The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1941-05-10
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EDITOR BROWN. OF the Negro
u weekly, was very much disturb
ed. Like Rev Barton he had read
the news item in the white news
paper a few days before. about the
building appropriations being out
by the mayor
The editor sensed somehow. that
the chance for the east side 10 ret
their school would be rather slim
with this sctup The mayor was
embarking on budget balancing
spree 10 catch votes.
Another item was causing him
concern. He had just received his
invitation 10 the Victory Banquet
to be held AT The Hotel Clifton.
Knowing the Hotel Cli'ion's man
ager. Emil Schmidt and his Negro
hating attitude. tho editor was puI-
zled, nay perturbcd.
He zealously guarded the integr-
ity OF Rev. Barton and his son.
Barry. II this school deal fell thru
both the Reverend and his son
would lose prestige to say moth
ing OF the losi confidence OF the
people. In HIS leadership.
To the editor it presented a seri-
Gus problem. lie wanted to talk TO
Barry about It but hesitated for
Barry seemed worried. and he felt
IL was the school problem bother
ing him For the editor didn't know
about his reporters growing fond
ness for Madeline Day. He knew
Barry was working hard on tho
case. assuming that Barry's intense
interest was mo'ivated by his DE-
sire 10 help someone In trouble
and depressed.
Upstairs in Barry's little office,
Dale weston. Madeline's attorney
was busy writing al the only desk
the little room afforded. while Bar
~ stood at the window Il oking de-
jectedly down on the slum infested
aroma I'm the street He saw mon
and women walking slowly up and
down the street Some OF them
stopped TO gaze into the store win
dows.
A furniture store window filled
With an odd assortment OF tables,
dressers and chairs. Next door was
a hardware store with its windows
displaying kitchen utensils as its
speciality OF the week.
A young man and woman, their
arms filled with brown bags. pass
ed the hardware store. The man
moved on but the woman paused
and touched the arm Of her com
panion. he came back and they
stood several minutes admiring a
tiny three wheel bike. II was paint
ed red. IT'S wire wheels clustered in
the afternoon sun.
The woman, moved It back and
fourth-th the man looked IL over
Then said something to the man
lie shook his head, the woman
opened a shabby purse. counted her
change Sadly she started 10 close
her pocketbook while he went thru
his pockets. After a few more min
utes, they picked UP the bike and
went into the store When they
came out the three wheel bike was
partly wrapped in brown paper. a
happy satisfied smile covered the
face OF the couple.
Barry could picture the squeale
OF delight from some small hoy
and The proud look his parents
would give him as he rode his hike
up and down the street. A sacrifice
for the young father and mother
yet one Of great Joy even though
u meant going without many things
they really needed.
a pretty brown girl crossed his
vision. Long brown hair swept her
shoulders and she walked proudly
with a sure dizziness as young
girl who knew where she was going
and was waiting no time getting
there.
She brought Madeline back to his
mind. He had tried so yailantly to
keep Madeline in the background of
his thoughts But so many things
kept her there.
Every young woman he saw
brought her 10 his mind. He found
himself comparing them 10 Made
line. Their eyes could be brown
or blue. or filled with hope and
gladness and AZ other times, only
sorrow and misery shown thru.
The things his father had said
still haunted him. You can Increase
her hurt. Barry" he had told him.
lie had meant 10 be kind She
was young woman OF his own race
without friends or money and she
needed someone.
How could he have known her
smile would do things 10 his heart
or that her voice would affect him
| like sweet strains OF music.