Maryland free press., 1867-04-11
NUMBER SO

| ana short parley cnsucd, at the close oil
which the guide returned to Sutherland
saying that it was all right and then,
clusping his hand, and uttering moro
stern!y than before his brief admonition;
"Romember your PROMISE" led him into
the secret chamber.
Ii was cave hallowed out in the hill,
and only consisted of one apartment, at
the end of which blazcd an enormous tn rf
fire, with huge cauldron upon it, con-
tanning what Sutherland knew at ouce to
be private still, so that the mystery of
the secret habitation and promise was at
once explained.
There were no person in the cave, but
tue owner OF the rugged head aforesaid.
an old blear-eyod man, who appeared to
be thoroughly smokc-dricd in his vocation
and bear legged urchin of twelve, who
attended to the fire.
On the whole barring the smoke, it was
cozy enough lodging to fall in with up
on cold, dark, misty night upon the
barren moors, and Sutherland felt no
scruple OF conscience in making himself
thoroughly conf rtable, He was no in
former, and he had no intention of bccom-
ing aao, so he warmed himself and dried
his clothes by the great turf fire, and ate
heartily OF some oatmeal hammock and cap
ital potatoes which were set before him,
and he took q very fair quantity Of the
very best pothecn that had ever passed his
lips, drinking soto voce to tho health of the
King, and openly to that of his host and
ould Ireland, in every fresh pannikin
the only remark that Paddy condescond-
ed to make during tho intervals between
his draughts being
"Bcdad, now, this butos Parliament
entirely"
We'll, tho end of it was, that what with
the cold, and the hungsr, and the thirst,
and the means resorted to counteraot them,
the soldier and sportsman accepted with
gratitude the "wrap rascal" or frieso coat
of his entertainer, and lay down besides
the fire, aud was soon asleep.
lie had not slept long, as ho thought,
before he was awakened by theshuge:hani
of his host being laid upon his shoulder.
He srarted up.
"Sure, then, it's yourself that have had
an illigant nap, as ye we'll may. whose
heart is light and bones weary but you
must get up now, sir, for the mornings
breaking; and it would be better for all
parties that you were away from this be-
fore daylight comes"
Tt was even so tho night had passed
rapidly, but refreshingly. Sutherland
rose as fresh as lark. and o hasty bite
and sup, consisting of some remains Of
last nights meal and glass of the staple
commodity of the cabin, and O liberal
douceur to theflame man and boy, left
happy faces behind them.
His guide of the proceeding night ac-
compaincd him for short distance, until
he brought him to the tract which as he
told him, led to hill, from tho top of
which he would be able to see the town,
aud then, accepted with reluctance the
gift, and with broad grin of thanks and
hearty shake of tho hand which accompsn-
incd it, he badc the young soldier remcm-
ber his promise, and left him and went
his way.
Now for the sequel.
Sutherland said nothing about his ad-
venture, and very shortly afterwards was
summoned homo by the sickness Of his
father, who was an old man, and had been
long failing. He found him in so weak
and prccarious a state that he was unable
to leave him, and continued with him un-
til, after six weeks of anxiety and watch
ing the old man died.
The necessary arrangements for the
iu nd thn Il az tInt af h.
ty and administration Of tho will, dctain-
ed him some time longer. so that it was
moro than three months before he return
ed to bis regiment.
During that time he had heard frequent
ly from his brother officers, but the ncws
contained in one of their letters affected
him strangely: '...
owe have been still hunting, said the
writer, "and have mado n capture. In
formation was laid before the excise OFF,
Ger of the existence of still in the noun
tans above US, and was sent with my
party to protect the gaugers.
Nasty work-I hate it. Why won't
the Government make better whiskey and
soil it cheaper ? They say that if they
d'u IL Woulu hot DC 80 SoOu as the Ola po-
thcen, because it could not be made in
small quantities. lam no judge of what
might be /; like the stuf as it lis, and
have 30 enmity to the poor fellows who
make it, and here am obliged, not only
to puuish tho informcrs."
Not very loyal this of Sutherland's cor
respondent, but such sentiments were moi
uncommon with young officers in those
days. ...
"Well," continued the writer, "w,
went out, made our point, and found tn,
still ; l will spare you tho details.
was in subterranean room or cave in tn
middle of the moors. Tho distiIlers hat
escaped, the informer got the twent
pounds, and "a cold"
I have said this intelligence aunoye,
Sutherland greatly; he could not he'll
: fancying that the 'still" 30 captured wa
! the same whose existence he had promis
r ed to conceal and on his suspicious wer
turned into certainty by description {
the place from whence it had been tax
en-
{ Time won't on Arc:, C,,tL,.l.n