the
dignity which was supposed to pertain to that profession. He wore a very
long and baggy coat which had once been black, but was now tanned by
exposure to a reddish brown, a vest which looked as if it had been
velvet before the years had eaten the nap from it, and changed it into a
fabric not unlike leather. His shirt was obviously newly washed for
the occasion, and his high clean collar fell over an ample and somewhat
bulging white cloth, which partook of the qualities of both stock and
necktie. His skin was of that lustrous black which shines as if freshly
oiled, and his face was closely shaved except for two tufts of short,
white hair, one on each side, which shone like snow against his black
cheeks. He wore an old and very quaint beaver, and a pair of large,
old-fashioned, silver-rimmed spectacles, which gave him an air of
portentous dignity.

When I first caught sight of him, he was leaning on a long hickory
stick, which might have been his staff of state, and his face was set in
an expression of superlative importance. As I appeared, however, he at
once removed his hat, and taking a long step forward, made me a profound
bow. I was so much impressed by him, that I failed to catch the whole
of the grandiloquent speech with which he greeted me. I had evidently
secured his approval; for he boldly declared that he "would 'a'
recognizated me for one of de rail quality ef he had foun' me in a
cuppen." I was immediately conscious of the effect which his endorsement
produced on his companions. They regarded me with new interest, if any
expression so bovine deserved to be thus characterized.

"I tell dese folks up heah dee don't know nuthin' 'bout rail quality,"
he asserted with a contemptuous wave of his arm, which was manifestly
intended to embrace the entire section in its comprehensive sweep. "Dee
'ain' nuver had no 'quaintance wid it," he explained, condescendingly.
His friends accepted this criticism with proper submissive-ness.

"De Maconses, de Berkeleyses, de Carterses, de Bassettses, de
Wickhamses, de Nelsonses, an' dem!"--(the final ending "es" was plainly
supposed to give additional dignity)--"now _dee_ is sho 'nough quality.
I know all 'bout 'em." He paused long enough to permit this to sink in.

"I b'longst to Doc' Macon. _You_ know what _he_ wuz?"

His emphasis compelled me to acknowledge his exalted position or abandon
forever all hope of retaining my own; so I immediately assented, and
inquired how