The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-21

enough!'
The Pantomime,
The negro cuts an artistic figure in
elo-draina which has never been rep
resented on the stage Tho playwrights
of our days who present his character
to the public know little of 1t. Their
plantation Sambos are not our planta-
ton Sambos; mere travesties OF which
the negro himself would be ashamed.
The old custom ] am about TO relate In
brief has long since melted into air,
into thin air, and is no longer visibly
practiced, az ! believe, in either the
city or the country.
When two negroes met in the road, or
In the street-supposing thom to be old
acquaintances-one unused to thtir ways
might have behed a scene In dumb show
the like or which would tnsk the art
OF the best French pantomist to repro
diice With frowning countenances, ana
we'll simulated gestures of defiance. the
two actors would approach each other
as enemies about TO engage in mortal
combat.
One of these, upon getting near enough
to deliver his murderous blows with fist
or stick, or uplifted axe. would pause
while to observe the attitude OF the
other-if It WAS as expressive OF anger
as his own. which 1t would usually be.
his rage would know no bounds; but
II betokened instead craven fear, or
desire to get the start in Il wild run for
life--if, in short, the fellow about to be
assailed played his fears as we'll as his
assailant had vented his rage, the scene
would suddenly close with cordial greet
ing, c.asped hands and an affectionate
embrace The inevitable yah! YAH yah!
that never failed to follow tNis mock
iieroical by play might have been heard
by sensitive ears quarter OF mile
away.
whether the vocal organs OF the negro
differ materially from those of his Aryan
superlors is a question which leave to
the determination OF the comparative
anatomist; however IT be, feel sure
that he never laughs the laugh of the
white man. which Is either he! he! he!
or more commonly ha! ha! ha.
Professor Outlet, who taught French
In the best schools of the city-sixty-
years ago-all his sons were in the Con-
federate army used to say that no one
with thin lips could pronounce the whist
ling U of his countrymen. but the negro
had no difficulty with 1t. He further
maintained that the fiat nose and pouched
mouth of the African fitted him to ex-
press those peculiar qualities of tone that
belong to the nasals OF the French.
The Police.
There was never in all the land n more
orderly and humancly governed city than
Richmond. a fair proof OF the law-abid-
ing character of its citizens was seen
in the snallness o, its police force. My
own recollection goes back to the years
during which II. Vaughan, Byrd Page.
Clement White and John Pearce served
the city by day. Burrell Jenkins, b Ma
.Ja,- h1f, xJ,o,
served 1t by night. The former wore no
uniforms or other insignia OF Office, II
we except the long, stout hickory or ash
canes which they carried openly, and
used SO effectively on those who resisted
the mandates of the law. The latter pa
troled the streets of nights as watchmen
or guards. as they were commonly called.
Their captain was Burrell Jenkins. who
Issued orders and heard cases at the Old
Market station or cage. The nightwatch
went their rounds in couples, armed with
heavy bills. and wearing in bad weather
the long cloak which had not then gone
out OF fashion even in the polite, circles
of the town. The office OF Chief of Po-
lice had not been created: all OF the con-
stabilary force were under tho immediate
orders of the Mayor. The tolling OF the
Old Market bell, our curfew, shortly after
dark. gave notice to freedmen and slaves
alike to keep within doors. The pass OF
their owner or hrer was required by the
| watch to protect them from arrest
During the Christmas holidays the poor
| creatures. hankering after the flesh pots,
fell into many trap set for them by
the Mayors detectives. They could not
| resist the temptation of the carelessly
fastened door or shutter of the store
keeper. When caught In the act or after
| the act of rOhhinp ha CT
| lodged In the cage. and subsequently
given nine and thirty lashes on their bare
backs-a colonial custom, by-the-by.
When a rising of the slaves was feared.
secret men were sent among them to
fathom their designs. and patrols Of citi-
zens We're organized to assist the authori-
ties in case the outbreak Anticipated
should get beyond their control. Strin-
| gent rules for the discipline of the freed
man and slave We're constantly being en-
forced. Only limited numbers We're per-
mitted to assemble at one time and one
place.
Though passes were required as n
rule from all who were in service. the
nlghtWatch rarely made mistake. or
was reproved by their superiors IL they
allowed a servant we'll and fayora blv
known to them, or a genteel freedman
to pass their beats without arrest. Wick.
nam accomplished servant Robin
Brown, or Capt. Benz. sheppard's faith
full messenger, Aaron. or one of the
yellow BARRIERS of the type of the Fer
gusons. might pass as freely at night
through the town as another from whom
pass was not required.
Other restraints beside the pass We're
not deemed to be harsh even by the dis
likers OF the old institution. Tho youth
of either sex when begged by domes-
tic OF the house to write tho pass would
invariably comply with the request. The
nightwatch might suspect the goodness
of all such paper, but would let it good
naturally pass without protest.
Though no negro could smoke his pipe
in public places. he was not hindered
from enjoying 1t Mt home, or in tho
pop-shops along with his drains of hot
pot. Here he interningled with his
equals unrestrained by the espionage of
the clty's constables. Sunday was his
day of rest. which was usually passed
behind the closed doors Of
ITO be Continued Next sunday.)'
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