Page:The New Negro.pdf/203

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Morning Jane.

Got any good coffee?

Ah don't never have no other kind.

I know you don't. You make the best coffee in this county. I 'clare I can't get my wife

Sit down and Ah'll get you a cup.

I kin smell it all the way in here, Jane.

Ef there's anything men-folks is pertic'ler about, it's coffee. Jim was moughty pertic'ler about his'n—if he was good for nuthin'.

Now, Jane—lay off Jim. Jim wasn't the wust husban' in these parts.

Jim was big and strong enuf—and good natured, 'cept drinkin'—but Jim was nuthin' up here [taps her forehead].

Oh, well, Jim's gone now. Ferget it, Jane.

If he'd had any brains he wouldn't a tuk that hund'ed dollars and drunk hisself ter death, would he?