The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1903-03-28

you are worthless Niger, George
yes, little mistiss."
: "And your master and l will have I
go to the almshouse."
4 Yes, little lnistiss; spec yo' will"
Then what will become of yol
Georgef"
go dar too
do you think they would take in
niger? You are more likely to get o.
the chain gang"
''Te, he, he, little mistissw
what are you giggling about?'
: "Dey amt no chain gang. We goe
on de fahm."
You have been there?
Yes; got sent dar bout a veal
ago.
George, have you been Il criminalY
His mistress looked at him with shrink
ing disgust.
''Spec | has" he returned glibly. 81
been mos eberyti ng-crap shooter
buck dancer an de res, an crimnel,"
he added, with touch of pride.
Mrs. Gusts was paying no heed to
the negro now. She looked dreamily
out through the window at the mellow
sunlight Of spring. A longing came
over her for her old home She had en-
dured the long and cruel winter with
a stoical patience, but the reluctant
spring made the sap of yearning rise in
her veins. Suddenly She buried her
race in her handkerchief, and like a
faithful dog George began to whine:
Oar, little mistiss; jes yo' wait till
de udder side de cloud fummux over
an yo'll see 'nough silver to mex a
braid pan"
On go away, you worthless niggerv'
Mrs. Gusts exclaimed, putting down
her handkerchief, and he iumped ex-
travagantly just for the delight of hear
ing her sweet old laugh, like the ring
Ing of pure thin silver.
But, George" Mrs. Custis resumed
with renewed dignity, ut is true that
your master and are seriously think
ing OF seeking public assistance" Her
delicate cheek flushed at the admission.
out, seeing his look of childish horror
she proceeded firmly:
AS simple as our living expenses are
we cannot longer meet them, and we
must ask for help"
she threw up her little figure and
proudly left the room, but she stumbled
on the threshold, and the negro. with
lntultive devotion, knew that her ewes
were blinded with tears.
he stared with dropped Jaw at the
open door through which she had gone
linen, with volatile grin. he iumped
to his feet and, performing q skiIifrI
cog dance, seized his disreputable hat
and bolted from the house.
About year before this Mr.. Custis
'lnu MS wife had drifted to the great
city OF New York. They came from
Georgia, leaving their home desolate in
oruer to be near their daughter who
had married clever young artist If
uiu not take the parents long to discov-
er that their son-in-law had difficulty in
supporting his little family, so they
protestlng grandly that they had an
ample income, moved to a cheap little
nat on the east side and in the fright
Iul closeness of few narrow rooms
began an existence that was slow for
ture to their pride.
one Gay George Harries, one of the
most unregenerate negroes in all New
ork' sided up on their front steps and
puiied the bell. A negro is not natu-
rainy tramp, but he was idle and
thought he could bully something from
these forlorn old people.
Mrs. GUSTS opened the door ana lool,-
20 her wrath at his presumption.
Does yo hab any wuk fo' a po' cul-
ud manT he drawled insolently.
NO; don't want any niggers to
Work Tor me!' she blazed out. "Get off
NY front steps," She was preparing
siam the front door when he ierked
I'LL ms hlthy hat and burst out:
TO de Lawd, | didn't know Va,
vuz south'n lady; deed | didn,t III. j
le mistlss Kin yo' give a POI niggah
pite O somethin' to eat an I'll wink I
ny nngahs to de bone; deed I will"
ANU that was the beginning of n [
orange household = George Harries l
rap shooter, low comedian and natu. Il
al singer and dancer, and these moor ?
me old southern people. And he was t
= faithful as though he was their o
iave-they as autocratic as though he v
'as theirs by right of purchase. ?
90 on TINS sunny afternoon in sprino i
e shufiied along the street, dipping in. I
ola haunts that had not known him
OF a year. When he reached one Of
Is former stands, he looked shrewdlv
Dout Tor policeman and. not seeing v
me- began with great vigor and skill f
,nat Is known to the initiated as d
DUCK uance.' By the time he had n
ancsd Tor five minutes the crowd was
dense about the performer that If t
'oh tall man to peep over the heads t.
1eorge paused in his dancing. tool, c
u MS hat and, singing in a musical j.
oice' coon, coon, coon," went around Il
This was all very well. but a
pohceman sauntered up. Finding the d
was live negro and NOT q n
ead horse, he virtuously redistributed
lie COINS to the amused crowd and k
gorge took free ride to the nolioo st