Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 296, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1911 — ORDER HE COULDN’T DISOBEY [ARTICLE]

ORDER HE COULDN’T DISOBEY

What Was Poor Darky to Do Wheiv "Old St. Luke Hisself* Gave Directions. I » i-"" • The venerable rector of St Luke’s has a saintly and apostolic appearance. He also has decided opinions of his own on most matters and is not averse to expressing them. Recently, unknown to him, the vestry decided to have the next supply of coal for the church put in a different cellar from the one commonly used. When the coal was delivered the rector, seeing the drayman nfaking what he thought was a. mistake in its disposal, interposed and in no uncertain terms bade the darky place the coal in the cellar always used for that purpose. The senior warden several days later was much annoyed to discover that his orders had been disregarded and that the coal was in the same old cellar. With wrath In his eye he complained to the coal dealer. The latter declared that he had carefully explained to the drayman where to put the coal, so to settle the matter the darky was called up. “Sam, you black rascal,” thundered the coal man, “didn’t I tell you to put that coal for St. Luke’s in the cellar opening on Fourth street?” "Yassah." "Mr. Smith tells me you didn’t do it. Why can’t you carry out my orders?” • The darky grinned sheepishly, hesitated, scratched his head, "Well, boss, you see, I done started to put dat coal wheh. you tole me —yassah, I done started —an’ ole St Luke hisselw he come out and gimme fits about ItZ.’— Harper’s Magazine.