The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-11-24
MISTAH EZRA JACKSON.
How He Deluded the Colored
Brethren of Beech Ridge.

Uncle Moses Boslcy put the jug of sor-
Ehum Eolasscs 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
She store.
'Kain't you let me hab dis lawn no less n
five ccuts' Peers like it's powful 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 six " said the clerk,
glbly.
The gay-Howercd 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 u long
Wranglc over the price Of a hat a 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 a half to
one twenty-five. Counting out the amount
in dimes and nicllels, 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.
IL
Bette climbed into We wagon while Uncle
Moses carefully HELM her cages 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 darby, dressed
in a rather 5eedy broadcloth suit, a gorgeous
necktie and stove-pipe hat came walking
up quite briskly, carrying a valise and
fiourishing slender walking cane his shoes
evidently fresh from the clearinghouse.
'Good-evening, san. Scusomc, but is you
BIistah Moses Boslcy3"
Oats me fo' a fac; but what mout yo'
business ben said Uncle Moses, d trife sus-
piciously somewhat divided in his opinion
as to whether the stranger was gambler
or a preacher.
Il has Iettah of Introduction heah from
de GubcnOr OBJ de State--my fr'cn' Dick
allus calls him to his face ] tole him / was
comm down heah, and axed him fur to tell
me OBJ some good, pious, homes man what l
could trus' to tell dc 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
lcttah, which l 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
reckon I'll wait till l gifts home ter read it, -
he said, by way of explanation.
''1o be sho, sab, the sun do affec' some
people dat away; but eff you'll pomit me,
I'll 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 Bottle
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 a great pussunal favor to yO'
fr'cn' Richard Oglesby"
Mr. jackson then handed the letter back
with such an air of modest selfconscious-
moss and grace as completely captivated
Aunt Bette.
"Mout ask what kin do for you?" said
Uncle Moses, politely, much fattered by
the familiar and condescendng tone of the
Governors letter, and anxious to extend
any courtesies possible to the bearer of it.
"Cortingly, sab, certingly l wants to go
out to Beech Ridge with you dis afternoon,
bein' mo- than willin' Of co'se, sab, to pay
you lib'ral fur yo' trouble"
"Iha amt no springs on de wagon, and
muffin but bundle of oats to set on, but eff
you's 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 a step without
paying for it.
well, den, if you is done 'tarmined to
pay, s'poso we make it a quarter said I'm
Gle Moses, reluctantly.
Al couldn't think of imposn' on you that
away. It's wuff fifty cents, and / isn't
n-going TO pay no less. You see, the guber-
Inent pays me two hundred dollahs month,
aud | is able to pay well fo' all | gifts" Mr.
jackson said, munihcently.
Uncle Moses and Aunt Bette were deeply
impressed with tho magnihcenco of the
stranger. 1t fairly took their breath to
think Of two hundred dollars 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
Alvra, for whom she had bought the dress
and hat, and who was the apple of her eye,
and wild ambition took possession of her
motheriy heart. She wondered il Mr..