The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-30
MI / 9 G @ liza N @ O u 8.
Uncle Xeke's Conscience.

| Some years ago there moved to the
neighborhood of Uncle Zeke's cabin gen.
tleman 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 around him.
Uncle Zelle, in particular, was never weary
Of chanting his praises, and many Il bushel
Of oysters did Ezekiel convert into money
at Bellevue, as Smiths estate was called.
But all the good will of his humble neigh
bors did not suffice to protect Mr.. Smith
| from pilterings. Shoats would disappear
mysteriously during the night, geese and
turkeys would take wing for parts I'M
known, 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 Iekc incline sympathetic ear and
| his Well, now, who ever hear de like o
dat clar to goodness desc yere boys is
gittin' wusser an wusser," evidenced alike
his detestation of the crime and his con-
tempt Of the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted
and he determed 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
and held till some one came to set him free.
But 10 q! next morning the trap was found
sprung and the heap of corn diminished,
hnt m rod nd lnft
trace behind.
A last good.sized box arrived from
New York, and the next day the local car
penter was ordered 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 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 any one
turning it must hold ON by the other knob
to prevent being thrown backward by the
opening door. Both handles were proluse-
ly decorated with glass; and elected much
admiration from the hands, who submitted
them to critical examination. The car
penters work being finished, Smith, in
presence of all his colored employees, re-
peated, in front of the corn crib, the first
two lines of the second book of Virgils
Eneid, and announced that his corn was
thencetorward 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 Belle
vue secretly busted himself with q coil of
insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the specula-
tions among the darkies. Jim Oakley
lowed Mis- Smith done 'witched dat ar
courthouse, sho huff. Tell you, genmen,
you touch dem ere handles, evil sperit
carry you 'woy. No such ting's evil sperit
How do you know derc no such ting
Hush, boy 60 see what de Bible say
bout dem ting. Pete Lee "didn' b'lieve
in no sperits; got gun fix somewhat in
side dat house; turn de handle an de gun
go off. Seen dem tings afore up country,
when live in Goozleum." Another theo-
rist averrcd that ".whie Mis- Smith sayin'
dat ar Scripter ober dem handles, he seen
white pigeon come asailin' roun' and
roun,' and done light on de peak, o. de
courthouse roof. High tell you, Sar, sum-
pin up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled
in his mind, but, unlike his fellows, he was
determined to waste no time in specula-
ton, but to seek his information direct
from headquarters. Prepared with half
bushol of oysters, as an excuse for CONVEX
sation, he sought an interview with Mr..
Smith, and boldly propounded his ques-
ton.
"Mr. Smith, what You bin a-doin' to dat
ar crib o. yourn9"
NI,yI Ia U,,I, ,l,,E Il 4
know for 2"
"Oh, muffin, Sar; sorter Gurus like.
Hearn all de boys talkin' bout it-neber
see muffin like dat alore."
"Well, Uncle Zeke, can't very well ex-
plain it to you but just advise you
don't go near that crib after dark, or you
may see something you won't like" And
Uncle Zeke departed, revolving many
things in his mind.
1t was midnight-the hour when church
yards are said to yawn, not with exhaus.
ton, but returning animation. In front
of the enchanted corn house stood Brother
Ezekiel, a lengthy pole in his hand, and a
capacious meal bag over his shoulder. In
silent meditation he stood for some five
minutes, deliberating on the best plan OF
attack, The great Newfoundland watch
dog bounded toward him, evidently in re-
joicing welcome. Forth from his poke
the old man drew savory bit of fried ba-
con, which the faithless Bos'en eagerly de-
voured. The reflection ended, the dog lay
contentedly on the ground and watched
the subsequent proceedings with the all
of q totally disinterested observer.
Cellar to goodness, now," muttered I'm.
Gle Zeke, "wish't understood bout dis
ting. Can't be no sprung trap like a las
time, kase how he gwine to spring froo de
do'2 Ke Ike! Done bodder Mis- Smith
sho cuff when lie find dat ole rat-traE
sprong and muffin cotch. High Can foo
disser chile wild no traps. No, Sar done
see too much for dat"
Uncle Zeke paused, scratched his head
meditatively, and then resumed his solilo
lquy: