The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-12-27
DrNAH's STOCKINGS.

SauGC couboCli was d WUIItH HdSIIGT
by profession. His sign, printed in
struggling, uneven letters, so inform
ed the passersby in Sullivan street.
An larry colored dandy was Cuffee in
spite Of his poverty and bad clothes.
When he sailed out, with his brush
over his right shoulder, his pail of
whitewash in his LETT hand, and bis
hat balanced airily on the one side of
his woolly head, all the admirlDg
wencbes showed their ivories in broad
grins. But il he was captivating 10
his working clothes, how shall de.
scribe him III his evening and Sunday
dress-thc dress in which he leaned
against lamp-posts and wore in liis
hours of relaxation
Dinah Huekleberry was at this
time, by common consent, the darkey
belle Of Thompson street. Her hair
was the kinkiest, her skin the shiniest,
her teeth the whitest and her lips the
thickcst Dinah was the daughter of
poor but honest parents. Her father
was connected with the peanut inter
est, aud her mother drank gin with an
assIduity of a better cause. There
fore, Dlnah's exchequer was as poor
as a church mouse. Her wardrobe
was not extensive. Her education
had been sadly neglected.
In the course Of Thompson and
Sullivan street events il fell ont that
Cnffee Johnson and Dinah Huckle-
berry fell in love. Cuffee was an at.
tcntive lover. lie took his Diuah 10
the colored ball-and right here my
story properly commences.
There was TO be grand Tersicho-
rean event-the great Ethiopian shin
dig Of the season. The swell walters
OF the Broadway restaurants were TO
he there, and the wave of excitement
in coiored society ran high.
"Shall We 90 :' said Cnffee.
"Ef yer say So" replied Dinab,
showing her ivory in blissful anticips-
ton
That settled it.
The night came; and Cuffee called
for his Dinah in ample season. HIS
get mp was Of The most agonizing de-
scription. 1t actually included
billed shirt" and paper collar.
But Cuttee found his Dinah in tears,
burning tears.
What under goodness is de mat
ter, Dinah Z" questioned Cuffee.
"lc-c--=can't g-go," whispered
the sable beauty.
AN why, in de name of common
sense cant you go:'
Cause amt got no stockins, Cuff
fee. Pop promised to git me some
10 day. but he didn't-an now / c.
can't g-go"
The sight of bis sweetheart in tears
fired Cutice's manhood.
This hain't no time for hesitation y
he exclaimed, waving his arms in mel
odramatic style; this are time for
action You wait here, my lubly
rosebud, until come back.
On lie bounded, leaving the stock
inglcss belle in doubt as to his sanity.
lies got 'em TO shua," she mnr-
INJURED. Il tole him dat Sobinson's
whisky was de wust in de hull ward.
He's got 'em TO shua."
Within ten minutes Cuffee return
ed, bearing the implements OF his
trade-a brush and pail of whitewash.
You shall go, Dinah," he cried;
You shall go. Ise got idee. Stick
out you feet
Dinah did as she was bid, and with
few dexterous brushes by the artist
in lime they were neatly whiiewashed
"Have 'em long or short:" lie paused
to ask.
Bout middlin', Cuffee," was the re-
ply.
"Middlin' it is; stand up second.
There yer are, an whittier, cooler, or
better fittin pair of stockings no other
gal eyer bad"
Yes, an dey save garters, too, Cuf.
fee."
And so they went to the ball in
spite of adverse circumstances, and
were the jolliest company of jolly nigs
in the whole assemblage.
Cuffee thinks of getting out pat.
ent on his invention, but Dinah says il
she catches him furni shing any other
girls with whitewash stockings she
will break his skull with paving stone