The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1908-10-01
PASTORS TROUBLES
How "Smaht kiggahs" Have Imposed
on Rev. Rieks-Story OF Gas
Z rs Bill.

At last account Elder Kicks of the
negro Free Will Baptist church had
not recovered the watch which was
taken from him by fellow who pre-
tended to be anxious TO read his title
clear to mansions in the skies and
strive TO lay up treasures there. Elder
Kicks had trouble of all sorts with
smart niggers," as ne calls them
They work all kinds OF schemes on the
old man, and one of them recently
tried to discredit him with his whole
congregation in a most despicable
manner, according to his point of
view. The offender was a new mem
Der named Anderson, who drives an
express wagon. He is quite an intel
ligen fellow, fairly well read in the
news of the day and can talk or argue
quite effectively. He felt higher i'm
pulse some time ago and joined Rev.
Kicks church. He was gladly received
by the pastor and congregation and at
once took an active part in the af-
fairs of the church. Being of an in
inQuisitive turn of mind he took no
tice of things, and among the objects
Of his interest was the gas meter. He
had heard the gas bin read at one
meeting of the congregation and ii
struck him here was a chance for him
to make himself useful to the church.
The gas bill was too high, as a mat
ter of course-ail gas bills are always
too high. He studied the directions
for reading the meter and he read IL
and put down the figures in note
book When the gas bill come up the
following month, $26 or more, he ven
tured to put his plan into operation.
"Yo' Reverence" said he, addressing
Rev. Kicks, who had presented the
bill TO be allowed by a vote of the
congregation-"Yo Reverence. think
dis bill is too high, cause | don't see
how We can burn dat much gas at the
few night meetin's we has In dis |
church. Der's sompin' wrong about de
bill and eff you all viii wait a while |
III go look at the meter and tell 20 |
zackly how much de gas company is
tryin' TO gouge yo' out Of"
He went to the inter and read it, and
when he returned he subtracted the
figures he had taken month before
When he had figured a while he pro.
ceeded:
Now, reverend pastor an ladies
and genmen. 1t is jess as done tole
20 all. Dat bill is too much by s11.7s.
OATS de way figures 1t an its
light"
Anderson looked at the pastor and
It the congregation with a conscious
Tess of having done them a good turn.
Iure that he would be deservedly an
llauded. Instead he met a stolid look
Il disapproyal from the pastor and
.ilent from from the congregation.
l minute passed In silence and then;
% the story goes. Rev. Kicks asked
n a severe tone of voice, is dc
rothers and sisters OBJ dis here
hurch gwine to let dat smaht niggsh
ONE in heah and slur yo' pastor?"
here was a chorus of NO! No."
Anderson protested that he had no
mention Of casting any slur upon the
aston: that his criticism was direct
d against the gas company which he
III sure was taking advantage Of the
But his protest was un
vailing. He was unceremoneouslv
oted out OF the church and left. When
2 was gone and order had been re
iored Rev. Kicks spoke feelingly to
is faithful followers. Said he.
"Brothus an sistus. let dis be
amin to yo' all Don't let none q
sse smaht. edicated niggahs come In
eah an pull yde wool owe 20 eyes.
scredit 20 Sastuh an put de ram
cations Oh atan in 20 heats. DE-
hurch has een gstSn' on pretty
ell TO many yeas wild de oldtim'
Iggas; dey 3sint read. an -dey cain:
rite. an de4 cainf->s-eT on no gss
Ms. but del lgeon % dct
s~d il derf na< : : Ssr IA -
IL