"Papa is goin' to town!"

The unusual tidings were true. It was afternoon of the same day that the
Colonel tossed his horse's bridle to his groom, and stepped up to old
Charlie, who was sitting on his bench under a China-tree, his head as
was his fashion, bound in a Madras handkerchief The "old man" was
plainly under the effect of spirits and smiled a deferential salutation
without trusting himself to his feet.

"Eh, well Charlie!"--the Colonel raised his voice to suit his kinsman's
deafness,--"how is those times with my friend Charlie?"

"Eh?" said Charlie, distractedly.

"Is that goin' well with my friend Charlie?"

"In de house,--call her,"--making a pretence of rising.

"_Non, non!_ I don't want,"--the speaker paused to breathe--"ow is
collection?"

"Oh!" said Charlie, "every day he make me more poorer!"

"What do you hask for it?" asked the planter indifferently, designating
the house by a wave of his whip.

"Ask for w'at?" said Injin Charlie.

"De _house!_ What you ask for it?"