The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-29
4 NOVEL BIZ 4 xEeRo AUTHOR.
"Seione,' tho Fret Pusiished Wort OF
Kenneth Yeung.

"beione,N tho Fret Puslished Work OF
Kenneth Yeung.
South Carolina has an a ro-American novel
list. certainly tho flrst ono of his race In that re-
Rion. His name ia Kenneth Young, and he IL
what is known in the Southern States as n
white folks Niger" This is q term which
carries much respect with It, and thoughtful
colored people are proud to have it applied
either 10 themselves or to tLeir children. 1t
simply means that tho one to whom IL is ap-
piled is unpopular with tho lowest element of
his-own race. popular with the BEST element,
and that because no fashions his life and ways
and thoughts after the best white people of his
acquaintance. he gains their confidence and es-
tenn Mr.. Young is 80 years old, and is a bar
Der by trade. "Selene'' ia the title Of his book.
and thrilling is an adjective that can be APP
piled to every chapter from tho first to. tho
last. Mr.. Young loves his race as much as
docs Booker T. Washington, and in much the
same way. This racial pride and love are owl
dent throughout the little volume.
An incident Of tho slave life of the authors
parents will give an idea Of the stun that he is
made Of, for those who know aim best say that
he Is a. chip OF of tho old block. Joe Young.
tho father. was.born in upper South Carolina.
and was tho property of DIR. Young. father of
tho lato Gen. P. NJ. .B. Young. The Youngs
migrated to Georgia about 1854, when Gen.
Young was 10 or 12 years old. Joe was about
tho samo age, and had about one-fourth. or
perhaps one-half white blood in him. Some
time after that Col. Joel Foster. an old friend
and neighbor Of DR.. Young. went with his
family.to Georgia. and settled near the doctor.
When Joe arrived at manhood his chief duties
consisted in serving the person of handsome
young Pierce Butler Young" rs the doctors
SOD was called from one end Of Georgia to Tho
other end OF South Carolina. At Col. Fosters
house there was n little handsome colorod girl
not Ear from Joes age. They met, saw eaoh
other often and fell very much in love with one
another. A marriage, approved by both the
Youngs and the Fosters. followed. or course,
Joe lived on with his master. DR.. Young, and
his wife with her mistress. Mrs. Foster, but
their nights and Sundays were spent together.
Their union was .on a high plane. In.the old
slave days a marriage contract between slaves
was not recognized. by law. and often not by
owners. But these two led pure lives. after
the manner of the best white people. Joe was
Industrious. ingenious, and apt. He picked
up several profitable trades, and was consid-
cred very valuable. His. wife was respected
for her virtues and for the interest she took
in the affairs and children of her mistress.
About 1883 Col. Foster concluded to return
to South Carolina. One obstacle was in his
way. He could not bear to separate Joe and
his wife. He wont to DR.. Young and said that
as he was going to return to his old home he
would buy Joe at any prica rather than sepa-
ratshim from.his,wife when their affection was
SO true. Foster offered $4,000 on the spot for
the man slave. Young refused the offer. They
then left tho price to q committee Of neigh
bors. Afte- discussing the matter a long
time the committee named 81 1000. DIR. Young
refused TO accept their decision. He loved Joe
too we'll for any money to bay him. and so re-
fused to give him up. Col. Foster, with his
family and servants. went to South Carolina,
leaving Joe heartbroken, and taking his wife
away in the same condition. One morning after
they had got settled who should appear at the
Fosters place but Joe.
"Marse Joel" he said. I've come to stay"
But you cant, Joe." said Col. Foster. "Dr.
Young wouldn't lat me have you at any price.
You must 20 right back"
mo; I've como TO stay" said the slave with /
sturdy independence.
not even threats moved Joe. who finally said:
"Marse Joel, you jes keep right on talkia'
Colonel understood fully that Joe would not be
separated, from ais wife. he wrote to Dr.. Young
mind made up not 10 live away from his wife.
and SUGGESTING as a solution OF the difficulty
would not sell. After a few letters : had atI passed. IS es
the agreement was reached that Col. Foster
should board and cloths zoe and nay DR.. Young
at six per cent. Joe remained, and by plying
his several trades made with his own hands
had a balance at the close OF each year 10 his
credit. In that shape matters remained until
wife have been leading quiet. happy, useful
lives, and are now growing old together. And
so IL was by chance that South Carolina. in
stead OF Georgia. boasts this negro novelist,
tho son or Joe Young.
Is it any wonder that the son of such a union
and of affection MT only for those aear
to him. but for his entire racer
Whom asked how he came to write a novel.
Young replied: Because 1 wanted to
read one In which tho characters were all ne
I'm tired Of reading aoout the things
mat white people have done and do ard will
do, about their feelings, passions, aspirations,
and inspirations. It's time for TIE colored
.bilities, and higher aims that they may attain
to, and they must learn this through books
Ten by men or women Of our race. I shall
write many more novels, 'selene' is the first
that I've had published. but I've written other
hopo.to have ready for Publication soon. Tho
hero Of 'Selene' was a college mate of mine,
count the hero's entrance to the institution.
college career, his precipitous flight, his
with the Sioux n their uprising in
Grafton, faithfully and graphically. The rec
When asked from whom he got his literary
,alent. Mr.. Young answered promptly, and nj
lie same time moGestly: II I have any real
nlent. ! guess II must have been granted by n !
'ower not human. but ] cot my inspiration
rom my good mother. She and my father are
both lliterate. but she was always ambi :ious
or me. and told me what a great thing IL was
o know things like white folks. / went TO o
COMMON free school until | was 10. and then
'Itered the preparatory class in the South Car
Una | University. i studied there three years,
aktnE the regular classical course. F..
Where did | got the money? Why, / earned
dollar or It myself BY teaching. and by
Working or a farm during gaca ion. Then /
yent TO- the Atlanta University and studied
here two years. Negroes we're not admitted '
o the Georgia State University, SO this At y.
anita Z University was established by the State :
o accommodate them. 1t had a normal depart !
nent. and Selene was a student there when / .
net her. paid my way through this institution !
parbering: AZ my father had taught mo /
hat trade. Latin and psychology were my ,
avorite studies as n boy, and are to-day, and ,
ways stood hrst In the studies that were pro. I
.ounced the driest by other students. Tho {
asst half of my first novel is purely psyche =
j should write right on even il / only q
he sale of my first novel has been excellent. =
ecause ! have some things 10 tell my people. n
want to make them better morally, mentally. s
nd physically. IL took me "A whole wear 10 I