Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-08-08
NATIVE SON
By RICHARD WRIGHT

tell If you amt in 1T, too. If you
amt in it for your life, you'll tell"
NAV Bigger!" she whimpered
tenSely. At that moment she was
too scared even to cry.
You going to do what / say?"
She Wrenched herself free and
rolled across the bed and stood up
on the other side He ran round
the bed and followed her as she
backed into corner. His voice
Kissed from his throat:
q amt going to leave you behind
to snitchi''
q amt going TO srlitchl I swear
/ amt" -...-.-.
He held his face a few inches
from hers. he had TO bind her to
him.
Yeah; l killed the girl" he said.
Nov, you know. You got to help
me- You in it as deep as me! You
done spent some of the money
She sank to the bed again, Sob
bling, her breath catching in her
throat. He stood looking down at
her, waiting for her to quiet. When
she had control of herself, he lifted
her and stood her on her feet. He
reached under the pillow and
brought out the bottle and took
out the stopper and put his hand
round her and tilted her head.
Here's a shot,
Nav
Drink !"
He carried the bottle to her lips;
she drank small swallow, When
he attempted to put the bottle
away, she took it from him.
That's enough, now. You don't
want to get sloppy drunk"
He turned her loose and she lay
back on the bed, limp, Whimpering,
He bent to her.
Listen, Bessie"
Bigger, please! Don't do this to
me! Please! All I do is work,
work, like a dog From morning
till night. I amt got no happiness.
l amt never had none. I amt got
nothing and you do this to me,
After how good been to you. Now
you just spoil by whole life. I've
done everything for you I know
how and you do this to me. Please,
Bigger +" She turned her head
away and stared at the floor. Lord,
don't let this happen to me! I amt
done nothing for this to come to
me! just werkl I amt had no
happiness, no nothing. 1 just
work. I am black and I work and
don't bother nobody
60 on" Bigger said, nodding his
head affirmatively; he knew the
truth of all she spoke without her
telling it. Go on and see what
that gets you.''
But don't want to do it., Big
ger. They'll catch us. God knows
they will"
Il amt going to leave you here
to Snitch on me-"
Il won't tell. Honest, I won't. /
cross my heart and swear to God,
won't. You can run away.
paid rent out of what you gave me
and / bought some liquor. But the
rest is there
That amt enough 1 got to have
some real dough"
She cried again. He got the
knife and stood over her.
Il can stop it all right now, he
said. d. -.
She started up, her mouth open
ing to scream.
If you scream, I'll have TO kill
you. So help me God!"
Nav; nav! Bigger, don't! Don'tr'
Slowly his arm relaxed and hung
at his side; she fell to sobbing
again. He was afraid that he would
have to kill her before 1t was ali
over. She would not do to take
along, and he could not leave her
behind
"All right" he said. But you
better do the right thing"
He put the knife on the dresser
and got the flashlight from his
oyercoat pocket and then stood over
her with the letter and flashlight in
his hand.
Come on" he said. Get your
coat on"
MOI Conlgnt, Biggerl Not to-
night .
1T won't be tonight. But / got
to show you what to do"
But it's cold. It's showing {"
Sure. And nobody1l see us.
Come on!"
She pulled up; he watched her
struggle into her coat. Now and
then she paused and looked it him,
blinking back her tears. When she
was dressed, he put on his coat and
cap and led her to the street. The
air was thick with snow. The wind
blew hard. 1t was blizzard. The
street lamps were faint smudges of
yellow. They walked to the corner
and waited for a car.
ITO BE EONTINTJEnl M