Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-30
;harlestown, Jefferson Co., W. Va.
Saturday, June 80, 1877.
UNCLE zEKES CONSCIENCE.
How Things Were Missed---His "Ter-
rible Sperences" at the Corncrib
Door,

Some years ago there moved to the neigh
borhood Of Uncle Zeke's cabin a gentleman
from New York, whose identity may be dis
guiscd under the name of Smith. The new
conner engaged vigorously in farming, and by
liberal employment and prompt payment soon
gained the good will Of all the colored men
around him. Uncle IKE in particular was
never weary oichanting his praises, and many
bushel of oysters dill Ezekiel convert into
money at Bellevue, ss Smiths estate was call
cd But the goodwill of his humble neigh
bors did not suffice to protect Mr.. Smith from
pilfcrings. Shoats would disappear mysteri-
ously during the night, geese and turkeys
would take wings for parts unknown, and, in
particular, the corncrib would show by unmis-
taxable signs that its sanctty had been vio-
lated. To the story of these various LOSSES
would Uncle Zeke incline a sympathetic ear,
and his We'll, now, who ever hear de like O
dat? 'clar to goodness these yere boys is git
tin wusser an wusser," evidenced alike his
detestation for the crime and his contemp for
the offender
Smiths patience was at las. exhausted, and
be determined upon vigorous measures for the
protection Of his property. His first expert
ment was to place large spring rait'ap, ar
tistical!y concealed n heap Of sheled corn,
close by the cathode in the corncrib door ex-
pecting that the unwary thief, plungng bis
hand recklessly through the hole into the heap,
would be caught and held until some one came
10 set him free. But 10 next morning the
trap was found sprung aud the heap Of corn
diminished, but the thief had vanished and lef!
no trace behind.
At last gool-sized box arrived from New
York, and the mex; day the local carpenter
was ordered to fix brass handles to the corn
crib one TO be put alongside 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 position tia, any one
turning it must hold on by the other knob to
prevent being thrown backward by the open
ing door Both handles were profusely deco
rated with glass, and ELECTED much admiration
from the hands, who submitted them to
critical examination. The carpenters work
being finished, Smith, in presence Of all his
colored employees, solemnly repeated in front
Of the corncrib the first two lines Of the second
book of Virgil's ".Fneid," and announced
that his cora was thenceforwari secure. 4
box, stated to contain seeds, was that afternoon
deposited in the crib, and during the early
part Of the night the proprietor of Bellevue
secretly busted himself with coil Of insulated
wire.
Numerous and diverse were the speculations
among the darkies. jim Oakley "'lowed
Mis- Smith done 'witched dat ar courthouse,
sho' 'nud Tell you, gemmen, you touch dem .
ere handles evil sperit carry you way. No
such ting evil speri;7 How you know dere .
no such ting? Hush, boy go see what de
Bible say about dem ting" Pete Lee "didu',
b'lieve IN no sperits got gun fix somewhar
inside da: house turn de handle an de gun
90 off. Seen dem tings afore up de country
when live in Goozleum" Another theorist
averred that while Mis- Smith sayin da, ar
Scripter ober dem handles he seen white
pigeon come a-sailin' rouu' an rom an roun',
,n done light or de peek o de courthouse
-oof. High tell yon, sa', sumpn up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled in
lis mind, but, unlike his fellows, he deter
mined to waste no time in speculation, but to
EEK his information direct from headquarters.
Prepared with half bushel Of oysters, as an
xcuse for conversation, be sought an inter
-iew with Mr. Smith and boldly propounded {
lis questions. 4