His Row to Hoe

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Radimire "Shiner" Jones was only thirteen when the old Negro, Cleet, was lynched for a crime he didn't commit. Shiner discovers who was the actual killer of the white urchin. For this he was railroaded into the Army at age fifteen. Coming home five years later to find himself merely a lowly Negro instead of an accepted war hero. Soon dire events happen forcing him to flee and join his Army buddy in Chicago. In Black Louie's saloon the Mafia coin collector is killed involving Shiner and his five friends. Shiner devises a plan hoping to appease the Mafia; this backfires forcing him to seek sanctuary in a tavern. An old friend, Aleta, hides him and later teaches him to become a politician and elected Alderman constantly under the vengeful eye of the Mafia. Each day he falls deeper in love with Aleta and proposes. She refuses because of their precarious position; especially after the Mafia's attempt to assassinate Shiner. Due to Shiner's fine work, the old Colored Politician takes interest and barters his wayward daughter's hand in an attempt to make Shiner mayor. After a stormy courtship and a fateful wedding night, Shiner is elected first Black Mayor of Chicago. Even so, life is short, and troubles are far from over as his love for Aleta never dies.