Part 21 (1/2)

THE NEGRO AND THE AUTOMOBILE

A white man wished to sell an old-time negro an automobile. To this end he took him a spin around the town. Soon something was in the way, and that ”honk-honk!” warning was sounded.

”Boss,” said the negro, ”I don' see no wil' geese 'roun' heah.”

As the automobile increased its speed the negro braced himself with his feet and gripped the seat with both hands.

”Is the machine running too fast?” asked the white man.

”I don' keer how fast you runs, but I does objects ter flying,” said the negro.

The automobile was stopped and the white man got out. The ”works”

continued with that ”chook-er-chook” sound. The negro, seeing that the wheels were not moving, sprang out excitedly.

”Will you buy the automobile?” asked the white man.

”No, suh,” said the negro. ”I don' buy no thing lack dat whut flies when hit's running, an' whut runs when hit's standing still. No, suh!

Good-by! I'se gone!”

FAITH IN THE WHITE FOLKS

It was night, and Elm Street was dimly lighted. From a negro eating-house that opened into the street came sounds of harsh voices and the rattling of pans. Rachel, the mulatto, who believed everything a white person did or said, and who tested all information with: ”Did de white folks say so?” was tugging at her little grandson, who was selling papers.

”I can't sell papers here, grandma.”

”Why, son?”