FOLKS FROM DIXIE
of the matter when he came hobbling up in the afternoon to exhort her a little. He found Anner 'Lizer in the kitchen washing dishes. Engrossed in the contemplation of her spiritual state, or praying for deliverance from the same, through the whole day she had gone about without speaking to any one. But with Uncle Eben it was, of course, different; for he was a man held in high respect by all the negroes and, next to the minister, the greatest oracle in those parts; so Anner 'Lizer spoke to him.
"Howdy, Uncl' Eben," she said, in a lugubrious tone, as the old man hobbled in and settled down in a convenient corner.
"Howdy, honey, howdy," he replied, crossing one leg over the other, as he unwound his long bandana, placed it in his hat, and then deposited his heavy cane on the white floor. "I jes' thought I'd drap in to ax you how do you do to-day?"
"Po' enough, Uncl' Eben, fu' sho."
"Ain't foun' no res' fu' yo' soul yit?"
"No res' yit," answered Anner 'Lizer, again applying the apron to her already swollen eyes.
"Um-m," sighed the old man, meditatively tapping his foot; and then the gay flash of
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