"Madam," said the negro principal of a public school to an old negro
woman who was washing, "I wish your boy to attend my school."
"Whose boy?" asked the old woman as she straightened up and wiped the
suds from her arms.
"Your boy, madam."
"Well, ef he's my boy, I reckon I'll look atter him."
She placed one hand on the rim of the tub and resumed washing with the
other.
Every few seconds she would change her position, allowing each hand a
rest period. She would also change the pitch of a negro melody she was
singing, accordingly.
"'Fesser," said she, "is you still waitin'?"
"I am, madam."
"'Fesser, you cyarn't git dis boy."
"Madam, I'll stay and argue with you."
"I won't argue wid you, 'fesser. I'se got ter argue wid dese suds. Does
you heah?"
"Your boy, madam, is running wild."
"'Fesser, you don't need ter run. You kin jes' walk. I'se mighty
perlite, but does you see dat gate?"
The principal started toward the gate. In passing an ant-hill he walked
around it. As he reached the corner of the house a large fierce dog
sprang at him. He spoke to the dog, and patted its head. The dog wagged
its tail and followed him to the gate. After much trouble he opened and
closed the gate and started off at a brisk pace.
"'Fesser! 'fesser!" cried the old woman, "you kin hab dis boy. Come back
an' git him right now."
The principal returned and asked the old woman what had converted her.
"It was dem ways of yourn, 'fesser. You's got er mighty good heart in
you, 'kase you walked erround dem ants. Dat's jes' de heart I wants ter
beat fer my boy. Dat dog bites most folks, but you jes' charmed all de
fight outen him. My boy's got er lot of fight an' some meanness in him,
but I sees you kin charm dem out. Most folks leaves dat gate open, but
you jes' kept on till you closed it. I knows you'll keep at dis boy till
you makes er man outen him. Heah's de boy, 'fesser. Jes' take him
erlong."
As the principal and boy walked in the street the old woman stood at
the gate and said: "Jes' look at dat boy of mine; he's walkin' lack de
'fesser erready."