The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-30
The History of Gilbert Babb.

The History of Gilbert Babb.
This is to be the history Of Gilbert
Rabb, good negro and thief, and the
luck that has befallen him through
the acquisition of a friend who was
born north of Mason and Dixon's line.
Rabb has been on the cha1ng-gang;
will be IN the chaing-gang again;
and the fact that he isn't on the
chaing-gang is the reason for this
story.
Rabb's friend is Mr.. J. A. James,
The Observers Associated Press opera
tor. Mr.. James halls from the north
west and obtained his first idea of the
| negro in Illinois. In an effort at re-
formation. he is treating Rabb as he
would treat a white man, and he says
his policy is right. Every southern
James is dead wrong. The facts in the
case are quite worth the consideration
of an argumentatiVe public.
CONSIDERATION.
After Rabb had served a term on the
| chaing-gang Mr.. James picked him up
| out of the gutter n fed him by hand
+ He carried Rabb to his home n gave
him foo that was of first-table
quality. He mad him do light agree
able work and paid him we'll. James
and James people grew fond of Rabb
and showed him a general kindness
and consideration that are not usually
bestowed upon the best of negroes.
Rabb became among other things, a
persona tenda upon Mr.. James.
James receives Geographic stuff in a
small room upstairs from s O'Clock in
the evening until $50 o'clock the next
morning. For many nights Rabb sat
in a chair in the corner of the ~Oonl
with Mr.. James, n alternately slept
and watched his master. Rabb did
this through preference. He had be-
come devote to James; followed him|
like a dog and was always ready to
perform any service. His berth was
beautifully easy and he had everything
in the world that any ordinary negro
would care to have.
INCONSIDERATION.
Then Rabb stole one of Mr.. James
razors-stole it in open. foolish man
ner that left no doubt as to his having
| committed the theft. He sold the razor
for IS cents. An hour after he had sold
it the razor a recovered by Mr..
| James m Rabb was arrested. James,
who had caused Rabb to be arrested
and was marked as prosecutor. was
very indignant at first. and then he be-
came uneasy. He remembered Rabb's
affection for him n his family-re-
membered that rabbi was quick and
willing, and cleaned an automobile bet
| ter than anybody else could clean it.
RECOMMENDATION.
James made a canvas of the building
and got a symposium of opinion. The
verdict was unanimous, and it said,
| Let the negro go" The men here like
negroes and depend upon them in a
( way. but they know negroes. And
J Rabb and the likes of Rabb were held
to be a problem that you can't argue
| about. You just face it and then put
it as far away from o as possible.
James wanted to go to the recorder
and beg mercy before the case against
Rabb was called, but he was dissuaded
from doing that. and Rabb was bound
over to the superior court in abond
of 500. James continued restless. and
it was all his friends could do to keep
him from putting the 500 bond and
getting Rabb out of Jail. Yesterday
Rabb's mother, Sylvia Rabb, who cooks
for Mr.. George L. Kruger, appeared
from the background and paid a visit
TO Mr.. James. She reached down IN
her stocking and produced S170 in bills.
She handed 800 to Mr.. James and ask.
er him to get her son out of jail.
HESITATION.
NJ. James was off like a shot ana III
Is minutes Rabb was free. James look
ed at Rabb and froWned uncertainty
Rabb looked at Mr.. James through his
one eye, showed all his teeth in an ex-
panSiVe grin and waited.
At s o'clock Rabb loitered in front OF
this building. Mr.. James didn't kno"
rabbi. bu Rabb knew Mr.. James. A
9 o'clock James walked through the
building and faced Rabb. Five minutes
later James and Rabb walked upstairs
and entered Mr.. James little room
Rabb resumed his old seat in the cor
ner and gazed upon Mr.. James with his
characteristic grin. Rabb is once more
named Friday. and is rejoicing IN TINS
hOnO-S that beioE~ 20 a favOrite.
RECONCILIATION.
All the men in the shop have walked
TO James door and gaZed in upon the
couple. They all smiled. James dc
not smile. = IS sure of his position
sure that Rabb will not again betraJ
hin. Eery other White man in tn
building knows that Rabb will t
from Mr.. James whenever he has an
other opportunity.
James. taking the view af a north
western man. maintains that Rabb
thieving proClivities will be conquered
by kindness. He will once more place
faith in his ervant. He has an iCe;
that Rabb feels rebuked by his gener
osity and that his continued indul
gence will evolve Rabb into a good
la~w-ahiding citizen. In other words. l
is repeated that James looks ZION Rabl
jus as he would look upon a whit
man.
u Every Southern man in the buiidin: