Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-30

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like dat afore."
"Well, Uncle Zeke, l can't very well ex
plain it TO you; but just advise you-don1
90 near the crib after dark, or you may see
something you wont like" And Uncle zek'
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. 10 front Of the en-
chanted corn-crib stood Brother Ezekiel, a
lengthy pole in bis hand and capacous meal
bag over bis shoulder. In silent meditation
he stood for some five minutes celebrating on
the bes, plan of attack. The great New
foundand dog bounded toward him, evidently
in rejoicing welcome. Forth from his pocket
the old man drew savory bit Of fried bacon,
which the faithleSs Bos'en eagerly devoured.
The reflection ended, the dog lay contentedly
on the ground and watched the subsequent
proceedings with the air of totally disinter-
ested observer.
"'Clar TO goodness, now" mutterel Uncle
Zeke, "wisht un stood bout dis ting. Can't
be no spring-trap like &c las time, kase how
he gwine to spring froo de do? Ke ke !
Done bodder Mis- Smith, sho' 'nuif when he
find da. ole rat-trap sprung and muffin cotch.
/ High Clu't fool dis yere chile wild 20 traps.
/ No, sar Done see too much for dat"
/ Uncle Zeke paused, scratched his bead modi-
tatiuely, and then resumed his solilOquy-
Well, I declar', ef dis yere don't beat
preachin'l Mus be gun in dar. Ef aiht
no gun, den dere amt muffin dere-all foos n
ness. Anyway, Use gwine for try him"
Uncle Zeke threw his bag TO the ground,
stepped to one side of the house, and with his
pole struck a sharp blow on the brass knob
nea rest him. Nothing followed. He pried
against it with stick, but still withou. effect.
lie went to tho other side Of the house and
repeated his experiments on the second knob
but still all remained quiet.
Uncle zeke now drew from his pocket
skeleton key, mounted the ladder, and in
trice had opened the paddock which held the
door
"Dar, now, jus S fought De boss done
humbug dem fool niggers, make um tink dis
yere house witched. Amt muffin dar, sho'
'nuf."
The old man reached up and cautiously
turned the handle The door opened little,
and, casting away all fear, Uncle Zeko boldly
reached for the other knob to steady himself
while he swung back the door.
Literally like flash of lightning, The elec-
trio discharge passed through him. The
muscles Of his fingers contracted, and he could
no, release his hold Of the enchanted handles.
At last his fee. slipped from the ladder, and
the weight OF his body tore bis hands adrifl.
Like log the old man dropped to the ground,
and lay grOaning, praying, aud generally be-
wiidered.
"Oh, de Laws Cor A'mi.y Oh, my Heab-
enly Mars,er! Who cher fought O. dat Ny
conscience done wake up! Ny conscience
done wake mp Hearn bout It often, an now
knows it Oh, my Heabenly Master ef
you let's up on me dis time Uncle Zeke neber
touch muffin no mo-. Clar to goodness, is
changed man fom die day. B-r-rr-r-r-"
And what with the shock. the fright and the
fall. Uncle Zcke's senses seemed leaving him.
Ezekiel |" said solemn voice. Instinct
lively Uncle Zske answered, Here me, and
looked 10 the direction Of the sound. Oh,
horror. a figure clad in white was nearing
him with slow and solemn steps. As the nys-
terious visitor approached i. seemed to rise un-
Ill it lowered 10 the height Of at least ten feet.
The wretched Ezekiel, on his hands and knees.
his eyes protruding, and his jaw dropped, re-
maired parayzed.
Suddenly the phantom bowed itself and Its
head descended with incredible swiftness,
smote the unfortunate Uncle Zeke senseess 10
the earth
Three days laters as poor Uncle Zeke lay,
racked with rheumatism and .ormented with
spiritual fear, upon his bed in the single room
at his cabin, the door opened and IN walked
Mr.. Smith, Of Bellevue.
Good morning, Uncle zeke. Why, whats
the matter with you, old man ?"
Oh, Mis- Smith oh, Mis- Smith, doue
had some turrible sperences lately De angel
ob De Lord done wres,e wild me, an my con-
science done woke, an oh, my Heabenly
Marster Use one sufferin' sinner. Mis- Smith,
is you bin-is you done-is you m-miss any
ting wild dat ar c-corn-house o yourn ?"
NO. indeed, Uncle zeke nobody been near
It. Everything all right now"
"An' nobody done touch the lock? Do
lock ebery mornin'?"
Yes, indeed Why, who DO you think /
would touch it, old man 2"
Uncle Zeke answered not, but his lips NOV
ed convuIsiyey, as he muttefed, KNOCK me
down fus, an den lock de Do an took de key
Now knows it was De angel OBJ de Lord."-
T. S. NCready, in Harpet's AdgGzine.
What is Prielly ComfreyF We only know
from our exchanges tha. it is forage plant to