“Hail, Most Noble Prince!” responded Mr. Winfield, making the Mystic Sign.

“What are the Objects of our Beloved Fraternity?” asked Mr. Beasley, in a whisper.

“Hope, Coslosterousness, and Polotomy,” replied the Regal Commander.

“’Tis Well,” said the Most Worshipful Scribe, giving him the Grip.

Having completed the Secret work, Mr. Beasley wanted to know what he could do for Brother Winfield.

“Remove this Pusson,” said Mr. Winfield, pointing at the Colonel.

So it came about that He who in Apahatchie County had trained them to hop off the Sidewalk and stand Uncovered until he had passed, now suffered the Hideous Degradation of being marched downstairs by One of Them and then slammed into the Hurry-Up Wagon.  Under which Circumstances the Colonel had the Rabies.

[Illustration:  MR. WINFIELD]

At the Police Station he was dragged before a Magistrate and was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Carrying Concealed Weapons, Assault and Battery, Assault with Intent to Kill, and Resisting an Officer.

The Magistrate was a White Man, and to him the Colonel appealed for Justice, claiming Brotherhood as a Caucasian.  He told what would have happened in Apahatchie if any Coon had dared to lay a finger on a Colonel.

Here was an opening for the Court.  It must be known that the Court lived in a Ward that was Dark in one End, and he was out for the Colored Vote in case he ran for Judge.  This was his Chance to make a Grand-Stand Play.

He handed down a Decision to the Effect that all Men are Free and Equal, with incidental References to the Emancipation Proclamation and Striking the Shackles from Four Millions of Human Beings.  He Ratified the Constitution and Permitted the Negro to stand in the Free Sunlight.  In Apahatchie County he would have been used for Target Practice, but Apahatchie County was still Eight Hundred Miles away.

In Conclusion he Soaked the Colonel for $32.75 in Fines and Costs, Confiscating the Weapon, which he afterward presented to Officer Otis Beasley as a Slight Token of Esteem.

Next Morning, as a south-bound Passenger Train was crossing the Ohio River, the Colored Porter on the Atlanta Sleeper jumped eighty feet from the Trestle into the Water in order to Escape with his Life.

MORAL:  A Head Waiter must be Ruled by Kindness.

THE FABLE OF THE CORPORATION DIRECTOR AND THE MISLAID AMBITION

One of the Most Promising Boys in a Graded School had a Burning Ambition to be a Congressman.  He loved Politics and Oratory.  When there was a Rally in Town he would carry a Torch and listen to the Spellbinder with his Mouth open.

The Boy wanted to grow up and wear a Black String Tie and a Bill Cody Hat and walk stiff-legged, with his Vest unbuttoned at the Top, and be Distinguished.

On Friday Afternoons he would go to School with his Face scrubbed to a shiny pink and his Hair reached up on one side, and he would Recite the Speeches of Patrick Henry and Daniel Webster and make Gestures.