Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-11-06
H BLUE RIDGE.

III D1UE hlDtE.
In the early autumn of the year 1889
about half an hour of sunset, I drew
rein in front of a 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 a sign proclaimed, and
here l determined to demand accommo
dation for myself and servant Bose, q
dark:skinned body-guard. Bose and
had been playmstes in child and boy.
h>od, and I 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 y
at the Mountain House that day, and,
IS l dismounted, l saw through the open
window of the bar-room a noisy, drunken,
and evidently a quarrelsome set of back
wo0dsmen, each of whom was swearing
by all possible and impossible oaths that
he was not only the best shot, but that
he could Outright, o%ut-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 &
low tone, as I handed him my bride
rein, 81 don't like the looks of dem in
dar. S'pose we goes on to the next
house: faint fur"
"Nonsense, Bose" I replied; "thesf
fellows are only on a little spree over
their shooting. We have nothing to dc
with them, nor they with US. Take the
horses round to the stables and see to
them yourself. You know they've had
a hard day of it."
And throwing my saddle bags over my
shoulders l walked up the narrow path
to the house.
I found, as I have intimated, the bar
filled with a noisy, turbulent
crowd, who one and all stared at me
without speaking as l went up to the ;aa1
and inquired if I and my servant could
have accommodations for the night.
Receiving an affirmative reply from
the landlord, q little, red-headed, cadav.
erous.looking specimen of the "clay.
eater" I desired to be at once shown to
my room, whittier l went, but not until
/ had been compelled to decline a score
OF requests to :" take a drink" much to
the disgust Of the stalwart bacchaua-
lians.
The room to which 1 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 we'll furnished, there be-
ing, besides the bed, a comfortable cot,
half a dozen "splint bottom " chairs, a
heavy clothes press, and a bureau with
glass.
There were two windows, one along.
side the door, and the other in the opp0.
site end of the room.
The first mentioned door WAS heavily
barred, with stout oak strips, a protec-
ton, l presumed, against intrusion from
the porch, while across the latter door
was drawn q hf avy woollen curtain.
In the course of half an hour Bose
entered and announced that the horses
had been properly attended to, and a
few minutes later a bright faced mulatto
girl summoned us to supper,
Supper over, l returned to my room.
first requesting to be reused to an early
breakfast, az I desired to be Oh the road
by sunrise.
Thoroughly woaried with my days
ride I 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 cau-
tiouely closing and locking the door.
"Mars Ralph, dar'sgwine to be trouble
in dis house afore morning." he said.
And l saw in a moment that something
had occurred to upset the faithful fel-
lows equilibrium.
"Why, Bose, what is it? What do
you meant" asked, barely restraining
q smile.
II tole you, Mars Ralph, we'd better
trabbel furder,' was the rather mysteri-
Gus reply. "You see that yaller pal
dere tole me dar would be a muss if I'VE
stayed in this founded old house all
BY close questioning l ELECTED the fact
that the girl had really warned him that
four men whom l had noticed together
were q desperate set of Williams. and
probably had designs upon our PROPERTY,
+ not our lives.
The girl had seen two of them at the
stable while l was at supper. and bv
cautiously creeping into a stall, next the
one in which they stood, had heard
enough to convince her that they meant
+ mischief. Subsequently to this she also
saw the landlord in close confab with
the entire party, and from his actions
Judged that he was urging the men to
their nefarious work.
II tell you, Mars Ralph, dem white
trash amt AFTER no good-now you heard
me" persisted Bose.
had begun to think so myself, but
what was to be done. The situation was
full OF embarrassment, and l felt that
nothing could be done rave to wait and
watch, and, by being on the alert, defeat
their plans by q determined resistance.
found that from the barred window.
IN which there was 4 broken pane of
glass, q good view of the stables could be-
had. 1870
Then for tho Other. window.
l crossed the room, drew aside the
heavy, curtain, and, raising the sash,
looked out. :, ~
A single glance wa sufficient to cause
mo = thrill of surprise, and Igave a low
exclamation that instantly brought Bose
to ny side.
Far below I could see the faint elim-
mer Of water, the low murmur Of which
came indistinctly up from the depths,
while on : level with what should have
been the ground, ! dimly saw the wav-
Ing tree tops, as they gently swayed
bstore the fresh night breeze, and knew
#5 s