Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-10-08
JASPHR'S PLEA.
An Old Negro who Went Into . Hen.
House To Pray.

an VIII VINO went INTO u Hen
House tn Pray.
Capt. Mavilton. hearing noise, stole
out to the hen-house, and found old
Jasper Payne, well-known politician,
creating great excitement among the
chickens. The moon was shining
brightly and the Captain at once recog-
nized the intruder.
"What are you doing in there, you
thieving scoundrel?'
The old fellow dropped on his knees,
clasped his hands, and paying no atten-
ton to the Captain, began to pray.
"Oh, Lawd," said he, don't think il
strange dat yer sarvant sought SIGH er
place ez dis ter pray in, fur, Lawd,
when de sire fur prayer comes on yer
sarvant, he haster hunt dc neardest
place an drap dowp in qualification an
lub an thankfulness, an, oh Lawd-'
"Come outw
"Speakin' ter me, sah?" unclasping
his hands and looking up.
"Yes, | am speaking to you. What
are you doing there?"
Who, me?"
ayes, confound you, and I am great
mind to shoot off the top of your head"
ooh, Lawd, take kere o. yer chile,
| fur sees dat dar is still in dis wicked
lam mighty sire ter prosecute dc
| Christian.
Come out Of there"
yes, sah," obeying. 'In cose I ain
| get no right ter trespass or yer prem.
Uses, eben dough Use gagged in de good
work"
Believe I'll take you down and turn
you over to the police. Don't run. Ill
shoot you like | would snake"
Amt gwin ter run, sab. Gwine ter
stan right heah, case dc Lawd is
wild me-"
What did you go in there for? sayl"
Ter pray, sab.
"Why didn't you pray on the street ?"
"Feerd o bein' rested for fanny.
tick, sab. 4"
"Why didn't you wait until you GO
home?"
"Who, me?"
Eyes, you, d--n you'll"
"Doan cuss me eff yer please, sab.
Whuteber yer does, doan cuss me.
Man cussed me onct, an l amt felt
right sense
Never mind all that What made
you go in that hen-house 2"
"Dis heah hen-house 2"
D. your ugly skinl" The Cap
tain seized old Jasper by the collar and
ierked him.
Look out, look out Whuteber yer
does doan jerk me. Man ierked me
onct an ain felt right sense. Turu
me loose an I'll splain myself.
The Captain released his hold, and
old Jasper continued. II wuz comm
long frum er ward meetin', an bout
de time | got heah / felt de need o.
pra'r. / wuz 'sputin wild myse'i whuder
or not I'd vote de Dimocrat ticket
Widout Election an how it wouP seem
to er uninterested party, l elm ober
heah an went inter dat house. l had
gunter git some little advice an con-
ISOLATION when vessel coined up an
broke de spell. IF l UNDERSTOOD de
whisper O. de Lawd, He tole me ter
vote De Dimocratic ticket, an ter spesh-
ulv vote for Cap'n Mavilton, whut am
err runnin' fur de, legislator. | had ies'
erbout 'cluded ter go down 'mong lie
niggers an hor meetin's in de Cap'n's
faber, but vessel had ter come up. |
see yer amt no frien ter dat pusson.
81 am the Captain myself
"Whut, is dat er fack? Shake"
The Captain allowed old Jasper to
take his hand Il Sc glad ter meet yer
out heah, eben dough de sarkurs.
stances is er little perculiar. Wusht |
had time ter talk wild yer bout de cam.
paign, but Use 60; er monstrous sign
O wuck ter do. Great passed. o niggeh
waitin' fur me ter wise wild 'em how ter
vote"
Jasper, l hope that Won will tell
them to vote for me. 1t is time that
we were having good men in Office. If
elected, shall feel that l am not the
representative of party, but people,
/ didn't understand your motive for
going into my hen-house but now that
We understand each other, why it's all
right
"Glad ter heah yer talk dat way,
boss, an belebes yerll make or mighty
fine representer. Say, Use gwine ter
hab few o de niger leaders at my
house fur dinner ter NOR. Lemme
take er couple er desc chickens long
wild me?'
Help yourself"
"Thankee, sab"
The old fellow took down three large
chickens. He babe the Captain n court
eous goodnight, and muttered to him
self as he gained the street: Now,
doan yer see how much better it am ter
hab chickens gin yer den it is ter steal
'em Eff yer wants er man ter be homes,
why jes' gin HIN or chance. Huh,
when er white maa wants Office, he's
dun los all his sense. "--4rkansaO
Trareler.