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8 The Conjure Woman 

We drove between a pair of decayed gateposts-the gate itself had long since disappeared-and up a straight sandy lane, between two lines of rotting rail fence, partly concealed by jimsonweeds and briers, to the open space where a dwelling-house had once stood, evidently a spacious mansion, if we might judge from he ruined chimneys that were still standing, and the brick pillars on which the sills rested. The house itself, we had been informed, had fallen a victim to the fortunes of war. 

We alighted from he buggy, walked about the yard for a while, and then wandered off the into the adjoining vineyard. Upon Annie's complaining of weariness I led the way back to the yard, where a pine long, lying under a spreading elm, afforded a shady though somewhat hard seat. One end of the log was already occupied by a venerable looking colored man. He held on his