The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-03-27

yOu-uOn 20 near tnnt crlD after dark
or you may see sopething you won't
like And Uncle zelxe departed, re-
volving many things In his mind.
1t was midnight - the hour when
church yards are said to yawn, not with
exhaustion, but returning animation
In front of the enchanted corn-house
stood Brother Ezekiel, lengthy pole In
his hand, and capacious meal bag over
his shoulder. In silent meditation he
stood for some five minutes, dellberating
on the best plan of attack. The great
Newfoundland Watchdog bounded to-
ward him., evi IDENTIFY in rejoicing wei
come. Forth from pocket the old man
drew savory bit of fried bacon, which
the faithless Bos'en eagerly devoured.
The reflection ended the dog lay con-
tentedly on the ground, and watched
the subsequent proceedings with the air
of totally dlsinterested observer.
"Clar to goodness, now,'' muttered
Uncle zeke, wish't un n'stood bout
dis ting. Can't be no spring trap like
las time, kase how he gwine to spring
froo de do ? KeI kel Done bodder
Mis- Smith sho' nuff when he find dat
ole rat trap sprong and muffin cotch.-
High! Can fool disser chile wild no
traps. No, Sar done see too much for
dat.n
Uncle Zeze paused, scratched his head
meditatively, and then resumed his
soliloquy
"Well, 1 declare, eff disser dom beat
preaching! Mus be gun in dar. Eff
ain no gun, den dere amt muffin dere-
all foo'shness. Anyway, rs gwine for
try him.
Uncle zeke threw his bag to the
ground, stepped to one side of the house,
and with his pole struck a sharp blow
on the brass knob nearest him. Moth
ing followed. He pried against it with
his stick, but still without effect. He
went to the other side of the house, and
repeated his experiments on the second
knob, but still all remained quiet
Uncle Zeke now drew from his pock-
ct skeleton key, mounted the ladder,
and in trice had opened the paddock
which held the door.
"Dar now, JUS g fought. DE boss
done humbug dem fool nigger, make um
tink disser house 'witched. Aim muffin
dar, sho nuff.n
The old darky reached up and eau
tiously turned the handle. The door
opened a little, and, casting away all
fear, Uncle Ieke boldly reached for the
other knob, to steady himself while he
swung back the door.
Literally like flash of lightning the
electric discharge passed through him.
The muscles of his fingers contracted,
and he could not release his hold of the
enchanted handles. AT last his feet
slipped from the ladder, and the weight
of his body tore his hands adrift. Like
a log the old man dropped to the ground
and lay groaning, praying, and gen.
orally bewildered.
"Oh, de lawsgoramityl Oh, my
heabenly Marster Who eber fought
o. dat My conscience done wake upl
Heern bout it often, an now 1 knows
it. Oh, my heabenly Marster eff you
lets up on me dis time, Uncle Zeke
neber touch muffin no mo-. Clar to
goodness rs a change man fom dis
day. B--r-r-r-r-r--" And what with
the shock, the fright, and the fall, Uncle
Zeke's senses seemed leaving him.
" Ezekiel ~ said solemn voice. In
stinctively Uncle Zeke answered, "Here
me-" and looked in the direction of the
sound. Oh, horror A figure clad in
white was nearing him with slow and
solemn steps. AS themysterious visitor
approached, 1t seemed to rise until it
lowered to the height of at least ten
feet. The wretched Ezekiel, on his
hands and knees, his eyes protruding,
and his jaw dropped, remained as if
paralyzed.
Suddenly the phantom bowed itself,
and its head descending with incredible
swiftness, smote the unfortunate Uncle
Zeke senseless to the earth.
Three days later, as poor Uncle zeke
lay, racked with rheumatism and tor
mented spiritual fear, upon his bed in
the single room at his cabin, the door
opened, and in walked Mr.. Smith of
Bellevue.
Good-morning, Uncle Zeke. Why,
what's the matter with you, old man ?"
"Oh, Mis- Smith oh, Mis- Smith,
L done had some turrible sperences late
L. ~ .,..-.I - 10 Tnr1 Inna xt-ro clio