Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-19

| the pride OF MIS-. GOQOOlt : ne0rt Very
well There were more hens than roost
ers; consequently the latter were rare
and much priced However, there were
several roosters, but one big fellow, who
was sultan Of the harem- He ruled the
roost," and every morning just at day
his voice was the first living sound to
be heard This fellowwas named Adam
and was the apple Of Mrs Godbolt's eye.
She knew his crow from all the others
and every morning would arouse herself
to catch the liquid notes of his early
salutation; then she would fall asleep
again, satisfied that he was there.
But one day she awoke and listened,
and listened in vain, for the call of the
chanticleer. The shades Of midnight
vanished, and the rising sun peeped in
through the cracks, and still no sound
had roused the sleeping world. Not a
cock had crowed. They were waiting for
the great lord to have his ''say, +" but the
great LORDS voice was silent, and Mrs.
Godbolt's heart shuddered within her.
She awoke the squire, and together they
repaired to the fowlhouse. There, ON
the roosts and in the nests and ON the
ground, were all the chickens, safe and
sound, all but-Adam. Mrs Godbolt
gave little scream, and the squire
rushed into the house and blew the horn.
Madly, iercely, he blew it, and the
sounds brought all the negroes into the
yard.
Now said Squire Godbolt, IT
want you all to listen, for have got
something to say. You are all paying
attention."
"Yes, sab, " they chorused, and Marin
Hubby whispered, "De Emancipation am
done come; de smoke am 'cendin from
Richmond. -
But she was wrong; the next words
showed how wrong, and scattered all
ecstatic hopes.
well, roared the squire, "Adam
is gone, and I am going to find him.
Now, the niger who has that rooster
step up and hand him over"
His words fell like thunderbolt
They all knew Adam, and they saw
from the squire's determined look that
he meant what he said.
Hand him over" reiterated ths
squire, and every negro's knees shook.
But we amt got him, squire, an
how can we han him ober when VIC
amt got him?''
1t was Terror Fire who spoke, and
some of them wondered at his nerve, but
Marin Hubby smile and shook her head.
''ThunderationP' yelled the squire.
well, he's gone, and somebody's got
him, and I mean to find out where he is. "
They argued there for two hours, and
at the end Of that time were no wiser
than at first. Then Marin Huldy came
to the rescue. She stepped up to the
squire, and dropping "curtsy' wished
to have word in private. The negroes
were dumfounded.
"Marm Hubby couldn't a-stol6 dat |
rooster, +" they said Marin Huldy am |
hones'p'
But whatever Marin Hubby was con-
Tossing it pleased the squire, and he
bowed his head and smiled two or three
times during the discourse Then Marin
Huldy stepped back, and the squire ad-
vanced to the frcnt.
"You may all go now, he said, ''but |
tonight at z o'clock / want to see you
all back in this yard-every chick and
child" And they departed.
Many of them Stunned Marin Huldy's
cabin during the day, but the old wom-
an was busy up at the "big house" and
was not aware of it
Night CAME and with it all the hands |
from the quarters. They were all there
at Z o'clock sharp. Ten minutes past
Squire Godbolt came out and after him |
Marin Hubby and two boys with great,
black pot The squire drew circle and
placed the inverted pot in the center.
Then he turned to the crowd
'Now, he said, "all of you see that
pot? Well, that is to decide who stole
Adam" There was show Of interest.
adam is gone, and he has got to be
found, or his approximate whereabouts.
Now, all Of you step up. ! am going to
extinguish the light, and twill be dark
Then all Of you walk around that pot,
touching it with your two hands as you
pass. Let your palms come down full
upon ii. You all see thatpot. 1t has been
washed, but after the test and the light
is turned on the guilty man will have
SCOT upon his hands. Now, out with the
light, and here goes. !"
They formed in ring and around the
pot they passed, some slapping it hard
so the sound could be heard
'"There, nowr' called the squire,
'all around. Very we'll On with the
light and hand up your hands,.
The light was made and the negroes
passed by for inspection. But what was
their CONSERVATION, for on every pair of
hands there was coat of sooti One by
one they came, with sorrow depicted on
their faces-all but Terror Fires. He
grinned broadly and showed the whites
of his eyes philosophically.
Come on, - called the squire, and
Terror stepped up lglibly. ''Hold out
your hands" He passed them out. and,
10 and behold, they were cleanl
"Ah," said the squire, there is the
\ rogue, " and Terror's grin folded behind
his ears.
HE was afraid to touch the pot. He
was afraid the SCOT would stick to his
hands. Now, Terror, up and confess.
Terror's knees shook beneath him, but
the evidence was convincing. Was there
not a half Of Adam still hidden under
the bed?
He confessed, and some more Of his
sunshine was obstructed. Marin Hubby
laughed and shook her fat sides with
glee.
''What I tell yo'?" she asked. "What
| tell yo'. Terror Fire? Dis niGgers am