human
Reckon Gilcrest put you through yer gaits, too, didn' he? Rogers asked presently, removing his cowhide shoes, stretching his legs out in front of the fire, and proceeding, as he explained,
gpt
Yes, sir, answered Dudley,
human
Jes' so! Rogers assented, although he had probably never heard of the Inquisition.
gpt
Hiram's three hobby hosses air 'good roads, Calvinism and slavery.' Which o' them ponies wuz he ridin' this mawnin'?
human
He took a gallop on all three, laughingly answered Abner;
gpt
Egzactly! said Rogers, taking a chew of tobacco.
human
He's daft on good roads; kinder rabid on slavery; but when it comes to the 'five p'ints,' he's rank pizinous. I s'pose he rid the good-roads hoss fust. He ginerly does.
gpt
Yes, he took a preliminary canter on it. Then he looked at me searchingly and asked if I was opposed to slavery. I rather think he suspected me of being here on some secret mission to stir up insurrection among the negroes; but when I said that I thought they were much better off as slaves than they were in their native heathen condition, he relaxed considerably. He then worked around to church and doctrinal matters, and was argumentative and dictatorial about 'predestination,' 'effectual calling,' etc.; but I finally told him that though not a church-member, I had been reared under strict Presbyterian influences. This delighted him, and he said I was doubtless well grounded, and that if I was one of the 'elect,' I would be called in the Lord's own good time.
human
I'm glad you got through so well. Hiram's a good man at bottom, but ez full o' prejudice ez a aigg's full o' meat. He even claims thet Stone hain't sound on orthodoxy, which means he ain't so streenous 'bout God Almighty's fav'rin' some folks to etarnal salvation, befoh the foundations o' the world, and others, jes' ez good, to everlastin' damnation. Brother Stone he's mighty quiet an' mild-like, but kindah hints thet God Almighty's too just to hev fav'rites. I tell you, thar's trouble brewin' on this very p'int; and thar's gwintah be a tur'ble split 'foh long in Cane Ridge meeting-house.
gpt
Did you see the rest o' the folks at Gilcrest's?
human
No, ma'am, the interview was held at the stile block; but Major Gilcrest asked me to return after seeing the other patrons, and take dinner; and he also said something about my boarding with him.
gpt
Boahdin' at Gilcrest's! said Rogers.
human
Not ef me an' Cynthy Ann knows it! Of course you'll stop with us.
gpt
Yes, added his wife,
human
You are certainly most kind, Mrs. Rogers. I'm sure I'll be pleased with everything which you and Mr. Rogers arrange.
gpt
Well, said Rogers, again taking up the subscription paper and making a calculation,
human
Yes, one hundred and four acres, if there were no other expenses, but----
gpt
Whut othah expenses kin you hev wuth namin'? You've got a saddle-bag full o' clothes an' books, hain't you?--'nough to last through the wintah; so whut----
human
But my board! You haven't said how much that will be.
gpt
Well, now, said Rogers, with a sly wink at his wife,
human
About five shillings per week. I'm told that is the usual----
gpt
Five shillin's! The granny's hind foot! Why, boy, whut you tek me an' Cynthy Ann fur? We shan't tek five shillin's nor yit five cents. A boy like you, not much older'n our William, ef he'd 'a' lived, an' frum Lawsonville, too! Didn't I tell you you'd be jes' lak my own frum this time on? Board, indeed! Heah's plenty o' cawn pone, hom'ny, bacon an' taters, I reckon; 'sides cawn an' oats an' stable room fur yer nag. All we ax is thet you nevah say board to us agin. But, ef you like, he added kindly,