Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1915 — TOO ROUGH FOR HIM [ARTICLE]

TOO ROUGH FOR HIM

SOUTHERN NEGRO QUITS THE MOVING PICTURE GAME. Hanging and Firs In Jail Altogether Too Realistic for Darkey Who Takes Place of Alleged •. Picture Actor. A negio in a southern county seat town had been condemned to die. The day of the hanging came and Rastus was taken to the scaffold in the courthouse yard. The hood was slipped over his head and the noose adjusted. Just as the sheriff was about to spring the trap a cry of "Fire!” was heard, and smoke was seen coming from the courthouse windows. The officials and spectators, forgetting their task, rushed to help fight the blaze. Anyway, Rastus was tied and could not escape without aid. During the fire another negro wandered into the courthouse yard and passed the scaffold. He thought he recognized a familiar form standing on it and proceeded to find out. ' “Hello dar! Is dat you, Rastus?" 'Tse Rastus.” "What you all doin’ on dat platform?” ‘Tse a movin’ picture actor now, Sam.” "A movin’ picture actor?” -'Yas, sah; a regular movin’ picture actor.” "Is movin’ picture actin’ hard work, Rastus,” "It’s softer dan eatin* watermelon all day long.” “Is you paid well?” "Gets five dollars every day for workin' a hour or two.” “Rastus, you all is a friend of mine, isn't you, all?” “I sure is, Sam.” “Den if the white folks what run dis movin’ picture actor business wants another actor you tell ’em about me, Rastus.” “You can come on up here and take my job right now, Sam. I’se tired of movin’ picture actin* for today. Besides, I got to spend the money I’se made already.” Sam mounted the steps and released Rastus from his bonds. Rastus in turn prepared the unsuspecting Sam for banging. Then he skipped. A few minutes later the sheriff returned. He saw a negro standing patiently on the scaffold. Without further ado he sprung the trap. 4 Fortunately for Sam the rope was old and broke under the sudden strain. It rolled Sam into the dust of the courthouse yard. He wrenched his hands loose and jerked the hood from his head. Then, rolling his eyes around and rubbing his neck, he said: "You all white folks can take back your old job. You all’s too rough.”