Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/232

228 ribber eben when I had the use er my limbs. I done been ter some funerals over there, an' that's about all, but I done hearn tell that Aunt Peachy air got a chist full er begalia what she casts her spells with."

"Begalia?"

"Yes, honey chil', all kin's er things lak they have in sassieties, 'cept'n' instid er badges an' ribbins an' sich she has things made out'n feathers an' bones an' ol' ha'r. They do say she air got a old dried-up han' what she waves aroun' an' if 'n she ever gits close enough ter touch you with it she an' the debble air got you in they power."

"How funny!" laughed Rebecca. "I don't see how you can believe such foolishness, Aunt Pearly Gates."

"I don't neither, honey chil', but they is a feelin' way down in me that spite er prayer an' 'zortin', I air under the spell er Aunt Peachy. I ain't never let her know it an' I reckon she's a thinkin' I'm too good a Christian to bother my haid about her.

"I 'member when I wa' a gal 'bout fifteen, one hot night 'bout the middle er summer when the wheat crap wa' in an' the late taters planted an' the 'backer wa'n't big enough ter s'po't no worms an' wuck done slack up a bit on the