thinkin' of what he's got 'stead of what he is? I know it'll be
mighty nice for you to be one of the fine folks and they're big
reasons why you ought, but it's goin' to take a mighty good man to
match you--a mighty good man. And it's the man you've got to live
with, not his money."

"Ollie's good, Daddy," she returned in a low voice, her eyes fixed
upon the floor.

"I know, I know," replied Jim. "He wouldn't do nobody no harm;
he's good enough that way, and I ain't a faultin' him. But you
ought to have a MAN, a sure enough good man."

"But tell me, Daddy, why ain't we got no folks?"

The faintest glimmer of a smile came into the dark face; "You're
sure growed up, girl; you're sure growed up, girl; you sure are.
An' I reckon you might as well know." Then he told her.





CHAPTER IX.

SAMMY LANE'S FOLKS.


It began on a big southern plantation, where there were several
brothers and sisters, with a gentleman father of no little pride,