Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-06-17
HOW UNCLE SCIPI0
TESTED A BIG SHELL.
By Wallace P. Reed.

It was sultry day in August during
the siege of Atlanta. Sherman's guns
we're throwing shells into the city.
"That "a FOUNDER, said one legged
veteran of the Mexican war, (which you
store has no business there. Some fool
will tamper with it, and then there will
be an explosion.
The merchant promised to have it car
ried off and Immediately called an old
negro who was working in the rear of the
store
"Uncle Scipio,'' he said, take this
thing to Captain Jones at the pistol fac
tory. Tell him that sent it. He will
know what to do with it. Be careful now.
If you drop it or hit that cap, you will be
a dead niger.
Scipio listened with broad grin on his
black face.
'tShucks, Msrse Bill, was his quick
response. II amt easily skeered by a lit
tie thing like that I'll tote it all right "
He stopped and tried lazily with ons
hand to pick up the shell.
"Hi,'' he exclaimed, "but it's heavyi
Must be nailed to the floor
"Take good hold with both hands,
commanded his master. "Hold it close to
you, and if you value your life don't drop
it or run against anything"
With bewildered look the negro took
the shell and, hugging it closely to his
breast, started off with it.
-"Thats right" said the man with the
wooden leg, don't let any of them stay
around here They are liable at any time
to receive blow that will explode them "
Just then Scipio reappeared still hug
ging his iron burden.
'Marse Bill, he began.
"You black rascal" yelled the mer-
chant. "Don't you come back here Take
it over to Captain Jones and give him my
message"
"Yassir, u replied the old darky, "but
you see, Marse Bill, met Tom out here,
and Tom says that all l have to do is to
take off the cap and dig out the powder.
Lemme have hammer, and I'll fix it. +"
He looked around the store, evidently
in search of hammer or hatchet.
|. Gas 1 am little lame" hastily re-
marked the Mexican war veteran. 81
guess I'll take my leave right now"
He hobbled down the street, and two or
three others followed at a rapid pace.
'Scip." said his master, ''you re "a fool
If that thing bursts, it will kill every one
of lis. Do as told you, and take it to the
factory"
But Uncle Scipio was good old coun
try negro who had been pet in his mas
ter's family for two generations. He was
not afraid of his master, and he could not
he induced to give up his project.
For moment the merchant was tempt
ed to knock him down, but as that would
cause the shell to fall with enough force
to explode it, the idea was quickly given
up.
The loungers in the store darted out in
every direction, leaving Scipio, his master
and two frightened clerks.
keep perfectly still, Scip," pleaded the
merchant Don't move an inch, and
hold to that thing. Now, Scip, you plan
tation niggers don't understand these
things. The cap on that shell will explode
it if anything strikes it, and it would kill
all of us and tear down this house. Take
it to Captain Jones. and when you come
back I'll give you a DRAM. -
But the petted and spoiled family serv-
ant was used to having his own way, and
he paid no attention to his young master.
Laughing with the glee of q child over
a new toy, the innocent darky picked up
a hammer, and, taking Il seat on a box,
he placed the shell between his knees with
the cap uppermost
''Tom told me all about it, - he said
giibly, ''and Tom knows. I'll get the
powder out, Marse Bill You jist watch
me-"
He adjusted the shell and then raised
the hammer, talking all the while, as he
made his preparations.
The proprietor of the little store fled
through the front door and did not stop
until he found himself in n safe shelter in
the next block
The two clerks were afraid to make IL
rush for the front, as they would have to
pass the amiable idiot with the shell
In the twinkling of an eye they made
their way to the rear, tumbled through
the window and crawlod into the cellar of
the next building.
These movements were executed with
almost Hghtninglike rapidity.
The frightened merchant and his clerks
were not Il moment too soon. The delay
of even IL half minute might have proved
fatal.
Before they had recovered their breath
they heard deafening explosion and 6.
shower Of flying fragments clattered
against their places of refuge
When they reached the scene, they hard
ly recognized the place The little one
story brick store had disappeared, leaving
a smoking wreck where it had stood. Two |
of the adjoining buildings were badly
damaged and mule in the street had
been killed by piece of the destructive
"a FOUNDER.
About that time tho Federal batteries
resumed the bombardment and the ruins |
of the store were not explored until the |
day.
Uncle Scipio's master was never quite |