The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-06-07

shoulder. In silent meditation he stood
for some five minutes, celebrating on the
best plan of attack. The great New
foundland watchdog bounded toward
him, evidently in rejoicing welcome
Forth from his pocket the old man drew
a savory bit of dried bacon, which the
fruitless Bos'en eagerly devoured. The
reflection ended, the deg lay contentedly on
the ground, and watched the subsequent
proceedings with the air of totally dis
interested observer.
"Clar to goodness, now" muttered
Uncle Zeke, "wish't l un'stood bout dis
ting. Can't be no spring trap like las
time, kase how he gwine to spring froo
de do'2 Ke! Ike! Done bodder Mis-
Smith sho huff when he find dat ole rat
trap sprong and 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 So
liloquy:
"Well, l declar', eff disser don beat
preachin'l Mus be gun in dar. Eff
amt no gun, den dere amt muffin dere-
all foo'shness. Anyway, Use gwine 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 fol-
lowed. He pried against it with his
stick, but still without effect. He went
to the other side of the house and re-
peated his experiments on the second
knob, but still all remained quiet.
Uncle Zeke now drew from his pocket
skeleton key, mounted the ladder, and
in trice had opened the paddock which
held the door.
"Dar now, JUS s I fought. De boss
done humbug dem fool niger, make UNI
tink disser house 'witched. Amt noffin
dar, sho huff
The ole darkey reached up and eau
tiously turned the handle. The door
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 him.
The muscles of his fingers contracted and
he could not release his hold of the en-
chanted handles. At last his feet slipped
from the ladder, and the weight of his
body tore his hands adrift. Like log
the old man dropped to the ground, and
lay groaning, praying, and generally be-
widered.
ooh, de awsgoramity! Oh my heab
emily Marster! Who eber fought o. dat !!
My conscience done wake up! my
consc 'ence done wake up Heern bout
| -
heabenly Marster! eff you lets up on me
dis time, Uncle Zeke neber touch noffin
no mo- Clar to goodness Use change
man f'om dis day. B-r-r-r-r-r-" And
; what with the shock, the fright and the
fall, Uncle Zeke's senses seemed leaving
him.
"EzEKIELl' said solemn voice. In
stinctively Uncle Zeke answered, "Here
me-" and looked in the direction of the
sound. Oh, horror! A figure clad in
white was nearing him with slow and
solemn steps. AS the mysterious visitor
approached, it seemed to rise until il
lowered to the height Of at least ten feet
The wretched Ezekiel, on his hands and
knees, his eyes protruding, and his jaw
dropped, remained as if paralyzed.
| oO"So A1oOii'
and its head descending with incredible
swiftness, smote the unfortunate Uncle
Zeke senseless to the earth.
Three days later, as poor Uncle Zeke
lay, racked with rheumatism and torment
ed with spiritual fear, upon his bed in
the single room at his cabin, the door
opened, and in. walked Mr.. Smith, OF
Bellevue.
Good morning, Uncle Zeke. Why,
what's the matter with you, old man9"
.'Oh, Mis- Smith oh, Mis- Smith, dun
had some terrible sperences lately. De
angel oh de Lord done wrastle wild me,
an my consc 'ence done woke, an oh, my
heabenly Marster, Use one sufferin' SIN
ner. Mis- Smith, is you bins you done
is you m-miss anything wild dat c-corn
house o. yourn9"
mo, inded, Uncle Zeke; nobody been
near it. Everything all right now"
can nobody done touch de lock. Do
lock- cherry morning"
Eyes, indeed. Why: who do you
think would touch it, old mani"
Uncle Zeke answered not, but his lips
moved convulsively as he muttered,
KNOCK me down fus', and den lock de
do an took de key. Now knoacs it was
de angel OBJ de Lord."-Harper's Maya
sins.