Page:The leopard's spots - a romance of the white man's burden-1865-1900 (IA leopardsspotsrom00dixo).pdf/126



F all the elections ever conducted by the English speaking race the one held under the "Reconstruction" act of 1867 in the South was the most unique.

Ezra Perkins the agent of the Freedman's Bureau issued a windy proclamation to the new citizens to come forward on a certain day to register and receive their 'elective franchise.'

The negroes poured into town from every direction from early dawn. Some carried baskets, some carried jugs, and some were pushing wheelbarrows, but most of them had an empty bag. They were packed around the Agency in a solid black mass.

Nelse laughed until a crowd gathered around him.

"Lordy, look at dem bags!" he shouted. "En dars ole Ike wid er jug. He's gwine ter take hisen in licker. En bress God dars er fool wid er wheel-barer!" Nelse lay down and rolled with laughter.

They failed to see the joke, and when the Agency was opened they made a break for the door, trampling each other down in a mad fear that there wouldn't be enough 'elective franchise' to go round!

The first negro who emerged from the door came with a crestfallen face and an empty bag on his arm.

He was surrounded by anxious inquirers. "What wuz hit?"