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Show Thomas W. Lawson was talking about sharp practice. "Sharp practice is the rule," he said, "but is not the public in a way to blame? Why should the public be so willing to be doluded? What is the matter with the public, anyway? Upon my word, I have seen men and women hug and nurse worthless stocks as Washington White nursed his new watch. "Washington White? Oh, he is a Boston col ored man. "One day a friend met him on an underground train. The friend sat down beside him. Washington Wash-ington was rocking himself to and fro in a serious way something like a man with the colic. " 'How do, Washjngton? said the friend. " 'How do, Calhoun,' said Washington, and he I still rocked to and fro. "The friend regarded him curiously. I " 'You hain't sick, Washington, be you?' ho I asked. " 'No, indeed, Calhoun,' was the reply. " 'Then why in the name o' common sense, man friend, am you rockln' yo'self to and fro this way all the time?" "Washington made no pause in his regular oscillations as he said: " 'Calhoun, you know Jerome McWade? Well, he done sold me a silver watch for free dollars and I stops a-movin' like dis yere, de watch don't go no mo'. ' " |
