The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-08-15

church.yards are said to yawn, not with
exhaustion, but returning animation.
In front Of the enchanted courthouse
stood Brother Ezekiel, lengthy pole
in his hand and capacious meal-bag
over his shoulder In silent meditation
he stood for some five minutes beliber-
ating on the best plan Of attack. The
great Newfoundland dog bounded to-
ward him, evidently in rejoicing well
como. ISsxth from his pocket the old
man drew Il savory bit Of fried bacon,
which the faithless Bos'en eagerly de
voured. The reflection ended, the dog
lay contently on the ground and watch
ed the subsequent proceedings with the
air of totally disinterested observer.
"Clar' to goodness" now, muttered
Uncle Zelse, "wisil't / un'stood bout
dis ting. Cant be no spring trap like
de las time, kase how he gwine TO
spring froo de do Z Ke lke I Done bod
der Mis- Smith sho' nua' when he find
dat ole rat-trap sprung and muffin cotch.
High Can't fool dis yere chile with no
traps. No, sar Done see too much
for dat"
Uncle Zeke paused, scratched his
head mcditatingly, and then resumed
bis soliloquy
"Well, | declar', ef dis yere don't
beat preachin' Mus be gun in dar.
IF amt no gun, den dere amt muffin
dere- all foos'hnega, ANYWAY. rs
gwine for try him"
Uncle Zeke threw his bag to the
ground, stepped to one side of the house
and with his pole struck a sharp blow
on the brass knob nearest him. Moth.
ing followed. He pried against it with
stick, but still without effect. He
went to the other side of the house and
repeated his experiments on the second
knob, but still all remained quiet.
Uncle Zeke drew from his pocket a
skeleton key, mounted the ladder, and
in trice had opened the paddock which
held the door.
"Dar, now, jes' 5 tonight. DE boss
done humbug dem fool niggers, make
um tink dis yere house witehed. Amt
muffin daT, sho' 'nufi."
The old 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 on
the enchanted handles. At last bis
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 bowildered.
"Oh. de laws Cor A'mity, oh, ms
Heabenly Marsterl Who cher t'oughI
o. dat My conscience done wake up
Ny conscience done wake up Hear
bout il often, an now | knows it. Oh
my IIeabenly Marsterl if you lets ur
on me dis time Uncle Zeke nebbel
touch muffin no mo- 'CIar to goodness
Is change man fom dis day. B-r
r-r.T-r-' And with the shock, tn,
fright and the fall Uncle Zeke's senses
seemed leaving him.
Ezekiel" said solemn voice. In
stinctively Uncle Zeke answered, )" II err
me" and looked in the direction of tn,
sound. Oh, horror! A figure clad il
white was nearing him with slow an,
SOLEMN steps As the snvsterious visit
or approached it seemed TO rise until j
lowered 70 the height Of at least tel
feet. The wretched Ezekiel, on hi
hands and knees, his eyes protruding
and his jaw dropped, remained para
lyzed.
Suddenly the figure bowed itself, an
its head descending with incredible
swiftness, smote the unfortunate Unel
Zeke senseless to the earth.
Three days later, as poor Uncle Eek
lay, racked with rheumatism and tor
mented with spiritual fear, upon hi
bed in the single room at his cabin, tn
door opened and in walked Mr.. Smitl
of Bellevue.
"Good morning, Uncle Zeke. VIII,
what's the matter with you, old man
ooh, Mis- Smith oh, Mis- Smith
done had some turrible sperences latel,
De angel ob de Lo'd done wrastle wi
me, an my conscience done woke u
an oh, my Heabenly Marsterl rs on
sufferin' sinner. Mis- Smith, is yo
bin-is you done-is you m-miss an
ting wild dat ar c-corn-house o'yourn
mo, indeed, Uncle ZelSe; nobod
been near it. Everything is all rigl
now"
can nobody done touch de lock
Do lock cherry mornin'P'
Eyes, indeed. Why, who do yc
think would touch it, old manl"
Uncle Zeke answered not, but h
lips moved convulsively, as he mute
ed, "Knock me down fus, an den loc
de do an took de key. Now l lSnoV
, il was de angel OBJ de Lodi
{ Meready, IN Ha,per9s Aagasi,ae.
. COTTON ~ WHEAT.