Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-06-28


he's gentleman. tells yo'. He amt do
nutten. He amt nebber learn do
things like common w'ite folks. He
hab niggers for dat"
you don't mean that you have sup
ported him ever since the WARP"
The old negro drew himself up WITH
unconscious dignity.
"Yo' goin' talk like dat, afn't got
nutten mo- 70 splain."
II beg your pardon" said the young
man, hastily, please go on"
"Yc' amt know Marse Henery,"
commiseratingly, $50 yo' dom un'stan'.
OBJ co'se wuk for him. He car To- me
befo' de wah, didn't he? What niger
good for but wuk, l like know"
boy came through the car with a
basket of sandwiches. The young
man bought two and handed them 70
his companion. The old Negroes eyes
glistened.
Tank yo'. Nasal tank yo', sahi"
he said, gratefully. 81 didn't hab no
breakfas', an moneys too scace to buy
t'ngs on de road. war Iowin' ter fll
up arter don reach Georgy."
A few minutes later there was a
slight ripple through the car. The
conductor had entered and was calling
for tickets
The young man produced his and
held it in readiness. The negro
tumbled anxiously through several
pockets, and finally remembered that
he had pinned his TO his hat lining.
Done TUX cherry cert could scrape
up ter buy dat" he said. triumphantly,
| as he produced it. "But das ell right.
L kin wuk, an folks don't need money
Wen dey's home Moneys for trab-
blin'."
In the seat behind them was shah
billy dressed woman whose face had an
| anxious, frightened expression.
Crowded on the seat beside her were
several bundles, and in her arms was
white-faced. big-syed baby. When
the conductor touched her shoulder
she started uneasily.
Ticket, please"
A red flush of shame spread over the
woman's face; then it disappeared,
leaving her white and logged.
81 haven't any"
The conductor grew stern.
VERY well. If you get off at the
next station 1t will save us the trouble
of putting you off," and he turned TO
the opposite seat.
The woman's eyes grew big with ter
ror as she sprang up and caught him
by the arm.
Don't do that, sirL For Gods sake,
don't put me Off" she implored.
hoarsely. "I've got TO go. Ny bus
band has written for me TO come. He's
he's dying" and great sob rose to
her white lips, but was resolutely
ehoked back. az tried to raise money!
lowering her voice so the other pas
sengers could not hear, "but couldn't.
1 We sold everything we had so he could
go south, as the doctor ordered. And
now he's-he's-oh, my God! my Godl"
She turned from him and sunk weak
| ~ into her seat. The conductor shook
his head.
| I'm sorry, madam he said, kindly.
but we have only one rule. You
must pay or get off. Ican't risk break
ing the rules. Ticket, please"
The old negro rose slowly TO his
feet
Use feared You hab to put me off,
200, boss" he said, humbly. "Hit's
mons'trous hard wuk for pore niger
like me ter raise money for ticket"
"of at the next station broke in
the conductor, harshly. "We'n be
there in minute. fit was not so near
I'd slow the train and put you Off.
This poor woman has some excuse
but you-bah!" The young man was
about to make n protest, but some
thing in the old negro's face restrained
him.
Before the conductor reached the
end OF the car the speed began to
slacken. The old negro rose and
turned to his companion.
Reckon I better be leabin'" be
! said. Tank yo' for dem san'wiches.
an / hope yo1l member me kin1y.
Here, missy" TO the woman, who was
gazing stonily from the window, and
dropping his ticket into her lap.
heres yo' ticket. I reckon yo' done
drap hit. I hope yo' fin dat husban'
amt so bad as yo' think" and before
she could recover from her bewilder-
ment, he had left the car and was shut
fling down the platform. The young
man half rose to call him back, then
remembrance Of his own resources.
or perhaps of some one waiting for
him, caused him to sink back on his
seat and stare blankly at the window.
As the train moved out, he saw the old
negro trudging along beside the track,
evidently still bound for Georgia.
RAMS Horn.
Blow Mt the Kills