"Naw, I would n't, not 'thout I tol' her."

"Well, I'll tell her I just comed over a minute to see 'bout
Miss Minerva's bustle," he agreed as he again tumbled over
the fence.

A little negro boy, followed by a tiny, white dog, was passing
by Miss Minerva's gate.

Billy promptly flew to the gate and hailed him. Jimmy, looking
around to see that Sarah Jane had gone back to the kitchen, as
promptly rolled over the fence and joined him.

"Lemme see yo' dog," said the former.

"Ain't he cute?" said the latter.

The little darkey picked up the dog and passed it across the
gate.

"I wish he was mine," said the smaller child, as he took the
soft,
fluffy little ball in his arms; "what'll you take for him?"

The negro boy had never seen the dog before, but he immediately
accepted the ownership thrust upon him and answered without
hesitation, "I'll take a dollar for her."

"I ain't got but a nickel. Billy, ain't you got 'nough money to
put with my nickel to make a dollar?"