Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-17
AFRAID OF THE COMET.

There was perhaps a time when the
great mass of the worlds population
was made afraid by the appearance OF
a comet in the sky, and although edu-
cation and intelligence have made most
wonderful progress, even during the
past hundred years, more especially
during the last decade, it is not to be
denied that there are still thousands
and thousands of people, both white
and black, who are apprehenslVe OF
what may happen as the result of the
present appearance of this interesting
visitor.
Of course, there are a great many
people, who are paying no attention to
the comet one way or the other, VINO
pass over the articles on the subject
in the newspapers, and who do not stop
to listen to comet conversations, and
these no doubt include both whites and
blacks, but nevertheless those who
concern themselves about finding out
what the people are thinking, are con-
stantly picking up here and there the
information that the comet is giving
more concern than appears from the
surface of the situation.
The writer was approached last
Sunday morning by a negro man,
respectable laborer who desired
copy of The Enquirer. The man was
not accustomed to buying papers; but
rti
CODY for himself and seemed quite
anxious about it, the circumstance
aroused some curiosity as to what
might be up.
What do you want with this pa
per-" was asked.
Il just want it," the negro replied
evasively.
Yes; but you can't read, l have
never known you to buy u paper be-
fore, and you want this for some spe-
cial purpose. What is it?
The statement and the question were
both in u persuasive tone, calculated
to get the mans confidence and induce
him to come out with his troubles.
He hesitated, then seemed to think
a little better of his doubts without
being entirely sure, and finally asked in
a way that seemed to suggest an effort
to change the subject:
Boss, is dat comet going To do US
any harm?'
Here was the secret Of the poor
fellows concern. He had been over
hearing discussions of the comet, and
had gotten the idea that fuller infurma-
ton could be mad from the paper.
why, what harm do you suppose
it could do?" was asked by way of
reply to the ncgros question; but in Il
reassuring tone.
Amt dat the cause of all dis cold
weather." was the astonishing question
in reply.
The negro was assured that if the
comet is having any effect on the
weather, nobody knows exactly how or
why, and then it was explained 10 him
how the people of the earth had been
familiar with comets for thousands Of
wears; that some two hundred year"
ago a man named HALEY learned to
figure out just where some of the
comets ranged, this one especially, and
now they know exactly when and
where to look for this one. The eXpla-
nation went on tu assure the very
much worried negro that all the talk
he was hearing was not 50 mucn be-
cause of any possible danger To the
earth, as because of Growing over the
fact that the calculations had been cor
rect-pridc Of mankind in ability To
understand something about thcS"
things.
AS the result of this explanation this
particular negro seemed to be very
much relieved and more than half sat
isiicd but it is evident from the con-
Germ he was manifcsting that similar
fright over the possible dire cOnse-
uuences of the comets visit is quite
common.