Taking the Census: A Farce

by Elizabeth F. Guptill

Mr. C. ’61. What is his occupation?

Mrs. J. Why I isn’t quite shuah, not to be sartin, sah. I t’ink he’s a bandmastah, but he may be jus’ a coalheavah.

Mr. C. But they are not at all alike. Where does he work?

Mrs. J. Dat’s jes’ it, sah. Ef I knowed dat, I’d know what he done be doin’.

Mr. C. But doesn’t he ever say?

Mrs. J. He nebah has, sah, not one bressed wohd, dough I’m a savin’ up to go to a mid-dle-um some day, and den I know.

Mr. C. A middle-um?

Mrs. J. Jes’ so. One ob dese yer hoodoo womans what conjer an call up de ha’nts to speak to dare folkses.

Mr. C. Oh, a medium! Then your husband is dead?