The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-05-23

the clerk had signed 1t, ana SET out 10
serve it.
On reaching Jim's shanty-it hard
ly rose to the dignity of a cabin
detailed my assistants to act as pick
cts, and marched boldly up and knock
ed at the door.
Come in - growled gruff voice.
AS | entered Jim glared at me
tiercely. He was strapping siN-foot-
er, all Drawn and bone, and ready any
time to fight for the love of it. If he
hadn't come to town for "bluein'," as
he pretended to Old Rum, he had, at
any rate, managed to get gloriously
blue" and when in that state lie was
entirely reckless.
Jim, old fellow" | said, in n con-
ciliatOry tone, 'I've got an attachment
for YOU, and want YOU to 90 with me-"
"Well, | amt got none for you" he
growIed, surlily land what's more, L
amt goin'"
explained that resistance would be
useless that | had a strong force out
side; and that | should be constrained
to take him, dead or alive. But all to
no purpose. jim, obstinate enough
at all times, i'll his present condition
was perfectly mulish.
Seeing persuasion was vain, | sig
nailed my assistants At the sight of
them jim seized brand from the fire.
"Ye see that kag, Mr.. Lumpkin,"
he said his eyes bloodshot and his
voice husky; well, it's full o. gun
pOwder-and by the long-toed Harry,
eff one o them Onderstrappcrs comes
across my threshold, or ef you stay
minnit longer'n you kin git away, I'll
tech her off, so help me :"
Jim, | knew, was a famous hunter,
and used to buy his ammunition by the
quantity. A keg of powder was moth
ing unusual for him to have on hand.
And then Polly began to cry and take
on in way that went to prove the
thing was no joke. Besides, Jim was
just fool enough to do as he threaten
ed. Ny two assistants took to their
heels like white-heads, and, it must be
confessed, | made a rapid advance in
the same direction.
At safe distance we rallied and
held 81 council of war. We concluded
to invest the place, and hold it in siege
for the present.
At the end of an hour, Jim appeared
at the door, waving white rag tied to
a stick
'Is that a sign of surrender?' l
shouted, from safe distance.
NO. halloed jim. its a flag of
truce :" adding, "Ye han't got no tach-
ment for Pop, hev yc!'
| answered promptly that | hadn't.
well, | want to pass her out, " said
Jim. shes getting stericky in here
and case the wust comes to the wu,t |
shouldn't want to be obleeged to blow
the old gal up"
thought the proposition was rea-
sonable, and said so.
In ten minutes the door opened and
"POp" came out She wore scoop
bonnet, and kept her handkerchief to
her eyes. Her form seemed bowed 10y
grief We respected her sorrow and
suffered her to pass.
Hour after hour went by. | began
to grow fidgety. 1t was already three
o'clock. Court adjourned at four :;
and unless l produced Jim before that
hour, Old RUNS word was out to
make ''an example of me-" At last |
concluded to seek a parley.
Halo, Jim!' l shouted Il want
to speak to you"
No answer.
/ drew nearer and shouted louder /;
still no response.
An idea struck me. Jim had pro-
L I ell 81 L.,
so, l might steal a march on him
Stealthilv advancing raised the latch,
and gently pushed open the door. In
stead of Jim, drunk and asleep, the
object that confronted me was Pop,
wide awake and duly sober.
where's Jim ?'' | exclaimed.
"Gone this two hours" " replied Pop,
punching the fire.
For goodness sake be careful, ma
dame" | eXpostulated, 'abOut stirring
up the sparks SO close to che keg !"
Land sake, man ~ cried Pop, Its
got nothin' in it but beans"
AS the enormity of the sell flashed
upon me, | beat, if anything, more
hasty retreat than | did when Jim
threatened to blow up his household
goods, and me along with them.
"Where's the prisonern' roared Old
Rum, as l entered the courthouse
alone.
tried to break it gently; but it
was no use. The conclusion of my
statement was lost in shouts of laugh
ter. Old RUNS eyes rolled wildly.
His face went through the whole ga
mut of coIors. What he would have
done Heaven only knows, or ever can
know. An apoplexy, which the old
whisky-biber had been honestly earn
ing for twenty years, struck him like
lightning, and he rolled over dead.
At his funeral, few sighs were heard,
and few tears shed. No words spoken
in commemoration of the virtues of
the departed. The officiating clergy