LIMITATIONS OF FREETRADE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 4115, 29 September 1884, Page 4

LIMITATIONS OF FREETRADE.

A grocer who had announced himself as a candidate for the Legislature, and who was trying to gain negro votes- by explaining ho w Freetrade would benefit the colored race, called old John into the store one day and said : "Look here, old man, I regard you as a kind of leader among you people, a kind of Moses, in fact." " Jjlceged ter yer, siih, fur do eomperment," removing his hat and bowing with that half-comical gravity so characteristic of an old negro. "You cannot afford to pay exhorbitant prices for the necessaries of life," continued the grocer, opening a "shut "-up key and closing the stovo door. "The Republicans claim to be your friends, yet they are not in favor of Freetrade, although they know that it would greatly help you." " Ycrso'fs in faber o' Freetrade, den, is yer, boss ?" " Yes, and lam going to run for the Legislature on that principle." "Glad ter know it, sah, an' ef dats de shine yer's gwino ter cut, I thinks myse'f dat of trade wuz a little freer dar would be a better show fur de po' folks. Well, er a good day." "Remember what I've said, John." " I'll do it, wall." Just as the merchant looked around, John took up a small sack of flour, held it in front of him and walked slowly towards the door. The merchant observed the movement, and exclaimed :

" Hold on, there." " Am' got time, boss," without looking around. " If you don't stop I'll shoot you." "Den I stops." " What are you trying to steal that fbur for, you infernal scoundrel ?" •'Who's tryin' ter steal flour ?" " You arc." " Didn' yer say yer was in faboro' Freetrader Co'sc yer did, an' I thought I'd ergrec wid yer. A man ka'n steal nothin' whut's free, ken he r Co'sehe kain'. Ef I'd er wanted to steel I'd er tuk oneo' dem big sacks 'stead o' dis little one. Didn' wanter ride a free huss ter death."

" I'll just call a policeman and have you arrested."

" Whut fur ? 'Case I'ac a Freetrade pusson ? Yerse'fs de wus white man I eber seed. Hesh, take yer ole Hour. Got crickets an , lings in it, no how," and reaching the door he turned and added : "Recoileck dat ef yer gits my vote, yer's got tor fling me down an' take it away from me."—Arkensaw Traveller.