Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1877-04-26
Uncle Zeke's Conscience.

Zeke's cabin a gentleman from
New York, whose identity may
be disguised under the name of
Smith. The newcomer engaged
vigorously in farming. and by
liberal employment and prompt
payment soon gained the good
will of all the colored men a.
round him. Uncle Zeke, in
particular, was never weary OF
chanting his praises, and many a
bushel ofoysters did Ezekiel con-
vert into money at Bellevue, as
Smiths estate was called. But
all the good will of his humble
neighbors did not suffice to pro-
tect Mr.. Smith from pilferings.
ShOats would disappear mysteri-
ously during the night, geese and
turkeys would take wing for parts
unknown, and, in particular, the
corn-crib would frequently show,
by unmistakable signs, that its
sanctity had been violated. To
the story of these various losses
would Uncle Zeke incline a sym.
pathetic ear, and his "Well, now,
who ever hear de ;like'o dat 4? clar
to goodness desc yere boys is git
tin wusser," evidenced alike his
detestation of the crime and his
contempt of the offender.
Smiths patience was at last ex'
hausted, and he determined upon
vigorous measures for the protec'
ton of bis property. His first ex-
pertinent was to place a large
spring rst.trap, artistically con-
cealed in a heap of shelled corn,
close by the cat hole in the corn
crib door, expecting that the un.
wary thief, plunging his hand
recklessly through the hole iuto
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 a good sized box arrived
from New York, and the next
day the local carpenter was order
ed to fix two brass handles to the
corn crib door; one to be put along
side the door for convenience, as
Mr.. Smith publicly explained, of
steadyiug ones self while turning
the other. The second handle
had latch attached to it by which
the door was secured on the in-
side, and was set in such a posi-.
tion that any one turning it must
hold on by the other knob to pre-,
vent tbeing thrown backward by the
opening door. Both handles were
proluseIy decorated with glass,
and elected much admiration
from the hands, who submitted
them to a critical examination.
The carpenters work being fin
ished, Smith, In presence of all his
colored employees, repeated, 10 front
of the corn crib, the first two lines
of the second book of Virgil's
Eneid, and announced that his
corn was thenceforward secure.
A boy, stated to contoin seeds,
was that afternoon deposited in
the crik, and during the early
part of the ensuing night the pro.
prietor of Bellevue secretly busted
himself with q coil of insulated
wire.
Numerous and diverse were
the speculatiOns among the dark
les. Jim Oakley lowed Mis-
Smith done witched dat ar corn
house, sbo' nuff. Tell you, gem
men, you touch dem ere handles,
evil sperit carry you away. No
such ting's evil speritf : How do
you know dere no such ting2
Hush, boy; 60 see what the de
Bible say bout dem ting. Pete
Lee "didn't b'lieve in no sperit ;
get a gun 6x sOmswhar inside dat
house, turn de handle an de gun
90 off. Seen dem sings afore up
country, when l live in GOozleum."
- .L.;ot or,aJ IL.