Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-10
UNCLE REMUs NoNPLUssED.
How the Old Man Took His First Ride On
an Electric Car.

How the Old Man Took His First Ride On
an Electric Car.
One pleasant day not long ago Uncle Re
mus concluded that he would take ride
on an electric car. He had been engaged
for some time in making up his mind.
There was enough of mystery about the
means Of locomotiOn TO make him some
what sklttish. In point of fact he had his
own private opinion, fortified by an
abundant supply of superstition, in regard
10 the whole matter Nevertheless he de-
cided 10 make a little excursion on the
car. He saw other people riding, and
what they did be could do.
SO the man was on hand when the car
came down 10 the starting point. where
there is wait of FIVE minutes. He watched
the conductor reverse the cOntrivance that
connects the motor with the overhead
wire. and then he got on. He smiled as he
took his seat but even his smile betrayed
his anxiety. He fumbled about in his
pockets. until he found h quarter, which
he profIered TO the mOtor-man.
Don't be in hurry, old man, said
that important funCtionaTy, the conduct
or VIII get your fair
"Yasser,n said Uncle Ramus. "On de
ter line, whar dey got muels, l halter 81
de money ter de driver-dat wat make
han il ter YOU. Dish yer amt de same
kind cr kyar. Hit look mighty blank out
dar. Ia feel lots better eff dey was wag-
gin-tongue stickin' out dar, er some muels
or sumpln.' q,
the mOt0r-man with a consequential ar.
they wouldn't last five minutes. We'd
run over 'em. We'd grind them into glib
"You hear dat" explained Uncle Re-
INNS solemulv. addressing no one IN par
tlcular. After a pause the old man con-
tinued:
Boss. is de stuff what make dish yer
kyar 90. Is she de same ez dat what MAKE
de thunder" .,,
Amt you skeerd?" asked Uncle Re
mus.
Nav :" said the motor-man; 80 long
as il don't SINCE the HAIR on my head l
well. suh!n exclaimed tho old negro,
looking at the man admiringly. Then, al
ter little pause: " Boss. does you keep de
truck in dat ar churn dar z" indicating the
brass cylinder containing the machinery
for turning on and shutting of the electric
current.
Something in Uncle Remus's lonesome
sugco stion OF unusual pOliteness and AHA
bility-caused the mOtOr-man TO look at
him more closely, and the look was fol
lowed bv pleasant smile, which was at
once "A recognition Of and tribute to the
old negro's attitude of respectful anxiety
Yes" said the mOtor-man, we Keep u
in here" touching the upright cylinder
with his foot, and when we want any we
lust turn II ON
Same like You draw 'simmOn beer outn
a barrel. " suggested Uncle Remus.
Yes said the motor-mar, somewhat
SIMILARLY
Sometimes" said Uncle Remus, de
beer got sech head on Ter dat she'll
fly out en- flew all over you. DO DAT truck
do dat away Z"
1T amt never done it vet" replied the
motOr-man, and when 1t does want 10
be plumb away from here"
EFF it's de same kinder truck what busts
alOose in de elements" sand Uncle kemus,
"dev must be enough un It IN dat churn
dar ter make thunder endurin' whole
summer
The motor-man made no reply to this
In response to a signal from the conductor
he struck the gong sharply with his foOt;
causing Uncle Remus to dodge as il ne ha9
been shot at, turned on the current, and
started the car. A negro girl sitting oppo,,
site Uncle Remusput corner OF her shawl
i'm her mouth and Uttered. The old man
turned on her fercely and exclaimed:
"Whar yo' manners, galY Is dat de way
yo' NANNY Earn you-come gigglin IN de
cOmp'nyE"
"De Lord knows amt doin' nothin',"
said the girl twisting herself around on
the scat. " des settin, here ten IN, 70 my
own business: ! want sayin' blessed
word TO nobody" -,
who YOU GRIMM an eigglin' at den?"
asked Uncle Bemus severely. 1ouH pc
apWlne on dat away some or de2e odd
come. shorts an you'll break yo' puckerin'
string. Den what you gwine 10 dor"
Mister" SAID the girl, turning to the
conductor. " wish you'd please, SIR, make
dis colored man lemme lone. amt dom
"a blessed thing to him
Fare exclaimed the conductor. lie
smoke 50 loudly and so Unexpectedly that
Uncle Remus lodged again, and this time
he flung his right arm above his head, as II
10 defend himself. This gave the angry
Girl the opportunity she wanted.
" les look al dat OF MANI she cried.
Il b'leye he goin' crazy" Then she be-
gan TO laugh again. Even the conductor
smiled and Uncle Remus .percelvlng TINS
smiled himself. but somewhat grimly.
As the conductor was giving nun ms
charge peculiar groaning sound issued
from the motor underneath the car.
Boss" said Uncle Remus. somewhat
anriously. "wharbouts is all dat zoonin' :
Hit SCUM like do win blowin' thoo knot
hole"
ITS the current" said the conductor.
Yasser,n exclaimed Uncle Remus.
dat what flowed hit wuz. HIT hiawln'
down dar like a steer calf lef out IN de
rain. She amt gwine ter bus loose en- tar
10 nothn', is she, bossy
mot right now. ] reckon" replied the
conductor. ,
This was very unsat sfactory,to the old ne
gro. particularly as the z0oning and groan-
INC sound continued 10 grow louder. he
looked out Of the window, first on one side
and then on the other, and then rose and
seized the hand-strap and gave u JERK.
Seeing that the car kept on. Uncle Remus
gave the car a more violent tug, ana theh
another and another, go
"Ef she's a-runnin' away" he exclaimed.
"des say de word, en- I'll TAR dp dc no bnt
Tll gil Outn here" -
conductor pulled the bell and the car
stopped. r a.,
dat what make say what does" exs
claimed Uncle Remus, with some SHOW OF
Indignation, rs he stunned toward lne
door. Pm gwine ter tell you al soou-
bye. You kin set dar on hston az oe ~
terruptions gwine on ~ dc intruis ef aish
yer kyar. but I'm gwine, am. 1 done
f0un' out long ergo dat no spectacle nlR-
ger amt got no business gwlpe Thar white
folks fearid 10 resk dar mnels. wisn you
mighty we'll 20 JoYL CHANDLER HARRIs.
R..renchmsnt and iscioi IA ~ Chiea o.
,By telegraph 70 tho pispasch-l