The Washington herald., 1912-12-22

Sist' Eamerelda Humphreys was not
present at the meeting Of Zion Hard
shell Baptist Church 1t is questionable
whether t&ere had been any such meet
ing had she been likely to attend, since
how to dispense with the ministry of
Sister Humphreys was its object, and the
sister was a woman Of power. But she
had gone to the store for her semi
annual settlement cf account. Therefore
the disafiected in Zion raised their heads.
DerCeiving that their hour was come.
The 'church-houss" Cof weekday
tlr schoolhouseD crowned a gentle rise
Of ground on the outskirts of an Arkan-
SIS plantation. 1t was baskcd by the
great gum forests, where the sun rose.
while on one side. winding toward the
reddening evening skies. the cypress
slash had eaten its way through the
brown clay to the Black River. Full OF
mystery and uncanny beauty was the
slash. its sluggish gleam Of water creep
ing darkly under solemn expresses and
monstrous blackberry trees tinseled with
cow-lilics in summer, spattered with
bloOd-red berries in winter, green with
deliCatr beauty when the cypress is in
car. or gray and softly brown when
is short-leaved foliage falls Did one
ARE to deal in mystical analogy. one
might find in the slash suggestions OF
.he Africans undeveIoped soul. where
brute and child still battle for mastery.
It was a schoolhouse for children OF
the darker race only. and only negroes
were in the little band whose hymns
penetrated the wide sweep of cotton
fields. the weird African cadences wilder
and more mournful than the hoot-owTs
oboe keening in the forest. Tonight the
house was but sparsely filled by the
regular worshippers. Zion congregation
proper Brother Zubaeel Morrow pre-
sided because he had once attended
district Republican convention. where he
had imhibcd parliamentary lore.
Dis meetin will please come to
ordah. he announced; IS you all
rcIdy 70 de question:
w are question, Bruddah Morrow"
allied out brother in the rear seats.
'Bruddah Carroll. you is out of Ordah.
Whcnst I git in dis cheer an take dis
gIbble'-he extended the hatchet used.
before its promotion. to chop kindling-
take notice. ! is de Cheer: you-all is
o dress me as Mist Cheerman.' You
Is akin bout de question: de question
;, Shall Sist' Ehmereldv Humphreys
,ontinner u usu'p de rights of we-alrs
castor: Amt dat the onderstandin' of
lis here awjence?'
Signs Of approval and assent came
rom the audience. The chairman,
Using. took the attitude OF the white
spealler whom he had admired most at
the convention, plunging one hand into
he bosom Of his coat, buttOned for that
ourpose-and gazing solemnly about him.
All the cOlored population of the cOun-
jryside were proud of the schoolhouse.
which was painted a neat lead color as
10 woodwork and brown as TO walls;
with red lettering done by a member
who had followed the painters trade
although not very far). declaring piously
on the west wall. The Lord will pro-
vide and politely requesting on the
east wall. please do not spit on the
floor" A stately blackboard behind the
teachers desk showed her excellent
moral sentiments and penmanship. There
was no carpet on the floor. but it was
clean. and the windows gIistened.
IBIS yere schoolhouse. dis yere church
house. are a credit to de cullud ladies
an genImen of Zion Raptis' Chu'ch,"
declared Brother Morrow. sonorously.
AN we-all had orter have a pastor who
-w'u'd-w'u'd correspond. I amt sayin'
one word Of disparagement of our late
man C"Amenr' from two half-grOwn
lads in the rear. but he'd a terrible
sight of losses an troubles. losin' all of
his chillen like he done; an him sick
such a spell befo' de Lawd called him
rom grace to glory. Mabbe he didn't
ben eloquent like the supply we had. but
Elder w'ite had mare right to git Sist'
Lucy TomplIins to run way wild i'm.
rom 'er good. kin, respectable husban' "
"a little crumpled, elderly negro raised
his head with an air OF modest pride).
IAN he done borry two dollars an fifty
cents of de. cheer dat 1 don't eNpec'
nothin' of Ontwel de Judgment day, So
wen our pastor passed away we-all was
like sheep outen a shepherd; an wen
Sist' Humphreys done offah to keep de-
chu'ch-house clean an cyah on de ser
vices of Zion. an make no cha'ges. We
all acceptld."
Mist Cheerman''-a grizzled negro in
Chcerman, was hit Slst' Humphreys keep
dis 'ouse dis away?" ....
Yes, Bruddah Moore: she are a right
good scrubber," admitted the chairman,
while the congregation stared at the
speaker. the richest colored man in the
county. who had moved into the neigh
borhood recently. this being his first ap-
pearance IN Zion.
70 a SPELL" continued the chairman,
things went on suspiciously enough.
Sist' Humphreys ben an adicated lady:
an she is n plumb good cook. Her
preachin' didn't ben whut we all air
Iongin' TO heah; mare shakin' Of de soul
orah de mouf OF hell. mare nno'nin', mare
revivals; but we hilt our peace, an Zion
regular, an las socherable