Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-11-22
MISTAH EZRA JACKSON.
How BE Deluded the Colored
Brethren Of Beech Ridge.

Brethren OF Beech Ridge.
Uncle Moses Bosley put the jug of sor
ghum molasscs and the hickory splint has
ket, with its parcels containing side meat
brown sugar and coffee, into the wagon
then sat down under the awning to ''argif,
politics with two or three udder coloreC
gemmens and POI white man. while hi!
wife, Aunt Bette, finished her trading il
the store.
''Kain't you let me hab dis lawn no less Il
five cents! Peers like it's pow'ful high
and l amt sho it will wash anyhow" she
said, chewing one corner of it to try the
color.
Couldn't think of selling it for a cent
less. It's the most stylish piece we have il
the store, and you'll never have such an
: other chance to get bargain. If you were
not such good customer 1 wouldn' mt think
of letting you have it for less than sever
cents. Why, it cost us ski" said the clerk
glibly.
The gay-howered fabric did its own silent
pleading in Aunt Bettie's heart, and after
some hesitation, to keep the clerk from
thinking she was too anxious, she ordered
ten yards cut of. Then followed Ions
wrangle over the price of a hat coarse
white straw, made gorgeous with red and
yellow roses and green ribbon. Patient
persistence on her part conquered that
time, and the perspiring and disguised clerk
came down from one dollar and half to
one twenty-five. Counting out the amount
in dimes and nickels, Aunt Bette notified
Uncle Moses that she was ready, her fat
face shining with grease, perspiration and
happiness, the combined results of the hot
July day and her good bargains.
With much putting and blowing Aunt
Bette climbed into the wagon, while Uncle
Moses carefully held her packages, then
clambered in beside her, seating himself on
the remaining vacant homemade chair. He
took the reins, and had just given a pre-
paratory ''Git up dar, boys; time wes trab-
blin'," when dapper little darby, dressed
in a rather seedy broadcloth suit, gorgeous
necktie. and stove-pipe hat came walking
up quite briskly. carrying a valise and
flourishing slender walking-cane, his shoes
evidently fresh from the blacking-brush.
'Goo6-evening, sab. Scuse me, but is you
Mistah Moses Bosley?"
''Dat's me fo' fac; but what mout yo'
business be?" said Uncle Moses, trifie sus-
piciously, somewhat divided in his opinion
as to whether the stranger was a gambler
or preacher.
81 has a lettah Of Introduction heah from
de Gubenor OBJ de State-my fr'en' Dick
ellus calls him to his face. I tole him was
comm down heah, and axed him fur to tell
me oh some good, pious, homes man what l
could trus' to tell de squar' troof out en- out
cherry time, and he said Mistah Moses Bosley
was de man, fur dough he didn't know YOU
pussunally, he had often hearn OBJ YOU for a
good man an a gentleman, so he writ dis
lettah, which 1 hopes you will do me de
honah OBJ readin', sab"
Uncle Moses took the letter and eyed it
curiously before he opened it. The truth
was he could not read at all, so he finally
refolded the sheet Of paper, put it back in
the envelope. and thrust it into his pocket.
1.-THE SUMS kinder blinded me ter-day, and
reckon I'll wait till gifts home ter read il, ~
he said. by way of explanation.
ITO be sho sab, the sun do affec' some
people dat away; but eff you'll pomit me,
I'll read it TO- you"
So the letter was brought forth again. and
was read with such wonderful ease by the
stranger that Uncle Moses and Aunt Bette
were rather awed by his superior education.
The letter was profuse with the praises
of Mr.. Ezra Jackson and assured MIR. Bos-
ley that ''any retention showed to him
would be a great pussunal favor to yo'
fr'en', Richard OgIesby"
NJ. Jackson then handed the letter back
with such an air of modest self-conscious-
ness and grace as completely captiyated
Aunt Bette.
''Mout ask what kin do for youln said
Uncle Moses, politely. much f1attered by
the familiar and condescending tone of the
Governors letter. and anxious to extend
Gny courtesics possible to the bearer OF it.
''CertinEly. sab, certirgly. wants to 60
out TO Beech Ridge with you dis afternoon.
helm mo- than willin' of co'se, sab, to paw
you libral fur yo' trouble"
''Tha' amt no springs on de wagon, and
muffin but bundle of oats 10 set on, but eff
you's mind to put up wifi sech rough rid
in. you's mo- dan welcome to go without no
pay" said Moses, cordially
Mr.. jackson declared that under no cir
cumstances would he bulge step without
paying for IT,
well, den, il you is done 'tarmined to
pay, s'pose we make it quarter" said Un-
Gle Moses, reluctantly.
II couldn't think of imposin' on you that
away. It's wuf fifty cents, and l isn't
a-going to pay no less. You see, the guber-
ment pays me two hundred dollahs month.
and is able to pay well TO- all gifts" Mr..
Jackson said, munifcently
Uncle Moses and Aunt Bette were deeply
impressed with the magnihcence of the
stranger. 1t fairly took their breath to
think Of two hundred dollars a month. and
they were silent for a moment. while the
wagon started on its way through the hot
and dusty street.
Aunt Bette thought OF her daughter
Alvira. for whom she had bought the dress
and hat and who was the apple OF her eve,
and wild ambition took possession of her
motheriy heart. She wondered If Mr.
jackson was married, but was too wary to
ask the question openly. is yo' wifi come
wifi you TO Cairo, or is you done lef her at
homci"
Mr.. Jackson laughed lightly. 81 hasn't
never found any oh de fair sec OATS en-
tangled my COLLECTIONS yet. Now eff had
knowed you befo' you was Mis- Bosley. tha's
no tellin' what mout a-hapr end" he said,
gailantly; and Aunt Bette came as near
blushing as her complexion would permit
and even Uncle Moses was flattered by this
compliment to his wife's charms.
30, you is Jest a-jokin' now. Mr. jackson
You know you doesn't mean it." Mrs.
Rosley answered coquettishly.
Mr.. jackson insisted upon his sincerity,
then turned the conversation By expressing