The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-04-12

- .NA'us Aha 00iuJ PFVPoAh" "'N ~
Mis- Smith. what you bin doin' l.
dat ar crib o. yourn p
why. Uncle zeke. what do you want
i to know for 2
oh. muffin. Sar: sorter Gurus like
Hearn all de boys tAlkin' bout it-nebcr
see muffin like dat afore-"
We'll. Uncle Zske, I can't very we'll
explain 10 TO you: but Just advise you
don't 60 near that crib after dark. or
you may see something you won't like.
And Uncle Zeke departed, revolving
many things in his mind.
IL was midnight-the hour when
church yards are said TO yawn. not with
exhaustion. but returning animation. In
front OF the enchanted corn house stood
Brother Ezekiel. a lengthy pole in biz
hand. and = capacious meal bag over his
shoulder. In silent meditation he stood
for some Eve minutes. deliberaiinE on
the b~st plan Of attack. The great New
ioundland watch dog bounded toward
him, evidently in rejoicing welcome
Forth from his pocket the old man drew
= savory bit OF tried bacon. which the
fAiihless Bos'en eagerly dsvoursd The
reflection ended. the dog lay content-dly
quent proceedings with the air Of a TO
tally disinterest.d observer.
'Clzr to goodness. now" muttersd I'm
Gle Zvke, "Wish't ] uu'stood bout dis
ting. Can't be no spring trap like Las
time. kase how he gwine to spring froo
de do'1 Kel kel Done boddeT Mis
Smith sho 'nuH when he find dat ole
rat trap sprung and muffin cotch. Hishi
Can fool disser chile wild no traps No.
Sarl done see too much for dat"
Uncle Z-ke paused. scratched bis head
meditatively, and then resumed bis 30
"wsn. declar. ef disser don't beat
preaehin'i Mus be a gun in dar. e.
ain't no gun. den der amt muffin dere-
all foo'shness. Anyway, ls gwine for
try him"
Uncle Zeke threw bis bag 10 the
ground. stepped 10 ono side Of the house.
and with his pole struck sharp blow on
the brass knob nearest him. Nothing
followed. lie prisd against IL with his
stick. but still without effect lie went
To the other side Of the house and re-
peated his experiments on the second
knob, but still al remained quiet.
Uncle Zeke now drew from his pocket
a skeleton key. mounted the ladder. and
in a trice bad opened the paddock which
held the door
Oar now. jus e I fought De boss
done humbug dem fool niger. make um
tink dis-er house 'witchsd. Ain muffin
dsr. sbo nun
The old darkey reached up and eau.
tiou.ly turned. the handle. The door
opened = little. and. casting away all
fear. Uncle Zek- boldly reached for the
other knob. to steady himself Will. he
swung back the door
Literally like Aa.h Of lightning the
electric discharge passed through him.
The muscles Of his fingers contracted.
and he could not release hi. hold Of the
enchanted handles Al last his feet
clipped from the ladder. and the weight
Of his body tore his hand. adriit Like
a log the old man dropped TO the ground.
and lay Eroaning. praying. aud generally
bewildered
'Oh. de lawsgoramityi oh. my heab.
enly Maruteri Who eber fought o. DAFT
Ny conscience done wake upi my con.
&C enee done wake upl Heern bout "a |
often. an now knows H. Oh. my heab- |
eniy Msrsterl 81 you lets up on me die |
time. Uncle Z-ke neb~r touch muffin no |
mo- Clar 10 goodness IL . change man |
( f'om dis day. B-rrrrr-" And What /
With the shock. the fright. and the fsll. |
Uncla Zekes senses seemed leaving him /
'Ezekielr said = solemn voice In.
Uncle Zeke answered. Here /
me-" and looked in the direction Of the i
sound Oh, horror A figure clad In |
white was nearing him with slow and |
solemn steps. Az the mysterious visitor
approached. il seemed 10 rise until u |
lowered TO the height Of At least ten feet. /
The wretched Ezekiel, on his hands and /
knees, his eyes protruding. and his Jaw /
iropp-d. remained ~ 10 paralyE~d.
Suddenly the phantom bowed itselr |
md it, head descending with incredible
Iwiilness. smote the unfortunate Uncle /
Leke sensele.s 10 the earth.
Three days later. as poor Uncle Zeke
ay, racked with rheu' satism and Tor. i
nrntrd with spiritual fear. upon his bed |
n the single room al his cabin. the door
opened. and in walked Mr. Smith Of
Bellevue.
Good morning. Uncle Zeke Why, |
~hAt's the matter with you. old man
oh, Ms Smith oh, Mis- Smith, j
lone had some turrible sperencea lately. |
De angel ob de Lord done wrnstle wtd |
me, an my conscience done woke. an.
,h. my heabenly Marrter, Is one suffer /
IN sinner. Ms Smith. is you bins
you done Is you m miss any ting wild |
lat ar corn house o yournf
NO. indeed. Uncle Zrke; nobody been /
near il. Every thing all right now
AN nobody done touch de lock7 Do |
ock' ebery mornin'
"Yes, indeed Why. who do you think |
would touch il. old man r
Uncle Z~ke answered not, but bis lips |
moved convulsivrly. as he muttered, |
Knock me down ius, an den lock de |
DO an took de key. Now | knows 10 |
was de angel oh dc Lord"