H. B. W.



"And the King shall answer and say unto
them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch
as ye did it unto one of these my brethren,
even these least, ye did it unto me."




CHAPTER I


"O God, take ker' o' Dick!--He'll sure have a tough time when I'm
gone,--an' I'm er' goin'--mighty fast I reckon.--I know I aint done
much ter brag on,--Lord,--but I aint had nary show.--I allus 'low'd
ter do ye better,--but hit's jes' kept me scratchin'--ter do fer me
an' Dick,--an' somehow I aint had time--ter sarve--ye like I ought.--An'
my man he's most ways--no 'count an' triflin',--Lord,--'cepten when
he likers up,--an' then,--you know how he uses me an' Dick.--But Dick,
he aint no ways ter blame--fer what his dad an' mammy is,--an' I ax
ye--fair,--o Lord,--take ker o' him--fer--Jesus' sake--Amen."

"Dick!--O Dick,--whar are ye honey?"

A hollow-cheeked wisp of a boy arose from the dark corner where he had
been crouching like a frightened animal, and with cautious steps drew
near the bed. Timidly he touched the wasted hand that lay upon the