The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-11-24
MISTAH EZRA JACKSON.
How He Deluded the Colored
Brethren Of Beech Ridge.

Uncle Moses Bosley put the jug of sor-
ghum molasses and the hickory splint bas-
ket, with its parcels containing side meat,
brown sugar and coffee, into the wagon,
then sat down under the awning to ''argify
politics with two or three udder colored
gemmens and POI white man." while his
wife, Aunt Bette, finished her trading In
the store.
"Kain't you let me hab dis lawn no less m
five centsl Peers like it's pow'ful high,
and amt sho it will wash anyhow" she
said, chewing one corner of 1t to try the
color
"Couldn't think of selling it for cent
less. It's the most stylish piece we have in
the store, and you'll never have such an
other chance to get bargain. If you were
not such a good customer wouldn'nt think
of letting you have it for less than seven
cents Why, it cost us six ~ said the clerk,
glibly.
The gay-flowered 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 off. Then followed long
wrangle over the price of 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 Amt
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 pre-
paratory "Git up dar, boys; time we's trab-
blin'," when dapper little darky, dressed
in a rather seedy broadcloth suit, a gorgeous
necktie, and stove-pipe hat, came walking
up quite briskly, carrying valise and
fiourishing slender walking-cane, his shoes
evidently fresh from the backing brush.
"Good-evening, sab. Scuse me, but is you
Mistah Moses Bosley?"
'Dat's me fo' q fac'; but what mout yo'
business be?" said Uncle Moses, a trife sus-
piciousy, somewhat divided in his opinion
as to whether the stranger was gambler
or preacher.
81 has lettah of Introduction heah from
de Gubenor OBJ de State-my fr'en' Dick
allus calls him to his face. tole him I was
comm down heah, and axed him fur to tell
me OBJ some good, pious, homes man what i
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 gentleman, so he writ dis
lettah, which hopes you will do me de
honah oh readin', sah."
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 suns kinder blinded me ter-day, and /
reckon rll wait till gifts home ter read it."
he said, by way Of explanation.
"To be shO, sab, the sun do affec' some
people dat away; but ef you'll pomit me,
Ill read it fo' 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 Mr. Bos-
ley that ''any retention showed to him
would be great pussunal favor to yo'
fr'en', Richard Oglesby."
Mr. Jackson then handed the letter back
with such an air of modest self-conscious-
ness and grace as completely captivated
Aunt Bette.
"Mout l ask what kin do for youp' said
Uncle Moses, politely, much fattered by
the familiar and condescending tone Of the
Governors letter, and anxious to extend
any courtesies possible to the bearer Of 1t.
"Certingly sab, certingly. wants to go
out to Beech Ridge with you dis afternoon,
bein' mo- than willin' Of co'se, sab, to pay
Won lib'ral fur yO' troublen
"Tha' amt no springs on do wagon, and
muffin but bundle of oats to set on, but ef
yous a 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, II you is done 'tarmined to
pay, s'pose we make 1t a quarter" said I'm
Gle Moses, reluctantly.
/ II couldn't think of imposin on you that
away. It's wuff fifty cents, and / 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 gits," Mr.
Jackson said, munifcently.
{ Uncle Moses and Aunt Bette were deeply
Impressed with the magnifcence of the
stranger 1t fairly took their breath to
think of two hundred dollars 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 eye,
and wild ambition took possession OF her |
motherly heart. She wondered II Mr. |
jackson was married, but was too wary to |
ask the question openly. SIS yo' wifi come
wifi you to Cairo, or is you done lef' her at
home"
i, Mr.. Jackson laughed lightly. "I hasn't |
never found any OBJ de fair sec dat's en-
tangled my confections yet. Now ef / had |
knowed you befo' you was Mis- Bosley, tha's |
no tellin' what mout a-happend," he said, |
gallantly; 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.
10, you is jest a-jokin' now, Mr.. jackson.
You know you DOESN'T mean it," Mrs. |
Bosley answered coqhettishly.
| Mr.. jackson insisted upon his sincerity, |
then turned tho conversation by expressing |