Lillian SimmonsOtis M. Shackelford


GRARY OF
UNION
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY
VEW YORK
MAR 24 1983














Lillian Simmons
or
The Conflict of Sections
A STORY BY
OTIS M. SHACKELFORD, A. B.
Author of, A Dream of Freedom Realized, Seeking
the Best, and Other Essays and Poems.
ILLUSTRATED
by
William Hamilton
BURTON PUBLISHING COMPANY
Publishers and Book Sellers
Kansas City, MISSOURI


ARY OF
THE
UNION
THEOLOGICAL
SEMINARY
NEW YORK
Copyright 1915
by
OTIS M. SHACKELFORD


Do non
94. 61673
PS
3537
.H12
25
1915
To a departed father, to a beloved mother,
to devoted sisters and, brothers; is this volume
lovingly dedicated by,
THE AUTHOR.





PREFACE
In our travels, North and South, we find
among our people certain social evils and false
notions of life, which need to be corrected.
Unity of action, and of opinion, in all sections of
this country, is absolutely necessary, if we
would progress in social and business uplift.
And in order to call attention to many of our
short comings and things which tend to stint our
growth, as a race, or nation, we write this story
of “Lillian Simmons” or “The Conflict of Sec-
tions."
It is based upon some of the vital questions
and problems of the day.
It is a love story which creates interest and
claims the attention, and at the same time
touches upon the various phrases of the race
problem in a pleasing yet subtle way. Separate
schools, the "Jim Crow Car," segregation in its
many forms, and other things pertaining to the
welfare of the race, are discussed in turn.
Our characters are clear cut, and are por-
trayed in an intensely human way, representing
types not only of our own colored race, but they


PREFACE
are typical of the entire human family. They
are true to life. And we would be happy could
their names live forever.
But for this we do not hope. We do hope
however, to inspire others of our race who are
literarily inclined, and to show forth the great
possibilities in this new field of endeavor. We
as a race want a place in Literature. We want
to be heroes in song and story. We want to
play leading roles on the stage and in book.
We want to stir the emotions of men. We
want to provoke laughter, tears and applause.
We are tired of playing the foolish, silly, insig-
nificant part as given to us by the literature of
other races. And we think the time has come
for us to take this line of work in hand.
The soil of the Negro literary field is in-
deed rich and abounds in vast tracts, from
which material for history, song, and story
may be gathered.
We hope this effort will inspire the boys
and girls of our race, who are being turned out
of our High Schools and Colleges each year, and
who have literary taste and inclination, to write
along various lines. We would ask them to use
the grammar, the rhetoric, and the correct En-
glish which they have mastered, in the making
of a literature and a history for their race, in


PREFACE
creating characters and heroes, that will live
long after they are dead.
Take the stories from the lips of the old
grandfathers and mothers, and with the skill
which many of the young people posess, polish
them up.
They will make interesting reading and in
a few years from now, when the lips of the old
are forever sealed, and the chance for obtaining
much authentic history is forever gone, they
will be of great value.
We hope that much good will come from
our effort. We invoke the good will and sym-
pathy of our readers. May our purpose inspire
and please them if the story does not.
We wish to thank the Burton Publishing
Company for suggestions and favors shown,
and the good will that it has always extended
to us. We highly recommend them to others
who may have work like this to be done.
We also wish to thank Mr. William Hamil-
ton, one of Missouri's best. colored artists for
illustrations. With his talent there is much
good that he can do for his race.
And last, but by no means least, we wish to
thank Mrs. Eva L. Lewis, of Paducah, Ky., for
copying our manuscript in so beautiful a hand


10
PREFACE
and preparing it for the press.
The parts that these people have played in
producing “Lillian Simmons,” or “The Conflict
of Sections” are indispensable, and again we
thank them.
With this we give the book into the hands
of the Public. Let them use it as they will.
THE AUTHOR


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 The North Against the South. Page
. A Fight
“ II Lillian Simmons
III The Newspaper Article
IV The Indignation Meeting
" V The Warning Heeded
VI Thwarted
" VII The Two Arguments
" VIII Reverses For the Simmons
Family
IX A Teacher Wanted
X A Business Venture
114
" XI Mrs. Simmons Rebuke 125
XII Christopher's Grocery Burns 132
" XIII A Colored Town
137
" XIV The Jim Crow Car
141
“ XV Love Letters
147
“ XVI George Simmons Arrest 153
Famil,
11


12
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
164
Chapter XVIII Mrs. Simmons Visits
Charles
XIX A Grave Situation
XX LiHian's Distress
XXI Lillian at Home
XXII The Trial
XXIII The Conclusion
173
177
188
188
204


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Seeking an opportuuity to land a Page
telling blow.
24
2. “When you cast "flections on de
Souf, you cast 'flections on me." 59
3. “I have always been averse to Colored
schools and Colored teachers.” 103
4. Charles Christopher's Grocery store
was in flames.
134
5. “My case has been tried and settled
in the Court of Courts.”
6. “Come and meet my folks," said George,
I want them to know you.” 198
7. The North and South united by the
ties of business and by the ties of love. 207
193
13





CHAPTER I
THE NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH
Charles Christopher, a young colored man
of the South, after having been knocked and
tossed about in various ways, found himself
many miles from home among strange people
with strange ways and strange environments.
The country contrasted with his own in many
ways. Physical conditions were different-as
were the customs and manners and brogue in
speech. Hence for a long time he was at sea.
He had lost his bearings as it were.
Having, however, found employment in a
Northern hotel, for it was in the North he was
now located, he was thrown in company with
young men whose traiding was different to his,
and which was in keeping with the section in
which they lived.
He readily became acquainted with them
and soon they were on very friendly and famil-
iar terms. He did not know though how to take
their jokes and slurs cast at him and the sunny
15.


16
LILLIAN SIMMONS
country in which he lived and loved.
They were thoughtless young men, and
knew not how deeply they were piercing the
heart of their new comrade with their satire.
They did not know that Charles Christopher,
though balked and checked by poverty, had a
fine sensitive nature; that his thoughts were
„pure and his ideals were lofty; that he had a
high aim in life; that it was this high aim which
had led him on step by step until he had com-
pleted his education in one of the Southern
Colleges.
Not one of his companions was equal to him
in book lore. But they were ignorant of his
preparation in many ways, for a great and use-
ful life. They felt themselves superior to him
because they were born and raised in the North.
This argument alone they thought sufficient to
establish their superiority. And to tell the truth
this was the only argument they had in their
favor when compared with Charles Christopher.
One morning after hours he went down by
the river side, as was a habit of his. to watch the
distant boats and water craft as they plied to
and fro and up and down stream. While thus
engaged his attention was attracted by loud and


THE NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH
21
At this point in George Simmons'passionate
speech Charles Christopher interrupted:
"You Northern people have yet to learn
this lesson, George Simmons, that white people
are white people, that blood is thicker than
water, that the racial instinct will assert itself.
That one bad negro cannot spoil the privileges
of a community of good negroes, unless the
prejudice in the hearts of the other race is
aroused. They seek the slightest excuse for
humiliating and imposing hardships upon our
people. Why not seize these disturbers by the
nape of the neck and the seat of the pants and
hurl them bodily through the gates and doors of
their places of amusements, thus making an ex-
ample of such offenders for all time to come?
This would be the proper way to proceed.
This is what they do to their own offenders, and
this would show respect for deserving, well-
trained individuals of all races. Why bar the
good on account of the bad. Why cast them all
on a heap together and treat them all as un-
worthy? Tell me why, George Simmons, in a
straight-forward, candid manner the reason
why? Or have you ever tried to figure it out?”
At this juncture Charles paused for a re-
ply. “There is but one reply George, if you are


22
LILLIAN SIMMONS
honest enough to make it, or if you have sense
enough to see it. It is simply this: that prejudice
is rapidly growing all over this country. It is
taking or has taken deep root in your city. This
is inevitable and it would have come sooner or
later regardless of the conduct of these so-styled
bad Southern "niggers.” Like the wolf that
wanted to devour the innocent lamb and for an
excuse charged it with having muddled up his
water in the stream where he was to drink.
The lamb begged pardon and showed him where
it was impossible for him to muddy up his drink-
ing water since he was several yards below
where he, the wolf, had to drink. The wolf
could find no legal excuse for devouring the in-
nocent lamb, so he pounced upon it without an
excuse. So, through prejudice with or without an
excuse, these hardships are inflicted upon you."
"Oh no, you can't tell me that,” said George
Simmons impatiently. "For instance in the
High School, colored boys have always played
on the Foot Ball team and the Base Ball team.
Colored girls have always played right along by
the side of white girls on the Basket Ball team.
I was 'Class Orator' of my class. Frank Mack
was Valedictorian of his class. Each year
honors have been distributed according to the


24
LILLIAN SIMMONS
abrupt close by an intentional insult. The
thrust was more than his manhood could stand.
"What do you mean George Simmons?""
His large eyes fairly gleaming with rage. "You
know not what you say. Don't you know I had
rather obey the call of death a hundred times
than submit to your demand? I have no interest
in this place, but I shall not leave until it pleases
me to do so. As to this insult that you have
directed with unerring aim at me, I shall not
stand it. You must whip me right now for I
am going to fight you with all the strength that
is in my body. So prepare.”
At this he began taking off his coat. By
this time quite a crowd of loafers, white and
colored had gathered, and were eager to see
what promised to be a good fight, the young
men being evenly matched in size, strength and
skill. And too, each had friends or sympathizers
in the crowd as was evidenced by the applause
and encouragement that each received.
In less time than it takes to relate it, the
young men were standing before each other,
hatless and coatless, in true pugilistic attitude,
seeking an opportunity to land a telling blow.





HAMILTON
Seeking an opportunity to land a telling blow.


CHAPTER II
LILLIAN SIMMONS
Lillian Simmons was a beautiful brown
skin maid of eighteen summers. And this
particular morning as she stood on the front
veranda of her father's stately home, with eyes
that sparkled and black wavy hair that glistened
in the sunlight, falling in a thick cluster of curls
about her girlish neck, she looked more like the
nymphs or fairies of the woods than she did the
ordinary mortal at home.
Lillian, it must be admitted, was beautiful
to an extraordinary degree, but she was not
spoiled. She was handled and tutored by a very
sensible mother who, though she loved her
children, knew too much about them to spoil
them.
She did not believe in lavishing luxuries
upon them, but she did believe in furnishing
such things, as would promote the health of
the body and the growth of the mind. Unlike
most colored parents, she realized that the mind
25


26
LILLIAN SIMMONS
was the most important part about her children,
and she did not hesitate to purchase books, in-
structive games and toys; things that would
cause her children to think and study and do
much toward their own self-developement. In
other words she did not starve the mind at the
expense of the body. She knew that both must
be fed.
Thus Mrs. Simmons had brought to the
threshold of womanhood, a lovable, beautiful,
sensible, accomplished girl. A girl full of health
and vigor and buoyancy of spirit. A girl whose
training had not been neglected in any line.
Cooking, sewing and piano playing were her
accomplishments and she was very proud of her.
No young woman could have a greater asset to
character or a greater aid to future life and
happiness than she, with qualifications like
these,
This morning she had just finished her por-
tion of the housework and had gone out on the
veranda to do deep breathing and other exer-
cises that she had found beneficial to health.
Through these exercises she had learned the
real secret of how to be healthful and beautiful.
She remained there some time basking in
the June sunshine, gazing at nature everywhere


LILLIAN SIMMONS
27
arrayed in her most beautiful and attractive
garments.
"What is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, comes perfect days;
Whether we look or whether we listen
We hear life murmurs or see it glisten.”
She repeated to herself the above quotation,
which was quite befitting. “Isn't that true?”
she said, as she stooped and patted the large St.
Bernard dog on the head, that lay happily at
her feet. Ted never moved from his position,
with his head resting between his paws, but
rolled his eyes effectionately and wagged his
bushy tail responsively, as if he understood her
words and appreciated her happy, poetic frame
of mind.
"You big noble boy,” she murmured, and
with a cheerful laugh she displayed an even set
of ivory-like teeth, of which any queen might be
proud. Then with a hop, skip and jump she
hastened into the house to the side of her
mother.
"Mother this is a grand day. I feel like strol-
ling! If I were a poet I would write something.
I am going to dress and go to the Public Library
and get a good book, may I?” Her mother read-
ily assented and it was not long before she was


28
LILLIAN SIMMONS
hastening along the shady side of the street
toward the new Carnegie Library.
So pleased was she with the fresh morning
air, perfumed as it were with blossoms from
natures hot house, and with song and twitter of
birds and the steady rythmic flow of the majes-
tic river, that she decided to prolong her walk,
and take the path that led along the river front.
She had not gone far, however, when she
saw a crowd of men and boys at a distance and
heard yells and clapping of hands. She continued
on her way until she had almost reached the
place of excitement. “Hit him in the neck!
Kill him! Now you got him!” and other ex-
pressions told her that there must be a fight in
progress. At this moment a small boy came run-
ning to her exclaiming, “Miss Lillian! Your
brother George is fighting. Him and Charley
Christopher are having it! You had better come
and stop it. He's hurting George. George is
just a bleedin!"
When Lillian came upon the scene, the boys
were fighting like demons. Each, during his
school career, had trained in athletic sports,and
was well prepared in self-defense. Both knew
the rough tactics resorted to in Foot Ball games
and they employed them in this awful fight.


LILLIAN SIMMONS
29
Both knew how to punch in a pugilistic way and
they were doing so. Side stepping, swinging
· and uppercutting was indulged in to the great
delight and satisfaction of the crowd. It was
really a pretty fight to those who loved a con-
test and knew anything about pugilism. And
but for the timely arrival of Lillian it would per-
haps have been a fight to the finish.
The crowd slunk back when she approach-
ed, most of them knowing that she was George's
sister, and dropped their heads and began to
walk away.
"Shame on you George,” she said, rushing
in and pulling him by the shoulders. “What on
earth is the matter with you?”
"Let loose sister, I am going to kill this
Southern nigger," said George, who was breath-
ing heavily and bleeding profusely at the nose
and mouth.
• “You are going right home with me. I am
ashamed of you. What will papa and mama
say when they know of this?”
George was too tired or nervous to reply.
Charles Christopher, embarrased and chagrined
at sight of George Simmon's beautiful sister
turned with hung-down head to his hat and
coat, picked them up and walked away.


30
LILLIAN SIMMONS
George made one more effort as if to get to
him, then giving over to the remonstrances of
his sister reached for his coat and hat and put-
ting them on, remarked, “This is not done with
yet, you Southern dog. I'll get you some other
day.”
The fight had had its effect on him. He
was considerably bruised and beaten. Both
eyes were black and his face and ears were
badly swollen. He was a sorry looking spec-
tacle with his face and hands and clothing be-
smeared with blood, as he passed along the
street.
After reaching home he attempted to ex-
plain to his mother and sister the cause of the
fight. His mother, though sorry for him, was
disgusted on account of his hot-headedness and
his method of getting rid of Southern negroes.
She too felt that they had been a menace to the
community, and shared the opinion with the
other Northern people that they were the cause
of much of the prejudice that was now cropping
out in their town. But being a very conserva-
tive woman and not given much to criticism or
to the judging of others, had not given the mat-
ter very deep thought or consideration, had no
suggestion whatever to offer.


32
LILLIAN SIMMONS
back and said, 'I had rather die a hundred deaths
than to acceed to your demand; you have insult-
ed me, so now you've got to whip me,' or words
to that effect. So we started from there. And
if you had not come up and interfered I would
have given him a good thrashing. I had him
going and all I wanted was to land one more
punch to make him take the count. He is an
awful tough guy though, but I'll get him yet.”
"Stay out of trouble George,” said his moth-
er. "Keep away from such people. Nothing
can be gained by associating with them. You
have a superior education and a superior intel-
lect and you should use them for something
better than an argument or a street brawl with
ignorant people. I would just stay away from
him if I were you."
"Well mother if I let him off now he will
think I am afraid of him. He has already said
that he would remain here as long as he pleased.
Such fellows just sow prejudice. They have
already caused us to be barred from privileges
in the parks. They have been the cause of our
segregation in the theatres. We can't eat in the
down town restaurants any more; and the next
thing you know, we will have ‘Jim Crow'street
cars and perhaps separate schools.”


LILLIAN SIMMONS
33
George did not really believe that ‘Jim
Crow' street cars would be instituted in the
North. But desiring to make his arguments ef-
fective, and to increase the prejudiee in the
hearts of his mother and sister against Southern
colored people, he magnified probabilities and
possibilities.
Then, remembering the defiant look in
Charles Christopher's eyes, and recalling the
questions, that had underminded his own here-
tofore, formidable arguments, together with the
ability, which he had shown that morning to
defend himself, and to resent insult, deep down
in his heart, George felt that for the time he
had been beaten. He was no quitter, however,
and he was anxious for another opportunity.
He was by no means convinced that Charles
Christopher was his master, intellectually, phys-
ically or in any other way. He knew though,
that the Southern element in his city was quiet
and conservative, only because they lacked
leadership. That they had gained enough
strength in late years to advocate and put
through many of their Southern ideas, in con-
trast to the Northern ideas, regarding the solu-
tion of the race problem. And he felt that if
Charles Christopher should assume the leader-


34
LILLIAN SIMMONS
ship of that element, that through his advocacy
many constitutional rights of his people would
be denied. So he concluded that he would nip
the thing in the bud. That Charles Christopher
. must go.
Lillian said no more as it was her day to
prepare dinner. And she knew that her father
would be in soon.
Mrs. Simmons looked at her son sympa-
thetically and said, "You had better go now and
lie down awhile on the couch and rest yourself.
We will tell father about it when he comes.”
Mrs. Simmons, good woman that she was,
shared in the belief of her son, and in her heart
sprang a great dislike for Charles Christopher,
though she knew nothing of him. She hated
the idea of separate schools, and had often been
heard to say, that she would rather have her
children grow up in gross ignorance, than to
have them taught in separate schools by color-
ed teachers. She looked upon a negro college
as a joke, and its graduates as ignoramuses.
And if Charles Christopher was a representa-
tive of such a school, she knew that he could
not amount to very much, and she did not want
her son to associate with him or even stoop so
low as to quarrel or fight with him. She was


LILLIAN SIMMONS
35
willing though, that he join hands with others
and help rid the community of this Southern
element, if such a thing were possible.
When Mr. Simmons came she took the re-
sponsibility of relating to him what had hap-
pened in the forenoon.
He was much wrought up, and declared
that George had acted just right; that he would
stand by him in whatever he undertook. He
declared, that he had many friends, and some
influence in that community, and that he would
see whether this young upstart from the South,
could remain in that town as long as he wanted
to or not.
He would notify his friends, call an indig-
nation meeting, and see if the scamp could not
be started a little sooner than he desired.
He would show him who was running that
town.
Mr. Simmons, as already has been stated,
was clerk in the City Treasurer's office, He
was highly respected and did have considera-
ble influence. He was looked upon as the lead-
er of his people in the city and usually repre-
sented them on the civic questions that per-
tained to their interest. And in this case it
would be an easy matter to get them together,
as all thought much the same as he. And


36
LILLIAN SIMMONS
those, who had different views, were silent,
fearing to express them, lest they might offend
some of their neighbors, who in case they should
would make life in the community a burden for
them in the future. And as young George Sim-
mons had surmised, it would take some one
who had no special interest in the community
or love, or respect for its people, to lead an op-
position.
So Mr. Simmons felt safe in calling an in-
dignation meeting for the purpose of denouncing
the objectionable Southerner.
When he was through eating his dinner, he
went in the room where George was resting,
and asked for his version of the fight. George
told him all about it. After he was through,
his father said, “I don't blame you, I am going
to call the boys together soon and see what
can be done about it.”
"I thank you very much father," said
George, “I was quite sure you would approve
of my action."
His father then departed, saying, “I will see
you later about this matter."
Lillian, whose spirits were so high earlier
that morning, and, who saw so much beauty in
nature and life, whose poetic soul revelled as it


CHAPTER III
THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.
Charles Christopher, save for a few scratch-
es, and a black eye, was none the worse for the
fight. There was to him, one embarassing and
unpleasant feature, however. The one that he
regretted most; and that was the appearance of
George's beautiful sister. If he could only
meet her, and apologize, and explain things to
her, he would be satisfied. But he knew that
this would be impossible. She could never
know his side of the story. She could never
understand the cause for which he fought.
There was no way for her to learn his true
worth. His heart was big, and broad, and as
true as steel. But she would go on through
life, mistrusting him, despising him, for what
she considered a great wrong to her brother,
and an insult to the community. All that was
possible for him to do, was, to long to meet her
and explain. But he could not hope to do so.
38


THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
39
He now quickened his steps, for it was al-
most time to serve dinner at the hotel, where
he was employed as a waiter. Putting on his
apron he took his station at his table, and the
first person to be seated was a reporter for the
“Daily News.” He knew Charles well and of-
ten joked with him.“ Hello boy!” he said. “Who
poked you in the eye?” Charles told him about
the fight, how it started and all. The story
seemed to interest the reporter. He asked a
few leading questions, wrote the answers on
his note pad, and placed it in his pocket.
When he was through eating, he arose,
slipped Charles a half-dollar, as was his custom,
and said, "Watch the papers tomorrow boy.”
Charles thanked him and told him that he
would. Charles did not think he could make
so much out of what he considered a very small
affair.
But the next morning the article appeared
in the “Daily News,” in glaring headlines as
follows:
WAR BETWEEN THE NORTH AND SOUTH.
Two YOUNG NEGROES REPRESENTING DIF-
FERENT SECTIONS FIGHT. SOUTHERN
NEGROES CLAIM VICTORY.
The above headlines and the column and


40
LILLIAN SIMMONS
half article, that followed, stirred up the colored
citizens from center to circumference. It liter-
ally set them wild.
As a rule, when colored people see any-
thing in the paper, they take it very seriously,
and if it is about their own race, they continue
to discuss it for months afterward.
In the article the principals of the combat
were mentioned, and the cause which led up to
it, were given in detail. Continuing, it said that
the police were no where to be found, and
criticised them severely, for allowing more than
a hundred men and boys to assemble, and wit-
ness such a contest. “The fight was stopped
by the sister of the gentleman, who stood up
for the North. A riot might have ensued had
it not been for her timely arrival. A riot once
started it is hard to tell where it might have
ended. For some time, the Northern Negroes,
and the Southern Negroes of the city, have
been at dagger points, over the subject of sep-
arate schools, and the segregation question,
falling sometime into heated debates.
"The Northern Negroes also claim that their
rights and privileges in public places, have been
denied them on account of the influx of the bad
Negroes from the South; and, that they are


THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
going to take steps to try to stop them from
coming in the city. If such steps are taken,
more trouble is looked for.”
When Charles picked up the paper and
saw such an elaborate account of the affair, he
was astounded
"Who would have thought it?” said he.
Well I am in for it now; I guess the whole town
will be on me.” He did not figure on any
sympathizers, outside of a few of the boys who
were working at the Hotel.
He met the reporter just coming in for his
breakfast. "For the love of Mike man,” he
said. “You have put me in bad. These colored
people here will lynch me.”
"Why what are they saying?”
"I haven't seen any of them yet, but I know
about how they feel.”
“Well your people, Charles, are easily
stirred up, but just as easy to quiet down. I
don't think you need have any fear of them.”
“I tell you, if anything happens or you hear
of any trouble, you just let us know of it. We
will take care of you."
With this he took his seat at the table and
ordered his breakfast.
Charles served him, as usual, and when he


42
LILLIAN SIMMONS
had finished, and arose to go, he handed him
the usual tip, patted him on the shoulder and
said, “I did not mean to cause you trouble
Charles, but if I have, you may rest assured that
I will stand by you. I am from the South my-
self. I know something about the true worth
of the people down there. The noblest, the
richest, the cream of the Negro race are down
there."
Charles thanked him for his words of en-
couragement, but he could not help feeling a
little uneasy. He thought that he knew the
minds and hearts of the people much better
than did the reporter.
The next morning, after a night of restless-
ness, of bad dreams and nightmares and fights,
which she had attempted to stop in her sleep,
Lillian Simmons arose and dressed. Her heart
was still heavy. She had hoped to awake and
find the happenings of the preceeding day a
horrible nightmare, like most persons have ex-
perienced, at some time in their lives. But her
hopes were all in vain. The truth dawned only
too clearly, and was verified when she picked
up the morning paper and saw the glaring head
lines, that magnified and told of the unfortunate
affair. Lillian almost swooned when she read


THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE
43
the article, and came to the part that she played
in the disgraceful affair. She ran into the house,
clutching the paper to her breast with both
hands, and, with stiffling cry, fell across her
mother, who was yet in bed and slumbering
feverishly.
She immediately awoke, exclaiming, "What
on earth is the matter with my child? What has
happened?” She was awake, but it seemed an
age before her senses would aid her in deter-
mining the trouble with her daughter. "Don't
cry like that Lillian. Something terrible must
have happened to ‘mother's baby'.”
Lillian was now choking and crying aloud,
as if her heart would break. Mrs. Simmons,
rising from bed, lifted her up, and such a piti-
ful expression she had on her face, she had
never seen before. “Tell mother what's the
matter dear,” she said, covering the face of
Lillian with kisses. Lillian was so grieved that
she could not speak. She simply pointed to the
glaring headlines.
Mrs. Simmons read. As she continued, it
was plain that she was affected. Being of a
light complexion, one could easily note the
changes in her countenance, anger and chagrin,
each had its turn, as she read the details as pub-


44
LILLIAN SIMMONS
:
lished in the paper. And when she came to
the part that Lillian played, she then knew the
cause of her daughter's great grief.
She tried to console her and treat the mat-
ter lightly. But Lillian would not be consoled.
She felt that she was a part of the vulgar
crowd that had assembled at the fight, that she
was the object of public censure, and, that she
was disgraced forever. And as these thoughts
came teeming in on her troubled mind, she
grew hysterical, and her mother could do noth-
ing with her.
Her ravings and loud cries brought the
other members of the household, that is her
father and brother, into the room and to her
side.
Mrs. Simmons thrust the paper to them
and told them to read. They did so, both the
father and the son looking on at the same time.
When they had finished the article, the
father tried to appear calm, but it was plain
that a tempest raged within. He remarked,
however, that he saw nothing in the article to
cause Lillian to be carrying on as she was. To
be able to break up a fight and cause a crowd
to scatter like that, really stamped her as a
heroine.


LILLIAN SIMMONS
“Never fear mother,” said Mr. Simmons in
reply. “Something will be done. And that
very soon.
“I am going to call the citizens together
this very night, and before twenty-four hours
something will be done. Why it's an outrage
on the community.” With this he left the room.
And Lillian and her mother set about silently to
prepare the morning meal. Both were very
nervous and were trying to gain self control.
At the breakfast table the article in the pa-
per was not alluded to, so it was not very long
before they each showed signs of cheerfulness,
and were enjoying their breakfast of coffee,
biscuits with butter, fried ham and potatoes.
Mrs. Simmons could make the best of biscuits;
she was an excellent cook.


CHAPTER III
THE INDIGNATION MEETING
After eating breakfast all felt better. The
sting of the newspaper article gradually began
to grow less painful. All four were sensible,
well read people, and had long since learned
that everything published in the papers was
not true, that intelligent people did not so re-
gard it. The consoling words that her father
had spoken to her, acted like magic in the heal-
ing of Lillian's broken heart. And the rest of
the day she felt comparatively well. She al-
most felt proud of the part she took in stopping
the fight, because her father had said that it
was the part of a heroine. So her grief had al-
most passed away.
The father and son left the house together.
They went straight to one of the down town
printing offices, and had some hand bills struck,
announcing a mass meeting for the colored citi-
zens to be held at the Methodist church. Busi-
ness of importance to be transacted. The meet-
47


THE INDIGNATION MEETING
49
have seen the morning paper. And each one of
you have had your say regarding it. We have
expressed ourselves privately on the question
oft times before and have had some pretty clear
cut ideas as to what ought to be done. But we
are here tonight to express in a public way our
views and ideas; to organize and form some
definite plan of procedure. We do not wish in
any way to disguise the fact that we are indig-
nant at the insult and humiliations that are be-
ing heaped upon us each day in increasing
measures. We are indignant at our daily paper
for publishing such an article, and coloring it in
the manner in which it did, this morning. Cast-
ing a reflection on our manhood and integrity,
and attempting to discourage us in our struggle
for higher ideals and good citizenship. Yes we
are indignant. We are indignant at a certain
undesirable element from another section of this
country who have come among us and who
have brought with them habits and ideas that
are a menace to this community, and a detri-
ment to the welfare of the colored citizenry,and
we have assembled here this night for the pur-
pose of taking positive steps toward ridding our-
selves of this undesirable element, and to try to
secure redress for some of the wrongs already


50
LILLIAN SIMMONS
inflicted upon us. This is an indignation meet-
ing; all are allowed to express themselves, and
it is requested by the Chair, that as many as can
will do so. I have placed the matter before you,
act wisely and deliberately. I think I need not
say more. What is the further pleasure of the
house?” he asked, as his gavel fell heavily upon
the table before him.
“Mr. Chairman,” a dozen voices spoke, as a
dozen men arose to their feet simultaneously.
“The Chair is in doubt,” said the speaker.
“All please be seated.”
"Mr. Chairman.” A dozen men sprang up
as before. The Chair, realizing the difficulty of
trying to give the first man on his feet an oppor.
tunity to speak, tried the next best plan of proced-
ure, that is of recognizing the one furthest off.
“Mr. Washington has the floor,” he said, as
he lifted his eyes beyond those nearest him. a
Capt. Simmons was a skillful parliamentar-
ian, and possessed much executive ability, and
was well fitted for the position which he now
held.
"To what did you arise Mr. Washington?”
"Mr. Chairman, I arise to make a motion.
There is really nothing before the house, and in
order to get things started, I move that we pro-


THE INDIGNATION MEETING
51
ceed to the regular order of business for which
we have assembled.”
“I second the motion, Mr. Chairman,” said
the nearest man to Washington.
“It has been moved and seconded that we
proceed to the regular order of the business in
hand. Are you ready for the question?”
“Question!” A number of voices rang out
through the house.
"Those who are in favor of said motion let
it be known by the usual sign, aye.”
“Aye!" The whole house shouted. "Con-
trary, Nay.”
“The motion carries by an unanimous vote,”
said the chairman, “and we will now proceed to
the discussion of the business before the house."
“Mr. Chairman,” said Frank Maxwell, who
was very anxious to talk, and who showed great
signs of excitement, “I arise to a question of
privilege."
"Mr. Maxwell has the floor,” said the chair-
man. "Proceed Mr. Maxwell."
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen of
this assembly, I have lived in this city for
twenty-five years. I have seen the town grow
from a small village of two thousand people, to
its present size. I know when the spot whereon


THE INDIGNATION MEETING
53
Maxwell, as may have been observed by the
reader through his speech, was an educated
man. He had also completed a course in law,
in a Northern college and had at one time be-
longed to the Bar Association. But on account
of a lack of practice, he was forced to a abandon
the profession, and at fifty without the care of
a family, he was custodian of one of the large
down town bank buildings. He, however, was
highly respected by both races, and was active
in church work, secret organizations, politics
and civic affairs in general. He was an eloquent
firery speaker and was able to play upon the
emotions of his hearers, thus arousing them and
eliciting hearty and frequent applause.
He spoke at length and being a lawyer used
many technical terms, language of his own pro-
fession, dwelling much on constitutional rights;
and the fourteenth and fifteenth articles of
amendments. Then soaring away on the wings
of eloquence, to heights of oratory, seldom at- ·
tained by ordinary men, he concluded his
speech with the thrilling words of Patrick
Henry, "Give me liberty or give me death,” and
took his seat amid a storm of applause that
shook the very foundation upon which the
building stood.


THE INDIGNATION MEETING
55
committees were out at work he would enter-
tain any one who might yet desire to express
himself. “Would be glad to have a word from
some of the ladies," he said.
The ladies were all backward when it came
to talking in public, and none of them seemed
to show a desire to speak.
Mrs. Simmons and Lillian were there, and
sat together listening attentively to every word
that was said. They were carried away with
the speech-making, and it seemed that Captain
Simmons words spoken that morning before
breakfast were about to come true.
Mrs. Simmons told some of the ladies of
Lillian's troubles that morning. They pitied her
so much, for Lillian was beloved by all. But
they assured her, as her father had done, that
there was no harm done whatever. So they
laughed and chatted gaily until the committee
on resolutions returned and announced that it
was ready to report.
The resolutions were read and seemed to
meet the approval of the assembly. They seem-
ed to be the only remedy that would cope with
the conditions as they now stood. First of all
they condemned the morning paper for publish-
ing such an article as it had that morning, and


56
LILLIAN SIMMONS
recommended that it be asked to refute the
statement, or that they be allowed to give their
version of what had happened the day before.
They denounced the Southern Negro as being
an undesirable citizen, that his ideas and cow-
ardly ways tended to create prejudice. That
the rougher element from the South, had caus-
ed, through his bad conduct, many of their
rights and privileges to be denied them.
They further recommended that the vigilant
committee appointed by the chairman, see to it
that no more undesirables be permitted to come
into the community. And those who were there
were to be held in restraint.
That the young ruffian, Charles Christopher
who made the vicious attack on one of their most
worthy and scholarly young men, be asked to
leave the city at once. If not through persua-
sion, then by force. These were the most im-
portant things, embodied in the resolutions.
"You have heard the resolutions, what is
your pleasure?”
"Mr. Chairman,” the voice came from the
women's side of the house. “Mrs. Lester,” said
the chairman.
"Mr. Chairman, I move that the resolutions
be received and adopted.”



Song
31
TRUE
DI
TES
11. YUN
"When you cast 'flections on de Souf, you cast
'flections on me.”





THE INDIGNATION MEETING
61
Why? Kase he reco'nizes ownership. You
can tell a white man whar to set in dis church,
kase its yourn. The white man tells you
whar to set in de theatres an' in de railroad
trains kase dey is hisn. He bars you from privi-
leges in de Parks and Hotels kase he owns dem
and can do what he pleases wid 'em. Den you
colored folks here in de Norf try to put the
blame on the Southern Negro, when it is jest a
case of might makin' right. The stronges' race
takin' a stand agin the weaks, the white blood
assertin' itself and puttin' forth efforts to hold
in check other races and have de bes' things for
itself.
"An' if you Negroes ever 'mount to any-
thing you got to git togedder like de Negroes of
de Souf has been forced to do. Have some
stores an' banks an' parks an' theatres an' some
schools ob your own. Don't wait till de white
folks kick you out an den blame de bad Negroes
from de Souf for it.
“An'annudder thing you is wrong in, you
has de same spirit in you dat de mob has in de
Souf. If you drives dis man out of town you
can't critize de white men who lynch Negroes
in de Souf. You is full of prejudice yourself
and you cant expect people to deal fair wid you


CHAPTER V
THE WARNING HEEDED
That night George Simmons trudged home-
ward chuckling in glee at the advantage he now
held over Charles Christopher. “And I am go-
ing to use it too,” thought he. “I'll show him
that he can't come up here talking his Southern
talk and get by with it."
So he went to his room and lay until morn-
ing, planning a sweet revenge against Charles
Christopher. The rest of the family were
soon wrapt in slumber, not being used to such
unusual hours for retiring.
But Lillian, like her brother, lay awake the
greater portion of the time. In spite of all her
efforts she could not dismiss the words of old
man Littlejohn's speech from her mind. In fact
his was the only one she could remember dis-
tinctly. Tis true she was carried away by the
eloquence and flowery talk of Frank Maxwell,
but really when she came to think about it, he
had left no deep thoughts over which her mind
65


THE WARNING HEEDED
67
in this case? Could she in anyway prevent her
brother from doing something that for the time
might satisfy and heal his wounded pride, but
in years to come might burn into his conscience
and cause eternal suffering? Old man Little-
john so far wrong in the use of the vehicles
of speech, untrained in book lore, unschooled
in the theories of law as given to the world by
Blackstone, ignorant of social codes or parlor
ettiquette, was not wrong at heart. He had the
true principles of moral philosophy deeply
planted in his nature. And Lillian so regarding
it determined to stand on the platform that he
had laid down. It was not fair to hold a race
accountable for wrong acts committed by cer-
tain individuals of that race. And the fact that
the white people of their town were doing this,
stamped them as unfair and unjust, and old man
Littlejohn was right when he advanced the the-
ory that it was the natural spread of prejudice
which would have come sooner or later regard-
less of the influx of the Southern Negro.
Lillian lay till morning pondering over these
thoughts. She loved her brother dearly and
sympathized with him, but she felt that he was
in the wrong. She felt that they were all in
the wrong. And she was going to try to pre-


THE WARNING HEEDED
69
would be done. Didn't I tell you all that moth-
er? The conduct of the people was excellent,”
he continued. “I never presided over a body
that was as easily controlled as that was last
night.”
“Well the fact is, the boys have got their
minds made up to stop all this heathenism, and
when you get the people all to be of one mind,
they come together for business, they dont
have time for so much foolishness, and they are
easily handled. The only thing that had a ten-
dency to mar the meeting, was old man Little-
john up there with his ignorance,” said George,
“If I had been in your place father, I would
have sat him down.”
“I think your father did the right thing to
let him talk. He is a good old man and no one
paid any attention to his ignorance. Its well to
humor such people,” said Mrs. Simmons.
"Yes mother, but we didn't have time to
listen to his foolishness. He would be amusing
on the stage, but we were not rendering a
vaudeville program there last night.”
“George you ought to be ashamed to make
sport of the old man that way. I listened close-
ly to him and I think he was right in most all
he said. One thing about it, I can remember


THE WARNING HEEDED
Lillian said no more, but she was figuring
what excuse she would make to get away from
the house. For she was now more determined
than ever to thwart the plans of the committee
which she considered no better than a mob.
Ten able-bodied men against one man seemed
cowardly to her. As soon as breakfast was
over she would find some kind of excuse to get
away and warn Charles Christopher. Not to
save him, but to save her brother from a das-
tard act which meant a seared conscience to him
in after life.
She would go to the library and get the
book that she failed to get on the day of the
fight.
“Mother, may I go to the library this morn-
ing and get my book? I am lonely and want
something to read.” She thus addressed her
mother, after her morning duties were per-
formed.
“Yes dear, but don't stay long", was the re-
ply from her mother.
So she dressed as prettily as she could and
started.
The morning after the indignation meeting,
when Charles Christopher came out of the Ho-
tel, he went, as he was accustomed to do to the


72
LILLIAN SIMMONS
river bank. It was here where he had chanced
to hear the words that had stirred up so much
strife.
He took his usual seat and began to watch
life as enacted on and near the river. It was a
beautiful morning, almost as beautiful as the
preceeding day, with its stage set with natural
splendor, the earth bedecked with flowers, the
distant forest dressed in its newest garb, made
lively by the songs of birds flitting gleefuly
about. And Charles Christopher, inspired by
the surroundings began to muse sweetly to him-
self. He had almost forgotten the unpleasant
event of the preceeding day. But he had not
forgotten the beautiful and angelic face of Lil-
lian. “A creauture of the day,” he thought. “A
fairy fit only for beautiful days and lovely scenes
like this. Why is she forced to mingle with or-
dinary mortals like us? But since she must,
then it is my right to love and admire her and
long and hope, if I dare, for acquaintance and
friendship with her. I would give almost any-
thing could I see her and speak to her now and
pour out my heart yearnings at her feet, turn
my soul inside out as it were, that she might see
its purity, that she might understand and be-
hold its true mechanism. To know and under-


THE WARNING HEEDED
73
stand my heart would be to forgive the wrong
that she must imagine that I have inflicted upon
her brother. But some day, some where, some
how, I can not guess now, but things will be ad-
justed. The eternal truth must triumph, and
Lillian Simmons will know the truth and more-
over, accept the love I have for her."
As he mused thus, he heard a light tread in
the soft grass near him. He looked up and be-
hold the idol of his dreams, was at his side.
Charles was dumfounded. He could not
believe his own eyes. His heart for the mo-
ment ceased to beat. Heavy drops of perspira-
tion stood on his upturned brow, and his dark
brown velvet skin, had on it the paleness of
death. A messenger from the tomb could not
have surprised him more. Lillian, with her
library book in hand, also showed some em-
barrassment, but the purpose for which she
came, gave her self control, so she greeted him,
saying, “This is Mr. Christopher, is it not?”
"It is,” replied Charles with quivering lips.
“Well Mr. Christopher, I come to see you
on some very grave and important business.
You no doubt have heard of the big indignation
meeting held by the citizens of this town last
night.


THE WARNING HEEDED
75
"Why you owe me no apology, Mr. Christo-
pher, you have done nothing to me and as for
my brother, I am sure that he can do no more to
you than you can do to him," said Lillian, red-
dening. "But my brother with nine other men
can do you much harm. My brother is young
and impetuous and is likely to do something that
he might regret to the longest day he lives.
And to save himself from a dastardly, cowardly,
unmanly, though thoughtless act, is why I come
to you as I do. And as I must not be seen talk-
ing to you, and you can readily understand why,
you are sensible,” she said betraying a degree
of confidence in her tone of voice. “I must ask you
for a hasty reply. Will you leave for my sake?”
Charles could no more resist the pleadings
of Lillian Simmons than he could dam up the
great Niagra. So looking at her with soft eyes
that seemed to melt her very soul, with eyes
that spoke volumes unexpressed by the lips, he
said, "If I go as you ask, may I hope?"---
He did not finish, but she seemed to under-
stand him, and answered in tender accents.
“Go do what I ask you for my sake and be a
good boy. We do not know what the future
holds for us. I must go now, good-bye.” And
before Charles could get himself together and


76
LILLIAN SIMMONS
say the things that he most desired to say, the
opportunity that he could scarcely have hoped
for, had come and gone. He sat and watched
her as she swiftly and gracefully moved away.
He watched her even until she had disappeared
around the bend in the flower strewn path and
was hidden by a thick cluster of shrubs and
trees. For a time he was bewildered. He was
completely overcome by Lillian's beauty and
grace, and by her earnest, yet tender plea.
Her voice was like sweet music to his ears and
Siren like, she had lured him and won him to
her purpose.
Finally awakening to his senses he began
to think what he had done, what promise he had
made. Was it not cowardly for him to leave at
this particular time, when these Northern peo-
ple could and should be taught a lesson? What
would those of his sympathizing friends say and
think of him? What would the reporter, the
manager of the hotel, and many of the guests
who had heard of the affair say, should he leave
at this time in obedience to Lillian? But did she
not give him cause to hope? Was not the hope
held out in tender and confidentially spoken
words worth the sacrifice? “Go do what I ask
you for my sake and be a good boy.” Did not


THE WARNING HEEDED
these words spoken by the beautiful Lillian mean
that there was at least a fighting chance for him
to win her love? Could he not go away now
and at some future time return and say the
things that he desired so much to say to her?
If he should leave the town for her sake, 10
save the conscience of her brother in the future,
there would at least be common grounds for
friendship, and having an advantage like this,
could he not follow it up and seek to know her
better? After thinking along this line for some
time he finally concluded that he would run the
risk of being called a coward for an opportunity
like this. He would go to the reporter and
manager of the Hotel, and as many of his friends
as he could find and explain the reasons for his
departure, as best he could, and would take the
first train out. Then he remembered the com-
mand of George Simmons, and his own reply,
“I had rather die a hundred deaths than to heed
or listen to your command.” “But this would
not be obeying the command of George Sim-
mons,” he thought; rather it would be granting
the request of his beautiful sister whom he
loved, and robbing George of his opportunity
for what he called a sweet revenge.
The first train left the city at one thirty that


LILLIAN SIMMONS
afternoon and Charles Christopher left with it,
disregarding the pleadings and importunities of
his friends.


CHAPTER VI
THWARTED
Lillian hastened toward home and as she
trudged lightly along she began to think of what
she had done. This was the first time that she
had done anything that she must conceal from
her mother. The thought began to prey upon
her mind. Being of a sensitive nature, and
having been taught to never conceal anything
from her mother she found herself regretting
her action. If she could only tell her
about it, tell her why and all, she would feel
satisfied, feel that her action was entirely right
and proper. She felt too, that her mother
would approve of her action if she knew it.
She knew that she loved George and
had already cautioned him to stay out of trouble,
and no doubt would have tried to prevent him
herself, but perhaps she never would have
thought of the plan that she had so successfully
persued. But would Charles Christopher have
listened to her mother as he had listened to
79


80
LILLIAN SIMMONS
her? She believed not. She could not help
knowing that Charles Christopher admired her.
She had read that in his large soulful eyes, and
that was why he had obeyed her. But would a
plea from her mother have had the same effect
on him? She believed not and felt somewhat
flattered on the account of this fact. She had
saved her brother from further trouble and
kept a stain off his character by persuading
Charles Christopher to leave, and she would not
worry. Besides Charles Christopher was a fine
looking man and his frank manner, his correct
use of English and his deep soulful eyes, which
had expressed volumes to her, had impressed
her. She liked him, that is why she spoke so
tenderly to him, pleading with him to do her
bidding, and encouraging him in the manner in
which she had. She would always remember
him and she would be kind to him, yes very
kind to him if she should ever chance to meet
him again. If he would write to her-
She was now ascending the steps of the
veranda. The large St. Bernard met her and
showed her his pleasure at her arrival by bark-
ing good naturedly and capering around her.
She stopped, as was her custom, patted him on
the head and said kind words to him, failing to


THWARTED
81
complete her last thought in words, the large
dog having interrupted.
"You back Lillian?" asked her mother, as
she entered the house. "I hope you were able
to secure your book this time.”
"Yes mother I have it. I am going to read
it and tell you about it after dinner,” said Lillian
nervously.
“Hurry up and prepare the table dear, it is
almost noon and your father will be here short-
ly.”
Lillian said nothing, but bathing her face
and hands, began her duties. And it was not
long before the family was seated at the table.
Captain Simmons was very complacent, but
George seemed rather disturbed.
“George what is the matter with you?”
asked his mother at length.
“Oh, I am sore mother. Dont you know,"
he continued, “I went to the Daily News office
this morning and gave them our side, or our
version of the fight the other day, and
the editor threw it in the wate basket, said it
was stale stuff, and they could not use it.
"So I up and told him the article they pub-
lished was false, that it misrepresented the
Northern colored people, and placed them in a


THWARTED
83
Mrs. Simmons, after hearing him through,
said to him in her patient, tender, consoling ac-
cents. “Well son, you must not take things so
hard. You must learn to be calm under fire. I
think you are a little bit too radical. You are
extreme in your likes and dislikes. You are
either on the mountain top or in the valley.
This morning you were highly pleased, you fair-
ly gloated over the results of the meeting, and
the advantages that it gave you over your en-
emy. Now you go to pieces because you have
lost one point. Your spirits seem to be grovel-
ing in the very lowest depths of depression.
You will have to do better than that my son.
Dont allow your hopes to rise too high or sink
too low. Try and strike a happy medium. You
will be happier if you adopt this plan."
George said no more but it was plain to be
seen that he was very much displeased at this
turn of affairs.
Captain Simmons, not wishing to betray his
anger and his nervous excitement, after Mrs.
Simmons' pointed, but all too true remarks, re-
mained silent throughout the meal. When he
was through eating, he arose from the table ab-
ruptly, saying to George: "Be sure and see


LILLIAN SIMMONS
that that young pup leaves this town this after-
noon," and started to his office.
"You may bet your last dollar on that fath-
er," said George revengefully. "I am going
after the boys now.”
That afternoon at four o'clock George and
his committee stood at the hotel entrance wait-
ing for Charles Christopher to come out. When
told by some of the other employees that Charles
had left town he did not believe them, and told
them as much. He told them that the pup need
not be hiding, that he would have to come out
some time. At this one of the boys remarked:
"You don't think he is afraid of you do you?
Why that boy can whip all three of you fellows.
We would not lie to you George. He really is
gone. He left on the one thirty train. He says
that he is going further North.”
“Boys dont be ‘kidding',” said George. “We
are here for business. And we must see him.
Tell him to come out, that we want to talk to
him.”
“Ask the proprietor if you dont believe us,"
said one of the boys. “I saw him when he got
his time.”
George was not satisfied with the report
obtained from the boys, so he went to the Hotel


86.
LILLIAN SIMMONS
standard except that of manhood and good
character. And to hear him talk like that had
a tendency to dampen George's ardor and to
cool his hot head.
"You do not understand the situation as
we do."
“Situation or no situation,” said Mr. Dover,
"I know a good man when I meet one, and I
dont believe in allowing them to be imposed up-
on. And if that boy had remained with me and
you had harmed him, you and your people
would have had to suffer for it. I have heard
all about this affair. I tried to persuade him
not to go. But he left because he did not want to
cause you colored people trouble.”
“Well Mr. Dover,” said George, "you are
not in a mood to talk today, but I do hope at
some time to be able to explain everything to
you."
“I shall never be in a mood to listen to any-
thing you have to say against Charles Christo-
pher,” replied Mr. Dover. “So you need never
return on a mission like that.”
“Well good day Mr. Dover. I hope no harm
has been done."
"Good day,” replied the proprietor.
George left the hotel office feeling badly.


CHAPTER VII
THE TWO ARGUMENTS
There is, as is well known, a wide difference
of opinion as to what is the best policy to pur-
sue in solving what is called the race problem.
The opinions are largely sectional, and so far as
the colored race is concerned, are as wide apart
as the two sections themselves. They are op-
posite. The colored people of the North being
radical, believe in fighting with gun and sword,
if need be, for their constitutional rights and
privileges, while the colored people of the South
believe in pursuing a more conservative course,
securing rights and privileges through strategy
or diplomacy or meritorious effort. How far
either section is right, it is not our purpose to
affirm or deny. We are forced to acknowledge
though, that both policies as pursued by the
different sections seem either to have failed or
are very slow in attaining the desired results.
The Northern people abhor the idea of
separate schools, yet they are being instituted
88


90
LILLIAN SIMMONS
claim that there would be no race problem if
they had the sense of justice in their hearts.
They think that it will take force to get them in
the right attitude, and when the negroes North
and South becomes a unit on this thought, no
power or people on earth can impose upon them,
That the idea, "He who would be free must
fight," is divine. The North could not conquer
the South until it promised freedom to the
slaves. The slaves could not be free until they
made up their minds to be slaves no longer and
struck a blow in their own behalf. John Brown
could do nothing for the Negro because their
minds at that time were not pregnant with a
determination to be free.
Abraham Lincoln, that far seeing statesman,
that diplomat, that instrument in God's hand,
caught the idea in the air as it were, that "He
who would be free must fight," and placed
weapons of war in the hands of Negro men and
boys, bidding them to free themselves,
You Southern people, says the North, argue
that you have no guns, no ammunition, no pow-
er, by which you may obtain your rights. That
is not it. You have no courage. You will
not make the attempt because you are afraid
that you will die. You are not willing to sacri-


THE TWO ARGUMENTS
fice life in the defense of that which is yours by
inheritance. Come and join us, colored broth-
ers of the South, not sectionally, but take on
our spirit, imbibe our ideas for fair play, and
help us to teach the people of the other race
there is no other solution of the race problem
except fair treatment. Let us unite soul and
body on the determination to get justice in this
land at any cost and the battle is half won. God
in his infinite wisdom, in his own mysterious
way, will do the rest.”
This is the doctrine that is preached by
nearly all native colored people throughout the
North. This is the idea that they would incul-
cate in the minds of the colored people from the
South who come to dwell among them. This is
the platform upon which the Simmons family
stood. And this is what George Simmons want-
ed Charles Christopher to understand and to do.
But if Charles Christopher had had an op-
portunity to voice the sentiment of his people,
he would have answered with the same stubborn
facts, that all intelligent colored people from the
South do when confronted with the boasting
and fighting spirit of the North. "No doubt
but what you are right my brother, but does
this agitation, this fighting policy which you


92
LILLIAN SIMMONS
recommend, ward off or even hold in check this
unfair and unjust treatment, of which you so
passionately and indignantly prate? We have
segregation in all its odious forms forced upon
us. We are powerless, we cannot help ourselves.
Your fighting policy will not work down in our
section. You dare not come down our way and
advocate the doctrine which you preach. You
are like the dog that barks and growls only
when he is in his masters yard. You can not
carry your fighting talk beyond the 'Mason and
Dixon Line'. If you are brave enough and think
you can, come down and try it. But dont you
think for one moment that we are cowards be-
cause we lift our voices protesting in an humble
yet sensible way and get results. For we can,
and do, do more of this loud boastful mandatory
talk than you can come down here and do.
They understand us, and they would not under-
stand you. And you would not live to return
and tell the story of what they did to you and to
your Northern brethern should you come down
and make the attempt. Our industrous and
diplomatic policy has done and is doing much
for us. We are both struggling for the same
thing. Our ideas are the same, but our sections
of the country and the people who dwell therein,


THE TWO ARGUMENTS
93
demand different methods of procedure, that is
all. And the things that you consider hard-
ships, we have found them to be benefits.
“We are none the losers by having separ-
ate schools. Thousands and thousands of dol-
lars have found their way into our pockets
through the separate school system. Our
teaching force is becoming more and more ef-
ficient each year, through contact and practice
among the youth of the race. They are learn-
ing to do by doing. They could never have se-
cured the advantage that they now have here
in your section. Besides it gives to our boys
and girls at least one occupation, that cannot be
called drudgery. Your children of the North
finish with honors, in the schools and colleges
of this section, oft times outstripping the Anglo
Saxon boy or girl in the attainment of scholar-
ship. And to what purpose, when this cowork-
er, weaker than himself, secures the big paying
position, and he is forced to take to the fields
of drudgery?
“What inducements have your boys and
girls to complete a course here in the North?
It matters not how well trained or equipped for
usefulness that they are, they must leave the
Northern fireside and come to this, our southern


THE TWO ARGUMENTS
. 95
awake. We are progressing. We are attract-
ing attention. We are gaining respect and rec-
ognition. We are giving to the capable boys
and girls of our race employment. We are living
for posterity. This unjust treatment, this op-
pression, this humiliation is hammering and
chizeling and shaping us into the form of a new
and distinct nation, which in future years
shall receive favors and recognition because of
its progress, its merits and its manhood. What
results can you show, my Northern brother, by
pursuing your revengeful fighting policy? Per-
haps you have not gone far enough along that line
to attain results. Then continue a little longer
and when you find that you have been forced
to yield up your rights and privileges one by
one, that the other race, has forced you to let
loose entirely the small hold which you have
had upon it, then come and join us, not sec-
tionally, but take on our spirit in your own sec-
tion, and at least make an attempt along busi-
ness, commercial and professional lines. Dont
stand in your own light fearing to branch out
for yourselves, lest you should offend the people
of your own race by sowing seeds of prejudice
and by instituting voluntary segregation. Open
up the vast fields of business and trade which
stand in your Test you shouldeeds of pre.


96
LILLIAN SIMMONS
are strange and new to Northern colored people.
There will be failures of course but we must
get the drill we must have the practice. Pos-
terity is dependent upon us, and will profit by
our many mistakes. And let us remember that
we can learn to do, only by doing.”
This is substantially the argument made by
all Southern colored people and this is the ar-
gument that Charles Christopher would have
made to George Simmons that eventful morning
of the fight, had George not lost his temper and
so ruthlessly and so grossly insulted him.
But neither the Simmons family or any of
the Northern born people were prepared to
listen to or heed such advice, coming from the
South. They could not and would not accept
it. And granting this, that the Southern people
were progressing along business and profession-
al lines; what was that in a country where
they have to step aside when they see a white
man coming and let him pass; where they have
to be bowing and scraping and apologizing all
the time, lest they be characterized and consid-
ered a saucy "nigger?”


CHAPTER VIII
REVERSES FOR THE SIMMONS FAMILY.
Three years have passed since the first
events recorded in our story took place. Many
changes have been wrought in this specific
northern city, as well as in the lives of our
characters, who are playing leading roles.
The Simmons family is not what it used to
be Captain Simmons is no longer clerk in the
city treasurer's office. "The mills of the Gods
grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”
Politics and prejudice have at last got in their
work, and two years ago Captain Simmons was
forced to step down and out from his lucretive
position. He tried to shift the blame on the
shoulders of the southern Negro, but the points
that he made were so far fetched that his friends
were unable to see. Hence the view that he
took was not accepted. He put forth many
strenuous efforts to regain what he had lost,
but to no avail. So for two years he has re-
mained practically idle. He sees the influence
97


98
LILLIAN SIMMONS
that he once held in the community, and espec-
ially among his own people, slipping away.
Money is very scarce with him and his
creditors are harassing him. Taxes, insurance,
water bills and street improvements have re-
duced him. He is ageing rapidly, and worry is
beginning to tell on him. He is still hopeful,
however, and tries hard yet to brace up and
look his friends and foes squarely in the face.
Mrs. Simmons, whose locks are now silvering,
understands her husband too well. No count-
erfeit goes around her. She knows the real
condition, and her husband need not try to fool
her or try to hide from her the financial
strait in which he is entangled.
· Yet the good woman knows not what to do
to relieve the strain. She sees her husband
worrying, and of course she needs must worry
too. George is working as porter in one of the
down town stores, but his salary is not suffici-
ent to meet the demands of the family, besides
George is a good dresser and struggles hard to
keep up appearances. Naturally proud and
ambitious, he often tries to make his young
women friends and associates believe that he is
a clerk in the store in which he works, but they
know better because they have seen him at


REVERSES FOR THE SIMMONS FAMILY 99
work, and they think less of him on account of
of his attempt to deceive them.
Lillian is as sweet and beautiful as ever.
She has lost none of her charm and grace. A
little more sedate and womanly perhaps. But
the beautiful glow remains upon her cheek and
the youthful gleam is still in her eye. She
seems to gain in loveliness and attraction as
the years go by. She takes great delight in
being in mother's and father's company and
does much to console them when they are
troubled.
Captain Simmons loves her dearly and has
often been heard to say that he could not live
without her.
Lillian also understands the situation re-
garding her father's financial condition, and is
anxious to relieve the strain. She is willing to
go out and work in service, but her beloved
parents will not under any circumstances hear
to it. She knows well how to do house work
and is anxious to put her knowledge into prac-
tice to benefit the family.
“Well mother, what are we going to do?”
she said one morning at the breakfast table, af-
ter George and her father had left. "We can't
sit here and see the property taken away from


REVERSES FOR THE SIMMONS FAMILY 101
on you and papa. I want to help you out."
Mrs. Simmons said not a word. The tears
began to flow faster and faster, and Lillian see-
ing that her mother was almost ready to break
down, said in her most cheerful voice, “I tell
you mother, how would it do for me to adver-
tise as a cateress and wait parties?”
Mrs. Simmons, not wishing to discourage
Lillian, looked up remarking, “I had never once
thought of that my dear. There is really a de-
gree of professionalism in that and I dont know
but what it might be a good thing to do. I
might be able to help you in that. We both
could work along together. It is true we ought
to do something to help father out of this strain.
I will speak to him about it when he returns
and see what he thinks about it.


CHAPTER IX
A TEACHER WANTED
At that moment there was a knock at the
door. Lillian rose to open it, and with an ex-
clamation of delight, announced in Bishop
Granville of the A. M. E. church.
Mrs. Simmons who had not seen the Bishop
for a number of years, also expressed her sur-
prise and delight. The three chatted away
cheerfully for some time. They seemed to for-
get all their troubles and worries in the presence
of the distinguished divine. They chatted
away at length, when finally the Bishop inform-
ed them that he must be going. “I am only
here," said he "for a few hours. I want to see
the pastor of your church on some very impor-
tant business. By the way Miss Lillian, I must
call you Miss now, you have grown to be such
a beautiful young lady, I am on the lookout for
a good teacher to teach in a Southern colored
school. Do you know any graduates from your
High School here that I could recommend
102



Mbe
---
1-1-
H-
TUTTIMI
IMAMILTON
"I have always been averse to colored schools
and colored teachers.”


A TEACHER WANTED
105
for the place? You are a graduate are you not?
Suppose you let me send you down there?
What do you say, Madam?” said the Bishop,
turning to Mrs. Simmons.
"Oh mama! do let me go. It is the very
thing, exclaimed Lillian, clapping her hands in
delight and almost betraying the family troubles
by her anxious tone and manner.
“I dont know about that,” said Mrs. Sim-
mons, remembering her attitude toward colored
schools and colored teachers. “I have always
been averse to separate schools and colored
teachers, and have several times publicly lifted
my voice against them, and it would now seem
so inconsistent for me to permit my own daugh-
ter to take up a line of work entirely opposite
to the principles which I have held, to the doc-
trine which I have always preached.”
“My dear Mrs. Simmons!” exclaimed the
Bishop in surprise. “You dont mean to tell me
that you oppose separate schools in the South
do you, or in the North either as to that matter?
Well my good woman you are standing in your
own light,” said the Bishop somewhat peeved.
“Your daughter is missing a great opportunity
if you continue to adhere to the stand which
you have heretofore taken. Take my advice


106
LILLIAN SIMMONS
and cease to advocate doctrine that is not in
keeping with the growth and development of
the talents and skill which is dormant in your
own race, and in your own children.”
Mrs. Simmons listened to what the good
man said very patiently. There was a time
when it would be useless for anyone to call her
attenion to such things as the Bishop had, for she
would have turned a deaf ear to him. She
made no reply but stood looking in an-
other direction in a thoughtful manner.
"Come Sister Simmons, what do you say?"
said the Bishop believing her to be giving the
matter favorable consideration.
"Well Bishop Granville, I will have to think
it over. I will talk to Mr. Simmons about it and
see what he says. What salary does the posi-
tion pay?" she asked.
"Well they pay according to the length of
time one serves as a teacher. They begin with
sixty-five dollars per month and after three
years they continue to increase until they reach
the maximum, which is one hundred dollars per
month. This will be a fine thing for Miss
Lillian. I want her to see what the South is
doing, and this will be her opportunity. The
school lasts ten months.”
see what
he asked
me to the length of


A TEACHER WANTED
107
"When will you be back this way?" asked
Mrs. Simmons.
"In about three weeks from now. But if
you decide to let her go, you had better send
word to my next stopping place. I will be there
for a week. Here is my address," writing it on
a card, he handed it to her. “You see," he contin-
ued, "they want to get the matter of selecting
teachers out of the way as soon as possible
though school will not open until September.
That will give Miss Lillian a chance to prepare.”
"I shall depend upon you child. I know
your parents will consent. I shall make no
further inquiry for a teacher. I will see that
you secure the position.” With this he bade
them a hearty good-bye and departed for the
residence of the minister.
"Mother,” said Lillian, after the Bishop had
gone, “surely the Lord sent his good Angel to
our relief. This is a certain answer to my
prayers. Oh how thankful I am that he came
with the offer. Just think sixty-five dollars per
month. In ten months time I will have enough
money to pay off all the debts. Papa can now
mortgage the property with safety and secure
the ready cash, and relieve the immediate strain
cant he mama?”


108
LILLLAN SIMMONS
"Dont be too elated my dear,” said Mrs.
Simmons with a smile. "You are not gone yet.
Your father will have to have something to say
about it. Besides I have not wholly made up
my mind that that will be the proper thing to
do. You know the decided stand that we took
three years ago against Jim Crowism.”
"Well I dont care mother, you all were
wrong at that time any way. This will be sim-
ply an acknowledgement that you were wrong
in your opinions regarding separate schools.
An open confession will harm no one. Dont be
too proud to acknowledge when you are wrong
and try to make amends if possible,” said
Lillian, thinking of Charles Christopher. “Be-
sides,” she continued, "these people have noth-
ing to offer us and when we are down they
look upon us with scorn. Look how they did
when I attempted to get up a music class. They
felt as you have felt, that they must have a
white music teacher for their children. And I
know that I am better prepared to teach music
than the teacher that most of them have se-
cured.
"Away with this false pride and this love
for the other race, and the foolish idea that
people of our own race have no ability. We


A TEACHER WANTED
109
can do just as well as any one else and a great
many times better, when we have the training
and the chance."
“I am going South and work in the interest
of my people, that's what I am going to do. I
see plainly that I can never amount to anything
up here."
"Well my dear, tis true that there is noth-
ing for you to do up here, and I am sure that
you are fitted for the work down there. I sup-
pose separate schools are alright in the South
if they secure people who have been trained in
the mixed schools of the North as you have
been, to teach them.”
“And I think mixed schools in the North
would be alright, too, if they would mix the
teaching force,” said Lillian. “Why I was a
much better scholar than Maggie Armstrong,
always made better marks, and many have been
the times that I have worked out her algebra
problems for her. Now she is teaching, making
one hundred and ten dollars per month. And
here I am doing nothing. What is the use to
excel in school if a person gets no more out of
it than I am getting. One nights' honor will
not last me for a lifetime. I must have some-
thing to do. And if the good Bishop will secure


112
LILLIAN SIMMONS
even by his beautiful beloved sister. He had
the same feeling though, that he would have
had if she had been going away as missionary
to the heathen land of Africa.
George's ideas and cpiticism of the Southern
people must be over looked by the reader. For
he had never been in that section, nor had he
ever met any of the wealthy and highly educat-
ed, southern colored people who sometimes
visit through the summer in the North. He is
young and inexperienced, but he is sensible and
can and will be taught better some day.
That night Mrs. Simmons spurred on by the
sensible words, as she thought, spoken by her
husband and anxious to relieve the financial
strain, eagerly sat down and wrote Bishop Gran-
ville a letter thanking him for his kind sugges-
tions and the interest he had taken in her
daughter. That after looking into the matter
of which he spoke, she and her husband, Captain
Simmons, had decided to allow their daughter
Lillian to take the position as teacher in the
South. Fearing that there might be some slip,
she urged the Bishop to be sure and do all
that he could. Now that she had decided, she
did not want anything to go wrong. That if
anything should happen to prevent Lillian's se-


A TEACHER WANTED
113
curing the position, the disappointment to the
family would be great. She closed her letter
in the customary way, sealed it and sent it away
that same night by special delivery.
The next day she received the reply. The
Bishop was very glad that she had set aside the
prejudice which she had always held against
colored schools and teachers and told her so in
his letter. He told her to have no fear, that
the place was secure for Lillian. And thanked
her and Mr. Simmons for reaching the right
conclusion and for so promptly informing him.
He closed invoking the richest blessings from
Heaven upon the whole family.


CHAPTER X
A BUSINESS VENTURE
In the past three years Charles Christopher
has visited many places in the North. He has
had an opportunity to observe many things and
has not failed to make note of them. At the
various summer resorts where he has been em-
ployed he has been in close contact with all
classes of people and has made them a study.
Sociology, psychology and other subjects along
the lines of human interest naturally appeal to
him. He is also a constant visitor to the Library
and has devoured the contents of many books.
Besides he reads the daily papers and is up on
all the current news of the days. Broad mind-
ed, big hearted he grows in gentility, dignity
and manhood as the years go by.
He often thinks of Lillian Simmons and has
an overwhelming desire to see her once more.
He has been tempted many times to write her,
just to send her a post card, but each time his
heart has failed him. He realizes full well the
114


A BUSINESS VENTURE
115
truth of the oft repeated expression, “A faint
heart never won fair lady,” but he has not the
courage to drop the many letters that he has
nėrved himself to write to her, in the mail box.
He is strong and courageous in all things else,
seemingly, except in friendly overtures and
courtship to beautiful Lillian Simmons. He
cannot rely upon the hope which she held out
to him, as a reward for the sacrifice that he
made to please or to gratify her, the day on
which he left. He is afraid that he may have
misunderstood, that her tone and manner did
not bespeak what he at first had hoped. It
was very possible that he being excited and
carried away by her abrupt appearance, was
mistaken after all. Besides he had neglected
so long, that it was no use to try to gain recog-
nition from her now. "If she is not married to
another she has forgotten me in this time," he
thought. Thus for a long time he would think
of her and wonder if he would ever see her
again.
Time rolled on and Charles continued to
work. It is now the month of September.
Charles has saved up a good sized bank account
and he is anxious to go into business for him-
self. Being familiar with the grocery business


116
LILLIAN SIMMONS
he begins to think out some locality that would
be suitable for a business venture along this
line. And after running over the list of cities
and towns in which he had been and having
made notes of the possibilities for a business
venture among colored people in them, he de-
cided that there would be no better place to
start than in the town where he had met oppo-
sition because he was from the South.
There was at least three thousand colored
people in the place, the majority of whom lived
well and owned their own homes. He could
see no reason why they would not trade with
him. He would keep a neat clean place and
though his stock would be small, it should be as
good and as fresh as any.
He had also noticed that the white people
of the North were indeed very friendly and
were disposed to recognize the true worth of a
man, and he felt sure that many of them would
trade with him if he should carry such things
as they would want.
He is ready to acknowledge that there is a
much better spirit existing toward colored peo-
ple as a race in the North than there is in the
South. The Southern white people bestow their
love and friendship upon individuals of the


A BUSINESS VENTURE
117
race on account of family ties and past remem-
brances of loyalty and other sentimental rea-
sons. But they care naught for them as a race.
They can see nothing in them. They criticize
them for being rough, uncouth and shiftless,
without thinking of the original cause of their
degredation.
The Northern white people have a tendency
to look upon them with pity and are really glad to
see them prosper. And Charles Christopher,
ever on the alert, was sensible to this fact and
was always ready to thank them and to show
his appreciation. Although it was not pity that
he wanted, but a fair chance and he would do
the rest.
He went over his plans several times in his
mind and finally concluding that he was on the
right road, decided that he would quit the place
where he was now working in about ten days
and start for the scene of his venture.
Charles was a young man of decision and
when he made up his mind to do a thing, he
would, as a rule, go through with it. So upon
the day set, he departed for the city where he
had been the cause of so much turmoil and
strife. For even after he was gone from the
place it seemed that outbreaks and disturbances


118
LILLIAN SIMMONS
were more frequent than ever, due to the North-
ern people tightening up reins so to speak and
attempting to restrain the Southern people from
utterances which did not harmonize with their
own, and the Southern peoples resistence, who
it seemed had become emboldened, partly by
the remarks of the paper and partly by old man
Littlejohn's speech and the stand which he took
in their behalf at the meeting that night.
They began to think and talk among themselves
after that. They were not long in discovering
that they were in the majority and they knew
that they were free and did not have to be
afraid to express their views along the lines of
their policy, for the solution of the race prob-
lem. All this caused the confusion among the
people.
But since Captain Simmons has lost his po-
sition, and with it the greater part of his influ-
ence, things have been much quieter. He and
his son George and Frank Maxwell were the
chief agitators, but now it seems that they have
no following and it is difficult for them to get a
hearing.
So there is no better time for Charles
Christopher to begin business in that city than
now. He boards the train and is soon speeding


120
LILLIAN SIMMONS
morning when Lillian Simmons approached
fairylike and pleaded with him to leave the city.
There is the spot where he and George Sim-
mons, like gladiators, fought. Over yonder is
the Simmons stately, but somewhat weather-
beaten home. It is badly in need of paint.
The train is now at the depot from which
he departed three years ago. He realizes more
fully now where he is and what is his purpose.
He wonders if Lillian Simmons is still in the
city, and will he have a chance to see her. He
picked up his grip and moved slowly toward
the door of the crowded train. And as he was
descending the steps, lifting his eyes, he beheld'
gazing into his face, the heavy lashed, deeply
set black eyes of Lillian Simmons. Amid the
shouts of "Good-bye" and waving hands,
Lillian Simmons got on the train that Charles
Christopher got off. It was all like a dream to
both of them, so quickly did it happen. A glance,
a recognition and a deep thrill of the heart and
that was all!
Charles Christopher had come and Lillian
Simmons had gone and not a word was spoken.
So a great barrier still exists between these two
who would be friends. "The irony of fate,”
thought Charles as he stood and watched the


A BUSINESS VENTURE
121
train with increasing speed move away, bearing
Lillian Simmons thither he knew not where.
Then collecting himself with an effort he board-
ed a car and rode up into the city.
The whole Simmons family and many of
their friends were at the station to see Lillian
off. They saw Charles when he alighted from
the train and were too surprised at first to say
anything. George finally whispered to his
mother and told her that old Charley Christo-
pher had gotten off the train.
"Is that so," said Mrs. Simmons, "where is
he? I have never seen him.”
"There he is, getting on the car,” said
George.
“Is that he? Why I never figured his be-
ing that sort of a looking fellow. He is not a
rough looking man at all. I wonder why he
comes back here,” said Mrs. Simmons.
"I don't have the least idea,” said George.
“I know this, though, he shall not stay here
lòng.” He then turned to his father who was a
few steps behind and said: “Father I guess we
will have to call another meeting. I see that
Charley Christopher is back here."
"Who is Charley Christopher?” returned
his father.


124
LILLIAN SIMMONS
he had seized the opportunity to develop when
traveling when employed in the various hotels
of the North, was now asserting itself, for
through it he was enabled to handle his patrons
successfully and increase his trade.
Say what you will, it is the man with the
vim and with a pleasing personality who gets
the big business. In six months time Charles
was enabled to double his stock and his pros-
pects for future business and trade had increas-
ed a hundred per cent. Much comment was
made on his enterprise, and words of praise
could be heard for him on every hand. The
colored people had begun to feel proud of their
colored store. “Christopher's Grocery” was all
the talk among them. They took great pride
in telling strangers about it and each one felt
somehow that he had an interest in it. Every
one was pleased except Frank Maxwell and the
Simmons family.


126
LILLIAN SIMMONS
with their patronage. So he was at a loss. He
could think of nothing to say or do.
Lillian's having to go South to teach and
Charles Christopher's coming North and enter-
ing into a successful business, set Mrs. Simmons
to thinking deeply regarding the race problem.
She often thought of the words of Bishop Gran-
ville the morning when he made the offer for
Lillian to teach in the South. “Cease to advo-
cate doctrine that is not in keeping with the
growth and development of the talents and
skill which is dormant in your own race and in
your own children.” His words then had the
ring of truth about them and she had often
dwelt upon them.
And now they have more meaning in them
when she notes the success that Charles Chris-
topher is having, through his business enter-
prise. She too, in a way, envies him. Like all
good mothers she would be so glad were it her
son. She now sees clearly which boy has the
better chance. She realizes that the man doing
business for himself has a great advantage over
the one working for some one else. How grand
it would have been had she and Captain Sim-
mons, while in a prosperous condition, had had
the good sense to have started some kind of


MRS. SIMMONS' REBUKE
127
business for themselves. They would have
been independent by now, and could be able to
give their own children employment. "But it
is too late now," she thought. "I can't see how
George can ever be anything else other than a
porter in a dry goods store where he is now
working. He doesn't make enough money to
lay any of it away. If Mr. Simmons don't get
something to do soon, I don't know what will
become of us. Perhaps the Negroes of the
South are right after all in pursuing their poli-
cies advocating separate business and separate
schools. I see plainly the advantage of both.”
That evening at the supper table Charles
Christopher was the subject for discussion by
the Simmons family.
Mrs. Simmons began by asking George
what purpose had he in life. She could see
nothing for him, but she thought perhaps he
had some plan that he had never unfolded to
herself and Mr. Simmons. He was now past
twenty-five and she thought it time for him to
make up his mind what he would like to do.
Charles Christopher's success had brought
things to an issue. His Southern idea looked
good to her, and she wanted to find out what
George thought about it.


128
LILLIAN SIMMONS
"Do you always expect to remain a porter
in the dry goods store?” said she, putting the
question directly.
"Why no mother,” said George in an in-
jured tone.
"Well what do purpose to take up as a life
work?” she asked.
George sat silent. He really had no pur-
pose. He had gotten past the place where he
was so ambitious. In the past year or so he
seemed content to draw his small weekly pit-
tance and have it spent almost before it was
made. Tis true he had used most of it at home
while the family was in such straitened cir-
cumstances, still he realized that he was not
making the headway that he should, consider-
ing his superior education and training. But
he knew nothing else that he could do, so he
was simply drifting he knew not where.
"Tell me what you are going to do George,”
insisted his mother.
It was plain that George had no definite aim
or plan in life and his mother felt sorry for him.
She felt that she and her husband was the
cause of his destitution of ideas. She began to
think what the other race has provided for their
children. They have factories, foundries, stores


MRS. SIMMONS' REBUKE
129
and business of all sorts in which to place them.
Whether they finish school or not, they can
find employment for them.
But what have the colored people for their
children to do? Here is George who is an ac-
complished scholar, who graduated with high
honors and who is as capable as any white boy
in the city. What has he to do? He cannot
teach for they do not employ colored teachers
in mixed schools. He has applied oftimes for
a position as clerk in the stores, in the shipping
houses and in the city hall, but each time he has
met with refusal. To get the position as a por-
ter which he now holds, he had to go through
a lot of “red tape", and had to have a tremen-
dous "pull.”
“And this is the condition that confronts all
young and deserving colored men of the North,”
thought Mrs. Simmons.
George stammered out some sort of a weak
reply to his mother. He said something about
becoming a civil engineer, or he would like to
take a course in pharmacy. His replies were
altogether unsatisfactory to his mother.
"Well,” said Mrs. Simmons, "until you and
your father show me differently, I am a con-
vert to the Southern idea. I have been watch-


130
LILLIAN SIMMONS
ing this fellow Christopher in business and to
my way of thinking he was right at the time
you all had the fight and from all appearances
he is right now. Things are as plain to me now
as they can be. Our family is being benefitted
by separate schools, and I am sure it would be
greatly benefitted now if we had such a busi-
ness as Charles Christopher has established.
You had just as well have had a business of
your own as for Christopher to come here and
set up one. I understand that he is getting
rich. It is so strange that we have all been so
blind. As I say, if I am wrong I want you and
your father to set me right. How about it Mr.
Simmons?”
Captain Simmons had been sitting listening
quietly to what Mrs. Simmons was saying. He
realized that much of what she said was true.
But he was not frank enough to admit it. He
said that Mrs. Simmons could think as she
pleased, but as for him he never would become
a believer in Southern Negro ideas. And as
for Charles Christopher he bet he would go un-
der in a short time. As all other Negro under-
takings usually do.
"But you will admit,” returned Mrs. Sim-
mons, "that we would be better off if George


MRS. SIMMONS' REBUKE
131
had a business like that, will you not? I have
never been there, but they say his place is al-
ways full and that he has as much white trade
as colored. He is kept busy all the time.”
"That's alright mother. He will go under
just the same. Then you will have a chance to
try your hand. If you think you have enough
business ability, I will see if I can't start you
off.”
Seeing that he would be unable to carry on
a successful argument with his wife, this was
the joking way in which Captain Simmons turn-
ed her aside.
“Well," said Mrs. Simmons, “I am serious
about it. I do wish that George did have some
kind of business of his own.”
George had nothing more to say.


CHAPTER XII
CHRISTOPHER'S GROCERY BURNS
At the mention of Charles Christopher the
pangs of envy and jealousy began to gnaw at
George's heart. "He is showing me up is he?”
was the thought that entered his mind. "I
guess he is here to try to prove his side of the
argument. He wants to make his Southern
ideas stick I guess. Alright. We'll see.”
Supper now being over they arose and left
the table. George put on his hat and coat and
went toward town.
That night about twelve o'clock the hideous
sound of the city fire alarm broke the stillness
of the night. Shouts of fire were distinctly
heard in the Southeast section of the city. The
colored people were greatly excited. "Fi-er!
Fi---er!! was heard in all directions.
Soon the clatter of hoofs and the clanging
of bells were heard distinctly for blocks away.
And in less time than it takes to tell it, the
beautiful panting animals were reined up
132


CHRISTOPHER'S GROCERY BURNS 135
champing their bits in the vicinity of Charles
Christopher's grocery store, which was in
flames. No one knew how long the building
had been burning before the alarm was turned
in, but it was evident to the fire chief, that it
could not be saved, so he simply let it burn and
sent his men to the task of saving other build-
ings which were near and were in imminent
danger.
When Charles Christopher came upon the
scene, he staggered and almost fell at the sight
of his hard earned savings curling heavenward
in a dense cloud of smoke, the accumulations of
several toilsome years ruthlessly snatched from
his hands. The object wherein lay his fondest
future dreams, transformed as it were, into
naught. None except he who has gone through
a similar experience can sympathize fully with
Charles Christopher, or understand why he sat
down on a near by stone, and strong man that
he was, wept like a child. He knew nothing
else to do. He felt that he was done for, for all
time. To struggle up the rugged hills of life
again to where he now was, would be too hard
and would take too long. He had not the cour-
age nor strength to try. All his future hopes
and happiness were now smouldering in ashes.


CHAPTER XIII
A COLORED TOWN
B-- is a beautiful little town of the South
with an entire colored population, situated in
the midst of a rich farming district that feeds
fat off the wheat and corn, and cattle and milk,
produced by the farmers and brought to mark-
et within its limits. On Saturdays its streets
are thronged with sober, business like people,
selling their wares and making needful purchas-
es from its well stocked stores. It is really in-
spiring to see how these people, as if by instinct,
take to trade and barter and have thus become
a part of the commercial world. Drummers
representing the great wholesale houses of the
country, make regular visits to this enterprising
and fast growing little city of five thousand in-
habitants of colored people. It has all the at-
tributes necessary for a great and thriving
town.
Everything is as it should be, and the per-
sons who have striven to build it deserve credit.
137


138
LILLIAN SIMMONS
Its schools and churches are of a high standard
and are well equipped, with men and women of
good character and excellent educational quali-
fications. And if the colored people of the
North could visit it and note the clock-like pre-
cision with which the wheels of industry turn,
note the poise, the ease, the confidence, whith
which the people carry on their operations, note
the good will and harmony which prevails
among them, they would then have more re-
spect for the colored South, they would view
life in a different light and all doubts as to a
happy future for the Negro race, would be dis-
pelled. One can be benefitted in a hundred
different ways by visiting this town.
It was in this Utopian city with its people
of varied hues, that Lillian Simmons, after four
days of tiresome travel, found herself. When
she alighted at the station she found the ticket
agent, the baggage master and the operator all
colored. She went up town and to the Post
Office and found the Postmaster and his five or
six assistants colored. She found the Mayor and
all the city officers colored. The four or five
blocks of business in the city were under the
control of colored people. Grocery stores, dry
goods stores. feed stores, shoe stores, drug


A COLORED TOWN
139
stores, furniture stores, candy stores, meat
shops, restaurants, fruit stands and all of the
various lines of trade, were managed by per-
sons of African descent. Three cotton gins, a
livery stable and a lumber yard, she learned,
were successfully run by colored men. The
streets were paved and the city was well light-
ed by an electric plant owned by a wealthy
Negro, who had secured the services of a color-
ed electrician. The dwellers in this unique, but
beautiful little city, were all colored. The pale
faces of the other race could not be seen here.
And Lillian's heart swelled with pride when she
alighted from the train, and looked for the first
time upon her new field of labor and saw the
make up of its citizenry. A new feeling came
over her. Lillian Simmons was no "put on”,
but under these new and strange, yet happy
and inspiring environments, she could not help
assuming the air and carriage of a Queen. She
felt so safe, so secure, where her own people,
with the wisdom of the ancient romans, were
reigning supreme. To say that she was amazed
and carried away at what she saw is putting it
too mildly. She was astounded. In her wild-
est dreams she had never fancied that there was
such a place under the sun as this for her people.


140
LILLIAN SIMMONS
people. “If George and mama and papa
could only see this,” she thought.


CHAPTER XIV
THE JIM CROW CAR
On her way down South after reaching that
section where she was asked to take a seat in
the cars prepared for colored passengers,
Lillians heart sank within her. She had often
heard about it, but she had never known what
real humiliation was until she was asked by
the conductor to take her baggage and go into
the next car where she could see plainly in bold
black type, a placard in the far end of the
coach, “This car for Negroes”. She began to
wish that she had not come to a country so
heartless, so void of justice, so full of—not
prejudice, but pure meanness, as to force a
hardship like this on a decent cultured woman
who was traveling alone.
The coach into which she had to go was
really filthy. The seats were cushionless and
very uncomfortable, being of the old cane bottom
kind. At each station disrespectful loud-mouth-
ed foolish Negroes were getting on and off. She
141


142
LILLIAN SIMMONS
was perfectly disgustedwith the side of Negro life
in the South which she saw on the train and from
the car window. She was satisfied now that
her father and mother and George were right
in their fight against the influx of Southern Ne-
groes into the North. She almost cried when
one vile uncouth idiot of a Negro who was rid-
ing backwards so he could look her squarely in
the face, shouted to her, “Hello pitty yaller gal,
where is you goin?” O, how she wished for
her big hot headed brother George. But the
ugly Negro said no more. He simply sat gazing
at her. Lillian began to wonder if the South
were not really justified in lynching such de-
praved animals as the fellow showed himself to
be. He was so impudent with the brim of his
dusty cap pulled to one side, his shirt opened
at the neck, exposing an old knit undergarment,
black with dirt. She saw many such types be-
fore the completion of her journey. In fact she
saw enough to put her out with Southern Ne-
groes forever. She could understand why
"Jim Crow cars” and all other forms of segrega-
tion in the South were necessary, but she could
not feel that it was fair to treat all colored peo-
ple alike, because all were not alike.
After she had ridden in the separate coach


THE JIM CROW CAR
143
for some time and had become somewhat rec-
onciled to the condition, the conductor, who
was apparently waiting for this moment, ap-
proached her in a friendly way and asked her
where she was going and where she was from.
She told him, and she could scarcely keep back
the tears, for she felt that he was sympathizing
with her.
“Yes I thought so," said he. "I am very
sorry indeed to place you in here, but you know
we have to obey the law,” he said with a sor-
rowful smile.
"I guess you are right,” said Lillian.
“Well cheer up little girl. I will see that
no harm comes to you. Have any of these fel-
lows been annoying yon?”
“Yes,” she said “that fellow sitting with his
face this way, called to me insultingly when he
first got on the train. You can see how im-
pudently he stares at me.”
“That fellow right there?” said the conduc-
tor.
“Yes,” replied Lillian.
The conductor went to him and informed
him that he would be put off if he said another
word to the lady. He was told to sit face front
anyway in the car. The Negro readily obeyed


144
LILLIAN SIMMONS
the conductor in his authorative tone and look,
and Lillian had no further trouble with him.
She began after that to think of the sacri-
fice of pleasure and privelege that she was mak-
ing in the interest of the family. This thought
alone consoled her. She was glad to do so.
She would not murmur; she would put up with
what ever should come to her. "Maybe all the
people of the South are not like those
that I have seen. There may be some more
like Charles Christopher,” she thought. "But
not just like him," she changed, remembering
her affection for him. “I wonder what he is
going to do. I am satisfied that he knew me
when he got off the train. Oh, I am so sorry
that I was leaving just as he arrived. I did not
even get to speak to him. I believe I will write
to him," she said to herself.
She was now nearing her destination. And
lo and behold when she alighted from the train
and saw the sights as told above, the bad im-
pression of the South that she had received
through the restless, unsettled, thoughtless, de-
praved actions of a certain floating element
passed swiftly from her mind, to be remember-
ed against it no more. And she wished that
mama and papa and George could she what she


THE JIM CROW CAR
145
now so gloriously beheld. “I know that I shall
be happy if this is to be my environment,” she
thought.
She was soon settled in her new home
which was with the Principal of the school and
his charming wife. The Bishop had secured a
good boarding place for her as well as the po-
sition as teacher.
Lillian was a successful teacher and it is
needless for us to go through the details of re-
lating her experiences as such. Suffice it to say
that she won the love and friendship of pupils
and parent, which is the first and last requisite
of success in a colored school. She was always
busy in some needful way. Besides being an
indispensable worker in the school room, she
was a leader in the Literary Society, the church
and the Sunday School. Bright, witty, jovial
and intelligent, she made many friends. No so-
cial function was a success without her presence.
It seemed that she had found her niche, and
she was now filling it to perfection.
She would often receive letters from home,
and she was so pleased to know of the colored
grocery store that had been established by
Charles Christopher. And she would often pic-
ture herself at home keeping company with the


CHAPTER XVI
LOVE LETTERS
Once she received a letter from her mother
stating that Mabel Lester was making eyes at
Charles Christopher, which made poor Lillian
very unhappy at the time.
"I am not going to stand for it,” she pouted.
“He is mine and now I don't care how it looks I
am going to write him.” And she did. She
went up town and picked out a modest, yet ap-
propriate post card and, sent it to him. But
had it been possible, after it was in the mail
box, for her to have taken it out, she would
have done so. But it was too late now. It
went direct and Charles Chrisiopher received it
the very next morning after the disastrous fire
Had he not received this card from the beauti-
ful Lillian Simmons, whom he loved so well,
dark indeed would have been the days immedi-
ately following the unfortunate fire. This card
alone gave him strength and courage to bear
147


148
LILLIAN SIMMONS
up. He was willing to try to pull up the rugged
hill again for her dear sake.
In return Charles immediately sat dowm
and wrote Lillian the most beautifully worded
letter she had ever received in her life. He
told her of his great grief and misfortune and
of the hard struggle that he had in reaching the
place from which he had so recently been cast
down. “But your dear post card came just
at the time when I was at my weakest and
needed something to strengthen me. You have
saved me, my dear friend, from a horrible fate.
I was in great despair and was at the point
where I was about to do something desperate,"
said he in his letter. "But your sweet missive
has brought sunshine to me again, and today I
feel that after all life is worth living. I shall
not hesitate to try to climb back and even past
the height from which I was so suddenly hurled
a night ago. Your token of respect and es-
teem has given me courage and renewed vigor.
I thank you from the depths of my heart. Let
me hear from you again soon.
"Yours sincerely, Charles Christopher.”
Two days later, when Lillian went to the
Post Office and received a letter from her home,
written in a strange hand, her heart beat faster


152
LILLIAN SIMMONS
had not the culprit who applied the torch to his
prosperous business been discovered and prov-
ed to be the brother of the beautiful sympa-
thetic girl, who had written this love-inspired
epistle. She had hoped that the culprit would
soon be run to earth, but little did she think
that her beloved brother George would be the
guilty one. But facts are facts, and as objec-
tionable as they may seem, we are now con-
fronted with them and must deal with them
fairly and impartially. George Simmons, upon
investigation, was found to have been the one
who committed the deed.


GEORGE SIMMONS' ARREST
155
thing about having been to see a friend and
was out a little later than usual. I said no more
and he walked hurriedly away.
"Are you sure that it was George Simmons?”
asked the chief.
"Yes," replied McGhinty.
"Well you had better go and get him and
bring him here,” said the chief. "He will have
to give an account of himself.”
George was sitting at the breakfast table dis-
cussing the fire with his mother, when a knock
was heard at the door. It was about nine o'clock
in the morning. It was at this hour that George
always got off from work to eat breakfast. Cap-
tain Simmons was out at the time. So Mrs. Sim-
mons opened the door. Two policemen pushed
themselves past Mrs. Simmons into the room,
one of them asking gruffly "Is George Simmons
here?”
''He is,” answered Mrs. Simmons.
"Where is he?” We have a writ for him.”
“A writ for what?” cried Mrs. Simmons
"What has he done?”
"Well he is charged with incendiarism. It is
alleged that he set fire to Christopher's grocery
store last night, and we have come to arrest
him.” said one of the officers.


156
LILLIAN SIMMONS
Mrs. Simmons swooned but George was at
her side and caught her in his arms, preventing
her from falling to the floor. “Dash a cup of
water in her face,” said one of the policemen.
"That will bring her around alright."
George lay his mother on the couch and go-
ing to the hydrant quickly drew a cup of water
and dipping his fingers in it, sprinkled some in
her face and also bathed her temples. She soon
revived, but was too weak or frightened to sit
up or to speak. It was really pitiful to see the
poor woman so overcome with grief.
At this moment Captain Simmons, who at a
distance saw the policemen coming to his house,
entered, inquiring what the trouble was.
The officers, knowing Captain Simmons well,
having for a number of years associated with
him in the city service, called him to one side
and explained to him in an undertone the pur-
pose of their visit.
Captain Simmons did not believe that George
committed the crime, and begged the men not
to arrest him. But his pleadings were of no
avail. They told Captain Simmons that they
were compelled to do their duty.
They took George before a justice for a pre-
liminary hearing after which he was released


GEORGE SIMMONS’ ARREST
157
on bond, his employers going his security
The news that George Simmons had set fire
to Charles Christopher's store soon spread
throughout the city. The papers spoke of it in
the most drastic terms and suggested that the
culprit suffer the severist punishment at the
hands of the law.
Frank Maxwell went to Captain Simmons and
told him that the case looked bad for George
and thought that the best thing he could do
would be to plead guilty and trust himself to
the mercy of the court. Captain Simmons
would not hear to this. He did not believe his
son was guilty, and he would spend every dol-
lar he was worth in the effort to free him.
It is well known to the reader that Captain
Simmons is already deeply in debt and this re-
cent trouble only makes matters a whole lot
worse than they were. He not having ready
cash, places his home under a second heavy
mortgage. Mrs. Simmons believing that some
hateful conspiracy is being practiced against
her son agrees to the transaction of her hus-
band. She had rather be a beggar in the street
than have her son behind prison bars when he
is innocent. She does not wish to tell Lillian
for she knows that it will break her heart. But


GEORGE SIMMONS' ARREST
159
tion as possible. She then concluded her let-
ter, sealed it up and spent the rest of the night
in grief and tears. Captain Simmons' words
of consolation did not do much toward allaying
her suffering.
George, after such a trying ordeal as he
had gone through, could not look his mother
and father in the face. His guilty conscience
was playing havoc with his heretofore bold
front and independent air. His countenance
was downcast. 'Twas plain that he felt keenly
the disgrace that he had brought to the family.
Charles Christopher regretted very much
to learn that it was George Simmons who had
destroyed his business. He knew that George
was his enemy, but he had really placed him
away above such an unprincipled act. He
thought that he was a man. Though they had
differed in opinions, Charles respected him and
admired him on account of his fight for a prin-
ciple. He hated to see him fall and grovel, as
he now was in the dust with the lowest of crim-
inals, a common offender of the law.
Then too he loved his beautiful sister and
had just began to make headway along the
lives of friendship. He knew how keenly Lil-
lian would feel the disgrace, and feared that


GEORGE SIMMONS' ARREST 161
of this and I am going to write to her and tell
her so.”
So Charles sat down to the task of answer.
ing Lillian's letter which brought so much
cheer and happiness, at the same time embar-
rassment to him the early part of the morning.
Among other things he wrote: - .,' 1,6 ;
"I know George to be my enemy and after
looking into the matter I can understand why
he resorted to such an awful revenge. At heart
I think your brother a good fellow, but he
yielded to a thirst for revenge which seems to
be a weakness with him, it is in his nature; but
in this case were it to do over; I am sure he
would not attempt it.'!!.
i "I am willing to use my influence with my
friends to help him out of trouble. And I have
a two fold reason for doing so. First I hate to
see the best people of our race fall on account
of some overt act or thoughtless deed. Your
brother did not think of the enormity of the
crime until it was committed.
“And I am quite sure that he has repented
by now. .','mijn ' I .is
"For this reason I shall not appear against
him, nor would I under similar conditions ap-
pear against any member of my race. I want


162
LILLIAN SIMMONS
at all times to be broad and considerate in the
treatment of others and especially those of my
own people.
"And another reason and perhaps my strong-
est one, is that I love and respect you my dear
one. I would do anything in my power for
your happiness. When my heart was heavy
and my mind was in the deepest distress, you
were so kind and sympathetic to me. So now
in this trouble I want your full confidence. I
want to befriend you. Ask what you will of me,
and if it is in my power to grant it, it shall be
done."
He closed his letter by thanking her for the
kind words of consolation that she had written
him and promised that he would not be en-
tangled with Mae Lester to any great extent
when she returned. He simply thought well of
Mabel as a friend and nothing more. That he
would be only too glad to be her constant com-
pany and escort on all occasions when she re-
turned if she would permit.
With sincere love and respect he closed the
letter and mailed it to Lillian Simmons.
The next day he set about the task of rees-
tablishing his grocery business. He looked up
a suitable building, not far from the place


MRS. SIMMONS VISITS CHARLES
167
George." I have never accused him. 'Tis true
that we have had our differences, but at the
same time, I have always respected him and
thought well of him. I am very sorry that this
thing happened, and unfortunately for him and
the rest of your family he has been charged."
“But you have not answered my question
Mr. Christopher. Do you think he committed
the deed?" she asked again.
“Well,” returned Charles, attempting to
console and at the same time to be frank and
truthful, “I think he may expect justice at the
hands of the court. It really is not for me to
say whether he is innocent or guilty.”
“But you can say whether you think him
guilty or not,” said Mrs. Simmons insistingly.
“Well Mrs. Simmons to be frank with you,
I am afraid that George is guilty. I think he is
a fine fellow, but he is a person who does not
want to be overcome. He is always seeking
revenge, and this revengeful spirit which is the
weakest link in the chain, has been his undoing.
I really think that he yielded to a thirst for re-
venge, and thinking that the deed could be
concealed set fire to the building in which my
goods and future prospects lay. I, his enemy
as he thought, was prospering and he could


ico
LILLIAN SIMMONS
not bear the idea of my outstripping him in the
race of life. So to impede my progress he hits
upon this unbecoming method of doing so. But
I am quite sure that he has repented and were
it to do over again he would not attempt it.
But as I say it is beyond my control. But if
there is anything that I can do to help him or
you or any member of your family Mrs. Şim-
mons all you have to do is, ask it, and you may
rest assured that if it is possible for me to do it
I will."
Mrs. Simmons looked at him curiously and
finally remarked, "Well every one seems to be
against my boy. I am sorry indeed that you
think him guilty. If you really think him so,
then there is nothing that I can ask of you. The
trial will come up soon now and I am afraid
they may fasten the crime on him. If they do,
it will kill me. I can not bear the thoughts of
my son going to prison.”
“Cheer up Mrs. Simmons. George has al-
ways carried himself properly. He has a good
record and I am quite sure that the court will
deal with him fairly and leniently if found
guilty. This one overt act is pardonable. He
is only human. No doubt he was provoked to
such a deed. No one knows the intensity of his


170
LILLIAN SIMMONS
of himself. So perhaps he has had enough to
provoke him; perhaps my talk did wound his
pride, but I am sure he did not resort to such a
foul method of revenge. You could not help it.
And George being a sensible boy would not
blame you, to such an extreme extent at least.
I want to free him because I believe him inno-
cent, but I scarcely know what steps to take.
I thank you very much for your sensible, at the
same time, consoling words. I do believe that
you are willing to lend your aid, but at present
know of nothing that I could ask of you.
"Well I must be going now. I thought I
would come in and see you and get your opin-
ion. I thank you very much for your offer of
assistance. I like you now, since I have met
you and know you better. I may come to see
you again ere long. Good-day."
"Good-day Mrs. Simmons,” said Charles, "I
shall be glad to see you at any time.”
Mrs. Simmons departed with a peculiar,
but not unpleasant feeling. She thought of the
wisdom with which Charles Christopher spoke
and of his true delineation of character and of
his interpretation of certain unseemly acts. He
seemed to be an adebt at reading human na-
ture. And when she began to think about it,


CHAPTER XIX
A GRAVE SITUATION
The day of the trial was fast approaching
and every one was looking forward to it. Many
were the opinions expressed regarding the
chances that George would have to escape
punishment. Frank Maxwell still insisted that
the best thing to do was for George to plead
guilty and ask clemency. He had felt the pulse
of those in authority and had learned that it was
their intention to inflict the extreme penalty of
the law for the offense which George had com-
mitted.
He told Captain Simmons that he knew
something about the law regarding such of-
fenses, and being a friend of the family he was
giving to him free of charge the benefit of his
best advice based upon experience and prac-
tice in former courts. That if they went to
trial with the case they were certain to get the
worst of it. That George would be sure to go
to prison for not less than five years.
173


194
LILLIAN SIMMONS
This assertion made by Maxwell made Cap-
tain Simmons very uneasy and as the time
drew nearer and nearer his nervousness be-
came more and more preceptible. He was
rather obstinate though and would not back
down from his determination to fight it out to
the end.
That night at the supper table when all
three of the family were seated, Captain Sim-
mons said to George. “Tell me the truth son,
you did not set fire to Christopher's store did
you?”
"No father I did not” said George.
“Well son I am afraid it's going pretty hard
with you. Frank Maxwell says that he has
talked with the authorities and that if they
find you guilty, they will send you to the prison
for not less than five years. He thinks that the
best thing you can do is to plead guilty, and
beg for mercy at the hands of the court.
"If you were guilty I guess that would be
the proper thing to do, but since you are not
guilty, we will fight to the bitter end. It may
break us up, but I will gladly give up every
thing I have to save you from prison if you are
innocent.”
George did not say very much. He sat


176
LILLIAN SIMMONS
ly did the deed tell us now, George so we can
do the best we for you.”
“I did not do it mother. I am sorry that
you doubt me. The strain is killing me, I do
wish it were all over,” said George sorrowfully
"Well, right or wrong George, I am going
to stand by you,” said his father. So if you are
wrong you need not fear to tell me.”
“Well I never did it,” was George's last
reply.
After supper was over and George had
gone, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons discussed the
gravity of the situation. They concluded that
since George stood out so stoutly that he was
innocent, that they would stay with him to the
end, even if it should take the clothes from off
their backs.


CHAPTER XX
LILLIAN'S DISTRESS
Lillian received the letter from her moth-
er and Charles Christopher the same day.
She had a real hard day in connection
with her school work. The closing season was
on and she had been quite busy training the
pupils under her supervision. She was real
tired that afternoon when she reached home
and found the two letters awaiting her.
She was always anxious to get mail from
home, so now she was eager to read what they
contained.
She hastily tore open the one from her
mother and read it first. She was shocked at
the news of George's arrest and accusation.
What could it mean? Someone trying to
disgrace her brother! She became very indig-
nant, and felt like quitting her work and taking
a trip home to see about it at once. After
reading it she laid it aside and took the one
from Charles Christopher and began reading it
177


178
LILLIAN SIMMONS
When she came to the part assuming
George's guilt, her heart, it seemed, leaped in-
to her mouth and a choking sensation seized
her and overwhelmed her. She was dazed.
She staggered from the piano against which
she was leaning and fell across her bed and for
a long time she lay in a sort of silly hysterical
stupor. Try as she may she could not collect
herself. Everything was so foolishly blank to
her.
She was finally called to supper but she an-
swered that she did not care for anything to
eat.
It not being her custom to remain in her
room long after returning from school, Mrs.
McVain became alarmed about her and went to
the room to see if she were ill.
“No I am not ill,” said Lillian in answer to
her question, "'I just don't care for supper.'s
"Did you get your letters?” asked Mrs.
Mc. Vain. "Two came for you."
- “Yes I received them," answered Lillian.
"They contained news that was not very pleas-
ảnt. That is what's the matter with me Mrs.
McVain. I may tell you about it later. I am
trying to collect myself now."
Lillian lay thus till late at night when she


LILLIAN'S DISTRESS
179
fell into a deep sleep. The rest and the slumber
had its effect. It aroused her to complete con-
sciousness.
She began to think of the letters and the
unpleasant, as well as the unfortunate news
that they contained. It looked reasonable to
her that George might have committed the
deed. Charles Christopher's letter was so ex-
plicit, so frank that she scarcely had room to
doubt the truth of its contents.
She realized that the love of her mother
would cause her to make things as bright as
possible for George.
Naturally her letter contained just what it
did, an injured tone, a suspicion that someone
was trying to do the family an injury, on ac-
count of envy and jealously.
In other words her mother's letter was
true to human nature, and to a mother or near
relative or friend.
She also analized Charles Christopher's
letter. She noted its friendly attitude. Although
it accused her brother, it also contained a tone
of sympathy and good will.
She would have appreciated the way in
which he referred to Mae Lester under any
other conditions but at this time she was too


LILLIAN'S DISTRESS
181
did not tell how shocked she was to receive
the missive containing the ill news, but instead
she tried to cheer her mother.
"My school will soon close mother, then I
will be home and help to secure brother's re-
lease,” she said. "We can take the money with
which we intended to pay off the mortgage and
fight the case. I am very anxious to see you
all. And I have much to tell you of this beau-
tiful Southland. Look for me next week.
"Your affectionate daughter,
"Lillian."
Thus she concluded her letter and handed
it to an urchin to mail. She then went with a
mind that was comparatively calm, to her work.
She was resigned and willing to accept what-
ever might come. Her greatest desire was to
finish her term work and get home as quickly
as possible. She knew that her father and
mother must be greatly distressed and she was
anxious to share with them in their troubles.
The few days remaining for her work
quickly passed and Lillian found herself at the
station among many admiring friends and
school children, waiting for the arrival of the
train which was to bear her away toward her
northern home.


182
LILLIAN SIMMONS
When the train arrived she bade them all
adieu, and with a promise to return again
another year, she boarded it, found a comfort-
able seat, and with a sigh of relief sat down.
She was the only passenger at that time in
the separate coach, and it was such a relief for
her to be alone. Resting her head on the back
of her seat she sat for a long time and felt
comfortable.
On her journey she encountered or wit-
nessed only one case of real roughness.
At a certain stop, Lillian did not notice the
name of the place, two or three drunken roughs
got on the train. They did not say anything
to Lillian but they were loud and boisterous,
and seemed to be trying to show themselves.
One of them dropped a bottle of whiskey
on the floor which broke, spilling its contents,
which ran in all directions.
They laughed and yelled to the top of their
voices.
Poor Lillian was frightened out of her
wits.
One of them gave a yell sharp and piercing
as a Commanche Indian. He followed it up
with the expression “come and gitme white
folks, I'm drunk and cutting up."


LILLIAN'S DISTRESS
183
He staggered and fell about in the car un-
til the conductor came in and threatened to put
him off. The threat had its effect, for all three
were quieter. They got off soon and left Lil-
lian to herself once more. After midnight the
porter came to her and informed her that she
could go in the chair car now if she liked, that
they had crossed the line and the “Jim Crow"
car law no longer obtained.
She thanked him and he took her baggage
and led the way to the beautiful chair car in
which were a number of white passengers,
She noted the contrast and thanked Heav-
en that she lived in a country where such was
not the case and where such was not necessary.


CHAPTER XXI
LILLIAN AT HOME
Lillian was soon seated and remained com-
fortable to the end of her journey.
Her mother and father were waiting at the
station when she alighted from the train. Plac-
ing her in the family carriage, she was soon at
home once more ascending the steps to the
broad veranda.
It is useless to speak of the happiness and
sunshine that she brought with her. We all
know her and love her especially for her cheer-
ful disposition, her readiness to speak words
of consolation to her troubled parents, and her
philosophical way of looking at things.
She would not discuss that part of the
trouble that pertained to George's innocence or
guilt. Though like her father she was willing
to stick by him to the end. Yes she would
gladly give up every dollar that she had earned
and saved from her work in the South, in his
behalf. With tears in her eyes she told him so.
184


LILLIAN AT HOME
187
Papa you seem to be so worried, cheer up. I
don't have the least doubt but what George
will get out of this trouble. You will worry
yourself sick at this rate.
"Come, brace up for my sake. Wait a
moment and I will get the money for you."
Lillian soon returned with the money for
her father for which he thanked her and pro-
ceeded on his way to the city.
He paid his lawyers what he had to spare,
and then went to see some of his friends re-
garding the trial which was to come up in a
day or two.
They did not give him much satisfaction,
but they told him that they would do the best
they could for him.
“You see Simmons,” one of them said, "the
charge is a grave one and the evidence is so
overwhelmingly against him, that it is going to
be difficult to clear him. But you have a good
lawyer and I feel quite sure that if anything
can be done he will do it.”


CHAPTER XXII
THE TRIAL
The day of the trial had at last come. It
was set for nine o'clock. Everything was astir
in the Simmons home. The atmosphere was
not one of sorrow or grief, but was business-
like and comparatively cheerful.
At the breakfast table they chatted pleas-
antly about the weather and other things of a
local nature, never alluding to the trial.
George himself seemed in good spirits and
joked his sister about Charles Christopher. For
by some indiscreet utterance on her part she to
a certain extent had betrayed her admiration
for him.
At his sally she made no denial, but blush-
ing, laughed good-naturedly. Girl like she did
not mind being teased about the one that she
admired.
Her mother never told her of the visit to
Charles Christopher's store or the conversation
that she had with him, but she did tell her that
188


THE TRIAL
189
she had seen him and had spoken to him and
liked his manner and appearance very much.
She said she did not much blame Mae Les-
ter for trying to attract his attention; that she
thought the two would make a splendid match.
Lillian listened to her mother very closely
and was not at all pleased with her view of
what she called a splendid match.
“Just wait until this trial is over" she
thought. “I'll show Mabel Lester and mother
too, what is really a fine match. They do not
know that I have some "say so" about it.
After finishing breakfast, George and his
father departed for the scene of the trial. And
Lillian and her mother followed later. When
they arrived the court house was packed to its
utmost capacity. The janitor or usher had to
go out and find chairs for them so that they
might be seated.
The lawyers, principals and witnesses were
in their appointed places.
On account of the heinousness of the crime,
the airing that the papers had given it, and the
popularity of the perpetrator, the trial attracted
more than ordinary attention.
Hence white and colored alike were inter-
ested in the outcome. And Lillian and her


1
HAMILTON
“My case has been tried and settled in the
Court of Courts."





THE TRIAL
195
"A term in prison can not be worse than
what I have already suffered.
"So fix the penalty as you will. You and
your court are human. You do not understand
the workings of the heart like the Judge who
has already passed on my case. You could not
forgive the offense, and I would not have you
change or in any way evade the law in my be-
half. I am willing and able to take the conse-
quences as the law provides.
“I am an awful sinner before you men, but
before God I am cleansed and a changed man.
I am consoled in this thought.
"I thank you Judge, your honor, for ex-
tending to me this privilege, for I find that an
open confession is indeed good for the soul,
and I feel much better now that I have made
it.”
George took his seat and the deathly si-
lence that reigned for a few moments after-
wards, the appearance of the white handker-
chief here and there in audience, and the occa-
sional inelegant blowing of a nose, told that his
speech had had its effect..
The Judge sat motionless for a few mo-
ments, not knowing what to say or do. He
gazed steadfastly at George the while, his fine


196
LILLIAN SIMMONS
large head conspicuous for its high brow, and
smoothly shaven face with its classical features,
wore a puzzled look.
At length he said, “George Simmons, your
crime is a low down, unprincipled heinous one,
and the penalty for such, is not less than five,
or more than twenty years at hard labor in the
penitentiary, and had you not at this late hour
made the plea of guilty, I suspect you would
have been given the limit, for such would have
surely been my instructions to the jury.
"But your plea has helped you, though ir-
regular and out of order, it is frank, earnest,
and, I might say noble. And in my judgement
I do not think it studied or made for effect.
“And I am going to take it upon myself to
dismiss the case against you. I think this act
of mercy, or clemency, or kindness if you
please, on my part will make you a much bet-
ter man than the penitentiary possibly can. Pay
the cost of the court and you are free!"
The Judge spoke slowly and deliberately,
and it was quite a relief to the strain on the
nerves of the Simmons family, when finally he
reached the place where he said that he was
going to dismiss the case against George.
George thanked the Judge for his kindness


THE TRIAL
199
and told him that henceforth a straightforward
Christian life was the life for him.
He then went over to Charles Christopher
and extended his hand. Charles seized it firm-
ly, and fervently congratulated him on his
speech and told him how glad he was to have
things turn out as they had.
“Come and meet my folks,” said George.
"I want them to know you.”
Court having been dismissed, Charles fol-
lowed George to where his mother and sister
stood, somewhat embarrassed at George's plea,
yet pleased because he had obtaided his liberty.
"Mother this is Mr. Christopher of whom
you have heard so much,” said George.
“I am pleased to meet you Mr. Christopher,”
returned Mrs. Simmons.
"This is my sister Lillian, Mr. Christopher,”
said George presenting Lillian to Charles.
"I am delighted to meet you Miss Sim-
mons,” said Charles in tender accents noticable
only to Lillian as he grasped her extended
hand. The handshake was gentle, but to save
her Lillian could not help giving Charles hand
a little squeeze. She was ashamed afterwards.
when she felt the same returned in her own
hand.


202
LILLIAN SIMMONS
Once the awful silence was broken the
young man grew bolder.
Lillian never attempted to draw away from
him, neither did she show the least sign of dis-
pleasure at his act. She smiled faintly, however,
and continued to discuss the trial and its out-
come.
“I am truly glad that your brother is free.”
said Charles, "and I am glad to see you and
your family restored to happiness again. Would
that that happiness could last forever. But
happiness is fleeting," he added, as he thought
of his own struggles and triumps.
“Yes I have always found it so," returned
Lillian.
After another brief spell of silence, Charles
boldly taking Lillian's hand, said. “I have rea-
sons to believe that you care for me Miss Sim-
mons.”
"I do indeed,” she returned. “You are so
kind and manly, one could scarcely keep from
caring for you,"
"Do you really mean it?” he asked.
"Why I have always had this opinion of
you Mr. Christopher, do you doubt me?" she
asked in an injured tone.
"Well my dear," he said, putting his arms


THE TRIAL
203
around her, and drawing her close to him, "you
mean it, then this is the brightest day of my
life. I am truly the happiest man on earth.”
Lillian did not resist him, but lay quite
still with her head resting, sweetly and trust-
ingly on his heaving breast, murmuring partly
to herself and partly to him who now held her
so tenderly in his strong arms, "I love you, I
love you. I can not hide it, I can not deny it
nor do I care to do so."
And thus these two, whom fate had for so
long held apart, sat in silent and unspeakable
bliss.
Then planting kiss after kiss upon the lips
of the beautiful girl. Charles asked, “Lillian my
love will you be mine?”
The answer came in accents, sweet and
tender. “Yes Charles I will. 0 I am so happy
she cried.”
Then the girl, filled with rapture and emo-.
tion, gave way to tears.


CHAPTER XXIII
THE CONCLUSION
The title of our story is “Lillian Simmons,"
or “The Conflict of Sections," and if we make
too much of the courtship, love and marriage
of Charles Christopher and Lillian Simmons,
we will be drifting too far from our main pur-
pose, which chiefly is to call attention to cer-
tain social evils and practices nutured, as it
were by false notions of life and false standards
of character or individual worth, and which
have a tendency more than anything else to
hold us down and impede our progress as a
race.
Do you remember old man Littlejohn's
speech in the early chapters of this book?
If you have forgotten it turn to it again
and read it over carefully and you will get a
clear idea of what we mean by certain social
eivis and practices and false notions of life.
While we deal with a few of the detriments
to the growth and progress of the race, old
204


THE CONCLUSION
205
man Littlejohn in his unpolished speech, points
out several, which are based upon prejudice,
and a very narrow conception of the true
standards of society.
It is at these things that we are striking.
We are trying to unite the North and the South.
We are trying to get them to think along the
same lines. We would have the North enter
more into the spirit of trade and commerce for
themselves, and we would have the South de-
velope a higher spirit of manhood
and courage to protect its self when outraged.
And we would recommend more of the spirit of
unity in both sections. The race is woefully
lacking in unity in itself both North and South.
Charles Christopher's success in the gro-
cery business, in this Northern city, opened up
the eyes of others who had business inclina-
tions, but not the initiative or the confidence in
themselves to start. Since his advent several
good Negro businesses have been established.
Two more grocery stores, one drug store, a
cleaning and dying and tailor shop, a good
restaurant, which caters to both races, a con-
fectionary, and a ladies clothing and notion
store with Mrs. Simmons as proprietress.


206
LILLIAN SIMMONS
Charles Christopher has taken on a part-
ner. The sign now reads in large letters,
“Christopher and Simmons Grocery Store.”
Yes Charles Christopher and George Sim-
mens have not only become great friends, but
they have also become brothers-in-law and
partners in a very prosperous commercial ven-
ture.
A Business League has been organized
with Charles Christopher as its president. And
such harmony and progress was never before
known in this city among the colored people.
Northerners and Southerners view life
through the same glass in this city. They are
ünited by the ties of friendship, by ties of busi-
ness and by the ties of matrimony. It is diffi-
cult to break such a combination.
Think of the Simmons family's earlier
stand against Southern colored people, and
think of their stand now.
They are converted to the idea of Negro
enterprise even if it does invite segregation.
They have become convinced that separate
schools are not harmful, but are a positive ben-
efit to the race. They furnish employment for
the worthy boys and girls of the race and are
inducements for them to pursue the higher


MAMILTON
United by the ties of business and by the ties
of love.





THE CONCLUSION
209
courses of learning and to strive to excel in
them.
Captain Simmons now believes in them
and Frank Maxwell offers no serious objections
to them.
Hence they have a colored school that can
not be excelled in efficiency of teaching force,
and in equipment anywhere in the country.
Lillian Simmons recommended one of her
Southern associates for a position in the school.
She is a beautiful Southern girl, from a South-
ern university. Mrs. Simmons, who used to
look upon a Southern College as a joke, and
its graduates as ignoramuses, loves her, and
admires her for her intelligence and scholar-
ship. The young woman makes her home with
Lillian, and George Simmons is a constant call-
er. It is rumored that there is soon to be
another wedding in the Simmons family.
Three years have passed since the day of
the trial and George has proven himself worthy
of the companionship of any young woman.
The city boasts of one colored dentist and
one physician.
Frank Maxwell is no longer custodian of a
· down town bank building, but has again taken
up his profession and practice as a lawyer, and


210
LILLIAN SIMMONS
his people are patronizing him. He often lec-
tures to them, and is now advocating the doc-
trine of unity, and patronage of ones own en-
terprises.
Six years have passed since that great
mass meeting in which so much prejudice and
hatred was poured forth in eloquent outbursts,
in which so many false notions and ideas were
advanced. One could scarcely believe such a
radical change could take place in so short a
time. They are all a happier and a wiser lot
now, and Charles Christopher sees in reality
what he pictured the day he entered the city,
in quest of a suitable place to begin business.
The subconscious feeling, the day dream, and
the castle built in the air, an hour just before
entering in the city that day, have become as
truly real for him as such things often do.
Charles Christopher is a worthy leader of his
people, a prosperous business man and the
husband of the beautifu Lillian Simmons. He
has not only enabled the family to pay off their
harrassing debts, but he owns his home which
was built and fashioned to Lillian's own taste.
Lillian and Charles think as much of their
baby girl as the "Newly Weds” do of "Snook-
ums.”








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