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ONE MAN'S POISON

Lewis Johnston

As the motor gave one last coughing sign of life, I steered the car
to the edge of the street. It came to a stop before an especially shabby
member of the group of row houses that lined the sidewalk. Damn
this carl Of all places to break down, it has to pick a colored section
this late at nightl On the corner, I noticed the street-light's rays dif-
fusing upon the figures of several Negro boys. They were laughing
and swearing loudly. I got out apprehensively, walked to the front of
the car, and lifted the hood. As I bent over the grille and peered into
the blackness below, footsteps shuffled along the warm concrete behind
me. Turning quickly, I saw the smiling faces of the boys who had
been on the corner.

"What do you want?" I tried to maintain a natural calmness in
my voice with every word.

"Nothing, Dad," was the reply. "Just saw you was in trouble
and thought we could help out. What's wrong?"

"I think it's the needle valve in the carburetor. It's acted up
before." I relaxed somewhat, but complete trust would not come. "I
need a new one, but nothing will be open at this hour."

The tallest of the boys, evidently their leader, turned to his brown-
faced compatriot behind him. "Think we can get him one, Jock?"

"Sure, man-I might have one Iyin' round the pad somewhere."
Instructing me to wai t, the group disappeared around the corner
into a litter-strewn alley. Climbing into the car, I resolved to wait ten
. minutes before searching elsewhere for assistance. They probably
would not return. After several minutes, however, they rounded the
same corner again. All were smiling triumphantly. I jumped out as
they approached me. The one they called' Jock laughed at me and
nodded his head affirmatively.

"How did you ever find one?" I queried astonished at the rapidity
with which they had produced such an obscure item.

"I told you not to sweat it, man-I found one at my place."
Insisting that I should not get grease on my clothes, the boys in-
stalled the new acquisition. After the job was compelted, I hopefully
turned the ignition switch on and pressed the gas pedal carefully
downward. The motor protested momentarily, then sprang to life.
"That's a relief-I don't know how to thank you guys. How much

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