Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-03-28
Uncle Zeke's Conscience.

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identity may be distinguished by tn,
name of Smith. The newcomer en-
gagged vigorously in farming, and bj
liberal employment and prompt pay
ment soon gained the goodwill of al
the colored men around him. Uncle
Zeke in particular was never weary o
chanting his praises, and many bush
el Of oysters did Ezekiel convert into
money at Bellevue, as Smiths estate
was called. But all the goodwill o
his humble neighbors did not suffice
to protect Mr. ShftA from pilfelings
Shoats would disappear mysteriously y
during the night, geese and turkeys
would take wing for parts unknown
and in particular the corn-crib would
frequently show by uumistakabe
signs that its sanc,ity had been viola
ted. To the story of these various
losses would Uncle Zeke incline q
sympathetic ear, and his "Well, now,
who ever hear de like O dat clar to
goodness desc yere boys is gittin' wus,
ser an wusser," evidenced alike his
deteStatiOn of the crime and his con-
tempt Tor the offender.
Smiths patience was at last ex-
hausted, and he determined upon Wig,
orous measures for the protection of
his property. His first experiment
was to place a large spring rat-trap,
artistically concealed in heap of
shelled corn, close by the hole in the
corncrib door, expecting that the un-
wary thief, plunglng his hand reck-
lessly through the hole into the heap,
would be caught and held till some
one come to set him free. But 10 !!
next morning the trap was found
sprung an3 the heap Of corn diminish
ed, but the thief had vanished ana left
no trace behind.
At last a good-sized box arrived
from New York, and the next day tie
local carpenter was ordered to fix two
brass handles to the corn, crib one
to be put alongside the door for con-
venience, as Mr. Smith publicly ex-
pIalned, OF steadylng ones sell wnlle
turning the other. The second han
die had latch attached to it by which
the door was secured on the inside,
and was set in such a position that
any one turning it must hold on by
the other knob to prevent being
thrown backward 10y the opening
door. Both handles were profusely
decorated with glass, and elected
much admiration from the hands, who
submitted them to critical examina-
tion. The carpenters work being
finished, Smith, in presence of all his
colored employees, solemnly repeated,
in front of the copn-crib, the first two
lines Of the second book of Virgils
Eneid, and announced that his corn
was thenceforward secure. A box,
stated to contain seeds, was that after
noon deposited in the crib, and during
the early part OF the ensuing night the
proprietor OF Bellevue seclc.ly busted
himself with coil of insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the
speculations among the darkies. jim
Oakley "lowcd Mis- S,nith done
'witcbed dat ar corn house, sho huff
Tell you. gemmeu, you touch dem ere
handles, evil sperit carry you way.
No such ting's evil spirit How you
know dere no such ting? Hush, boy;
60 see what de Bible say bout dem
ting" Pete Lee "ddn' b']ieve in no
sperits got gun fix somewhar inside
dat house turn de handle an de gun
60 off. Seen dem tings afore up
country, when live in Goozleum.
Another theorist averred tnat "while
Mis- Smith sayin' dat ar Scripter ober
dem handles, he seen white pigeon
come sailln' roun' an roun' an roun',
and done light on de peak O de corn
house roof. High /! tell you, Sar,
sumpin up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was
troubled in his mind, but, unlike his
fellows, he determined to waste no
time in speculation, but TO seek his
information direct from head quarters.
Prepared with half a busbe ofoysters,
as an excuse for conversation, he
sought an interview with Mr.. Smith,
and boldly propounded his questions.
"Mis' Smith, what you bin a-doin'
to dat ar crib O yourn 2"
"Why, Uncle Zeke, what do you
want to know for 7"
"Oh, muffin, Sar sorter Gurus like.
Hearn all de boys talkin' bout it
neber seen muffin like dat afore."
NGNou IT.,ola Zol.1 I....l4