The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-26

NEGRO DIALECT
STORIES.
BY
POLK MILLER.
The Old Negro Woman Was Disgusted
with the Result of the Trial.
~~N~~~~~~N~Nl
"ShICE JESTIS."


with the Result of the Trial.
Among the changes which have taken
| place since the negro was set free. there
is none so marked as that which We no.
tice in the attitude OF the two races to-
ward each other. In former times, every
white man. except the very poor on meet
ing with a negro. would have something
pleasant 10 say 20 him. TO pass one In
the public road without speaking 10 him
I'm the most cordial manner was taken as
an evidence Of an absence OF grntlemaniy
qualities Therefore, our young men
were always on the lookout 10 do the
polite thing. and particularly were they
taught TO bc careful never 10 slight the
humble whether hc was white or black.
The negro too was careful not 10 De
guilty OF q nOn-ObserYlnce Of the rules
Of etiquette But oh. now different u Is
now with the young Of both races. lney
seem to cultivate the opposite course.
ones "niggcr" and the other is 20
white trash" and so they go, each seem
ing TO say TO the other Just lel me
alone and j won't bother YOU. Inc olu
timer. once @ slave owner, having al""ys
looked upon the negro as weakhhs anu ~.
In the habit OF doing an in his power 10
helm him. stln chcrishes the same KIND or
feelings which was born I'm hlm' anu AZ
snlte Of the fact that the negro uoes ~
appear 10 recognize il, he Sucks " Hi'"
i'm time of trouble ~ rr,,,t
Not long ago Judge witt OF lne llt ,,i,,,
ings Court of Richmond. had beloIs rlli'
a negro how about eighteen years VI eeii
who was charged with 'steaiins - ss9id
ring of the value Of eighteen uV'i' ,trr,,,rd9
ring being the property Vi ,,-itnoss
Green" Amanda was the oHls 80 ,,,
When summoned, she leil no ', =. 200 INTO
outrage that she should have 10 5o, a.
daf cote Gus" "a a witness 49, Co...
RING am de bow was boz dar 10 snoW ~,
devseivesH Amanda was OF the opl',-o.
that had the case been an oncu.co ,.i~stfd
one OF our Franklin street -, ,,,,risbed
a. her" the boy would have Deeh S ga haS,-
md the ring sent TO its owner. - ~ ~
inc yvorrled over It for tOrtnlsnt DcLo' =.
hand. she was not I'm hdppg A'"''0
mind when the case was caleu, - .ba
owing TO her naughty pea S,,l us, AZ he
disdainful air or offended disnl' LII
fre, summoned before the court the h'iu
hearted Judge asked the SeIsedns -, ~ 49,
her sit I'm the autc-room ap1l1 80. u'i a.,
black horde which usually thio"s'u '''0
Hastings Court. ,-,. arose ~ the
She was attired I'm black dress oL t s,,r
,,,oiro antioue pattern evidently given het
~ nor wealthy mistress during the Wal,
ga a. had the apnearauce or having DecA
folded a thousand times IN a certain VIZ,
"a evidenced by being worn OUT III ~.
creases. over her shoulders WI q Dt.5, ,i
.ha had a hat as broad as the anlieIs ON
an elk with flowers and berries on every
color Of the rainbow. In one manu- sly
hold 4 white lace parasol WIN an W.
handle. In the other she had a IAN oi
brirht pinkish hue. tipped with ostrlch
49, u,biie a couple Of yards OF green
ribbon was used 10 encircle her shoulders
one end being tied to the fan. Inc ser
geant cried: l....,, co.,
INTO courtii!' .
when She walked into the courtroom |
md was sworn she kissed the Bible with
, freezing coidness She took her seat |
n the wftneas-chair as though II was u
great condescensiOn for her 10 slt III ah !
,rdlnarv wooden chair. and, with her eyes |
ixed on the ceiling of the courtroom, she /
NV neither Judge. jury nor the cloud OF |
SPECTATORS while that fan smote the AR !
N front Of her face with the rapidly or /
he wings Of a hummng bird.
The Commonwealth Attorney was a !
.oung man who did not grow up with /
he negro as the Judge did. and was not /
with the characteristics or
hat class Of negroes who felt that, nav
ng been raised by white folks Of quail !
VI" they. too. are quality. and. therefore. /
re entitled 10 treatment different from [
he ordinary run OF negroes.
The prosecuting attorney picked mo a
-old ring from the desk, and handing it
o the woman. said.
AMANDA. look ut kilIN iAlA anu ten hiiF
Gentlemen Of the jury whether 10 Us yours
n not"
She turned her face slightly and TAX
ne hold OF the ring. gave IL a passing
lance. resumed the vibrotOry motions of
er fan and replied:
1T looks montrous like m. sun
"ls 81 yours asked the commemorative
attorney.
II has tole you it looks like it, and
rent back 10 tanning. The Common
-ealth's Attorney turned 10 the clerk and
aid.
please enter a nolle pros in the case"
lie then addressed the witness as fol-
I'VE are done with you. Amanda"
If she heard 70 she couldn't believe g.
nd kept her seat
Here was a good-for-nothing low-doWn
igger, who had the impudence 20 come
ITO her house and steal her ring "Wha
'as puore gold. too" Her idea was that
be- court would consider the importance
T the parsonage from whom the ring was
.olen. and that she would hear some
ling about "pcnitcntlary for life or hang |
e." But no "The boy is discharged
as what she heard.
Now, the Judge is prepared for o. scene.
e knows what Is going on in the wo-
ans mind while the jurymen and officers !
the court have not the slightest sus-
ciOn Of trouble, for they are young men |
no have grown up since the war. and
mt read the negro.
The Judge nervOusly picked up a news
lper, holds IT close 70 his face shuts his |
res and his ears and awaits the crash.
With look OF disgust and contempt !
)r the administration OF law, she glldes