LUCKY TOBIES

Robert Hill Long

He said, The law is against toby-sellers, don't tell nobody I told you about tobies because the law says I can't. You believe in luck, don't you though? Sure you do! Things don't just happen. That's where tobies come in.       I put lucky things in my tobies--high-john-the-conqueror, five-finger grass, four-leaf clover, a white powder, a black powder and a pink powder. They cost me plenty. I put two more things in, but I forget them now. Put all these things in a fancy colored bag called a lucky bag, then wrap it in cellophane tied with a pretty ribbon. That keeps the lucky bag clean.       I'd show my toby but that would rob all the luck out of it. A quick peek might not hurt, but like a fool when I changed my pants I left my toby in the wrong pocket. It's a wonder I ain't been all cut up or run over today. My tobies never fail--never fail. You got to put your faith in the toby or you won't get nothing but trifling results.       Here's how I pitch it. "Put up and built by the Seven Sisters in New Orleans, my toby will bring you Honor, Riches and Happiness. It will help you Win in all Games. Thieves nor Enemies cannot bother you. Hold on to your Loved One. Get anyone you Love. Make your Babies look like you. Protect yourself against all Law. Everything you touch Prospers you and makes you Money. Hold the Bag in your Left hand, blow hot breath on it Three times and see if your Wish don't come to pass before the Seventh day is gone. Keep a Toby on your person at all Times. Just one dollar is all they cost, but they're worth five hundred times more."       The poor white and the poor black folks are my best customers --it ain't because they're dumber than rich folks; the dumb ones are the folks who don't buy tobies to help them. Poor folks need more luck than rich folks--that's why they buy more tobies. I guarantee you won't regret this, he said.

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