Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1912-03-21
never be no mo- Iniun-l-.

at the niggers. You don't hafto get
on the train just cause you down to
the depot"
So Miss Minerva's nephew, after
tiptoeing into the house for her ink
bottle and filling his pockets with
contraband matches, met his chum
at the cabin. There, under the criti-
cal survey OF Bonnie Dick from his
customary place on the floor, they
darkened their faces, heads, hands,
feet and legs; then, pulling their caps
over their eyes, these energetic little
boys stole out of the back gate and
fairly flew down an alley to the sta
ton. No one noticed them in that
hot, perspiring crowd. A lively band
was playing and the mob of good-hu-
mored, happy negroes, dressed in their
Sunday best, laughing and joking,
pushing and elbowing, made their
way to the excursion train standing
on the track.
The two excited children got d.
rectly behind a broad, pompous negro
and slipped on the car just after him.
Fortunately they found a seat in the
rear OF the coach and there they sat
uncJ orvcd atill and quiet, except for
an occasional delighted giggle, till
the bell changed and the train started
off.
We'll see Sam Lamb toreckly,"
whispered Jimmy, land he'll take
care Of u.s."
The train was made up of seven
Coaches, which had been taking on
negroes at every station up the road
as far as Paducah, and it happened
that the two little boys did not know
q soul in their car
But when they were nearing Wood
stock, a little station not far from
Memphis, sam Lamb, making a tour
of the cars, came into their coach and
was promptly hailed by the children.
When he recognized them, he burst
into such a roar of laughter that it
caused all the other passengers to turn
around and look in their direction.
what y all gwine to do nox' 1 jes'
wonder" he exclaimed. "Yo ekals
amt made dis side O. 'ternity Lordee,
Lordee," he gazed at them admiringly,
you sho' is genoowine corn-fed, ster-
lin silver, all-wool-an' -a-yard-wide
pure-leaf, Green-River Lollapaloosas.
Does yo' folks know bout yer? Lordee!
What l akin sech fool question fer?
Course dey don't. Come on, l gwine
to take y all off m desc cars right
here at dis Woodstock, an we kin
ketch de commodation back home"
"But Sam" protested Billy, 1--WE
don't want to go back home. We wants
to go to Memphis"
Hit don't matter what y all wants."
was the negro's reply, "y' all gotta git
right OFF. Dis-here 'scursion train don't
leave Memphis twell twelve o'clock
tonight an yuh see how slow she am
runnin', and ev'y 10 count niger on
her II be full O. req eye. An yo' folks |
Is plumb 'stracted bout yer dis min
ute, l low. Come on. She am gittin'
ready to stop"
He grabbed the blackened hand of |
each, pushing Jimmy and pulling Billy,
and towed the reluctant little boys
through the coach.
"Yuh sho' Is spilled my fun" he
growled as he hustled them across the
platform to the waiting-room. Dis
here g de fus' 'scursion l been on
widout Sukey a-taggin' long In five
year an aimed TO- to roll 'em high,
an now, case o. ketchin' up wild y
all, l gotta go right back home. Now
y all set jes' as straight as yer kin
set on dis here bench" he admonished,
whilst l send telegraph to Marse
Jeems Garner. An don yuh try to
'lope out on de fatform neider. Set
whar l kin keep my eye skinned on
yuh, yuh little slipp'ry-ellum cells. Den
gwine to come back an wash yer,
so y all look like spectacle white
folks"
Miss Minerva came out of her front
door looking for Billy at the same time
that Mrs. Garner appeared on her
porch in search of Jimmy.
William! You William!" called one
"Jimmee-ee! o Jimmee-ee-ee!" called
The other.
Have you seen my nephew" asked
he one. i
mo. Have you seen anything of
Jimmy?" was the reply of the other.
"They were talking together at the
ence about an hour ago." said Billy's I
aunt Possibly they are down at the
livery stable with Sam Lamb; IL
,hone and find out"
And l II ring up Mrs. Black and
Mrs. Hamilton. They may have gone |
o see Lima and Frances."~
In a short time both women ap-