Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1877-03-28

dark, or you may see something you
won't like And Uncle Zeke depart.
ed revolving many things in his
mind.
1t was midnight 1.-THE hour when
church-yards are said to yawn, not
with exhaustion, but returning ami
nation. In front of the enchanted
courthouse stood Brother Ezekiel, a
lengthy pole in his hand, and capac-
ious meal bag over his shoulder. In
silent meditation he stood for some
five minutes, celebrating on the best
plan of attack. The great Newfound-
land watchdog bounded toward him,
evidently in rejoicing welcome. Forth
from his pocket the old man drew a
savory bit of fried bacon, which the
taithless Bos'en eagerly devoured.
The reflection ended, the dog lay con-
tentedly OH the ground, and watched
the subsequent proceedings with the
air of a totally disenterested observer.
"Clar to goodness, now," muttered
Uncle Zeke, "wish't | un'stood bout
dis ting. Can't be no spring trap
like las time, kase how he gwine to
spring froo de do ? Ke ! Ike Done
bodder Mis- Smith sho' huff when he
find dat old rat-trap spong aud muffin
cotch. High ! Can fool disser chile
wild no traps. No, Sar done see
too much for dat
Uncle Zeke paused, scratched his
head meditatively, and then resumed
his soliloquy:
"Well, l declar', ef disser don't beat
preachin Mus be gun in dar. Eff
ain no gun, den dere ain muffin dere
all shness. Anyway, Is gwiue
for try him."
Uncle Zeke threw his bag to the
ground, stepped to one side of the
house, and with his pole struck sharp
blow on the brass knob nearest him.
Nothing followed. He pried against
it with his stick, but still without eff
feet. He went to the other side of
the house and repeated his expert
ments on the second knob, but still all
remained quiet.
ITn"ln TaLs now draw FROM h;e
pocket skeleton key, mounted the
ladder, and in trice bad opened the
paddock which held the door.
"Dar nov, JUS 5 l fought. De
boss done humbug dem fool nigger,
make um tink disser house 'witched.
Ain muffin dar, sho nutf.
The old darkey reached up and
cautiously turned the handle. The
.loor opened little, and, casting
away all fear, Uncle Zeke boldly
reached for the other knob, to steady
himself while he swung back the door.
Literally like flash of lightning
The electric discharge passed through
nlm. The muscles Of his fingers con-
,racted, and he could not release his
lold of the enchanted handles AT
asst his feet slipped from the ladder,
md the weight of his body tore his
nands adritt. Like a log the old man
dropped 10 the ground, and lay
5roaning, praying and generally be-
yildelcd.
"Oh, de lawsgoramity ! Oh, my
leabenly Marster Who eber fought
} dat My conscience done wake
Up! my conscience done wake up
1eern bout it often, an now | knows
t. Oh, my heabenIy Marster! et
'ou lets up on me dis time, Uncle
Ieke ncber touch muffin no mo-. Clar
o goodness Is change man t'om
lis day. B-r-r-rr-r- And what
With the shock, the fright, and the
all, Uncle Zeke S senses seemed leay-
ng him.
EZEKIEL y said solemn voice.
nstinc,ivsly Uncle Zeke answered,
Here me" and looked in the direc- t
ion of the sound. Oh, horror! A I
gure clad in white was nearing him
With slow and solemn steps. AS the l
Mysterious visitor approached, it SEEM I
Il to rise until it lowered 10 the height
f at least ten feet. The wretched d
Ezekiel, on his hands and knees, his !
yes protruding, and his Jaw dropped,
emaiued as paralyzed. s
Suddenly the phantom bowed it 9
elf, and its head descending with in J
redible swiftness, smote the unfort- Il
nate Uncle Zeke senseless to the .
arth.
Three days later, as poor Uncle :,
.eke lay, racked with rheumatism and :,