Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-04-25
FALL OF DIONYSIUS NIBLO.

and far. Two short weeks ago be was
the honored president of the Tuxedo
Colored Pleasure Clup. Last week he
was blackbaled by the Association of
Amaleamated African Hotel Attaches,
an organization which had sought his
application Tor more than a year. Mr..
Niblo's Cardinal Sin, the cause Of his
downfall in coiored society circles, is
described by Rastus Giver, as Glow
down treachery an ongratitude. Mr..
Giver succeeded Mr.. Niblo as president
of the Tuxedo, and is hardly an I'M
biased Judge. Furthermore, he is one
OF the victims of what he calls " Niblo'a
mean ounnin'," and therefore incapable
of isinterested opinion. Niblo has
no champion. he is tahoned, wiped
ptf the slate ostraoized and despised
by those who were wont to love and
praise him. But there are two sides to
the story, and "Di's' defence is MT
without show of reason.
About fortnight ago Mr.. Niblo,
who is head night porter at the Welles-
ley Hotel. dropped into his fsvorite
restaurant In Armour avenue for, the
purpose of putting few well done pork
chops into his person. His second
helping was we'll under way when he
noticed that the sable face OF his old
friend, Oscar Doolittle, was not behind
the counter. When the waiter brought
him his cakes and honey hi asked:
Whah's Mistah Doolittle this
evening"
Amt hyah no moab. Done sule
OUT
Here was predicsment. Niblo had
formed the habit OF having his meal
tickets charged and his credit was good
with Doolittle. His bill was 40 cents.
and he had only dime. A pocket
knife, bunch Of keys and rabbits
foot Comprised the sum Of his portable
colatersls, and there was nothing for
1t but TO make talk" Di was we'll
groomed and eloquent, and be APP
preached the new proprietor with an
air of easy confidence.
'Will yo' kindly otawge this ticket,
nah frien'S' he began, reaching for
the tooth picks Il
mot on yo' life!n declared the new
proprietor. No trust no mo. :"
us Mistah Doolittle' about?" Niblo
smiled reassuringly.
mo, he amt" was the answer.
i'm out an 20 doin' business with
y
IL you please"
Niblo expained. argued and cajolvd
his host, but without avail.
well, nah frien'," at last he said
desperately. "Ah got TO go to work, and
they nothin' TO- you to do but ii us' me
till tomorrow evenin'."
The landlord waved wroth at this
defiance and threatened Niblo with
arTaat IL IN darad IN lao n a ~ n raat "a, . 4,
without paying UP. The head lorter,
his pride humbled and his wits over.
taxed, walked up and down the aisle in
the vague hope that somebody he knew
would come in. Finally thought
struck him. '
twas nearly Z o'clock, the hour ut
which he should report for duty, and
be knew that the day shift in the hotel
barber shop would soon be at liberty.
Why not telephone to his barber friends
for rescue? He suggested the plan
TO his taller, and that severe parsonage
agreed to send the. waiter as guard
with Niblo to the corner drug store and
the telephone.
''Doan' let him get away ~ was the
parting instruction to the waiter, and
Niblo, with the aproned lad logging
his footsteps, went to the telephone.
John, the barber, and his two assist.
ants at the Wellesley were Just locking
up their razors and making ready to
leave the shop when beliboy SUM-
moned the first to the telephone. He
came back in few minutes with o
broad grin oyerspreading his jolly face.
by iawge, fellows, here's de chance
t. git some fun outten ole Niblo," he
laughed. Hes upto Dooljttle's, and
de new 'rrietor is holdin' him TO- 40
oeu's. Les go out an make out We
dosn' know him."
And 30 it was arranged. johnson
was to enter first. Washington was to
appear few minutes later, and Giyer,
secretary of the Tuxedo Club aud
Niblo's chief rival, was to enter last.
Dionysius' face broadened into a
radiant grin when he saw johnson g
happy face loom up at the door Of the
restaurant.
Here he comes - he shouted at the
proprietor, and rushed toward his de-
liverer.
''Nevah was gladder to see no livin'
man." he yawped at johnson, grab
bling at his hand. tga
But the barber froze him with cold
stare. t91
'Doan' know yo' sah,'' he snapped
haughtily.
"Oh, come off, yo' big fat rascal, !"
laughed Niblo. But johnson glared at
him, and turning to the proprietor
asked:
"See heah, Mist Wilson, CANT a
man come in dis place no mo- 'thout
bein' insultedY"
Whereupon Wilson heIlowed at Niblo
to get out of the way and clay low"
or he'd summons ''de ofiicer.,' 1t was
a heavy blow to Niblo's, pride, hut
johnson showed no signs of relenting.
He sat down in the corner and ordered
his supper. Washington soon appeared,
and Niblo fairly swooped upon him.
''Doan' know yo', doan know yo', :"
snarled Washington, pushing away the
astonished Dionysius; Ego way cullud
main, All nevah seen yo' befo'."
The surly man behind the counts
interferred again. He grabbed poor
Niblo by the collar, and hustled him to
his dim place behind the stove.
''Ef yo' doan' leave dem customers
alone Ah'll hab yo' pinched right off.
faint no use tryin' t. fo'oe yo'self ON
desc gen elmen. Dey doan' know yo'. "
Washington and johnson greeted one
another as though they had not met
for years. They sat together aud
cracked jokes about dat crazy coon, -
and ignored his doleful looks. When
Giver came in, Niblo approached him
also, but it was in half .hearted way,
and with one eye on the angry pro-
prietor. He expected little mercy from
his rival, but the affair was becoming
serious. He was already nearly an
hour late for bis work, and il the joke