FOLKS FROM DIXIE
"I ain't killed him," said Nelse. "I sent him home—back to the ol' place."
"You sent him home! how'd you send him, huh?"
"I give him my Sunday suit and that money—don't git mad, 'Lizy, don't git mad—that money I was savin' for your cloak. I couldn't help it, to save my life. He's goin' back home among my people, an' I sent 'em my love. Don't git mad an' I 'll git you a cloak anyhow."
"Pleggone the cloak!" said Mrs. Hatton, suddenly, all the woman in her rising in her eyes. "I was so 'fraid you'd take my advice an' do somethin' wrong. Ef you're happy, Nelse, I am too. I don't grudge your master nothin'—the ol' devil! But you're jes' a good-natured, big-hearted, weak-headed ol' fool!" And she took his head in her arms.
Great tears rolled down the man's cheeks, and he said: "Bless God, 'Lizy, I feel as good as a young convert."
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