The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-03-24
UNCLE ZEkE'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 farm
ing, and by liberal employment and prompt
payment soon gained the good will of all
the colored men around him. Uncle Zeke
in particular was never weary of chanting
his praises, and many a bushel of oysters
did Ezekiel convert into money at Bellevue
as Smiths estate was called But all the
good will of his humble neighbors did not
suffice to protect Mr.. Smith from pilferings.
Shoats would disappear mysteriously dur
ing the night, geese and turkeys would
take wing for parts unknown, and in par
ticular the corn-crib would frequently show
by unmistakable signs that its sanctity had
been violated. To the story of these vari-
Gus losses would Uncle Zeke incline SYM
pathetic ear, and his "Well, now, who ever
hear de like O dato clar to goodness desc
yere boys is gittin' wusser an wusser,'
evidenced alike his detestation of the crime
and his contempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted,
and he determined 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. next morning the trap was found
sprung and the heap of corn diminished,
but the thief had vanished and left no trace
behind.
At last a 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; 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 8 latch attached to it by which
the door was secured on the inside, and
was set in such 4 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 profusely
decorated with glass, and elected much ad
miration from the hands, who submitted
them to a critical examination. The car
penter's work being finished, Smith, in
presence of all his coiored employees, SOL
emily repeated, in front of the corn-crib,
the first two lines of the second book of
Nirgils .Eneid, and announced that his
corn was thenceforward 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
Bellevue secretly busted himself with coil
of insulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the specula
tions among the darkies. Jim Oakley
"'lowed Mis- Smith done 'witched dat al
courthouse, sho huff. Tell you, gemmen,
you touch dem ere handles, evil sperit
carry you way. No such ting S evil spert
How you know dere no such ting? Hush,
boy: go see what de Bible say bout dem
ting Pete Lee "didn' b'lieve in nc
sperits; got gun fix somewhat inside dat
house; turn de handle an de gun go off
Seen dem tings afore up country, when I
live in Goozleum.' Another theorist aver.
red that "while Mis- Smith sayin' dat al
Scripter ober dem handles, he seen white
pigeon come a-sailin' roun' an roun', and
done light on de peak O. de corn house roof.
High. tell you, sar, sumpin up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was troubled
in his mind, but, unlike his fellows, he de-
termined to waste no time in speculation,
but to seek his information direct from
headquarters. Prepared with half a bushel
of oysters, as an excuse for conversation,
he sought an interview with Mr.. Smith,
and boldly propounded his questions.
"Mis' Smith, what you bin a-doin' to
dat crib o yourn?
"Why, Uncle L Ike, what do you want
to know for?'
"Oh, muffin, sar; sorter Gurus like