The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-08-15
UNCLE zEKE'S CONSCIENCE.
How Tatngs were Missed fIis Terrible
EHeFrness" Af tIte CsFn.erIb Deer.

How TatnEs were Missed sis Terrible
sIeFeness" ~ the GoFn.ertb Deer.
some years. ago there moved 10 the
neighborhood Of Uncle Zeke's cabin a
gentleman from New York, whose iden-
tity may be disguised under the name
of Smith. The new conner engaged
vigorously in farming, and by liberal
employment aud prompt payment soon
gained the good will Of ali the eolored
men around him. Uncle Zeke in par
ticular WIS never weary Of ehenting his
praises, and many "a bushel Of oysters
did Ezekiel convert into moneyat Belle
vue, as Smiths estate was called.
But all the goodwill Of his humble
neighbors did not suffice TO protect Mr.
Smith from pilferings. Shoats would
disappear mysteriously during the night,
geese and turkeys would take wing
for parts unknown, and, in particular
the corn-crib would show by un-
mistakRble signs that it, scantity had
been violated. To the story Of these
various losses would Uncle Zeke incline
a sympathetic ear, and his "Well, now,
who ever hear hear de like d dat clar
to goodness these yere boys is gittin'
wuaser an wusser," evidenced alike his
dcsestation Of the crime and hiscontempt
for the offender
smiths patience was at Inst exhaust
ed, and be determined upon vigorous
measures for the protection Of his prop
crty. His first experiment was to
place large spring rat-trap, artistically
concealed in heap Of shelled corn close
By the cathode in the corn-crib door,
expecting that the unwary thief, plung-
ing his hand reclllessly through the
hole into the heap, would be caught and
held until some one came to set him
free. But lol 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 hand,
les TO the corn-crib; one to be put
alongside the door for convenience, as
slr. Smith publicly explained, of steady
ing ones self while turning the other.
The second handle had latch attacked
TO it by which the door was secured on
the inside, and was set in such posi-
ton that any one turning it must hold
on by the other knob to prevent being
thrown backward by the opening door
Both handles were profusely decorated
with glass, and elected much admira
ton from the hands, who submitted
them to critical examination. Th,
carpenters work being finished, Smith
in presence Of all his colored employees
solemnly repeated in front of th'
corn-crib door the first two lines Of tn
Virgirs "Asneid'', and announced tha
his corn was henceforward secure.
box, stated to contain seeds, was tha
i afternoon deposited in the crib, an
during the early part Of the night tb
proprietor of Bellevue secretly busiet
himself witk coil Of insulated wire.
. Numerous and diverse were the apeC
Q ulations among the darkies. Jim 0al
loy, "lowed Mis- Smith done witche
i dat corn.house, sho' 'nufr Tell yo
gemmen, you touch dem ere handle
evil sperit carry you way. No sue
ting's evil sperit How you know der
no such tingl Hush boy go see wha
de Bible say bout dem tingl" Pet
!. Lee "didn't blieve in no sperits got
gun inside dat house turn de handl
an de gun go of. Seen dem tings afol
up de country when Tive in Goozleum
+ Another theorist averred that "whil
Mis- Smith sayin' dat ar Scripter obj
dem handles he seen white pigeo
come a-sailin' roun' an roun' an rou
an done light on de peek O. de cor
house roof. High tell you, sar, sur
:, pin up, sho."
Uncle Zeke, like therest was trouble
in his mind, but, unlike his fellows,
determined to waste no time in spec
lation, but to seek his information
rect from headquarters. Prepared wi
: half bushel Of oysters, as an excuse f
conversation, he sought an intervie
with Mr.. Smith, and boldly propoun
J. ed his questions.
Of "Mis' Smith, what you bin a-doin'
q dat ar crib O yournQ" 7"
m "Why Uncle Zeke, what do you wa
n. to know for :"
re "Oh, muffin, sar sorter Gurus iii
Hearn all de boys talkin bout it-ne
or see muffin like dat afore.
+ well Uncle Zelxe, l can't very VI
explain it to you but / just adv
you--don't 90 near that crib after dar
I. or you may see something you woI
like Uncle zeke departed, revolvi
n many things in his mind
% It was midnight the hour VII