Chapter 18

           WileysufferedseverelyatthehandsofMasterEpps,ashasbeenrelatedintheprecedingchapter,butinthisrespecthefarednoworsethanhisunfortunatecompanions. "Sparetherod,"wasanideascoutedbyourmaster. Hewasconstitutionallysubjecttoperiodsofill-humor,andatsuchtimes,howeverlittleprovocationtheremightbe,acertainamountofpunishmentwasinflicted. ThecircumstancesattendingthelastfloggingbutonethatIreceived,willshowhowtrivialacausewassufficientwithhimforresortingtothewhip. 

           AMr.O’Niel,residinginthevicinityoftheBigPineWoods,calleduponEppsforthepurposeofpurchasingme. Hewasatannerandcurrierbyoccupation,transactinganextensivebusiness,andintendedtoplacemeatserviceinsomedepartmentofhisestablishment,providedheboughtme. AuntPhebe,whilepreparingthedinner-tableinthegreathouse,overheardtheirconversation. Onreturningtotheyardatnight,theoldwomanrantomeetme,designing,ofcourse,tooverwhelmmewiththenews. Sheenteredintoaminuterepetitionofallshehadheard,andAuntPhebewasonewhoseearsneverfailedtodrinkineverywordofconversationutteredinherhearing. Sheenlargeduponthefactthat"MassaEppswasg’winetosellmetoatanneroberindePineWoods,"solongandloudlyastoattracttheattentionofthemistress,who,standingunobservedonthepiazzaatthetime,waslisteningtoourconversation. 

           "Well,AuntPhebe,"saidI,"I’mgladofit. I’mtiredofscrapingcotton,andwouldratherbeatanner. Ihopehe’llbuyme."