The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-14

in the air and his bones were aching. His
head was against 2 paling fence, and he
was cold--s0 coldl
Another crow. Bre'r Eph opened both
eyes and raised himself TO sitting posture.
around. The gray light Of early morn was
robbing the night OF its uncanny influences.
A subtle thrill permeated the air, the
fields, the forest--like the slow revival OF q
suspended pulse. The witchery and the
terror were departing from the face OF the
earth, though the moon still hung a wan
ing silver disc in tho western sky. With
great effort, Bre'r Eph slowly rose to his
feet and held on by the palings:
lis dish yer me or some one alsep Whas
de rees'n / vain ter homer
lie rubbad his forehead slowly, then
stared intently at plain, white tomb
stone inside the fence. Then he sighed
with sense of relief.
"Yeckn dat ain my grade stone after
ALL"
This set him thinking ruefully OF that
chicken race and its result-so realistic,
yet terrible.
"EIow'd Use Git back hyar; dass wat
wan ter know? Dass de berry same
chicken comm now cotch las night.
Hit NUT be-hit sholy mus; md yit,
hahn Miss Sue Georgy libin up dar in
my ole chist?"
Again he pondcred, then straightensd
himself with an air OF decision.
"Dass ernuf or dish yer foolishness.
rs gwine ter fin out-I is. III dey fool
dis niger wifi sech blim blamin' ez dat
onct, dey don't do hit ergn."
He started home ut as rapid a pace as
his stiiIened limbs would allow of, though
not without nervous glances to the great
house TO see ii his retreat was observed.
The sun was nearly visible when he
opened his own door and stood within,
looking about him. His bed layas he had
left il the day before; there was no sign Of
blood or feathers ON the floor. lie looked
under the hearthstone-no key lay he
meath; he raised himself puzzled, yet
with thrill of hope within him. Then,
to the chest, and-behold!-- key was
in the lock, as usual. He flung the lid up
not q sign OF chicken within.
''Grashusl Has Use bin dreamin'
after all? De witches mus er bin er ridin'
me, shore"
Slowly the truth dawned upon him that
he must have slept during his seli-ap-
pointed vigil, while waiting the proper
time TO raid his old masters hen roOst
lie laughed aud actually danced with de.
light. Suddenly he paused, frowning,
"lIop on dar, Eph! Yo'se preacher
yit-yo' cain dance. Seems like yuse
gittin' 10 be plum fool"
Then WEAKNESS again came over him,
and sundry Qualms OF conscience and q
fear lest this blcst reality should also prove
illusory.
IL feel sorter bad, I does" he said.
Oars Misty in my ole bones, and
yeck'n Use bettah git ornuddcr nap o
sleep"
lie pinned too the door and mentally
asking the good Lord not 10 'brung dat
ar fetched chicken back ergin' >" lay down
and fell into deep sleep.
The sun was high when Bre'r Eph one,
more awoke. His head achcd, his throat
was parched, he got up aud opened tho
door to get a drink from the water piggin
on the shelf outside. Then hc drew back
with cold chills moving up and down his
spine. On the doorstep WIS covered
basket, with a placard staring at him from
the iii, having these words thereon in
large letters
"BRE'R VALENTINE To BnE'R Erie
HERE Is.
ooh, my good Lord, hab mercy! Hyu
dat arl VALENTINE, shore nuifp' he ex
claimed, wringng his hands.
Then he pished and pshawcd ut himsel
"ior fool Niger" and finally raised thu
lid with trembling fingers. 4 large, ia
iowl-trussed aud skewercd for the oven
was inside. Nothing more --ycs-a card
on which was written
"FRoN Mis- SUE"
Bre'r Eph took the basket up gngcrly
and set Il inside. Then he drank waio
rs though his whole interior was u Dir,
reservoir. waiting 10 be- filled. Finally hi
sat down before the basket aud regarded
its contents musingly.
"I'se pore, useless niger, H. ] vain
lttin 20 be no preacher, ! vain. But
le'm one less'n won iergt on'n m,
min cz long AS Brc'r Eph's head sta
hot"
Bre'r Eph had chicken for dinner tina
day-not Of his own stealing. however
for which he was dcvoutly thankful.
Ills friends, after this, began to notici
that ''llre'r Eph wan quite 40 full OF
hisso'f ca he use ter be"
lie consequently grew to be a bette
preacher as he became truer man. III
never tined Of matchmaking his hearers a
Postum Trot and elsewhere with tn
virtues Of honesty; and when the hat re
turned TO him with only scattering coli
or two therein, he "'lowcd "a dat wa
mon yearns, nohow."
As for chickens, he hardly ever hear
an early morning crow without sigh, an,
ihe name Of Bre'r Valentine was Away
more or less OF a terror 10 him, especial
when heard from the lips Of "Young Mar
Hart" whose ingenuity, uniting with ih'
kindness Of Miss Suze," had, under th
auspices Of "Brc'r Wall niine, ~ rebukc
and comiorted him when the effect Of hi