The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-02-08

shame, or at least WIS an extraordinary
circumstance.
1t is now the fall of Of 1929. Dame
lloIers had now become one of her sons
household at The Valley, and Mettio WAS
enjoying the reputation Of being hand
some and was, by far, the most charming
girl OF the village where she resided. She
in truth, was the belle of the place, and
was universally styled the "Muid of Wa.
tauga." $50
Her education was. plain and simple,
by no means ornamented with the mani
foil accomplishments that characterize the
beIin OF the present day. Pianos, harps
and guitars were never heard TO vibrate
their silver cords, within the hearing of
the valley, yet, Mettie was not ignor-
ant Of the divine art. The cymbal was
peculiar to that part of the mountains, ~
rignally settled by the Swiss, and aiellie
was well acquaipted with its music. In
form, it rcsemhiesthe violin, only instead
of bow q cylinder is m lde to revolve a.
gainst the strings, whose tones are modu.
lated BY the finger,s as other strinycd in
trunents are.
Me,tie was. an adept, in performing on
the instrument, aud Mrs. IIollers frequent
ly had visitors, who, charmed by the thril.
ling strains from her cymbal, expressed
their admiration of the performer IIcr
voice was exquisite, possessing none Of
those Jars and discoris that accompany
the efforts ofour Southern voices; While
it delighted you, it also, from its plain;ive
cadence, produced sigh.
F6e season had now approached, when
the fobbers cf ti,e Rock IIonsc lett .heiv
ayoeation, and returned TO their own fam
lilies. The winter WAS about to set in,
and their predatory acts were suspended
until the following summer. This tempo.
ra release, gave Captain Watt an oppor-
tunity ofriding about and passing his time
rs best suited his inclinations. The Val
ley was distant ten or twelve miles from
his head quarters, aud was within rance
of his circuit. A law of the club required
each member TO remain within fifteen
miles Of the station, for the term Of two
years; therefore, lie was compelled TO OBJ
serve this limit, rs well rs his subordinatcs.
lie had, however, only one year to re-
nam IN these narrow bounds, and t!len
he could become one of the Grand Club.
Although the Valley was near, lie nor
his men ever Ventured within It's vicinity.
The chances tor booty were less certain
than the risk Of being discovered, there
fore, prudence induced them to observe a
regular system Of nonintercouse. Watt
being now dcsrous OF improving his know
ledge Of the place, resolved, under the pre-
text of owning land in Beech Mountain.
where he had graziers attending to his
herds, to pass the winter at the Valley.
There was no regular inn at the place, yet
he found comfortable lodgings with a
family near Mrs. HoIIcrs'.
In passing about the village, he be-
came acquainted with number of the
rel tents, among thcn was the above
named gentleman, who with true mountain
hospitality, often invited him homo with
him By this means he formed an at.
tachment that influenced him through
life. The sound Of the cymbaI had its
charms. Tho narration Of hair.breadth
escapes from the panther or bear, could
excite; but the voice and smiles of Almet.
Ia Meadows, stirred up his latent energies
to lively action. kcmorse had, for the
first time, with her bIackened ga. ,, stood
before him lie was pIunderer, an assas-
sin, and conscience hade him to hold his
peace. lie inwardly determined ifrcpen-
tcncc could calm his camorous Conscience.
to yield no longer to the persuasive prom
ises Of his unprinciples associates. He
was not naturally Of a depraved disposi.
ton, but was influenced more by impulse,
in the course he had taken, than by in
clnation. lie had deserted his paternal
roof in &; of Petulance, and now was uni
ted to n banditti which he could not safe.
ly desert; yet, to gain the adorable Met
tie, was the absorbing desire Of his soul.
The ursuspecting maiden, now sixteen,
was not dreaming that the leader Of that
class Of men, which she much dreaded,
was framing in his bosom plan to gain
her affections. She received frequent vis-
its from the enamored Captain, and as
no one intercefed, lewas daily gaining
favor in Der sight. He bad been inform
ed by Dame IIoIIers how she cams among
them, she told him she wns not her child,
set She termcd son, brother and herself,
,she.eIaimeltas, smother i; thO li,owlsa