Light Ahead for the NegroJohnson, Edward A. (Edward Austin)
Science
Light Ahead for the Negro
Johnson, Edward A. (Edward Austin)
African Americans; United States -- Race relations
When I regained my full consciousness I found myself comfortably
ensconced in a bed in an airy room apparently in the home of some
well-to-do person. The furniture and decorations in the room were of
a fashion I had never seen before, and the odd-looking books in the
bookcase near the bed were written by authors whose names I did not
know. I seemed to have awakened from a dream, a dream that had gone
from me, but that had changed my life.
Looking around in the room, I found that I was the only occupant. I
resolved to get up and test the matter. I might still be dreaming.
I arose, dressed myself--my suit case lay on a table, just as I had
packed it--and hurriedly went downstairs, wondering if I were a
somnambulist and thinking I had better be careful lest I fall and
injure myself. I heard voices and attempted to speak and found my voice
unlike any of those I heard in the house. I was just passing out of the
front door, intending to walk around on the large veranda that extended
on both sides of the house, when I came face to face with a very
attractive young lady who I subsequently learned was the niece of my
host and an expert trained nurse. She had taken charge of me ever since
my unexpected arrival on her uncle’s lawn.
She explained that she had been nursing me and seemed very much
mortified that I should have come to consciousness at a moment when
she was not present, and have gotten out of the room and downstairs
before she knew it. I could see chagrin in her countenance and to
reassure her I said, “You needn’t worry about your bird’s leaving the
cage, he shall not fly away, for in the first place he is quite unable
to, and in the second place why should he flee from congenial company?”
“I am glad you are growing better,” she said, “and I am sure we are all
very much interested in your speedy recovery, Mr.--What shall I call
you?” she said hesitatingly.
I attempted to tell her my name, but I could get no further than, “My
name is--” I did not know my own name!
She saw my embarrassment and said, “O, never mind the name, I’ll let
you be my anonymous friend. Tell me where you got that very old flying
machine?”
Of course I knew, but I could not tell her. My memory on this point
had failed me also. She then remarked further that papers found in my
pocket indicated that a Mr. Gilbert Twitchell had been appointed to a
position as teacher in a Missionary School in the town of Ebenezer,
Georgia, in the year 1906, and inquired if these “old papers” would
help me in locating my friends. She left me for a moment and returned
with several papers, a diary and a large envelope containing a
certificate of appointment to said school.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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