Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-11-05
THE BLUE RIDGE.

In the early autumn of the year 1889,
about half an hour of sunset, I 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
tavern, at lesst SO sign proclaimed, and
here | determined to demand accommo-
dation for myself and servant Bose,
dark-skinned body-guard. Bose and l
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 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-jum out -wrestle,
run faster, jump higher, dive deeper and
and come up dryer than any other man
on the mountain"
CT say, Mars Ralph" said Bose, in a
low tone, as [ 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; 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
a hard day of it.''
And throwing my saddle bags over my
shoulders | walked up the narrow path
to the house.
found, as have intimated, the bar.
room filled with a noisy, turbulent
crowd, who one and all stared at me
without speaking as I 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 to
my room, whittier [ went, but not until
/ had been compelled to decline q score
of requests to take a drink" much to
the disgust of the stalwart bacehana-
ians. A4 A
The room to which I was shown was at
the far end Of long two story struc-
ture, evidently but recently added on to
the main building, which it intersected
ct 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, comfortable cot,
half dozen "splins bottom" chairs, 8
heavy clothes press, and bureau with
glass. HGitt 1913 H.-iltJ+i
There were two windows, one along.
side the door, and the other in the oppO.
site end of the room. = . tftfs = =
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 a b: avy woollen curtain
In the course of half an hour Bose
entered and announced that the horse.
had been properly attended to, and 8
few minutes later bright faced mulatte
girl summoned US TO supper. ..eas
Supper over, I returned to my room
first requesting TO be reused to an early
breakfast, as desired to be on the roac
by sunrise.
Thoroughly wearied with my day,
ride at once began preparations for re
firing, and had drawn off one boot, wher
Bose came in rather hastily, looked fur
lively over his shoulder, and then eau
tiously closing and locking the door.
"Mars Ralph, dar'sgwine to be trouble
in dis house afore morning" he said.
~ Il r 1, = IL -
had occurred to upset the faithful Eel
lows equilibrium. .
"Why, Bose, what ia It.? What dc
you meant" ! asked, barely restraining
q smile
" ] so)e you, Mars Ralph, we'd better
trabbel furder," was the rather mysteri
GUS reply. "You see that yaller gal
dere toie me dar would be muss if we
stayed in this founded old house all
night"
BY close questioning elected the fact