The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1874-11-05
He stood again outside the window,
IA nk;-o1v, ~ <ho


looking sadly and refectively at the
attractive bijou, then seated himself
on the curbsone, his clutches resting
in the gutter, and thoughtfully smooth
ed between his finger and thumb the
twenty-five cent note Mr.. Wise had
given him: ssEf takes dis, an de one
Mas Tom gwine to gimme mex week,
dat'll be fifty cents, but it won't be
seventy-fve, so got to make a quar-
ter on de two. Eff Miss Mollie knowed,
spect she would wait anoder week to
git married, an den I wouldn't run no
resk O. desc; but l amt gwine to tell
her, cos l know she couldn't help tel
lin Mas Tom, an | want to prise
him. Mas Tom is made me feel good
many time; | want to make him feel
good wunst. He don't nuvvur came
dis way, an amt seed dat pin, or he
would ha' had it fore now
Then Little Joe bestirred himself and
obtoining the assistance Of a friend.
took his dry goods box up to Capitol
Square. There he turned it upside
down, spread newspaper over the top
and proceeded to display his wares.
A pyramid Of three apples stood IN
one corner; small stock of peppermint
candy was it's pis-d-ris; tiny glass of
peanuts graced the third, and was con-
| fronted by lemon that had seen lie,
and was more sere than yellow. But
the browning glory was the center-piece
an unhappy looking pie of visage pale
and thin physique, yet how beautiful to
Joe! He stepped back on his crutches'
turning his head from side to side as nc
surveyed the effect, took up a locust
branch he had brought with him to
brush away the flies, and, leaning against
the iron railing, with calm dignity
awaited con- ing events.
| His glance presently fell on the fig
urs of a negro boy, who stood gazing
with longing eyes on the delicacies Of
his ia Bile, and it was with strange feel
ing Of kinship that Little Joe continued
to regard the new conner, for he, too
had been branded by misfortune. He
appeared about Joe's age, and should
have been taller, but his legs had been
amputated nearly up TO the knee, and
as he stood on the pitiful stumps, sup
ported oy a short cane in one hand, his
head was hardly as high as the iron
railing. He had none of Joes bright
ness, but looked ragged and dirty and
hungry, and evidently had no Mas Tom
to help the good Lord and the birds Of
the air to take care of him. His skin
was of a dull, ashen hue, and the short
wool which chung close to his scalp was
sunburnt till it was red and crisp, and
! formed curious contrast to his black
face. One arm was bare, only the rag.
ged remains of sleeve hanging over
the shoulder, and it seemed no great
misfortune that his legs bad been short
ened, for be had hardly pantaloons
enough to cover what he had left.
He looked at the pie, and Joe looked
at him. Presently the latter inquired
seriously, "Whar yo' legss'
''Cut off, y was the answer.
How come dey cut off,
"Feet was fros.bit. Like ter xii
me-"
What yo' name?' asked Joe.
| ssKiah."
"What were yo' ole mas name!'
didn't have no ole mas. ~
"Was you natchul free niggcra'
''Dunno what you mean, said kiah
''Fore we was all sot free. explained
Little Joe. "Wos you born wild oil
mas an a ole mis- or was you borr
free! -jes' natchully free
Free, said Kiah, thus placing him
self, as every Southerner knows, unde
the ban of Joe's contempt. :" Umph
my Lor'! Dat pie do sholy smell
good"
"You look hongry," said Joe. gravely
| 81 is said Khan, ''hungry as dog.
I Negroes are generous creatures, ant
Joe's mind was fully made up to Civ
Kiah piece of pie; but before he sig
nitied this benevolent intention h
rested his crutches under his shoulder
and swung his misshapen feet almost il
Kiah's face. He lecred at him; h
grinned at him; he stuck his chin in hi
face, and made dash at him with tn
crown of his head; finally swapping hi
eyes and Shaping his sides and swing
ing his heels to the following edition 6
"Juha,' repeated with incredible rap
idity and indescribable emphasis:
Ruby eyed 'simmon seed
See Billy hoppin' jes' in time,
Juba dis an Juba dat,
Juba killed de yaller cat.
Roun' de kittle o. 'possum fat,
i Whoop-a-hoy whoop-a-hoy
Double step o Juba
Forty pound O candle grease
Settin on de mantel piece.
Don't you see old Granny Grace
She look so homely in de face.
Up de wall an down de 'tition,
Gimme AK sharp as sickle,
Cut de nigger's woozen pipe
What eat up all de snassengers,
Git up dar, you little niger!
Can't you pat de Juba'
| He stopped suddenly and CRIME
ferociously at Kiah. Kiah gazed sto
| idly back at Joe. Then Joe stepped
7 the table, took up rusty old pockt
knife, and cutting out . piece of the pi
4 handed it to Kiah. Kiah bit of
i point of the triangle with his eyes fixe
a on Joe as if in doubt whether he woul
a be allowed to proceed, but finding th'
), the liberty was not resented. he eager
# devoured the remaieder, drew his col