The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-24

IL Hdc ululllL ll-elc muir WHICH
chnrch-yards are said to yawn, not with
exhaustion, but returning animation. In
front of the enchanted courthouse stood
Brother Ezekiel, a lengthy pole in his
hand, and capacious meal-bag over
his shoulder. In silent meditation he
stood for some FIVE minutes, celebrating
on the best plan of attack. The great
Newfoundland Watchdog bounded
toward him evidently in rejoicing well
come. Forth from his pocket the old
man drew a savory bit of fried bacon,
which the faithless Bos'en eagerly de-
voared. The reflection ended, the dog
lay contentedly on the ground, and
watched the subsequent proceedings
with the air of a totally disinterested OBJ
server.
Clar to goodness, now," muttered
Uncle Zeke, "wish't un'stood bout
dis ting. Can't be no spring trap like
a las time, kase how be gwine to spring
froo de do? Ke! Ike! Done bodder
Mis- Smith sho huff when he find dat
ole rat-trap sprong and muffin cotch.
High! Cam fool disser chile wild no
traps. No, sari done see too much for
dat"
Uncle Zeke paused, scratched his
head meditatively, and then resumed his
soliloquy:
"Well, | declar', eff disser dom beat
preachin'! Mus be gun in dar. Eff
aim no gun den dere amt muffin dere-
all fool'shness. Anyway, rs gwine for
to try him.
Uncle Zeke threw his bag to the
ground, stepped to one side of the house,
and with his pole struck sharp blow
on the brass knob nearest him. Nothing
followed. He pried against it with his
stick, but still without effect. He went
to the other side of the house and re-
peated his experiments on the second
knob, but still all remained quiet.
Uncle Zeke now drew from his pocket
a skeleton key, mounted the ladder, and
in a trice had opened thepadlOck which
held the door. aS
"Dar now, JUS IS fought. De boss
done humbug dem fool niger, make
um tink disser house 'witched. Aim
muffin dar, shO huff"
The old darky reached up and eau
tiously turned the handle. The door
opened little, and, casting away all
fear, Uncle Zeke boldly reached for the
other knob, to steady himself while he
swung back the door.
Literally ike 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
log the old man dropped to the ground
and lay grooming, praying, and general
" bewildered.
"Oh, de lawsgoramity! Oh, my
heabenly Marster! Who cher fought
o. dat! My conscience done wake up!
nv consc'e nce done wake up! Heern
bout it often, am now | knows it. Oh,
my heabenly Marster! eff you lets up on
me dis time, Uncle Zeke neber touch
muffin no mo-. Clar to goodness is
change man f'om dis day. B-r-r-r-r.'
And what with the shock, the fright
and the fall, Uncle Zeke's senses seemed
leaving him.
Ezekiel" said a 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 anc
solemn steps. As the mysterious visitor
approached, it seemed to rise until i
lowered to the height of at least ter
feet. The wretched Ezekiel, on hi
hands and knees, his eyes protruding
and his jaw dropped, remained as
paralyzed.
Suddenly the phantom bowed itself
and its head, descending with incredible
swiftness, smote the unfortunate Uncl
Zeke senseless to the earth.
Three days later, as poor Uncle Eek
Law, racked with rheumatism and tor
mented with spiritual fear, upon his be-
in the single room at his cabin, the doc
opened, and in walked Mr.. Smith, O
Bellevue.
Good morning, Uncle Zeke. Why
what's the matter with you, old manP'
"Oh, Mis- Smith oh, Mis- Smith,
done had some turrible sperences lately
De angel of de Lord done wrastle Wi
me, an my conscience done wake, an
oh, my heabenly Marster, Is one suffer
in sinner. Mis- Smith, is you bin
you done--is you m-miss any ting wi
dat courthouse o. yourn?" arrnI
"No, indeed, Uncle Zeke, nobody bee
near it. Every thing all right now"
"An' nobody done touch de lock? Dc
lock cherry morningP" ..I .
"Yes, indeed. Why, who do 70
think would touch it, old man?"
Uncle Zeke answered not, but his liz
moved convulsively, as he mutteret
"Knock me down fus, an den lock dc
an took de key. Now | kno'os it wa
de angel of de Lord'-HarpeT'S Mont
y.
r II.