Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1878-08-15

ONCE, Courier Bmilding. Main Street
UNCLE ZEKE'S CONSCIENCE.
How Things Were Misscd-IIis ssTerri
BILE 'Spericnce - at the Corn.
Crib Door.
Some years ago there moved to tn
neighborhood of Uncle Zeke's cabin gen
tleman from New York, whose identity
may be disguised under the name O
Smith. The newcomer engaged vigor
Ously in farming, and by liberal employ
ment and prompt payment soon gainet
the good will of all the colored mer
around him. Uncle Zekc, in particular
was never weary of chanting his praises
and many bushel Of oysters did EZekie
convert into money at Bellevue. as Smith!
estate was called. But all the goodwill O
his humble ncighbors did not suffice t(
protect Mr.. Smith from pilferings. Shoat.
would disappear mysteriously during tht
night. geese and turkeys would take wings
for parts unknown, and, in particular, the
corn-crib would show by unmistakable
signs that its sanctity had been violated
10 the story Of these various losses would
Uncle Zeke incline sympathetic ear, and
his. "Well, now, who ever hear lie like O.
dat? Glare to goodness, these yelr boys
is gettin' wusser an wusser," evidenced
alike his DIGESTION of the crime and his
contempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhausted,
and he determined upon vigorous Meas
ures for the protection Of his property.
His first experiment was to place large
spring rat-trap, artistically concealed in Il
heap of shclled corn, close by the cathode
in the corn-crib door, expecting that the
unwary thief. plunging his hand recklessly
caught and held until some one came to
set him free. But lc next morning the
trap was found sprung and the heap OF
corn diminished, but the tllicfhad vanished
and left no trace behind.
At last good-sizcd box arrived from
New y ork. end the next day the local car
penter WIS ordered to fix brass handles to
,he corn-crib; one to be put alongside the
door for convenience, as Mr.. Smith public
" explained, of stcadying ones self while
turning the other. The second handle had
a latch attached to it by which the door
was secured on the inside, and was set in
such a position that any one turning i
must hold on by the other knob to proven
being thrown backward by the operin$
door. Both handles were prOfusely dec
GRATED 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 tn
presence of all his colored employees, sol
emnly repeated in front of the corn-crl
the first two lines Of the second book
Virgil's s.4Eneid." and announced that hi
corn was thenceforward safe. A box
stated to contain seeds, was that affernoo
deposited in the crib, and during the earl
part of the night the proprietor OF Beilevu
secretly busted himself with coil of II
sulated wire.
Numerous and diverse were the spccul;
tions among the darkies. Jim Oakle
SLOWED Mas Smith done 'witched dat
courthouse, shure 'nuff. Tell you, gen
men, YOU touch dem dar handles evil spe
rits carry you way. No such ting's ev
sperit? How you know ''are no sue
ting? Hush, boy; 60 see what de Bib
say about dem tings." Pete Lee 'didn
b'lievc in no sperits; got a gun fixt
somewhar inside dat house; turn de ha
die and de gun go off. Seen dem tin:
afore up de country when | live in Goo
l.um." Another tho eorist averred tn
r ..while Massa Smith was sayin' dat q
2 Scripter ober dem handles he seen viii
t pigeon come a-sailing roy.Y an roun' q
roun,. an done light on de peak O. de cor
!. house roof. Hi vi! tell you, sar, sunni
: up. sho'." a.
Uncle Zeke, like the eseewas troubl
in his mind, but, unlike his fellows, ne
termined to waste no time jim speculate
but to seek his informAfon direct frc
headquarters. Preparepwith half bus
el of oysters, as an excuse for conver
ton. he sought an interview with .
. Smith, and boldly propounded his gu
ton.
.sMfs' Smith, what you bin a-doin'
dat ar crib o. yournT'
..Why. uncle Zeke, what do you want
know for?" -
..Oh. muffin. sar; sorter Gurus like. Hes
i" all de boys talkin' bout it-never see nul
like dat afore."
"Well. Uncle Zeke, / can't very well
p,ain it to you; but just advise yo'
don't 90 near that crib after dark, or
= NAV see something you won't like" a
" Uncle Zeke departed, revolving ma
!" things in his mind.
" It was midnight-the hour when chur
y Yards are said to yawn. not with exha
Is tion. but returning animation. In IRON
er the enchanted corn-house stood brof
y Ezekiel, lengthy pole in his hand an
!" capacious meal bag over his snouider.
'le silent meditation he stood f0r some
,r minutes celebrating on the best pial
=. = attack. The great Newfoundland
n bounded toward hims evidently IN rsj
he mo welcome. Forth from his pocket
'at old man drew savory bit Of fried ba'
~ va,,ch the taithless Bos'en eagerly dew
- = -. The reaeetion ended, ths dog lay
tertlv On the ground and watched the