The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-04
A COMPLICATED PREDICAMENT.

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Josephus Jones was his name in full,
but he was called Seph by familiar ac-
quaintances, and usually designated as
9 Potter's colored boy" In his stock
ings he stood about four feet five, was
black as ebony, and had an inclination
to grin more or less. When in full cos
tune he wore his employers discarded
cowhide boots, blue flannel shirt, a
frock-coat ornamented with brass buttons
and u faded felt hat that had ragged
vent-hole in the crown. Trouble usu-
ally slipped from his mind and memory
like water from ducks back; but at the
time about to be mentioned he was con-
siderably disturbed because he was not
white like other folks"
The white boys and girls in the Potter
neighhorhood had been planning several
weeks to have masquerade party in the
old red school house, and Seph desired
above all things to have share in the
fun and eatables of the occasion. His
color and scanty wardrobe, however,
were likely to debar him the privilege
g 1t don't make no diff renee, nohow, ="
he said to himself, after mature deliber-
t'tlOl' L = W llC W LlttD u SllOh III Ntell
party one way or nudder.'
When the expected day at last arrived
he watched the preparations anxiously
all the morning and afternoon. The in
side of the school-house was first abund-
antly trimmed with evergreen, then a
stage was erected in one corner for a
fiddler, and next long table was ar
ranged at the back of the room for the
refreshments, which were brought in
baskets by several of the boys and girls
from time to time. Finally the table
cloths were spread, and the girls drew
from the mysterious baskets frosted
cakes wrapped in .tissue-paper, great
bloated pies, nuts and raisins, oranges
and big punches of grapes, paper bags
filled with candy, and, in fact, quantity
of good things that made Seph's mouth
water while he looked in through one of
the windows.
At home, late in the afternoon, Job
Potter secretly led him up to an unfin-
ished room over the wood-shed, and
showed him his mask and outfit, which
were hidden away in barrel. He made
Seph try on the mask, the old beaver
hat and the coat, Just to see how they
were going to look
Father is mighty sot on not lettin'
me 60" said Job, but I'm a-goin' now,
you better believe. Dom say anything,
though. NUNS the word.''
Seph said that he would take care
But an hour afterward, when he saw the
Deacon, as Jobs father was Familiarity
called, come down from the shed cham
Der, and carry Jobs mask and costume
to a hiding-place in the barn, he had to
lie down behind the wood-pile, and hold
both hands over his mouth to keep his
laughter from being heard.
AT the supper table Deacon Potter an
nounced to the whole family that he did
not approve of masquerade parties any
way, and certainly not for young people
JOB must just make up his mind to stay
at home.
Seph was bringing in the kindling-
wood for the morning and heard the
Deacon's command. A few minutes later
great thought took complete possession
OF him. If JOB couldn'tg go why shouldn't
he go in his place?
Oars no reason in de world why I
habnt jes' as good right to go as he
hab, an rs gwine to, sure's my name S
Josephus.''
He hurried through all the chores,
swallowed his supper hastily and took
advantage of the first opportunity to slip
away TO the barn. After hunting ali
over the haymow and in every hole and
corner he could think OF for the concealed
articles, he found them under basket
in the corn crib.
Luckily the moon was Just coming up
and the cracks in the barn admitted
glimmer enough for him to see where it
was and what he was doing. He very
soon exchanged his own garments piece
by piece for Jobs Sunday suit, which,
with the exception of the pantaloons,
fitted him very well.
While his teeth chartered and his whole
body trembled with nervous excitement,
he put on the mask and beaver hat.
These, together with the coat collar
turned up, completely concealed his face,
head. land neck; and tucked away in a
pocket of the coat there happened to be
a pair of brown-cotton gloves Job some
times wore to meeting, that supplied the
last necessity to the disguise. Should it
be found out that he wasn't Job, Seph
knew very well what his fate would be,
and he took care to have every part of
his black skin and woolly head thorough
ly covered before he ventured forth.
In very short time he arrived in sight
OF the school-house lights, and heard the
fiddie Already under way. Heads were
bobblhg past the windows in rapid sue
cesslDn, as though all were dancing, and
the sounds of mirth and revealing that
tioated out toward him gave his blood a
stimulating Jingle. |
Not a minute was to be wasted; it was
slime already to be in dar 'mong de
victpals, tan' circ'latin' wild de crowd"
he thought, walking up boldly to the
door, where dozen or more boys were,
watching the arrival Of each new conner.
'Now, then, here we have himr said
one, and for an instant Steph hesitated,
L. n Il a