Mara; or, The Earth Trembled.

Evening Star, Issue 7449, 18 February 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

Mara; or, The Earth Trembled.

A STORY OF THK CHAUIiESTOX KAHTIKp AKK,

[By E. P. Rok.l CHAPTER XXL I'N'cmn siiF.iiA sat ri'ox. Old Tube, keeper of the “ rasteran,” may have been right in saying that Uncle Sheba had backslidden as far as he could slide, icmembering the limitations ot a life like his, but circumstances bad recently occurred which brought his churchy relations to a crisis, Tobe was the opposite pole in character to Uncle Sheba. There was an energy about the old caterer winch delied age and summer heat. Even his white wool always seemed bristling aggressively and controversially. ITis fiery spirit influenced his commonest acts. When he boiled potatoes his customers were won’t to say “ he made ’em bile like de debil.” He carried his energy into his religion, one of his favorite exhortations in the prayer-meeting being: “Ef you siunein want to ’scape you’so got to git up an gn<. During the preaching service he took a high seat in the synagogue, and if any one in the range of his vision appeared drowsy he would turn round and glare till the offender roused into consciousness, Ibo children and young people stood in awe of him, and there was a perfect oasis of good behaviour surrounding his pew. Once some irreverent young men thought it would be a good joke to pretend to “conviction oh sin,” and to seek religious counsel of Ole Tobe, but they came away scared half out of their wits, one of them declaring that he smelt brimstone a week afterward. The Rev. Air Birdsallfelt that bo had a strong ally in Tobe, but he often sighed over the old man s v-ant of discretion. Uncle Sheba was Tube’s hetr unir , and be often inwardly raged over “ dat lazy niggah.” “De time am coinin’ w’en dat backslider got to be sot on,” he would mutter, and this seemed his one consolation. He could scarcely possess his soul in patience in hope of this day of retribution ; “but J kin hole in till it come, for its gwine to come shush,” he occasionally said to some congenial spirits. Tohe had a very respectable following iu the church both as to numbers and character, for many looked upon his zeal as Heaven-inspired. At last there came a hot Sunday afternoon which brought his hour and opportunity. Air Birdsall was not only expounding, hut also pounding the pulpit cushion in order to awaken some attention in his audience. Old Tobe had been whirling from one side to the other, and glaring hither and thither, till in desperation he got up and began to mulgc and pinch delinquents. From one of the back pews, however, there soon arose a sound which so increased as to drown even Air Birdsall’s stentorian voice. Tohe tip-toed to the spot, and, in wrath that ho deemed righteous, blended with not a little exultation, looked upon Uncle Sheba. His head had fallen on his bosom, and from his nose were proceeding sounds which would put to shame a high-pressure engine. Ann’ Sheba was shaking him on one side, and Kern Watson on the other. Audible snickering was general, but this soon gave way to alarm, as Ann’ Sheba exclaimed aloud: “He’s done gwine an’ got de popoplexy shuah.” “ Carry him out,” said Old Tobe, in a whisper which might have been heard in the street. Two or three men sprang forward to aid, but Kern sternly motioned them back, and, lifting Uncle Shelia’s portly form as if it were a child, carried the unconscious man to the vestibule. Scores were about to follow, but Tobe, with his wool bristling as never seen before, held up his hand impressively, and in tiie same loud whisper, heard by all, remarked: “It don’ took do hull cong’ration to wait on one po’ sinner. Sabs ye’sclvcs, hrud’ren and sisters, for de time am a-cornin’ w’en you’se all will bn toted out dis yere temple ub de Lord foot fo'most.” With this gruesome recollection forced upon their attention the people sat down a (Jain, wide awake at last, J obe beckoned to three or four elderly men whom he knew he could rely upon, and they gathered around Unele'Sheha. His wife was slapping him on the back and chafing his hands, while Kern was splashing water in his face. The unfortunate man began to sneeze and manifest rather convulsive signs of recovery. At last lie blurted out: “ Dar now, dar now, Aim’ Sheba, don’ go on so. I’so gwine to bring in de kinlins right smart.” “Bress de Lor’ 1” exclaimed Ann’ Shelia, “ dat sonn’ nat’rel. No popolexy in dat ar kin’ of talk.”

Tobe and his allies exchanged significant glances. Uncle Sheba was brought to his senses sufficiently to he supported home hy Ids wife and son-in-law. lie soon became aware that he had committed an awful indiscretion, for Watson looked stern, and there was a portentous solemnity in Ann’ Sheba’s expression. He began to enter on excuses. “I was jis’ come ober by de beat,” be said. “ ’Tween de heat and de po’ful sarmon I was jis’ that ’pressed dat de sperit went out oli me.” “ Air Buggone,” replied his wife, severely, “ it was wot went inter you, and not wot wen’ out ob yon, dat made de trouble. Use gwine to cut off yon’s ’lowancn one-half. At this dire threat Uncle Sheba groaned aloud, feeling that Ids sin had overtaken him swiftly indeed. His supper was meagre, and to Ids plaintive remarks Aim’ Sheba made no reply, lint maintained an ominous silence until sleep again brought the relief of oblivion.

After Uncle Sheba’s departure Tohe and the other pillars of the church held a whispered conference in the vestibule, and soon agreed upon their course. When the services were over they, witli other sympathisers, waited upon the minister, Mr Birdsall was hot, tired, and incensed himself, and so was in a mood to listen to their representations. “ Hit’s time dis yere acan’el was r’moved,” said Tobe, solemnly. “We mus’ purge ourselves. Mr Buggone should he sot on an’ ’spended at de berry leas ; an’ ter make de right ’pressicn on oilers dat’s gettin’ weak in dere speritool jints, I move we sot on Mr Bnggonc’s case to-morrer ebenin’.” Mr Birdsall was made to feel that it was his duty to accede ; but he already felt sorry for Ami’ Sheba and the Watsons, and had misgivings as to the result. “ Well,” said he at last, “ I’ll to a prelim’nary eonf’rence to-morrow evenin' at Mr Buggone’s house. Brud’ren, we must proceed in de sperit oh lub an’ charity, an’ do our best to pluck a bran’ from de burnin’.”

In the morning he went around to prepare Aim’ Sheba for the ordeal, but she and Vilet had gone out upon their mercantile pursuits, and Uncle Sheba also had disappeared. To Sissy the direful intelligence was communicated. In spite of all Air Birdsall’s efforts to console, she was left sobbing and rocking back and forth in her chair. When Kern came home he heard the news with a rigid face. “Well,” he said, “ ef it’s right it’s right. Ef I’d done wrong, I’d stan’ up an’ face wot come ob it.” Uncle Sheba knew when his wife would return and was ready to receive her in the meekest of moods. He had cut an unusual quantity of wood and kindlings, but they failed to propitiate. Sissy soon called her mother to come over to her cabin to hear of Air Birdsall’s visit and all that it portended. Aim’ Sheba listened in silence and sat for a long time iu deep thought, while Sissy aud Vilet sobbed quietly. At last the old woman said (irmly; “Sissy, I wants you aud Kern ter be on hand’. Vilet kin take keer ob de chillun. Dis am gwine ter be a solemn ’casion, an’ de Lawd only knows wots gwine ter come out ob it. Anyhow, dis fam’ly mus’ stan’ by one ’noder. My mind ain’t clar jes’ yit, but it’ll git clar wen de ’mergency comes ; I jes’ feel it in my bones it’ll git clar den.” There was such an awful solemnity in her aspect when she returned thst Sheba was actually scared. It seemed to him that her manner could not be more depressing if she were making preparations for his funeral. His trepidation was increased when he was told briefly and sternly to put on his “Sun-day-go-to-meetin’s.” “ Wot fer, Aun’ Sheba ?” ) “ ATni’se known soon ’miff. De elders gwine to call on you dis ebenin’. Ef you’d had de popoplexy in earnest we’d made great ’lowance fer you, but when you eat an’ drink till you most ready to bust, and den ’sturb de hull meetin’ by snortin’ like a

’potamns, dar’s got to be trouble, an’ I’se got to meet it,” Uncle Sheba did as he was directed, with the feeling that the judgment day had come. Alcan while Ole Tobe had prepared his indictment and marshalled his forces for the occasion. At seven iu the evening he led them to the nearest corner and waited for Air Birdsall, who soon appeared. Led by him they entered Aim’ Sheba’s living room_ in solemn procession. Although the evening was warm there was a fire on the hearth, for she had said; “ Dere’s gwine tor he notin’ wantin' to do ’casion.” All the chairs had been brought in from Watson’s cabin, and be and Sissy sat in the background. Uncle Sheba bad been placed on the farther .side of the hearth and was fairly trembling with apprehension. He tried to assume a pious, penitent air, but failed miserably. Aim’ Sheba made an imposing spectacle. She bad arrayed herself in her Sunday gown and had wound a flaming turban about her head. Apparently she was the most collected person present, except Kern Watson, who sat back in shadow, his face quiet and stern. As the minister and committee entered she rose with dignity and said: “ Elder an’ brud’ren, take cheers,” Then she sat down again, folded her hands, ami gazed intently at the ceiling. If old Tohe was not cool, as indeed he never was, he was undaunted, and only waited for the minister to prepare the way before he waited on Uncle Sheba. A few moments of oppressive silence occurred during which the culprit shook ns if he hdtl an ague, but Ann’ Sheba did not even wink. Air 'Birdsall, regarding her portentous aspect with increased misgiving, began at last in a mournful voice ; “ Alias Buggone, dis is a very sorrowful 'casion. AVearehoie not as you'sc enemies hut as you se fren a. Our duty is painful, ’stremely so, but de brud’ren feel that the time is come wen Air Buggone inns’ be made to see do error ob his ways, dat derc mus’ be no mo’ precastination. De honah oil de church is japerdized. Nelierdeless he is a free agent. De lamp still holes out to burn ” “ An de wilcst sinner can return,” interrupted Ann’ Shelia, nodding her head repeatedly, “ I uuderstau . A on means well, elder.” Old 'Tobe could bold in no longer and began excitedly: “ De question am weder de wile sinner’s gwine ter return, or wants ter return, or’s got an return in ’im. _ Elder, I feels for Aliss Buggone an’ her family, but dis yere ting’s gwine on long anuil. We’se been forbearin’ an’ long-sufferin’ an’ till dere’s a scan’el in do church. Use tried wid all my might ter keep de people awake an’ listenin’, an' I’se gettin’ done beat out. Ef we wink at dis awful ’/.ample you mought as well go to de grabeyard an’ preach. It ml be mo’ comfablc for you, kasc dey’d hear jus’ as well, an’ dey wouldn’t sturb the ’scorse hy snorin’ do roof of. Now I ask de sense ob dis meetin’. When a mernbei backslide so he do] notin’ but cat an’ sleep, oughtener he be sot on V There was audible approval from all of Tobe’s followers, and he was encouraged to go on. “Ef Air Buggone mus’ sleep mos’ob de time let him sleep poac’able in his own house, but de Scriptor say : ‘ V ake deni dat slecpest,’ an’ we say it’s time Mr Buggone woke up. Any cull ml purson dat kin snore so po’ful as Air Buggone needn’t say he weakly an’ po’ly. Hale de poah he put in Ids snore ml 111’ ’im riirht along in all good works, week days an’ Sundays. But Use loss faith in ’im. He’s been ’spostulatcd an’ ’monstrated with, an’ ’sorted so often dat he’s hardened an’ ins conscience zeered with a hot iron. We’se jes got to take sieh sinners in ban’ or do pastor lot won t hole de Hook no mo’. I move we take steps to ’spend Air Buggone. ’ ” “Secon’ dat motin,” said one of his followers, promptly. “Air an’ Mis Buggone, have you nothin to say?” asked Mr Birdsall, sadly. “ Elder,” began Uncle Sheba in bis most plaintive tone, “ you know how de heat yistidy was po’ful ” “Air Buggone,” interrupted his wife severely, “ dis ain’t no ’casion for heatin’ roun de bush and creepin’ troo knot-holes. You knows de truf an’ 1 knows de truf. No, Elder, we’se got not’in ter say at jes’ dis time.” “ Den, Elder, yon put de motion dat we take steps,” said Tobe promptly. With evident reluctance, Mr Birdsall did so, and the aliinmitive was unanimously voted by the committee. “I wants to be ’speeded, too,” said Ann’ Sheba, still gazing at the ceiling. “Now, Alis Buggone, der would be no right nor reason in”that,” the minister protested. “Elder, I doesn’t say you-mis ain’t all rmht, an’l does say you means well; but Use do lies’ judge of my imiard speritool frame. Hit was neber jes’ clar iu my mind dat I was ’ligious, an’ now I know 1 ain't Migious, an’ I wants to be ’speeded.” “ But it is clar in my mind dat you are religious; dat you’se a good woman. Would to de good Lawd dat de church was full ob Christians like yon.” “ I’so spoke my min’,” persisted Aim’ Sheba, doggedly. “ Ole Tobe shall hab his way, an' de church be purged.” “Elder,” said Tobe, now quite carried away by zeal and exultation, “p’raps Alis Buggone am de bes’ jidge. Ef she feels she ain’t one ob do .minted ones ” “Peace,” commanded Air Birdsall; “never with my consent shall any steps be taken tosuspenil Miss Buggone. You forgita, Tobe, how easy it is to pull up de wheat wid de tares.” “ Den 1 ’spend myself,” said Aim’ Sheba, “an’ I is ’spended. Now I gwine ter ’fess de truf. I guve Mr Buggone an extra Sunday dinner yestidy. I was puff up wid pride lease business was good, an’ I bress de Lawd for prosperin’ me. Den like a fool I ’dulgc myself an’ I ’dulge Air Buggone. Ef he’s to be ’spended for a snorin’ sleep 1 oughter be ’spended fer a dozin’ sleep, fer I was a-dozin’; an’ I feels it iu my bones dat we bofe oughter be ’spended; an’ I is, no matter wot you does wid Air Buggone. Now, Tobe, yon hab had you’se say, an’ I’se a-gwine to hab mine. You’se got a heap ob zeal. You wouldn’t lead de (lock ; you’d dribe ’em, you’d chase ’em, you d worry de berry wool off ob dern. Whar you git yo sperit fum ? Ver ain’t willin’ ter wait till de Jedgment Day; you’d hab a judgment ebery day ob de week. You’se like dem ’siples dat was allers wantin’ ter call down fiah from heben. Look out you don’t get scorched yo’self. I can’t be ’ligious long o’ you, an’ if you got ’ligipu I habn’t. Elder, you says de Lawd_ libed yere on dis yarth. I only wish I’d libed in dem days. I’d a’ cooked, an’ washed, an’ ironed, an’ baked fer Him an’ all de ’siples. Den like anuff He’d say: ‘ Ole Aim’ Sheba, you means well. I won’t be hard on you nor none of you'se folks when de Jedgment Day comes.’ But so much happen since dat ar time when lie was yere dat I kinder got mixed up. I reckon I jes’ be ’spended, an’ let Him put de ole woman whar she belong when de time comes.” There was pathos in her tones; her stoicism had passed away, and tears were streaming from her eyes, while Sissy was sobbing audibly. The Committee at first had been aghast at the result of the meeting, and now their emotional natures were being excited also. Ole Tobe was disconcerted, and still more when Aun’ Sheba suddenly rallied, and, turning upon him, said with ominous nods: “Wen dat day come, Ole Tohe, yon won’t be de jedge,” Thus far Kern Watson had sat silent as a statue, but now his strong feelings and religious instincts gained the mastery. Lifting up las powerful mellow voice, he sang : The people was a-gathorin’ from fir and neah ; Some come for fiahes an’ some ter hoali ; But He fed dem all, and He look so kin’ t Dat dey followed, dey followed, an’ none stay helnn. But one got loss, an’ he wandered far, Do night come dark -no moon, no star ; De linns roared an’ do storm rose high, An’ de po’ loss one lie down ter die. Don came a voice, an’ do win’s wont down, An’de lions grovel on de groun’; An’ de po’ loss one am foun’ an’ sabed, Fer de Shepherd ebery danger brabed. These words, as sung by Kern, routed Ole Tobe completely ; he huug his head, and had not a word to say. The Committee had beaten time with their feet, and began to clasp their hands softly. Then Mr Birdsall, with kindly energy, exhorted Uncle Sheba, who groaned aloud aud said “Amen” as if in the depths of penitence. A long prayer followed, which even moved Ole Tobe, for Ann’ Sheba had shaken his selfconfidence terribly. The little company broke up with hand-shaking all around,

Tobe saying; “ Sister Buggone, I bears no ill-will. I’se gwine ter look inter my speritfool frame, an’ ef I eotcli de debil playn’ hob wid me he’s gwine to be put out, hoof an’ horns.” Ann’ Sheba wrung her son-in-law’s hand as she said : “Yon’se singin, Kern, kinder went to de right spot, Neber-de-lesse, I’se ’spemled till I feels mo’ shuah.” Sissy kissed her mother and father affectionately, and then the old couple were loft alone. Aim’ Sheba gazed thoughtfully into the dying fire, but before long Uncle Sheba began to hitch uneasily in his chair. Finally he mustered up courage to say: “Aim’ Sheba, dis am been berry po’ful ’casion, berry tryin’ to mynarbes and fcelin’s. Yet I feels kinder good an’ hopeful in my inards. Kf I wasn’t jes so done beat out I’d feel mo’ good. P’raps now, ’sidorin’ all I’se pass troo, you wouldn’t min’ gibin’ me a bit ob datcole ham an’ hoe cake ” “Mr Buggoue,” began Ann’ Sheba sternly, then she suddenly paused, threw her apron over her head, and rocked back and forth. “ Dar now, Aun 1 Sheba, dar now, don’ go on so. I was only a Digestin', kase I feels po’ly ; but I kin’ stan’ it.” “ I’se no better dan Ole Tobc liisself,” groaned Ann’ Sheba. “All on us is hard on someone, while a-hopin’ fer marcy ourselves. Ff you’.se heben is in de cubnd, go in dar an’ hep a sef.” And she rose and opened the door of the treasure house. “ I’sc jes’ take a leetle bite, Ann’ Sheba, jes’ a leetle comf’tin bite, kase I’se been so sot on dat I feels berry weakly ami gone like.” Undo Sheba was soon comforted and sleeping, but Aim’ Sheba still sat by the hearth until the last glowing embers turned to ashes. “ Yes,” she muttered at last, “ I’se ’spemled till I feels mo’ shuah.” (To he continued.)