The House Behind the Cedars

by Charles W. Chesnutt

held in her hand a bottle, the contents of which had never paid any revenue tax.

His unselfish devotion had reacted to refine and elevate his own spirit.

If God had meant to rear any impassable barrier between people of contrasting complexions, why did He not express the prohibition as He had done between other orders of creation?

talks lack he own de whole county, an' ain't wuth no mo' d'n I is—jes' a big bladder wid a handful er shot rattlin' roun' in it.

After driving for an hour through the tall pines that overhung the road like the stately arch of a cathedral aisle, weaving a carpet for the earth with their brown spines and cones, and soothing the ear with their ceaseless murmur,

the sun shone on as brightly as before, the mocking-bird sang yet more joyously. A gentle breeze sprang up and wafted the odor of bay and jessamine past them on its wings. The grand triumphal sweep of nature's onward march recked nothing of life's little tragedies.

red and golden glory of the setting sun, triumphantly ending his daily course, flooded the narrow room with light.