The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar

htly wooed, and yielding only to the most ardent pursuit. But eve

come porter and messenger in a barber-shop. This rise fired his ambition, and he was not content until he had learned to use the shears and the razor and had

o colonise, a tendency encouraged, and in fact compelled, by circumstances, they had gathered into o

g up the significant sign, "Equal Rights Barber-Shop." This legend was quite unnecessary, because there was only o

ole Negro quarter. He kept the illustrated and race journals there, and those who cared neither to talk nor listen to someone else might see pictured the doings of high society in very s

who at any time its delivery might be needed, could hand it over without hesitation. Asbury seemed that man, and they settled upon him. They gave him money, and they gave him power and patronage. He took it all silently and he carried out his bargain faithfully. His hands and his lips alike closed tightly when

self had done very little shaving-except of notes, to keep his hand in. His time had been otherwise employed. In the e

asked for admission to the bar. They felt that

you're not admitted, it'll hurt you with the people; if you are admi

d something into the judge's ear that made the old m

te, that's all. When we find a black man like you we send him

laughed co

n after, whether by merit or b

ck community. "Well, that's the way wit

they were destined to disappointment. He did not move uptown. He built an

ple who have done so much to

g them and I will

The people seized upon the statement as expres

lutions that extolled him, and the Negro band came around

the party managers chuckled with satisfac

failure is a matter of record. Robinson Asbury was not more successful. Bu

of processions when Mr. Asbury was blacking boots. Is it any wonder, then, that they viewed with alarm his sudden rise? They kept their counsel, however, and treated with him, for it was best. They allowed him his scope without open revolt until the day upon which he hung

too much like what it was for the gentlemen to show themselves in the matter, and so they took into their confidence Mr. Isaac Mor

exposed to the air. When the wily confederates came to him with their plan he believed that

uccess-flocked to the new man's standard. But whether the race be white or black, political vi

e and a menace to civilisation. They decided that he should be abolished; but, as they couldn't get out an injunction

nd heavy, Asbury," said

r me, but after a while I'll get so far

e best peopl

of the best people, but your vot

sion, with speechmaking in the afternoon and fireworks at night. It was the custom to concede the leadership of the coloured people of the town to the man who managed to lead

ebration, he suddenly became aware that he had a fight upon his hands. All the better-class Negroes

t's it, is it? Well, if they w

rty managers, and he had

said, "and I'll make 'em think the sky

it. So did the party managers. Asbur

de up of many people, many banners, and numerous bands. He did not have the best people. Indeed, among his cohorts there were a good many of the pronounced rag-tag and bobtail. B

uld be policy to placate his rival's just anger against him. H

e said, "you beat

other calmly. "It was only an inquiry as t

always thought that you were doing the wisest thing in living down here and catering to t

e their claims of

't get along without you, we see that. So I, for

s, that's wh

elp you at any time, why y

d in you. Be sure, if I ever ne

e ready to

d, and knitted his brow. "I wonder what Bingo's g

with reckless enthusiasm. He did the most daring things for the party's sake. Bingo, true to his promise, was ever at his

rgive Bingo and give him a chance. He let him in on a deal, and from th

waiting to do them. They were successful, and then the first cry of the defeated party was, a

ror at the suggestion that the Negro vote had been juggled with, as if that were a new thing. From their pulpits ministers denounced the machine and bade their hearers rise

to lay upon the altar of municipal reform. Their eyes fell upon Mr. Bingo. No, he was not big enough. His blood was too scant to wash away the political stains. Then they looked into ea

ome that he had not. When Mr. Bingo saw what was afoot he threw himself heart and

ed. The evidence was all against him, and no one gave more damaging testimony than his friend, Mr. Bingo. The judge's charge was fa

e a statement to make to the court.

son," said th

down, and sat transfixed by a sort of fascinated horror as the convicted man went on. The before-mentioned attorney drew a knife

illed," whispered

ns and outs of some of the misdemeanours of which he stood accused. He showed who were the me

tale of rottenness and corruption in high places

man who had been concerned in his downfall. They had shorn him of his strength, but they

ronounced sentence upon his old

dge knew what it was to wait for the sentence

away the judge hastened to

to tell you that you were no more guilty tha

were my friend," a

I've ever known since I've been in politics wh

u're about r

and enemies had succeeded in making him bear the burden of all the party's crimes, but their reform was hardly a success, and their protestations

y, and that even with Asbury out of his path he was a smaller man than he was before. Fate was strong against