The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-03-25
The 8nlletin.
UNCLE ZeKE'S CONSCIENCE


gentleman from New York, whose iden-
tity may be disguised under the name Of
Smith. The new conner engaged vigor-
ously in farming, and by liberal employ
ment and prompt payment soon gained
the goodwill OF all the colored men
around him. Uncle Ieke in particular
was never weary Of chanting his praises.
and many bushel Of oysters did Ezekiel
Smiths estate was called. Bot all the
goodwill of his humble ncighbors did
not suffice To protect Sir. smith from
pilierings. Shoats would disappear
mysteriously during the night. geese and
turkeys would take wing for parts ur-
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
wOukl Uncle Ieks incline sympathetic
ear, and his well. now, who ever hear
de like o'dat? cIar to goodness desc yere
boys is gltten' wusser an wusser." evil
denced alike his detestation Of the crime
and his contempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted,
aud he determined upon vigorous meas
ures for the protection Of his property.
His first experiment was to place a large
spring rat-trap. artisiically concealed in
heap OF shelled corn, close by the cat
hole in the corn crib door, expecting that
the unwsry thicf, plunging his hand
rechlessly through the hole into the
heap, would be caught and held till some
one came to set him Tree. But 10, 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 good-sized book arrived from
New ork, and the next day the local
carpenter was ordered to fix two brass
handles to the corn crib; one 10 be put
alongside the door for convenience. as
Mr.. Smith publicly explained, of steady
ing 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 that
any one turning it must hold on by the
other knob TO prevent being thrown back
ward by the opening door. Both handles
were proiusely decorated with glass, and
elected much admiration from the hands,
who submitted them to critical exami-
nation. The carpenters work boing
finished, Smith. in presence o! all his col
ored employees, solemniy repeated, in
front of the corn crib, the first two lines
OF the second book OF Virgils .Fneit, al d
announced that his corn was thencefor-
ward secure. A box. stated to contain
seeds, was that aiterooon deposited in the
crib, and during the early part OF the
ensuing night the proprietor OF Bellevue
secretly busted himself with coil OF in
sulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the specu-
latiOns among the darkies. Jim Oakley
corn house, sho 'nufi. Tell you, gem
men, you touch dem ere handles, evil
sperit carry you way. No such ting'-
evil sperit? How you know dere no
such ting: Hush. boy go see what de
Bible say bout dem ting" Pete Lee
'didn' b'lieve in no spirits got gun
| fix somewhat inside dat house turn dc
handle an lie gun go oil. Seen dem
| kyhan liy. Il.
| Goozleum." Another theOrist ayerred
that "whilc Mis- Smith sayin' dat al
| scripter Ober dem handles, he seen a
white pigeon come a-sailin' rOun an
roun', aud done light on de peak o dc
corn house roof. High. tell you, Sar
| sumpin up, slo."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled
| ia his mind, but, unlike his fellows, he
determined to waste no time in specula
| ton, but To seek his information direct
| from headquarters. Prepared with hal
| a bushcl OF oysters, as an excuse tor con
versation, he sought an interview will
Mr.. Smith, and boldly prOpOunded hi
| questions.
"Mis' Smith, what you bin a-doin' &c
dat ar crib o yourn?"
"Why. Uncle Zeke, what do you want
to know for y
| "Oh, muffin, Sar; softer Gurus like
Hearn all de boys talkin' bout it-nebel
see muffin like dat afore."
"Well, Uncle Zeke, ! can't very wei
explain it to you but | just advise you
don't go near that crib after dark, o
you may see something you won't like.
And Uncle Zeke departed, revolving
many things in his mind.
It was midnight-the hour whe
church yards are said to yawn, not wit
exhaustion, but returning animation
In front OF the enchanted corn hous
stood Brother Ezekial, lengthy pole j
his hand, and a capacious meal bag owe
his shoulder. In silent meditation h
stood for some live minutes, deliber;
ting on the best plan OF attack. I'll
great Newfoundland watch dog bounde
toward him, evidently in rejoicing we
come. Forth from his pocket the oil
man drew savOry bit OF fried baco'
which the taithless Bos'en eagerly d'
voured. The reflection ended, the do
lay contentedly on the ground, al
watched the subsequent proceeding wit
the air OF totally disinterested o