The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-11-08
THE BLUE RIDGE.

In the ear y autumn of the year 1889,
about half an hour of sunset, [ drew
rein in front of large double log house,
on the very summit of the Blue Ridge
mountains, of Eastern Kentucky.
The place was evidently kept as 8
tavern, at least so sign proclaimed, and
here | determined to demand accommo-
dation for myself and servant Bose, a
dark-skinned body-guard. Bose and
had been playmates in child and boy
hood, and | need hardly say that the
faithful fellow was attached to me as |
was to him, and on more than one occa-
sion ne had shown mis- devotion.
There had been "shooting-match !"
st the Mountain House that day, and,
as | dismounted, | saw through the open
window of the barroom a noisy, drunken,
and evidently quarrelsome set of back.
woOdsmen, each of whom was swearing
by all possible and impossible oaths that
he was not only the best shot, but that
he could Outright, out-jump, out-wrestle,
run faster, jump higher, dive deeper and
and come up dryer than any other man
on the mountain"
Il say, Mars Ralph" said Bose, in q
low tone, as | handed him my bride
rein, don't like the looks of dem in
dar. Spose we goes on to the next
house faint fur"
Nonsense, Bose" l replied; "these
fellows are only on little spree over
their shooting. We have nothing to do
with them, nor they with us. Take the
horses round to the stables and see to
them yourself. You know they've had
hard day of it."
And throwing my saddle bags over my
shoulders | walked up the narrow path
to the house.
found, as | have intimsted, the bar
room filled with a noisy, turbulent
without speaking rs [ went up to the oar
and inquired if | and my servant could
have accommodations for the night
Receiving an affirmative reply from
the landlord, little, red-headed, caday-
erous looking specimen of the "clay-
eater" | desired to be at once shown to
my room, whittier | went, but not until
had been compelled to decline score
of requests to take a drink" much to
the disgust of the stalwart bacchana-
ians.
The room to which | was shown was at
the far end of a long two story struc-
ture evidently but recently added on to
the main building, which it intersected
at right angles. A gallery extended
along the front, by means of which the
rooms were reached.
| found my apartment to be large and
comparatively well furnished, there be-
ing, besides the bed, a comfortable cot,
half dozen "splint bottom chairs, 8
heavy clothes press, and bureau with
glass.
There were two windows, one along
side the door, and the other in the oppo-
site end of the room.
The first mentioned door was heavily
barred, with stout oak strips, protec-
ton, presumed, against intrusion from
the porch, while across the latter door
was drawn he svy woollen curtain.
In the course of half an hour Bose
entered and announced that the horses
had been properly attended to, and q
few minutes later q bright faced mulattO
girl summoned Us to supper.
Supper over, | returned to my room,
first requesting 10 be reused to an early
breakfast, as | desired TO be on the road
by sunrise.
Thoroughly wearied with my day :
ride | at once began preparations for re-
firing, and had drawn off one boot, when
Bose came in rather hastily, looked fur.
lively over his shoulder, and then eau
tiously closing snd locking the door.
Mars Ralph, dar's gwine to be trouble
in dis house afore morning" he said.
And | saw in moment that something
had occurred to upset the faithful fel
lows equilibrium.
"Why, Bose, what is it? What dc
you meant" ] asked, barely restraining
smile.
{" tole you, Mars Ralph, we'd better
trabbel furder," was the rather mysteri
Gus reply. You see that yaller ga
deere tole me dar would be a muss if VIZ
stayed in this founded old house al
night"
BY close questioning l elected the fsc
that the girl had really warned him tina
four men whom | had noticed togethel
were q desperate set of Williams, ant
probably had designs upon our property
not our lives.
The girl had seen two of them at the
stable while | was at supper, and oy
cautiously creeping into stall, next th'
one in which they stood, had hearC
enough to convince her that they mean
mischief. Subsequently to this she alsC
saw the landlord in close confab witt
the entire party, and from his action
judged that he was urging the men Il
their nefarious work.
81 tell YOU, Mars Ralph, dem white
trash amt after no good-now you hearC
me-" persisted Bose.
I had begun to think so myself, bu
what was to be done. The situation wa
full of embarrassment, and | felt tina
nothing could be done save to wait ant
watch, and, by being on the alert, defes
their plans by determined resistance
f5uu | that from the barred window
in viii there wa bCoken pane o.
glss, s good view of the stables could b.
had
ILea for the other window.