Viewing page 176 of 246

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

166  The Conjure Woman

"I dunno 'bout dat, suh. It mought cos' mo', en it mought cos' less, ez fuh ez money is consarned. I ain' denyin' you could cl'ar up dat trac' er lan' fer a hund'ed er a couple er hund'ed dollahs, - ef you wants ter cl'ar it up. But ef dat 'uz my trac' er lan', I would n' 'sturb it, no, suh, I would n'; sho's you bawn, I would n'."
"But why not?" I asked.
"It ain' fittin' fer grapes, fer noo groun' nebber is."
"I know it, but"- 
"It ain' no yeathly good fer cotton, 'ca'se it's too low."
"Perhaps so; but it will raise splendid corn."
"I dunno," rejoined Julius deprecatorily. "It's so night de swamp dat de 'coons'll eat up all de cawn."
"I think I'll risk it," I answered
"Well, suh," said Julius, "I wushes you much joy er yo' job. Ef you has