Smyrna times., 1877-04-04
ms G eI/U23 e OWS.
Uncle Zeke'S Conscience.


Some years ago there moved to th
neighborhood of Uncle Zeke's cabin a gen
tleman from New York, whose identit,
may be disguised under the name of Smith
The newcomer engaged vigorously il
farming, and by liberal employment anc
prompt payment soon gained the goodwill
OF all the colOred men around him, Uncle
Zeke in particular was never weary O
chanting his praises, and many a bushel OF
oysters did Ezekiel convert into money al
Bellevue, as Smiths estate was called. But
all the goodwill Of his humble neighbors
did not suffice to protect Mr.. Smith from
pilferings. Shoats would disappear mvs.
teriously during the night, geese and
turkeys would take wing for parts un.
known, and in particular the corn-crih
would frequently show by unmistakable
signs that its sanctity had been violated.
To the story of these various losses would
Uncle Zeke incline a sympathetic ear, and
his "Well, now. who ever hear de like o.
dat? clar to goodness desc yere boys is git.
tin wussur an wussur," evidenced alike
his detestation of the crime and his con-
tempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted,
and he determined upon vigorous measures
for the protection of his property. His first
experiment was to place large spring rat.
trap, artistically concealed in heap of
shelled corn, close by the cat hole in the
corn,crib door, expecting that the unwary
thief. plunging his hand recklessly through
the hole into the heap, would be caught
ana held till some one came to set him
free. But 10! next morning the trap was
found sprung and the heap of corn dimin-
lshed, but the thief had vanished and left
no trace behind.
At last a gcod-sized box arrived from
New York, and the next day the local car
penter was ordered to fix two brass handles
10 the corn-crlh; one to be put alongside
the door for convenience, as Mr. Smith
puoIcly explained, of steadying ones self
while turning the other. The second
handle had latch attached to it by which
the door was secured on the inside, and
was set in such a position that anv one
turning it must hold on by the other knob
to prevent being thrown backward by the
opening door. Both handles were profusely
decorated with glass, and elected the adj
mlratlon from the hands, who submitted
them to critical examination. The car
penter's work being flushed, Smith, in the
presence of all his colored EMPLOYEES
solemnly repeated, in front of the corn.
Grip, the first two lines of the second book
OF Vigils Eneid, and announced that his
corn was thenceforward secure. A box,
stated to contain seeds, was that afternoon
deposited in the crib, and during the early
part OF the ensuing night the proprietor of
Bellevue secretly busted himself with a coil
of insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the sDecula.
tIons among the darkies. Jim Oakley
= lowed Mis- Smith done 'witched dat ar
courthouse, shO huff. Tell you, gemmen.
you touch dem ere handles, evil sperit
carry you way. No such tink s evil sperit?
How you know dere no such thing? Hush,
BOY; GO see what de Bible say bout dem
ting" Pete Lee "Didn't b'lieve in no
ssperlts; got gun fix somewhar inside dat
mouse; turn de handle an de gun 90 off.
Seen dem things afore up country, when |
live Goozeleum." Another thoerist ayerred
that "while Mis- Smith sayin' dat ar Scrip
ter ober dem handles, he seen a white
pigeon come a-sailin' roun' an roun' an
roun' an done light on de peak OBJ de
courthouse roof. High tell you'll Sar,
sumpin' up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled
in his mind, but, unlike his fellows, he de.
termined to waste no time in speculation,
but to seek his information direct from
headquarters. Prepared with halfa bushel
OF oysters, 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 ~
know for ~
II "Oh, muffin, Sar; sorter Gurus like.
Iearn all de boys talkin' bout it-neber
see nnilin like dat afore"
Well, Uncle Zeke, can't very well ex.
pam 1t to you; but just advise you
uoht go near that crib after dark, or you
may may see something you won't like" And
.ie Hncie Zeke departed, revolving many
Things in his mind.
IL was midnight-the hour when church.
yards are said to yawn. not with exhaustion.
out returning animation. In front of the
enchanted courthouse stood Brother
HzeKlel, lengthy pole in his hand and a
capacious meal bag over his shoulder. In
sneht meditation he stood for some five
minutes, celebrating on the best plan of
attack. The great Newfoundland watch.
;.og bounded toward him, evidently in re.
J1iclng welcome. Forth from his pocket
.ne ola man drew savory bit of fried
55acon, which the faithless Bosen eagerly
IIeVoqred. I The reflection ended, the dog
,t sty contentedly on the ground, and watched
oF sSe subsequent proceedings with the air
VI totally disinterested observer.
~. oiar TO goodness, now" muttered Uncle
G', rehe' "wish t | un'stood bout dis ting
I an oe no spring trap like a las time,
K Rase now he gwine to spring froo de do I?
ke Done bodder Mis- Smith sho huff