Powell W. Gibson, "The Diamond Ring" (1907)
While in a Southern town
Was accosted by a bootblack
Of complexion dusky brown;
Whose crownless hat and patches
Was a puzzle to behold,
And how they stayed upon him
Is a mystery untold.
Said the bootblack, "Have er shine, Boss?
Only cost a haf a dime,
And your shoes will take your picture
In about three minutes' time."
Soon the bargain was completed
And quite soon the work was done,
Then the drummer with the bootblack
Thought to have a bit of fun.
Said he, "Jake, I cannot pay you
For my purse I've failed to bring.
How'd you like to take in payment
This expensive diamond ring?"
Then with weird and comic gestures,
With intense affected pride,
And with sparkling eyes triumphant
Jake in cunning tones replied:
"Go' long, Boss, an' quit yer foolin,'
Aain't gwi' do no sich a thing,
'Cause de police sho to 'rest me
Ef dev ketch me wid dat ring.
'Cause dey sho gwi' say I stoled it
Jes to take somewhere to sell.
Dev kin see I didn't buy it
Rags an' diamonds don't match well."
"No! no! Boss, jes keep dat diamond
Fer hard luck some other time;
All I axes ub you, mistah,
Gib ter me ma haf a dime.
Published in The Voice of the Negro, October 1907