There was not money enough in the Carolinas for all the Negro folk, so Benjamin and Pearl Mason drifted north to Philadelphia. Ben washed cars in a garage. They had a baby girl, and things were all right until 1931. Then Ben lost his job, looked in vain for another. Another baby was born, a boy this time. On relief, 42-year-old Ben drew $11.40 a week. Their house had no heat except the kitchen stove. "Wasn't fit for animals," observed Pearl wearily. "Every time it rained it rained right into the house." She made what she could from odd jobs. Ben...
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