Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-09-28
The Ghosts Of Red Creek.

tends track of pine forest for miles
with but few habitations scattered
through it. Black and Red creeks, with
their numerous branches, drain this re-
gion into the Pascagoula river to the
eastward. With the swamps of the
Pascagoula river as a refuge, and the
luxuriant and unfrequented bottoms OF
the Red and Black creeks to browze
upon, there are few choicer spots for
deer. Knowing this fact. a small party
of gentlemen, on the day before a crisp
cold Christmas, started from Handsboro
in a large four wheeled wagon for a
thirty-mile drive into the wilderness OF
pine and weeks sport after the deer.
The guide was Jim Caruthers, true
woodsman, and the driver a general
tactotum, jolly negro named Jack
Lyons, than whom no one could make a
better hoe-cake or cook venison steak.
His laugh could be heard quarter OF
mile, and his good-nature was as ex-
pansive as the range of the laughter.
The usual experiences Of hunting
camp were heartily enjoyed during the
first days of this life out of doors; but
its cream did not rise until about the
fifth night, when, from familiar inter-
course, Jack Lyons became loquacious,
and after the days twenty or twenty
five-mile walk, would spin yarns in front
of the camp fire, which brought forget
fulness of fatigue.
The night before New Years was in
tensely cold. The cold north wind of
the afternoon had subsidized at sunset,
and only a gust now and again touched
the musical leaves of the pines, making
them vibrant with that mournful score
of natures operas which even maestros
have failed to catch.
In front of two new and white tents
two spertsmen reclined at length within
reach of the warmth of the fire, while
opposite them rested at ease the guide
and the worthy Jack Lyons.
Wearied with the days chase four
stauch hounds -Ringwood, Rose, Jet
and Boxer-were dreaming of future
quarry.
The freight brought out in bright re.
lief the trunks of the tell pines like
cathedral columns, andsparkling through
the leafy dome overhead the scintillat
ing stars glistened with q diamonI
brightness. A silence which added it
influence to the scene rested about tht
borders of the creek below, and gav'
more effect to the story of the veteran
1ie5teE mo-,1ie5t than perhaps it otherwis'
eff de deer run down de creek, Sal
old Jack smacking his lips over care
fully prepared brewing of the real Cam
bolton punch, "wese boun to see ful
to-morrer, for dey'l take us down tina
by dc old Gibbet's place. In daylgh
dar's no place like it, but after nightfall
you bet you wouldn't catch dis nigga
dar.'
Old Jack was naturally asked why b.
didn't care about visiting the Gibbet'
place at night. Asking to be excuse,
until he filled his pipe, the silence wa
unbroken until his return. He piled o.
more pine knots and commenced.
"Yu' kno' gemmen, dat when de gun
boat was in de sound we folks had T.
travel way back hyar on desc roads on
un de range of dere big guns. I wa
gagged by Mr.. Harrison in hauling sal
from de factory at Mississippi City, on d
beach ober to Mobile, an I had beel
making trip every week or SO. Di
back country road was neber though
OBJ by de federals, an we bad goo
times along de way, no shells and N
shootin'.
"De mite, gemmen, rs speakin' c
was a Friday dat yous all know is ur
lucky. Well, you see. hitched u
Betsie and Rose in de lead an ole Fo
an Blossom at de pole, an takes in d
biggest load OBJ salt dat team eber Cal
ried. I starts out an crosses de Bio1
riber at Hansboro just as de moon wa
goin' down. Yes, boss, desc road
weren't no better den dan low, an
rain had made 'em mighty rough whel
yer comes to de holes.
"I sat in de seat whistlin' DE Cow
is in de Pea Patch, and q thinking o
Sarah Jamison. what was afterwards m
wife, when felt de off fore wheel g
'kerseush 7 in hole up to de hub. r
made IL mile out of Hansboro. I di
some cussin', and den went to de fenc
about 90 yards off and took out rail t
prize up dc Wheel Den I saw I was at Mi
ter Gibbet's place. I try and try on &
de wheel, but no go; so I sez to myself
I'll go on up to de house and get ol
Mr.. Gibbet to give me turn. I ha
done gone by dyar two weeks afore an
Seed de old man.
"Now, gemmen. yer listen to me, fo
what Use tellin yer is as sure as jimmy
blow de horn on de last day. I wall
|. ed up to de house and dar saw brigt
light inside. It showed out fro
windows, and I saw shaders OF MIS-
, Gibbet and Mrs. Gibbet on de windo'
curtain-shore honeys, shore. De fror
do was shet, and I steps up on ter d