Booker T. Washington, Builder o - African American History

Booker T. Washington, Builder of a Civilization. 109
24.03.2006
unintelligible pious jargon. This old fellow would harangue the air for hours at a
time right outside the Principal's busy office, but he would never allow him to
be stopped or sent away and always sent or gave him a small contribution at the
conclusion of his tirades, if indeed they could be said to have any conclusion.
Booker Washington had a weakness for the picturesque ne'er-do-wells of his
race. One such old fellow, who lived near Tuskegee and who had always
displayed great ingenuity in extracting money from him, one day, when he was
driving down the main street of Tuskegee behind a pair of fast and spirited
horses, rushed out into the street and stopped him as though he had a matter of
the greatest urgency to impart to him. When Mr. Washington had with difficulty
reined in his horses and asked him what he wanted the old man said
breathlessly, "I'se got a tirkey for yo' Thanksgivin'!"
"How much does it weigh?" inquired Mr. Washington.
"Twelve to fifteen poun'."
After thanking the old man warmly, Mr. Washington started to drive on when
the old fellow added, "I jest wants to borrow a dollar for to fatten yo' turkey for
you!"
With a laugh Mr. Washington handed the old man the dollar and drove on. He
never could be made to feel that by these spontaneous generosities he was
encouraging
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thriftlessness and mendicancy. He was incorrigible in his unscientific openhandedness
with the poor, begging older members of his race.
At the time of the Tuskegee teachers' annual picnic, usually held in May, many
of these old darkies would attend uninvited and armed with huge empty baskets.
Mr. Washington always greeted them like honored guests and allowed them to
carry off provisions enough to feed large families for days. He would also
introduce them to the officers and teachers of the school and to any invited
guests who might be present.
Old man Harry Varner was the night watchman of the school in its early days
and a man upon whom Mr. Washington very much depended. He lived in a
cabin opposite the school grounds. After hearing many talks about the
importance of living in a real house instead of a one or two room cabin, old