Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-11-06
THE BLUE RIDGE.

In the early 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 80 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 he had shown his devotion.
There had been shooting match
at the Mountain House that day, and,
as | dismounted, | saw through the open
window OF the bar-room noisy, drunken,
and evidently a 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"
81 say, Mars Ralph" said Bose, in q
low tone, as | handed him my bride
rein, 81 don't like the looks of dem in
dar. Spose we goes on to the next
house; faint fur"
Nonsense Bose" / replied; "these
fellows are only on a 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
q hard day OF it,"
And throwing my saddle bags over my
shoulders | walked up the narrow path
to the house,
found, as | have animated, the bar.
room filed with noisy, turbulent
crowd, who one and all stared at me
without speaking as 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, cadav
erous looking specimen of the "clay
eater" / desired to be at once shown tc
my room, whittier | went but not unit
had been compelled TO decline score
Of requests to take drink" much t
the disgust OF the stalwsrt bacchana
hans
The room to which WAS shown was a
the far end of long two-story struc
ture, evidently hut recently added on K
the msin building, which it intersectec
at right angles. A gallery extended
along the front, by means of which tn,
rooms were resahed.
| found my apartment to be large anC
comparatively well furnished, there be
ing, besides the bed, comfortable cot
half dozen "splint bottom chairs,
heavy clothes press, and bureau will
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 hesvil,
barred, with stout oak strips, a protec
ton, | presumed, against intrusion from
the porch, while across the latter doc
was drawn a h avy woollen curtain.
In the course of half an hour Bos
entered and announced that the horse
had been properly attended to, and
few minutes later bright facet mulatt'
girl summoned us to supper,
Supper over, | returned to my room
first requesting 20 be reused to al earl,
breakfast, as | desired TO be on the roa,
by sunrise
Thoroughly wearied with my day
ride Mt once began preparations for re
firing and had drawn off one boot, whel
Bose came in rather hastily, looked fur
lively over his shoulder, and then eau
uously closing sud locking the door.
Mars RSlph, dsr sgwine to be troubl
in dis house atore morning he said.
Aud saw in a moment thst somethin
had occurred to upset the faithful fel
lows equilibrium.
Why, Bose, what il III What d