Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-11-05

the river on his left and the hills on BIZ
right. Then be could hail each traveller
for conversation and pleasantly recreats
himself blythe use of his hooks and hi
traps. t Aa
have heard il said be used ssssfoetids
on bis traps and hooks. As far as wal
able to see, there must have been truth Ia
in the allegation as to the traps. Hi,
strategy In setting them seemed no strategy
at all. Sofar from taking pains he seemed
studiously to avoid both pains aud the
means of concealing bis trap. But wa,
peculiarly ambitious of success at angling
and I watched Uscle Jesse. He Away.
carried his bait In his hat, and after remov
ing the dock leaves, which we're used alike
TOR the purpose of packing and their non.
conducting qualities, he drew forth plenti-
full supplies of dead to IDS, mad worms 4,
and the cutrails of chickens. There wa,
nothing else to distinguish him from other
disciples Of Isaac Walton, and retired
feeling that IL these we're the symbols and
means of his success, they were such as ]
could reither expect nor desire to attain TO-
His pockets were collectively an omni,un
gather1rn, upon which he could draw 10
every hour Of need. A detailed statement
oftheir contents would be impossible; but al
any time might have been found TO contain
nails, leather thongs, tow strings. slugs Of
lead, pieces of old iron, bits of cloth, and
angle worms-in short, 1t Is unsafe to say
they did not contain any one article within
their capacity except tobacco and specta-
cles. These he never carried, and the use
Of the former he studiously avoided.
He had known q citizen of Giles county
by the name Of Brumneld, who, number
Of years previous, had gone to the State oil
Ohio, aud taken with him bis slave Reuben,
who was friend Of Jesse. OF course there
was bargain between Brumneld and Reu.
ben, for Ohio was free State. At any rate
Reuben had done well for himself, and the
news thereof came near unhinging Jesse's
usefulness for life. He possessed q natur.
ally iuquisitive mind and peculiar aptitude
for halting and catechising strangers. Often
while plowing with him 10 the river fields
have observed with deep interest how, by
a presrrargsd plan, he has managed tC
intercept the traveller from the West, as 4
by hsppy incident, appearing suddenly or
top of the fence and bringing him to hall
BY an unexpected salutation of "Sarvent
sir" HIS next move was to ascertain where
the stranger was from, particularly IL from
the Hio." Strange as IL seems I scarcely
ever saw him miss his man. He was gen
orally from the "Hio," AMI often knew posi-
lively "one HIM. phrey Brunhsld." Ever
positive information of Reuben, a man o
color" has frequently been evoked by hi,
confidence and persistence.
la religious creed Jesse was a Baptist
AMI believed in witchcraft W tn all the force
of his ardent nature. This peculiar feature
of his rel gion was largely to tho DISCUS
and annoyance Of m7 father, who lost n,
occasion to attempt TO convince the Parsor
Of his error; but reason would not do. Tn,
batteries Of his ridicu!e were brought {,
bear, but Jesse besought him to desiH
before some great evil should overiake th,
family. "M.rse Thomas, II was 10 you
place really would be afraid 10 dare tn,
witches so much" Jesse was the growtl
Of years, aud his whole emotional beinI
could not DO reversed at the demand o
modern belief As well have tried to re
verse the cunrrent Of bis blood and cause i
TO feed within him again the ares Of youth
Then he ioii how Deighbor Caperton Rgb
had been recently ridden almost TO dealt
by that old sorceress, Polly E lis, who cam,
ever his door In the shape of a cat, and will
whip aud spur and eyes of Hre had riddel
him AL night around the orchard on the toI
rail of the fence, up tho corners Of the bar
and over The roof. then up and down au'
across all the angles Of his dwelling. Thi
neigbbor Right would swear to.
Not long thereafter my father had occa
sion to pass up the creek for several miles
and calling on business at Ellis, where tn
reputed sorceress lived, observed while sit
ting on his horse at the gate the approach
of cat on tho fence. OF course the story @
Jesse was irresistably In his memory, anC
observing the cat quite closely, II cam
TO point sufficiently near and spran
from the fencU, alghting upon the front G
his saddle. 0n his return home Jesse wa
called in at the hour of supper. aud tn
story Of the cat related IN his presence. II
was buttoned 10 his long james h1ntin
shirt with great dignity, aud 'jscling tn
saliva between his teeth in manner indica
tive Of great agitation, te ej aculated, vel
please goodness, I'de a dashed its brain
out I" Then dropping his chin upon hi
breast until the bald portion Of his hea
was made TO Us ,ume the critical line, an
Gro sing both hands hehind him, he strod
with great gravity out of the dining hal
Oa the subject Of witohery intelligence ha
no power TO relieve his mind. To disbeliey
In sorcery was 10 defy aud bring down upo
his head superior p. wers; bat having b'
leved, he hal his renedy and never faile
20 use II. Above the dpor Of the LooI
Honse he kept nailed lorse-shoe. B'
meath its protection he WAS safe. As we
might the slayers Of Israeli, aast born hav
passed beueAth the bloody Intel as Poll
Z Ii, 70 have violated the sacred warniu
OF the shoe. ne even carried his faith I
FAR as to nail one above the broad hreplac'
beneath which Adly sat aud spun her a 4,
bush fom day TO day. The frequency vi,
which they we're called into use upon Il
potrAck was indicative Of his regard Il
assurance made doubly sure. The speci
dishes fOr his benehI weni often roaste
upog spit suspended from shoe In II
ehimney The very chest over which
knelt in silent devotion At the head Of b
bed wsa provided Slth the mystic iron sho
He won deserved distinction for bis Abili
b | a.. IA lo.s arffalaa and atwaVa aaII