The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-16
SALEH BIN 0SMAN.
Stanley's Companion Elected
From a Theater.
His Complaint Against the California Man
agement Abused Without Cause-A
Eeyman's Explanation.

It seems that at the New California
Theater the color line is very stringentlY
drawn; at least such is the case if full
credence can be given to the story told by
Saleh Bin Osman, cOlOred attendant of
Stanley, now lodged with him at the Occi-
dental.
Osman is of no mean cast, as he assures
his new acquaintance, his father being a
prominent Judge in Zanzibar, and his
mother one of the Four Hundred of his
native state. The renowned explorer had
discovered him-a ragged urchin-on the
streets of an Oriental city, and, with his
usual consummate skill in judging human
nature, saw in him the very being he de-
sired as a companion in his African explora-
tons.
osMAN's TRAVELS.
Accordingly, the vsaged scion Of
noble line was engaged. and, side by side,
the two-the explorer and his companion
presented themselves before Emin Pasha in
the heart of darkest Africa, informing him
with their own lips that, willy nllly," he
had to be relieved.
Nor were his services lost upon the
word, for when Stanley and he returne to
England the Queen received him right
royalty, and the Prince OF w ales and Lord
Mayor, rushing forward with one accord,
pinned each Furnished medal on his man
ly breast.
1t is not to be wondered at, then, that Os-
man feels himself no common negro; aud
hence, when he presented himself at the
California Theater last night with pass
bearing the signature of ex-Mayor Pond, IT
was with the iuil expectation of receiving
degree of homage commensurate with his
dignity.
The pass was duly honored at the box
4 a.. tls.n mn IN
good dress-circle seat, successfully passed
the door-keeper.
Here, however, a difficulty arose. An
usher accosted OsmaD wit: the admonition
to go into the gallery, making known his
meaning by jerk Of the thumb over his
| right shoulder in the direction of the gallery
stairs. With native dOcllitv Osman obeyed
and on finding himself in the presence of
| the gods was pllUted by another usher to a
| remote corner, from which not even a
vestige OF the gaudy drop curtain could be
| seen.
NO ROOM FOR "NIGGERs."
Did he make objection to this disrespect?
Not at all for Osman would not descend
from his lofty dignity to argue with an
usher. But had lie so desired no oppOr-
tunity was afforded him for taking the in
itiative, as in moment still another usher
appeared and beckOned to him to follow.
Down the stairs Osman and he went, till at
last they reached the corridor.
Then something happened. 0sman felt a
severe kick, administered TO his neither ex-
tremity, and the next moment he lay prone
upon the ground. A buZZing sound was in
bis ears, the purport of which was. I'VE
don't want any - nlggers In here
THE ABoRIGINE's REBUKE.
Osman picked himself up walked with
dignifed mien to the door-keeper, pro-
cured the ticket Of admission he bad de-
posted, returned it TO the man in the box
office, and with a chilling "thank you" and
stately bow, passed from the building and
out into the darkness and rain.
But what says Manager AL Hayman on
the subject? Simply that Osman presented
himself as stated, but stood in the doorway
and blocked up the passage. An usher po-
litely asked him to move aside, whereupon
he went upstairs Soon returning ne de-
manded in surly terms the return of his adj
mission ticket, rudely snat ching it from the
dOor-keeper's hand when it was produced.
He then threw it into the box-office and
stamped out. AS be passed some one said,
That's Ponds niger"