The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-12-26
THE DECEPTIVE AFRICAN.
| Alex. E. Sweet, in New York Mercury.

ties of the African race, developed since emancipation, is the facility with which they dropped into politics. The emanci- pated African takes to politics as natur- ally as duck does to water. Not only do such representatives of the race as Fred Douglass, Pinchback and others understand how to press their claims, but the most ignorant darkey can develop keenness at political bargain that dis gusts the average white candidate, who is trying to obtain their votes without giv- ing any adequate equivalent
 Uncle Moses, of Austin, Texas, who is president ofthe Rising Sons of Liberty" and who also whitewashes fences, chops wood and breaches during the season of political inactivity, is taking lively in- terest in the coming municipal contest At all events he does not propose to work for any candidate unless he is properly paid for it in advance.
 He dropped into the office of a promi- nent candidate and was cordially vel. comed. The Rising Sons of Liberty , poll fifty votes, are well disciplined and we'll organized. They vote solid when they do vote, and they vote as often as Ghy OkASt Ak0ui60bOA Gk0StaAS Ok 0o often as they can with safety. hence there was great deal of 6rmness and cordiality in the candidates grip of the old m ans "pickers and stealers," when the latter said:
 has come to you for some advice, kuvnel, as don't know nothin' about polytics. We cnllud people ain't fit, nohow, to mix up in politics. We gets led astray so much by desc heah perliti- ical demigods and tricksters."
 "Why, Uncle Nose. look upon you as one of the mos, intelligent and shrewd- est statesmen of your race. can learn from you" replied the candidate blandly
 The old man shook his head deprecat- inPly. and, producing a nickel, said:
 Kurnel, how much am nickel wuff2"
 "Hal hal ha l very good. have al. ways said there is more genuine humor in the African race than in any other," replied the colonel with counterfeited hi- larity.
 But, boss, how much is it wuff2 'se not jokin'."
 Five cents, suppose"
 less famine dat ar coin, boss, an femme know hits cash value."
 The candidate took the coin, exam ined and returned it with the remark that it was not worth anything, as it was a bad nickel.
 |" But s'posin' I controls fifty votes ob de Rsin' Sons ob LibertyT"
 A most worthy organization. But what has that to do with the nickel 2'
 "But s'posin' was ter tell dem cul- lured voters dat prominent candidate had cheated dis old niggah wid dat nickel ?"
 "Who was it ?" asked the candidate breathlessly. "Was it my opponent2"
 "Nebber mind, boss; Pse huntin' for intormashun now. S'posin' was to tell 'em one ob the candidates had gub me dat lead nickel, instead ob legal nickel2 Does yer s'pose de cullered voters would vote for dat ar tricky canderdate ?"
 The candidate looked worried and again asked the name of the 6endish can. didate who had thus deceived SO promi- nent aud worthy representative of the colored race.
 "As Noah said unto David, thou art de man." said Nose. "You gub me dat ar nickel in de change fur whitewashin' yore fence. Pse done work fur ali de odder four candidates and you is de only one who has taken advantage ob de ignerence and simplicity ob de cullered race. De secret has been confined to my own breast, but hit ham struggling for freedom. Boss, how much did hear you say dis lead nickel was wsff in close election like dis heah one am gwine ter be2"
 The Caucasian statesman rested his massive brow on his hand and thought and thought and thought. He was won- dering to what extent did uncle Nose propose to blackmail him.
 Hits gettin' late and dar am bizness meetin' ob de 'Risin' Sons ob Liberty dis ebenin'," said uncle Nose, picking up his hat.
 The white statesman wrote in a bold, round hand $50 on plotting pad and pushed it across the table. The old man took the pencil and changed the $50 to $Ioo remarking that $Ioo was the lowest figure for which he would condone the treachery.
 They will not support any other can. didate," inquired the candidate, eff l pay you this moneyr'
 "Does look like deceptive, oureli- able niggah? Does look like ficti- tious culled man2 No, sah. I'll stand by yer, and de Risin' Sons will rally round yer like brudder. Jess shell out de money, and you is jess as good as elected already"
 The money was paid over, the candi. date remarking with sagh and a wink:
 This is my contribution to establish a school in your ward. want to see the colored men more intelligent. You are liable to be deceived by designing white men, uncle Nose"
 hope dar am no noah lead nickels in dis money"
 hope so, too."
 "We needs schools powerful bad, be- kase we is ignorant and liable to bs tuck in by designing bad men," said uncle Nose as he tied up the money in his handkerchief.
 "Bat now give me that nickel 1 want