The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1901-05-17
the PARSONS CHOICE.

1Ilc ColOTtu pTcdCncT III u ouuLuelH
community is, in his limited jurisdic.
tinO,- something more absolute than
the Gar of Russia To his flock he is
aot only a guide, philosopher and
friend in all matters spiritual, but
also in those important little secular
affairs involving the disposition OF his
vote to the best advantage Of his
country and himself.
A heated campaign was in progress
down In North Carolina, where, the
negroes being exceedingly numerous,
the only question between the two
Democratic candidates was which one
could control the colored vote.
In that country lived Parson Eph.
rain Marshall, man equally renown.
ed for his political wisdom and his
elocutlon, which was entirely equal
to a Rve.hour sermon, audible mile
away. In this campaign he had been
seen-and gone one better-frequcnt-
lily by the opposing candidates for
prosecuting attorney. Still, like the
wise man that he was, he gave no in
dIcation OF his choice. Every one re-
allied that his endorsement was
equivalent to an election, and when
he gave notice that he would address
his people on the night before election
on the issues OF the day, interest was
intense.
When l arrived at the church the
audience was already large and nOisy;
but suddenly the hush OF the grave
fell upon it. Looking up, l saw Par.
son Ephraim mounting into the pull.
pit. He was a rugged old fellow with
gray hair, and a bald swath across the
top OF his head. He wore long linen
duster, and a collar so enormously
high that the tops Of his cars were
just visible over it. Adjusting on the
Bible.stand the battered old silk hat
which lie always wore rakishly on the
side OF his head, and biting of huge
chew Of tobacco, he thus addressed
his audience:
"ln 'suance OBJ call what l made
ter dress NAH flock an feller-citzuns
on de perlitikul Instances OBJ de day, l
is afore yo'. Now, brudders, lse sorry
ter say dat de perlitikul issuanccs up
fur dissatisfaction hez dwirdled down
toe Square Wallace an Square Har.
per, an wants ter say right now you
d0an know what tl,O'n In de flesh
dem two white mems been toe me. ]
disrcspects toe du nah july by dem,
an sposes day shall du der juty BY
me. Consequentamentally, thay hez
come aforc mc--One at de time an
when day VEN away / rassled wild dc
Lawd toe see whur J Orter fall. Al
one time de Lawd he look like lie
gwine ter throw me on de side Ot
Square Harper, an den Square Wal
lace lie come erlOng an, knock he prOI
SQUARE FUN under me, an den de Lave
seem'd ter projecticate me into hi'
vercinity. Such stribin' OBJ de sper
. rit Ise neber expectorated af0re. How
4 sumeber. Ise donc sarched de Scrip
turs, an in dc parabeI Of de tablets
a foun' de dissolution. Dc Lawd h
+ nebbcr disrespectc6 much oh de gen'l
0 man what got only one. All he axe
him toe do wuz ter not plant II like h
n wu1 dropp,n' CON, but de man wh,l
9 got de ten, he ain let 06 In 10 sec
" way. It du seem toe me dat In dis le!
sun &C line oh my axtisities am d,
markted. Square Harper CANT shoI
!. respeck much fur his tablet, but vi
SQUARE Wallace II am different. H
:. done TUX his ten tablets an trade
q wild dem. / shore do like a publi'
,e sperritcd man, an Isc vwinc to vol
for him shores yO' BON. But 'sidt
"A dis, brudders. dere's a cogious reaso
a. Why 70 autcr vote fur Square Wa'Iac'
m I done hurd Jedge Johnsins say ds
SQUIRE Wallace calut cOrnvic' noood
In ef lie wanted toe, an yo' shore aut'
OF b'a. dat In min when yo' 'mcmocrs .
10 psrshsiity dc cut has for tryln'
trace de whke f0lkses Nawss toe I
o hsbitstlon ob sum member Oh die do
ie eregatlou.n
y Here IN egg came hvrtllng thtoul
y the alt and struck Fafs0n Ephrai
squarely betweep'tl'e eyes. wEplns