The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-30
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
c. r.. BENJAMIN COMES TO TOWN
WITH A NEW STORY.
This Time N Chicago Man Figures as
the PrincipaI-VisitOrs at
the Hotels.

c. E Benjamin, travelling passenger
agent Of the Canadian Pacific. is at the
Hotel English. When Benjamin comes to
town he usually has a new story to tell.
This time he is telling one about the
Shriners. ''They are nothing if not good
fellows said he, land they frequently
perpetrate some good jokes on each other.
For real high-class artists in this line the
members of Hamasa Temple. of Meridian.
Miss. are entitled TO the banner. May %
they dedicated their new Masonic temple,
and invitations were sent broadcast to
Shriners TO attend the ceremonies, assuring
them hot time Combining business
with pleasure, L accepted the invitation.
On the way down to Meridian 1 met
number OF Shriners from Chicago and
other Northern cities, and we discussed
the country. the climate and the Shriners'
meeting. naturally specializing a great deal
on the extent OF the hot time which had
been promised. One little man from Chi
cago declared they could not show him
anything new, as he had attended meet
ings all over the country and was wise to
everything. The general consensus was
that the hot time would be furnished
principally by the sun. We were met at
the depot by the reception committee and
a military band. Every man donned his
little red fez and when we alighted from
the sleeping car all of the colored porters,
hack drivers, baggagemen, etc, made
most profound salaam, prostrating them
selves at our feet. We marched up to the
hotel, and every negro we met dropped like
he was shot and remained lying on his face
until we passed. When we entered the din
al whole pf
walters went down like a ten strike in
bowling alley, and would not rise until the
proprietor came in and assured them pro-
lection. We, OF course, inquired anXiouSly
as to the cause of this unusual display of
homage, attended by marked evidence of
fear depicted on their faces, and were in
formed that it was due entirely to Supersti-
ton; that the negroes were mortally afraid
Of any one wearing red fez. We'll, this is
cinch,' said the little man from Chicago;
wait until l get home; Ill put on my feZ
and walk down State street Just to see
them drop. 1t will create a sensation for
true The visitors were deeply impressed
by this incident, and il was the same way
all afternoon and evening'-every negro we
met did the Salaam.
THE ceremonies were about as usual on
such occasions; the banquet and speeches
were as good and interesting as only
Southern hospitality and good fellowship
affords. But when the party left for the
North, at a. m, the main topic of con-
versatiOn was the wonderfully peculiar eff
feet the Shrine fez had upon the Southern
negro l did not return with the party, as
l had to make a business trip to New Or
leans. The next morning, on my way to
the depot, negro suggested that let him
carry my grip, as he needed the coin. L
remarked that every one else around there
seemed TO have money. Yes, sah,' he said
Every negro in town has got money to-
day, and l could had it. too, if I'd done
what they did L asked if they had robbed
a bank. No, sah,' he replied, they jes'
stood around heah an hit de ground when
dem Mason men with red caps comes
along 1 asked him if they got paid for it,
and he replied: Yes, sab: they certainly
did. You see, Mstah Howard and Mistah
Martin, theys the high mogul Mason men
heah. They call us up together and saed
every niger what stands around heah on
the streets and do the slam befo' dem
gemmen, he gets bits. Dat slam means
you slam yo'sef down on the groun'. / ses
/ won't hit the groun' TO no man, and the
other niggers, they say to me: You can
git in on this, or yo' can stay out, but if
yo' ain goin' TO slam yo bettah take to the
tall timber. cause yo' can't stan aroun'
heah and spoil the game So L hid out on
the back streets all day yesterday l
handed him some change as l boarded the
train, and said nothing, but 1 could not
help thinking of the beautiful finish of the
little Chicago man walking down State
street"