e hand she started out of the building as hurriedly
as her sprained ankle would permit.

"Back doors for 'niggers,'" shouted the employee, as he saw that Eunice
had started toward the front entrance.

Rage mounted the throne in Eunice's heart and she turned towards her
tormentor. She parted her lips and the oaths of stern men were upon the
eve of bursting forth, but she repressed them and was soon out of the
hotel. The railroad station was not far away and she preferred walking
to submitting to the indignities that might attend riding on the cars.
Appearing at the railroad ticket office she applied for a berth in a
sleeper. Her face was known there, too, and she was told that all the
berths were taken. A white woman going on the same train was the next to
apply for a berth and was given her choice of a number. Eunice noticed
the discrimination and returned to the clerk.

"You must have been mistaken as to the train I am to travel on, for the
lady that has just left secured a berth on that train after I had
failed," said Eunice pleadingly, for she desired the seclusion of a
sleeping car for her mournful journey home.

"You belong to a voteless race and I can't give you a berth," said the
ticket agent.

"What has voting to do with my getting a suitable place to ride on a
train?" said Eunice, tears of vexation coming into her eyes.

"Everything," said the young man more sympathetically.

"You see it is this way," he continued. "The Governor of this state, who
sprang from a class of whites, who never had much love for the Negro,
happened to take a sleeper that was occupied by a few Negroes who did
not conduct themselves properly. Though the great body of Negroes who
were able and disposed to occupy berths were genteel and well-behaved,
this governor, to properly bolster his dignity resolved upon a course
that would work discomfort for thousands. He threatened to recommend to
the legislature that a law be passed demanding separate sleeping cars
for the two races unless Negroes were kept out of sleepers. We lose less
by keeping Negroes out than we would by being compelled to operate two
sets of cars. If you people had voting power and could stand by us we
could stand by you. It is a matter of business with us."

"You are discriminating against me without the warrant of law and are
subject to a suit," said Eunice.

"The case will be tried by a white jury and a verdict will be rendered
against us. We will be required