The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-05-17
POO OLE BLIND NAN.
BE Holds a Concert and Love
Feast on a T. n. R. Owl
Ferryboat.

The Christian Endeavor reporter was
returning home from a convention. The
convention had been held in the upper
part Of New York aud It's deliberations
had been lengthy and tiresome. The
weary reporter therefore carefully CURED
himself up in the corner seat of the cabin
to catch short nap as the early boat
made its way across the river. He was
slowly becoming oblivious TO all around
him when he was aroused by the soft
mellow twang of a guitar. Glancing up
he saw sitting few feet from him an
ancient darkey, who was industriousiy
lingering the strings of the guitar. He
was a mild, inoffensive looking darkey,
dressed in rusty suit of clerical
black and wore pair Of large blue gog-
giles, which, together with his whole de-
meanor, conveyed the impression that be
was blind.
He thumped away upon his instrument
for some minutes until he struck chord
which seemed to suit his fancy. and Their.
after playing n short prelude, he begnnsln
voice which at one time might have
been fair baritone had it not run foul OF
the asthma
s,Twas on dat drefful Cheusdfy.
August twenty-fust Of Ju---"
Here he stopped suddenly while a look
of the deepest establishment spread over
his countenance at the discrepancy IN
dates into which his metre was evidently
burrying him. Then he frowned darklv.
shook his head disapprOvingly, and after
clearing his throat he began again
"'Twas on dat drefful Cheusd'y,
August twenty-fust of June,
Fyar--n
Here an audible snicker from one of the
m m mn a
second time. and turning his blue goggles
in the direction whence the smoker pro-
ceeded, he apologetjcally said:
''Scuse me gemmen, but dis var songs
just KEN ter me like er-er persperatitn
and kinder disremember de dates"
With this apology he executed another
prelude with flourish, and attacked the
rhyme again with this result.
"'Twas on dat drefful Cheusd'y,
August twenty -furst-er-er er wuz de date. y
The smile of triumph which lit up the
old mans wrinkled features as he finished
the couplet was a sight to see, and as he
played u spirited interlude upon his
cabin with an air Caesar might have
assumed at a triumph. Then he took
up his refrain again.
'De buildin's wuz orfully shuken,
Chuch steepils fell VIII err crash. De noble
winning, de noble winning, de vim
ming lUlkSGSs 1uuHipy bWAuH5
twang. "Chuch steepfls fell VIII err crash
De noble VIM
BY this time the few passengers in the
cabin could contain themselves no longer
as they witnessed the frantic efforts with
which the old man struggled to complete
his verses aud a hearty burst of laughter
on their part put temporary end to his
endeavors
Il axes yer parding, gemmen,n he said
with an air of injury, Il knows dis yer
song berry we'll gemmen,' he continued
with an air of resolution, IAN Use gwine
ter sing it foah dis yer bote gets in or
bust de ole instermint.n
So back he went to the beginning:
Twas on dat drefful Cheusd'y,
August twenty-fus wuz de date,
F'yar Chaast II wuz derstracted
An met Ter dref7ui fate
But by this time the boat had entered
the slip and the passengers began to move
forward leaving the old man struggling
with his refractory rhyme The boat
slowly approached IT'S mooriDgs, and
above the din and rattle of the chains as
it was made fast to the dock. the reporter
heard the cracked voice of the old darkey
roll out of the cabin in loud triumphant
tones;-
Der buildn's wuz orfully shucken,
Church steepels fell wifi err crash
De winning folkses acted nobly
An didn't do muffin rash. =
A brief silence followed, and then as
the reporter started to run for Green
vile car, he heard this pitlful wall from
the front cabin
'Hor on dar, gemmen. amt yer gwine
ter do sumpin' for poo ole blind mani"