful much 'cause corn {Begin deleted
   text} cobb {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} cob {End handwritten} {End inserted text} soda would sho
   make that bread rise. Yes [?] {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just {Begin
   deleted text} burn {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} burnt[#?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the corn
   {Begin deleted text} cobbs {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} cobs {End handwritten} {End inserted text} til
   they was just a fine powder. That was good as anybody's soda.
   
   "That old persimmon beer was half of our living. Us chillun would
   gather persimmons by the bucketfulls. Mother would cook, {Begin
   deleted text} them {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} 'em {End handwritten} {End inserted text} with wheat bran
   and make it out into {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} big pones that {Begin deleted
   text} [?] {End deleted text} she used to make the beer {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} mash {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   and she {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} put {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   lots of {Begin deleted text} locust {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} locusts {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} in {Begin deleted text} that beer {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} . {Begin deleted text} It {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} That beer {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} was really good and so refreshen' after a hard day's work.
   
   "We {Begin deleted text} was not {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   sickly {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} long in that time, but when we {Begin deleted
   text} was {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   did get {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a little sick, mother
   would go into the woods and git herbs and grass. There was one kinda
   grass 'specially that she used. Just let me call Sally Anne, that's my
   wife, and bless her soul, she'll know." {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Tom went to the
   telephone and was back in a few minutes. He said, "I told you Sally
   Ann would know. She always knows and I can 'pend on her. She stays
   right at home in her field of duty {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just right on the
   job all the time.
   
   "Sally Anne said it was just plain old scurvy grass, and you find it
   mostly in pine woods. It has long yellow roots and the roots is what
   they made the tea with. It was {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and still is {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} 'cause us {Begin deleted text} use {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} uses {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} it now. {Begin deleted text} Its {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} It's {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the finest medicine anybody can {Begin deleted text}
   get {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} git
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to cure colds {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and
   then when folks {Begin deleted text} has {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} git the {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} measles, if they would just drink old scurvy grass root
   tea, they would soon be well and {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted
   text} wouldn't have to worry {Begin deleted text} even {End deleted
   text} 'bout gittin' wet {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} even
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "Another good tonic is this very simple one. {Begin deleted text} and
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} It'll
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} will make you eat your head off
   and lessen you wants to gain in weight you had better not try it
   {Begin deleted text} and [?] is {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   just the plain old turnip. Yes, {Begin deleted text} that is {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} that's {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} right. You just bile turnips in clear
   water 'til you have 'bout a quart of the juice and drink that juice
   two and three times a day, but I 'spects you would have to put some
   sugar in it 'cause it's mighty bitter. Along in them days us used the
   old black mo'-lasses to sweeten most everything; even used it in our
   coffee. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text}
   
   Tom laughed and said, "Why even our coffee {Begin deleted text} won't
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} what it is today. Most all us
   had was corn meal, parched right brown, but to us, that corn {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} /[#?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} meal coffee sweetened with mo-lasses was really good,
   and {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} was
   thankful for it.
   
   "Another good medicine that the women folks used lots of times was
   what is known these days as black hall {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} root. They made
   tea out of that 'cause it won't easy to git out and buy medicine back
   then, for us didn't have drug {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} stores lak us does
   now. A doctor was seldomed called. Folks just made their own medicine.
   Yet {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} there {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} won't many folks sick in them days.
   
   "Long back in them days when {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} got in distress, trying to make a living {Begin
   deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} have [?] up many {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} used to set lots of {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   nights, burning {Begin deleted text} lightwood {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lighted {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} knots to make tar. {Begin deleted text} We sold
   {End deleted text} that {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} was
   sold {End handwritten} {End inserted text} by the quart or gallon. You
   know that blessed old mother of mine has even used that old homemade
   tar as a medicine. We had to drink the water off of the tar for colds
   and it was a good tonic also for any one {Begin deleted text} {End
   deleted text} that didn't have no appetite.
   
   "Still and too {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} that {Begin deleted text} won;t {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} just prezactly what us made it for
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} cause you knows back then us didn't
   have no such stuff as [?] {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} grease {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} . That old tar answered the same purpose and it
   was used on wheels and harness {Begin deleted text} to {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} too, {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} and just 'bout everything they needed to {Begin
   deleted text} greeese {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} grease {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   "Another thing {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Mistess {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} us didn't git no
   shoes 'ceptin' one time a year, and that was on Christmas, that was
   our Santa Claus {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted
   text} {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} would go
   to bed and try to see when come {Begin deleted text} {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} but {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} it wan't {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} long 'fore us would be sound asleep {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} and in the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} Next {End handwritten} {End inserted text} morning
   {Begin deleted text} we would find {End deleted text} our brogan shoes
   with the bright shiny brass toes {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} would be there, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and
   how happy {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} was
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} just thankful for everything.
   
   They said I was always a very {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} peculiar[#?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} sort of a chap even when I was just a
   little tike. I was always asking questions. I was gifted with some
   kind of a strange power, but it was sometime before I could really
   understand this strange and wonderful {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [????????????] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   power. Fact is, I don't understand it now.
   
   "But things just comes to me. I can see them and tell folks for it is
   just like a vision. Back then some folks would laugh at me about them
   visions. But {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Mistess, they is all glad now when
   old Tom can help them out sometimes. Sometimes I can't help them
   a-tall for the vision just will not come and that is all I tells, is
   just what the Lord shows me and tells me to help folks, and I has been
   trying to {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} help {End inserted text} for fifty years or more.
   
   "Along then {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} had
   confidence in each other. {Begin deleted text} We were {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Us was {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} taught to live right and serve God.
   Never to take nothin' that didn't belong to us and never to do
   anything that would hurt anyone. {Begin deleted text} We {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Us {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} just lived in the bonds of the law {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} nobody
   broke the laws, and when night come {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} us could lay down
   and sleep with a good clear conscience.
   
   "I still 'members the first time I ever heerd 'bout any one breakin'
   the law. It was just-outrageous. People for miles around were upset,
   skeered {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} and shocked. A man killed his wife. It was just
   terrible. {Begin deleted text} We just {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Us {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} couldn't understand it. When they tried him in court {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lots of {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} folks couldn't git nigh the place 'cause everybody
   t#4i[r*4]ed to go {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} But {End deleted
   text} he was sentenced and hung for murder.
   
   "From that time-on folks {Begin deleted text} began {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} begun {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} to grow weaker and wiser {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and how wicked they
   are now {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} Murder is a very common thing {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} now {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   and folks [will*5] just*5 take things that don't no ways belong to
   'em. {Begin deleted text} We {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} Folks {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just
   don't live right. And God is going to {Begin deleted text} how {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} show {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} us one these days. Oh, how wonderful
   and grateful it was that I could hear my mother pray." Here Tom broke
   down and cried. After a few minutes, he said: "You couldn't go wrong
   on her prayers."
   
   At this moment someone called {Begin deleted text} an {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} asked if Tom was there. The proprietor of the shop
   called Tom to the telephone. He came back to me {Begin deleted text}
   [?] {End deleted text} and said {Begin deleted text} it was {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} "[?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} two men {Begin deleted text} tgat
   {End deleted text} wanted to see
   {Begin deleted text} me {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} , but; I
   told them that I was busy {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ,"
   he added. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text}
   The {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} They
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} men {End
   deleted text} didn't accept that excuse and before Tom could get back
   to his story, {Begin deleted text} they {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} men {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} were at the shop for him.
   
   Calling Tom to the door, they said, "We have just got to see you for a
   few minutes, but we won't keep you long." Excusing himself, Tom said,
   " {Begin deleted text} I will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text} be back
   in a few minutes." The men were {Begin deleted text} evidently
   farmers, {End deleted text} dressed in {Begin deleted text} their {End
   deleted text} overalls and heavy shoes. {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} They seemed to be farmers. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} They {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} escorted {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} Tom out to their car {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} where they talked. {End deleted text} I waited over an hour and
   still Tom didn't get back. {Begin deleted text} I waited on and {End
   deleted text} finally he came in and said, "It is so late and I just
   can't git 'way from them men. What is I {Begin deleted text} going
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} to do?"
   
   I asked him if I would come to his home {Begin deleted text} in the
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the next
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} morning and finish our
   interview.
   
   Tom thanked me and said, {Begin deleted text} I am {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'm {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} sho sorry 'bout {Begin deleted text} dis {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} this {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} , but; one of these men is in trouble and wants to
   see if I can help him {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ."
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} and [?]
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} He told
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} telling
   {End deleted text} me how to find his house {Begin deleted text} and
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} but {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} asking {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} asked {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} if I {Begin deleted text} had {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} would {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} rather he would
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} prefer to
   have him {End handwritten} {End inserted text} come back to town and
   talk to me "cause he lived way cross town." I wanted to see his home
   and said, "I will {Begin deleted text} go {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} be {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} there if you are going to be at home. {Begin deleted text}
   Yes'em {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   Yes'um {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} I
   will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'll
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} be {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} there {End handwritten} {End inserted text} lessen
   someone dies 'cause that happens very occasionally. {Begin deleted
   text} I will {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I'll {End handwritten} {End inserted text} call you if
   that happens." He went back to the car where the men {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} were
   waiting for him.
   
   Reaching Tom's house early the next morning, I found that even then he
   had {Begin deleted text} done been over in town. {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} already been to town and
   returned home. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} He {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} asked {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} ask {End handwritten} {End inserted text} me to
   have a seat, in the livingroom and {Begin deleted text} would I {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} apologetically
   said: " {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Excuse {Begin deleted
   text} him {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   me {End handwritten} {End inserted text} while {Begin deleted text} he
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} eat {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} his {End deleted text}
   breakfast {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} for {Begin deleted text} he {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} went to town early so {Begin deleted text} that he {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} could git back by the time {Begin
   deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} you {End handwritten} {End inserted text} got {Begin
   deleted text} there {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} here {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} As he went out of the room to eat his breakfast, I looked
   around. The house was a new four-room cottage, painted white and
   trimmed in green on the outside.

   {Begin deleted text} The inside was quiet different. {End deleted
   text} The walls of the livingroom {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} were plastered {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} papered {End handwritten} {End inserted text} with {Begin
   deleted text} the comics {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} comic {End handwritten} {End inserted text} sheets
   {Begin deleted text} of {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} from {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the
   Sunday papers, {Begin deleted text} with a {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and the {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} border {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   around the top {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} of pictures cut from magazines. The
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} room {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} top {End deleted text} was ceiled
   {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} overhead. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} The floor was covered with {End deleted text} a brightly
   figured {Begin deleted text} congoleum {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} linoleum {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} square {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   covered the floor. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} The furniture consisted of a very [??] {End deleted
   text} [ {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} player piano {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} *6] {Begin deleted
   text} with the {End deleted text} rolls of music {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End inserted text} neatly
   {Begin deleted text} stocked {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} stacked {End handwritten} {End inserted text} on
   {Begin deleted text} on top of {End deleted text} *6 {Begin deleted
   text} it {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   which was [?] by {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} On each side was a {End deleted text} large {Begin deleted text}
   fern {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   ferns {End handwritten} {End inserted text} in {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   home-made {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} boxes {Begin
   deleted text} painted {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} white
   {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} The bench at the piano was
   covered by a long cushion with {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} A crocheted cover adorned the cushion on the
   piano bench. {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} a crocheted top. {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} [?]
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I noticed
   a {End handwritten} {End inserted text} cabinet-style victrola and
   three large plain rocking chairs {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} that were {End handwritten} {End inserted text} painted a
   bright {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} shade of {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} green {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Fancy lace curtains
   were draped at the windows and {Begin deleted text} a rocheted {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} crocheted {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} squares covered the glass panes in
   the {Begin deleted text} door opening in the room. {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} front door. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   Tom {Begin deleted text} was back {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} returned {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} in a {Begin deleted text} very {End deleted text} short time
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin deleted text} asking {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} asked {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} me if I {Begin deleted text} wouldn't {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} would {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} like to go through the house {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} He said {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} that he wanted me to see Sally Anne and his daughter. I followed
   him through a bedroom, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} where
   I saw {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text}
   furnished with {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} an {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} a walnut colored {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} iron bed {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} painted a dark walnut {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} Which was {End handwritten} {End inserted text} ,
   {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} covered with a red silk
   spread, {Begin deleted text} telephone stand, with the {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} telephone {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   rested on a stand {End handwritten} {End inserted text} near the bed
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} There was
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a dressing table {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   several chairs {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted
   text} {Begin deleted text} completed the furniture, {End deleted text}
   a heater {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} furnished heat
   for this room. The walls were also plastered with {End deleted text}
   {Begin deleted text} newspapers and the floor was covered by an old
   {End deleted text} faded wool rug. The two windows were draped with
   {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} clean scrim curtains
   {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} and the walls {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} were covered
   with newspapers. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   The next room was also a bedroom and a {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} fire was
   burning {Begin deleted text} very {End deleted text} {Begin deleted
   text} brightly {End deleted text} in {Begin deleted text} {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} grate. {Begin deleted text} The {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} A brown iron {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} bed in this room {Begin deleted text}
   was very much like the {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} bed in
   the [?] other room, and {End deleted text} was covered with a green
   silk spread. A dressing table {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} and {End deleted text} a small table and several rocking chairs
   completed {Begin deleted text} the {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} its {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   furniture {Begin deleted text} in this room {End deleted text} . The
   walls were {Begin deleted text} also plastered [?] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} papered {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} with newspapers {Begin deleted text} {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} , and {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} the floor was covered with linoleum
   square {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} in front of the fire was a box of baby chickens.
   {Begin deleted text} The only window in this room {End deleted text}
   {Begin deleted text} was covered in a light {End deleted text} cream
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} scrim curtains {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] hung at its only window.
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   As we passed to the next room which was the kitchen, I saw that it
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} too {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} was {Begin deleted text} plastered {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} papered {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} with newspapers. It was warm and comfortable from
   the fire in the large woodburning range. A small dining table was
   covered with a clean white cloth {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a side table held
   some dishes, and a very large cabinet was in one side of the room. A
   shelf just inside of the door held several very brightly polished
   water buckets. {Begin deleted text} Two large windows furnished light
   and were covered with {End deleted text} plain white curtains {Begin
   deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} draped the two large windows. {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   When we passed {Begin deleted text} through {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} out of {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the kitchen door, we {Begin deleted text} was {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} were {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} in the yard and {Begin deleted text}
   right in front of {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} directly before {End handwritten} {End inserted text} the
   door was a well. Tom said, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} This is one of the best wells of
   water that you will find any where {Begin deleted text} in {End
   deleted text} in these days. It is cold and pure too, but yonder is
   Sally Ann and Sister at the washhouse. They are a little put out cause
   they is washing today, and, {Begin deleted text} haint {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} ain't {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} had time to git fixed up. I told them
   that was all right cause you knowed us had to work."
   
   As we reached the washhouse I was greeted by Sally Anne, who is a very
   dark {Begin deleted text} skined {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} skinned {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} Negro {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Negress {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} , and in spite of the fact that they were at work, {Begin
   deleted text} both were {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} *7
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} were {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} very clean and neat [house dresses *6]. As Sally Anne
   smiled she showed a {Begin deleted text} mouthfull {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} mouthful {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} of gold teeth. She is rather inclined to be fat,
   but Sister, as they called her, is {Begin deleted text} [?] {End
   deleted text} thin and tall, not as dark as her mother and father, and
   her hair was combed back {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text}
   {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} close against her head.
   {Begin deleted text} Chatting with them a few minutes, {End deleted
   text} we looked around the large clean yards {Begin deleted text} {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} as we chatted
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} Showing me the hedges and
   different kinds of flowers, that they had just recently put out, Tom
   said, "If {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} can
   ever {Begin deleted text} get {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} git {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} the place {End deleted text} fixed up lak {Begin deleted
   text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} want
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wants
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} [??] {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} this {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} will be a right nice little place,
   but you know it takes money to do that. I have seen the time when I
   wouldn't have to stop for that, but {Begin deleted text} like {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} most everything {Begin deleted text}
   [?] {End deleted text}
   else, it is all gone now. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I has had my day, and I has been
   wonderfully blest by a gracious and understanding God, and I wouldn't
   call back them days if I could cause I'se done had my day. I tried to
   make good use of the days past and I hope the good Lord can say {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} well done, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} when I goes home, but {Begin deleted
   text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} will go back to the fire to
   talk. This sunshine is mighty warm and pleasant, but if you stay out
   too long you can feel the chill."
   
   As we were seated in comfortable chairs in the room, where the fire
   was burning so bright, Tom removed his large white felt hat, and asked
   if he might smoke his pipe, "'cause {Begin deleted text} he {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} could think better if {Begin deleted
   text} he could {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I can {End handwritten} {End inserted text} smoke."
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} he said. {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} Assuring him that it would be all right {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} for {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} him {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} to smoke, I watched him as he very carefully
   filled his old pipe. He was dressed in {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} a white shirt, {End handwritten} {End inserted text} gray
   wool trousers and a blue coat, not new, but clean and neat {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} black shoes {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} and a very bright red and blue tie
   {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} and white
   shirt, {End deleted text} completed his costume. {Begin deleted text}
   I wondered if some [?] {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} had
   died, since I saw him the day before. {End deleted text} He does not
   look so old, as he is tall and very straight. I judged that he was
   between sixty and seventy.
   
   Getting the pipe going good he looked around and smiled. "Pride done
   ruint this old world {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} Mistess. Pride just done took the
   day. Back long in them times, us won't 'fraid to work. Didn't know
   what it was to go to the store when us went to cook a meal, 'cause
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [??] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] was
   raised at home and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} all the
   cooking {Begin deleted text} then {End deleted text} was on {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} done {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} the fireplaces {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} clothes {Begin
   deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} was made at home. Why {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} when us went to church, it was in old home-made clothes, that
   our mothers made.
   
   'But bless the Lord that she didn't stop us from having meeting. Folks
   had {Begin deleted text} 'ligon {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} 'ligion {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} then and from the time the pastor read
   out the song and the brother over the corner started it off,
   every-body, {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} would {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} 'gin to git happy, and {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} when {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} that old song, Amazing Grace How Sweet The Sound , was
   sung the shouting could be heard for a mighty long ways off cause
   didn't nobody stay home 'cause they didn't have no clothes to wear.
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Everybody was there
   shouting. {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   
   {Begin deleted text} We {End deleted text} All {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} of us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} worked
   hard in the fields, and as dutifully as the sun rose in the morning it
   found us in our fields at labor for that was the way we made our
   living and I did work. I wanted to have something and from daylight
   'til dark {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} was
   at our work. {Begin deleted text} We {End deleted text} *8 was tired
   out [At night *8]. that {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} was, and ready for the bed. Warn't no running 'round at
   nights for us on the farms, but {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} did learn new things to grow and how to grow
   {Begin deleted text} them {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} 'em {End handwritten} {End inserted text} better.
   As we 'vanced 'long we could raise more things to eat and {Begin
   deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} learnt how to
   grow sorghum cane to make {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} syrup. That was a change
   from the old black mo-lasses but I'se frank to say, them black
   mo-lasses is still my favorite. There was just nothing lak them
   gingerbread cakes that my mother made with mo-lasses and baked in them
   old ovens in the fireplace.
   
   {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} farmed
   all my life and {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} made money in farming and then and too {Begin deleted
   text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} lost money the
   same way, but mostly after farmers started to raising cotton as the
   money crop {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} for a while us made money that way then prices of
   cotton would go up and then {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to the bottom. When the
   price started up, everybody would hold all they possibily could just
   {Begin deleted text} wasn't {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} arn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text} goin'
   to sell, just waitin' 'til it got a little bit higher and fust thing
   us knowed it had done hit the bottom.
   
   "I was just lak everybody else. I knowed I was goin' to git rich that
   way, but one thing I didn't do, I didn't quit raising plenty of
   foodstuff for us as well as plenty for the stock. I done pretty
   good. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} I took care of what I had. I didn't th*9o[r*9]w it
   away and from my old ox, Mike, that I learned to plough with, I {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [??] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} had good mules and some fine horses. I loved good
   horses and I raised only the best, and if I does say it {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} won't {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   no finer horses in that county than mine. "I sold one to a man here in
   town for a thousand dollars. Yes, mam that is right I had 'vanced from
   that little notched log house until I had a good farm {Begin deleted
   text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} a comfortable house for those
   times. When I married In 1894, I had besides my farm and horses, a
   sawmill, shingle mill, grist mill, and a gin {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and I run
   them by myself.
   
   "Course now you understand there was different times to run 'em. I
   couldn't do it all at one time, but I got it all by hard work and
   saving what I made." The insurance man came to collect {Begin deleted
   text} [?] {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} [???] was ready and
   waiting for he {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} Tom {End handwritten} {End inserted text} went to a nail
   at one side of the fireplace, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} took {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} down {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} an envelope with the book and money in it. {Begin
   deleted text} We {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} The collector {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   chatted a few minutes with Tom and asked him if he was going to farm
   again this year. "I guess I will try," Tom replied, "but all this rain
   us has been having {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} will sho
   bake this old earth later on."
   
   As the man left, Tom said, "How does you write that way and me just
   talking my head off {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I just can't see how you does it."
   
   "It was hard at first," I replied, "but you know, when you have to
   work, you have to learn how to do the work."
   
   "That's right," he said. " {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} been watching you as I talked and {Begin deleted
   text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} had a vision.
   See if I am right."
   
   "Well, I hope it is a good one," I said.
   
   {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} seen {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} seed {End handwritten} {End inserted text} that you is
   the only one of your family left, and the last went, less than a year
   ago. Is I right?
   
   "You are," I replied. He started to say something else when someone
   called to him to come out in the yard for a minute.
   
   As I waited for him to return, I picked up one of the small chickens
   out of the box. Sally Anne came in {Begin deleted text} the house {End
   deleted text} . Seeing the baby chick, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} she laughed and
   said, "Does you lak little things to? Bet you laks dogs."
   
   "I really do," I answered. "I think they are one of the most faithful
   animals that we have, and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} always had a dog when I was at
   home and the little girl where I board has one, that I am very fond
   of. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   Tom came back in the room and said, "It was about them same men that
   wanted to see me {Begin deleted text} yisterday {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [yistiday?] {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} . I done {Begin deleted text} told
   him {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} said
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} that I {Begin deleted text}
   won't {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?]
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} gwine nowhere "til us got
   through talking 'cause they can just wait. {Begin deleted text} Won't
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Wasn't
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} us talking 'bout cotton? I
   remember back in 1920 when things was sky high and I had forty bales
   of cotton here in the warehouse.
   
   "Cotton was sellin' for forty cents a pound, but lak everybody else I
   {Begin deleted text} held {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} helt {End handwritten} {End inserted text} on to
   that cotton, just knowed it would go higher, and I {Begin deleted
   text} 'vest {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} 'vested {End handwritten} {End inserted text} heavily in
   land also, bought every bit I could git a {Begin deleted text} hold
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} holt {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} of. Everybody was just money mad. But
   it {Begin deleted text} won't {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} wasn't {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   right. And I lost everything I had 'long with the rest of the folks.
   {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin
   deleted text} learned {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} learnt {End handwritten} {End inserted text} that the
   best way to make anything out of cotton is sell it, just as quick as
   it gits out of the ginhouse.
   
   "I never {Begin deleted text} ploughed {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} plowed {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} up one stalk of cotton, cause I 'bided by the laws and
   didn't plant only what I was 'sposed to plant. {Begin deleted text}
   Yes'em {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   Yes'sum {End handwritten} {End inserted text} I has stayed right in
   the bonds of the law. {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} got some money on my land and it was a blessing to me.
   Why {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} last year the farmers didn't make anything. It was the
   worst year I ever {Begin deleted text} 'rmembers {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} 'members {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} for farmin'. Course most folks wouldn't do lak the
   great President done asked 'em too. They just went ahead and planted
   their cotton and then when it was ruint, they {Begin deleted text}
   ploughed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   plowed {End handwritten} {End inserted text} it under so they could
   git their {Begin deleted text} check {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} checks {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   "I think our President is the grandest man that has ever set in the
   {Begin deleted text} president's {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} President's {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} seat. He is a blessing to humanity. He has done more for the
   farmers, than anyone else has ever done. He is just lak Moses, leaden'
   the chillun of Israel, just {Begin deleted text} rying {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} trying {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} to lead us out of struction, but he
   don't git much help. He feeds the poor, {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} fixed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} fixes {End handwritten} {End inserted text} jobs so that
   people {Begin deleted text} could {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} can {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   work {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} he is a blessin' sent by God."
   
   Picking up a {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} worn Bible
   from the table, Tom said, "Does you believe in this Good Book? Cause
   if it is wrong then there ain't nothin' else left for us {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} does you believe in it?
   
   "Yes,indeed! I replied. "I was taught to believe in that by my
   mother."
   
   "Do you ever read your Bible?" he asked.
   
   "I do," I answered.
   
   "But did you just read it or did you {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} study it? I'll
   find out later, cause I am goin' to ask you some questions.
   
   "I ain't never had much education. But when I married, I decided that
   I was going to larn and make a man out of myself. I has sho tried to
   do that. {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   worked hard and I can read and write a little, specially can I read
   this book of Life. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} God lets
   me {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} understand its meanings. {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text}
   
   "But tell me about your wedding." I said.
   
   "Well, along then times won't lak they are now. {Begin deleted text}
   We {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Us
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} had a big weddin', big for
   Negroes. Crowds of people was at our weddin' and there was plenty of
   white folks too. All Sally Anne's white folks was right there 'cause
   they sho did lak that gal and I'll tell you, she is one of the best
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} of {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} women and if I had a million dollars today, I would lay
   it all in her lap. She has never failed me. I always know that she is
   right here in her field of duty. She has worked right side of me in
   everything.
   
   {Begin deleted text} We {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} Us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} has
   {Begin deleted text} both {End deleted text} farmed {Begin deleted
   text} {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   [??] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} raised our things to eat. I
   didn't never try no 'bacco, just corn, peas, 'taters, rye {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} and wheat. Yes, I has made money farming and I has also lost
   money on the farm. It is hard work, out any kind of work is that way
   if you stays at it. {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} My
   check from the Government for thirty dollars came just before
   Christmas. It sho did come in a good time. I took that money and
   bought us all something to eat and {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} some {End handwritten} {End inserted text} clothes {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} with it. {End deleted text}
   
   "We has just got two chillun: a girl, Sister, and a boy. Sister is a
   good and smart girl, but my son is just no 'count." At this time
   someone called him again and he went out to see who it was. Coming
   back in a few minutes he said "I has been wonderfully blest for God
   gives me these visions so that I can help folks and I has been so
   thankful, but Mistess war is comin'.[? arrow]
   
   [? arrow] {Begin deleted text} {End deleted text} I know it is, 'cause
   I has had the same visions I had before the World War. I has seed the
   people gatherin' together and marchin' in crowds, and then the Bible
   is {Begin deleted text} full-filling {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} fulfilling {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} its teachin's, for it says: 'There shall be wars and
   rumors of wars,' and the war thats comin' and comin' fast, is goin' to
   be bad 'cause folks is {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text}
   wiser" {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} in {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] ways
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} than they in the last war.
   
   "I has had visions and predicted for our Govenors. Yes 'em I has had
   letters from more than one of {Begin deleted text} them {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} 'em {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} , askin' me to help 'em. But lessen I gits the
   vision I can't help a'tall. But when God lets me see these things I
   think it is my {Begin deleted text} bounding {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} bounden {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} duty to tell 'em.
   
   {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text} been a
   {Begin deleted text} liceneed {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} licensed {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   preacher for more than nineteen years, but {Begin deleted text} I has
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} never been ordained. They has wanted
   to ordain me, but I just don't feel right yet in that way 'cause I is
   just plain and ignorant, but I takes my stand on my Bible, if it is
   wrong then I am wrong. But if this Blessed Book is right, then I
   am right, for as the Lord said to {Begin deleted text} Nickodemus {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} Nicodemus {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} , "Ye {Begin deleted text} {End
   deleted text} must be {Begin deleted text} borned {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} born {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} again.'
   
   "Churches ain't lak they used to be, just too much high {Begin deleted
   text} poluttin' {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} polutin' {End handwritten} {End inserted text} preachin'
   now. I don't lak that. I laks to hear 'em preach from the Bible, and
   the heart, not just read off a sermon that somebody done {Begin
   deleted text} prepared {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} purpared {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and writ
   down for 'em. Why they don't study the Bible no more. They reads it,
   but not with understanding. Some of our greatest preachers today,
   can't explain what the soul of man is.
   
   "Now my Bible says this, and I takes my stand on the Bible. See right
   here in the second {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} chapter
   of Genesis in the seventh verse." Tom slowly read with some
   difficulty, "'and the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground
   and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became
   a living soul.' Now that is plain for anyone to read. The soul is the
   breath of life. My white folks comes to me lots of times and ask me
   questions about the Bible.
   
   "I 'member one time. Us had up a question about the Sabbath Day. Has
   you always been taught that God made the earth in six days and rested
   on the seventh day?
   
   "Yes I have always been taught that." I replied, wondering just what
   he would say about that.
   
   But he was ready, as he said, "Well then Mistess just let me read the
   second verse of the second chapter of Genesis to you."
   
   And again he slowly read, "And on the seventh day {Begin deleted text}
   [?] {End deleted text} {Begin deleted text} [?] {End deleted text} God
   ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day
   from all his work which he had made."
   
   Handing the Bible to me, he said, "There read it for yourself,
   and you can see where it says he ended his work on the seventh day."
   He has this place as well as the seventh verse which he had just read
   marked with a cross.
   
   As I handed the Bible back to him, he said, "Don't you think that is
   plain for anyone to understand? For he says he ended his work on the
   seventh day. I is just a plain old Missionary Baptist preacher, but
   that is plain to me, and if all people would read with understandin'
   and belief it would be plain to them.
   
   "*9 I was called to preach at my old church where I {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} still {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   keeps my membership 'cause I never has moved it in all these years.
   {Begin deleted text} That was {End deleted text} [a little more than a
   month ago {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} *9] everybody was upset and distressed 'bout these
   hard times. I just tore up that church. God just told me what to say.
   I told them that us didn't have no panic now, and I took 'em back to
   the days of Moses and Aaron and when Elisha led the people into
   Samaria and there was a great famine in that land.
   
   "People {Begin deleted text} were {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} was {End handwritten} {End inserted text} so
   hungry that they et they own chillun. Some of them didn't lak {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} and {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} said won't no sich thing in the Bible. I asked them to read
   Second {Begin deleted text} King {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} Kings, {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} sixth {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} 6th {End handwritten} {End inserted text} chapter,
   {Begin deleted text} twenty-eighth {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} 28th {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   and {Begin deleted text} twenty-ninth {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} 29th {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} verses. They came to me and told me I was right. I had
   took my stand on my Bible and now it proved me right. Now I want to
   read them verses to you. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} When he found the place which
   was marked with crosses, he read:
   
   "'And the King said unto her, What alleth thee? and she answered, This
   woman said unto me, Give {Begin deleted text} they {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} thy {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} son that we may eat {Begin deleted text} [?] {End
   deleted text} him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.
   
   "So we boiled my son and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next
   day: give {Begin deleted text} they {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} thy {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.'
   
   "See I was right Mistess. This Blessed Book has never failed
   me yet. I always tried to preach just what I see, 'cause I don't
   {Begin deleted text} like {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} this
   high polutin' preachin' and God don't {Begin deleted text} lake {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} lak {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} it neither. He wants his {Begin
   deleted text} deciples {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} disciples {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to preach
   the truth and nothin' but the truth, but Oh, just for some more of
   them old meetin's when people got happy and {Begin deleted text} won't
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} wasn't
   {End handwritten} {End inserted text} 'frald to show it, that is what
   I calls real 'ligion.
   
   "But {Begin deleted text} I has {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   had my day and I 'spects {Begin deleted text} I am {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} I'm {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} gittin' old. I don't {Begin deleted text} knows {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} know how old I
   is {End handwritten} {End inserted text} 'cause my folks didn't know
   how to count. I sill {Begin deleted text} try {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} tries {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} to farm and I {Begin deleted text} sell {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} sells {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} face creams, powder {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} and
   sich things as that and piddles 'round on odd jobs all the time."
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} What did you do back in those days for pasttime?" I
   asked.
   
   "Well, 'bout the biggest times was them old corn shuckin's. Now
   Mistess they {Begin deleted text} were {End deleted text} {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} was {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} really enjoyable. Sometimes they lasted for two and three days
   'cause folks sho raised corn then. We had a general that led the
   singin' {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} and {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten}
   there was {End handwritten} {End inserted text} big suppers {Begin
   inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted
   text} {Begin deleted text} and {End deleted text} I has shucked corn
   by the light of the moon and {Begin deleted text} camp {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} by bon {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} fires. After {Begin deleted text} thw
   {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} the {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} work was done, there was games and I
   tells you playin' marbles was a great sport.
   
   "When {Begin deleted text} we {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} us {End handwritten} {End inserted text} just
   wanted {Begin deleted text} to set {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} a get {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   together supper and party, us had hominy feasts. It was the real old
   lye hominy {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} just cooked {End deleted
   text} {Begin deleted text} in {End deleted text} big pots full of it
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} was cooked {End handwritten}
   {End inserted text} and that was something to enjoy and be happy and
   thankful for. {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} I was afraid to ask about dancing and
   I just asked if they {Begin deleted text} [?????] {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} continue to have {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} cornshucking {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} in the {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [???] {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text}
   
   "Why, yes, lots of times, when the corn is all gathered in 'specially
   'mong the colored folks. They 'vites {Begin deleted text} croewds {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} crowds {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} to help git the corn shucked cause
   they don't change much as the white folks and many of them is still
   lak they used to be but {Begin deleted text} we are {End deleted text}
   {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} our {End handwritten} {End
   inserted text} *9 {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} as {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} getting {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} gitting {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} our {End deleted
   text} [folks *4] in better shape just 'vancing' right along."
   
   As the same men came back for Tom again, I prepared to leave. He
   walked out to the sidewalk with me and said, "This
   sun is delicious today and makes me feel good. I'se glad I'se not in
   the trouble dem folks is.
   
   "Come back again when our flowers {Begin deleted text} git {End
   deleted text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} gits {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} to bloomin' out, and our place will
   look better."
   
   As Sally Anne came around the house to tell me good-bye, Tom said,
   "Mistess, {Begin deleted text} I am {End deleted text} {Begin inserted
   text} {Begin handwritten} I'se {End handwritten} {End inserted text}
   {Begin deleted text} going {End deleted text} {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} [?] {End handwritten} {End inserted text} to come
   and tell you 'bout that vision {Begin inserted text} {Begin
   handwritten} {End handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted
   text} cause {End deleted text} It ain't right clear yit, but I has
   seen enough to know that you is {Begin deleted text} goin {End deleted
   text} {Begin inserted text} {Begin handwritten} [?] right {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} on to success. {Begin inserted text}
   {Begin handwritten} I can tell you more about it soon. {End
   handwritten} {End inserted text} {Begin deleted text} [??] that Tom
   was right, I started on my long walk back {End deleted text} {Begin
   deleted text} to town. {End deleted text}
   
   On my long walk back to the city I pondered Tom's parting remarks, and
   I hope that he is right.
   
   ******
   
   The End
   
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