He walked out of the stable, stopped beside a big pine stump in the stable yard, laid his dollar on top of the stump and placed the copper penny on top of the dollar in as nearly the exact center as he could calculate. Then he lifted up some planks which lay deeply buried in the dirt in the corner of the yard and captured two red earthworms. He took one of these worms and laid it in the exact center of the copper coin. “Now, Mr. Worm,” Shin commanded, “you crawl often dat cent and specify to me whut direction to go to git some money! Gimme a sign!” The worm started to crawl off. In his progress his head touched the silver dollar. The worm stopped and promptly crawled back upon the copper. He started again in another direction, but the moment its body touched the silver dollar the worm drew back. “Huh!” Shin grunted. “Dis worm is igernunt--he don’t know which way to go!” Shin watched him with intense curiosity. He picked up a straw and gave him little pushes to assist his progress, then he suddenly took a breath which threatened to suck in all the air in the stable-yard. “Bless Gawd!” he exclaimed with heartfelt gratitude. “It’s a shore, certain fack!” He tossed the worm aside, pocketed the money and made a beeline to the Hen-Scratch saloon. That popular resort was crowded with the colored inhabitants of Tickfall. They raved and bellowed and drank and laughed and rattled the money in their pockets and discussed the races of the day. Shin entered quietly, and after a few minutes he picked up a table and set it in the middle of the room, placing a chair beside it. Seating himself with great ceremony, he put his silver dollar in the center of the table and placed his copper cent on top of the dollar. The noise of talking and laughing ceased and the negroes crowded around Shin Bone. Like all negroes, Shin had a dramatic gift, and he played it to the limit. His actions were attended by no explanations and had an air of deep mystery. Then he spoke: “Whut nigger in dis house is got a fishin’ worm?” There was a long, astonished silence. Finally Pap Curtain spoke: “Whut you want wid a fishin’ worm, Shinny? Want to eat yo’ breakfust?” “Naw, suh,” Shin proclaimed. “I’s gwine make a bet.” “Whut does you bet?” Hitch Diamond bellowed. Shin Bone rose to his feet. Pointing dramatically at the money, he shouted: “I bets any money dat I kin put a fishin’ worm on top of dat copper cent, an’ dat worm will starve an’ squinch up an’ die, befo’ he will crawl across dat silver dollar an’ git away!” This announcement was followed by intense silence. Finally Pap Curtain remarked: “Dat’s some kind of trick dollar.” “’Tain’t so!” Shin howled. “How much will you bet?” Hitch Diamond wanted to know. “Any money!” “Will you lemme furnish my own dollar?” Pap Curtain inquired. “Suttinly!” “Will you lemme furnish de copper cent?” Hitch Diamond bellowed. “Shorely!” “Will you lemme furnish de fishin’ worm?” Prince Total squealed. “Yep!”