The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-15
By FRANCIS LYNDE.
Tue afternoon sun was swinging low
over the Coosahatchce Bottom.

and the stridcnt drumming OF the
Jar fly had supplantod the more cheerful
notes Of the birds and the grasshoppers.
In the pools OF slack water by the road
side. where the shadows of the forest
were the deepest, an r. occasional frog
cleared his throat 20 try the first few
bars OF the thrilling symphony which
would presently usher in the twilight.
and I'm the small Elades where the over
arching branches of the sweet gums and
the expresses made bosky cavcrns even
at midday The frelics were beginning 10
swing their Tiny lanterns.
The wagon road through the creek bot
tom ran along the top of a slight en-
bankment which was the approach 90
the half mile or more Of rude trestle
work spanning the swamp and the
stream: and the low ridge or stiff clay
afforded the only outlet from the nat
lands west OF the creek TO the country
town Of Toccolona on tho railway. II
was a poor road. even as Mississippi
country roads go, but the dwellers be-
youd the Coosahatchee we're mostly ne
groes. and they neither complained nor
amended though occasionally one or an
other or them. going TO town with a bale
of cotton in the miry weeks OF early
spring. would make dire threats Of de-
voting a day 20 the thankless labor of
road mending.
Eli had made some such promise to
himself on his way to TOccOlona that
morning, when his shackly little wagon
Lad sunk TO the hubs in one Of the deep
ruts: but the day had been warm enough
70 dry the mud. and he was thinking Of
No. nj INN nj "A = 10
jolted along IN the evening toward the
COosahatchee bridge.
''Faw de Lawd's sake. whut 5 a po'
niggah gwine dO2" he asked himself for
the twentieth time since he had driven
out Of Toccolona. Oar amt no sawt o
use a-pickin cotton faw seben cents. en-
OATS all ives gwine te git En- den
Capn Sawyeh zone shuck his head lax he
gwlne 20 back on dat price Gaze I
doan jomp al hit Look lax he tink Is
bleeged ter sell"
The ploddiug mule had reached the
first planks OF the bridge, and Ell pulled
ND to listen. The causcway was only
wide enough to admit OF one vehicle at
a time. and 81 was customary TO give the
road to whoever first secured fl. A
curve in the iow bridge INSTRUCTED the
view from end 10 end. but Eli heard the
beat OF hoofs on the loose planking and
waited.
A man riding a mule presently camo
in sight. and as he approached Eli saw
that ne was a mulatto and a stranger
The rider drew rein beside the wagon,
and asked II ne were on the road 70
Toccolona.
you is dat. sho.'
Excuse me. but is this Brother
Chadbu'n?"
'Ya-as."
The mulatto held up two fingers Of
his right hand and made a cabalistiC
sign in the air.
.ewhuts dat?'' inquired Eli. suspi-
ciously-
Excuse me again. Brother Chadbu'ni
they told me up in Memphis that you
was one OF us" said the mulatto. smil-
ing anably.
zone o. which,
zone OF the Sons OF the Mawning star
see they was misformed about 1t
Hasn't tho Grand Satellite been dowr
this away yet2"
Amt see no Gran Sad'lite VII, TO-
clied Ell. with awakening interest
..yytut ALI does dc Sons oh de Mawnin
aim ter do?'
The rnuIatto looked cautiously up an'
down the road as II fearful OF being over
heard I'm not 'zactly AT hOeTly u
explain more than the general outlin'
only TO those which means TO join us
ne said. guardedly but I can say. in
formal and circumstantial way ina
what we aim al IS 10 raise up and ener
vate the whole down-trodden race
"Niggahs? %
.-CoIored people amended the other
Eli looked incredulous. Il like te
know how you gwine do dat De whit
folks rot 'nough O. dem 'spiriments Fl
de reconstructiou times--dey amt g"in
'lov, no niggah q fuss wid politics
Politics amt the only way. Brothe
Chsdbu'n," said the mulatto. with
superior smile The Sons Of the Mawn
ing Star don't even question a man VIVA
his politics is. These United States
great enough ami free enough 10 10y
every pusson black ana white, plac
20 stan up and be a man Our obiec'
10 help the pore colosed people TO rails
up and shake of the dus' Of this IN
profitable Ian from their feet to 9
where they can be recO'nlzed and pre-
ciated: where the Ian is free and un
unitigated. and on'y waiting for you al
70 enter in and dispossess II. That
what the Sons OF the Mawning star aim
at Brother Chadbu n. and / hope you
make up your mind 10 cast I'm your lc
and soioUrn with US"
Eli Chadburn-UncF Israers Ell. h
was called, 20 distinguish him from an
other Of the same name in tho Coosahai
chez settlemont-was a leader among hi
people. Unequipped with anything in III
form Of education. and with no help saw
that given him by wife and children. b
had managed 10 become a fEeebolder
land where the negro is. almost OF ne
cessity. a struggling tenant. This Of II
self was much, but be had done NOR
BY the exercise OF a thrift and econom,