The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-03-23
COMPLICATED PREDICAMENT.

Ia COMPLICATED PREDICAMENT.
,Joseph,ts Jones was his name in full,
hut he was called Seph by familiar ac-
auaintances, and usually designated as
aPotter's eolored boy" In his stock
mos he stood about four feet five, was
Mack as ebony, and had an inclination
i 10 grin more or less. When in full cos
tune he wore his employers discarded
] eowhide boots, a blue flannel shirt, a
1 frock-eoat tornamented with brass buttons
/ and faded felt hat that had ragged
1sent-hole in the crown. Trouble usu-
/ Ially slipped from his mind and memory
/ Hike water from ducks back; but at the
/ lime about to be mentioned he was con-
1 aderabIy disturbed because he was not
yhite like other folks"
i The white boys and girls in the Potter
] nighhorhood had been planning several
Feeks TO have masquerade party in the
A id red school house, and Seph desired
ibove all things to have a share in the
4 tm and eatables of the occasion. His
nlor and scanty wardrobe, however,
were likely to debar him the privilege.
4 1T don't make no diff renee, nehow,"
i b said to himself, after mature deliber-
aon. = Is gwine to hab a show in dat
3nrty one way or nudder.''
! When the expected day at last arrived
i b watched the preparations anxiously
*dl the morning and afternoon. The in
de of the school-house was first abund-
7atly trimmed with evergreen, then a
s age was erected in one corner for a
4 adler, and next long table was ar
4 3alged at the back of the room for the
hreshments, which We're brought in
skets by several of the boys and girls
nm time to time Finally the table
a aths were spread, and the girls drew
I hm the mysterious baskets frosted
akes wrapped in tissue-paper, great
! hated pies, nuts and raisins, oranges
/ nd big punches of grapes, paper bags
/ aled with candy, and, in fact, a quantity
4dgood things that made Seph's mouth
4 water while he looked in through one of
! he windows.
4 At home, late in the afternoon, Job
Potter secretly led him up to an unfn-
shed room over the wood-shed, and
i showed him his mask and outfit, which
we're hidden away in barrel. He made
Seph try on the mask, the old beaver
hat and the coat, just to see how they
2Eere going to look.
4 Father is mighty sot on not lettin'
inc go,n said Job, but T. m a-goin' now,
8geu better believe. Don't say anything,
lhough. NUNS the word.''
Seph said that he would takescare
but an hour afterward, when he saw the
Deacon, as Jobs father was familiarly
called, come down from the shed cham
eer, and carry Jobs mask and costume
. . hiding place in the barn, he had to
le down behind the wood-pile, and hold
eoth hands over his mouth to keep his
aaglter from being heard.
At the supper table Deacon Potter an
aounced to the whole family that he did
la approve of masquerade parties any,
Wy, and certainly not for young people.
soo must just make up his mind to stay
1t home.
Seph was bringing in the kindling-
soou Tor the morning and heard the
Deaeon s command. A few minutes later
great thought took complete possession
y nm HJobcouldn't go why shouldn't
sgo in his placep
par no reason in de world why
auht les' as good a right to 90 as he
ao an Is gwine to, sure's my names
h L =,
ns hurried through all the chores,
.ssd ,sssaowed his supper hastily and took
,w al.age OF the first opportunity to slip
way to the barn. After hunting ali
az sne haymow and in every hole and
Mher ne could think of for the concealed
assles' he found them under basket
the corn crib.
M JacAiiy the moon was Just coming up
4 ~ ~ he cracks in the barn admitted
aa'aner enough for him to see where it
so ~ ana what he was doing. He very
l. Va exchanged his own garments piece
reee for Jobs Sunday suit, which.
sttaa a Z: sae exception of the pantaloons,
4',ea Va him very well.
nalie his teeth chattered and his whole
i -! uembled with nervous excitement.
pas. on the mask and beaver hat.
nras together with the coat collar
5s.s 1eu up completely concealed his face,
Sssss I saa !. neck; n, and tucked away in a
sns;s ma q The coat there happened to be
spss ne. u u orown-cotton gloves Job some-
s. naa wore to meeting, that supplied the
b imass isessslty to the disguise. Should it
/ 'osahu out that he wasn't Iob Conb
nd & very well what his fate would be,
Is 81 hsas II sook care to have every part of
i eossrat asa skin ! and woolly head thorough
'stea before he ventured forth.
atbs ,"s ssry short time he arrived in sight
6ass ss sseneol-house lights, and heard The |
hslsna aready under way. Heads were
sss;oas past the windows in rapid sue
ae Son, sounss = though u all We're dancing, and
ioated a.,s o. mirth and revelling that
ginnl..s;aa. ~. toward him gave his blood a