Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-11-28
MISTAH EZRA JACKSON,

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 4'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 N
i've centss Peers like it's pow'ful high,
and amt sho it will wash anyhow she
said, chewing one corner of it 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 good customer Wouldn't think
of letting you have it for less than seven
cents. Why, it cost Us skip said the clerk,
glibly.
The gay-fowered 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 perspring and disguised clerk
came down from one dollar and half to
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 home made chair. He
took the reins, and had just given pre-
paratory "GitFup dar, boys; time we's trab-
blin',' when a dapper little darby, dressed
in a rather seedy broadcloth suit, a gorgeous
necktie, and stove-pipe hat came walking
up quite briskly. carrying a valise and
fourishing 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 TO- fac; but what mout yo'
business be?" said Uncle Moses, trife sus-
piciously, 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 q
good man an a gentleman, so he writ dis
lettah, which hopes you will do ma de
honah OBJ 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 SUMS kinder blinded me ter-day, and
reckon I'll wait till gifts home ter read it,"
he said, by way of explanation.
ITO be sho, sab, the sun do aftec' some
people dat away; but efyou'u pomit me,
I'LL read it TO- you"
So the letter was brought forth again. and
was read with such wonderful ease by the
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 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 ask what kin do for you?" said
Uncle Moses, politely. much flattered by
the familiar and understanding tone of the
Governors letter, aud anxious to extend
any courtesies possible to the bearer of it.
"Certingly, sab, certingly. wants to 80
out to Beech Ridge with you dis afternoon,
bein' mo- than willin' Of co'se, sab, t. pay
you ib'ral fur yo' trouble"
''Tha' amt no springs on de wagon, and
muffin but a bundle Of oats to set IN, but eft
you's mind to put up wifi sech rough rid
in, you's mo- dan welcome to gu without no
pay" said Moses, cordially.
Mr.. jackson declared that under no Cir
cumstances would he bulge step without
paying for it.
swell, den, if you is done 'tarmined to
pay, s'pose we make it q Quarter,'' said I'm
Gle Moses, reluctantly.
II couldn't think of imposin' on you that
away. It's wuff fifty cents, and I isn't
acgoing 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 wore deeply
impressed with the magnj ficence Of the
stranger. It fairly took their breath to
think Of two hundred dollars a month, and
they were silent for 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 a wild ambition took possession Of her
motheriy heart, She wondered IL Mr..