The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-04-11
Scene in a Passenger Car.

oOCuO Ii q oSoSOLSGI GcLr.
The Legislative enactment allowing re-
spectacle individuals, without distinction
OF race or color, to ride in the railroad
cars within the State of Pennsylvania,
having been signed by Governor Geary,
Is therefore, in full force as the law in
such case made and provided. Up to the
present time, as near as could be asser-
tanned by the corps of reporters of this
paper, but very few colored persons, not
more than usual, have availed themselves
OF the opportunity, to take ride.
The following scene is the only one
that came under the notice of the repor
ters OF the Press on Saturday afternoon.
A car pretty well filled with promis-
cueus body of white people stopped at a
street intersection. An elderly, we'll
dressed colored woman entered. There was
not vacant seat Here was chance to
test the philosophy of any one in the
crowd one who had moral courage enough
to burst the fetters Of prejudice against
the hithorto prescribed race" and offer
that colored woman a seat. In the upper
end, or near the head or front of the car,
Sd0 1OOuS uICu WHO DdSsCQ SCNCIdl
jeering remarks to each other in reference
to "niggers riding in the cars" Some
profaue words were also used by one of
these young man, which at once proved
his natural vulgarity and boorishness in
violating the conventional rules of a pro
miscuous society Of ladies and gentlemen.
In moment or two, gentleman who
had reached the middle age of, life, arose
and requested the colored woman to take
his seat.
"Think you, sir" she replied, ~ do
not wish to intrude."
''Not at all, madame no intrusion
whatever the seat is yours. Do me the
favor to take it." This was said in
style that Lord Chesterfield could not
have objected to.
The colored woman took the seat, and
the gentleman stepped to the head of the
car.
You seem to be fond of niggers," said
one of the two young men above mention
ed
DO you allude to me, sir" responded
the gentleman.
Yes, sir, replied the impudent stran-
ger.
"Well, then,' responded the gentle
man kindly and philosophically, "you arc
entirely mistaken, sir, in your judgment"
"Why, you gave that nigger your seat,
anyhow, and if that amt showing partiali-
ty for such like, don't know what is,
replied the young man, with degree of
assurance equal to his impertinence
The gentleman, not the least disconcer-
ted, said :"I think you are entirely mis-
taken. my young friend. | am not
aware that that respectable, well-dressed
and we'll behaved colored woman, old
enough perhaps to be your grandmother,
is nigger, Really, sir, there does not
appear to be anything niggardly above
her"
"Well, she's a niger, anyhow, and mig
gers, oughtnt to be allowed to ride in the
the cars. If | was driver l would mt
stop for them" replied the young man,
doggedly.
"Oh, shut up" interposed a rough
looking working man, seated on the op-
posite side of the ear, and who could not
help overhearing the conversation you're
more of a niger than she is Color don't
make niger, don't you know that ?"
"No, don't know that" replied the
young man, emphasizing the last word in
a sort of "Jakey" style.
"That remark, sir" interposed the gen.
tleman, rs evidently true. Your early
education in regard to the human race,
as we'll as politeness, common sense and
common grammar, seems to have been
sadly neglected, but you are not too young
to be taught politeness, if you have the
capacity to learn"
The young man, not at all abashed, made
some further remark, to which the gen
tlemau replied that it was scarcely neces-
sary to continue the conversation.
The impertinent stranger was evidently
too ignorant to comprehend we'll directed
and severe sarcasm.-Te Press