The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1939-12-16

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I'm curious" he said, why did
you answer that ad?p
Denton knew his chance for a
job was slim and so a part Of his
nervousness left him. lie looked
Curiss Dewitt straight in the eve
and answered
II thought there might he q
possible Chance OF you being fair
and humane Tor orce in your life.
Thousands Of Negroes buy your
cars. II that isn't sufficient for Won
10 give a member OF their race a
break, nothing else will. l only wish
some OF you rich white men could
turn black for while. you'd know
how damnably unpleasant II can
be when you're qualified TO hole a
responsible job and get turned down
because your face is black. Good
day. sir Ard benton LETT the Office
abruptly.
Curtiss DeWiit's face assumed the
color Of a ripe tomato as he finger
ed the card With the name Denton
Wiley written on Il.
Hes got nerve" DeNi.t smil-
cd and threw the card careless,y
In the waste basket. Then. or sec
ond thought he retrieved the card
and tossed II among the cards Of
the previous applicants that litter
ed his desk. He pushed the buzzer
which Indicated that he was ready
for another applicant,
More than once during the DAY
he though Of Denton Wiley.
III be was white I'd hire him, IN
a minute he mused. hes 20,
plenty OF CUTS"
Dewitt was a Bit tired AID irrii-
iated as he dismissed the last ap-
pllcant' long raagy individual.
whose manner was one OF drawing
insolence.
i declare he fumed some OF
these upsiart Kids think they know
more about running your business
than you do. First. a Negro wishe.
was black because ne believes II
would give me- a better understand
ing OF the race problem NThc last
ore wants 10 argue labor laws I'm
sick Of The Whole pack u ,hom."
lie pressed the buzgcr. long and
hard. The secretary. tan. blond
girl entered hurricdly.
yes. Mr. Dewitt
III any more OF those Mt wits
come in, save them until Moss gets
back. Another one would drive mo
insare" he aid iuriously- I'm
nearly dead"
Eyes. STR" he girl answered
quickly and left the office to whis-
per 70 her colleague that "Napolean
Was on a rampage
TIE automobile dealer left his
desk to stretch his long legs. lie
glanced NJ his watch. Heavens. /
had no idea It was so late" he
reached hurriedly for his hat ard
left the office. He nodded careless.
ly to the employees as he closed the
door with bang and was just In
inc 10 hail the elevator going down.
II guess I'll have time 70 catch
Marian before she loses her tenn
per. She's usually late for lunch
anyway he thought as the eleva-
tor stopped al The main floor and
he stepped out into the spring sun
shine.
Curtiss DEWITT was a happily
married man. lie was proud OF his
pretty wife, Marian, and his equally
handsome children. Betty age ten.
and Curiiss ,fr. age u. Whenever
he thought Of his family DeWitts
heart spccdcd its tempo. lie was as
impatient as a lover 20 meet the
woman who had been his wife for
Il years.
The warm sunshine was like
tonic and Curtiss threw back his
broad shoulders and inhaled deep
IT, he stepped TO the curb ard held
10 his hand 10 attract the attention
OF a cruising taxicab. a large yell
low and white cab slowed up TO the
sidewalk Curtiss smiled and shook
his head. He had changed his mind.
Its a shame TO take a cab on
ane day like this. just TO ride three
blocks he thought 10 himself as
he went or down the street pushing
his way through the MONDAY crowd
II can ret 20 the hotel In less than
ter minutes with time 10 spare. es-
pecially II Marian keeps 10 her reg
ular schedule OF being fifteen TO
twenty minutes late
Dewitt was At his best today.
His irritability had vanished. and
warm feeling OF happiness per-
meated him as he strolled along.
He smiled at the crowd. for he was
in a friendly mood. Certainly fine
10 he alive and we'll on day Ike
this" he unused. Kind OF hard on
some poor devils 10 be out OF job,
maybe hungry" He thought again
OF Denton Wiley. "Egad." he spoke
straight from the shoulder. III he
was white would hire him."
Curtiss. deep in hts thoughts,
looked up just as he was passing
jewelry store. In the large win
dow resting on a rich velvet mat
wag gorgeous uncut emerald
stone. It's scintlllatirg beauty
caught his eye as the sun showercd
its rays upon It.
by george" he said as he stopped
suddenly before the window. MA
rian has a birthday next week. she
would love an emerald ring. She
has lots OF jewclry and rot an en-
erald among them. I'll change all