Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-03
HELD TO SECURE A LOAN,
Why 1t Was That Mr.. johnson Felt
Obliged to Play ShyIock

The yard gate opened slowly, as IL actlat-
ed by a person who was influenced by hesi-
tation. First head appeared; II was that
of young colored man, and was adorned
with a black derby hat, the style of which
was somewhat marred by an indentation
in the top as if a brick had fallen upon il.
Next, a foot became visible, and presently
the whole of the visitor was in evidence
An overcoat evidently made for person
at least a foot and a half taller than him
self, rather outdid the fashion as to length
inasmuch as 1t trailed slightly on the
ground.
The individual thus described shambled
up to the door of the kitchen and knocked
He was admitted by prepossessing young
colored woman in white apron. She said:
Good morning" but he made no response
Seating himself in a chair by the range he
extended his legs and proceeded to gaze
steadfastly at his feet, which were alb
normally large and rather muddy. At
ieEgth he looked UP and calculated:
'Wellr'
Did you speak," said the young woman
in the white apron.
Nope" replied the caller, relapsing into
moody silence.
''Oh. / thought you did"
Say he remarked, after an interval of
about half minute.
Say what?'
'Whar you gwine this evening""
I'm gwine to the theater"
who WITH"
know"
That fool niger from Alexanaria?"
Mr.. George Washington amt no fool
an he amt no Niger" said the young
gentleman"
Him genTman! Yah, yah, Why. youse
Jokin'. He amt nothin' but a low-down
ioafer.'
Abraham Johnson. that's a great h,g
whopper, an you know it. Mr. Washing.
ton is in the barber business. It's a per
fession very superior to your line. which is
cartin' ashes"
''Oh. yes, 1 s'pose it is" reioined Mr.
Johnson sardonically. He's good wild a
razzer in a scrimmage. 1 don't doubt
seems TO me he was TUX up a while ago
an sol ninety days for usin' one at PATTY
where there was ladies present"
That's annuder lie" responded the Young
woman angrily.
Anyhow he spends mos OBJ his time
shooIln craps, insisted Mr.. johnson. Il
heerd You was gettin' sorter stuck on him
an l s'pose there amt no use in me talk.
Il amt stuck. But he amt done notbin.
10 you an you've no business to abuse
ter wild him. '-"'
Il amt takin' orders from you, Mr.. John
son."
Why not? Amt you my gal?"
NO amt 1 amt a-goin' to keep COM
pany wild you no longer"
You amt, eh?'
mo, L amt"
Oats all right Miss Arabella BROWN
L might say dat no lady would chuck over
a gen'fman in de style you hab me ter
take up wild common crap-shootin' raz-
zer-pullin' niger from Alexandria. But
amt a-goin' to make no remarks P'raps
before L git out you won't mind PAWN me
der TO dollars lent you las MONTH
You didn't loan it to me-" replied Miss
Grown. You gave it to me-"
am givin money to any gal dat don't
blong to me-'specially when she saws I'm
a low.down barber. 1 want dat cash right
away"
Il amt got it."
Don't you mean to give it back?"
thihk ABOUT II, said the young wo-
Mr.. Johnson seemed much disturbed In
mind. 1t was bad enough to lose his lady
love. but to find himself "out" 81 at The
same time was too much to endure He
glanced around the kitchen, and seeing
MISS Browns hat and best out-of-door
shoes on chair, made a grab for them
Holding the shoes in his hand and the bat
under his left arm, he bowed with sarcasN
tic politeness and remarked:
Oats all right. I'll JUS take these an,
keep 'em for security till you paw me"
With that he opened the door and hastily
skipped out. carrying the articles with him
This occurred last week. Mr. johnson &c
still holding the collateral The loss caused
Miss Brown to shed a few tears; but when
asheo Ia she intended to replevin the prom
erty, she said that she guessed NOT She
thought she could buy a better pair Of
shoes and more stylish hat for less than
81. ''' 'Hah
What Mr.. johnson proposes to do with
the collateral can only be surmised Very
ilkeIy ne VIII present them to the lady
who has the good fortune to take Misc
Browns place in his affections