The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1922-02-08

pleasure with the first stranger he
meets. 81 come way up from Georgia
and now 1 seen it."
"You live in Georgia."
Eyes, sir. Way back. My father
he was born on one of them planta-
tions-and his father was there before
him." Again her face glowed. "But
Mr.. Lincoln set my father free when
he was three years old-him and all
the other colored people,
She spoke as the pilgrim might
speak of the saint at whose shrine he
kneels. And Walter whose earliest rec
election was certain visit he had
made with his father TO stately
monument in a quiet far western town
understood.
Five always wanted to see this
house, too" he told her. sever since
I was a little boy and read about him
in my school histories. When ! was
ten my father took me to Springfield
for birthday treat and l saw his
grave and the house where he used TO
i've. / never forgot it." The woman
nodded sympathetically and Walter
Iulled himself up abruptly: he was not
in the habit of growing sentimental
with strangers. do you live in Wash
ington now?'
NO. sir. I've been saving ever
since 1 remember and now i made the
trip. When l was little girl my
father promised he'd carry me here
sometimes, but he never did. He never
had no money, but he wanted to come.
He remembered his own father. he
did. saying how if he lived long
enough he was coming to Washington
and Just look at Mr.. Lincoln. He
loved him for making us all free like
that. But they killed him before my
grandfather could come; anyhow, he
ever had no money neither And my
father could save nothing; he never
come to Washington neither. But he
talked about it lot-he wanted to
come here to Washington where they
make the laws and Mr.. Lincoln give
nll the colored people their freedom.
No, sir, my daddy he never come-but
I have"
She drew herself up proudly; the
pride and sort of awed happiness.
Its like the New Jerusalem" she
told Walter with the simplicity of a
child. great big white buildings with
golden tops. And everything quiet here
like Sunday morning back home.
I'm feeling like I didn't need to die
| first to go and see Heaven
Walter like your true American felt
n little ashamed of the sympathetic
{ ars that sprang to his eyes. go
irg to stay here long:" was his very
| practical question.
I'm going back tomorrow" She
lid up the once splendid handbag.
II just got enough left for to go home.
I've worked hard for my money
washing and cooking and cleaning
bouse-and it amt been easy to save.
But I've been here" one hardened
Land sweeping the place in posses
sive gesture. .and l amt never GO
ing to forget it. I've walked around
after Mr. Lincoln
Her eyes turned reverently to one
of the many pictures of her idol that
! ung upon the wall Walter watch
/: her felt lump in his throat. IL
the greathearted Father Abraham had
only lived long enough to receive a
little of the love his grateful. black
children were so anxious to shower
upon him. And then the boys face
darkened with the futility of it all I:
Iincoln's gift of freedom-and negroes
shot at southern polling places: an
emancipated race-and its innocent
men. sometimes its women, lynched by
lowing mobs. What was Washing
ton itself but mockery-white build
irgs. indeed. and gilded domes and
broad avenueS-while the slums where
its black citizens lived. he had heard,
were rocking with filth and disease.
whats the use of all this pagan
beauty in city with rotten plumbing
for poor devils who can't get decent
homes because they've got dark
skins !" he thought hotly. And turned
to the negro woman almost savagely.
Lincoln gave you freedom he SAID
brutally, but what has it done for
at Arlington thought you were going
to be free and" He broke off in dis
gust. i've read how you're treated
down there and you don't get square
deal up north either. And we talk
about Democracy! That's what the
Unknown Soldier buried out there is