PS 3501 .145 E8 1916 Copy 1 r EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES BY Prof. A. E. AIKEN AUTHOR RATTLE AND ROLL" About That Famous Game, Craps — 1899 YOU RUBBER NECK" Story Book — 1901 THE BIG- FIGHT,-JACK JOHNSON Song and Two-Step — 1910 TWENTY STORIES COMBINED This Book For Sale at 42 West 135th Street and at the News Stand, 135th Street and Lenox Avenue, New York City PRICE -, ^- 25 CENTS o\-uch an opening as this. I am surprise of you, you being such a Society man. Well Henry you know I ain not working and my money is very sliort, and my clothing is not up to date. I have got three suits, good ones too, but Uncle have them in care for me. Well Henr> , I would like you to tell me about the Opening of llie Lincoln. John you know I am not much of a Critic or Scholar, you know my lacking in education, but I will venture to tell you what I heard and seen at the Opening of the Lincoln; the Theatre was packed bottom and top with Society of every class. It being a very rainy night, 50U could not expect the ladies to be in their best robes, but yet the ladies in general appeared fine, and the gentlemen also. Before the curtain was raised for the Grand Opening, guess who came in for a box seat—the noted Klack Prince — Well, the entire audience applauded him with rapturous joy for his presence, well it was real enjoyment; the first time in my life, that I have ever witnessed anything of its kind among my race. Well the Manager Mr. Eugene Elmore appeared to the front dressed in' iis Full-dre.ss suit, which reallv fitted him for the occasion. He in- EXPOvSURR OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES troduced Lawyer McDougal, he made many complimentary re- marks to the Manager Mr. E. Eimore and many to his race, then the Editor of the Amsterdam News was introduced to the audience- He (Mr. .A.iiderson) spoke about five minutes congratulating Mr. K. Elmore for his great work for building such a fine Theatre for the colored people c-f N. Y., and only regretted that he and some ot" his brothers had the presence of mind to have done the same. After the Editor had finished his remarks Mr. J. C. Thomas was introduced by the Manager and presented with a bunch of keys. Mr. Thomas responded in a nice manner but quite brief. Rev. Bolden was then brought to the front and presented to ihe audience. He spoke about lo minutes. He is one of the Candidates aspiring for Assemblyman in this Fall Election. Now, Lawyer Frank Wheaton was introduced to the audience and he carried the house with oratory, and with his silver-tongued ' manner, be requested the audience to give three cheers for the Mai'.ager Mr. E. Elmore, and then rise and sing, "My country tis of thee" which was responded to immediately. His remarks were refreshing and fine. Mr. E. Elmore presented $200 in gold to be divided between four Colored Institutes in N. Y. C. God bless his generous gift. I overheard a conversation about the Lincoln, yes, by whom? Why I did not know them myself. Well, the conversation. Wei] what do you think of the talent produced at Lincoln, at its first opening. Well, some parts were very good. Miss Laura was up to date in singing, and her stage tactics really fine and nice too. How was the .Music? Well that can be improved. That is not quite up to date. There was quite a lackency in many of the mu- sicians, I regret that they were all females, I would say more, but I must handle them all gently, give them time and more practice and [ fc^el assured that thev will give satisfaction. 10 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES Chapter IV. Well Eugene, I am really much surprise about Robert, Why, about these Harlem Fashion Plates, vvell-dres-std men, these cor- ner-mashers, and do-nothing, men that never work, but are trying to work ever}' person they meet, well Eugene I cannot see how they live, I meet a bunch of them every day and most of them always want to borrow a dime or more, they are always hard up: well, how do they make such a good appearance general!}, why that is a puzzle to many, I don't know you. Well Robert I stopped in at Nick's Toggery Store a few days ago to purchase some winter underwear and while waiting my turn, in came three professionals, Harltm nia.'-heis vhcni I knew personally, well Mr. Nichols and his Assistant disposed of me quickly, I had only bought a suit of Underwear, but I onh' waited to see what these fellows would buy, well I was really surprised, each of them bought 6 pairs of underwear, 6 dress shirt •^, i dozen collars, 6 neck ties, 6 pairs of socks, well I was so surprised until I felt ashamed of myself. Mr. Nichols was more than courteous, he handled them nicely with his politeness and inviting manners, well, how they do it, that is a puzzle, but I was convinced that it is not the man that has a job as porter, bell men or elevator mati is the man that spends the money and these Toggery going, take it from me. Mr. Nichols keeps up-to-date goods, no better in Harlem. I know good material when I see them. Nick has removed, is still in 135th Street, but near the corner Lenox Ave., next to the Con- fectionery Store, Chapter V. Oh Minnie, I am so glad I came up Lenox Avenue, I was on my way to your house to tell you something. What is it May? Yesterday I was for a stroll, yes a little exercise, being housed al^ day, I felt like it, yes, whilst coming through 135th Street I met Edith Wells, you did^ Yes. How did she look, swell? As usual No no, she looked shabby. You don't tell me that she was not nicely dressed. Indeed she looked wretched. Oh, I pity her con- EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES II dition, she has got no ambition; she seems to have lost all courage since she lost her mother. You know how neat, and sweet she always appeared, especiall}- on the Street. Well, I looked her over and over; her shoes were torn on the side heel of one, a dirty collar, cuffs look dingy, and an old hat on, that looked like the style 1700. I really felt ashamed to talk to her, but I did not want her to feel slighted, because a few years ago I was delighted to be in her company, well she had a lot to tell me about her troubles and mishaps. Yes man, In love I suppose. Yes, you guessed it. She loved Charles Armstrong but he did not love her Oh, she is wild about him; she told me she is willing to die for him. My God! Charles comes to my house every day. I know that too, that is why I am so glad I met you. I was to put you on your guard, she was looking for Charles when I met her, and asked me, had I seen him; why I had just left him. Yes I knew it. Now look out for yourself and don't go out with him as you have been doing. Goodbye May. Chapter VL Why Miss Lizzie, who or where do you have your Laundry done? Ls that any of your business Mr. Rediiose? Well no it is not, but your linen looks so fringy and rough that I am really ashamed to escort you to Church. Are you? Who does your laundry work? Now see here Mr. Rednose, if you don't care to escort me, you can go; they are plenty of others, better looking than you are, that is dying or praying for my company. Is that so Miss Lizzie? Well see here, you begged my sister Julia, to in- troduce me to you and as she did, you kissed me and put your arms around my neck and told me you love me on sight, am I telling the truth or not? Yes I did, Mr. Rednose. Well then I have a right to ask you anything; most of you girls are very thoughtless they want all the priveleges they can; say or ask a man anything, but he must not ask anything about them. They are inclined to have the suffragist fever in them. It is a man's place to rule a woman, James or ask me any question too. I know that but some men want to know too much 12 EXrOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES of a vvo:n Ill's bu-iiness. Well Lizzie, I want you to change your laiMclry, stop taking it aroutid the corner to Pan Handle Laundry take it hereafter to the Star Laundry on 135th Street, two sisters run that Laundry and they give any one fine work. Yes Mr. Ped- nose I know them well. Yes, do you? I started with them some years ago when they first started business in the basement. Yes why did you stop. Did they suit you? O yes, but I had a reason to. Please tell me why Miss Lizzie. I don't want to bring up the past. Oh, please Miss Lizzie tell, I would like to know your reason. Well Mr. Rednose one morning I had my soiled linen going direct to these two sisters and I met Mr. W'oods. and he would go with me, I tried my best not to let him, but he would go, he would go with me. You know what a sweet fellow he is. Oh yes; well I went in with my escort Mr. Woods, with my linen, and both sisters paid no attention to me at all, but be- gan talking to Mr. Woods about his laundry; Oh, I was so mad, I could have slapped their jaws. Oh they are both fuH of business. Oh yes! yes! No wonder they move out of the basement up in a store. Anyhow I wish them good Inck and a plenty of work too. Chapter V'll Oh Mr. Johnson, I am so hungry I must get something to eat. Well Miss, I am feeling somewhat that way myself. I am a stranger in Harlem — I don't no much about any of these restau- rants, nor their services; but I have heard about a Resturant, by the name of Rose's Restaurant a very famous place for a celebrat- ed Corn Beef Hash. He has two places one in X35th Street, and one on Lenox Avenue. Say — little boy; where are Mr. Rose Restaurants; about here? Right down the Street, there Mr. — -see that sign the Cresent Theatre : Yes, next door to that. Thanks, thank you. For your information, we entered this fameous restaurant and was finely served — I wonder why us colored people piefer going in a White Man's place, when you can get such service given by your own people. This I really feel ashamed; I have travelled extensively all parts of this country, and really the service at Mr. Rose's Restaurant cannot be beaten, baring none. EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 3 Chapter ,TlII Hello George! Where are you going in such a hurry ? I am going to McDonald the Tailor to order a new suit! Yes, why he is a White man's Tailor! Yes — he does all of my work. It is a shame on you; Why don't you help these colored tailors along such men as G. A. Brambill and C. J. Patrick; both of these Gentlemen I know personally, and they can cut and fit you as good as any White Tailor in New York; give them a chance, don't be so pre- judice, the White Tailors have got the world tied up, and New York too. Well James, you have said much about Mr. Brambill and Mr. Patrick too, but let me speak my peace now. Yes, yes turn it on, I am waiting on 3'ou. My reason forgoing to this White Tailor I can stand him off. Oh you work on the installment plan. Not exactly but next to it. Yes I see, and you can't stand these colored tailors oh no — jou must put up or shut up one or the other I see your reason reason George. Chapter IJC .JAIVITOR I am so glad Jane — About what? Why the Landlord has changed the Janitor! What ? Yes indeed he is gone; I saw him moving out last night about 12 o'clock Why as late as that? yes, his Furniture was an awful sight. No wonder he moved at mid-night. I don't think he had apiece that the Junk man would give him 25 cents for. Oh Jane such luggage was disgraceful. I don't blame him for moving at night: — He was so me^n to the Tenants, about once a week, you have hot water, no light in the halls, until he got ready, the halls are always dirty — they look like a horse-table, your garbage he would call for when he got ready, and impudent and saucy too» always looking for a dime for what, nothing. Why one night a week ago; I had Mr. Fog Leg and Mr. Broken Nose. Those Musicians? Yes; and a few friends of mine. Well just a social gathering. We had a One Step, a Waltz and was about to put on the Schottische. when a rap came on my door I opened it, and the dirty mean low contemptible Janitor — that I 14 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETV AND SOCIETIES must stop entertaining at that hour, or else I would have to move. Well Kate, right there you should bless him. Did you? No I did not bless him, but I took that broom stick and pounded him way down to the basement. Now let the Agent or Landloid .^ay a word to me, and I am ready to move. I dare him say a word to me. Why janitors dont know their places, they are servants, not to dictate to Tenants that pay their money on the ist and 15th; I dont blame you Jane, I have had similar trouble at my house with the Janitor; but thank God the Agent or Landlord is around every day, and if you say one word against the Janitor he is gone, and a new one in his place. Chapter X Why Julius, you seem to be in a hurry ! Yes, I am. I have been away from home six weeks ; What! Yes indeed I have. I have been to the Panama Celebration, and to stop me crossing too! Where is that last place. I dont know, that is the name given me. All I know you ride day and night, and don't say anything to any one: ev^ery person must act dtimb. You can't eat, nor sleep; wnat the conductor changes ever}- two minutes; what as fast as that! Yes? Indeed it seems to me it was only a minute. Well you don't have any chance to do anything! No, you do not. Plenty of money in sight, but oh my; nothing doing. How are the tips? Well you can brush them off, take their luggage from the car, but don't get a tip. Why that is awful. Yes, worse than that Well Peter, yon luve been a porter for years. Yes,- 15 years John have you saved anything! No Peter, I have not: Why vou have made enough money in 15 years to own your own House in Harlem: — Yes two homes and a good bank account too, but I have been foolish, you see like many others. Peter I only wish that I had my time over again. Why any dumb porter 15 years ago could make $25.00 a trip; sometimes 2 and 3 trips a week. Are you married John! Oh yes Peter for years. And are you sorry for your past negligence? Yes John, I do regret, for many reason: I am getting old now, and nothing have I saved, but having a good time on this end and the other end, and sometime in the middle too. EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 5 Well Jane, who did you marry, a porter? Yes. You was always lucky; I have tried all of my life to get a rail road porter, but never could. Jane you don't have to work: No, no, indeed never. Society lady was she. Oh, how many societies was she a member of? Seven different ones; What? Yes. Peter, why she was always •out, no matter when I came home, she was out: day or night; didynitryto stop her? Yes, yes. John I tried for years but could not break her, and when she was at home, the house would be full of Society friends; men and women. Oh this society will ruin any mans house and pocket too : she was also very fond of music too. They was a fellow played the piano and another one that played the violin, and another that played a little round thing looked like a banjo, Every time I came home these fellows was there. One morning about half past four o'clock I happened in quite unexpected: and oh my. Chapter XI. Oh Mary, I saw you at cluirch last night; how did you like Rev. Jim Cracker's Sermon? Well \frs. Eles, he was no good, he caii't preach, he is no good; I was sorr}- I happen in the church. Why he told the back-sliders and the hypocrites, the truth, and especially the liars, such as you are, talking about every body, and no one can suit you, not even a preacher. Why that Rev, Jim Cracker don't know anything about grammar, his language is bid, and his speech wretched; Oh he is no good, he shouts, mocks the bible and threw it on the lloor, stands on the blessed book of God. You want to tell me he is a preacher? I say no. He took his text in John the Baptist: shouted on and on. I see the lamb, What lamb did he see? The lamb that Mary had, oh he can't preach he is like some of these Harlem preacher; would if he could. Too many now can't preach in Harlem. Now, we should turn many of them out and let them work and eat green grass. Stop feeding them, let some of them go to work: yes turn them out, they have been living easy too long. Some of these preachers are not fit to be in a pulpit, tliey drink beer and whisky too, I saw one the other night, called Uncle Joe. and thought there was something going wrong, and I began to peep through the l-:ey hole and both was on their knees. What was thev doing ? I don't know, but l6 KXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES I thought they was praying, but oh — Why to my surprise Uncle Joe got up and turned the lights on, and I could see:plainly. This Rev. Bro. took from his pocket, three quarts of whisky fifteen bottles of beer, two bottles of brandy: and oh me such a time. Uncle Joe and this Rev. had. Well I got tired peeping, so I went to bed, and in the morning, I woke early, I hearing some- thing in the room snoring very loud ! and who was their? Uncle Joe and the Rev. gentleman full as a tick. Now do you feel that such doing is right for a preacher? I say no, no : too many false preachers and too many false chrisitians too. Stop, stop taking. God will show you up some da v. Chapter XII OI>r> FKLLOWS I am sorry that my son is about to join the Odd Fellows- Is that so Uncle Jess. Yes, he goes in next week. What num- ber? 41 144 of course. All fine class of men, I know all of them. That is the strongest and biggest lodge in New York, 6,000 members: my, my. pa — that is surely some lodge. Yes boy, and they are all rich men too. They don't take in any trashy men in that you bet. Why I joined that lodge 30 years ago. Pa, and are you an Odd Fellow ? Yes boy, before you were born. Well Pa, can't you tell me some of the secrets, you; No I won't give them away boy, you are my son, but I am afraid to trust you — you need not be; you have trusted me with many secrets and I have never told any one. Yes boy, you are talking the truth. Pa, I waut you to put me wise; so I will be on my guard the i^.ight I am initiated. Yes boy, if you will promise me that you will be true to me and your God, I may trust you. Yes Pa, you can ; W^ell boy these secrets keep to yourself. Yes sir I will, SECRETS Well my son, I am sorry and glad too, that you are going in the Odd Fellows for many reasons, which I will tell you by and by. Now you must not eat any beef or pork, or chicken, nor drink any beer nor whiskj', for one week, prior, to you going into the lodge. Why Pa? yoU know that half shoulder of beef, you and I stole from the butcher shop 6 months ago ! Yes Pa, I do. I sold it to that lodge- Yes ? And you remember that hog cross eyed EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 7 Jim missed? Yes Pa, I stole it, and sold it to the lodge. Is that so pa? yes boy, and you remember all those chickens that Mr. W. Jones lost nine years ago: I stole them and sold them to the lodge. Is that so pa? Why you have been stealing a long time. Yes boy, getting ready for you boy. The lodge will prepare a big lunch for its new members, so be ready to devour everything free that night. Now boy, I will give you the secrets of any Odd Fellow's Lodge. That is what I want pa, yes — when the ten men come out to you and ask you this question. They will say to you, Sir which room do you want: the red room or the blue room! You say quick the red room please sir. Then they will ask you why; just say because I was born in a red room. As soon as you say this, you will be thrown into a black room, you can't see anything but blackness, every thing dark; a voice will say to you pray, and say the Lord's Prayer backward. Well, just here, being excited, it will be hard to remember the prayer frontward, but do the best you can boy, this is your trjnng time; some one will rap on the iron door and ask you if you are ready, jsay no, not yet. Why tell him to give you time, and as soon as you say that, a big green light will appear over your head and a voice like thunder will say come, come; are you ready! Say yes I am. You will be taken by force in a blue room and put on a goat; but be sure and call him bill three times, now dont for- get that; say it easy, don't let any of them hear you say Bill, this goat will go around the room four times with you, look-out when he stops, hold on to his horns, and hold him good and tight too; if not you will have trouble; he will bruise you up sure. Now boy keep this secret; I have a lot more to tell you; but I think this is enough for you now. I wish you good luck, and when you hear some one say, make him pray again; look out, you will be standing on your head. Oh Pa, how can I stand such treatment! You must be a man, don't flinch; be true to your color boy. 1 8 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AXD SOCIETIES Chapter XIII Who is this Chas H. Anderson? Henry? Why dont you know him! No I do not Henry, my wife is always talking about Mr, Anderson, do you know him? Oh yes, well he is a great Dancing Master, he can fill any hall in New York. What he is, a dancing master? Yes a first-class one too. Well I thought your wife was a christian. Yes she says she is. Why, does her church allows her to attend a dancing class? Well I dont know much about that George, I am afraid to say a word about her going to dancing school, if I did, I would have no home. Why can't you rule your wife? Yes in some things I can, but if I say anything about Mr, C. Anderson, I had better take my hat up and go for a long walk. Is that so Henry? yes, indeed this Mr. Anderson has got her gone, yes crazy. Oh no Henry, he is a gentleman of the first type. She is not stuck on him, but those new dances he produces. Do you think it is that? Oh yes Henry. Well I an: very glad that you have explained it to me, because I intended to split him and do it good the first time T met him. Why Henry, he filled the Ca- sino on Oct. 2nd, 1400 persons attended his opening, never, never before has any dancing master done such. He is a wonder. Chapter XIV DOCTOPC Oh Mary, run for a doctor! For what? Charles my husband is very ill. Oh let him die, he is so mean to you, I would not help him if I could. Oh dont say that Mary he is a good man. Yes, you can call him good, but anytime a man gives me a black eye, goodbye for him and I, no more darling and sugar then for him, and I just look at your face, now your eyes are black, and your face bruised and you want me to go for a doctor, you need one more than hedoes. I'm ashamed of many of my woman. Stand up for your right. Join the suffragists, be a woman on dying, trying now let your husband die, I would not call a doctor for him. Oh Mary please call Dr. Jboheam, he is right across the street. Oh I will, he will put an end to his misery, he is noted for that; any- time you get him just say goodbye I am gone. EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 1 9 Chapter X V ACTORS AIVO ACTRESSES Say Julia, what kind of an Actress is Helen Jones? Why have you never heard her on the stage? Well Mary she is making $50 a week sometimes and many weeks and month nothing; she never gets the second engagement. W^hy Julia? Because she is no good she squeels and barks like any pussy cat, but she thinks she is singing. Is that so? Oh ^he is not in it at all. Where did she get her musical education, abroad? Yes, you can call it abroad, if you want to, her mother had her over in Brooklyn with her aunt; they bluff every body that she was abroad. Well, well that is news to me Julia. Well I know more too. about her? Yes. Oh hush Julia here is Mr Ford coming, does he know her? Oh yes. Good afternoon ladies, I am pleased to meet you; been having a nice time I suppose. Oh no, Mr. Ford just a little business, shop- ping; Mr. P'ord how is your old friend Miss Jones? Oh she was quite well when I saw her last. But have you heard of her trou- bles? No, no. Why she was hissed off the stage the other night. Oh my! And many other pretenders time is coming soon. They had better go to work and stop faking, they can fake some of the.se managers, but they cant fake the audience all the time. Look out your time is coming soon, I see so many lying around, so-called actors and actresses hard up too. Don't you know the cause? No they have been in the scales and were found lacken; I feel sorry for many. Cliapter XJV BARBERS Dont he looks dirty about the face? Yes he needs a barber, why his hair needs cutting too, and a shave too. James, who is he? Why dont you know him. No, do you? Yes every one knows him in Harlem, he is a noted character. Is he? Well if I had a reputation like that I certainly would not rob the baiber like that, having four weeks beard on my face and ten months growth of hair on my head. He is John Bibleon. Oh yes, I kuow now, he tries to be a politician, tries to make speeches. Why he 20 EXPOSURE OF 'negro SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES dont know enough, he thinks be is it, but he is not; i pity the fel- low, he is swell headed like many others around here think they know it all. Why I remember him now, I met him in a Barber shop on 135th Street one day and he had the poor barbers lit up, the whole shop was a blaze, yes he was trying to convert the boss barber to be a Democrat. Yes, well some of the. on shave at? Any shop as long as they give me service; you look at my face and see how smooth my skin looks. Yes it looks nice; be- cause I get good-barber service. Go to Slips the barber, he keeps good barbers, yes and they are not looking for a tip, and will give you good service too, but slip the barber a dime once in a while. Chapter XVII .- - Have you seen my friend, Jim Brown pass here? Yes he has just passed us. Well, is he your friend. Is he a friend of } ours? You are the only man in Harlem that can say he is a friend. I have known Jim Brown for years he is the biggest liar, thief, and cut throat, he will do any body, there are many such Browns in Har- lem. Yes plenty of rhem, they should be put on the Island, why I saw a Jim Brown in church last Sunday, when the usher was taking up the collection, put one cent in the plate and took a dime out. Well its a shame and all such Jim Browns should be locked up, why these Jim Browns have got harlem tied up. A. T. Anderson is a Furniture dealer on 135th Street and one of these Jim Browns called and ordered $300 worth of furniture with a guarantee of paying weekly the sum of $2.00. Mrs. Jim Brown did pay one week and then moved at night; these Jim Browns are awful, they will lie and take your goods away from you EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 21 too, and fight you when you catch them. Why Mrs. Jim Brown I met the other day on Lenox Avenue, dressed in the latest style, oh, she had on too much. She was over dressed. I saw a Jew Collector running down the Avenue on one side and a woman on the other and a crowd following both, well I stopped to see what was the trouble, well to my surprise they were looking for this Mr.«. Jim Brown. She had been in his store and fitted herself with a new dress, shoes, hat, furs, and jumped the back fence. Well these Jim Browns come in all shapes. Some are men and some are women. Yes I know a Jim Brown too, that goes a" round beating all the lodging houses, he will pay for the first week but look out for the second, he leaves his trunk or satchel, but you wouldnt find anything in them, so please look out for these Jim Browns and they are always around trying to borrow a dime or two bits. Now I have warned } on so look out for Mr. or Mrs. Jim Brown, they are out looking for you, keep both eyes open, they have caught me more than once, many of these Jim Browns are members of society or ledges in Greater N. Y., and if they cant have their way in these lodges or societies, they will make trouble They must rule, no one is right; a point comes up, which is not debatable, but Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown are always ready to stop debate oa any question; they know it all and no one in the lodge room knows anything. In every society you can meet Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown. The rules or by-laws are not regarded by them; they dont care a^out any rules, dont regard the presiding Officer, but do and say any- thing they please; I say cut Mr. & Mrs. Jim Brown out of these Societies and Lodges and you will have more order and decorum. Take it from me; too much debate in lodges and society meeting by having so many Mr. & Mis. Jim Browns. They will tell you and make you believe that they are graduates in these societies and lo Iges but dont you let them bluff you; some of them dont know how to spell their names or these lodges. Masons, Odd Fel- lows, Good Samaritans, Knights of Pythias, Fishermen ard Household of Ruth, throw out Mr. and Mrs. Jim Brown and your society will prosper, 22 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES This Mr, and Mrs. Jim Brown are in all Societies and Lodges, they know everything and dont know much, but they will bluff you, they will make you think and believe that they know all tlie laws in the United States and Cushion's Manuel too, but dont stand for it. They are there to do you. I have put you on your guard. Goodbye The Prof. Chapter XVIII m:oxjthy I wonder how Jane and her lister Henrietta dres^^es so, they have always got something new and jut-t in the latest fashion, Julia I dont know, they have always been a puzzle to us girls; her father does'nt work and their Brothers one is off, I mean brainless, and the other has both hands off, and their mother takes in wash- ing. Well, I tell you there is a screw loose some where about those sisters, both of them are ugly, as the d . . . . Big feet and they wear No. 8 shoes and 6/2 gloves. Is that so Jane? Yes indeed, I tell you all the boys speak about them, they wont even take their hats off to them on the Street, you know if a man or gentle- man meets you in the street and dont take his hat off his head and bow it is an insult. Yes, oh, I did not know that until a few days ago. Yes my sweet has given me many secret points about men: if they dont take their hats off, they do not respect you. Is that so? Oh yes, well here comes the darling brothers, see if they will take their hats off to us. Hello girls! What are both doing here? raishing; All the boys I suppose. Well, we wont mash you, I will assure you, dont come to us and hello at us, please to take your hats off when you approach us, otherwise keep on mov- ving sirs, dont forget that, oh aint they fresh; I called them down plain and nice. Oh you must be plain and frank with such class of men. Yes you were. Why the idea of them helloing at us instead of taking their hats off as soon as they came up to us. I have given them a lesson that they wont forget. Yes indeed. See here, did you hear how Mrs, Gibson's husband made out? What is the matter with him? Oh Jane, have'nt you heard about him? No, I have'nt. Weil he worked at Delmore and the Cash- EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 23 ier was taken sick and the boss put him to act as cashier and he stole all the money and skipped. He has always been a thief, he was in prison twice in one year. Is that so? Oh yes, he cant help it, he is a born thief and his son John is just like him; he is in the tombs too. For what? Fooling Miss Jameison, he promised to marry her but failed to be on hand at the appointed time and he was jailed. Is that so? Yes. Who have they got to represent them in court? Lawyer S. G. Lamblight. My God he is no good why he had my cousin John got in trpuble about that ham bone that he took from the Hotel where he worked and was arrested, and locked up; 3 months. Mother and I got this. Lawyer S. G. Lamblight to take the attorney's part, being a lawyer, at the bar; well the trial came up, when the judge asked my brother what he had to say, he said his lawyer would state his case briefly to you, your honor judge. Well who is your lawyer? S. G. Lamblight. Well what you to say about yourcleins for stealing a ham bone from the hotel where he worked. Judge, your hoijor, I say he had a right to take the ham bone judge. Is that so? Well I will show you that I have got a right to send him to Blackwell Island for 6 months too, and if you dont get out here quick, I will give you one year you d . . . . fool, when you get in trouble, look out for a lawyer that knows the law, dont get a dummy, lots of them are in Harlem. Why uncle Joe, had his coat stolen from him two weeks ago, and that Jim Brown was caught with it on, and Uncle had him ar- rested. When his trial came up his Lawj'er a supposed good coun- sel, Mr. D. C. Lighthouse and said: Judge your honor sir, My client had a right to take that man's coat; the judge said, why had he the right lawyer? Because he called him a thief before he was convicted or tried. Say Lawyer, your client was caught with the coat on; dont you know better than that Lawyer. Judge your honor, even if he were, my client had no coat of his own to wear that was the reason he wore that coat; uncle had his coat keeping for him. Well Councellor I will give your client one year in pene- teniary and you two years and an half for not knowing the law better. Well this discussion from the judge startled the court. Everybody felt that this noted harltm lawyer was up-to-date in law practice. vSo my friends look for these ham fat pretended iawyers of harlem. 24 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES Chapter XIX. Well John, I heard that you are about to leave home for New York. Yes Henr}', I am going. Are you going to take your wife? No by no means. Well, what about your children. Let them stay here too; Jamaica is good enough for them, I was born here in the Indies and I am sick of it. I feel that I am called to go to New York, oh some place in the north, but I prefer New York City for some reason I dont know. Why.^ Well John the col- ored people in New York are quite bright and wise, I dont think that you are quite fit for their society; they are educated, but nothing like trying, go on boy, I give you credit; when are you going? To-morrow Henry, on the steamer Lookout. Why John that is a bad luck ship, it had an awful time reaching New York on her last trip, why the captain had to throw half of her cargo overboard and passengers too, a thousand men and two thousand women lost their lives. My is that so? Yes, why dont you read the papers sometimes. I do, but not often Henry. You cant be up- to-date if you done read the daily papers, you must read and re- member too. Well I am not sufhcitnlly fdiicattd io understand what I read. Well use your brain, what God has given \ ou put it in use, they are so many of us that has got talent but dont use it. Why I only went to school ten days. What John? Yes, I dont take a back seat for a Howard Universitj', or Fisk or Tus- kegie or Hampton graduates, now take it from me, read regular, stop sleeping so much. Let the young ladies rest, dont get stuck so soon, keep boose out of your brain and you will find a differ- ence with your manliness. Well John, dont forget me when you get to New York. No Henry I wont. Write to me as soon as you get there. Yes I will Henry. When do you go aboard to-morrow Two? o'clock. Well goodbye John dont forget me. No Henry I wont. Tool toot, goodbye boys goodbye. Three days on the high seas was awful, I got sea-sick and I was sorry that I had left home for New York. Oh my God I thought I would have died. Sea-sick is an awful dose. Well in EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 25 a few days after I arrived in New York I began to feel better; oh Henry I dont want any more such sickness. Well dear friend I must tell you about New York, Henry it is all right in every re- spect, everybody's doing it from the youngest to the oldest is in time. As soon as I arrived in New York, I got a job, well to tell the trutli I had not left the dock when a man drove up and en" quired if there was any West Indians aboard that ship that want- ed work. I overheard this and I jumped up and told him that was mi2h in need of work, I only had 60 cents after paying my fare to New York in the boat, well he looked at me and sized me up and took my name and told me when to call on him; well I was delighted, I had'nt enough money to pay for a week's lodging which you must produce as soon as you get a room in New York. Well I inquired of the madam Mrs. Lambig, oh only $3,00 a week for this room, I have a room up-stairs for $5.50 per week, would you like to see that.^ Oh no this one is good enough for me. Well all I had in my pocket was 60 cents, my trunk was on the steamer and the check was in my pockets. I said to the Mad- am, can you cash a check for $210? No sir I cannot, your word is Jool enough for me. Well how I learned to lie so soon, I cannot tell; I took this room for $3.00 a week and board and laundry, and once in a while would borrow 25 or 50 cents off the Madam, well, I had struck a good thing and I nursed it too. The Madam— Yon seem to be a stranger. Yes Mrs. Lambig, I am just from the West Indies. Yes! I thought so, from your ut- terance or pronunciation. Well I am so glad that you came to my house, yes, I am more than glad, I hope you will be contented and he pleased, I will do anything for you to make you happy. Thank you Mrs, Lambig, I will assure you there will be nothing too good for me to return your kindness. I liked her ever so much, right here I made a hit. I was hungry until I felt like fainting and only 60 cents in my pocket, but I had bluffed the Madam, Oh yes, I had asked her to cash a check for $210; I had shown her a piece of paper which looked like a check. Mr. John Lier is your name? Yes Mrs. Lambig. Are you hungry? Some what so Madam, I could not eat aboard the ship, I was too sick. Yes, Mr. Lier, I 26 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES feel for you, I know what an awful feeling seasickness gives one. Yes mv house keeper will have luneh soon, Mr. Lier, just wait a few minutes more. Well what luck I had struck, bluffing m\' way in New York City. Well Mrs. Lainbig, I suppose your rent for such an apart- ment is not much in this fine citv. Harlem, Oh everybody in harlem has to pay very high rent, these coloied agents raise our rent three and four time a month. Oh, it is awful. We can scarcely live, and they have no mercy, why they if call on you fir.st and you say you are not ready to meet him with a part or half of your rent, why when he comes back in two or three hours, you had better give him some money or your house will be torn up and your things put on the side walk too, they call it a disposess here, what do they call that at your home, Jamaica? Oh, we dotit hive anything like that in the West Indies. No? I would like for you to tell me about your home customs. Oh sure- ly, some day Mrs. Lambig. Mrs. Lambig, who is this Jack Johnson, I have been hearing about the last lo years or more? Was he a white man? What! you dont know who he was, I really do not, that is why I ask. Well, well, I thought all the West Indians knew him. Where are you from? Jamaica? Well you are surely a dumb fool; he was and is a black man and black indeed, he whipped Jeffrey for the championship of the world in 1910. Yes I thougtit he was a white man. No he is as black as black can be; you know Mr. John I thought you were up-to-date, why you are not in it at all. Well Mrs. Lambig we dont get thi newspapers in Jamaica but once a month and then the news is stale or old. Yes, Mr. John, you should know better, the idea, man looking as nice as you, from Ja. maica, and ask me: who was Jack Johnson, was he a white man, please get out of my house as soon as you can, you owe me for six months board and lodging but you can keep that for your wife and children that you left in Jamaica, West Indies. Why, who told yoti that I was married? Your friend Mr. Henry, I found a letter of yours from him, and I wrote to him about yoti and he told me you were a married man and you left your wife and 3 chil- dren in Jamaica. Who? Mr. Henry your friend. W^ell see what EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 27 a friend could do; he will give your secrets away; never will I trust another friend again, never, never. Mrs. Lanibig, why do the mulatto and the brown people dis- like the blacks? Why because they are fools like you, and they dont know anything, they dont know enough to get out of a rain- storm, they should remember that they came in this world through the black people and not the white. Yes, Mrs. Lambig, you are right, we say the whites are prejudice, but we are more so. Why? I was on the corner of Lenox Ave., and 135th street last Sunday and I heard a mulatto woman and a brown skin man said: Oh, he is black! Well I knew they meant me because I know I look like the ace of spades, but it is not my fault or blame, God our Father, Stop stop standing on color, stop, be refine, keep a character, be gentle; it will take a long ways up, Mr. John Lier, why most of you West Indians comes to our blessed city and make good livings get all the good jobs. Mo^t of you dress fine and that is all; Why dont you go down to City Hall and get your naturalization papers out. No, no. You would rather dress up and stand on the corner in Harlem and dont regard our ladies and your own- Now boys, take this from me, I am an old woman, but I know a thing or two, let us be united, come together, be one, we are all negroes, no matter where we are from, let us join hands, be- true friends now and forever. Amen. Amen P. S. — I overheard Sally telling George that no woman knows who she loves, until she gets married. What do you think about that? why do you ask me such a question? Because you have been married 10 times to my knowledge, you have buried six to my knowledge and God knows where the other four are. Well see here Sally. If I did not know you so long, I would take that ques- tion as an insult. Yes I would. Well tell me the truth wont you? Oh yes, Lucy is right, a woman cant tell much about love until she gets married, for many reasons, the man she marries may be ever so good and kind and sweet too, but as soon as something happens that she does not like, she would begin to think about James or Eugene or one of her old lovers, now this is true girls, take it from me. 28 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES lyUcy has'nt Sally a lovely head of hair. Yes, indeed she htis, I wonder is it her own? Yes indeed it is, I was with her when she bought it, she paid $i.oo for that wig and it fits nicely too. Well, well, I thought it was her own. It is, she bought it. A SPECIAL STORY Mr. Mouthy, well have you read the newspapers this morning? No Sir, I have just come out of the house. Yes, I notice there are several deaths on this street, yes sir, 400 on Lenox Avenue, yesterday too, I heard that Mr. J. Rockefeller was dead and Mr. Gould too, one of the Astors was very ill. Those names dont sound like colored people's names. No, but we have so many pre- tenders among us that we give them high fly names, those names. Is that so? Why, you are not up-to-date. Well I am pleased that you have learnt me something this morning. You bet we name them those names to classify them, why as soon as they get a government job, or get a job as a doorman at some of those big stores, why goodbye: They would not speak to their Bro. on the streets. Yes Mr. Mouthy you are right, why my own brother got a job as a porter, several months ago, and I met him the other day, with an uniform on and I bowed to him, and God knows, I am telling the truth, he would not speak to mc; again he has left our old home, where sister, he and I have shared our mothers love until he got this brass button job, oh these jobs do change them, some others that are not worthy of his earnings get the ben- efit; poor mother, sister and I take it to heart so much, but re- member, no matter how high a bird flies, he must come down some day. Brother, think of your old home, you may yet regret and be pleased to return. Well Jenkin, I saw on Mr. & Mrs. Gibson; Crepe, which signifies death is in the family, oh yes Mr. Mouthy, why Mr. Gib- son died last night. What boy? Yes Sir, what he died with, too much boose and chicken, you know he was always 3 sheets in the EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 29 wind or half full of boose all the time, he would get his money on the first of the month and before he could reach home the boys would have him lull. Oh yes boy, all of these harlem pimps are looking for a soft thing; why if his wife did not go and lay for him on the r 5th of the month, the boys would stay for him and start him off with one knock-out drink. Say boy, what do you mean to say about a knock-out. Why dont you know? I do not. Boy. you are greener than I thought you were; I must take >ou to some BuiTet flat in Harlem, they are waiting for all such as you are. Well boy, who has the funeral of Mr. Gibson? I mean the Undertaker. Why Mr. Z. G. Hezelwell. Oh, my God, I am sor- ry for the widow, he wont leave her enough money to buy a meal with. I know him, why he will give her a pine box coffin and sware it is mahogany, will charge her $300 for it. Yes I know him he is a member of my lodge, oh he is a rascal. Yes boy I am sorry for the widow. Was Mr. Gibson a society man? Oh yes sir, he was a member of 17 societies, and 13 different lodges. My the old gal must have some change left, I must call soon. Good- bye boy. Say boy, who are these fellows all dre.s^ed up every day with kid gloves on? Cane in their hands standing on these corners. Why dont you know them never workers, but will work you or make you work, oh thanks. Goodbye. Boy you have given me a few points too. Well boy who is that n:an over theie with that lady? Oh that is Mr, Sneakum. Is that his wife? Oh no, he never takes his wife out, never, he always looking for some one else. Oh what a shame. Well boy, who are those young ladies passing on the other side of the Street? Why dont you know them? No boy I do not, do you? Yes sir I know ever3'body in Harlem. Who are they? Well see here, dont you know them really. I dont, please tell me boy, who are they? What, we class them as the high flyers, they belong to any kind of society. Yes boy, thank you, they cant get me by no means, say boy you have given me much good infor- mation about the Harlemites, take this dime. Oh no thanks my mother or father dont allow me to take tips off any one, thanks. 30 EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES Well boy, you are well raised, .=ay boy wheie are your fall.er ai li mother? My father's name is Redmond Johnson and my niolhei's is Susan Johnson. What boy, we are old friends, we grew up to gether. Is that so? Yes boy tell your father and niother, that you met old Joe Mouthy, we are all from Charleston, S C, yes we are from there. Say boy, how long have you been iu Harlem? About five years sir. Where did you go to school? In Ihe old town Charleston and I took a course at Howard University. Yes boy, tell me about this N. Y. city society, is it any good? Well uncle Joe that depends what kind of society you want, they are all kinds in N. Y., from the lowest to the highest kind, you must se- lect for yourself, that is your business, the sharks are M'aiting for you in N. Y., no matter how you come. I pity our southern girls and boys, they came here, mean well, but go wrong. Boy you are right, say what about segregation about us colored people, do we have that among us up north? Oh yes, the brown people and the mulatto, they all seem to be white, they use powder, chalk, mil stone ashes, yes everything to change their color, but thank God' I am black, I love my color, I say be colored, God has given yc u what you possess, you cant change. No no boy, you are right; many of my race are sorry that they are colored, some called them- selves half Spaniard. Some call themselves Cuban. You know you are lying, you are only a pure old southern negro. Stop, stop and remember no matter how light colored you aie or hew brown you are, where you came from, if you dont know I do, and the white man has got your pedigree too, you cant fool me, i know you no matter how you come, you belong to my race the Africans. I dont want to tell you any more just stop playing that you are not an African, we are the only race that feels ashamed of our nationality: be what God made you to be and be proud of it too. Well boy I am proud of you also, where did you get your early schooling? I found it, was in books, would not go out every night to cabiaets to have a good time, but I would read good books such as I could get. Yes boy regular reading helps one after a good sart, yes sir it does. Are you going to heaven when you die? Well Uncle Joe that is a hard question; I hope so? Have you started on the road ytt? Yes I am on the road but in the wrong one. How do you knew EXPOSURE OF NEGRO SOCIETY AND SOCIETIES 3 1 that? Because I dont feel the spirit only once iu a great while. Well you must go down deep, yes way down and the spirit will surely come to hiin that believeth, say boy one more question I must ask you, because you are quite bright, they are in Greater New York, four colored weekly papers, which do you consider the best; now boy dont be afraid to say, I will protect you, speak out and teil the truth. Well Mr. Mouthy that is an easy question, and then dont care to be too frank either. Speak out boy, dont be scared, I will give you all the protection if I have to call the entire police force out, which I can at any moment, speak! boy speak! which of the four you think is the best edited: The New York Age, The Amsterdam News, The New York News, Chicka- saw Chronicle and The Pilot Gazette; now boy, speak out, let the world hear from you, dont be a coward, you have got protection. Yes Mr. Mouehy, I am not scared, but they may put a job up on me if I say which. What can they do to you? They may stop my pork chops, I sell all of those papers for my living you see. Say boy one more question I must ask you. Well I am ready for anything you want to ask. Well boy what do you think of these foreigners coming here and getting into our best society? they are from far off and we dont know anything about them. No no uncle Joe, you are right I often thought of that myself, wliy they come here by the thousands yearly with nothing, no letters of introduction or papers of any kind, and in a few months or years they are in some of our very best society Well boy- how do they do it? Well uncle Joe, I think our females are much lacking for many things that they need. What do you think they need boy? Well uncle I think they need more education, more home training, more good mother's instruction, more good father's training and God knows the balance, why as soon as one of these foreigners open his mouth and can speak a little French or Cuban or Hindu or some other tongue that we Americans dont know any- thing about, why our females are gone over them Now dont think I am jealous. No no boy you are right, why hundreds of these foreigners cannot go back to their homes. Why boy.^ Because they have been thieves, cut throats, murderers, high way men, yes many have been in prison too, and are here posing as first-class gentlemen. Now I hope to see some improvement in our society soon boy. I hope so too, uncle Joe. LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 015 863 842 3 i DANCING! DANCING! I take great pleasure in introducing to the public, the Four late Dances given to me by my friend Prot. Chas. H. Anderson, personally, to an- nounce through this medium to you and others. Watch Your Step Schottische Cambridge Gavotte Hampton Glide Honolulu Mooch All of them are really very nice Dances and call on the Prof, any Wednesday or Saturday Night at PALACE CASINO West 135th Street New York