Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-01-28
Uncle zeke's Conscience.

DIE OI ERENNGO M 1hE OOhN-Chlf
DOOR.
Some years ago there moved to the
neighborhood of Uncle Zeke's cabin a
gentleman from New York, whose iden-
tity may be disguised under the name
of Smith. The newcomer engaged Wig
orously in farming, and by liberal en-
ployment and and prompt payment soon
gained the goodwill of all the colored
men around him. Uncle Zeke in par
tlcular was never weary of chanting his
praises, and many bushel of oysters
did Ezekiel convert into money at Bell
evue, as Smiths estate was called. But
all the goodwill of his humble neigh
bors. did not suffice to protect Smith
from pilferings. Shoats would disap.
pear mysteriously during the night,
geese and turkeys would take wing 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 de
like o dat? 'clar to goodnes these boys
is gittin' wusser an wusser," evidenced
alike his detestation of the crime and
his contempt for the offender.
Smiths patience was at last exhaust
ed, and he determined upon vigorous
measures for the protection of his prop
erty. His first experiment was to place
large spring rat-trap, artistically con-
cealed in a heap of shelled corn, close by
the cathode in the corn-crib door, ex-
pecting that the unwary thief, plunging
his hand recklessly through the hole
into the heap, would be caught and held
until 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
carpenter was ordered to fix brass han
dies to the corn-crib; one to 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 posi-
on 10y the other kuoU 10 prevent being
thrown backward by the opening door.
Both handles were profusely decorated
with glass, and elected much admiration
from the hands, who submitted them to
critical examination. The crapenter's
work being finished, Smith, in presence
of all his colored employees, solemnly re-
peated in front of the corn-crib the first
two lines of the second book of Virgil S
"Eneid," and announced that his corn
was thence forward secure. A box,
stated to contain seed, was that after
noon deposited in the crib, and during
the early part of the night the proprie.
tor of Bellevue secretly busted himself
with coil of insulated wire.
Numerous and divers were the specu
lations among the darkies. Jim Oakley
"'lowed Mis- Smith done 'witched da
ar courthouse, sho' 'nuff. Tell you
gemmen, you touch dem ere handles evi
sperit carry you way. No such ting
evil sperit g? How you know dere NJ
such ting? Hush, boy go see what d
Bible say bout dem ting" Pete LIE
didn't b'lieve in no sperits; got GU
fix somewhar inside dat house; turn d
handle an de gun go off. Seen der
tings afore up de country when l liv
in Goozleum.'' Another theorist averre
that "while Mis- Smith sayin' dat a
Scripter ober dem handles he seen
white pigeon come a-sailin' roun' al
roun' an roun, an done light on .
peek O. de courthouse roof High te
you, sar, sumpin up. sho."
; Uncle Zeke, like the rest, was trou1
, led in his mind, but, unlike his fellow
/. he determined to waste no time in spe
ulation, but to seek his information d
rect from headquarters. Prepared wi
r half bushel of oysters, as an excu
for conversation, he sought an intervie
J, with Mr.. Smith, and boldly PROFOUND,
e his questions.
g "Mis' Smith, what you bin a-doin,
: dat ar crib O. yourn p
# "Why. Uncle Zeke, what do you wa
s to know for?"
e "Oh, nufnn, sar; sorter Gurus III
II Hearn all de boys talkin bout it-nev
see muffin like dat afore.'
: "Well, Uncle Zeke, l can't very W
Y. explain it to you but | just advise J
re don't 90 near that crib after dark,
g you may see something you won't like
u u And Uncle Zeke departed, resolvi
an many things in his mind.
1t was midnight-the hour WI
et church-yards are said to yawn. not "
ne exhaustion, but returning animati
/, In front of the enchanted corn-ho
r stood Brother Ezekiel, lengthy pole
le. hand capacious meal-bag over
,ty shoulder. In silent meditation he st