Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/336

 When the Court reassembled and Isaac took his seat in the witness chair, Aunt Julie Ann's huge form suddenly appeared in the doorway with her hand resting confidingly on Alfred's arm. They walked inside the railing of the bar and took seats assigned to them behind John Graham's counsel. Aunt Julie Ann handed Ackerman a pair of Isaac's old shoes. He measured them quickly on a diagram which he drew from his pocket.

Isaac watched Aunt Julie Ann and Alfred with mouth opened in wonder, rage and growing fear.

He rose and bowed to the judges.

"I gotter ax de cote ter perteck me, gemmens," he said falteringly.

"What do you mean?" asked a judge.

"Dat nigger Alfred dar tryin' ter steal my wife from me, sah!"

Alfred grinned, and patted Aunt Julie Ann's hand and whispered: "Doan min' de low-live rascal, honey!"

"Yassah, an' my wife come here tryin' ter 'timidate me, sah. She jes fetch er par er my ole shoes inter dis cote. She's a cunjer 'oman, sah. I try ter sanctify her, but she won't stay sanctified. She got a kink er my hair las' night, and wrap it up in a piece er paper and put it under de cote house do' step, an' she say dat ef I walk