, 1877-05-13
UNCLE ZEKE.
Il Case of Conscience.

Il Case of Conscience.
Harptr's Nd1asine
Some years ago there moved to the ucIghbor-
hood Of Unuc zckc's cabin q gentleman from
uudcr the name of 6nth. The newcomer en-
gagcd vigorously in farming, and bv liberal eu,-
ploy1neut and prompt payment soon gained the
rood-will OF all the colorcd men around him.
Uncle Zeke in particular was never weary OF
chanting his praises, and many d bushel Of
oysters did Ezekiel convert into money at Belle
v1,r, rs Smiths estate was called. But all the
rood-wil of his humble nclghbors did not,sufiicc
TO protect Mr.. Smith from pilferings. SIioats
would disappear mysteriously during the night,
nnknoy,] and in particular the c0rn-crib would
frequently show by unmistakable signs that it's
sallctity had been violated. To the story OF
these various losses would Uncle Zcke incline a
sypathetc ear anu ,r me aaodnoss no eao Mno
ycre bows is gittin' wusscr an wusser," cyidenc;
ed alike his detcstation Of tho crime and his con-
tempt Tor the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted, and
he determined upon vigorous measures for the
protection of Ills property, His tirst expert
ineut was to place a large spring rat-trap, mr.
tisticallv concealed In q heap OF shelled corn,
close by the cathode fn the corn-crlb-door, CT
pccting that the unwary thief, plunging his
hand recklcssly 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 aud the heap Of corn dimia-
isllcd, but the tlief had vanished and left no
trace behind.
York. and tic next day the local carpenter vas
ordered to x two brass handles to the cor1-crfb,
one to be put alongside the door for conycn-
icnco, as Alr. Smith publicly explained. of
stcadying ones sclt While tnrnlnt, the other: !:
by which the door was secured on the Inside,
and was set in such 4 position that any one
turning it must hold on BY the other knob to
prevent being thrown backward by tic openlng
door. Both handles were protuseiy decorated
with glass, and elected much admiration from
the hands, who submitted them to critical ex-
animation. The carpenters work being finished,
Smith, in presence OF all his colored employees,
solemnly repeated, in front OF the corn.crib, the
first two lines III tue sccoha oook OF v1rgns
forward secure A box, stated to contain seeds,
was that afternoon deposited IN the crib, and
during the carly part OF the ensuing Night the
proprietor of Bellevue secretly busted himself
with coil Of insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse we're the speculations
among the 1arkes. Jim Oakley '''lowed Mis-
Smith done 'witched dat ar corn-house, sho
huff. Tell you, gemH1en, you touch dem ere
handles, evil sperit carry you '"ay. No such
ting's evil sperit! How you know dere no sarh
tiug! Hush boy; go sec what dc Bible say
'bont den, tine.'' Pete Lee ssdidn' bIlcvc in
no sperlts; got gun fix son1ewhar inside dat
house; turn de handle an dc gun 90 of Seen
dem ting, a9re up eoansrs lh
s.whilc Mis- Smith sayin' dat ar Scripter obcr
dem handles, he seen white pigeon come a.
sailin' roun' an' roun an roun,' and zone hght
Oh de peak o. de corn-house roof. high! tell
you, Sar, sumpin up, sho."
Uncle Zekc, like tue rest, Was troubled in his
mind, but, unlike his fellows, he determined to
waste no time in speculation, but to seek his IN,
| formation direct from Headquarters. Prcpared
with half bnshel OF oysters, rs an excuse tor
conversation. he sought an interview with Alr.
Smith, and boldly propoundcd bis questions.
''Aiis' Smith, what you bin a-doin' to dat ar
crib o. Yournn' - A.
aWhy, Uncle Zeke, what do you want to
know for!'' ~, ,
all dc boys talkin' 'bout it-nebcr see muffin like
"Well, Uncle Zeke, I can't very well ex-
sexplain it to you, but just advise you-don't
60 near that crib after dark, or yqu may see see
Something you won't like" Aud Uncle Lcke
departed, revolving many things in his
mind. ,,
It WIS miGnight-the hour when church.
yards are said to yaw1, not with exhaustion, out
returning animation. Ii front OF tue enehanteo
courthouse stood Brother Ezekiel, lengthy
pole in his hand, and capacous meal bag oyer
his shoulder. In silent meditation he stood tor
some FIVE minutes, dcliberatinS on the best plan
Of attack. The great Newfoundland watch-uoS
co,ne Fort1, from his pocket the old man drew
Il savory bit Of fried bacon, which the 1althless
Dos'cn eagerly dcyourcd. The reflection ended,
the dog lay contcnted1y on the. ground. and
watched the subsequent proceedings Win the
~ +! eu ~ nno1ness row.n nluttcred Uncle
zekc. awfsh't I un'st stood bout dis ting. Can't
.,,nc ~ mu fn s,rinT froo roo DC dol Ke! ke! Done
6odder MS Smith sho nun when he find dat ole
and
fat1p f iEseT si cc a,.5 w % no 1raps No. sari done
Sec sec too t much for dat"
.tativeiv vntt e;uhe and then resumed bis soli-
onnv:
,Wcr aec1ar,. Of 1isscr don, beat preach
;u,, "T Mms l,c ~n, in iiar. Ef ain no Gun den
Iere 4. ain'tnufiin derc-all fool'shucss. Anyway.
n;'ric Zcse ok II threw his bae to the ground, step
ncf1 In onc side of the house, and with his pole
asr,,t pIu ~ shar ox m the hrass knob nearest
h;,,, o~N No1ingg fn1iowrd FL nricd aeainst it
WIN WIN h;s stirE. hut stiIl without effect. He
'Sont r. ihc ntier sIe Of the house aud repeat-
vi he oxner;monts m tha second knob. but still
81, I'll ~, rc,nn;ncil nnef. ~ ~~>'''
III! ~ lN~S' -