Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-05-04
UNCLE ZEKE's CONSCIENCE.

Some years ago there moved to the
neighborhood of Uncle Zeke's cabin a
gentleman from New York, whose identi-
ty may be disguised under the name Of
Smith. The newcomer engaged vigor-
ously in farming, and by liberal employ
ment and prompt payment soon gained the
goodwill of all the colored men around
him. Uncle Zeke in particular was never
weary Of chanting his praises, and many
into money at Bellevue, as Smiths estate
was called. But all the goodwill Of his
humble neighbors did not suffice to pro-
tect Mr. Smith from offerings. Shoats
would disappear mysteriously during the
night, geese and turkeys would take wing
for parts unknown, and in particular the
corn. crib would frequently show by I'M
uumistakable signs that its 'sanctity had
been violated. To the story Of these va
pious losses would Uncle Zeke incline a
sympathetic ear, aud his 'sWell, now. who
ever hear de like O. dat? clar to goodness
desc year boys is gittin' wusser an wus-
SER" evidenced alike his detestation of the
crime and his contempt for the offender.
Smith patience was at last exhausted,
and he determined upon vigorous meas
ures for the protection of his property. His
first experiment was to place a large spring
rat-trap, artistically concealed in head
of sbelled corn, close by the rat hole in
the corn-crib door, expecting that the I'M
wary thief, plunging his hand recklessly
through the hole into the heap, would be
caught and held till some one came to set
him free. But, 10 next morning the trap
was found sprung and the heap Of corn
diminished, but the thief had vanished
and left no trace behind.
AT last good-sized box arrived from
New York, and the next day the local car
penter was ordered to fix two brass
handles to the corn-crib; one to be put
alongside the door for convenience, as
Mr.. Smith publicly explained, for steady :
ing ones self while turning the other. The
second handle had q latch attached to it by
which the door was secured on the inside.
and was set in such position that any
one turning it must hold on by the other
knob to prevent being thrown backward
! by the opening door. Both handles We're
profusely decorated with glass, and elici-
ted much admiration from all hands, who
| submitted them to a critical examination.
I The carpenters work being finished,
Smith, in presence OF all his colored en-
ployees, solemnly repeated, in front Of the
corn-crib, the first two lines of the second
book of Virgil's Hneid, and announced
that his corn was thenceforWard secure.
A box, stated to contain seeds, was that
afternoon deposited III the crib, and dur
ing the early part of the ensuing night the
proprietor of Bellevue secretly busted him
self with coil Of insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the specu.
lat1ons among the darkies. Jim Oakley
"'lowed Mis- Smith done 'witched dat. al
courthouse, sho huff; Tell you, gemmen,
you touch dem 'ere handles, evil sperits
carry you way. No such ting's evil sperit?
How you know dere no such thing? Hush,
hoy; go see what de Bible say bout dem
tings.'' Pete Lee didn't b'lieve in 10
sperits; got gun fix somewhat inside dat
house, turn de handle an de gun go off.
Seen dem tings afore up country, when I
| live in Goozlun." Another theorist
averred that 'while Mis- Smith sayin' dat
ar Scripter ober dem handles, he seen a
white pigeon come a-sailir' roun' an
roun' am roun', an done light on de peak
O. de courthouse roof. High! tell you,
sar, sumpin up, sho.''
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled
| in his mind, but, unlike his fellows, he de-
| termined to waste no time in speculation,
but to seek information direct from head
quarters. Prepared with half bushel of
oysters, as an excuse for conversation, he
sought an interview with Mr.. Smith, and
| boldly propounded his questions.
sMis' Smith, what you bin a-doin, to dat
ar crib O. your?"
"Why, Uncle Zeke, what do you want
to know for?''
| ooh, muffin, sar; sorter Gurus like.
Hearn all de boys talkir' bout it-neber
see muffin like dat afore"
"Well, Uncle Zeke, l can't very well ex-
plain it to you; but l just advise you-don't
go near the crib after dark, or you may see
something you won't like.n And Uncle
Zeke departed, revolving many things in
his mind.
1t was midnight, the hour when church
yards are said to yawn. not with exhaus-
| ton, bat returning animation. In front
of the enchanted courthouse stood Brother
Ezekiel, a lengthy pole in his hand and a
capacious meal-bag over his shoulder. In
silent meditation he stood for some five
minutes, celebrating on the best mode Of
attack. The great Newfoundland watch.
dog bounded toward him, evidently in re-
joicing welcome. Forth from his pocket
the old man drew savory bit of fried ba-
con, which the faithless Bos'en eagerly de-
voured. The reflection ended. the dog
Law cOntontedlV on the rro,,na - u,,+oL