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About The morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1899-1930 | View Entire Issue (April 17, 1907)
WEDNESDAY) APRIL 17, 1907. 6 THE MORNING ASTOR1AN. ASTORIA, OREGON. hack By FRANK H. SWEET. Copyright, 19M, by Frank H. SweU TWO black, eager faces beut sud denly forward as the dice JL bones, they called them-rattled upon the low root of Wumj Sin's laundry. As the tiny cubes turn bled over and over, deciding the own rshlp of the two coins which lay, be tween the youthful gamblers, tht "shooter" cried fervently: -Come seben! Pis fo' a palh o' shoes I" To which the other, to counteract the pell of the conjure Invoked, responded with equal fervor: "Call htm off, seben! Dat my break fas'," st the same time reaching hope fully toward the coins.. But the shooter forestalled him for the dice had now stopped and de clared the money his. Ee picked np the coins and ostenta tkmslr tossed one back upon the roof tailing: "Fade me, Cuffy r Cuffy faded him by searching long and laboriously through his clothing tor another coin, which be at length found and placed beside the one on tht root Then the shooter picked op thf dice and juggled them in the hollow ol his hands, blowing upon his fingers foi luck. When they rattled back to thf roof the two faces again bent lower, tot fearfully, the other exultantly and Jeering. "Yo', Shack.'' And the one called Cuff j rose to his feet with ashy face Ti 'bleege to stop now, nigger. I'i done oat" Shsck looked at him curiously, standing on the defensive. Indeed, there was usually good reason foi Shack's customary defensive attitude At the end of a game of craps. He hau been accused of ringing in "peeties" loaded diceof overawing a weak op pouent by a blustering demeanor, ol doing many things that were consld tred disreputable among roustabouts But, however lawless he might be oi mean, he never showed any signs of it outwardly. His eyes had a keen straightforward way of searching oth er eyes, his shoulders remained square, Ids head was carried high. As be stood there on the defensive waiting for Cuffy to pitch Into him at other worsted crap shooters had done he first wondered, then grew derisive at the larger boy's peaceable, almosi jltlable attitude. "Steered?" he mocked. "No, I ain't skeered," answered Cuffy quickly, "but what for I fight yo'l "COME BEBEN I MS FO' A PAIH 0 SHOES I" Dar a In' nobody to blame but me. I I done stole dat money, an' I promise mammy I nebber shoot craps in all de wort'. I ain nogood any mo'," his Hps beginning to quiver. Shack grinned. "Yo' aln' de firs' pusson dat stole," he Jeered. "I reckon yo' better go off in de dark an' bide. Den de p'llce aln' cotch yo'. Now lemme see yo' cry." Cuffy paid no attention to him. "An' my mammy trusted me," lie went on dolefully, "an was a-savln' up for me to go to Tuskegee an' learn a heap o' t'lngs, an' den I was a-goln' to make money an' buy her a house wid a piazzer like w'lte fo'ks an a mule an' cow an' some chickens, an' now oh, mammy!" "Dat's right," cried Shack encourag ingly. "I see dem tears a-comln' Cuffy. Let 'em drapnlKger; let 'em drap!" A momentary flash dried the Inclpi nt tears, and Cutty's muscles grew tense. Then again the shoulders droop ed. "I ain't m!n Shack," he said, with out resentment "I could whup you Bke I has done, but I 'low yo' better whup me. I'll stan' still an' let yo' poun' till yo' arm's tired. Yo' aln' un 'erstaiV. My mamuiy's a-scrapln' an' savin' for school, an' I'm a-scrapln' an' savin' too. We aln' spen' one cent wldou need. An' now I done los' a whole dollar shootin' craps all I earn dig week an' I promise mammy I neb ber slwot crops In do worl. 1 wt yo'd whnp me good. Shack." But Shack was not flshtlinr on Mint line. He throw his arm akltuh tnd regarded Cuffy ' ttl critical auluse went "So yo's mammy boy," be sneered "an' a achooUu' boy! Wba's yo' souse, Cuffy? A mamuiy's good 'nough fo' babies, but we's too big. I nebber hat no mammy, au I'm tough. Yo' bettet wldout one. ly spiles bU: boys." "Yo' ain't know my imuuiuy." was Cuffy's answer, "an" yo' alu't keer for choolln. 'OpV for dat yo'd be t'iuk In' like me." Then a sudden lusplra tlon seised Mm, and he added. "Wha yo' stay tonight, Shack?" "Don" know," indifferently, "ronu' some'er's. Mebbe In ole Brown's lum ber yard if de watchman don' ketch me." "Den a'pom yo' come on home 'long o me an' we my mammy," luvtted Cuffy eagerSy. "She make yo' t'lnk like me, shore. We hab watermllyun an' sweet tater an bacon, an' In de mawn In' mammy likely gib us fried chicken. To' can sleep, 'long o' me lu my bald. Wha yo' say?" Shack did not say anything for fully two minute. The question was a weighty on. At first his Impulse was a flat refusal, but the thought of meet Ing Cuffy's mammy and being able to ridicule that obstinate boy In the In trenebmenta of his own home was a pleasant one. And then the "water mllyun an' sweet tatera" and the pos slbillty of fried chicken! They decided him. "I's yo' cake," he grinned. The two boys walked cautiously to the edge of Wung Sin's laundry roof and peered down. Crap shooting was a serious offense, and Shack was careful to keep this retreat on the laundry roof from the knowledge of the police. "See anyt'tng, Cuffy?" he whispered as they glanced sharply from side to side. "Only dat fruit seller on de corner. He aiu' ruin'." Grasping the edge of the roof with their hands, they swung over and dropped lightly to the ground. Then they scurried round the corner lnt Bay street and were lost In the crowd. Cuffy's mother lived In a small tene ment In the colored district She was Ironing when the boys arrived. "Dat yo', Cuffy?" she called as they darkened the low doorway. "Come right In, hone. An who's yo' frien'?" "Him Shack, mammy." answered Cuffy rather jwudly. "Yo' done heal) me tole 'bout lilin." "Co'se I has, honey, co'se I has," the woman exclaimed, leaving her Ironing and coming forward cordially. "Glad to see yo', Shack. Come right in, boy I done heah 'tout yo' heaps o' times Sit down In (1st rockln' cheer. Dur. daf a right So yo'l Shack. Law, law! My boy's done tole 'bout yo no end. Say yo's able do anyt'lng yo set out for; dat yo's de mot promlsln' black boy In de whole city." She returned to ber Ironing end worked vigorously for several minutes, then: "Does yo' know, honey, dat's a mighty fine say so? De mos' promlsln' boy! Dat means dar's gran' wuk befo yo' gran' wuk, honey. We black fo'ks need Jes' seen boys to grow up an' lead us. I's glad you an' Cuffy am frien's. He's a good boy, but easy led. He needs strong, true frien's to show de way. Wba's dat Cuffy? Shack goln' stay all nlgbt? Shore 'nougb? Law, law! Dat's good! Now yo boys Jes' placate 'mong yo'se'fs while I get dls Ironln' off; den we's hab supper an' mo' talk. Cuffy, yo put dat mllyun In a pall o' col' water." Shack had listened without any at tempt to answer, but bis eyes and ears were keenly alert This was an ex perience which was entirely new and which it would take blm time to ad just. He bad peered Into rooms be fore now and had generally been driv en away with a broom or poker, but he did not remember any of them that bad been quite so clean and cozy as this scantily furnished room, and certainly none of the women bad been like this one who was actually treating blm as though his presence was desirable. But of course he was right In his declara tion that a mammy was a detriment to a big boy. This was only an unusual side he was seeing; presently would appear some weakness with which be could overwhelm Cuffy. But what appeared presently brought him half to his feet In sudden wonder, derision, contempt. There was Cuffy actually telling bis mammy about the crap shooting and the money he had lost, and more wonderful yet Instead of scolding and punishing blm as ordi nary women would have done, this mammy was patting her boy's cheeks and talking in a low, earnest voice, and, yes, they were both crying. Shack drew a hard, deep breath and waited in momentary expectation of hearing his own name. But, no, Cuffy only spoke of himself and then went back to bis chair by the window, where he sat very sober and thoughtful. And his mammy began to put away bei ironing and prepare for supper. After supper Shock returned to tin rocking chair, ferdlng very comfortable and contented. And the puz::liu mam my, after sbe had cleared the tabb and washed the dialies, came mi:l sat d ."i. between him and Cuffy. "Co'se yo' goln' to Tu.';l;cj,vu tvlwa y get able, honey," she Ites.m. n:id t .c ; accepting this for a fact a;U servant of the Indignant w.irn i;i ' i face, she went on In mi almost re-. r ent voice: "Hit's m prnn" thv ii school; a gran', tioMe flit;:. VV v, black fo'ks Ink la ltiw.vlii' t'U'.'M. dis school will gib us C"-t. :::'.-' " au' runnln' ober. Yo' bo-s d-i r-n'" for choolln' can be mos' i:i!y!'1- :lra for preachers, doctors, lawyer, railroaders les' lak w'lte fo'u. li' Kintt i iK to u a mrooK lv iikc yv. wld all dose t'lngs u ahead." Hot nana sought Shack's shoulder and rvrt: ed there caressingly. "Some day, houoy." she continued gontly, "yo'll likely be rldln' In yo' own kcrrkljro nn' be'nln' nil de black fo'ks round yo'. 1 hope yo'll sort o' look out for Cuffy. He's u good boy, but Jos' a little weak sometime. When yo'se bofe at Tu kegoo dou' lot htiu shoot craps nu' flints like dat. He'll heati to yo'. rrotuls' yo'll kcor for htm, houoy." Agalu Shuck's breath came hard, but her baud was upon his shoulder, bor eyes looklug Into Ills. He tried to scoff and Joer. but the words stuck In his throat, and only a husky "Yes'm, I will," came to his Hps, Then he iw suddenly to his foot, only to sink back Into the chair, hot and trembling, for this strange mammy had klwted him. "I kuowed yo' would, honey," she said softly, "but I wauled to hesh yo' promise. A boy Ink yo' nebber forgot his promise." Shack made a desperate effort to break from the icll that was cliwlng tu upon him. Missionaries be did not mind, but this mummy was approach lng him tu au unrecognised way. If h wished to humiliate Cuffy be must keep better control of himself. But h only said: "School like dut cos' a heap." t "No, hooey; hit's made for pore fo'k like we all. Me nu' Cuffy 'low on get tin' a hun'erod dollars, don I'll be son' In' what I can to blm. I reckou yo' could snbe dat imuh ipdoker'n we hab. Cuffy says yo' make heaps o' money." For want of a lietter answer Shack nodded. He thought of the 7 or $8 hs "WHO'S A MOOCH ?" HS DEMAXCZD. often made In a single week by shoot ing craps. But her next words chilled blm: "I's glad yo' ain't shoot craps, hon ey." "How yo' know?" be demanded sharply. "By yo' eyes an' de way yo' walks," he answered, smiling. "Fo'ks tin' hoot craps an' do mean t'lngi when dey walk an' look like yo'. I know. Dat's why I make yo' promise to keer for Cuffy. Law, law! Shakln' yo' bead aln' fool me. Crap shootln'a a mean, low t'ing. an' I's mighty glad yo' aln' do hit." Shack's eyes fell gradually to the floor. In Imagination be could see Cuffy over by the window regarding blm curiously aud these other eyes looking at him with frank confidence. He tried to raluc his gnze to theirs, but could not What did It mean? He had never felt timid or almshed before. When.be went Into the loft with Cuffy he was thiuklng very hard and very shrewdly. He had never been In a real bed before, aud the softness felt dellclously soothing, but for all that he did not fall asleep. lie listened to Cuffy's regular breathing and thought and struggled and understood rebel lloHsly that he was being conquered, but he was straightforward and sharp with himself, even though it hurt. And at length be heurd this strange, tender voiced mammy beginning to move lie low. When he went down he accompanied Cuffy to a corner behind n large store house to gather kindlings. There he mode a last desperate effort to assert himself. Placing a chip upon his shoulder, be turned fiercely to bis companion. "Who's a nigger?" he demanded. Cuffy laughed in bis face. "I reckon we bofe is," be grinned, "But wha' for yo' act so, Shack? 1 aln' goln' knock no chip offen yo' shoulder. We ain' no need fight We's goln' to Tuskegee, me an' you Is. Yo done tole mammy so." "I done tole yo' Is skeered to fight," yelled Shack. "Didn't yo say I's nig ger when I crap yo' out yes'day? Now knock dls chip off an' prove hit" "Mebbe I call yo' nigger," retorted Cuffy placidly. "I know yo' did mo, plenty time. Dat aln' nuflln. I ain' goln" fight, an' yo' aln' goln' fight. We's got better sense. But dar's mam my callln' us to breakfas'. Come, Shack!" The chip fell unheeded from Shack's shoulder. But he was not a boy to do things by halves. As they went to ward the bouse he slipped the dollar he had won Into Cuffy's pocket. "Tell yo' mammy yo' met de crap shooter an' he gib hit back," he said, "An' If she eber ax yo' does I shoot craps, yo' say no, I clone gib bit up, an' I has. I's goln take dat job the steam boat man offer at fo' dollar. 'Tain' much, but mebbe I make more by wukin' hard. I's goln' long o' yo' to Tuskegee, sure 'nougb." CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING. HELP WANTED. WANTED TWO GOOD BOYS TO work In 1'iliitlng ottlc. Apply to Antorlan. WANTKIV-KKSIDK.NT SALESLADY to tko orders for muiUt-to-onler skliis. Address Klafter Skirt Co., Toledo, O. WASTED SALESMEN. MANY MAKE $100 to f ISO psr month. Some evtn more. Stock elnj grown on Rw ration, far from old orchard. Cash advanced weekly. Choice of territory. Addrest Washington Nursery Company, Toppenish, Washington.1 W tf MALE AND FEMALE HELP TORN Ished In and out of the city. Chut ter' Employment Office, 118 Commer cial Street BOYS WANTED TWO GOOD AC tlve, wide awake boys can find stea dy employment by applying at the As tortaa office. FOR SALE-REAL ESTATE. FOR SALE 150 ACRES TIMBER land, I miles from Knappa; cheap tor quick sale, P. Box 781 Astoria. FOS RETT FOR RENT ONE ROOM HOUSE and one four room house. In c'n venlent location. Rate reasonable. Call at No. 15 SeooiiJ Street. FOR RENT-ONE FLAT OF NINE rooms. Apply to L. Lebeck, No. S West Bond street FOR RENT FURNISHED HOL'SK keeping flat at' S77 Exchange. STEAM HEATED, WELL LIGHTED office In the Odd Fellows' building for rent. Inquire of John Hnhn. TAILORS. HOME INDUSTRY THAT HELPS E. Martinson the merchant tailor 149-11th street. CALL FOR WARRANTS. CALL FOR WARRANTS NOTICE Is hereby given to all parties hold ing Clatsop county warrants endorwsd prior to February 1st ItOt, to present same for payment to county Treasu rer's office. Interest cease after this date. WM. A. SHERMAN. Treasurer Clatsop County, Or. Dated Astoria, Ore, April 10, 1907. CLEANING AND REPAIRING. PRE8SINO AND CLEANINO, LA dies' work specialty, up to date, tailor. Andrew Slpola 431 Commercial street TRANSFER COMPANIES. PHILLIPS TRANSFER COMPANY Express and baggage, also Job work stand Miller cigar tor cor., 9th and Bond phone 1711 Main. KISCXLLUmrca. NOTICE TO FISHERMEN AND dealer in fish This Is to Inform you that all license pertaining to the fishing Industry Issued prior to March 31st., expired March 31, 1907; and to fish for Salmon, or deal In Salmon or other anadrous fish without license Is committing a misdemeanor tht will be punished In the Courts. H. d. Vandu sen, Master Fish Warden. NICK PAPAZGERE8. THE GREEK DIVER, has just received a new diving ma chine from the old country. Dive from 25 to 80 fathom In shallow water stay down half a day at a time. Leav orders at 417 Bond St. Market, or D. Falangos, Clifton. Notice. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the undersigned, Eng Wong, and Chan Fook Sing, and Wong Lcm, have each purchased one share, and Inter, est In Uio Chinese Merchandise busi ness ofHop, Hlng LungA Co., doing business at No. 376 Bond Street. As toria Oregon, and that from and after this date tho said Eng Wong will as sume the position of Manager of said Hop Hlng Lung & Company, Dated this 15th day of April 1907. Eng Wong, Chan Fook Sing, Wong Lem. LAUNDRIES. BUTTON HOLE AT THE BACK. Your experience with it has ao doubt lead to much vexation, possibly pro fsnity. Broke your fingernail trying to pry it up from the neck-band, ) You won't have that that experience V you send your shirts to us; we tav you this trouble, and danger of tearing tbi shirt Try u and ee, TROY LAUNDRY, Tenth and Duane Sti. Phone ieai j. j. .li.i. -iui..i,.j,j.ui,iL.jiiwue!'iiunjiiMui)..ii-i J.i mi i.ji.i i miimmmmmmmm FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS. " PROFESSIONAL CARDS. CALL AT ONCE FOR YOUR ALAS- .......tunT ka mattresses mad to ordor. 104 . Lm -l-j n . .1 ...l. i t.jjua tinuui'.J DI. SKODA & HICU BOARDING. 06TEOPATD iiIYDt u"1-r"njjrL Office Msnisl. Bid. Phone Black 111 Room, with or without board, ?l Commercial Astoria, Ore. rate, ra.eoo.ble. rood aoeoa, ATTORJItYS AT LAW modaUon for transient. Uta ATTORNEYS AT LAW. and Comment!. j-T-'-xa-uuxruvnun -ur,-.,Tn-aj-u-u .. 'w JOHN C. McCUE. Attorkby-at-Law. FRRDRECK80N RR06.-W make pEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY tantlon t all order. Gener Tath Ml 1 11 MWHon t au oru re, ursr HOWARD M. iROWNUUi JAPANESE GOODS, Attorney-Law. TTkTTn V TT?"rVT QTTTT? Mfi J ,,,ln, 11X JblLrjhri OL V Hi Cemmerelal Si, Aeterla. JAPANESE FIXINGS, MADE OF BAM- mamii Miiuiij-wmmjmw mmwmtm.imm BOO, LIGHT, STRONG. BAND- DENTIST. MADE, TABLES, STANDS, CHAIRS. ''''r'? WHAT-NOT? "KIKCASES, IHELV- LR. VAUOHAW, IN0, ETC. DkNTIST Yokohama, Bazaar B H 0 KB Commercial 8L. Astoria, J r " undertakers:"' Dr. w- 0. LOGAN DENTIH1 J. A. OlMt.U'UtI CO., Commercial St. Hbanaban HollJ I'lidcriakrrN and KiiilHiliiir-r. bixj m . , x ji i.-iuuuw i:lrlm.l Lady Asslstnnt BUSINE'vS DIRECTORY When Ih'slred. j, HOTELS. ff HOTEL PORTLAND SlJlill!1 PORTLANO, ORE. Culls Promptly Attended liny j or .- i gut. i I'atton Hdff- I'Jthmul DuuneSts ASTOItIA, OKK.GON IMiounMitlii'.Mtt MEDICAL UDprcaotd Succ of DH & Gil WO THE GREAT CHINESE DOCTOR Who 1 know throughout the United State a smousI of hi woaderful cure. No poison nor drug used. II fuaraa. tee to cur catarrh, asthma, lung aaJ throat trouble, rheumatism, norvouan, ttomaeh, liver, and kldntv, female eom- Slslnfa and all chronle die. UCCESSFUL BOMB TREATMENT. If you esnnot call write for symptom blank and circular. Inclosing 4 eot In tamp. THE C GEE WO MEDICINE CO. 12 First St. Corner Morrison, PORTLAND. OREGON. PI mention the Aitorian PLEASANT HOUR OF ENTERTAINMENT VAUDEVILLE AT THE LOUVRE And Vaudeville that really AniUHCs and Interests you. Weekly Changes of Pro gram and Each Change an Improvement SPECIALTIES THIS WEEK SIGN a Jtom:itTH Magnificent Central to Singer In all the Currant Gems of Song and Ileal istic BwocdlMh Charac ter Aot LUNA OMEHN ;Turkih Dancer i:lainh forest High Soprano Singer MARIE WANDRTJTII Flute Solist. Miatre of all Lady Mel odist ADMI88ION FREE LINDBECK A WIRKKALA Prop. GOLDSTEIN Fine Pants Tailor Am 207 OommonwmmMh Building PORTLAND " OREGON EXCLHSIVELT FOR THB TRAD8 THE OREGON 530-9.10 Commercinl Htrect, U tween Eleventh audi Twelfth.- A81t)IUA, OHEOON MKH. M. NOLAN, I'roprietrce. Boom jingle and Suite. Terms, Uny, Week or Month. Steam Heat, Hath and 1 elf phone. Telephone Ued 10,1. RESTAURANTS. Tokio Restaurant 531 Bond Street Opposite Ross, Higgins & Co First-Class Meals. Coffee with Pie or Cake 10c Replar Meals i5c,up First Crfass Meal 15c Coffee with Pie, Cake or Dough nuts 10 cents. U. S. RESTAURANT ? 434 Bond Street Telephone 1081 Main. 3W Bond Street. OPEN DAT AND NJOHT THE ASTORIA RESTAURANT MANO HIN'O, Prop. Th Finest 25c meal served In Aatoria, Your Patronage Solscioed. 1 CourU'ou Treatment to All. OAMK IN 8EAROM ASTORIA, : OREGON. WINES, LIQUORS AMD CIQA1S. The Owl Concert Hall Formerly tho LaToHca The Leading Amusement House in Astoria Good music. Everybody welcome. Ch&s. Nieml, Proprietor 263 Astoria street. THp SAVOY Popular Ooaeert Ball, Good Mutlo. All are weleorae. Bar imtk ana Attor. Dm- Eagle Concert Hall 320 Aitor St. Th leading amusemsnt sou. Agency for Edlion Phonognptii Mj Gold Moulded Record. P. A. PETEflBON, Proj,