The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-19
WHAT | THINK OF old JOE

(By United States Senator Til1man.)
Special to The Sunday North American.
Il don't know that there Is anything
to add to what I have already said" he
began, a trifle unwilllngly. Joe has
been with us so long now that he feels
as il he is one of us-and we feel pretty
much the same. He is about my age,
and though he can neither read nor
write, is intelligent and self-respecting.
He is devoted to our interests, and
trust him SO implicitly that when we are
in Washington he keeps the keys of the
barn and to everything on the farm
Just as Kitty carries the keys of the
house." interrupted Mrs. Tillman."
Kitty Is Joe's wife,, explained tho
Senator, who, now that he was fairly
started, began to talk with care-freo
lightness that somehow made one feel
that it was his usual way at home. They
got married about ten years ago, and
she's a good, yirtuous woman-besides
being the best cook l know.
"About three weeks ago / went home
on business for a day, and IN the after
noon l looked In on her and called out,
Kitty, are you going to let me go back
to Washington without some of your
waffles? she makes waffles for me 365
days in the year when I'm home. / could
see that she was amazed, for / never eat
lunch-get along better without it-but I
told her that / couldn't get waffles like
hers in Washington. And do you know
that in less than fifteen minutes she had
the eggs whipped, the flour sifted, the
irons hot and those waffles on the table
in fifteen minutes, mind you
The Senator's voice had taken on the
tone of one who talks of miracles, but
1t seemed to the reporter that Kitty
couldn't we'll help figuring as record
breaker with a practice of 365 days in
the year.
Social equality!" calculated the Sena-
tor in answer to a question. Why, II a
white person was to come down to Tren-
ton and undertake to put himself on
social level with Joe, Joe would seoTn
him as Poor white trash
zone Of the funny things about him is
his sense of humor, and he often says
comical things that show the outcrop-
pings Of his pride and delight when he
thinks any honor is conferred on the
family Like most negroes, he always
when my boys were younger they
used to enjoy the ridiculous things the
old fellow would do and say when in
HILARIOUS condition. / recolloct a year or
two ago nv eldest son had been having
fun with Joe, and, as matter OF prank,
pretended to be indignant with him for
drinking Old Joe just took MIN IN MS
arms and said. You mustn't do that,
boy Don't you remember the nlght that
you was born?' and, Of course, the rest OF
over his mantel," said young Mr. I'LL
mantle one who was called upon TO
strain his imagination. lie thlnKs Chere
is no one like my father
When asked If he had photograph OF
Joe, the Senator said to his SON. Run
upstairs and get me those pictures.
This" he explained, winnoWing over
the leaves of an album OF snap-shot
views, lis Joe holding two horses' Joe
Blackburn and Joe Bailey we cali
them the Three Joes. Here IS vie"
of our home--here is another ms is
the veranda-another picture Oh the Ver
anda While we are in washington hltty
takes care OF the flowers you see IN the
pictures. This group represents tne
whole family. This is the garden the
garden again Right here, placing
finger on stretch Of path divided seen
cry" is where / dig and forget the "orid
and its cares in my flowers
WHAT / THINK or BEN TILLMAN.'
(By "old Joe" Gibson-the Negro Whom
Tillman LovesJ
Dictated Especially for the sounday North
American.
have been with the Truman family
for about thirty years, ana uon re-