The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-04-12
lFrom Harper's Magazine for April J
Uncle Zeke's Conscience.
BY 7. L. n cREADT.

Some years ago there moved to tn,
neighborhood OF Uncle Z-ke's cabin q
/ gentleman from New York, whose iden.
| tity may be disguised under the name oi
Smith. The newcomer engaged vigor
ously in farming. aud by liberal employ
ment and prompt payment soon gained
the good will OF all the eolored men
around him. Uncle Zrke in particular
was never weary Of chanting his praises
and many a bushel Of oysters did Ezekiel
convert into money at Bellevue. ~
| Smiths estate was called. But all the
good will OF his humble neighbors did
not suffice TO protect Mr. Smith from pill.
frrings. Shoats would disappear myste-
riously during the night. grese and tur'
keys would take wing tor parts un
known, and in particular the corn-crib
would frequently show by unmistakAble
signs that ITS sanctity has been violated.
To the story OF these various losses would
Uncle Zeke incline q sympathetic ear.
and his well. now. who ever hear de
like o dAt1 clar TO goodness desc yere
boys Is gittin' wusser an wusser," evi.
denced alike his detestation OF the crime
and his contempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted,
and he determined upon vigorous meas
ures for the protection Of his property.
His first experiment was to place a large
spring rat-trap, artistically concealed in
a 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 and held till some
one came TO set him free. But lol next
morning the trap was found sprung and
the heap OF corn diminished, but the
thief had vanished and left no trace be
hind.
At last a good sized box arrived from
/ New York. and the next day the local
carpenter was ordered TO fix two brass
handles to the corncrib; one TO be put
alongside the door Tor convenience. as
Mr. Smith publicly explained, OF steady
ing ones self while turning the other.
| The second handle had latch attached
/ To IL by which the door was secured on
/ the inside. aud was set in such position
that any one turning IL must hold ON by
the other knob TO prevent being thrown
backward by the opening door. Both
handles were profu4-ly decorated with
glass, and elected much admiration FROM
the hands. who submitted them to q
critical examination. The carpenter.
Of all his colorrd employees. solemnly re
peat-d, in front OF the corncrib. the first
two lines Of the second book Of Virgil,
Eneid. and announced that bis corn "a.
thpnceforward secure A box. stated e
contain seeds. was that afternoon depos
tied in the crib. and during the early
part oi the ensuing night ths proprietor
Of Bellevue secretly busted himself with
| q coil of insulated wire
Numerous and diverse were the specu
lations among the darkies. Jim Oakle,
lowed Ms Smith done 'witched dat n
corn house. sho 'nuff Tell you, gem
men. you touch dem ere handlss. evi
sperit carry you way. No such ting
evil sperit2 How you know dere NJ
such iing7 IIush, boy; 90 see what d
Bible say bout dem ting" Pete Le
'didn' b'lieve in no sperits; got a gun fi
snmewhar inside dat house turn de har
. die an d. gun 20 of. Seen dem tins
afore up country. when ! live in Cool,
} um" Another throrist zverred lha
while Mis- Smith sa,in' dat ar Scripts
ober dem handles. he seen n white pigro
5 come sailin roun' an roun' an rouu
aud done light on de peak o. de corr
house roof High tell you. Ser. sunipI
D up. sho."
e Uncle Z-ke. like the rest. was troubls
d in his mind. but. unlike his fellows.
determined to waste no time In specul
J. tion. but TO seek his information FRO
:. heal quarters. Prepared with half
= bu-h-l of oysters. as AN excuse or CO
q ! versatiop, be sought an interview wi