nd. Turning then to Tom, Larkin said, 'Now, you clar out.
Make tracks, or I'll lamm ye like blamenation. Be off, I tell ye,' he
added as Tom showed an unwillingness to move. 'A sensible man like ye
arn't a gwine ter waste good powder on sech a muskrat sort of a thing as
this is, is ye? Come, clar!' and he placed his hand on Tom's shoulder,
and accelerated his rather slow movements toward the groggery. Returning
then to the young man, he said:

'And now you, Mr. Gustavus Adolphus Pocahontas Powhatan Gaston, s'pose
_you_ clar out, too?'

'I shall go when I please--not before,' said Mr. Gaston.

'You'll please mighty sudden, then, _I_ reckon. A young man of your
edication should be 'bout better business than gittin' inter brawls with
low groggery keepers, and 'sultin' decent white folks with your
scented-up niggers. Yer a disgrace ter yer good ole father, and them as
was afore him. With yer larnin' and money ye moight be doin' suthin' fur
them as is below ye; but instead o' thet, yer doin' nothin' but hangin'
round bar rooms, gittin' drunk, playin' cards, drivin' fast hosses, and
keepin' nigger wimmin. I'm ashamed o' ye. Yer gwine straight ter hell,
ye is; and the hull country's gwine thar, too, 'cause it's raisin' a
crap of jest sech idle, no-account, blusterin', riproaring young fools
as you is. Now, go home. Make tracks ter onst, or I'll hev thet d----d
nigger's neck o' your'n stretched fur strikin' a white man, I will! Ye
knows me, and I'll do it, as sure's my name's Jake Larkin.'

The young planter listened rather impatiently to this harangue, but said
nothing. When it was concluded, he told his servant to bring up the
horses; and then turning to the trader, said:

'Well, Right Reverend Mr. Larkin, you'll please to make yourself scarce
around the plantation in future. If you come near it, just remember that
we _keep dogs_, and that we use them for chasing--_niggers_.' The last
word was emphasized in a way that showed he classed Larkin with the
wares he dealt in.

'Yer father, young man, is a honest man, and a gentleman. He knows I'm
one, if I _do_ trade in niggers; and he'll want ter see me when I want
ter come.'

The negro by this time had brought up the horses. 'Good evening, Mr.
Larkin,' said young Hopeful, as he mounted and rode off.

'Good evenin', replied the trader, coolly, but respectfully.

'Good evenin', _Mister_ Larkin,' said the gentleman's gentleman, as he
also mounted to ride off. The emphasis