The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-09-27

never went and had nearly forgotten the
intention, when one day we stumbled in
on them quite accidentally. We we're
looking for Wild flowers In the noun.
tains end storm came up so unexpect-
edly that We hurried into the frst cabin
we came to for shelter. A sick man was
bolstered up In q chair, and one OF the
shyest, loveliest, most attractive girls l
had ever seen was tanning him with 40
old palmetto hat. The room was hung
With starched and goffered muslin dress.
es, beautifully done up, and on rack
above the door several rifles we're hung.
The sick man was the living image OF
Wilkes Booth, as remembered him-
pale, statuesque features and dark curl
ing hair, the embodiment OF picturesque
refinement end intellect. never saw
such devotion In any woman's face be-
fore IS she gszed into his pale counte
nance to see If our entrance bad startled
him She looked like the sister of Tas-
so, or Gertrude bending over her Ru-
dolph.
We did not stay long, but We came
away deeply In love with Kitty, and
rather distrustfol of her sick husband,
who was convalescing from an attack oil
mountain fever. We felt that something
was wrong and that Gentleman George
must be very selfish to wear fine gold
watch and seal ring, and let Kitty take
in washing from the hotel as she actually
did, for we recognized those beautiful
laundried dresses. We. felt that it was
the old story Of mans sel6shness and
woman's devotion, but We made our.
selves agreeable and drew the man out
He talked well 10 spite Of his vernacu'
lar; and be read Shakespeare and Mrs
Augusta Evans, and gave rs some qusin'
music on the banjo, and told US Of bis
family, and was rather proud Of the
drop OF unleaven 10 bis blood.
at matches Kitty" be said laughing
ly. "Come here, girl; give the folks
some buttermilk and berries Fly around
honey. or they'll think you're wore ou
nursin' me-"
He moved . square OF stone in the
hearth With bis stick, and brought out {
jug With q corn-cob stopper; we all tast
ed the illicit whisky and he put it back
saying:
you'll not inform il you're XIII
friends, and they'll never take me alive
Kitty shuddered and turned pale. bu
we knew this was ell mock heroism.
petty still in the mounlain side was mo-
likely 10 be interiered with by summer
visitors; but the paling cheek Of the
lovely young wife showed that she was
ever fearful OF danger, and she followed
us to the door to ask in . sweet implor.
ing way not to mention to Col Dysart's
family that she did the fine starching and
ironing for the hotel visitors.
George is proud" she said, "and 80
is the kunnel I never washed there,
and l needn't to now; but he's had the
mountain fevah. Pore boy! it's took
bin down So"
Her voice was soft and autelike; We
promised what abe asked, as her hus-
band called petulantIy:
Exit. don't stand gsbblin thar! The
fevah's on again."
Our next adventure was of another
sort. There was quarrel between The
distillcr, and excisemen, and COL Dysart
went as peacemaker between them aud
collected moiety OF the tax money.
He called at Kitty's on the way up the
mountain, and left word that he would
be back the next day at noon and ca,
dinner with her. Her husband was we'll
now, and that morning be took bis rifle
and went out "after game" be said. Kit
ty begged him not to interfere with any
of the excisemen, and he promised he
would not and leit her with 3 careless
kiss.
Fanny and Louise Dysart got up the
idea of picnic to meet their father, visit
Kitty and spend day in the mountains
at the same time. There we're no Dress
es hung in Kitty's cabin, though her
hands had goffered the ruffles on Fan.
ny's crisp lawn and Louis's organdy,
through the medium of the head waiter
at the hotel, but they unceremoniously
asked her to admire the work. They
cbaffed her about her handsome husband
and wondered where he was, and de.
cIared laughingly they would not have
come if they had not expected to see
him. Col. Dysart was late and the pic
nickers had their feast spread under the
pines and Kitty made charm
ing hostess, but she wss anxious and
seemed watching and listening, At last
Col. Dysart came. riding slowly and his
bridle-arm banging by his side, broken
by ride-bal.! The girls sobbed and
clupg TO him ard asked q thousand
questions, but Kitty helped him OF his
horse, got him In the house. and with
the help Of others OF the party bandaged
up the broken arm. Then the Colonel
talked with white lips and set teeth.
"The - highwaymen! 1t was the
they wanted, and they meant to
shoot me like q dog. Four OF them set
on one man. Masked like thieves, every
mothers son OF them! Well, / settled
the account OF one Of 'em; grilled him
and through so he'll never know
what hurt him. A mean, sneakin' COW
ard! Halo, Kitty! blood makes you
sick, hey :"
For Kitty had dropped like q shot
bird at bis feet.
at was the blood" she said, and she
soon came round and helped Us to get
of, silent, terrified party. for even an
outlaws death is q shadow on one soul.
But We all felt that the Colonel had done
the country service. These outrages
had been frequent Of late.
We hated to leave Kitty alone, but
she said George would be right back ,snd
we left her watching the winding noun
tain road, anxious for 6rst glimpse oi
his loved face.
We learned later about his home-com.
ing. Kitty watched till sunset, then she
prepared the supper he loved best anG
sat down to wait for his step. II wa.
after sunse. when q hand touched thu