Finds favor in his employer’s eyes;
That it pays to know more than one thing well;
That it doesn’t pay all he knows to tell.
For the man who wins is the man who works,
Who neither labor nor trouble shirks,
Who uses his hand, his head, his eyes.
The man who wins is the man who tries.
[Illustration: If It’s Funny—Laugh!]
A BROTHERHOOD.
“Would you advise me to get married?”
“I can’t give you any advice on that subject, my boy.”
“You married men are all alike. None of you will give a fellow any
advice.”
“Well, marriage is a secret society.”—Louisville Courier-Journal.
THE USUAL CONVERSATION.
Father—What did you and John talk about last night, dear?
Daughter—Oh, we talked about our kith and kin.
Small Brother—Yeth, pop, I heard ’em. He seth, “Kin I hev a kith?” and
she seth, “Yeth, you kin!”—Yale Record.
WHY IT WAS SAFER.
A boy was visiting another boy, and as they were going to bed the little
host knelt to say his prayers.
“I never say my prayers when I am home,” said the visitor.
“That’s all right,” said the other boy. “You better say them here. This
is a folding bed.”
EASY.
“Did that book agent succeed in inveigling you into buying a set of
Shakespeare’s works?”
“No.”
“How did you get rid of him so easily?”
“I simply showed him the last dun I received for a set of books I bought
on the installment plan two years ago.”—Birmingham Age-Herald.
GOT ’EM THE FIRST TIME.
“Mr. Johnson,” asked the professor in the freshman class, “what three
words are used most among the college students?”
“I don’t know,” said the student.
“Correct,” replied the professor.
HIS DUTIES DEFINED.
Boss—“I wanted to speak to you, Mr. Lovum, about your attentions to Miss
Sweetthynge during office hours. I hired you as a billing clerk only—no
cooing mentioned. That will be all for the present.”
THE SUPREME TEST.
“Brudder Jackson,” said the colored preacher to a parishioner, “yo’ wife
done tell me she got religion and wants to jine de church.”
“Yas, suh, dat’s so,” replied the husband.
“Well, brudder,” suggested the preacher, “Ise gwine to put her
protestashuns to a test—de nex’ time it rains, Brudder Jackson, you let
your dawg get good an’ wet and den let the dawg in yo’ parlor and den you
tell me what yo’ wife says. Den I will know whether Sis’ Jackson should
cum into de fold or not.”
DESIRABLE THOUGHTS.
Cholly—“Before I met you I thought of nothing but making money.”
Ethel—“Well, keep right on! Pop ain’t so rich as folks think!”
TRYING THE DOG ON HIM.
“Come right into the yard,” said the farmer’s wife cordially to the tramp
who had besought something to eat.
The tramp eyed the bulldog dubiously. “I dunno ’bout dat,” he said. “How
’bout dat drog? Will he bite?”
“I don’t know,” said the housewife, “I just got him today and that’s what
I want to find out.”
PROVING MAW WRONG.
Freddy, with a determined look on his small countenance, marched into the
front room and up to the ardent suitor of his pretty sister.
“What’s them?” he demanded, thrusting out a grimy hand full of small
white objects.
“What are those?” said the young man with an ingratiating smile. “Those
are beans.”
“He does know ’em, maw,” bawled Freddy triumphantly into the adjoining
room. “You said he didn’t.”
REDUCING THE COSTS.
“Tommy,” said the fond mother, “isn’t it rather an extravagance to eat
both butter and jam on your bread at the same time?”
“No, mamma, it’s economy,” Tommy answered. “The same piece of bread does
for both.”—The Christian Herald.
DO NOTHING BUT BREATHE.
Bachelor—“Before the wedding you told me that married life would be one
grand sweet song.”
Benedict (gloomily)—“Yes; and since then I’ve found it one grand sweet
refrain.”
Bachelor—“Refrain?”
Benedict—“Yes. My wife insists that I refrain from cards, refrain from
smoking, and refrain from the club.”
TO THE POINT.
“Look here, waiter, is this peach or apple pie?” asked the patron.
“Can’t you tell from the taste, sir?” asked the waiter.
“No, I can’t,” answered the customer.
“Well, then,” asked the waiter, “what difference does it make?”
A SHORTAGE SOMEWHERE.
An advertisement of a popular spectacular play has this to say of two of
its attractions:
5,000 PEOPLE
4,000 COSTUMES
A MATTER OF ARRANGEMENT.
A teamster charged with using loud and profane language on the street,
was brought before a police magistrate, and one of the witnesses was an
aged colored man.
“Did this man use improper language?” inquired the lawyer for the
prosecution.
“Well, sah,” replied Uncle Ans, “he did tawk mighty loud, sah.”
“And did he indulge in profanity?”
The witness looked puzzled but did not answer, so the attorney tried
again.
“What I mean, Uncle Ans,” he said, “is this: did he use words that your
minister could use in a sermon?”
“Oh, yessah, yessah,” answered Uncle Ans, with a grin; “de ministah could
use dem word, sah, but he suttinly would hab ter errange dem different.”
PRECAUTIONARY.
Mrs. Bacon—“I see washerwomen in Alabama are compelled to register their
names with the city health departments.”
Mr. Bacon—“Why don’t they vaccinate them?”
“What for?”
“So they won’t take it.”
“Take what?”
“The wash.”—Yonker’s Statesman.
Classified Advertisements
WANTED FEMALE HELP
=Agents Wanted=—To sell household specialties. Big money, quick sellers;
territory going fast. Write for full particulars. B. 31, care Half
Century Magazine, Chicago.
* * * * *
=Agents Wanted=—To secure subscriptions for the Half Century Magazine.
Liberal commission.
* * * * *
=Agents Wanted=—Something entirely new. Sells like “wild fire.” Write for
particulars. C. J. M., care Half Century Magazine, Chicago.
* * * * *
=Wanted=—Agents to sell Soaps, Perfumes and other toilet preparations.
Write for prices and terms. The Overton Hygienic Co., Chicago.
* * * * *
=Stenographer=—Between 20 and 30 years of age. One that is capable
of handling a large amount of detail work. In your reply state age,
experience and salary expected. Address M. G. H., care Half Century
Magazine.
* * * * *
=Stenographers and Bookkeepers=—Girls over 18. Must be graduates of
business department of a high school or college. Those that have had some
experience preferred. Address C-27, care Half Century Magazine, Chicago.
* * * * *
WANTED—MALE HELP
=Agents Wanted=—To sell household specialties, big money. Write quick.
B-31, care Half Century Magazine, Chicago.
* * * * *
=Stock Salesmen=—For high grade, quick selling proposition. Address T. S.
R., care Half Century Magazine.
* * * * *
=A chance= to make big money selling Negro pictures. The best proposition
ever offered. Address Mardell Co., Chicago.
* * * * *
FOR SALE
=Typewriter=—Monarch, latest model, in first class condition. Price,
$25.00. A. J. Spears, 5202 Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill.
* * * * *
=Household Furniture=—Beds, Tables, Chairs, etc. Everything necessary for
housekeeping. A bargain, as I am breaking up housekeeping. Address M-19,
care Half Century Magazine, Chicago.
* * * * *
=For Sale=—Office desk, chair and Royal typewriter, same as new, at a
bargain for quick sale. Make me an offer. Banks, Wabash Ave., Chicago.
* * * * *
ROOMS FOR RENT
=Rooms to Rent=—One large front room for one or two gentlemen. Reference
required. Nice neighborhood. M-20, care Half Century Magazine.
* * * * *
=Rooms for Rent=—Light and airy; to respectable people; reference
furnished and required. Address M-24, care Half Century Magazine.
* * * * *
=For Rent=—Nice room, suitable for man and wife, or bachelor quarters for
two ladies. Address M-25, care Half Century.
* * * * *
MISCELLANEOUS
=Notice=—I will not be responsible for any debts contracted by anyone
except myself after this date, June 26, 1916. Henry B. Brayson.
* * * * *
=Wanted to Purchase=—A set of the latest edition of Encyclopedia
Britannica. State lowest price you will take for same. Address M-27, care
Half Century Magazine, Chicago.
[Illustration: WITH OUR EXCHANGES]
BERT WILLIAMS AGAIN STAR OF ZIEGFELD’S “FOLLIES.”
Noted Comedian Makes New Yorkers’ Sides Ache With His “Othello.”
(Louisville News.)
New York, June 18.—Bert Williams, premier comedian of his day, is again
the star of Florence Ziegfeld’s “Follies.” Ziegfeld started his “Follies”
in 1907 and each year he has outdone the preceding year in this type of
show—which consists of elaborate staging, pretty girls and plenty of
them, funny men, all kinds of music and dance, in short his “Follies”
have been hash, a little bit of everything. Shortly after George Walker’s
death, which left Bert Williams to travel alone, Ziegfeld did what no
other manager or producer in this country would have done and that was to
take a Colored performer into a purely white company. He snatched up Bert
Williams, it was a bold thing to do—but it paid. Of course, the “Follies”
can not go into some cities because of Williams, but that loss is over
made up in the other cities. Williams has often saved the “Follies” from
being pure and simple burlesque despite the fact Ziegfeld has most of
the high priced white stars. This year the “Follies” have a Shakesperian
travesty after the tercentenary in honor of the great Shakespeare. Bert
Williams plays “Othello” in the play of that name. Space forbids a rehash
of the scene—but if you’ve ever seen Bert Williams in anything, just shut
your eyes and imagine him as the jealous Moor. You might then get a faint
idea of what makes New Yorkers’ sides ache.
INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES.
(From Amsterdam News.)
When the present European War was begun we gave it as our opinion that
with the exodus of the foreign reservist and the cessation of immigration
economic opportunities would be on the increase for the colored American.
The results have vindicated our predictions. But has the colored man
seized the opportunities presented? Is he taking the best advantage of
the present situation?
Three times since the outbreak of the European War we have advised our
young men and women to learn Spanish. Today the metropolitan dailies are
filled with advertisements calling for Spanish speaking and enterprising
young people. In many cases the need is so pressing for the expansion
in South America of this country’s commerce that were a colored man to
answer one of these advertisements there is hardly one chance in nine
that he would meet with a rebuff. Little over a year ago the situation
would have been exactly the reverse. But necessity and the Almighty
Dollar work some awful changes. Prejudice usually disappears when it
affects the moneyed interests. Colored men and women are holding down
positions today that only eighteen months ago were tightly closed against
them. And, what’s more, they can continue to hold those jobs even after
the war, if their services are up to the required notch of efficiency.
With many hundreds of them being used at present to fill places of the
departed reservists still the advertising goes more emphatically on for
more, yet more. Is the supply equal to the demand?
And the demand is even more urgent for Spanish speaking men and women to
travel to the South American countries as the trade representatives of
the big American firms. Will our people accept this opportunity, too?
Or, now with opportunity thundering at their doors, will they ignore
Ambition’s call to higher things?
Three times before we have advised them to learn Spanish. For a fourth
time we reiterate the advice: Young man, young woman, learn Spanish! For
behind that easily mastered language is the beckoning hand of increasing
opportunities. Prepare yourself, and do your best on any job you accept.
So when you leave it, another COLORED MAN OR WOMAN may be employed.
BUSINESS SENSE.
(Chicago Defender.)
Business, generally speaking, is a new thing with most members of the
race, so it is not surprising to find a large percentage of failures
among those who venture in it. There are a great many reasons why success
does not come more often, the first being that hackneyed expression
“unpreparedness.” A railroad man, for instance, may accumulate a little
money and open up a grocery store. Having had no experience, he neither
knows how to buy or to sell. If he prospers, it is simply by sheer luck
and not due to any business knowledge.
As much of the profit lies in buying and keeping down overhead expenses
as it does in the selling. Many large business houses have gone to the
wall simply through poor management. In the identical place one man makes
a failure, another makes a huge success. The first requisite is to have
what the public wants and offer it for sale at an attractive figure—one
that will permit of a fair profit yet meet competition. Make no
misrepresentations; better lose a customer for the time being by telling
him you haven’t in stock just what he wants than by selling him something
inferior and claiming it is just as good. He might be fooled the first
time but he will fool you ever afterward.
Many people open stores in the heart of what is termed “the black belt,”
offer inferior goods, poor service, and ask high prices, and expect
because the skin of those around them happens to be the same as theirs,
that they are in duty bound to “trade with one of their own color.” In
other words, the customer is asked to measure his race pride in dollars
and cents. If he can get a good can of tomatoes across the way for 15
cents, he is expected to pay the same price or more for an inferior
quality from the brother in mourning. If he refuses to so squander his
money he is accused of todying to the white man.
We have learned the lesson well that as mechanics or any skilled workmen
we must equal the best if we would even get scant recognition. The color
line in the labor field is drawn taut, yet here and there the line is
broken and employment given us. The new business man must realize he
must be fitted for what he undertakes. He wouldn’t attempt to repair a
watch without having gone through an apprenticeship in watch repairing.
Why start a grocery, meat market, haberdashery, etc., before acquainting
yourself with the particular line you wish to engage in?
We differ from other races only in that we are overconfident in our
ability. We believe in starting at the top and sliding to the bottom; it
looks so much easier. Climbing is hard work, but it is worth while, and
when the top is reached, even though you are weary, you hold something
tightly in your grasp that the world cannot take from you—experience.
And, after all, that is the one great thing in life that brings success.
RIGHT IDEA.
A Portland school teacher asked this question:
“Now, Johnny, suppose you wanted to build a $1,000 house and had only
$700; what would you do?”
“I ’spose I’d have to marry a girl worth $300,” answered the young
financier.
EXPLAINED AT LAST.
The physician was giving an informal talk on physiology.
“Also,” he remarked, “it has recently been found that the human body
contains sulphur.”
“Sulphur!” exclaimed the girl in the blue-and-white blazer. “And how much
sulphur is there then in a girl’s body?”
“Oh, the amount varies,” said the doctor, smiling, “according to the
girl.”
“Ah!” returned the girl. “And is that why some of us make better matches
than others?”
A darky walked into a restaurant, sat down to the table, and looking up,
recognized the waiter as an old friend. “Huh!” he said, “I sees you is
wuking here.” “Yes,” said the waiter, noting the sarcasm, “I’se wuking
here, but, thank de Lawd. I ain’t eatin’ here.”
MIDNIGHT SPREADS.
For years it has been dinned into our ears that we should not eat before
going to sleep, and we have forgone many a pleasant bite for fear of
sacrificing our good health. And now along comes a noted physician and
tells us that many morning headaches were merely the result of hunger.
This does not mean that we can immediately proceed to gorge ourselves
with all sorts of sweets and not have to pay the penalty the next
morning. Sweets should be eschewed during the midnight repast, and
one should substitute some wholesome sandwiches—cheese sandwiches are
wholesome and nourishing and can be eaten with impunity even during the
wee small hours.
TO FRESHEN LEMONS.
If lemons are old and dry, place them in a pan of hot water and keep the
water at an even temperature for a few hours. As a result the lemons will
become fresh and juicy again.
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE
The subscription price of =The Half-Century= is 75 cents per year, or
50 cents for six months. Some time ago we made an offer as a special
inducement to send the publication for one year for fifty cents—to all
who would send us their subscription before the date of publication.
The responses were very flattering, which shows in what confidence the
management is held. As this offer did not reach many of our friends in
time to take advantage of the same, we have decided to extend the offer
until August 10, 1916. The offer will positively be withdrawn on that
date. As a matter of fact, the probabilities are that the subscription
price =will have to be advanced to One Dollar per year=, on account of
the steady advance in the cost of paper, printing inks, labor, etc.
Therefore, we suggest that you take the benefit of this extremely low
offer, by filling in the attached coupon and mailing same with your
remittance to us promptly.
[COUPON]
=OUR SPECIAL ADVANCE OFFER=
=Extended to August 10, 1916=
=The Half-Century Magazine Publishing Company=
=3708 WABASH AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILL.=
=Subscription Price, One Year 75 Cents; Six Months 50 Cents;
Three Months 25 Cents=
GENTLEMEN:
Enclosed find 50 cents in payment of One Year’s Subscription to
The Half-Century Magazine as per your Reduced Price Advance
Offer.
Name .....................................
Street or P. O. ..........................
Town ................. State .............
Date ..........................
_Don’t Be A Fossil! Live in the 20th Century_
You wouldn’t by preference travel now in an ox wagon, would you?
THEN WHY NOT JOIN
THE INTERNATIONAL
=Benevolent & Protective Association=
=An Up-to-Date Fraternal Order that Meets the Requirements of Today=
Some of the old-time orders offer you weekly dues when you are sick,
burial when you die and endowment to your beneficiaries. _We do that for
you, too, and we do more._
=WE HELP YOU TO LIVE= =WE HELP YOU TO PROSPER=
We furnish you free medical attendance and pay you for the time you lose
while you are sick.
=We Help You in Your Business or Daily Vocation=
We assist you _financially_ when in need. Each member pledges to deal
with other members in preference to those who are not members (other
things being equal), and we use every legitimate method to _require_
members to truthfully live up to this pledge—even to the extent of
expulsion, where it is conclusively proven that said member continues
to violate this obligation. However, we do not require one member to
pay another _more_ for the same article or service. We have this plan
perfected so that it works out harmoniously.
=We Oppose Race Discriminations=
Such as unequal accommodations on railroads, etc., by persuasion and the
influence of prominent, fair minded white persons, and also by legal
process through the courts. We condemn the practice that many white firms
have of advertising their products by ridiculing the race, and oppose the
same by boycotting such firms and their products.
=If there is no lodge of ours in your city you can join individually,
Chicago Council No. 1, and live where you are—you will not have to come
to Chicago to do so.=
Write for application blank and full particulars to
=_The_ International Benevolent & Protective Association=
OLGA L. PORTER. COR. SECRETARY
ORGANIZERS WANTED
5349 Indiana Ave., Chicago, Ill.
* * * * *
=Everything Musical=
The Azalia Hackley
MUSIC
Publishing House
_MUSIC PUBLISHERS_
AND DEALERS IN
PIANOS
PIANO PLAYERS
BAND INSTRUMENTS
STRING INSTRUMENTS
SHEET MUSIC
MUSIC BOOKS
VICTROLAS
And other Talking Machines
_All the Latest Songs and Records_
We make a specialty of songs and music of all kinds—Religious, Patriotic,
Classic or Ragtime written by our people.
We set your words to music and publish same on a royalty basis.
Mail Orders Filled
=The Azalia Hackley
Music Publishing House
5244 State St., Chicago, Ill.=
* * * * *
=DON’T Take a Chance With Your Films=
Don’t have them developed with inferior chemicals. We use only the best
C. P. Mallinckrodt Chemicals in our photo finishing laboratory, and
employ only skilled photographers to FINISH YOUR WORK. In our printing
and enlarging departments we produce perfect black and whites, and use
only the best grades of developing paper. All prints are masked with
white border and trimmed with even margin.
Your order receives undivided attention in our laboratory, where QUALITY
OF FINISH is the first consideration.
Any size roll of film, 6 or 12 exposures, developed for 10c.
Your Photo finishing may be sent to us by mail. It will have prompt
attention.
We carry a complete line of =Cameras and Kodaks=
=The Azalia Hackley
Music Publishing House=
5244 State St., CHICAGO
* * * * *
WE SELL BOOKS
When you want a Book of any kind
_WRITE US_
If we can’t get what you want,
It’s not in print
_Books written By Colored-American Authors Our Specialty_
Lowest Prices
Quick, Efficient Service
THE
=Progressive Book Publishers=
3519 State St., Chicago, Ill.
We Publish Books, etc.
* * * * *
IN SUMMER YOU NEED
=PU-RI=
To Prevent the Odor From Perspiration
* * * * *
COMING
READY AUGUST 1st
[Illustration: =BLACK’S BLUE BOOK=]
=Directory of Chicago’s Active Colored People and Guide to Their
Activities=
On news stands or sent anywhere on receipt of price 25 cents
=FORD S. BLACK, PUBLISHER
6446 St. Lawrence Ave. Chicago, Ill.=
* * * * *
USE
=RO-ZOL=
[Illustration]
The Face Bleach That Will Bleach
Will Also Positively Remove Tan, Liver Spots and Freckles
AVOID IMITATIONS
=THE OVERTON-HYGIENIC MFG. COMPANY
Dept. H. C. Chicago, Ill.=
=AGENTS WANTED=
We are also manufacturers of the Original High-Brown Face Powder, the
first and only face powder made especially for the complexion of our
people.
* * * * *
High-Brown Hair Grower
WILL GROW YOUR HAIR
_It Is A Straightener As Well As A Grower_
Nicely Perfumed—Absolutely Harmless
[Illustration]
Gives the hair that live, glossy appearance which is so much desired. A
trial will convince the most skeptical.
PRICE 50 CENTS
MADE ONLY BY
=The Overton-Hygienic Manufacturing Co.=
CHICAGO, ILL.
* * * * *
START A BUSINESS OF YOUR OWN
=The Perfumers’ Supply Co.=
Importers and Jobbers of Materials for
_Manufacturers of Hair Preparations Toilet Articles and Perfumes_
=We Carry A Complete Stock at the Lowest Prices=
Some of which are as follows
Talcum
Waxes
W Petrolatum
C Petrolatum
A Petrolatum
Jars
Colors
Boxes
Bottles
Labels, etc.
Oil Rose
Oil Lilac
Oil Lemon
Oil Lavender
Oil Bergamot
We will sell you the supplies and teach you _Free_ how to make Cold
Creams, Face Bleaching Creams, Hair Pomades, Hair Growers, Perfumes,
Toilet Waters, etc.; or we will make any of these articles for you and
print your name on the label, ready for you to sell.
=Catalog and terms sent on receipt of 10 cents in postage=
=THE PERFUMERS’ SUPPLY CO.
Dept. J, Monadnock Block=
CHICAGO, ILL.
* * * * *
_Successful baking requires a good baking powder_
Hygienic Pet Baking Powder
_meets that requirement_
=Economical and Strictly Pure=
A LARGE CAN FOR =10c=
For sale by all good dealers
[Illustration]
OVERTON-HYGIENIC CO.
CHICAGO
* * * * *
A Marvel! A Revelation!
=Magic Furniture Polish=
_THE POLISH THAT MAKES OLD FURNITURE LOOK THE SAME AS NEW_
Made only by the inventor
=THOS. B. BANKS
5163 Wabash Ave. Chicago, Illinois=
Agents wanted. Write for prices and terms.
* * * * *
_Chew the Good Chew_
TWO KINDS
TRIPLEMINT
A Peppermint Flavor
LIMENTO
A Fruity Flavor
Price 5 Cents A Package
=The International Gum and Candy=
COMPANY
FOR SALE BY ALL LIVE DEALERS
* * * * *
_Do you want information of any kind?_
=THE
National Negro Directory
AND REPORTING AGENCY=
SPECIALIZES AS FOLLOWS:
If you want information about persons or firms in other cities we can
supply you.
Should your wife or husband, son or daughter leave home and you want them
looked up, we can do so through our agents throughout the United States
at a small cost.
We furnish other services which we should be pleased to explain upon
application.
_Agents and Reporters wanted for every town where we are not now
represented_