The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-11-25

Before going to bed Cesar Alexander went
into his small yard, lifted stick or two OF
wood from the turkeys barrel and took q
long and fond look ut his prize. Suddenly
hand was laid OH his shoulder, and he turned
with quaking knees, expecting to face the
village constable; but dark us it was he could
see that the hand belonged to gentleman of
bis own color, though one with whom he was
entirely unacquainted--"a kind OF old fash
ioned lookin' nigger, he said when telling the
story afterward. Reassured to find that it
wasn't tho law he had to confront, he put
considerable bravado into his voice as he said:
"Eho are ye, anyhow; and what dye want
in gemman's yard at nights It's forcnenst
tho law to creep aroun' honest folks houses
Oh the sly that way"
"Casar, Cesar" said the other, without
appearing in the lcast intimidated; II am one
of yer ancestors, from way back, and cans
come to yer in daytime because I've been dead
n long time"
Here Caesars teeth chartered and his legs
gave way under him.
"Brace up.n said the ancestor, slapping him
OH the shoulder "Bracc up! I'm here for
yer good, not for yer harm l want yc to
kerry that turkey back. Ye've done some.
thing to disgrace the nume of Shakcwell, and
| won't stand it. The constable will be down
onto We tomorrow mornin' fore O'Clock if ye
don't, ON therc'll be Il ncighborhood scandal
about this bird tLatll make the whole race O.
Shakcwelis shake i'll their graves. Caesar!
ccstors take that bird back, and tomorrow
take yer gun and 60 to the woods and git one
O. the turkeys NV yer fathcrs-an' its bird
that no nigger ought to turn up his nose at,
either"
Here the "aincestor" shifted delightedly ut
something invisible, something i'll his MEN,
ory apparently, and then went on:
dts bird dat no man OWES; it's dc true
Vahginiah turkey. 'TiSn't Il feathcred bird;
'tisn't q fowl at all. 1t wears fur, an has
fifty teeth, Il bristly tongue, Il long prchensl-
bic tail-you sec, Cesar, yer aincestor
had larnin'-and planligrddo feet, Caesar, it
has plantigrade feet"
"Ugh!" said Caesar, too dazed to utter Ill
intelligible word.
The "aincestor" continued: "Its feet has
Us many toes OIL each foot rs q man, and
long, sharp claws on every toe 'ccpt its inside
one, uses dat us thumb 1t is q murSupial
turkey, Caesar" Here the ancestor smiled ut
the towering proportions of his own learning,
but presently talked on.
Alive it las an olor yc can't mistake, an
roasted he smells better nor Il flower garden.
He's Il bird worth g.viii' thanks over. Now,
take dat ole, lroopin, white folks turkey
back 10 his yowner, and SO out ter-morrah and
git de 'posS,lm. lie riSnal turkey oh old YAH
giniah, tic turkey of yer fathers and, 10! the
ancestor vanished.
Pcrspiriig 1T every pore Caesar Alexander
shouldcrcd the turkey and started toward
Col. Fairsr0vc'S. Just us he WIS about to
enter tile yard, through the break in the
fence previously made 10y himself, he felt
another hand laid on his shoulder with con-
siderable emphasis. Fearing that another
and still more terrible ancestor was about 10
have speech with him, he sunk to the earth,
without daring to look around. Then the
hand grabbed him more firmly and gave him
u vigorous shake. He looked up appcalngly
and confronted the constable. With Il groan
lie tainted dead away
What ye gruanin' und carrying on like IN
animal fur" was the next thing he heard.
The question was propounded i'll his wife's
most llngcntlc voice.
He opened his eyes slowly and in abject
fear, and found himself sitting by his own
iiresiGc. the children in bed and Mrs. Shake
we'll standing 10y linn with her hand Oh bis
shoulder. He never was SO happy in his life.
Col Fargrovc'S turkey was safe where it be-
longed; he had never stolen it, and he hadn't
met any dead and gone ancestor ut ALL only
in dreams Furthermore, he inwurdly re-
solved that lie never would, if ancestors visits
only followed theftS.
The next day when he set off with his gun
he told Mrs. Slnkcwcll that he would bring
home "Vnhginah'' turkey. And he did.
He held it up with pride and JOY on his re-
turn, and WAS rewarded hy Il smile from that
cxac;ing lady.
The 'puss,lin WAS eaten with gravy and
grace. and Mr ShakcwcllS standing i'll tho
Community remained ul!nlEaircd. As he
bent over his own fragrant thanksgiving
board he llal more than usual cause for craft
tudc. "Vnhsiniah turkeys was good enough
fer my fathers, and good nough fer me-" he
often says: but though lie sometimes tells Of
the encounter with his ancestor, he lever
tells of the cause of that worthy individuals
visit to him MAJ ELTON