"It's right dirty and greasy, Master," I ventured to say. "Who keres if 'tis? What right has you to speak, slut?" and he gave me a violent kick in the side with his rough brogan. "Take that for yer imperdence. Who tole you to put yer mouth in?" Nace and Dan soon produced the box, which had no top, and was dirty and greasy, as it well might be from its year's lodgment in the meat-house. "Now, go dig a hole and put Poll in it." As master was turning away, he was met by a neatly-dressed black man, who wore a white muslin cravat and white cotton gloves, and carried two books in his hand. He had an humble, reverent expression, and I readily recognized him as the free colored preacher of the neighborhood--a good, religious man, God-fearing and God-serving. No one knew or could say aught against him. How I did long to speak to him; to sit at his feet as a disciple, and learn from him heavenly truths. As master turned round, the preacher, with a polite air, took off his hat, saying: "Your servant, Master." "What do you want, nigger?" "Why, Master, I heard that one of your servants was dead, and I come to ask your leave to convene the friends in a short prayer-meeting, if you will please let us." "No, I be d----d if you shall, you rascally free nigger; if you don't git yourself off my place, I'll git my cowhide to you. I wants none of yer tom-foolery here." "I beg Master's pardon, but I meant no harm. I generally go to see the sick, and hold prayer over the dead." "You doesn't do it here; and now take your dirty black hide away, or it will be the worse for you." Without saying one word, the mortified preacher, who had meant well, turned away. I trust he did as the apostles of old were bidden by their Divine Master to do, "shook the dust from his feet against that house." Oh, coarse and sense-bound man, you refused entertainment to an "angel, unawares." "Well, I sent that prayin' rascal a flyin' quick enough;" and with this self-gratulatory remark, he entered the house. Nace and Jake carried the box into the cabin, preceded by me. Most reverently I laid away the muslin from the face and form; and lifting the head, while Nace assisted at the feet, we attempted to place the body in the box, but found it impossible, as the box was much too short. Upon Nace's representing this difficulty to Mr. Peterkin, he only replied: "Wal, bury her on a board, without any more foolin' 'bout it."